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Thursday, December 17, 2009

A GIVING HEART

I am so thankful that my family has such a giving heart. My preacher could preach on tithes and offerings the whole church service and it wouldn't bother me a bit because Jesus himself preached about it in the Bible and I think it's really important for people to grasp the concepts that Jesus tried teaching. It really upsets me when new believers are turned away when the preacher talks about tithing for too long. If they only knew the impact that faithfully tithing would have on their lives, they'd never feel that way again. Yesterday my husband and I gave a significant seed to our church, completely out of faith and because we felt led by the Holy Spirit to do so. I've probably only written about 2 checks that were more than that, but it felt SO great. We couldn't wait to get it out of our hands. I know that that offering is going to open up the windows of Heaven and His blessings will pour out over our lives because we took that huge step of faith. So many people our more worried right now about their Christmas funds than making sure they get their tithes in. We really need to get our priorities right. This is one priority that I know in my heart that my family has right and I am very thankful to God for giving us all such a giving heart! May God richly bless everyone who reads this and may you be challenged to start tithing regularly and just watch what God will do in your life!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Deliverance

I am so happy that the spirit of depression and other things I was facing, have been broken off of me. Our pastor laid hands on anyone who needed healing. I didn't realize when I went up, that I needed more emotional healing than physical healing. But God new and he delivered me from that! He can do the same for you!!! Just give it to Him and tell Him that you need His help! He loves you no matter what you have done.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

SOAP

Our pastor has us reading one chapter of Proverbs a day and doing the following as a part of Ecclesia: SOAP

Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer

I was having a real difficult time choosing my verse to work on, but I found something that is helping me. Since I homeschool our 9 year old son, I am having him do the same thing. I read the chapter from his Bible and then help him choose his verse. Reading from a child's Bible helps me understand things better and doing it as a part of homeschool insures me to be able to fit it into every day.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Ecclesia

Our church is embarking on a new journey called Ecclesia. It is a nine month session of working with our pastor on better ourselves and our walk with Jesus and our involvement in the church. It is a strong commitment to make, but Aaron and I are seriously considering it. I feel like if we don't do it, we will be sitting stagnant and not really growing much in our walk with Christ. I was ready to walk out of church last Sunday because Stinky Face was crying in the nursery and I felt like I couldn't get anything out of church. By the end of service I realized that Ecclesia is something I can definitely use at this point in my life.

Some of the requirements are $250 fee for all of the material and a retreat that we will be required to go on, if you miss more than 2 meetings you are automatically out, you should read through the New Testament twice (that's recommended but not required), you will be involved in some area of service at church (we already lead a small group and I might be joining the kid's on course choir soon), you must commit to one date night a month with your spouse and there are a few other requirements.

When I think about all of the responsibility that comes with this, I think about 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that says, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

That is the whole point of Ecclesia; to build us up to be soldiers for Christ who will be better equipped to go out and share the gospel with others! The more I think about this, the more I feel like it's something I don't want to miss out on! I know the commitment is immense, but my reward will be an eternal crown!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Homeschool

Not everyone is called to homeschool, but for some reason, I was. I believe it was so I can instill more Godly characteristics into my children, then what I could if they were at school all day, then sent home with homework, on top of the sporting events and other activities they would get involved in. I have been homeschooling now for a year and a half. It's been very challenging, but rewarding at the same time. I love spending the extra time with my kids. I know how fortunate I am go have this time with them. I worked a job for 10 years (7 years of my son's life) before I got the privilege to stay home with him. I am excited for this new school year to start because I hear that it becomes less of a challenge, the longer you have been doing it. Thank you God for this privilege, and I pray Lord that you never let me take advantage of it or complain about it again. I am so very blessed!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Praise

