Living In His Presence

For an explanation of the posts this month, please go here.

Day 3  
"The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you." Psalm 102:28

Jennifer's prayer: May my descendants live in a constant awareness of Your presence, and may they be firmly established before You.  ~~Jennifer Kennedy Dean

My prayer: Lord, teach us what it really means to live in Your presence, what it means to be established before you. I pray that my descendants will have a genuine relationship with You--that they will seek your companionship above all others. I pray that they will abide in You and know the joy that comes from walking daily in your Spirit. May they enjoy sweet fellowship and intimate communion with You.

I am thinking today of my first born.

2010-the Year of Longings
I long for my descendants to have intimate communion with the one true and living God through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To access Jennifer's website featuring her book, Legacy of Prayer, and prayercards, go here.

Disclaimer:  I do not know Jennifer personally and am receiving no compensation from this endorsement. 

Horizons of Mercy

For an explanation of the posts this month, please go here.

Day 2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Jennifer's prayer: "I pray that my descendants will always stand in full view of your mercy--that your mercy will fill their horizon--and that they will joyfully offer themselves as thank offerings, a pleasing aroma to you. May they be transformed from the inside and become living proof that your will is good, pleasing, and perfect."~~Jennifer K. Dean

My prayer: "Oh wow, Father, I have read this scripture so many times but when I start thinking about it in the light of praying for my descendants, I am overwhelmed with all it contains and all that my heart wants to pray for my children and my children's children.

First of all I pray that they will always understand and acknowledge just how merciful you have been to them--to all of us. I pray that my descendants will live out all their days glorifying you, sacrificing their will to yours in obedience thereby fulfilling scripture which says 'obedience is better than sacrifice.'

I pray that they will renew their mind daily Father so that they will not be conformed to the world's ways. I pray that they will depend upon your Word daily for the cleansing, the washing, the renewing of their minds.

Father, we know that all you have planned for them is ultimate good, is pleasing and perfect because that is Your nature.   We trust You to bring this to pass in their lives."

2010-the Year of Longings
I long for my descendants to grasp the full measure of your mercy just as I long to to.

To access Jennifer's website featuring her book, Legacy of Prayer, and prayercards, go here.

Disclaimer:  I do not know Jennifer personally and am receiving no compensation from this endorsement. 

Unto You A Child Is Born

I have been thinking, pondering, praying, meditating--

Such a special time of year! How can this blog bring glory to God, make the season more meaningful and celebrate family?

My idea is this:

With the gracious permission of Jennifer Kennedy Dean, the author of numerous books including one of my favorites, Legacy of Prayer, I would like to feature Jennifer's 30 days of prayer for our families and descendants.

Each day for 30 days I will share a scripture that she suggests in her book and a short prayer from her to go along with it. I will also share a prayer of mine.

Here is where your presence and comments come into play. On the days that you are able to read and comment, I would like for you to also meditate on the scripture and share a prayer in your comment. At the end of 30 days, I plan to print these off and bind them, having my own special prayer book to pray repeatedly for my descendants. I hope you will do the same.

If you are not comfortable voicing a prayer in the comment section, that is fine.  I want no one to feel any pressure but I will only be sharing prayers for the next 30 days.

One paragraph cannot define a person or a book but I would like to share one portion of Jennifer's book that I think is so important, especially in light of the prayers we pray for our descendants.

"In praying for our children, our grandchildren and our descendants, we must learn to pray in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Our mother-flesh and our father-flesh is protective and possessive. The love we have for our children, in its flesh form, would like to control their lives and keep them from any pain, disappointment, or discouragement. Our flesh wants to rescue them and shield them and run interference for them. Our flesh will pray, "Don't let anything bad happen." To which the Lord will say, "I need to allow disappointment, pain, and failure so that I can give him the treasures of darkness and the riches stored in secret places." If we pray for our children from our flesh rather than the Spirit, we may think that God is not listening when our children do have difficulties."  ~~Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Day 1

"If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you."  Proverbs 1:23

Jennifer's prayer: "Lord, may my descendants respond to your love, even when it comes in the form of rebuke.  Pour out your heart and cause them to know your thoughts."

My prayer:  "Lord, I want to know you more--I want to know your thoughts and your heart--Oh God, whatever you must do or allow to turn my descendants thoughts to you, I trust you.  I know you will deal as gently with them as they will let you."  This is not an easy prayer to pray but I can pray it in confidence resting assuredly in Romans 8:28 and the ramparts of your faithfulness."

If you do not have children, please take this opportunity to pray for your parents' or grandparents' descendants, friends of yours, or the lost and dying of the world.

I hope by Christmas day, the birth of this precious Son and Savior will have become even more meaningful to all of us.

Loving all of you,


2010-the Year of Longings
I long for all of my descendants to know and love You, Lord.

To access Jennifer's website featuring her book, Legacy of Prayer, and prayercards, go here.

Disclaimer:  I do not know Jennifer personally and am receiving no compensation from this endorsement. 

