This is bad - it is 2:45 Sunday Morning. I went to bed at about 10 PM - and then woke up - not sure why - decorating the new house. The offer hasn't even been accepted yet! I prayed a bit - listened to husband sir snore...and then finally got up. Here I am - face booking and blogging - I have a few things I need to research - like can foster kids sleep in bunk beds? I also need to work on the web design class - so students can start it on Monday if they were assigned it. Maybe I should do that now! OK - off to be a little productive - and then bed!
Sunday Jan 11, 2009, we will be visiting Michelle's church in Exeter. It is her...11 or 12 year anniversary of the day she died...(but didn't die) I will never forget the days following - or how fortunate we are to still have her with us.... I am so thankful that my friend, who was always bickering with me, about God - is now also my sister in Christ - who loves the Lord with all of her heart, soul, mind and strength! God is good!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
House Hunting
Missy got ahold of a realtor today - We get to go look at the house around Noon! WooHoo!!!! I'm really excited. I had a revelation yesterday morning - and after our devotional time, was able to share it with Craig. There have been so many things in my life that I've wanted to get excited about, but don't, because I am always fearful of being disappointed. So, you don't get too excited, and you want be that hurt if it doesn't happen. But you know what I've found? That it hurts no matter what - because you weren't being honest - in your "lack of excitement". We've prayed, and offered this desire we have - to the Lord. If it's not His will - we don't want it anyway. To pray that - and REALLY mean it - has been freeing! This way - if we don't get the house - I can still be excited - because that means GOD is actively in our life, and either something better will come up, He is teaching us some lesson we need to learn, or - in the big scheme of things - it doesn't really matter anyway! If we do get the house, then He is STILL actively involved in our lives - and we get a cool place to live! And this place is COOL! A couple of weeks ago, we were talking about where we ultimately want to end up - and somewhere near Kingsburg - close to the freeway - so family and friends that are driving north or south on 99 have a place to stop for a quick break - or a long break - would be awesome. This house is 1 mile West of 99 - off an exit! 2 Acres - House - (with a claw foot tub) a detached (shell of ) a guest house - a HUGE shop - another large shop - and - are you ready ???? A BARN AND CORRAL!!!!!
Lets see if this slideshow works :)
If not - try this link to my album
http://picasaweb.google.com/llackey08/Houses2009?authkey=q7SE00RGiW8&feat=directlink
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Seeking God's Vision
Craig and I attended the early service this morning. I'm not quite sure why we were up at 5:45 Am.... other than he had a tummy ache from too much Olive Garden last night. But, I digress... We've been attending First Assembly(V1A) for the last few months. My last time in the sound booth at Grace was the first Sunday of last month. I miss my church family, and I loved Pastor Jon's sermons, but I have no doubt that following my husband in this way - is where God wants me to be. Who would have thought that God would have lead me to such a Godly man - one that Loves the Lord as I do. Anyway, we are just beginning to get involved. It's strange going to a church where you know hardly anyone. I will begin a bible study on Thursday. V1A has a Thursday - Lunch study - called The Frazzled Female. I haven't been able to attend a women's bible study in years, because of work - and Grace's were all either in the morning, or the evening, and most evenings I either taught - or attended school. This study- with where I am - both personally and professionally - is so timely. (if it works well, we may actually start the study at work too)
(As a side note - Pastor Mike at V1A can be heard on Kduvfm.com - Sunday mornings at 11:00, or as a podcast via the v1a.com web site.)
Today's sermon was on Vision for 09. Isaiah 6:1-8
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
(As a side note - Pastor Mike at V1A can be heard on Kduvfm.com - Sunday mornings at 11:00, or as a podcast via the v1a.com web site.)
Today's sermon was on Vision for 09. Isaiah 6:1-8
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
As the sermon went on - God was really speaking to me. What is the call of God on MY life - what about the lives of my family? We are looking at a house - in Selma/Kingsburg - it's incredible! As I listened to both Mike - and the Spirit - I was convicted that Craig and I hadn't really talked to the Lord about the house. A few days ago, I saw it on ziprealty.com and we decided to go for a drive and check a few of them out. We went back to see this one and another the following day. This one house in particular - is everything we've wanted.... nice enough that I wont be afraid to move in to - and have people over - but old enough that we can do anything we want to it. It even has a barn for me - and a shop (well 2 shops) for Craig! AND - what they called a detached guest house - which could be - if it had floors and a wall
The question of the day - is what is our Vision - What is the vision that God has given us?
