Pilgrim's Pathway

Letting Go of our Red Balloons

Paula — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:55:50 +0000

“God gave you a gift of 86, 400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘Thank you’”? (William Ward )Lord, every single gift comes from You…“Lift my gaze to see life from Your perspective. Help me to understand-and treasure-every good thing You send…”(From James 1:7) One Thousand Gifts http://www.aholyexperience.com/

878. Here I sit with my port hooked up to my infusion of Herceptin at the Cancer Institute. After today, I have just two more to go, hooray the end of this chapter in my treatment plan is in sight for June! Then I’ll just have my 5 years of an oral hormone blocker left as long as I remain cancer-free. I am thanking God that as far as I know I’m doing terrific and responding very well to cancer treatment. Cancer can be sneaky and tricky and doesn’t play fair and yet in the face of uncertainty and the unknown future I keep coming back to just WHO is in charge around here: GOD! He is teaching my heart to snuggle up in His love and rest and trust.

879. I like this illustration in Living the Praying Life”:

“When Jennifer picked up her toddler son, Stinson, from pre-school, he came out holding onto a red helium–filled balloon.

She warned him not to let go of the balloon or it would go up into the sky.

She turned away for a moment, and when she turned back there was Stinson’s red balloon floating up into the sky.

Oh, I’m sorry you lost your balloon Stinson”, Jennifer said to him.

“I didn’t lose it, Mommy! I gave it to Jesus!” he replied.

The person who is living a praying life learns that nothing you give to Jesus is lost.

Giving the thing you love best to the One you love most is what brings exuberant joy, the hallmark of a praying life.

Do you have any red balloons you are clutching?

Is there anything you need to give to Jesus – just because you love Him?

Let go and experience His joy.”

880. We are God’s Gift of Grace
To One Another

By Jan DraveckyMay our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement
and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you
in every good deed and word.
2 THESSALONIANS 2:16 (NIV)

What a privilege to extend God’s gift of grace to one another. As our hearts have been encouraged by His grace – we have all been called to share His grace with others.Grace is God’s love applied to our human condition. It is seen in a helping hand for the weary, in compassion for the broken, understanding for the confused, tenderness for the wounded, acceptance for the fallen and a loving embrace for the returning prodigal.God’s grace is …

*Grace is powerful beyond our imagination. It is the most amazing act of grace in all of history. It compelled the King of Heaven to become a man and die a terrible death on behalf of the human race.

*Grace is water for the thirsty, food for the starving, a helping hand for the weak, tender compassion for the sick and shelter for the homeless. The gift of God’s grace is the single greatest gift we can offer a pain-wracked world.

*Grace is God’s love in action. The expression of God’s grace is the most precious commodity in all of creation. It Makes God’s love real to even the hardest, most wretched, wounded and hopeless heart.

*Grace isn’t shocked by the depth of human brokenness or sinfulness. It doesn’t turn away in disgust or judgment from the sinner or the soul in pain. Instead it embraces the one made in the image of God no matter how marred the image may be.

*Grace does not excuse wrongdoing. It does not excuse sin. Instead, it chooses to love the sinner.

*Grace doesn’t judge or condemn. It knows that all people are broken and in need of mending so it does not presume that one is better than the other.

*Grace places no expectations on its recipients. It is given freely – no strings attached.

*Grace embraces us right where we are. It doesn’t sit on the sidelines awaiting our arrival at an acceptable position before it is given.

*Grace takes the high road in human relationships. It chooses to reach out rather than to rather than to retaliate. It chooses to forgive, accept and embrace rather than turn away in anger, contempt or indifference.

*Grace is gentle and unassuming. It creates a safe place for the wounded and downtrodden to uncover their wounds so that they can be healed.

*Grace has no limits. We need only ask God to provide it. He never tires of our requests because He knows our need. Because we know …

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
MATTHEW 11:40 (NIV)

“The King will reply,
‘Truly I tell you,

whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.’
MATTHEW 25:40 (NIV)

881. I had my socks blessed off at the Casting For Recovery Retreat. Wow, did we ever have fun!

Casting For Recovery/Getting Back in Shape

Paula — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:14:52 +0000

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to

Him, “Lord, we don’t need you anymore. Science has finally

figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other

words, we can now do what you did in the beginning.”

“Oh, is that so? Tell me…” replies God.

“Well,” says the scientist, “we can take dirt and

form it into the likeness of You and breathe life into it, thus

creating man.”

“Well, that’s interesting. Show me.”

So the scientist bends down to the earth and

starts to mold the soil.

“Oh no, no, no…” interrupts God, “Get your own dirt.”

———————-

873. I’m doing terrific and keeping very busy these days. A big thanks to those praying for me and my dear family! I am still receiving IV Herceptin every 21 days and looking forward to that being wrapped up in June. Then I’ll be able to get rid of my surgically implanted port–yea! As far as we can tell, thusfar things are looking A-OK in the cancer department–hooray!

874. I am very grateful that I was selected to participate in a special opportunity to learn how to Fly Fish and be part of a retreat soon with some fellow breast cancer survivors from across the state of Florida. Next weekend is an amazing gift and answer to prayer and I’m very excited! http://castingforrecovery.org/

875. 1212 is my year to work on getting back in shape. lose weight that I gained during treatment, and build back my health, God willing. Today I hit my 30 pounds bites the dust milestone–wahooo! I still have a ways to go to get to my ideal weight range but it’s coming along well. I am following a 100% raw, low fat vegan diet (nothing cooked and no food with or from a source with a face on it…just raw fruits, veggies, and seeds) and am part of an on-line ”Raw Food Boot Camp” program for three months, that’ll be finishing up for me in June. I always feel like a million bucks eating this way and like the food plan very much. Six years ago I got down to my goal weight using this raw diet and support group ( here is a link to my before and after story/photos from 6 years ago: http://www.rawfoodbootcamp.com/Before_After.php if you are interested)
I got down to my ideal weight range before with God’s help and I can do it again, only this time for keeps–yo yo weight loss/gain is for tyhe birds! I am weak but He is strong! The principles in the “Made to Crave” book that I’ve mentioned before here and the support and accountability I’ve been having at the Raw Food Boot Camp and my “Healthy Living 4 Him” group have been wonderful tools that God is using. I am encouraged, exercising lots, am loaded with energy and stamina, and doing very well–all blessings I do not take for granted.

876. I am grateful for the Mama duck and her 15 new babies paddling behind her in a line that my daughter and I saw on our walk.

877. We went and saw “No legs, no arms, no worries Nick” tonight. It was a blessing. http://www.northlandchurch.net/calendar/details/nick_vujicic

Take care!

Paula

Heaven Rules!

Paula — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:05:58 +0000

Humor: Prank at Walmart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eycW2K0zOIE

868. “You are my Beloved Child. I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.” – Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

869. On Sunday afternoon our family came within about a literal 2 seconds from a potentially terrible, high sped head-on collision We were on our way home from church and someone coming from the opposite way was trying to pass another car and still in our lane and coming directly toward us in a blink of the eye. We barely saw it coming, it all happened so fast. God gave John quick reflexes and probably there were a bunch of angels involved in working things out so precisely. I’ve never been so close to a near crash like that and can only imagine the horrific details of what would have been had God not intervened. I don’t see how any of us could have survived it had that accident happened.. Thank You Lord for your protection and that our times are in YOUR Hands and You’ve numbered each of our days.

870. Last Friday night my daughters had their final game in the Upwards Basketball season. I’ve never been so excited at a sports event in all my life as watching these young ladies. The whole team pulled together for an outstanding game and they beat an undefeated team: 13 to 12. All the girls improved tremendously over these last months and it was a joy to watch their sportsmanship and see them play their hearts out.

871. Direst quote from: http://www.truewoman.com/?id=2032

“No situation is so desperate that God cannot redeem it.
If ever there was a situation that seemed hopeless, it was Esther’s. Orphaned as a girl, taken into a Persian harem, married to a cruel, arrogant, alcoholic husband, then faced with an edict intended to exterminate her entire race. It was a desperate situation, both for her and for her people. Her plight seemed hopeless. But the heavenly Kingdom rules over the earthly kingdom.

