My sister, Lisa Newcomer, recently gave a devotion to the Sunday School Staff at the church where I grew up in Aurora, IL. She sent it to me this morning, and it spoke to my heart! It certainly gave me the FAITH BOOST that I was so desperately needing! I asked her permission to share some of it with you...Hope you are as blessed by it as I was!
When preparing for this devotion I started thinking of the different individuals in the church who are going through trials right now. I am sure each one of you are going through something in your own lives. Whether it be sickness, financial needs, lost loved ones, or other types of trials, God is still faithful! He is still good to us all. He does help us and is with us always. Think back on past situations that seemed impossible at the time BUT God brought us through them. Life is hard! When I think of all the sickness our church family is facing... Sis. Sue Darby, Bro. Bill Darby, Bro. Ralph Darby, Bro. Kitner, Bro. Dorf, Sis. Gunter and on and on. Life is especially hard for them right now. Life might be hard for YOU right now too. We all have lost loved ones that we want to see living for God. Due to my husband's back surgeries, we have faced financial problems these past 3 years, because he is not able to work. I know many of you are facing job loss, and financial problems also. Through it all, we can still say God is so good. Our faith and trust are in HIM.
This quarter our Sunday Schools class is studying about Faith. The name of our book is "Faith Works".
The lessons are called, Faith Hopes, Faith Gets Back On Track, Faith Pleases, Faith Obeys, Faith Provides and more.
The lesson "Faith Hopes" tells us- "Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
One of the lessons was "Faith Gets Back On Track". Sometimes, even when we have a strong walk with the Lord, we still have a bad day. Perhaps our "bad day" consists of sickness, financial need, or we fail God. At times, we mess up big time. What does faith encourage us to do? We pray and keep on believing. We don't give up, and we get back on track.
Another lesson, "Faith Sees the Promise", talked about how people can make promises to us and then break them. People can hurt and fail us. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man that he should lie. He is not a human that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried through? (New Living Translation) God Keeps His Promise!! The Bible story in this lesson was of God promising Abraham and Sarah a son. Abraham was 75 when God made him that promise. When Isaac was born he Abraham was 100 years old. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for their promise!
The next lesson is "Faith Obeys God." After waiting 25 years for a son God puts Abraham to a test of obedience, his hardest test ever. God asked him to offer his own son for a sacrifice. Yet Abraham obeyed, and through his obedience God provided a sacrifice. God made a way out!
(Proverbs 3:5-6" Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and He shall direct thine paths."
The Message Bible says it like this,
"Don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen to God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He's the one who will keep you on track. Run to God! Run from evil!")
The last lesson is just as powerful as the others, "Faith Provides." Matthew 6:32-33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of god and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." God knows EXACTLY what we need, and will give it to us if we trust Him to provide. The Israelites did not trust God. They forgot the way He had brought them out of the wilderness, how He had provided for them. They complained and whined, without putting their trust in him. Let's not look back like the Israelites...but let's remember Faith Provides!
We ALL need His healing today, His protection, His help, His provision. We can't forget all the good things God has done for us in the past. We can't let go of what He has brought us through, when at the time there did not look like any way out or any hope. Faith in God provides a way out.
An Excerpt From the Secrets of Happiness Book:
Are You In The Fire Today?
If you could talk to the three Hebrew children about the fiery furnace perhaps they'd describe their experience with the Lord this way:
"The fire was all over us. Our robes were ablaze, but amazingly, our skin was unaffected. We had no idea what was going on. Then something moved over in the ashes; we were not alone!
"Suddenly out of the smoke came a shining, gleaming... person. We never got His name. He never said it. He never said anything in fact, but just knowing He was there brought comfort in the fire. His presence created protection in the midst of the crisis.
"Now, we don't mean that the fire went out. No, it still burned, but the brightness of the flames was eclipsed by the brilliance of His presence.
" We never saw Him again; He only showed up when we need Him most. But one thing is sure, looking back, we're glad that they dragged us from the presence of the wicked king into the presence of the righteous King. for in His presence we learned that, 'No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." (Isa 54:17)
Are you walking through the fire today? If you are, remember you're not alone - He's there with you! Take courage! When He brings you out you'll know Him better, trust and have faith in Him much more, and have something to say to others that's really worth sharing.
Thank you Sis for being my guest today on Presson Ponderings! I admire you for YOUR faith and your walk with God. I am excited to see the wonderful things that the Lord is going to do in your family!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thankful Thursday
There are exactly 30 minutes left in this particular Thankful Thursday...so I will list 30 things that I am thankful for...please note the evening is getting close to midnight so the brain is getting fuzzy!
1. Thankful for the rain we had this week!
2. Thankful that I am finally getting used to staying at home at night when Clark goes out of town.(Instead of heading over to Mom & Dads). I feel this is a good thing for me to accomplish at the age of 37!! LOL!
3. Thankful for cute texts I get from my husband when he is out of town. Lets me know he is thinking of me and missing me... like I am missing him!
4. Thankful that Riley got to go out of town with Clark. He has a hard time getting away from his Mama...and it is good for him to spend time with Daddy.
5. Thankful that Clark did not let Riley call me to tell me he missed me when they were 5 minutes into their road trip. Especially since it was 5 a.m.
6. However, so glad Riley WANTED to call me !
7. Thankful that my Dad and Avery got to go golfing this afternoon. A year ago today, my dad would not have been able to golf due to illness.
8. Loving that my taste buds are SLOWLY coming back after this terrible summer cold!
9. Thankful that it is SUMMER!
10. Thankful that I am able to ask God to lead and guide me when I have tough decisions to make! He knows the end from the beginning.
11. Thankful for Landry, because he hugs me a zillion times a day!
12. Thankful for coffee - enough said!
13. Thankful that this year will bring me a new GREAT nephew AND a new GREAT niece, and a new nephew IN-LAW(in Feb of '11)! Such blessings to my family!
14. So thankful for BOYS clothing hand-me-downs that I receive from family and friends. I have boxes and bins of clothes that are waiting to be grown in to. Such a blessing!
15. Thankful for my newest black purse my mom got me - super cute!
16. Thankful that I have been cancer free for 8 years this coming fall!
17. My church...I wanted to move to this area for one reason and one reason only, so that my children could grow up at FAC. My parents retired here after I made that decision, so that was a big plus also.
18. Thankful that I am the baby of the family. It has always had many wonderful benefits.
19. Thankful for in-laws that love me beyond words.
20. Thankful for blog followers! Love the encouragement they bring and kind words they say!
21. DUCT TAPE!
22. Thankful for Godly parents that I have raised me in the truth, and that in turn I am raising my children in the truth!
23. Thankful for the Dollar Store...I can always find a little gem there. I might not ever use it - but I like to find it!
24. Thankful for Kleenex and Cough Drops!!!!!
25. Love the feeling of knowing I can sleep late in the morning!
26. Thankful for conveniences such as cell phones, dishwashers, internet, microwaves, hot rollers, coffee pots, and so on and so on. Don't think I could have survived the pioneer days!
27. Thankful that I can say the person mentioned in #2 is my closest friend and the greatest blessing in my life!
28. Thankful for my job...praying that it picks up very soon!
29. Thankful for 3 boys that have taught me the joys of motherhood!
30. Thankful that this is number 30, because I'm getting really sleepy!
Sweet Dreams!
1. Thankful for the rain we had this week!
2. Thankful that I am finally getting used to staying at home at night when Clark goes out of town.(Instead of heading over to Mom & Dads). I feel this is a good thing for me to accomplish at the age of 37!! LOL!
3. Thankful for cute texts I get from my husband when he is out of town. Lets me know he is thinking of me and missing me... like I am missing him!
4. Thankful that Riley got to go out of town with Clark. He has a hard time getting away from his Mama...and it is good for him to spend time with Daddy.
5. Thankful that Clark did not let Riley call me to tell me he missed me when they were 5 minutes into their road trip. Especially since it was 5 a.m.