God has greatly blessed Craig and I. When we were dating - we both talked about Fostering kids.... For years - I've seen in my future, a group home - ran like one that attends the school I work at. Craig would like more children, but unless God does a miracle on both of us - that isn't going to happen.... As we left church - I asked him if he had a vision - and if so, what was it. His vision is to reach others. Kind of how my friend Linda put it in her blog -
Galatians 2:20 (New International Version)
20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Craig said that he wants to share the Love of God - with anyone and everyone the Lord leads him too.... then it was my turn (I thought I might not have to share my vision, but...) I pray that my vision is the Lords..... I shared with him how we are so incredibly blessed - by my job - that may or may not be secure, but I am secure in God's hands - and that a year ago, I asked him if we could wait until we've been married for a year before considering fostering - but if we move - what an incredible opportunity that would be to begin fostering kids. (Not necessarily to the house we both love either - we are good with moving to another place - in the country - and fostering there- although my kids have moved out - we don't want to displace them by putting foster kids in their rooms - and we would like a place that all of our kids are comfortable coming too - with a place of their own (and this property we looked at - has a building that can definately be a guest house ) I told my wonderful husband...my confession about the house - we prayed about it.... and then both got excited with sharing the vision - (as I said with this house - or with another - wherever God leads) I'm excited to get started - in God's timing.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Holy Spirit
Today - the focus is on the Holy Spirit - In Ephesians, Chapters 1 - 3, there are a few references to the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1: 11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 2: 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 3: 2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1: 11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
- The Holy Spirit is a pledge of our inheritance -
Ephesians 2: 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 3: 2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
- The Holdy Spirit reveals to us - insight and themystery of Christ. This is why the bible is follishness to hose that are perishing.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18
[ Christ the Wisdom and Power of God ] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there isn't any way that I can understand any of this. Thank you Father - for opening the eyes of my heart - for choosing and changing me.
- The Holy Spirit strengthens us with His power. In order that Christ may dwell in our hearts - through faith we can be rooted and grounded in love - love which surpasses knowledge.
- Without the indwelling of the Spirit, it doesn't matter how knowledgeable I am. A person can have all of the knowledge of the world, but without God's love - none of it matters.
- This actually reminds me of a Mindy McCready song - Without Love - it don't mean a thing....
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Our Wealth and Position in Christ (Ephesians 1 - 3)
According to Ephesians chapters 1 - 3 ; the following is a list of our wealth and position in Christ.
Chapter 2 says -1 - 6 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power, of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in Kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Before I trusted and believed in Jesus Christ, while I was still indulging in sin and the desires of my flesh (which of course I still do - even though I don't want to) But, even before this - He raised me up and sat me with Him in the heavenly places - so that He can show His riches and His grace and His Kindness towards us - This must be part of God's time warp - he did this before I believed.
Lord Jesus, please teach me to live in your Grace, Father - that people would see your power at work in me. Thank you for your work on the cross. Use me Lord, to reach those that are still dead in their transgressions - but Thank you Jesus, for seating them with you - even now. Lord, Your ways are so far above ours. Thank you for your Grace, your love, wisdom and forgiveness. Use me - change me - love through me. Show me Lord, how to share your heart with Miranda and Deven - thank you for my children.
- 1:1 We have His faithfulness
- 1:3 We have His spiritual blessings (in the heavenly realm) - In the heavenly realm is a "key" to spiritual warfare
- 1:4 We are chosen - I am chosen
- 1:7 We have redemption and forgiveness of our sins
- 1:9 The mystery of His will has been made known to us
- 1:11 We have an inheritance - and are predestined
- 1:12 We have Hope - Thank you Jesus -
- 1:13 Hearing and believing -we are sealed in Him with the promise
- 1:15 We have faith - and love
- 1:18 We have hope - riches and an inheritance
- 1:19 In Him, we have surpassing greatness
- 2:6 We are saved and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (We ARE - now - today, although I'm here on earth - in this world - I am currently seated with Christ in the Heavenly places - HE is giving me His power to fight the good fight - )
- 2:7 In Him, we experience God's grace and kindness - not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
- 2:10 Created for God's works
- 2:13 Have been brought near to Christ
- 2:15 The Law has been abolished
- 2:21 Growing into a Holy Temple
- 3:10 Given God's wisdom
- 3:12 Given Boldness and confident access to Jesus
- 3:20 His power is at work IN ME!
Chapter 2 says -1 - 6 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power, of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in Kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Before I trusted and believed in Jesus Christ, while I was still indulging in sin and the desires of my flesh (which of course I still do - even though I don't want to) But, even before this - He raised me up and sat me with Him in the heavenly places - so that He can show His riches and His grace and His Kindness towards us - This must be part of God's time warp - he did this before I believed.
Lord Jesus, please teach me to live in your Grace, Father - that people would see your power at work in me. Thank you for your work on the cross. Use me Lord, to reach those that are still dead in their transgressions - but Thank you Jesus, for seating them with you - even now. Lord, Your ways are so far above ours. Thank you for your Grace, your love, wisdom and forgiveness. Use me - change me - love through me. Show me Lord, how to share your heart with Miranda and Deven - thank you for my children.
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