When we are in the midst of that earthly drama, facing dire circumstances, we must keep reminding ourselves of this ultimate reality: Heaven rules! As Pastor John Piper reminds us, “In every situation and circumstance of your life, God is always doing a thousand different things that you cannot see and you do not know.” Never forget that. Write it on the tablet of your heart. And learn to wait for God to act, to wait on His time. The fact is, all the pushing, nagging, screaming, yelling, badgering, manipulating, whining, and shaming in the world won’t solve your problems. Those tactics may help you get your way in an immediate sense, but they will not win victories for the Kingdom of God. Making things happen is His role in your situation, and He is sure to act in His perfect time, according to His good, sovereign, and eternal will. It will be worth the wait, I assure you.”

872. I am thankful to be well enough that I have been able to be super busy with things other than medical appointments lately

Adding to my Running List of Songs That Inspire in Tough Times

Paula — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:05:31 +0000

Q: Why do they say ‘Amen’ at the end of a prayer instead of ‘Awomen’?
A: The same reason they sing Hymns instead of Hers!

Adding to my running list of songs that inspire me in tough times: http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/archives/902

His Eye is on the Sparrow/I need Thee Every Hour : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTB0Ej9bV00

“Hold On” Cancer Outreach video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3kk31V4CZA&feature=related

“I Run for Life”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b77cc7oZOg&feature=related

“Never Give Up” Cancer Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW_R663Tm7I&feature=related

One Day You Will: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO4zSTqvf9M

Give Until There’s Nothing Left: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO4zSTqvf9M

Song of Hope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO4zSTqvf9M

Go-To Scripts From Made To Crave

Paula — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:29:16 +0000

862. “Go-To” scripts on pp 215-216 of “Made to Crave: Satisfying your deepest desire with God. not food”" by Lysa Terkeurst (Direct qutes):

“ 1.God has given me power over my food choices. I’m supposed to consume food.
Food isn’t supposed to consume me:

2 Cor 12: 9-10

His grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in weakness. When we are
weak, then we are strong.

2. I was made for more than to be stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat.

Deut 2:3
“You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north.”

3. When I am considering a compromise, I will think past this moment and ask
myself, “How will I feel about this choice tomorrow morning?”

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were ought at a
price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Cor 6:19-20

4.When I am tempted, I either remove the temptation or remove myself from the
situation.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall. No
temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: He
will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Therefore, my
dear friends, flee. 1 Cor 10:12-14

5. When there’s a special event, I can find other ways to celebrate rather than blowing my healthy eating plan.

See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. Rev 3:8

6. Struggling with my weight isn’t God’s mean curse on me, but an outside indication that internal changes are needed for me to function and feel well.

Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. is 43: 18-19

7. I have these boundaries in place not for restriction but rather to define the parameters of my freedom.

I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. Romans 6:19″

863. Stories of success and hope like this to inspire me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vr4CZjBRnA and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM41J2o6xw8&feature=relmfu

864. Fun lunch date with John at Chinese restaurant

865. A sparkling van vacuumed by Joy

866. Nice chats catching up with Carrie, Nita, Jan, Kelley, Nancy, and Kath

867. Sometimes He Calms the Storm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ti1SULYteI

Do You Seriously Think God Can’t Use You?

Paula — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:23:33 +0000

Additional “Cancer Fightin’ Words”

Paula — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:03:11 +0000

More “Cancer Fightin’ Words” to add to my running list: http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/archives/688

When I am handed lemons with any aspect of this cancer diagnosis and treatment, I will make lemonade. The healthy sweetener will be my attitude as I draw from God’s strength.

When I am dealt a round of lousy cards I will play my hand to the best of my ability with grace and dignity. The game’s not over ’till God says so.

I can clearly picture Herceptin in my arsenal of weapons against breast cancer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48VSU4AZ-L0. I have an effective, multimodal approach to target and attack with a vengeance EVERY single Her2 positive breast cancer cell that might dare to linger. It is beautifully dealing with all Her2 protein over expression for me. This monoclonal antibody is like a well designed missile: specifically targeting Her2 receptors. It’s extended half life is allowing for CONSTANT exposure to tumor cells and in the unlikely event that there are any left after the mastectomy and all those rounds of chemo and radiation I’m knockin’ ‘em dead every 21 days, both on the intracellular and extracellular level. It’s BINDING to Her2 cells, flagging each and every one for total destruction by my own God-given immune system which is fighting hard on my behalf. It is inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells so that my healthy cells can thrive and flourish. Thank You Lord, for Herceptin! Please make it work on my behalf. I am Yours and my hope is in YOU, God.