6. However, so glad Riley WANTED to call me !
7. Thankful that my Dad and Avery got to go golfing this afternoon. A year ago today, my dad would not have been able to golf due to illness.
8. Loving that my taste buds are SLOWLY coming back after this terrible summer cold!
9. Thankful that it is SUMMER!
10. Thankful that I am able to ask God to lead and guide me when I have tough decisions to make! He knows the end from the beginning.
11. Thankful for Landry, because he hugs me a zillion times a day!
12. Thankful for coffee - enough said!
13. Thankful that this year will bring me a new GREAT nephew AND a new GREAT niece, and a new nephew IN-LAW(in Feb of '11)! Such blessings to my family!
14. So thankful for BOYS clothing hand-me-downs that I receive from family and friends. I have boxes and bins of clothes that are waiting to be grown in to. Such a blessing!
15. Thankful for my newest black purse my mom got me - super cute!
16. Thankful that I have been cancer free for 8 years this coming fall!
17. My church...I wanted to move to this area for one reason and one reason only, so that my children could grow up at FAC. My parents retired here after I made that decision, so that was a big plus also.
18. Thankful that I am the baby of the family. It has always had many wonderful benefits.
19. Thankful for in-laws that love me beyond words.
20. Thankful for blog followers! Love the encouragement they bring and kind words they say!
21. DUCT TAPE!
22. Thankful for Godly parents that I have raised me in the truth, and that in turn I am raising my children in the truth!
23. Thankful for the Dollar Store...I can always find a little gem there. I might not ever use it - but I like to find it!
24. Thankful for Kleenex and Cough Drops!!!!!
25. Love the feeling of knowing I can sleep late in the morning!
26. Thankful for conveniences such as cell phones, dishwashers, internet, microwaves, hot rollers, coffee pots, and so on and so on. Don't think I could have survived the pioneer days!
27. Thankful that I can say the person mentioned in #2 is my closest friend and the greatest blessing in my life!
28. Thankful for my job...praying that it picks up very soon!
29. Thankful for 3 boys that have taught me the joys of motherhood!
30. Thankful that this is number 30, because I'm getting really sleepy!
Sweet Dreams!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Summer Focus
I seem to lose my vision during the summer. It usually starts to get cloudy around Memorial Day and begins to become clearer in time to purchase school supplies. I have come to realize this happens because we do not keep a consistent schedule during the summer months. We stay up late and sleep longer the next morning. Our meals take place at random times throughout the day. We visit fun places and do exhausting things. All of this activity and change is causing me to become visually impaired.
Do not worry, I don't need to make an appointment with Lens Crafters. However, I do need to make an appointment with my Heavenly Father. The One who sees all and knows all. I realized this when reading a flyer from my home church that we visited while on vacation.
The pamphlet encouraged the reader to focus on having 20/20 Vision in their Spiritual walk. The 20/20 Vision theory is blindingly simple. To attain a heightened spiritual vision, the pamphlet encourages us to strive to combine 20 minutes of prayer with 20 minutes of Bible reading per day. The paper went on to say that it might not always be that easy. For me, in the midst of vacations, swimming, picnicking, summer colds, Dollywood, watermelon, and camps, we don't always TAKE time for focused prayer and Bible reading. Instead, we need to MAKE time to implement this daily discipline. Such a simple thought yet powerful...don't take time...but make time!
I want my sons to have a daily commitment in their walk with the Lord. I want their insights, outlook, point of view, and illusions to be focused on Him each and every day of their lives, not only as BOYS, but more importantly as MEN. The most often quoted verse in the Bible concerning visions is Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish...". I am responsible for the souls of three particular "peoples." I want to make sure that their view of a Christian walk is not blurred or distorted in any way. I believe a parents greatest heart break is when their children perish spiritually. Therefore, I must MAKE time to have 20/20 Vision.
My prayer is that a clear vision will birth inspiration. Inspiration will provide momentum and give the energy to do extraordinary spiritual things. And in turn that will give so much meaning to marriage, motherhood, and LIFE...even in the midst of a busy summer!
Friday, July 9, 2010
We are having Christmas in July!
