A Couple of Updates

I've added an additional option to my Blessings From Baking blog. My daughter, Abbey, has also updated her photography blog, Painting a Picture.

Abbey has also added photos to her Facebook page of a graduation party she recently photographed. You can like her Facebook page and receive updates when she posts new photos. Click here to find her FB page

You can contact me if you're interested in any of the baking items or photos taken by Abbey. She can do a formal or casual shoot and is venturing into opportunities to take photos for your birthday, retirement or graduation party. She can also photograph baby or bridal showers. Her fee includes a disc of all the photos for you to keep.

To contact me regarding either, e-mail me at a.barthauer@gmail.com

Special Concerns

Since God is always faithful to lead, guide, protect and bless when we pray...I'm asking for some additional prayer on behalf of some women I know. You can see some of these on the Prayer Requests and Needs Page, but I'm going to put this additional "plug" in (for lack of a better word) because it just seems to be abundantly overwhelming for each of them, and I know they'll appreciate knowing that others are interceding for them.

All four women are either in a custody battle, finalizing divorce and custody issues or seeking back child support. And just in case you weren't already aware, although I'm certain most people are, the stress of fighting, the pain of abandonment, the fear of loss and the depression of uncertainty do not cease the day that a marriage or relationship dissolves. Unfortunately, for many single moms their ex-partner will often return...sometimes many years later...with a new, fresh round of "let's see how much I can mess up your life now". Obviously, not only are the feelings I've mentioned above those that are experienced by mothers...their children understand all too well the grief also.

So please...as God's Holy Spirit faithfully reminds you to pray for these ladies...I additionally ask that you pray that when this latest battle is over...it will have been the last!

1. Mom of 2 has trial May 31st. Ex is seeking full custody.
2. Mom of 4 is concerned about ex's intentions regarding custody when divorce is finalized later this summer. He is attempting to still control her choices regarding working and educating the kids. His motivation does not appear to be his concern for the children.
3. Mom of 1 has court date in June. Ex is attempting to pay less in back support stating that she doesn't need as much as he is responsible for paying.
4. And the last one, I don't have many details, but this I know: Mom of 1 in very stressful position of caring for mother, has her ex seeking to take away increasing amounts of time with her child. She has already lost significantly in an effort to protect her child from the fighting, but the ex continues to demand more and more.

I do not know all of these ladies well, but a few of them I do. I can attest that none of them are verbally or physically abusive to their children and each of them has done a marvelous job raising their children mostly alone. No good mother deserves the threat of having her children taken away and none should ever have to wonder if she'll receive the time or financial support she deserves just because she can't afford an expensive lawyer.  I support a man's right to be with his children also. I will never support someone that just wants to be a bully. I'm just a little rebellious that way I guess.

Please pray!

Thank you.

God's Good Thing of the Day!

At about 9:45 a.m. I said to my oldest, "Do you wanna hear God's good thing of the day?" She replied, "Already?!" Yep...and it happened at 9 a.m.! I can't wait to see what He does the rest of the day.

Here's what happened. Yesterday was our son's birthday, so with even an inexpensive gift and a cheap (for a family of 6!) lunch out to celebrate, money is a wee bit tight. Yet, we have a van repair that's needed to be done and had already scheduled it to be completed today. I hadn't heard the quote yet of how much it was going to be and as I reviewed our finances this morning, I whispered to God, "It can't be any more than $88...that's all we can spend. If it's more than that, we'll need You to come through or show us where it's coming from."

I waited about 10 minutes to call the mechanic, honestly, just so I could distract myself for a few minutes before I heard what I thought would be the bad news. When I called, his wife answered. She relayed my question to her husband asking how much money we needed to bring for the repair. His reply?

Eighty-eight dollars!

Yeah...it's only 10 a.m. and my God's already been working today...and He's just getting started!

Amen!


On a related side note: If you're in the Northern Kentucky area and you need good, honest, very affordable auto repairs, I will more than gladly pass along our friend's phone number to you.

And the Theme Continues...

This post could also be entitled, "You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up!" 