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, “Johnny, what is the matter?” Little Johnny responded, “I have a pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife.”

855. A super fantastic camp out with Joy and Hannah over the weekend complete with a good climbing tree on our site

856. Joe and his team’s help

857. A beautiful group of cancer survivors at the fun belated Valentines Day Party last night and a special Mother/Daughter time with Joy

858. Double rainbow on the way home Monday

859. Enjoyable time with Mom O and Alan

860.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwNSDRe4FJc

“Healing the Broken”: Song

861.

Words of Healing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJCx6F6Juo&feature=related

In His grip,

Paula

Mercy and grace I did not deserve from God and the Policeman

Paula — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:37:16 +0000

To Pee or Not to Pee (Unknown Author)

“I have a job. I work, they pay me.

I pay my taxes & the government
Distributes my taxes as it sees fit.

In order to get that paycheck, in my case,
I am required to pass a random urine test
(with which I have no problem).

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes
To people who don’t have to pass a urine test.

So, here is my question:
Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check
Because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet.
I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their BUTT —-doing drugs while I work.

Can you imagine how much money each state would save
If people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

I guess we could call the program “URINE OR YOU’RE OUT”!

P.S. Just a thought, all politicians should have to pass a urine test too!”

853. Yesterday I was preoccupied and deep in thought when driving the kids home from Spanish lessons and on my way to pick up a gracious gift of wood for camping from precious friends Sue and Kirk. I must have been on auto-pilot mode because I never did even see a school bus stopped with the arm thingamabopper out when I drove by but the officer behind me who flipped on his flashing lights and siren did. I thank God that no children were crossing and I did not hurt or kill anybody. The reality that I potentially could have sure shook me up. I ordinarily am a very careful, safe driver.I could have killed an innocent kid crossing, lived with the heavy weight of that guilt from carelessness, and then gone to jail for it too. I thank God for His mercy and the policeman’s grace which I did not deserve. I deserved an almost $300 ticket I did not receive. I got to share a bit of the Lord’s goodness when he compared my drivers license with a full head of hair and me in a “Fight Like a Girl” with a pink ribbon cap with very short hair sticking out yesterday. He wanted me to step out of the vehicle, away from the children and tell him what was on my mind preoccupying me so much that I did not see the stopped school bus. He was a very compassionate man whose father died of cancer. Thank you Lord for protecting the children and taking care of us too. Please help me to be more careful and fully engaged, alert, and paying good attention when driving.Please help me to be a very safe driver and not be careless again. Please free me from all fearful thoughts. The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. The Lord is my Rock and I shall not fear.

Sometimes I also think about how I deserve hell too after I die because I am a dirty rotten sinner that messes up plenty but I’m saved forever by grace alone and heading to Heaven because of that…a free, undeserved gift of Eternal Life because Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins and was raised from the dead. That I have a free ticket to Heaven because of simple faith plus nothing is amazing…simply amazing! Help me to live for Your honor and glory and praise, dear Father.

854. “We were made for victory. Sometimes we just have to find our way to that truth.” (In “Made to Crave”)

More “Some Can’t of Cancer” to add to my running list http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/archives/281:

From Sheila’s card:

“Cancer is a Villain, who doesn’t play fair…
But it Can’t dim your spirit and it Can’t silence prayer …”

Cancer stole my left breast, 11 lymph nodes, my hair, and my health for a while. It’s a ruthless robber all right–sneaking in and playing havoc in my body, taking what is not it’s to take. It’s been an unwelcome tenant that I am fighting for all I am worth to evict and lock my doors tight so it’ll never get back in. I find myself uneasy at times, waiting and wondering if it’s going to show up somewhere else in time like happens to so many people with cancer. Aggressive breast cancer likes to branch out and metastisize and take over places like the liver, lungs, bones, and brain. That’s a hard possibility to face but the truth is, it is not my reality right now as far as I know and I can be happy about that and live with gusto every day God gives me whether the future holds more hard things with cancer or not. Right now I am doing terrific and I thank God for that. Every indication thusfar is that I am winning this battle. Hooray for that! Kudos to You, Lord for making that possible!