ACHHOOO!!! Summer colds are cruel and unusual punishment! ACHHHOO! They are a complete oxymoron! Colds should be for winter...when you can put on your fuzzy robe and bunny slippers and snuggle up with hot chocolate and your box of Kleenex! They should not be happening when the sun is shining and the water rides at Dollywood are calling!
The Summer Cold has hit us like a snowstorm in July! It all started with Landry. He started coughing BEFORE we left for vacation. It hung around the whole time that we were vacationing. (Our vacation started in Jackson, TN where we attended Tiffany McCoys wedding...then we headed to Mt. Vernon, IL and let the boys have some hotel swimming time. My WONDERFUL husband got the boys an adjoining hotel room so the two of us could have our OWN room. I love him! The adjoining doors stayed propped open the whole time...I was a little nervous with them over there, AND I snuck Landry into our room after he fell asleep, just in case he woke in the night. They swam until their toes were wrinkled and got their fill of Animal Planet. Then we headed to Laura's house in Plano. We ate, laughed, rested, had a day in Chicago, worked on Meg's wedding plans, picnicked, fished, had family portraits taken, churched, picnicked and fished some more. I got to thrift shop - ALONE - and get a pedi and mani with Amy!! And Clark also got to golf AND jet ski - without 3 boys tagging along! It was a wonderful, wonderful vacation!) On the looong drive home, Clark's throat started hurting and he sounded like he voice lowered several decibels. Once we got home Landry's cough got worse, and Clark went and spent what little vacation money we had left at the Pharmacy.
The next day I took Landry to the doctor to find out the he had bronchitis and a sinus infection. Clark continued to cough and sneeze. In the midst of all of this my mom has been diagnosed with another wintertime ailment - PNEUMONIA! She has been extremely sick. Riley and I started our sore throats,chills, cough and drippy noses yesterday.
THEREFORE, I am rebelling against summer! Last night, I got out my warm fuzzy robe and thick purple socks. I made hot chocolate for our sore throats, and have pulled out extra blankets for us to stay bundled up in. SO while the rest of you are enjoying the fun of summer...the Pressons are experiencing mid-December. I have even considering stringing some Christmas lights. KIDDING! AACHHHOOO!
The Summer Cold has hit us like a snowstorm in July! It all started with Landry. He started coughing BEFORE we left for vacation. It hung around the whole time that we were vacationing. (Our vacation started in Jackson, TN where we attended Tiffany McCoys wedding...then we headed to Mt. Vernon, IL and let the boys have some hotel swimming time. My WONDERFUL husband got the boys an adjoining hotel room so the two of us could have our OWN room. I love him! The adjoining doors stayed propped open the whole time...I was a little nervous with them over there, AND I snuck Landry into our room after he fell asleep, just in case he woke in the night. They swam until their toes were wrinkled and got their fill of Animal Planet. Then we headed to Laura's house in Plano. We ate, laughed, rested, had a day in Chicago, worked on Meg's wedding plans, picnicked, fished, had family portraits taken, churched, picnicked and fished some more. I got to thrift shop - ALONE - and get a pedi and mani with Amy!! And Clark also got to golf AND jet ski - without 3 boys tagging along! It was a wonderful, wonderful vacation!) On the looong drive home, Clark's throat started hurting and he sounded like he voice lowered several decibels. Once we got home Landry's cough got worse, and Clark went and spent what little vacation money we had left at the Pharmacy.
The next day I took Landry to the doctor to find out the he had bronchitis and a sinus infection. Clark continued to cough and sneeze. In the midst of all of this my mom has been diagnosed with another wintertime ailment - PNEUMONIA! She has been extremely sick. Riley and I started our sore throats,chills, cough and drippy noses yesterday.
THEREFORE, I am rebelling against summer! Last night, I got out my warm fuzzy robe and thick purple socks. I made hot chocolate for our sore throats, and have pulled out extra blankets for us to stay bundled up in. SO while the rest of you are enjoying the fun of summer...the Pressons are experiencing mid-December. I have even considering stringing some Christmas lights. KIDDING! AACHHHOOO!
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