Yesterday, as I spent the day processing what God's Spirit was teaching me about depending upon His abundance as I focus on Becoming Heaven-Minded and all of the implications for what this shift in thinking means, I asked Him to lead me to a verse on my bathroom mirror that would be just what I needed. The first one my eyes landed on was a verse I don't even remember placing there. I don't remember the context of why I did it, but I now believe it must have been taped there many months ago for the single purpose of my seeing it yesterday.

"I will saturate the soul of the priests with abundance,

And My people will be satisfied with My goodness," declares the LORD."

(Jeremiah 31:14)

Through teary eyes, I read it again...amazed at exactly what God's Spirit is teaching me...but still too overwhelmed by it all to really process the depth of His meaning. What I gleaned in the moment though was another step in the direction of where He's leading..."Angela, all Christians are My priests to a lost and dying world. You have the desire to fulfill this God-given role. Believe that I will saturate your soul with not just enough...but an abundance to do it!"

Okay...I believe...God, forgive my unbelief! (Mark 9:24)

As I headed to my time alone with God this morning, I offered up this prayer: God, I need you to teach me specifically what You're trying to show me. I cannot get my brain around it...it's just too huge. It feels like You're showing me something I can't comprehend so I need you to show me.

Then I picked up Jesus Calling, and this is why I say above, "you just can't make this stuff up!"

"I, the Creator of the universe, am with you and for you. What more could you need?"

"I offer abundant Life; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything."

"Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life."  (the problem being not enough money to do all that I am passionate about doing for Him)

And finally the one that simply pierced me right through my soul:

"Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord!"

Again, too overwhelmed to wrap my brain around what He was showing me, I wrote in my journal:

"Still processing. How do I live knowing You'll provide, moving forward expecting it to be there and expectantly anticipating that You'll come through?

How do You want us to move forward with Boundless Ministries? How do You want to lead? Where do You want us to go? Whom do You want us to serve?"

And I read again from Esther my cue card for the dilemma "It's tough being a women who feels responsible for the "how"!  Beth Moore's scripture reference to combat this is found in Psalm 103:14.

"For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust."

He knows I'm "but dust". He knows I can't figure out how we're going to financially do all that we want to do for Him...and that's okay...because He does!

Then I felt the Spirit's leading to write down just exactly what it is that I want to do...just for clarity...it helps me to process my thoughts. And as I asked Him to search my heart, of the five things that came out on paper...not one of them has anything in it for me other than I'd love to travel serving Him, meeting new people, sharing His Love with them. So yes, the travel is a benefit I would enjoy.

After pouring this out on paper and looking back over it with the Holy Spirit, I turned to the two scripture references for the day in Jesus Calling. The devotional had already spoken volumes, but with great anticipation and recognizing that a Romans 8 reference has to be jam-packed with goodness, I hurriedly turned to verses 31 and 32 expecting wonderful things...I was not disappointed.

Having just completed the Top Five list of my heart's desire, this is what I read:

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32, NASB)

My translation- 'Here's your list, Angela...so what can you say about those things? Your heart's desire is to do My will...you know I'm for that...so who can be against it? I didn't spare my Son for you...can you allow yourself to believe that I will freely give you all of these things? Believe it!'

With a grateful heart and teary eyes, I could finally begin to allow myself to drink in the saturating promise of thirsting no more for resources...it's already there...I just need to ask.

But wait...there was a second verse:

"But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD;

I will wait for the God of my salvation.

My God will hear me." (Micah 7:7)

Do I ever need to wonder again if He'll provide the resources for my passion for serving Him? If I do, you have my permission to call me a faithless twit!

I don't think He could have spelled it out more plainly, but just so I would "get it", He spoke one more word to my heart. As I brushed my teeth and glanced in my mirror at the Jeremiah 31:14 scripture again, I heard Him lovingly say, "It's not about money, Angela. It was never about money. I have the money...the question is...do you have the faith?"

Amen!


Mentioned in this post:

Becoming Heaven-Minded

Are you noticing a theme? (see Heaven and   Heaven is For Real)

Well, yesterday, I began reading the second book recommended by our pastor a few weeks ago entitled Heaven by Randy Alcorn. I'm only about 75 pages into it and I'm already being challenged to become more "Heaven-minded".

But what does that mean?

Paul encourages us many times to remember that this world is not our home, that these are "light and momentary troubles", that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses" and that there is 'great rejoicing before God' when a repentant heart surrenders his life and his sins are covered/erased by the blood that was shed by Jesus the Messiah. But in my day-to-day often mundane, ordinary life...what does it mean to be 'Heaven-minded'? So that's what I've been asking God for about that last 24 hours. And this morning...He began giving me some answers.

It was one of those 'fully-formed-ideas-planted-in-your-head-that-could-have-only-come-from-the-Holy Spirit-because-it-is-so-radically-different-from-anything-you've-ever-been-taught' kind of moments. Yeah...that was a mouthful and it was a brain-full too! In fact, so full that six hours later I'm still chewing on it...processing the implications.

This much I can share because this much I am grasping so far: Waking up this morning, praying "God...I DO want to be Heaven-minded! I DO want to focus solely on what You want for each day. But God...most of what I want to do for Your Kingdom requires money for giving or money for travel and we just don't have it. I feel like I waste so much time just waiting for doors to open and opportunities to arise when my hearts desire is to be do-ing something for You!" The reply to this? "Now Angela...I wouldn't give you the desire to do something unless I was going to give you the resources too!"

And then came that fully-formed-idea moment. I can't even begin to put it into words what it all means yet, but there are already a few practical steps I'm asking Him to lead. I pray there is more to come...and soon. Consider joining me in this prayer: "Lord, what are You already doing, what are You already providing, where are You already leading that I just need to follow and be faithful?"

Amen!

Yes, "Heaven is For Real"

Our pastor spoke about Heaven a few weeks ago. I blogged about it a few days later (see "Heaven") and upon his recommendation, last week, I read the book pictured above.

Now I'm a skeptic at heart and I've shared that with you before, but this book...although not the most well written book I've ever read...had me convinced. There are just too many "coincidences" and things the little boy had knowledge of regarding Heaven and those that have proceeded him in death for his story to be the mere imaginings of a four year old.

And the family states clearly that he's had no further visions. He's not a new age guru that has some transendental link to the netherworld. In fact, when considering a title for the book, Dad (Todd Burpo) authentically shares that older sister thought the best title would be "He's Back and He's No Angel!"

Truthfully, I believe this child's experience was "for real" but I'm not divulging why just in case you want to read the book. He's also the one that named the book. When asked what he thought a good title would be he replied, 'I just want people to know that Heaven is for real!'

Amen!

Mentioned in this post:

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Needs

Please click on the Prayer Requests and Needs Page to find the latest updates to a few of the recent requests.

Our Fourth Single Moms' Night Out

Tonight, along with Firm Foundation Home School Co-op, we hosted our fourth (mostly quarterly) Single Moms' Night Out. We had five no-shows, but still had seven children...three of them their first time to a SMNO event.

The girls where all about getting their nails done!

And BINGO has become a tradition at SMNO.

Gotta love this kid!

A huge thank you to Marie Bryant, Kari Mulderink, Grace and Della Miller and Abbey, Noah, Rebekah and Leah Barthauer for helping single moms have a night off while knowing their kids are entertained.

Look for our next SMNO Fall 2012!

Yes, I'm a Superhero Geek!

Okay, I finally claim it...I am a superhero geek! Ever since I first saw Christopher Reeve fly backwards, changing the Earth's rotation so that time would retreat in 1978's Superman, I have been hooked. Actually, it may have started even earlier as I remember most school day afternoons watching George Reeves (no relation to Christopher) in reruns of the 1950's hit TV show Superman.

Over the years I've loved the Marvel Spiderman trilogy with Tobey Maguire and even went to see Batman: The Dark Knight by myself on opening night 2008 in a packed house where I was actually thankful I went alone because spotty single seats were all that were left.

Yes, even Avatar, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and everyday hero movies like Schindler's List, Glory, Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix (first one only!) and of course, all of the recent Marvel movies (Iron Man 1 and 2; Thor; and Captain America) are movies I've watched over and over and over and over again. Do you begin to see where I'm coming from?