Oh dear, Lord–can YOU please make cancer get outta here and leave for good? I can’t “make” it go but You can compel it to exit permanently. Maybe You already took care of it and it’s gone for good already. Oh, I hope so and pray so! I will choose to rest my weary heart in you and let go and trust.

Cancer can mess with this outward shell that I need to walk around in temporarily on this earth but it can not steal the treasures I have laid up in Heaven, not a one of those can cancer touch, not ever.

Matthew 6:19-20

¹⁹“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Humbled by His grace and mercy,

Paula

“Some Days There Won’t Be a Song in Your Heart. Sing Anyway.”

Paula — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:18:25 +0000

Photo: “Element of Surprise”” posted with permission http://photoinspiration.weebly.com/index.html

BAR MITZVAH BEE      Two bees ran into each other. One asked the other how things were going. “Really bad,” said the second bee. “The weather has been so cold and wet and there aren’t any flowers or pollen to make honey.” “No problem,” said the first bee. “Just fly down five blocks and turn left, keep going until you see all the cars. There is a Bar Mitzvah going on and there are all kinds of flowers and fresh fruit.” “Thanks for the tip,” said the second bee; as he flew away.
        A few hours later the two bees ran into each other again and the first bee asked the second bee, “How did it go?” “Fine,” said the second bee. “It was everything you said it would be.”
        The first bee then asked, “Hey, what’s that thing on your head?” To which the second bee replied, “It’s my yarmulke. I didn’t want them to think I was a WASP.”

“God gave you a gift of 86, 400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘Thank you’”? (William Ward )Lord, every single gift comes from You…“Lift my gaze to see life from Your perspective. Help me to understand-and treasure-every good thing You send…”(From James 1:7) One Thousand Gifts http://www.aholyexperience.com/

I was looking over my cumulative “1000 gift list” and discovered I’ve made plenty of goofs along the way numbering my gifts. It started all the way back with two #60s plus other repeats. I’m busy and it’s too much trouble for me to worry about getting the numbers straightened out so I’ve decided it doesn’t matter to me. I’m actually beyond the number it says I’m on so I’ll reach 1000 before it looks like it. I plan on going way beyond 1000 (I love this habit of my gratefulness list!) and can see I am just getting started recognizing and thanking God for how He LAVISHES me in His blessings every day. If you guys reading this haven’t started your own gratefulness list, what do you think about starting TODAY? You are going to LOVE it!

841.Sue’s new sig line: “Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see.” Corrie ten Boom

842.Salad picnic lunch in the sun with Esther D. after arm therapy –bringing back last year’s “Gerson Gals” memories. Yum on salad dressing of freshly squeezed OJ with pinches of basil, oregano, tyme, marjoram

843. “Jesus+Nothing=Everything” – Tullian Tchividjian

844. Women agonize… over cancer; we take as a personal threat the lump in every friend’s breast. ~Martha Weinman Lear, Heartsounds

845.The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart. ~Nikolai Lenin

846. . Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. ~Author Unknown

847Know, then, whatever cheerful and serene
Supports the mind supports the body too.
~John Armstrong

848.Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill

849.Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. ~Emory Austin

850.The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. ~C.C. Scott

851. My response is to get down on my knees before the
Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all
heaven and earth. I ask Him to strength you by his
Spirit – not a brute strength but a glorious inner
strength – that Christ will live in you as you open the
door and invite Him in. And I ask Him that both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all
Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.
Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length!
Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full
in the fullness of God.
EPHESIANS 3: 14-19 (THE MESSAGE)

¹⁴For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^[a] ¹⁵from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

852. Delightful anticipation over Joy, Hannah, and I camping together this weekend.

Gratefully His,

Paula

31 Days of Praying For My Children

Paula — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:11:02 +0000

Photo: “Old Man and the Sea”” posted with permission http://photoinspiration.weebly.com/index.html

Humor: atvantages of travelling in groups:

http://www.youtube.com/v/gBnvGS4u3F0?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/mgCIKGIYJ1A?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/LuVPnW0s3Vo?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1

“God gave you a gift of 86, 400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘Thank you’”? (William Ward )

Lord, every single gift comes from You…“Lift my gaze to see life from Your perspective. Help me to understand-and treasure-every good thing You send…”(From James 1:7) One Thousand Gifts http://www.aholyexperience.com/

