Neural Malfunction (Moms e-mail: June)

Hello moms!

I hope you all are keeping cool on this hot day. Wow! Can you believe it is so much the opposite in Winter?!?!?!? I think the heat has caused a neural malfunction resulting in a loss of inspiration today. Or, maybe I just need a nap. At any rate, I hope you are feeling more inspired. Feel free to share with the rest of us. :)

Keep the prayers coming!

In His Grace,
KP

Will you go? (Moms e-mail: June)

Hello moms!

How does this Tuesday find you? (or Wednesday if you've already checked your e-mail for the day) Overall, I'd have to say our Tuesday's been pretty good. Exhausting, but good.

Last night, I was reading the story of how Abraham sends his servant to find Isaac a wife. It's found in Geneses 24. The servant sort of makes a deal with God--if a woman offers to give me a drink and my camels too, then she's the one. And, Ka-Powie! Before he is even finished, Rebekah appears and does just that! And, it just so happens that Rebekah is one of Isaac's "people" (one of Abe's requests from vs. 4). After the servant takes a moment to do some serious worshiping of God, he goes to Rebekah's house and explains the whole deal to her family, and they say--No kidding! That's a God thing! Sure, go ahead and take her. BUT, the next morning, for whatever reason, they are inclined to delay the whole process. The servant is persistent, and the family suggests the consult Rebekah. And, here is my FAVORITE line:

"*I will go*," she said. (vs. 58)

Incredible!!! The whole story is just RICH with history and meaning; God acting on behalf of His people. But, to me, this one line speaks volumes. It speaks to me because Rebekah is a woman--someone I can relate to. (I love Bible stories about women.) It speaks to me because Rebekah demonstrates the kind of faith I want to have. She's never met this servant dude before. She's never met Abraham or Isaac. She's never lived in the place where Abraham and Isaac live. She is referred to as a "girl" in the NIV. All those things would make most women terrified! Let alone a girl! But, I just imagine her taking it all in and believing by faith in what the servant has told her--mainly about his prayer and how God answered it. And, when her family, the people who have raised her and cared for her hesitate the next morning, she has the faith, courage, presence and state of mind to say, "I will go." And then she goes! To a place foreign to her, to marry a man she knows almost nothing about!

Wow! I pray the God would give me that kind of faith. Faith to hear God's call to me and respond: "Yes. I will go," or "Yes. I will do it". Faith to act. I urge you to let Rebekah's story challenge and encourage you.

In His Grace,
KP

OOPS! (Moms e-mail: June)

Hello moms!

Can you say--DISCOMBOBULATED? I'm just now putting it together: it's Tuesday, the day I send an e-mail to the moms. J's preschool is done for the year and maybe that is the cue that I have relied upon all this time. Now, Tuesday is just like any other day. I'm going to have to tie a string around my finger. :)

Anyhow, although my e-mail was temporarily forgotten, rest assured that you were not. I think of you moms often and try to picture you at your daily activities and wonder what you're up to pray as I feel compelled. You guys are all really swell. :) I'd love to write more, but since sleep loss is one reason for my forgetfulness, I'll beg your forgiveness and put myself to bed without further ado! Keep on praying!

Luv,
KP

Hope for the Weary (Moms e-mail: May)

Hello Moms!

How was your Memorial Day weekend? Ours was productive and we had a little fun too! Today, I'm feeling exhausted. As I was thinking of what to write, this passage came to mind:

Isaiah 40: 28-31 28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I think it speaks more toward emotional and spiritual weariness, but I doubt that you can separate those out from the physical--they're a package deal. Anyway, I find great hope and encouragement from this passage. I just skimmed the whole of Isaiah 40, and it speaks of God's power and encourages the reader to put their hope in Him--not to be discouraged by this "world" or to misplace hope in other sources (ie. idols). I don't know exactly what point in time it was written in Israel's history, but I imagine it was a time of oppression and suffering as a nation. I imagine they were discouraged...wondering when the promises of God would be fulfilled...wondering when they would be free.