So is it any wonder when friends offered Noah and I two tickets to the opening night of The Avengers we were absolutely thrilled? And yes, we're so silly about superheros that Noah has seen it three times (even paying for his dad to go once) and I've now seen it twice. Noah's birthday is coming up soon and this was one treat we were blessed to be able to splurge on today. But as we were driving to the theatre, I had to give pause and ask myself: "What is it that draws me to these types of movies...not just once but repeatedly to the brink of being obsessed?"

Just like I hoped it would the answer came from within, but outside of me...when the Voice I know so well and love so much whispered, "Because you know the Good Guy is supposed to win!"

Amen! The Good Guy has already won! And He doesn't back down from fighting evil...and neither should we. I've discerned that Captain America is my favorite Avenger. While Iron Man Robert Downey, Jr., by far has the wittiest repartee, Captain Steve Rogers' politeness, sincerity and willingness to jump on a bomb for anyone has won me over. Coincidentally (or maybe not), his weapon of choice?...a shield!

Good selection. I believe I've read that recommendation somewhere else...Ephesians 6:16

And, oh yeah...if you need to find me this summer...check the theatre. I'm saving and scrounging up all the pennies I can. Why? Well July brings two new movies to the superhero list...Spiderman and the final installation of the Batman: Dark Knight series. Save me a seat!

Provision Even for the Little Things

I know I've blogged similar posts before, but I'm still in awe of a God that cares about even the little, seemingly insignificant things that matter to us. I shared on Thursday (see Idolatry of Self-Reliance) how I'd awakened pretty early with some concerns on my mind and heavy on my heart. Payday was Friday and I just couldn't humanly see how money was going to stretch to cover all the things we need it to this month.

Even as I was walking to the mailbox Friday afternoon, for some reason I was praying, "Lord, even just $25 would be great." I haven't exercised this sort of request to Him as I walked toward the mailbox for some time, because the random blessings we received in the past have become very random indeed...and that's okay. This is merely how God is choosing to work in our lives for this season. I've not complained because I know when His floodgates are open, sometimes there needs to be a little dry spell too.

I even shared with a friend a few weeks ago after my temporary tax season job was complete that in a weird sort of way, I look forward to these periods where we can't completely provide for ourselves...that's when my intimacy with Him is at its highest and I see Him working everywhere around me...even in the little things.

I honestly wasn't expecting anything in the mail on Friday, but as I did a quick glance through, I saw a card from a relative that loves to send cards. I knew when I saw the handwriting that it was a Mother's Day card addressed to me and I thought, "How sweet.  She always remembers." I opened it on my way to the van because the kids and I were heading out to run some errands. Out tumbled a $25 Kohl's gift card. Hmmm...amazing! One of my kids needs some new shoes...God knew it...and He provided. He's just that good.

Since it was payday, I'd already paid out or allocated the money to payout all of our expenses for the next few weeks and didn't much care for the number that was left over when all was said and done. Are any of us ever? I told myself, "It's okay. It will be tight, but I just want to have enough for Noah's birthday and to go out for Mother's Day." Unfortunately,  after we'd run our errands which included grocery shopping, I knew I'd cut into what was left more than I'd expected. Don't we always?

So as I put all the groceries away and thanked God for His provision for them yet again (and the amazingly cheap produce co-op where we get to shop!)...I said to Him, 'You know...it's okay if we don't go out for Mother's Day. I just want to be able to go out for Noah's birthday.' I was thinking this as I walked toward the dining table where I'd thrown the rest of the mail. As I opened the only other envelope we received that day, to my astonishment and surprise, there was the $50 rebate gift card from my contact lens purchase I'd submitted in March...in an unmarked envelope with our address only.

Now, I am fully aware that eating in a restaurant for Mother's Day is way down on the pecking order of world dilemmas. But to be able to tell my kids, "Look what God provided," is HUGE. And you may begin to believe that I somehow contrive these little stories just to make God sound good...but I could never make Him sound as good as He really is. Believe it or not, we went to our family's favorite Chinese restaurant and my heart sank as they told us that lunch prices were not in effect today because of Mother's Day. I thought, "Shew...good thing I told the kids on the way here we were only getting water!" I even made a remark to all of them that it would be about $20 more than I'd budgeted (which was the $50 gift card), but it would be okay.

