pray for them

I have felt very strongly in the past day or so that I am not praying enough for our country and our elected leaders. True, I did not vote for our president, but I did vote! and now I need to support him in prayer. I hope you will join with me in that task. So, when I hear a news report that bothers me I will lift up those involved to God and ask him to touch them, bless them, guide them and draw them to His Truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-5 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all Godliness and Holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Happy Day

Today is the birthday of a very dear friend. She was born a few weeks after me in the same year and I cannot remember a time in my life when I was unsure of her friendship. I have spent a lot of hours praying for her and I know she has been in prayer for me over the years, especially in recent years as she has come into a real and vital relationship with God. I have been so proud of her and so honored by her friendship. She is an devoted wife and mother and an amazing woman. I just wanted to say: Happy Birthday, Daphane!

Esther 4:14

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
I have always been encouraged and emboldened by this verse. and while it is one statement said thousands of years ago by one person to encourage one other person I truly believe God gave it to us in the 21st century thru His Word for a reason. If we keep silent someone else may share Jesus' love and God's amazing plan with them, but what if God placed you....me...right here...right now...for such a time as this! Because He wants it to be you...me!...that shares. If you do not know the story of Esther, take time to read it--it's a good one! (and if you are a visual learner watch One Night With the King, or some other well done dramatization/movie of her story, too).

Monday, Monday

It's Monday morning and I just got back from a nice brisk walk with my dear friend/sister-in-law and her simply adorable baby/my niece. My niece, Samantha, is around 9 months old and really enjoys being outside, but the best part of the walk for her was meeting the stray dog that is trying to adopt our house. She just giggled and giggled as the dog ran around us. The dog, of course, followed us on our walk and Samantha watched it the whole time, fascinated. It is a beautiful morning for being outside. I actually set water on the plants and garden before going walking and I think I might go back out and haul a few buckets of water to the little trees that are not cared for by the drip line. My Dad would be proud--I have my windows open cause it is still cool outside and there is a nice breeze--It has cooled down from 74 where is stayed all night long to 71 and feels very nice and fresh. But the temp outside is climbing so I will probably need to shut them in a little while--I'll keep an eye on the temp gauges ;)
So, now I should also start thinking about (or doing) responsible things like laundry, cleaning, and cat care...blah. I think I will post another favorite scripture first :D

firstly, also and in conclusion

Well, I am adding another media to my life. I have been keeping up with facebook quite a bit and I send and receive emails on sometimes an hourly basis but I have yet to really keep up a blog site. I am excited about it though for several reasons.
First, I like spewing my thoughts like they are somehow important and everyone should listen and pay attention. On a blog, I can spew all I want and no one has to read it or care, but I still get to pretend that everyone reading this is uber excited to hear what I have to say.
Second, I have lots of favorites that I would love to share or talk about but very much dislike those quizes that ask you for your fav this and fav that cause I dont have just one favorite book, or one favorite movie or one favorite husband--just kidding--I do have one favorite husband (which works really well cause I only have one husband and he is my favorite :P).
Lastly, hmmm. Do I have a lastly? Well. I guess I dont have a lastly so, in conclusion, it will be interesting to see what I do with this little blogsite all my own. If you have an exalting word you want to share, let me know.

Psalms 34

Psalms 34

I will extol the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
He protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems His servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.

(New International Version)