I haven't been on here in a while and the last time that I was, it wasn't a good time for me. I had a pretty bad day today too, but then I had a reminder of how blessed I really am. Let me share with you how blessed I am and then when I have another bad day, I'll come back to this page to remind myself. I suggest that everyone makes a list of their blessings, as our preacher says, it's not over until you win! This is not a bragging list. This is a list to help me the next time I want to throw a pity party for myself!
  • I am free to worship Jesus with all of my heart in whatever way I want to.
  • I have faith that all my family and friends will be saved before leaving this earth. God has promised in his word that my household will be saved. He can't take that word back.
  • My brother is talking to me again ~ praise God!
  • My parents and brothers and grandma are still alive.
  • I have an awesome husband and 2 amazing boys.
  • I am living in perfect health.
  • God has given us a beautiful home in a great neighborhood.
  • God has given me a voice to praise him with.
  • I get to stay home with my children every day, so I don't miss much of their lives.
  • I get to be my children's teacher, so they can read the Bible and pray during school.
  • I am well educated.
  • I have a few great friends.
  • We have 2 cars that are paid for and still run well.
  • We can pay our bills because God has always provided a way for us. It may not be the way we plan, but he always provides.
  • We never have to worry about where our next meal will come from.
  • We have hot water to shower with every day.
Thank you God for all that you have given me!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Giving it to God

I have felt depressed over the last few days. It has to do with several things that I've been having trouble clearing from my mind. The biggest thing is that my own brother hasn't talked to me since November and I really miss my niece and nephews. I pray for both of my brothers daily and I pray that God will give them great favor and soften their hearts. I pray for physical blessings and financial blessings as well as mental healing. Have you ever had a sibling not talk to you for a while? It hurts so deep. Even though my brother has used me and lied to me most of his life, I still love him and want a close relationship with him. If it were anyone else, I would have forgotten about him like he seems to have forgotten about me. I found a great book at the library. It's by Joel Osteen, "Daily Readings from Become a Better You" I've only read a little bit, but it's reminded me of some of the great things that the enemy has stolen from me.

* Out of our greatest rejection comes our greatest direction
* Stop dwelling on the negative
* As long as we are upset, frustrated, and all bent out of shape, God will back away and wait. To show God that we are trusting Him, we must stay in peace; keep a smile on your face; have a good attitude day in and day out. When you are consistent, when you're stable, and when you're not moved by your circumstances, you are proclaiming, "I believe that God is in complete control of my life."
* Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22
* Sometimes we lose our peace over things we can't change...You might as well enjoy your life while God is in the process of changing things in the lives of people around you

So, I know I have NO control over my brother. All I can do is to continue to pray for our relationship and trust God that in His time, everything will be ok and I'll get that relationship back and it will be 100 times better. Because my brother will be saved! I will rest in the Lord, expecting great things to happen.

Thursday, March 26, 2009




Forever faithful to one another
Always there for each other
Making the most of every day
Infectious are the smiles sent your way
Loving each other until death do we part
Yes my family is always on my heart


Written by Amanda Rosen on 3/26/09

Monday, February 23, 2009

22 Revisited

I hope now that I will stop seeing the # 22. (read previous post for details) Yesterday was February 22nd. All day I was expecting either something great, or something terrible to happen. The church had their 10th anniversary and we "planted an anniversary seed". I thought maybe that was it. It was a stretch to give the amount that we gave. For the rest of the day, nothing significant happened...until about 11:00 pm. We had allowed G.Q. to stay up late. We finished our prayers and then he said to me, "Today at church I went up on stage". I asked him why. He said, "to give my life to Jesus Christ". I couldn't beleive that he didn't tell us this sooner. It would have changed the whole rest of the day. Thank you Jesus for saving my son and for him taking that big step all on his own! You can imagine how happy Aaron and I were. But now, why have I seen the # 22 for over a year now? Is it so I would never forget this date? I really hope I stop seeing the number now and that this story ends and a new one will begin (no new numbers please...unless it means someone else will be saved).

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

INTRODUCING THE BIBLE BEE

The Shelby Kennedy Foundation is excited to introduce the first annual National Bible Bee, a motivating Bible memory competition for children and youth from ages 7 to 18. The goal of the Bible Bee is to build godly character in young people by calling them back to the lost discipline of Scripture memorization. Most people are familiar with the Scripps National Spelling Bee, where youth compete annually in the Nation's longest-running educational contest. While it is certainly beneficial for our children to commit the spelling of words to memory, imagine how much more life-changing it will be for them to memorize the Word of God!
Local Bible Bee Contests will be conducted throughout the United States on Saturday, September 12, 2009. One hundred finalists from each of three age categories will then advance to the National Bible Bee for a two-day, world-class competition which will be held in Washington D.C. on November 5-6, 2009.
Heritage Home Educators will be hosting a Local Contest on September 12, 2009 at Living Word Ministries in Burkesville, KY Interested contestants and their families may find out more about the Bible Bee Competition by visiting the Bible Bee website: www.biblebee. org. In order to learn more about this Local Contest being held nearby, contestants and their families may call Pam True at 270-433-5710 or send an e-mail inquiry to pambtrue@gmail. com

Official enrollment in the Bible Bee begins February 15, 2009 and is handled online at www.biblebee. org. An associated enrollment fee of $20 is collected, which covers the cost of a Bible Bee T-shirt and administrative costs associated with the National Contest. Enrollment closes on April 30, 2009.