Without even calculating the cost and simply being able to share one less meal because the dinner portions are bigger and the wonderfully kind owner continued to give me a 15% discount because she did this for me while I worked in the same strip mall this winter and...yes, beyond everything rational and logical within me...that total, with even a 20% tip was...you guessed it...$50.00!

Is that cool or what?!

So let me ask you this: Do you trust Him with even your little things? Please do...you will be amazed, astonished and absolutely awestruck at what He wants to do in you!

Forwards

If you're old enough to remember when e-mailing others was new and exciting and pre-Facebook, do you remember when you use to receive dozens of forwards from friends and family every day? You'd open your account to find your mailbox filled (because we even had limited space!) with spam or junk mail. Maybe some of you still do, but I don't. I get the ocassional forward and it's usually from only a few people.

Honestly, most of them I don't read unless the subject line grabs my attention. And do you remember how most of these have a "chain letter"-type line somewhere near the bottom that either says prayer for someone, forward it on and others will pray for you or "don't break the chain of good luck" or some other gimmik like that? Yeah...that's why the skeptic in me never forwarded any of these. If my "luck" is solely dependent upon my e-mailing skills...then I'm in very bad shape indeed!

But today (you knew this was coming, right?) I received one that made me stop and think. It's more parable than truth, but it just happened to hit me right where I've been thinking for a long time. Bear with me if you've heard it before, but here it is:

A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,

'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table..

In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew

which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.

They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.

The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, 'I don't understand.

'It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill...

You see, they have learned to feed each other.

The greedy think only of themselves.'

Now, ignoring all of the 'forward this on' lingo at the end. This had something very profound to say to me. There was even this tag line:

I will always share my spoon with you.

As I exhaled at the challenge this presented to me, I really had to stop and give pause to consider...'Even as much as my heart has been changed by You, God...would I really, wholeheartedly, always share my spoon with others?'

I don't know that I can answer this with a definitive, 100% yes. There are times in our neediness as a family that when God's Spirit prompts me to give away food or money, even after two plus years of living this way...it is a battle. My enemy starts reciting to me the litany of reasons why it is insane to give that "thing" away. But praise God...He is right there doing battle with the evil one and in many of those situations, He has encouraged me to give away even more...or even the best that we have...and I find great joy in doing it. I mean, most Americans can give away a cheap $1.00 jar of peanut butter and not bat an eye, right? But when someone of very limited means gives away a $5.00 plus jar of organic peanut butter? Well, I can affirm without question...that only comes by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I can take no credit for any part of that gift.

The times when He's helped us give away some of our best have brought more joy than I could ever relate with mere words. And most of the time, it's only He and I that know what a struggle it was to give it away...and that just multiplies the joy tenfold or more! It's almost like having a really great secret with your best friend. No wait...it's exactly like having a really great secret with my Best Friend!

Don't let the lingo or the idea that the little story above was from a forwarded e-mail hang you up here. Scripture is covered in references to giving outside of ourselves, above and beyond what we ever think we could...taking care of each other and also the poor and needy in our midst. To live this way is to live like Jesus, and I can't think of anything better than that!

Idolatry of Self-Reliance

For about a month this spring, I had been looking for a new purse. I have a good purse, that was serving its purpose well, but the fabric has a heavy, winter texture and I just wanted something for spring and summer that would be more lightweight. Messenger bags and backpacks are my favorite styles.

But I just couldn't find anything I liked. I was planning to buy one from Stop Traffick Fashion because I believe in what they're doing and I wanted to be a good manager of the resources God has given us. Then, when I had the funds...Stop Traffick had just finished a sale on their...guess what...spring purses. They were completely out.

I was content to make do with a nylon sports bag backpack and keep my eyes open although my resources were dwindling quickly. I don't remember consciously asking God for a purse, but every time I looked for something, there was that "pull" (for lack of a better word) to just "Wait". Wait, I did.

Then the last day of our home school co-op there were numerous door prizes given away and guess what I had the opportunity to choose. Of course...a purse. But not just any purse. It's a 31 brand messenger bag that's lightweight and although the colors aren't necessarily "spring-y", it will serve it's purpose well. Plus, the pattern is a really cute polka dot. It's probably one of the nicest, most convenient purses I've ever owned. I even sent an e-mail yesterday thanking the donor for giving it away because the timing was absolutely perfect.