833. You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
C. S. Lewis

__________________
834. ” There is something beautiful about all scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed, done with.”
Harry Crews

835. The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.
William James

836. I have learned from experience that
the greater part of our happiness or misery
depends on our dispositions
and not on our circumstances.
Martha Washington

837. “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” Elizabeth Kubler Ross

__________________

838. “Some People Grumble Because The Roses has Thorns. Be Thankful Instead That The Thorns Have Roses” Unknown

839. If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight …. ~Lance Armstrong

840. 31 Days of Prayer for Your Child

Quote and prayer guide below is from: http://hsbapost.com/2009/11/01/31-days-of-praying-for-your-child/

“Never underestimate the power of prayer. Out of all the things we do for our children on a daily basis, prayer is the most powerful tool we have. Comedian Tim Hawkins has this great routine where he talks about the Scripture verse concerning a “hedge of protection” that we can pray around people. He said that he is not satisfied with a hedge. He is afraid that the devil can jump right over that hedge. He said he wants to power up his prayers and build a concrete wall, a moat and some razor wire so that nothing can get over that bad boy to his kids.

Exactly the way I feel too. I want my spiritual knees to be so calloused that Satan shakes in his boots when he even thinks about coming near my boys. Don’t even think about coming near my sweet little twin nieces? We’ll put some Kung Fu spiritual hurting on you.

31 Days of Prayer for Your Child

1 salvation “Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10).

2 growth in grace “I pray that they may ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’” (2 Peter 3:18).

3 love “Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to ‘live a life of love,’ through the Spirit who dwells in them” (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22).

4 honesty and integrity ” May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection” (Psalm 25:21, NLT).

5 self-control ” Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be ‘alert and self-controlled’ in all they do” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

6 a love for God’s Word ” May my children grow to find your Word ‘more precious than gold, than much pure gold; [and] sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb’” (Psalm 19:10).

7 justice ” God, help my children to love justice as you do and to ‘act justly’ in all they do” (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8).

8 mercy ” May my children always ‘be merciful, as [their] Father is merciful’” (Luke 6:36).

9 respect (for self, others, authority) ” Father, grant that my children may ’show proper respect to everyone,’ as your Word commands” (1 Peter 2:17a).

10 strong, Biblical self-esteem ” Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are ‘God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus’” (Ephesians 2:10).

11 faithfulness “‘ Let love and faithfulness never leave [my children],’ but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts” (Proverbs 3:3).

12 courage “May my children always ‘Be strong and courageous’ in their character and in their actions” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

13 purity “‘Create in [them] a pure heart, O God,’ and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions” (Psalm 51:10).

14 kindness “Lord, may my children ‘always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else’” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

15 generosity “Grant that my children may ‘be generous and willing to share [and so] lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age’” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

16 peace, peaceability “Father, let my children ‘make every effort to do what leads to peace’” (Romans 14:19).

17 joy ” May my children be filled ‘with the joy given by the Holy Spirit’” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

18 perseverance ” Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to ‘run with perseverance the race marked out for [them]‘” (Hebrews 12:1).

19 humility ” God, please cultivate in my children the ability to ’show true humility toward all’” (Titus 3:2).

20 compassion ” Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion” (Colossians 3:12).

21 responsibility ” Grant that my children may learn responsibility, ‘for each one should carry his own load’” (Galatians 6:5).

22 contentment ” Father, teach my children ‘the secret of being content in any and every situation. . . . through him who gives [them] strength’” (Philippians 4:12-13).

23 faith ” I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them” (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40).

24 a servant heart ” God, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, ‘as to the Lord, and not to men’” (Ephesians 6:7, KJV).

25 hope ” May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

26 the willingness and ability to work hard ” Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, ‘as working for the Lord, not for men’” (Colossians 3:23).

27 a passion for God ” Lord, please instill in my children a soul that “followeth hard after thee,” a heart that clings passionately to you (Psalm 63:8, KJV).

28 self-discipline ” Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire ‘a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair’” (Proverbs 1:3).

29 prayerfulness ” Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to ‘pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).

30 gratitude ” Help my children to live lives that are always ‘overflowing with thankfulness,’ ‘always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ’” (Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 5:20).

31 a heart for missions ” Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3).”