The Waiting Game

Yikes!  Definitely went on a break these past few days... very sick and had lots to do... still have lots to do.  I started a new cross-stitch! =)

Acts 17: 16-34
Paul Preaches in Athens
Paul spoke out against the idol worship in Athens. He preached to any and all who would listen. He was even asked to debate his "religion" with scholars.  This makes me think that I need to do the same... speak out against idols... or at the very least live by this...

James 2:10-13
A Warning Against Prejudice
Whatever we say or do, we will be judged. If we are not merciful towards others, how can expect God to be merciful towards us?

I thank you for your continued words of support and guidance.  We are embarking on our last kick at the can with reproductive medicine.  I have no expectations from this next set of procedures.  I leave it all in your hands, Lord.  For without your blessing, there is nothing.  When speaking with the doctor, the chances of a pregnancy per IUI is less than 5% per month.  With IVF, we were looking at 15%.  Father, you are one of miracles, but I have come to the crossroads and I am OK with not ever having to be pregnant.  Our sermon last week was great.  I was reminded that I am your prized possession and that I am lovable.  You are not punishing me.  Circumstances happen, tragedies happen... they are not necessarily God's will, but things we or others close to us bring about out of fear or because of a costly choice. We don't always see the bigger picture or our purpose... you do.

Satan will tempt us with the one thing we can't have.  Father, you have blessed us with everything, but a baby.  This is what Satan can use to tempt us.  I am thankful, that I have not become bitter and have turned away from you.  I am thankful that my husband is slowly turning back to you.  For it is only in you, that we will find eternal and righteous comfort.

I trust you, Lord. I will not be angry if I am not pregnant over the next 3 months.  In fact, I will be elated that this stuggle will be over and I will be able to move to another chapter of my life.  I have no question that you have equipped my husband and me with all the tools to be a great parents and teachers.  It is now a matter of time.

We must have faith...

Acts 9:19b-35
Saul in Demascus and Jerusalum
The believers were walking in fear of the Lord but in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (31).  What an interesting line. It seems to be dichotomy of thoughts, but then it isn't...
This passage shows how God uses Saul to convert many.  Many people recognized Saul as the one who didn't believe and was adament about persecuting all followers of Christ.  So how shocked were people to hear that he was a "die hard" follower.  Even the apostles thought Saul was faking his belief to get "close" to them... In fact he was so great at convincing others about the truth of the gospel that Jewish leaders plotted to have him murdered.  It was through God's hands that Saul escapes being killed twice. 

This is affirmation of how great God's plan for each of us if we just let Him use us.

Peter Heals Aeneas and Raises Dorcas
In this passage Peter cries out for Aeneas, a man who had been bedridden and paralyzes to get up.  Surely he does and the people in the village befieve in Christ.  This reminds me of how "unfaithful" we are.  We must see to believe...  we shouldn't we should trust the Holy Spirit inside us...

Hebrews 10:32 - 11:6
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  (35,36)

This is a reminder of God's message to me in Cambodia... patience...

Great Examples of Faith
It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him, must believe there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (6)
Yes Lord.  I have been seeking you most of my life and now I find you coursing through me, which makes me so thankful that you love me.

My Lord, My King, Tells Me to be Patient

Acts 2: 14-39
Peter Preaches to a Crowd
I love this quote that King David said about Jesus, 'I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises.  My body rests in hope.' (25,26)

How beautiful this is... to know that God is along side me every step of the way, in times of sadness and in times of grief.

I also love this saying from Peter, ' Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' (38)

So does this mean, we will only receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized, but receive the gift of life in Christ when we choose to follow him?
In the supplementary text, it mentions that the Holy Spirit is not there just to allow us to "feel" a certain way, but rather to accomplish something based on our feeling. The Holy Spirit can be like dynamite, giving us bursts of new energy or it can be "power" to keep us going.  We must tap into this "dynamite" so we can have Christ shine through us.

Hebrews 6:7-15
This is a passage about patience. This reminds me of God's message to me... God took an oath in his own name saying: I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions... Abraham waited patiently and he recieved what God had promised. (13-15)
I can hear God whispering to me, "Patience, my child, patience..." 

So Father, I pray that you will give me more patience and peace,  not only in my yearning for a child, but also in my work place, in working with others.  I pray that you will continue to work through me and to bless me so that I may bless others.  I pray that you will give me energy, the energy of a thousand horses so that I can get all my work done, but also the wisdom to leave my work  when necessary... as you tell us the need for a break.

Do you believe? Water into Wine...

John 1:35-51 & John 2: 1-12
The First Disciples & the Wedding at Cana
Jesus asked him (Nathaniel), "Do you believe all this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this. The truth is, you will all see heaven open up and the angels of God going up and down upon the Son of Man." (50, 51)

At the wedding of Cana, Jesus turns water to wine (upon his mother's request).

Christ reminds us that He can perform "miracles". We just need to have faith, to believe. God is reminding me of his faithfulness to me. My husband was deemed pretty ill about 6 months ago. He was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. Just 2 weeks ago, the doctor, himself, claimed it was a "miracle" that he is off the diabetic medication and his blood pressure is like that of a 16 year old! Praise God!

Of course, I will not lie, what lies heavy on both my heart and his, is having a child of our own. Now that would require another miracle. Of course God performs miracles, but will this prayer request be a part of God's plan, His will? In Cambodia, God told me to be patient. He loves me and in time, He will provide. And so I wait... not expecting, but accepting His will with a glad heart.

For the past 2 weeks I have been in and out of the hospital, helping my grand aunt and uncle. My grand uncle had heart bypass surgery. He has no children of his own and my grand aunt has no relatives. I knew that God placed it in my heart to do all within my means to be of service to them. He provided me with words of comfort and used me to represent His love for them - used me to remind them that they are not abandoned.

I ask God to continue to open my heart to receive his gift of love and obedience and to help me be more disciplined in my actions to lead a life that will please the Lord.

Paul's Great Advice - Words to Live By

Luke 24:1-12
The Resurrection
'Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He isn't here. He has risen from the dead! Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?' (5-7)
The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary mother of James and several others. They told the apostles what happened, but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe it. (10,11)

This passage reminds me that we are naturally 'doubters'. We must take the Lord's words and promises to heart. If this passage were alive in me, I must continue to read and familiarize myself with God's word. I ask God for continued strength in discipline and diligence to 'practicing the presence' my personal committment to spend time in the Word every day.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Paul's Final Advice

• Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love.


• Remember to live peaceable with each other.


• We urge you to warn those who are lazy.


• Encourage those who are timid.


• Take tender care of those who are weak.


• Be patient with everyone.


• See that no one pays back evil for evil but always try to do good to each other.


• Always be joyful.


• Keep on praying.


• No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (12 -17)

Wow! These are great words to live by. Things that I can work on: 'warn those who are lazy, keep on praying and always be thankful...' I must admit that there are times when I am not particularly thankful, but everything I have is truly a blessing. I never thought to warn those who are lazy, mostly because it is "confrontational" and I don't like being that way. But there is truth in telling them if it will elicit change. I humbly thank God for all the good he has filled my life with and I ask that He continue to work in me to be an even better and faithful follower.