Even though I've been chewing on this provision for almost two weeks now, this morning, I woke up with a couple of other needs on my mind and heart that honestly had me more than a little stressed. I lay there for about 15 minutes thinking and even praying a little, when I felt the Spirit's nudge say, "Get up and read My word." So I did.

I almost always begin my alone time with God by reading Jesus Calling and the second paragraph was meant for my heart today:

"When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me. Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us. Although self-sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life, since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance."

"Idolatry of self-reliance". I don't much care for that phrase, do you?...and it's completely counter-cultural to the American way of life where we've been trained from day one that absolutely everyone can live the "American Dream" if they just work hard enough, pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and don't let anyone or anything deter them from their 1-year, 5-year or 10-year goals.

If you haven't realized this already, I pray it's not too much of a shock to your system when I disclose that God's ways have never been the American way. In fact, His ways are often the exact opposite.

Today, the Jesus Calling paragraph was meant just for me. And even though my needs aren't monumental, they are concerns for which I cannot be self-reliant. What God is telling me today is... this is a good thing!

Mentioned in this post:

Heaven

I think ever since I started reading Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson a few months ago, I've been thinking more than usual about Heaven. This was reinforced by the Beth Moore Esther Bible study as she kept referring back to God's kingdom versus the kingdom of this world and that we are all children of the King.

Yes, you were always meant to be a prince or princess.

None of this was new information to me. I've always known there are unseen forces vying for my attention, there is a kingdom of Heaven, and I take seriously Jesus' promise that He went away to prepare a place for those who love Him and are staking their eternal destiny on Him. (see John 14:2) But for some reason, thoughts of Heaven...the end of the world as we know it...and my overwhelming desire to see my Savior face-to-face...have been percolating in my mind more often as of late.

Then this Sunday at church was the final week of a month-long series regarding "The End" and Heaven was the topic. I had completely forgotten this was the sermon topic until we got there. My anticipation of what Pastor Marksberry would say almost could not be contained! My Nazarene upbringing wanted to jump up and shout "Amen!" so many times that I lost count. Instead, I had to content myself with quiet Amens and occasional glances at my 8-year old where I mimicked a loud, shouting "YES!!!"

While I sat there I recalled God's perfect timing, yet again, of an amazing conversation we had with my family the Sunday just one week prior. As family members shared visionary dreams, books they've read and the desire for the return of our Messiah,  I felt the passionate longing to see my Lord so consuming that I think I even said some stupid things just because I was so giddy I really didn't know what to say. Looking back, "Amen!" would have been enough. I'll try to remember that next time!

Some of the books that had been mentioned on the 29th at my parents' home where again mentioned by Pastor Marksberry exactly one week later. I think I need to find and read them! I can't wait.

As Pastor Marksberry referred again to "The End", Andrew Peterson's After the Last Tear Falls came to mind. Actually it was just one phrase.

 "And at the end, the end is oceans and oceans of love and love again."

I can't wait for an ending like that! Can you?

I thought of seeing our deceased grandparents and even our two little babies that were miscarried a few years ago. Yes, I was teary too many times to count.

But the thought I latched onto the most, was one that I am certain did not originate from me. The Voice that I know so well and love so much pierced through my revelry, tears and joy and whispered sweetly: "There is so little time...We have got to get busy!"

So that's where I am today...three days after this wonderful celebration on Sunday when we not only discussed eternal things,but many people were baptised to celebrate their new birth in Jesus...and having had a great conversation with a dear friend yesterday about learning to set our minds on eternal things, and look at life through God's perspective, not ours...and being reminded on Monday in Jesus Calling,  that "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Cor. 4:18)...I am left here to ask:

"Okay Abba, where do we get started? Or rather, where do we continue going from here?"

I can not think of anything I would rather be doing with my last breath or in the moment the clouds part than sharing God's Love with a lost and dying world that so desperately needs Him. When I filter my "to-do list" through that...it changes a whole lot of things.

What about you?

