September 28, 2008
A Powerful Message
I received a VERY powerful message from the word today at church. We had a speaker/pastor from Alabama visiting and he taught us on the way we should be raising our children despite the teachings/lessons we were taught by our own parents.
He started by saying how the Father of the family is held most accountable. I knew this, but listening to him today really shed a lot more light.
I, like the pastor today, was not raised in a christian home. Neither of my parents used the Bible or God in their training or teachings or discipline and I have followed suit, for the most part. He said how this will go on for generations and generations and it does. I have allowed myself to raise up wrath in my own children by my own anger with them and I have seen them, in turn, do the same with each other.
And as with my parenting I have also chosen these paths with the friends I have made in life, those not of the faith or belief in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
I feel and believe that in the past 10 years I have tried to change and pull on the armour of God and stand against the wiles of the devil. It has NOT been easy.
It is a constant stuggle for sure, but I believe and I continue to pray that I am making strides with this. I catch myself all the time, I stop and think, "This is not what God would want me to do or say." And I think for me it has been even harder, more of a stuggle, because my immediate family, as a whole, are not saved and so I find myself struggling with things they do and say to me and not wanting to overreact or say something foolish or selfish because they will be quick to persecute me because of my beliefs. And this has happened and continues to happen.
The pastor today said something to the affect that, "Stirring anger in your own children takes the wind out of their sails." This has happened to me just recently and I know I am guilty of it as well.
What gave me encouragement today though is that discipline is NOT comfortable, it is painful and when we discipline others we WILL be persecuted ourselves.
How true that is...
~: Children, obey your parents (in the Lord), for this is right.
"Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise,
"that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth."
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord. :~
~:Ephesians 6:1-4
AMEN!
Posted by tracey at 01:45 PM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2008
All in His Time
How we want things to always go our way. Human nature I guess, but I am learning to be patient, it's hard in this world, but good things do happen all in His time.
Family trials have been my burden the past several months and I have prayed on this and finally a break through. I am still hurt and bewildered to some extent, but I am realizing more and more that so much, if not every struggle in this life, is for a reason.
I frequently pray for all of my family and I will continue to do this. Sometimes I think that is all we can do even though our human nature will tell us otherwise!
~ Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
And attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me. ~
~: psalm 86:6-7 :~
Posted by tracey at 10:36 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2008
More Precious than Silver
Who can count all the blessings we are given everyday? When I sit and ponder my life up to this point I am so so grateful to Him for giving me all he has. I know nothing is for nothing and sometimes that is hard to understand, but I know in my heart it is so true.
Trials and tribulations come for a reason and nothing I deserve compares to Him, this I know.
The daily grind can make us forget about what is truly important in life. We get so busy with the day to day, kids, work and getting by in this crazy world, but at the end of each day I know He has been with me and I have thought on Him often.
My soul sings, my heart beats strong and I am so grateful for all I have. I am blessed in so many ways. Things may be hard at times, I don't understand why things happen as they do or why we react the way we do sometimes, the challenges we face but I can only pray that He will take these burdens from me as well. I lay them at the foot of the cross and pray for all who do not know Him as I do.
Thank you Lord for all you have given me, good and bad, and make me stronger for it. You are my strength, my sheild and most importantly my saviour! More precious than silver.
Posted by tracey at 10:30 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2008
He's still working on me...
Hi, my name is Tracey and I am a christian, still growing, still learning and still making mistakes.
Life is not easy, but I'm learning as I go and I pray often for guidance, peace and the way through our Lord Jesus Christ. I need His love and strength everyday.
It is my sincere hope that God is using me, including all of my imperfections, to help shape who I am and what he wants me to be.
I'm glad you stopped by, I'll be here every so often so enjoy what I have and take with you what you will and share as well.
In God' Love...
Posted by tracey at 07:06 PM | Comments (0)