Prayers

Here is my perspective on Heaven, and it may seem drab at first.

I believe when we get there, we will be a spiritual being that is totally dedicated to worshiping our Lord.

No day or night, no looking back at earth and those left behind. No interaction with our earthly family or pets. Even those that have passed before us.

Just a total focus on worshiping God. No distractions. No looking back or sideways. It is absolute bliss and heaven.

What could be more amazing?

My 2¢

CSF<> <

We also just chat about families, pets, weather and our problems with family members...LOL.

I have heard her hurt, funny, angry, laugh, in pain, afraid, spiritual, in a prayer mode, concerned, loving, serious, intellectual......

But until tonight....I have NEVER heard her.....giggle!!!! Yes, KIR CAN giggle!!! She is alllllll girl.

W00T, what a great thang for me to hear......

CSF~~~<> <

KIR,

It is great to see you here so much again. I have to admit that there was several days there when I despaired of ever hearing your voice or seeing you post.

csf, That was the first time you heard her giggle? Maybe you should work on your delivery a bit! KIr's laugh and the way she can make light of our human follies is why I will always treasure our association so much.

I was at my Sister's all weekend and I really appreciate the support I get when I come here. My Sister's daughter will leave home in two weeks to pursue her adult path and I am missing her already. Children, just when you get used to them being around they are up and gone.

God's Blessings upon us all.

CFS and I also talked about the armor of God.  Of all the parts of the full armor, 5 are for our protection and defense against the enemy and one, the sword of the Spirit, is the only offensive weapon.  The believer's enemies are demonic hosts of Satan, prepared for attacking us.  The goal is to discourage the believer, make believers doubt their faith and salvation, and prevent the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is spiritual warfare.  We must recognize when we are being attacked by the enemy with lies and deceit and discouragement and put on the full armor daily to protect ourselves from attacks on our faith.

Ephesians 6:10-12
"Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

I had received some comments on it in one of today's devotionals and wanted to share some perspective:

"First-century battle gear included a shield in one hand and a sword in the other. With one, the soldiers could advance against their enemy. With the other, they went on the offensive. Concerning our own spiritual battle gear today, would we find a dusty “shield of faith” stored away in a corner? When we come out from under the protection God offers us through the shield of faith, we become vulnerable to our enemy’s attacks. Without faith, it is impossible to avoid fear and discouragement. We stop advancing the gospel at the first sign of opposition. What has kept you from advancing the gospel in your sphere of influence? Where do you need to brandish your shield of faith amid daunting opposition?"--Voice of the Martyrs

Study:  Ephesians 6:10-20

cblue,

Never despair of not seeing me here or my being around.  After my recent experiences, I am even more convinced that God is not done with me yet or else He would have taken me home.  It is up to me to hear His still, small voice and procede on whatever path He has set before me.

Laughter makes the heart glad and is very healing.  Laugh daily, pray without ceasing, learn God's word, and listen for His guidance.  He knows that His children can be silly, rebellious, awe-struck, confused, and trusting even in what is not seen, among many other things.  We never surprise Him!  Praise God for that.

I will keep your neice in my prayers and will also pray for her family as she prepared to begin her next phase of adult life.

Be God's

KIR

Greetings everyone. Thanks for all of the input about heaven and pets. One thing I know for sure is Heaven will be better than we can ever imagine! I had a friend of mine put it this way..."Take the best moment you have ever had on this earth(childbirth, birthdays, just great moments.... etc.), now times that by 1,000,000 and that will not even touch how awesome heaven will be."

Father, I come to you this morning and thank you for being the allmighty God who takes the time to love and listen to each and every one of us. I lift up all on this thread and I thank you for the hand you keep on us! Jesus, you deserve more praise that we as human's could ever send up but you love our praise I ask that you keep us focused on you throughout the day so we can have an awesome day in your presence. In Jesus Christ name I pray. Amen!   

Thank you Aboy! It's always a blessing to rise and see another day, but it's also a blessing to be a mother. Bless you!

Be blessed my brothers and Sisters! Love to all of you!

Thanks sis for your prayers that are needed even more now.  Ark CPS is trying to deny us custody of Adam because of my husband's head injury stating that he could be more aggressive and or dangerous.  What is so ironic is that he is nicer than he used to be and more of a kid again.  We will fight them on this with prayer and true facts and not opinions and their statistics that have no relation to us when it has been two years since his accident. 

