My Friend

Song of Songs 5:16 NIV

His mouth is sweetness itself;

    he is altogether lovely.

This is my lover, this my friend,

    O daughters of Jerusalem.

The words of God are so beautiful to me. To think He loves us so deeply and completely just makes me wonder and wonder about Him. How will He look like. What will it be like standing forever in His presence. I am so excited to meet God, to see Jesus face to face. Will I be able to tell Him just how much I love Him? I believe so. He is my lover, my friend.

I'm linking up with Barbie, Fresh Brewed Sunday. 

God Bless,

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Sunshine Project

Ecclesiastes 11:7 NIV

Light is sweet,

    and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 

Today I am linking up with Summer for the Sunshine Project and the object is to post something that makes you smile. Well, my garden makes me smile. You see last year I was just too sore and stiff to plant a garden and this year well I dug, planted lifted and placed lots of the rocks you see here. :) I am in remission from RA and so very pleased!! My kids and husband helped a lot in the garden as well so this just totally makes my heart sing. 

Spinach 

 The only part of the garden that is taking off is the spinach and the sunflowers. 

Slow growing :s

The weeds have taken over the rock wall and the tomatoes froze but that's okay as things are growing, slowly but surly. We have had a super cold spring with the most rain ever recorded and I have had the fireplace on almost every day so far.  

Berries

Here are some of the berries planted. There are raspberries, blackberries, currents, blueberries, strawberries and another two that I am not really sure what they are. :)

How about grabbing the button and joining in. Visit Summer at Summer's Story to get the button and link up.

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

God Bless,
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Ava Rose & Ezra 8:23

Ava Rose

Isn't she adorable?! 

This is Ava Rose and she is suffering from EB, Epidermolysis Bullosa. Ava has been having a really rough time over the past while so her aunt came up with the idea of weekly cover of fasting and prayer for Ava. There is a Facebook page called Ezra 8:23 that you can join if you are interested in fasting and praying one day of the week for Ava. If you have medical reasons for not fasting food that's fine as a material fast is totally acceptable.

Please, I urge you, to take this to our Father and ask Him what He wishes for you to do. I find it very comfortating that God's hand is all over this one as this page has the same name as my blog.

Ezra 8:23 NIV

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. 

This is what this blog is all about, fasting and praying and seeing our mighty God answer prayer and He is answering!! Just look at the prayer page and see the miracles He is performing. God, He is always good!!

Isaiah 55:6 NIV

Seek the Lord while he may be found; 

    call on him while he is near.

Thank you for considering this!

Resting in Him,
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Be Happy

Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV

When times are good, be happy;

    but when times are bad, consider:

God has made the one

    as well as the other. 

Therefore, a man cannot discover

    anything about his future.

If we didn't have bad times we wouldn't know what good times are. A friend of mine just returned from a missions trip and upon her return her heart was so thankful for what she has. Before she left she thought she lived in a 'not so nice' part of town but after being away and seeing how others lived she realized that where she lives is, in fact, a very nice place. 

I'm linking up with Barbie, Fresh Brewed Sunday. 

God Bless!!

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Lucy Update! :)

Lucy update!! Below is taken directly from Lucy's blog 2 3 Kids, a Mini Van and a Mortgage. 


Please read this thoroughly and take no more from it than what I am telling you.


Over the last few days we received conflicting opinions about Lucy’s recent medical events.  It has taken a long time for us to process this new information and we still aren’t quite sure what to think about it.  We have spent many hours consulting doctors, trying to make some really big decisions.  In a nutshell, there may possibly be some conflicting results about Lucy’s cancer reoccurrence.  I want to stress POSSIBLY.  I want to be very clear.  Lucy had a positive test from her CSF.  It’s hard to deny that fact. However, while we haven’t been able to rule it out we haven’t confirmed it either.  What has come into question is that there is a chance those cells were distorted by high doses of antibiotics, the infection, or the very high fever that Lucy ran for 2 days. 


Please understand that we are being very cautious with this information.  We can’t allow ourselves to get carried away, because there is a positive test out there that will hang over our heads for a while.  The doctors will retest in 6 weeks and then retest again 6 weeks later. 