Weekend Worship at First Presbyterian

This is the incredibly beautiful First Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  My son and daughter-in-law were married there eighteen years ago this month.  Since I took pictures there a couple of weeks ago, I thought it would be a good time to showcase the church and dedicate this post to them.  Happy anniversary, dear Traci and Michael.  I love you both with all my heart.

The front of the church--if you look closely you can see the contrails of a plane.  That was the day that contrails seemed to be in every picture I took. 

Some of the beautiful stained glass in the church--

Jesus coming on the clouds of glory

These next two stained glass windows are at least thirty feet high.  They are very tall and intricately detailed--so, so beautiful!

Petit JeanThanksgiving!

You all know by now that I am deeply in love with my home state of Arkansas.  I wanted to show you one of the many reasons:  Petit Jean State Park--I had not been there since I was a teenager until today.  It took my breath away then and it still did today.

I will never grow too old to be awed by the varied beauty of Arkansas from its delta and cotton and rice fields in the east to its beautiful Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in the northwest and west central sections.

I have provided a link HERE because the history of the park is very compelling.  It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps established by President Franklin Roosevelt.   The CCC worked here from 1933 to 1938.

This picture and the next two was what the view looked like from our table at Mather Lodge where we ate with our good friends, Bob and Joyce.

Mather Lodge--the restaurant where we ate

We have had incredibly warm weather for months and months.  We had the air conditioner on this morning.  It was so warm and muggy.  By the time we got to the lodge, rain and much cooler temperatures had come rolling in--From 80 and humid yesterday to 28 and freezing today.  You gotta love that Arkansas weather!

The restaurant--

It was warm and cozy inside with a live cedar tree for Christmas.

The beautiful handmade chandeliers in the room where we waited for at least an hour--they served over 2000 people Thanksgiving dinner today.

In one of the overflow waiting rooms--the people at the table next to us were playing cards--wish we had thought to bring some kind of game.  Note the beautiful handiwork of the CCC men.

I took this picture through the window while sitting at our table--

their dressing was to die for by the way.

This was called the CCC water tower.  

It was VERY overcast, foggy and raining when I took these pictures but this little camera that I love did a pretty good job of shooting through all that stuff.

It really looked more like this--For some reason, I love this picture.

The camera didn't seem to capture it to me, but we were up really high on the edge of a bluff.

--the beautiful Arkansas River--do you know what state it begins in?

Arkansas, You Run Deep In Me!

The river begins in Colorado.

A Feast On His Word!

Psalm 25

1 In you, LORD my God,

I put my trust.

2 I trust in you;

do not let me be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.

3 No one who hopes in you

will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those

who are treacherous without cause.

4 Show me your ways, LORD,

teach me your paths.

5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,

for they are from of old.

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth

and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me,

for you, LORD, are good.

8 Good and upright is the LORD;

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9 He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them his way.

10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful

toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11 For the sake of your name, LORD,

forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?

He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.[b]

13 They will spend their days in prosperity,

and their descendants will inherit the land.

14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;

he makes his covenant known to them.

15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,

for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 Relieve the troubles of my heart

and free me from my anguish.

18 Look on my affliction and my distress

and take away all my sins.

19 See how numerous are my enemies

and how fiercely they hate me!

20 Guard my life and rescue me;

do not let me be put to shame,

for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,

because my hope, LORD,[c] is in you.

22 Deliver Israel, O God,

from all their troubles!

Happy Thanksgiving sweet friends!
2010-the Year of Longings
I long to put my total trust in God.



Photography: By my sweet friend, Nava. Thank you, Nava, for having a giving heart.

He Grew The Tree

Many of you will be putting up your Christmas tree this week. As you do, I encourage you to focus on the meaning of the tree and share that with your children and grandchildren. The words to a song bring the meaning into focus for me.

He Grew the Tree

He molded and built a small lonely hill
That He knew would be called Calvary,
Then He made the seed
That would grow to be
Thorns that would make His Son bleed.
Then He made a green stem
Gave it leaves and then
Gave it sunshine and rain
and sheltered it with moss,

He grew the tree that He knew would be
used to make the old, rugged cross.

With tears in His eyes
God looked down through time
Saw Him spat upon, rejected and mocked.
Still He grew the tree that He knew would be
Used to make the old, rugged cross.

Chorus

Nothing took His life,
With love He gave it,
He was crucified on a tree
That He created.
With great love for man,
God stayed with His plan,
He grew the tree
So that we might go free,

(ending)
Still He grew the tree He knew would be
Used to make the old rugged cross.

Some years ago I wanted to start collecting something for Christmas--everyone I knew either had collections of angels, snowmen, nutcrackers, or nativity sets so I was trying to think of something different.   I finally landed on the idea of Christmas trees.  I sang the song above as a solo at church and I think it was after singing that song that I saw the true meaning of the Christmas tree.  This collection has become a meaningful part of our Christmas decorating and celebration.