Mentioned in this post:



Archived Prayer Requests for January 2012

1/27/12: Mom of 4 is praying for her bankruptcy filing to go quickly and smoothly so her divorce can be finalized. She is also seeking wisdom and guidance about budgeting time for her kids and her schooling. She has a tough winter/spring semester and wants to balance family/school time well. 5/1/12: Mom of 4 was recently admitted to Phi Theta Kappa fraternity for having a 4.0 GPA!

1/27/12: Mom of 3 is experiencing continued financial difficulties. She needs God's wisdom and guidance as she faces choices regarding housing, employment and finances in the immediate days ahead.
1/24/12: Mom of 2 in Indianapolis needs prayer because her son, in his 20's, died yesterday. Please pray for her Abba's Presence to be very real, very close and very protective of her spirit in the days, weeks and even months to come.

1/23/12: Please pray for our Single Moms' Night Out on Friday, the 27th. Praise that God has provided, families have signed up, volunteers are scheduled & we pray for a good time! 2/2/12: Praise that the Single Moms' Night Out went off without a hitch! Thankful for all of the volunteers and donations that helped give some moms a much deserved night off!

1/23/12: Mom of 3 is in immediate need of new housing option. Please pray for God to lead & guide the process and make the transition comfortable for the kids.

1/23/12: I apologize, but there has apparently been a glitch with blogger.com and two months worth of prayer requests have "disappeared" into the great unknown. As I recall the ones we've been given over the last few months, I'll attempt to re-post them.

Archived November 2011 Prayer Requests

11/14/11: In the process toward filing for non-profit, tax-exempt status for Boundless Ministries, there are a few forms to file and fees to pay. We are so thankful for the accountants that sat down with us to explain the process and who took personal time to research the information. Please pray for us to follow God's leading on the timing for when to file (the fee could change soon). We also have to trust His Provision for this fee. There are also a few details regarding the setup of the "board" that we are seeking His wisdom. We know He will lead and guide and pray for our openness and obedience to Him!

11/9/11: Mom of 4 needs several car repairs for which she has no funds. Please pray for God's provision in His perfect timing. Also please pray that her car will not have any major malfunctions before the repairs/maintanence can be completed. 11/13/11: Mom received a very large gift that covered her car repairs! God be praised!

11/9/11: Mom of 1 is starting a new business which can be financially draining at times. She also has a rental home in which the occupants are behind in their rent. Please pray for the Holy Spirit's wisdom and discernment as she works through both situations. She wants to do the right thing by her tenants who do take good care of the property, but it is reaching a point where a decision will soon need to be made.

11/7/11: Expectant mom has been put on bedrest due to high blood pressure. Pray this doesn't develop into pre-eclampsia and that the baby arrives healthy closer to her due date of November 30th! 11/13/11 Update: Baby is still not here, but Mom has been in and out of hospital for the last week. Please continue to pray for her health and the baby's!

11/3/11: Mom of 3 is four credit hours short of completing her Associates Degree and she has exhausted all government grant money for it. At this point, she will either have to come up with the money on her own to complete her degree. Please pray that God's will be done. If she is to complete her degree, please pray that God will miraculously provide the money or show her how to obtain the funds herself. 11/5/11: I don't have all of the details for this yet, but Mom found out her college is giving her an extension to complete her degree! Wow! What a God we serve!

11/1/11: Single expectant mom has been sent home from work until the delivery of her baby. Her due date is 11/30/11 so she is still over 4 weeks away. But the baby is showing signs of being near delivery so the doctor has told her to stop work and rest. Please pray that the baby stays put until her lungs have had time to develop and she can be delivered healthy and strong. Also, the additional financial burden of not working is ill-timed for the struggles this mom is currently facing. Please pray for God's provision throughout the next few weeks.11/7/11: See updated request for this day.

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Updates

Here's the latest update to the Prayer Request Page
Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for the single moms we know that this ministry that attempts to serve them in the name of Jesus.
Amen!

Together

I've been chewing on this word a lot over the last few days and I thought I'd share what it's come to mean to me. I'm nearing the very end of my study of Esther and I'll be a little sad to see it go. I always feel melancholy about ending a Beth Moore study. I learn so much and experience a great deal of growth in a pretty short period of time, and I just long for that feeling to continue...every day.