Folks, it looks to me like God is healing Lucy! Please continue to press in with me for a miracle of no cancer! Pray and pray and don't stop reminding God of His promises for healing. If you haven't yet, please stop by and leave Kate, Lucy's mom, an encouraging comment or a Bible verse. This, prayer warriors, is a miracle! Thank you JESUS!


Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

Praise the Lord, O my soul; 

    all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins 

    and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

    and crowns you with love and compassion, 

who satisfies your desires with good things

    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Praying and praying,

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Messy Mondays

I totally LOVE this. If you have 4 minutes to spare click on the play button and enjoy!

Proverbs 1:7 NIV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Have a blessed Monday!

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Warrior Princess

Ephesians 6:16 NIV

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

The more I press into God the more Satan attacks and tries to take me out. A few years ago he would have succeeded but now I know just who I am in Christ and the work I am doing for God hurts Satan greatly. Although I don't like to be attacked I do know how to fight back. I am becoming a mighty warrior for my best friend, Jesus Christ. When He returns and the battle of Armageddon has begun, I will fight by the side of my amazing Groom, for I am part of the bride of Christ.

I'm linking up with Barbie, Fresh Brewed Sunday.

   

Blessings,

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Forgiveness

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Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if  you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Could unforgiveness be standing in the way of healing? 

Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV  

Surely he took up our infirmities

    and carried our sorrows, 

yet we considered him stricken by God, 

    smitten by him, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced for our transgressions, 

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

    and by his wounds we are healed.

How does your body heal from a deep wound? If it is to heal properly it needs to heal from the inside out, otherwise the outside of the wound will close up and the inside will fester and infection will form causing the wound to open up again. To properly heal a wound you need to completely clean it out and allow it to heal from the inside out allowing the wound to knit together and close properly.

The physical mirrors the spiritual. 

If we are sick and come to God for healing and we are not healed then maybe one of the reasons could be that we are harbouring sin or unforgiveness in our heart. We need to clean up from the inside in order for our physical body to be healed.

Now this isn't the case for all people, for God sometimes says, 2 Corinthians 12:9 ...“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ”...

If you are seeking physical healing and you haven't been healed yet, then examine yourself to see if you need to forgive someone or maybe you are holding on to sin that needs to be repented.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31 NIV

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.

This is by no means extensive but only part of the healing process. 

Blessings,
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Smiling

Just look at this!!

Lucy

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Maybe you wish to visit Kate's blog and say hi to this adorable girl 2 3 Kids, a Mini Van and a Mortgage

Now this has just totally made my day! Praying and praying for you sweet Lucy!!

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More About Lucy

This morning I opened my reader and there was an amazing post from Kate, Lucy's mom 2 3 Kids, a Minivan and a Mortgage. Lucy woke up and was talking for 15 minutes!! There is a video posted so if you are interested please head over there and see this sweet, amazing girl!!

It looks like Lucy's sight will return!! Praise God!! Please, please continue to press in with prayer. This is a miracle!

Below is taken directly from Kate's blog:


What we know:

An event happened in Lucy's body that caused 40 C (over 104.5 F) fever that persisted for more than 48 hours. 
This event caused her body to shut down and the high fever is likely to have caused the seizures. 
She has lost most of her ability to communicate, minus brief comments and interactions.  All of which I must note are purposeful and meaningful. 
We do know that her vision has been greatly impaired.  We think she might be able to see something, although we are not sure what or how much.  She can not make out faces and can't even tell you if you are holding up a ball in front of her face, but she seems to be tracking.  
During periods of awake time she is consumed with frustration, fear and confusion.  She cries for long periods of time although she does not appear to be in pain.   


Theories and Facts:
The doctors are beginning to think that maybe Pink Eye led to a viral infection that leaked into Lucy's brain.  Possibly through the shunt.  This we will probably never know.  
Today's EEG revealed NO seizure activity and NO brain damage.  PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!
Today's EEG did reveal a very tired brain that had a lot of recovering to do.
The doctors do not feel as if the eye sight issues are permanent.  This, however, can not be verified until an Opthamologist is able to do a thorough exam.  That will probably not happen until Wednesday. 
Most, if not all, of Lucy's deficits are reversible and Lucy should make a pretty strong recovery. 