It touched my heart deeply to think of God growing the tree that He knew our Jesus would someday hang upon.  What a great picture of love!

When we decorate our tree with beautiful baubles and bows, it reminds us of the beauty that came about in spite of the tragedy of the cross.  Using the evergreen tree is a picture of the perpetual growth that takes place in a Christian's life when we stay rooted and grounded in the love that God gave through Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Loving you,

2010-the Year of Longings
I long to remain focued upon the beauty that came to us in spite of the great tragedy of the cross. Thank you, Lord.

First picture:  A canvas I painted several years ago.  Quote author unknown.

Wannabe Watchman

I prepare for the night ahead; I sleep long and hard

I arise and prepare; I will be on the ready

I make my way to post; I am willing.

I stand on the wall; I am watchman

I walk on the wall; I am on guard

I peer into the distance: God enhances my vision

I listen for out of ordinary; I am trained in battle

I keep my armor at ready; I am prepared for the enemy's attack

I stealthily creep along; I am discreet

I never take a break; I am faithful

I look for morning's light; I am hopeful.


Are there people in your life who are depending on you to be a watchman for them? Has God given you a "spiritual discernment" about a certain situation or person?

Oswald Chambers says, "When we discern that people are not going on spiritually and allow the discernment to turn to criticism, we block our way to God. God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede."

The words above describe the type of watchman that I desire to be for my friends and family. I wannabe this kind of faithful watchman. God grant that I take the steps to be a true intercessor for those depending on me.

Loving you dear friends,


2010-the Year of Longings
I long to be faithful to His calling.

Weekend Worship at St. John the Baptist

I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.  Exodus 15:1

The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.  Exodus 15:2

Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted.  Exodus 15:21

Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Nehemiah 8:6

The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
Psalm 118:16 

Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.  John 8:28

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.  John 12:32

I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.  Psalm 123:1

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!

2010-the Year of Longings
I long to exalt You and lift You high!

Precious friends, I just wanted to let you know that I will be scarce around the web this weekend.  Our family is celebrating Thanksgiving a little early since it is our DIL's year to go to their parents' homes on Thanksgiving Day.  I love you all and will be visiting you next week when you are celebrating.  I love you all.  You are the best readers and followers anyone could EVER have.

Well, I see that I said "I love you" twice but I am not going to change it just please receive a double portion of my love today.

Happy, happy Thanksgiving!!

I am linking to Spiritual Sundays, an inspirational place to visit.

The Strong Box

I think I mentioned some time back that my husband and I are involved in The Renewal Ranch, due to open its doors January 1 of 2011. It is a free program for drug-addicted men. They live on campus for a certain length of time, I think about six months, and undergo extensive Bible study and training. It is patterned after John 3:16 Mission in Charlotte, Arkansas, which has an incredible success rate of men turning their lives around.

As my husband, daughter-in-law and I were discussing some last minute details that need to be provided for the men to make this venture successful, the topic of a good Bible and Bible study books was mentioned. My mind went back some years to a trend among women who were trying to be faithful to a daily devotional time with God. The trend was Quiet Time baskets.

In them the seeker would place whatever books and utensils were important to her for a prosperous daily quiet time: a Bible, journal, pens, pencils, high-lighters, devotional book, current book she was reading, Kleenex, etc.

We all agreed that the men would need most of these same items except the Kleenex maybe. But we immediately agreed that we probably should not put them in a basket. My husband suggested a box and we all thought that was a good idea.

This thought became heavy on my mind. Later on that evening, the thought came to me: "My dad had what he called his "strong box." Many the time that I heard him say to one of us kids, "Bring me my strong box." That was where he kept his valuables. Now mind you, this box was not very big because we did not have very many valuable--maybe the deed to the house, birth certificates, army papers, that sort of thing. It was strong metal and fireproof--his strong box.

Oh, wow! the light bulb went off--We could give our guys "strong boxes." The implications were myriad. It would contain all the physical items they would use in their time at the Ranch to become strong. It would leave with them when they graduate as a reminder of all the items they used to become successful and also as a place to store their future valuable--their home deeds, their marriage licenses, birth certificates, spiritual birth certificates--a reminder that we have faith in them to be strong, to draw their strength from the Lord, to grow into strong and mighty men of valor and of God.

I couldn't tell you how many years it's been since I thought of Daddy's strong box. That God would place that thought in my mind was just another reminder of how much God loves these men who Renewal Ranch will have the privilege and responsibility of ministering to. He even cares what we name their boxes.

I have no earthly clue who any of the men are who will be going through the program but I am already praying for Kevin. When I thought of strong box--this is what kept coming to my mind--Kevin's Strong Box--we will calligraph their name in some form on the inside of the box, maybe discreetly somewhere on the outside of it.

It will be their own personal reminder of the mighty God--our strong Savior, who stands ready and willing to help them through the steps they must take to become drug free so they can walk in freedom and might.

My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Please pray for these guys and especially for Kevin--smile!