The Bible Bee Competition will distribute more than $260,000 in prize money with $100,000 being awarded to the first-place winner of the top age bracket.

The long-term vision of Bible Bee Competition is to equip children and youth to be bold ambassadors for Jesus Christ to the next generation!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Bedtime Prayers

Do you and your family pray together at night before the children go to bed? It's never too early to start. When my first son was just a baby, I started repeating the "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer to him. He learned that prayer and told it to me at night until he was about 3. That's when I wanted him to understand the importance of putting your heart into your prayers and praying for others. Every night before my son goes to bed, we gather together in the living room and say prayers. He goes first, then me and then my husband ends it and we all say Amen. Of course Stinky Face usually tries to chime in too. Tonight I could hardly get my prayer out because he was trying to out do my talking. It was so cute, but slightly frustrating at the same time. I really cherish this time that our family spends together and I strongly believe that it's a great thing for our children to experience. I hope that they will grow up and do the same with their children.

Praise Report

I just want to thank God and thank anyone who prayed for my mom. Prayer works! Her 2nd mammogram showed a tissue that sometimes folds over. That's all it was! I am so grateful to still have my mom and to know that she's healthy.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Do you need prayer?

If you need prayer, I have created a myspace page designed for praying for others. It is http://www.myspace.com/1soulatatime. You can mail me privately or leave a message on the board for everyone to see and my family and I will pray daily for your needs. I really hope this site gets popular because it's just one simple way that I've found to serve others, and that is what makes my family happy!

Please pray for my mom

My mom went for her mamogram the other day and they called her today to come back in and get another picture on one side. I guess something didn't look right. My mom had breast cancer about 10 years ago on the other side. She will have the results in the morning from her new picture. Please pray for my mom's complete health; physically, emotionally and mentally. Pray for God to give her and the rest of the family peace.

My heart sank when she told me about this, but then I reminded myself that greater is HE who is in us than he who is in the world. By HIS stripes we were healed. I am claiming this over my mom and the rest of my friends and family! I will not allow the devil to torment my mind. Wake up calls like this should remind everyone that NO ONE is guaranteed an extra day on this earth. I am praying daily for many other people who have found out they have cancer. When you know so many people suffering from sickness and diseases, it's a real reminder to live every day to the fullest. I really need to stop complaining and start living while I can. I have lost loved ones to cancer, but in Jesus name, my mom is healed. Please believe it with me!

Friday, January 30, 2009

22

Calling all of my Christian friends and family. I have been seeing the # 22 for over a year now. Every time I turn around, there it is again as a highway sign, the temperature, the number on a jersey, the clock, you name it. I thought I had it figured out because at a time when my husband and I were really starting to question God and his plans for our lives, God told me to turn my Bible to Psalm 22. Wow, did it ever fit our situation! It felt so good to finally know what 22 meant. I continued to see that number until we moved into our new home. It was on lot #222. I thought seeing the number would stop after that, and it did for a little while. Now it's back and I really feel like God is trying to tell me something else. I don't understand and it's starting to drive me up a wall. I'm going to talk to an elder in the church to see if they have any thoughts. I wonder if something big is going to happen on Feb. 22. Or is God trying to warn me, or simply point me to another scripture?

What are you thoughts? Has this ever happened to you?

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Putting God First

My New Year's Resolution was to put God first because then everything else will fall into place. When you have a husband, homeschool, a baby, a new business, a new home to keep tidy, new friends to make and keep up with, scrapbooking, cooking and a million other things to keep up with, it is harder than it should be to put God first. I really want to, but I know I'm definitely not there yet. I do start homeschool every day with Bible reading and prayer and we end the night together praying as a family. I read the Bible about every other day now before bed. We go to church almost every Wednesday night and every Sunday and we are going to get involved soon within the church. All those things make me feel great, but it's just not enough. I still don't feel like I am putting Him first. I'm not sure what else to do. Any suggestions?