Author Archives: Marie

Unknown's avatar

About Marie

Happily married to the same awesome guy for many years. Love God, reading, cats, and travel. Avid crafter especially counted cross stitch and crochet.

Pray & Listen

Posted on by

For many years I have written my prayers.  I have notebooks and journals filled with them. Why? My mind likes to wander and I lose my primary focus – God. So, I write to keep my thoughts centered on the One I am speaking to.

Several years ago my pastor’s wife and still dear friend (They have since moved on.) suggested I use the acronym A.C.T.S.  Acclimation. Contrition. Thanks. Supplication. I still use it but have always sensed something was missing.

As I was reading the book for my next review (L.E.A.R.N. Evangelism Handbook by Dr. Marshall M. Windsor) I found the missing piece. I need to add LISTEN. (Of course, now I’ll have to change the letters of the acronym.) In all the years I’ve been talking with and listening for God’s voice I’ve never included a set aside time for listening in my prayers. Time in every prayer where I say, Holy Spirit speak into my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I do listen and expect answers, I just haven’t been specifically listening during prayer. So, When He speaks, and I know He will, I’ll intentionally listen, and write what He says in my prayer journal.

Will I act on His words? Will I share? In trusting Him and keeping the faith, I have learned if I don’t respond or follow through I lose the blessing He had planned for me.  Things like:

I did come up with a new acronym… G.R.O.W.L. Gratitude (Thanks). Requests. Offense (Forgiveness), Worship, Listen.  The word kind of fits as our prayers go up with ‘utterings and groanings’ before the Lord that might sound like growls if we heard them.

Here’s the bottom line. No matter what or how just keep on praying.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

Disappointment God’s Way

Posted on by

Have you found yourself in a state of disappointment at times during this unusual season? Are events and normal daily occurrences being postponed or rescheduled starting wear on you? Me, too! So how should we deal with this?

First, and foremost, stay connected to God. How? Read His Word. Pray. Talk to other Believers by calling, writing to them, videos, podcasts… Enjoy His creation by walking, biking, just getting out in some way and focusing on Him.

Are there things happening that you cannot control which lead to a sense of disappointment? Of course there are. Stop trying! Make a list of what is in your control. Be creative! The things I can control, with God’s help are:

  • My thoughts – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
  • My words – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
  • My actions –“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:37-38

Above all focus on how much God loves you! Commit this verse to memory!

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us.” – Romans 5:5 

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Coffee & Cookies

Posted on by

coffee and a good bookWhenever I am reading or studying the Word you will always find me with a cup fresh coffee in hand.  Often that includes cookies.  It just might be that I am the original cookie monster.  I would rather have a cookie (Yeah, like I can stop at just one) or two with a great cup of coffee or tea than any other treat.

My husband’s mother, who is now in Heaven, made sure that her cookie jar was happy cookalways full.  She was always ready with a quick snack and a cup of coffee when we visited or when the grand-kids came by on their way home from school.  Just because that’s how she was. I think she may have been the ultimate Proverbs 31 woman.  I’m sharing one of my favorites from her recipe box, with a few adjustments because I cannot tolerate wheat and I try to stay away from refined sugars.

Bon appetit!

 

Simple Butterscotch Bars

1/2 cup butter               2 eggs

1/2 cup honey                2 cups any nut flour

2 tsp vanilla                   1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

Soften butter, add sugar, eggs, beat.  Add vanilla and remaining ingredients.  Blend together.  If using electric mixer, all can be mixed at once.  Spread on greased cookie sheet.  Bake 20 minutes at 325 F.  Cut while warm.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

God Speaks

Posted on by

 

Click on the picture to hear this beautiful song.

One question that often comes up in the small group I teach is, “How do you know God is speaking to you?”  There is no pat answer to that. Henry Blackaby, in Experiencing God, says He speaks to us through His word, in prayer, in worship, through other Christians, and in circumstances.

In my Bible Reading time today, I was made very aware of His nearness. I am really struggling with some tough decisions that I’ve been praying about for weeks and have begged Him to come alongside and help me through. I know He is standing beside me and basically ‘has my back’ through this.

ALL praise to You my One and Only, Almighty God!!!

Here’s what He said to me today, through His Word:

...preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Psalm 64:1

     Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him! Psalm 64:10

     When iniquities prevail against me, YOU atone for our transgressions. Psalm 65:3

     Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! Psalm 65:4a

Do you see what He did in these two Psalms?  He said, I have heard your prayer, Marie, about the enemy you are facing right now, I will preserve you. All you have to do is take refuge in Me. I have already forgiven your sins and made atonement for them. I have chosen you.

Thank YOU for breathing Your Word into my heart today. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Blessed or Happy?

Posted on by

 

Carl Bloch – Sermon on the Mount 1877

Have you ever really thought about Jesus as a preacher?  It’s really not how I tend to see him.  I mean, He’s God. Every word He says is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy and good.  He sits on a throne and watches over His kingdom.  However, He really is and was a top-notch, tell-it-like-it-is preacher.

Over the next few weeks, since I can’t meet with my awesome Bible Study Group, the Spirit Sisters, we’re going to take a close-up look at one of the greatest sermons ever given by one of the greatest public speakers/teachers that ever lived.  The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus.  So let’s dig in.

Please read Matthew 5 – 7 and pray that God will give you the supernatural ability to understand and use His Word.

I’d like to ask that you use a translation that uses blessed instead of happy,  Why? Because blessed is the better translation of the Greek word makarios.  Happiness is about the conditions we exist in.  Happiness can be experienced in our jobs, our relationships, our homes…Blessings are about the benefits God extends to us.  Although God provides ALL for us the greatest is the Holy Spirit in us.

There are so many verses in these three chapters that absolutely make my heart sing and my mind soar.  Let’s look at some basic truths.

  • Jesus makes it really clear that what He values most and what will be valued in heaven is the opposite of what is important on Earth.
  • Success can be achieved through Godliness, faithfulness, and contentment.  Basically, we are to seek the approval of God. (see 2 Corinthians 10:18)
  • We will enter the Kingdom (of heaven) by working toward righteousness, through the narrow gate, (In other words, not the easy way.) and by doing the will of God.
  • In Chapter 6 He really wants us to understand the He knows what we need.  We are not to worry. We are not to pursue things like riches, fame, possessions, etc.  It’s not that He doesn’t want us to have those things, He simply wants us to focus on righteousness and the Kingdom.

So what does that mean for me? For you?  Here’s the thing, I know I spend way too much time watching TV, searching and socializing on the internet, fussing over my home, going out with friends, etc. Notice what I did there… In looking over those words I realized it was way more about me than it should be. Oh, dear!  I see some change in my future.

Abba, Father, hear my prayer in the precious and holy name of Jesus.  Open my heart and mind to what You need. Let priorities and responsibilities be what You want to further Your Kingdom. Guide and direct my words and paths.  Make it so!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie