Shape Your Worries Into Prayers

I don't use The Message for serious Bible study, but I do enjoy looking up specific verses in it to get the "essence" of the verse in every day language. I thought the way Peterson worded this passage from Philippians 4 was great!

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

Mark spoke at a real estate meeting this week, and as is common for the speakers to do (to help get his foot in the door for the meeting, I think), he offered to bring breakfast. Mark arranged with our sons' boss to do the food for the meeting, and our sons volunteered to do the serving (off the clock) to keep costs down. Their boss had already told us he would do the breakfast at a bargain rate as a favor to the boys (they are good employees :-) ) --- but after the meeting he wouldn't let Mark pay him --- said that it was his gift to help get the business going. Praise God, what an amazing gift!! Mark thought the meeting went well and felt the breakfast made a great impression --- it could help to position himself in the forefront of Realtor's minds and we hope will eventually bear fruit.

As I mentioned before, the kids needed clothes for their youth mission trip and it has been a matter of constant prayer for me. I went back to the clothing closet today and they helped me find some clothes for the kids! Praise God for his provision! The kids leave the day after tomorrow, so it was none too soon! The people at the clothing closet wouldn't let me pay, saying that my volunteering took care of that. So, God provided again in a terrific way.

Also, the kids are getting to do some work at church to pay off the balance of their trip. Every immediate concern I have has been met in some way.

Please pray that God will speak to us clearly about what we need to be doing right now. Thank you and God bless you!

Letting Christ displace worry....

Past Due Post!

Everyone keeps telling me it has been waaayyy too long since I posted. I know! It just seemed there was little to share and God and I were spending some good Bible study time together anyway. He has been teaching me a lot. I will share some of my Bible study notes next time I write.

I was praying again for God to encourage me, to give me a boost that would help me continue the race. I admit, I'm very weary some days. Some good things have happened since I started asking the Lord for that. For one, the kids really need some clothes for the World Changers trip. The church that used to have a bread ministry started a clothing closet, and they notified me of this about just about the time I was praying about the clothing. I went and volunteered there this week and looked for Hannah and Parker. Nothing found yet, but I am going back next week. I feel certain God will provide what they need.

Today we had the first distribution of bread at our church. It was such a blessing to be able to help some people. I personally know how much good bread helps stretch the food budget and I felt so privileged be able to help other families. I held some bread back for a family I know who has a much more difficult financial situation than we do and cannot drive... When we closed the distribution there was still some bread leftover, so I added that to the bread I'd set back for them. Turns out, someone had given them a freezer! She had room and they were very excited to get the bread. She, in turn, gave us some produce she had an excess of. Then, back at church, one of the secretaries invited us over to get a whole bunch of tomatoes from her garden. And tonight, my parents came with a bunch of produce from their garden. We are blessed with plenty to eat right now and I just have to say it again... God is good.

I thank you all for your support over these many months..... for those who have given gifts, sent notes of encouragement, prayed numerous prayers, shared words of affirmation... you all are instruments of God and demonstrate His love to us in many ways. We thank God for you.