Although the study is nearing the end, Moore's Spirit-inspired take on Scripture continues to speak right up to the last word. And the most significant word this week for me was "together".

I found this little treasure tucked away in a chapter I've read so many times, that when she referenced it in the reading and asked the reader to look it up, I immediately had it narrowed down to one or two very frequently quoted verses. It's in Romans 8, which for most Christians that have been studying the Bible for more than a few years, instantly conjures up many different verses that they can "hang their faith on", so to speak. Romans 8:28 is by far, one of the most touted, most shared, most quoted, most...abused even...scriptures there is. Yikes! Did I really just say abused? Afraid so.

Here's the verse as I read it a few days ago in my New American Standard Bible:

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

An amazing scripture, from an amazing God!

One of the first things we often fail to point out is this is a promise to Christians...Jesus-followers...those that claim the blood of the Messiah as their only way to having a relationship with God the Father...the Creator of us all. I cringe when people quote this to anyone and everyone. If someone is not in relationship with the Father, He can work things out for their good...but He doesn't promise it.

The next thing is the definition of "good". In America we tend to think in terms of wealth and prosperity...try telling that to a single mom in Africa or Asia. We personally lost everything financially a few years ago. By American standards, there is no "good" in our lives, but I can share countless "goods" that have come from that situation alone..."good" as God's Holy Spirit has defined it for me.

But, sadly I've heard this scripture shared most often to try to give an explanation to someone for the reason why they're experiencing great suffering, overwhelming tragedy or deep and severe pain and I know that becomes one of the many stumbling blocks why hurting people can't ultimately trust God. They think: "How can you say He is a good God if He thinks letting _________________(insert tragedy) happen to me is for my good."

Believe me...I've been there!

I'm sorry if I offend here...that is truly not my purpose...but how can we ever, honestly look at someone and say, 'Yes, divorce is good for you and your kids.'? In what universe is losing a baby or having one diagnosed with a chromosomal defect, or losing a parent to Alzheimer's, or losing your innocence as a child to abuse...a good thing??? Really? If you dare say that to the one in the middle of the swirling hurricane-force gale, you better duck quickly because if it were me...I might start throwing punches. [Just being honest!]

Then there's that word I've been chewing on...that word that Holy Spirit just hasn't let go out of my head...together. You see, I think what He's been trying to show me is that I will absolutely, without a doubt, drive myself C-R-A-Z-Y trying to find the proverbial "silver-lining" behind every rain cloud. I am not just analytical...I am hyper-analytical. I think very deeply and have even been told this is a bad thing. But God made me this way, right? And I have experienced some things in my life that in the moment and isolated by themselves had absolutely no good in them.

But...

taken together with, let's say...my personality...or my character...or my husband's wisdom...or my kids' laughter...or my sense of humor...or my experiences as a child...or my church background...or that sermon I heard 10 years ago...or a relationship that crossed my path for a moment, or a lifetime...or that other thing that happened a few years back...

and He...the ineffable One...the One who is so amazing we can't even come up with a word that can contain all that He is...

He takes a jagged edge from this piece and sets it next to the curve of that piece and lines it up with the plumb line of that piece and shaves off the extra from that piece and buffs the raggedness of that piece and fills in the empty spots with that piece and is constantly polishing all of the pieces so that...together...it is good.

I know a lot of hurting people right now and I, in turn, hurt for them when I hear comments from well-meaning people that are trying to put a positive spin on their pain. You know, maybe one of the best things we can say is, with honesty..."You know what ______________(insert tragedy) SUCKS! And I'm hurting for you. And I'm praying for you. And I do not want to make light of your pain, but don't drive yourself nuts trying to find something good in this. All you can really do, is pick up the pieces and carry them to the One that can put them all together and make something good from them. He's guaranteed you that if you're one who loves Him...He will do it! Hold Him to the promise! It's okay to tell Him He has to come through. He delights in His children staking their lives on one of His claims!"

You know what? His Son did too!

Hebrews 12:1-3

Blessings From Baking

Check out our new blog Blessings From Baking to see how you can buy great food items and support our family's dream of serving God at home and around the world.

Financial Statement for April

Here's the April financial statement for Boundless Ministries

April Financial Statement