I thank the Lord for my babies (all of them) in my life.  I had a wonderful Mother's Day because i have a wonderful daughter who cleaned the house for me, wrote me a beautiful card that brought tears to my eyes, bought me a plaque with the fruits of the spirit written on it and of course, bought me chocolates.  lol

I hope all Mothers here had a great Mother's Day whether it is for your pet babies or children.  Yes, our pets do become our children too. 

In Christ,

Anita

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is." - Galatians 5:9-10 NASB

In Bible times, the use of leaven was common, as it was added to change the character of dough. Paul used this picture to help the Galatians understand what happens when we are committed to the Law. He wanted them to think through the process.

Paul told them we're saved by faith, we "have been crucified with Christ," "it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me," and "if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly" Galatians 2:20-21.

Something terrible happens when we start to believe or act as if our "righteousness comes through the Law." It doesn't take much. If we look to the Law to save us, our outlook, standards, and focus become twisted.

The leaven principle applies to every area of our lives. Think of all the ways "little things" can harm our lives. What is the impact of just a little immorality...saying just a few offensive words...the theft of something small...telling just one "white lie," or giving in to just a few lustful thoughts? Or how about spending a little time with the wrong people? Listening to the wrong messages? Reading misguided words? Viewing something inappropriate on TV or videos, even if just for a few seconds?

Yes, Christ has set us free! However, we still have choices to make about how we spend our time, talent, and treasure.

Today, think about the choices you're making. Don't use your freedom for the wrong purposes. Be careful not to Sow the wrong Seeds or Sow Seeds into activities that can poison your life. Remember, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough."

Father, thank You that I am saved by faith. Help me to be wise about what I do with my time, talent, and treasure. Help me to live for You and further Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Greetings All,

I am fond of saying "His will be done", because we can not begin to know the Lord's plan for our lives, but we can submit to that plan.  To that end, I found this devoutional a good reminder for me and thought it should be shared.

God’s Plan or Our Plan by John Ogden May 12, 2008

"For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts," Isaiah 55:9.

 "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" Amos 3:3.

We cannot enter in to the things of God until we relinquish our ways. God will walk with us, but we must be going in the direction that He is going. He will not compromise His plan or His ways for us. In actuality, we should have no plan other than God’s perfect will for our lives.

God has a plan for us that is beyond anything that we have ever known. Nothing in our past can even begin to compare with our future when it is led by God Himself. God never intended for us to be ordinary or commonplace; instead, His intentions are that we be anointed and powerful men and women of God who are conscious to His leading and His authority.

If we allow Him, God will mold and make us into His image. This is not an easy process, but the rewards are awesome. I have come to realize that the anointing of God is fresh and powerful; and, as 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, only in my weakness, His strength is perfected. We must be willing to allow God to do in us what only He can do.

Peace

Anita,

How sad that you are meeting resistence in doing good for Adam.  Yet it is even sadder that it is not a surprise when dealing with some CPS agencies.  PRAYERS WILL INCREASE, I ASSURE YOU!!!  "For we battle with principalities and powers . . ." and I know you keep your armor polished and ready.  (Would their actions constitute discrimination against the disabled?  Just a thought.)

Father, we praise You for Your perfect work in our lives and Your gift of salvation, unearned and undeserved, yet given freely out of Your love for us.  We confess that we do not praise or honor or obey or appreciate as fully as we should; please draw us ever nearer to You.  Please look with favor upon Adam and Anita and her family and intervene in the hearts and minds of those who will make the decision on Adam's future and welfare.  Your word promises that Your thoughts toward us are for good and not for harm, to give us a future and a hope.  If this be Your perfect will, move the barriers that would prevent these children of Yours from becoming one family and instill hope and strength in them as they seek to do Your will and to do good to this blessed child Adam.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Animals in heaven is a rather emotional issue.  I would love to be reunited with all those great and small that I have loved in heaven, but that may be wishful thinking.

I tend to agree with CSF that we will be spiritual being capable of providing unending praise to our lord and we will not be concerned with earthly things.  But we do not know!

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 "To everthing there is a season "(probably best known to those my age as the lyrics to the song Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds) states in verses 19-21(NIV):

Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, all to dust return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?

Peace

All - I need to ask that you add my cousing Tracy to your prayer list (she was like a sister growing up).  She is going in for a breast biopsy on Wednesday. 

Anita - I know prayers can do anything.  CPS has a formula, but the best needs of the child should prevail and so I pray that he will be reunited with you.  Also, please remind me what I was suppose to send (via e-mail).  I am getting an oldtimer's memory.