Do you ever feel discouraged? Weary? Weary of struggling with sin? Weary from the relentless demands of your children, your job, household responsibilities, etc...? Are you tempted to look for encouragement from sources other than God? Business, TV, money or other material possessions, personal achievement, etc...? I would have to answer "Yes" and "Yes". How about you? The good news is that there IS hope, there IS encouragement for us! For you! For me! Let's put our hope in the Lord and let us be strengthened--soaring like eagles! Keep on prayin'!

In His Grace,
KP

Thankful? (Moms' e-mail: May)

Hello mommies!

I hope you are having a good week filled with spiritual blessings in Christ!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3) "

Oh dear...I had a brilliant moment of inspiration just a bit ago, but when Josiah called to me, /desperately/ needing my attention for /no/ particular reason as he shuffled out of the bathroom, through the hallway and into the dining room with his underwear and shorts crumpled at his ankles, the inspiration left me. Sigh...story of my life. I'm guessing you can relate or could at some time. Maybe the interruption was divine intervention and my inspiration wasn't what we all needed today.

But, hey, here is a practical thought. How about we think of at least three things that we are thankful for in our husbands and children or whatever or whomever else in your life you want to share thankfulness for. "...in everything give thanks..." (part of I Thess. 5:18) Feel free to share your list with all of us to help inspire and encourage us all. :)

Here goes...God, I thank you for:
*my husband's patience with me when I'm being a less than exemplary mom/wife (especially during "that time" of the month)
*my husband's dedication to the Lord, our family, and his job
*the unique personalities that You gave to each of my two children
*chocolate chip cookies

Well, my eldest is waiting for some computer time, so I'll wrap this up... I'm truly thankful for all you mommies, and I'm so proud of how you all are loving one another. Let's keep it up! And as always, pass on your prayer requests and praises so we can uphold each other in prayer this week!

In His Grace,
KP

Trust (Moms' e-mail: May)

Hello moms, How are you all doing?

I myself am enjoying God's great out doors. :) Remember to send out your praises and prayer requests so we can join together in prayer. :) Our next in-person prayer is next Tuesday evening (the 15th), 7:30pm at church.

My thought for you all for the day has to do with trust--trusting the Lord. You may be familiar with this passage:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Trusting God with my WHOLE being, no matter what; seeking Him in ALL areas of my life. For me, it's something I constantly wrestle with--sometimes feeling beat, and sometimes experiencing victory. But, the encouragement is--God IS God. He knows ALL things, including what's best for you. He is also in control of all things. And, most important, He loves you More than you could ever ask or imagine. So, He is trust-worthy. In this passage there is also a promise: "He will make your paths straight." Another version (HCSB) puts it this way: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

Be challenged, and be encouraged! In His Grace,
KP

Inheritance (Moms e-mail: April)

Hello mom people!
How does this Tuesday find you? Well, I hope. I'm not too excited about the snow flakes I see daring to appear in this second week of April! I laughed as I did it, but I'll admit to having asked God if He would /please/ make it be warmer than the weather people were predicting. I'm sure He laughed too!

Anyhow, there is this theme that has popped up repeatedly in my life this past week. It's come to me from a book I'm reading, from the BGC World publication, from a chat I had with a friend, and maybe even other sources. I think God may be trying to get my attention. :) That theme: inheritance. I'm not talking dollars and "stuff". I'm speaking spiritually. As a mother, I'm challenged to think about what I want to pass on to my kids. What are the most important things I can teach them? What do I want to stick with them into adulthood and after I'm gone. What do I want to fill the blanks when my kids say to their friends, "Yeah, my mom always says (or said), '_______________'." It's easy for me as a mom to get absorbed by the daily routines--eating, dressing, sleeping, eating, playing, disciplining, grocery shopping, eating, sleeping... I'm often living in the moment, sometimes just "surviving" moment. But, lately, I've been compelled to consider what I want, or what God wants, my children to inherit from their mom. It's not that I've never thought about it, but I don't know if I've ever nailed down a top five list or created tangible goals. How about you? Have you thought about it? If so, would you be willing to share some of your thoughts? How about we think we think about this inheritance question this week and share some thoughts when we meet in person next Tuesday. Or, if you you're dying to share now, go ahead and post your thoughts. Also, if you know of or find some Bible passages that relate, share those too!

In His Grace,
KP