Please praise God with me and press in for 100% healing. It was such a blessing to see such encouragement and to hear the excitement in everyone's voice. God gives us hope and so we press in with hope that He will continue to heal Lucy and restore to complete health here on earth.

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1 Timothy 4:9-10 NIV
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.


Praying and praying,
<><

Random Stuff

ENJOYING:

Long - easy - runs with my daughter which allow for heart to heart talks :)

Seeing bears in the middle of the road and not knowing if it is a grizzly or a brown bear

Listening to the music my son is producing on Garage Band and his amazing strumming on the guitar

Listening to my daughter sing and play the piano and just before bed listening to the sound of her strumming on the guitar and singing worship songs

Working in the garden with both of my children even though it is slow in growing and 75% of the tomatoes froze

GOD always!

Praying

Worshipping

Spending over 1/2 hour talking on the phone with my brother followed by talking over 1 hour on the phone with my sister 

Lying in bed with a soft purring cat resting on my chest

Listening to the thrumming of birds that have burrowed a hole in the roof of my home

Watching all the different birds come to the feeder

Enjoying the sound of no rain for the day and pleased that I didn't have to start the fireplace this morning

Being so thankful to God just because He is awesome in all situations

Looking at my handsome 6'6 1/2" son and seeing him turn into a man of God :)

Watching my daughter lead in worship and feel my heart swell knowing she really is in love with Jesus

Knowing my husband is a provider and has a heart that is after God's heart and knowing he is working on being the covering of our family protecting and interceding for us always

All of YOU! 

I am so thankful to God that He has sent all of you to join with me in praying and praying for all of these dear sweet people that God has laid on my heart. I feel so blessed that we can join our hearts together interceding for healing

Verse that is on my heart today:

Psalm 46:10 NIV

“Be still, and know that I am God; 

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Thanks to all of you for reading, caring and praying

Blessings,

<><

Daddy's Compassion

Psalm 103 NIV

Praise the Lord, O my soul; 

    all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins 

    and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

    and crowns you with love and compassion, 

who satisfies your desires with good things

    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness 

    and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,

    his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, 

    slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

    nor will he harbor his anger forever; 

he does not treat us as our sins deserve 

    or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

    so great is his love for those who fear him; 

as far as the east is from the west,

    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed, 

    he remembers that we are dust. 

As for man, his days are like grass, 

    he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

    and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

    and his righteousness with their children’s children —

with those who keep his covenant 

    and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

    and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, 

    you mighty ones who do his bidding, 

    who obey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, 

    you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works 

    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

I asked God what He wanted me to post for this Sunday's Fresh Brewed Sunday post and He kept reminding me of Brenda from Lighthouse Vision and her prayer of Psalm 103 over Lucy. So I apologize for this long scripture but I believe God wants this prayed over Lucy, Sam, Keira, Jordan and Summer and the others on this blog's prayer page as well. Please stand in the gap intercessing for 100% health here on earth for these dear children of God. If you wish to leave them some encouragement and love, click on their names and you will be directed to their blog. Thank you!

I'm linking up with Barbie, Fresh Brewed Sunday.

Blessings,

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Prayer Warriors/Updated

Here is an update with specific prayer requests for Lucy. Please spend sometime intercessing for this sweet young girl and her dear family. Thank you!!

Many have asked for specific prayer needs. I will list a few but know that blankets of prayer are needed because there are so many specific needs that I can't even begin to wrap my mind around them:


-rest, mercy and no suffering for Lucy
-understanding and no fear for Ella
-a constant remembrance of my love to fill Jack
-Lucy's father. My precious husband. May he continue to grieve and not feel as If he has to be strong for any of us
-Lucy's grandparents and immediate /extended families
-restored faith for all of Lucy's friends and all the little children who have been praying ceaselessly for healing. 
-Lucy's doctors, nurses and other care team members
-eventual healing for our family


Much love--Kate


Cancer is back and there is nothing the doctors can do for Lucy. Please, please press in with me and seek healing here on earth.. Pray for God to send over whelming peace and comfort to Erik and Kate, Ella, Jack and sweet Lucy. 

