Accomplishing God's Will

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Enter to Win "The Shack" July 29 - Aug 1

SORRY, CONTEST CLOSED FOR DRAWING

I am pleased to give away The Shack, a book I absolutely love. (You'll win a new one of course.) 

For some individuals this book has proven to be controversial, and I suppose it would be for anyone attempting to keep God in a box.  The Trinity is not portrayed in the conventional way, but then again Jesus was not what the Jews expected when He walked the earth either.  Hence the controversy.  

Based on sound Biblical doctrine, the The Shack has done what few books ever do, it touched my heart deeply by making me laugh, cry, and ponder the things of God. What a refreshing balm for the wounded soul.  The only bad thing about it was the fact it had to end.

If your'e interested in the winning The Shack simply reply to this post (U.S. residents only please.)  If you do not have a blog please leave your email address so you can be notified should you win.  

Blessings to you all! 

Return to Bloggy Giveaways

Update on Judy

Well here she is! The one you've all been praying for, Judy my dear sister in Christ.

I went over to her home today and we had a wonderful time together visiting while I set up her medications. She is still very tired, so we drove thru Culver's for their delicious butter burgers, then brought them home and had a feast. It didn't take me four hours to do what I came to do, but the time flew by as we visited like a couple of hens.

Judy is deeply touched by all your prayers. You should have seen the warm smile on her face when I told her how many of you are faithfully lifting her to the Lord. She plans to visit this blog to read your comments.  I know it will be a double blessing for her.

Your love for her is truly amazing. What a reflection of Christ!

"And over all these virtues put on love, 

which binds them all together in perfect unity." 

Colossians 3:14

What Can I Say?

Here's the deal. 

I spent Tuesday with Dani at her workshop.  Wednesday I took my dad to the optical store then out to lunch, and today I went out with my best friend, Debbie, to have lunch and shop on the Country Club Plaza.  When I arrived home today I discovered Ecclesiastes had gotten a "tad" bored during his 3rd day in the crate and helped himself to a "bubble bath"(i.e. shredded pillow.)

What could I say to this sugar cookie face?

"...as far as the east is from the west, 

so far has He removed our transgressions from us." 

Psalm 103:12

"Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers over a multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

A Morning Dip

Ecclesiastes loves to start and end each day with a good swim.  He sounds like a little tug boat as he breathes through those flapping Labrador lips!   

God Answers Prayer

Update on Judy

Before moving on to the "last resort" medications that have terrible risks and side effects, Judy talked her doctors into allowing her to give her current medications one more try.  We both cried as I shared with her how many of you are praying for her.  We marveled at your faith to pray for a total stranger and it warmed our hearts like nothing else could have ever done. Thank you dear sweat wonderful ladies.  I am convinced God smiles a huge smile that spans horizon to horizon each time the sweet incense of your prayers reach His holy nose!

While speaking with Judy today I discovered several things that need to be streamlined to ease some of her burdens.  For instance, with nearly useless arthritic hands, this poor child of God struggles to open medicine bottles several times a day. Come to find out no one had ever told her about medicine dispensers available at any local drug store.   

WELL...girlie girls...this just happens to be my forte!  I am not only a nurse, but an organization freak. I can't tell what a thrill it is to have a talent someone else can benefit from. So, next week I get to go over to her home and set up her medications so they are ready and waiting for her each time they are due. What a privilege to serve this wonderful woman!

Thank you so much for your prayers.  Please continue to pray for healing and/or remission and her ability to stave off infection with such a low white blood cell count.  What a pleasure to know you all!

Please Pray for Judy

I personally know two women who are walking miracles.  Both were once dying in the Intensive Care Unit from system failure; one from Anorexia Nervosa and the other from Toxic Shock Syndrome. While medical personnel prepared their families for death, saints approach the throne room in prayer.  God heard those prayers and chose to heal both women. Today they testify to the healing power of God.

I have another friend, however, who is dying of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Though only in her mid-fifties, Judy has entered the end-stages of the disease and it's eating her alive. Devouring all the cartilage in her body, her joints are long gone. It is now consuming her heart, causing arrhythmias, and moved on to her blood as it lowers her white count to a deadly level. There is nothing more that can be done medically.

Please pray for Judy.  Luke 11:9 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. " Selfishly I am asking for her physical healing or at least complete remission.  Judy is a woman of God whom I absolutely adore.  She is a model of grace in the midst of great trials and I don't want to lose this great friend and teacher.  The thought of losing her breaks my heart. Then there is her sweet daughter, Ashley, who is a precious young college student. The two women are tight as ticks and their close relationship never ceases to warm my heart.  

God does heal.  I've seen it with my own eyes! I also know, as with the case of our daughter, He does not always choose to heal our physical ills. With all this in mind His word calls us to humbling ask and pray. Whatever He chooses to do with Judy we'll accept it as His sovereign will and continue to glorify His holy Name, for this is our ultimate call.

Many of you are powerful prayer warriors.  You love to pray for people and it doesn't intimidate you one iota to pray for someone you've never met.  You are special intercessors who will lift Judy and her family in prayer and prompt the moving of God's mighty hand.

Thank you dear ladies.  I love you all so very much!  May the Lord bless each of you in a special way today.

Targeting Your Prayers, Part 2

And the Winner is...

After printing, cutting, and folding the names of each contestant who entered the giveaway, they were placed in a "hi tech" Hi-C Kool-Aid pitcher and our daughter, Danielle, pulled out the winner. 

I am pleased to announce the winner of the Olive Leaf Ministries Summer Giveaway is...

Congratulations REGINA you won!

Summer Bible Study Giveaway July 7th - 11th!

Share this summer giveaway with your friends!

Draw Ne Near, Pursuing an Intimate Relationship with God by Nancy Douglas

10-week Bible study (optional correlating Leader's Guide available for purchase)

Read an excerpt from this Bible study and Leader's Guide at Olive Leaf Ministries

My First Award

How nice is this?  I received my first blogging award on the 4th of July!  It came from Valerie, and originated at Arte y pico. 

The rules explain the award:

1. Pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award must have the name of the author and a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner must show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award (http://arteypico.blogspot.com/)

I pass this award on to:

Barbara (Child Parenting Expert OT PT PhD)

Annette

Linda

Katie

This Little Piggy

Summer Giveaway Begins Monday July 7th!

Are you ready for the Olive Leaf Ministries' Summer Giveaway? The dates have been set for Monday July 7th-11th and I can hardly wait! 

I promised last time to give you more information, so here you go. The more entries we receive the more we'll giveaway.  I'll give away one prize for the first 50 entries and if we have 51-100 participants I'll give away two prizes. Should we exceed 100, I'll give away three and so on. This is why it is so important to spread the news.  The more the merrier!

Ladies, Acts 20:35 says it is more blessed to give than to receive and I want to be blessed!  So, tell all your blogging friends, family, and coworkers to join in on the fun so we can giveaway, giveaway, giveaway!

Have a safe and fun 4th of July.  I'll see ya Monday!