My heart is breaking in two, I just can not imagine how crushed this family is right now. Please lift them up to our amazing God. Even though we don't understand His ways I know that His ways are better than ours and He is always good no matter what happens.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Praying and praying and not giving up hope.
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My Trial Is Not Your Trial

James 1:2-8 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

What do trials look like? It is different for every person. One person may go through a trial that wouldn't be considered a trial for another. One thing we do know and that is trials produce perseverance and if we seek help from God we need to trust that the help He sends is from Him. 

On my journey through life patience is one of the trials that I go through. It is very tough for me. I'm a super, hyper active person and love to move a mile a minute and I love to complete many things all at once...yesterday. ;P I always remember my mom telling me to slow down, that I'm moving way to fast. 

God has been teaching me patience and I remember my first lesson when I was 9 years old. I tripped, fell and broke my foot ending up in a cast for 8 weeks. Even with a cast on I didn't slow down. After the removal of the cast I found myself back in the hospital a couple of months later with another broken bone in my foot. By the time I moved into grade 7 I had in place 8 casts from different injuries all because I just moved too fast.

Just recently, on the time away that the family and I had, I went and had a session with an intercessor on hearing God. I was seeking council on a few family issues and the jist of the session came out with God trying to teach me patience and to give all control over to Him who is ultimately in control. I am learning that this trial I am going through is from God and He wants me to seek His wisdom and this wisdom that He is giving me is to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N!  I think I am finally getting it. :s

The trial you are going through is unique to you and when you seek God's wisdom trust that what He puts in front of you is from Him. Obey the council He gives you and I guarantee that you will be very pleased with the outcome from the perseverance that you gain from the trial that you are in.  

Blessings,
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Lucy

Lucy

Please visit the prayer page for an update on Lucy. She is deeply in need of prayer, please lift her and her family up to our God. Thanks!!

Psalm 27:1-3 NIV

The Lord is my light and my salvation —

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

    of whom shall I be afraid? 

When evil men advance against me

    to devour my flesh,

when my enemies and my foes attack me,

    they will stumble and fall. 

Though an army besiege me,

    my heart will not fear; 

though war break out against me,

    even then will I be confident.

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Such A Blessing

Phoebe Fair

Phoebe Fair

Back in January I shared a prayer request for Phoebe. Phoebe was diagnosed with a rare childhood malignant  brain cancer called Atypical Teratoid Rabdoid Tumor on January 1, 2012. There was a request for prayer warriors to gather together to pray for this little girl. Her struggle has been difficult and it is only by God's hand that she is still here today and fighting strong. A few days ago her mom, Amey Fair, updated her blog and these words blessed me beyond anything. I wanted to share them with you in order for this blessing to be passed on. The following is a snippet taken from Phoebe blog, An Atypical Miracle. You can read the rest of the post here and if you feel led, leave an encouraging comment. Thank you!


..."And then encouragement came from several places, to allow God to use our trial. See, at the Ziglar Women conference on December 3rd I had taught from the book of Job. I shared about surrender and laying down your rights and knowing that God is God and I am not. I thought laying down my right to marriage and my right to live in America was noteworthy. Until God asked for Phoebe.


It never occured to me that He might ask me for something so precious to me as my child. Everything in me is built to protect her and nurture her and preserve her and at a moments notice I would throw myself into oncoming traffic to save her life. I have often prayed that God would  use my children for the purpose of furthering His kingdom. I thought that might require me to someday entrust my kids to God as they went off to the foreign mission field or that Him using them would mean that they reach out to others more needy with the love of Jesus in whatever place God has them. But cancer? For my TWO year old, only daughter? How could He require me to trust Him to this degree?


These are deep waters.


And I see what He is doing. He is using this sweet girl of mine to move people to pray like they have never prayed before. He is using my Phoebe to break open hearts that have been stagnant or ungrateful. He is using this big mess we’re in to breathe life to others somehow. And that’s why I’m going to speak at the Ziglar Women conference on June 16th. (Ziglar Women link here) I am tired, weary of hospitals and burn units and chemo days and midnight meds and 4 am emergency room visits but I keep hearing a still, small voice say …


“My strength is perfected in your weakness..”


So barring a crisis, I’ll be there and I’m expecting God to meet me there. This is His story after all…"


~Amey


The links are provided and inserted by me. 


Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Genesis 50:20 NIV
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Please continue to pray with me for 100% health for Phoebe. Thanks!!

God Bless,
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