Asking for Prayer for long time friends

This link will take you to the blog of a friend's daughter who is battling liver cancer. Some of you may know the Isbells...their daughter, Erin, is the one fighting this illness. I have known Erin forever and am sad to hear of the battle she is going through. Since it is now out in the open, I just wanted to ask those of you who read my blog or are FB friends, to be praying for her and her family. And if you feel led, please help them financially as they do not have insurance and are mounting up the bills.

Treasured Tokens Thursday

I shared this story in 2008, but I just had to add this horse to my treasures. I don't even know where the horse came from. I assume from my parents. Can you see a difference in the pictures? Where I'm holding my horsie, he still has a tail and a mane. I assumed that the hair would grow back if I cut it. So sad that it didn't. I felt so bad, that I taped string to the little bit of tail that was left so the he wouldn't feel naked. I was 4...what else would I do?

 Of course, the other treasure is the fact that I was chosen by my parents. My parents, Doris and Ray Baker, who are long gone from this earth. I was blessed to have my dad at my wedding. I'm sad my mom wasn't there and sad that neither would meet their grandchildren. But God blessed me with them for a time and I love them so much for their love and their discipline, and even though I wasn't raised in a Christian household, I did get some spiritual teaching that helped me find my way to God and Jesus, where I could find my own faith. Thank You, Lord, for how You guide our lives and bring us to You at the right time.

Treasured Tokens Thursday

This was made by a friend, Denene, who was my Bible Study leader several years ago. She made these for all of us if I remember correctly. I love how she personalized it with the verse on singing (I love singing in choirs, in small groups, with my friend, Noonie, when we used to sing duets together). In the corners, she put some little symbol that pertained to each person, too. For me, it was camping, music, the Bible, and not sure what the heart symbolized - maybe loving. And the flowers and the fence were so beautiful, too. I just loved how she tried to make each tile so personal for each person in the group, especially with a little touch of something she knew about us. She made it with love, with her own hands and with care. Thanks, Denene. I still have it hanging in my room (used to be in my office). If I do get a job where I can hang things, it will go with me again.

In the Light

Why do people reject or refuse to come to the light?

They love their sin. They take pleasure in their sin and are happy in the dark.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. John 3:19-20

But there are consequences to be had. He has given Jesus the authority to judge those who reject the light.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness... Romans 1:18

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son...And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. John 5:22, 27

There will be a time where EVERYone will acknowledge Him, though they some are in darkness now.

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth...Philippians 2:9-10 

In Jesus, we see God. We see what God is like, what His character is, what He thinks, what His will is when we look at Jesus.

(From today's sermon, Pastor Zac Nazarian, Hope Chapel Church, Hermosa Beach)
In the Light by DCTalk                                 In the Light lyrics (if you want to follow)

Treasured Tokens Thursday

Summer's hanging mason jars are so fun. I liked the handle with the crystals and bought it not knowing what I was going to do with it. I found a piece of ribbon with butterflies and just used that to hang it in our window. I change out the flowers for each season change - or mood change. These are just a few ways I used it so far.

Thanks, Summer, for helping me give my little pad a little bit of color and fun.

God Gave the Song

Some of the words to this song are on the left side of my blog. Ever since I heard it and sang it in choir, I have loved it. There are a lot of verses that talk about singing and songs, but I only pulled a few out to share.

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2

Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. Psalm 149:1

...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord... Ephesians 5:18b-19

Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13b

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. 2 Samuel 22:50

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 1 Chronicles 16:9

I can't play an instrument (does a kazoo count?), but I do have a voice, I have a hymnal and the internet and I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Make it a part of your day and sing a song of praise to the Lord. 

For since I found the source of music, I just can't help it, God gave the song.

Treasured Tokens Thursday on Friday

Sorry. Still not used to having a theme day, but at least I remember eventually. I'll try to be more consistent ON Thursdays.

 I received these little trinkets from Linda from my Bible Study two years ago before I moved from San Luis Obispo. I thought it was such a beautiful gift...a way to keep a piece of the Central Coast with me all the time. I love Sand Dollars and shells of all kinds. I have a fishbowl full of them. And the glass is so pretty - sorry you can't see the real beauty that it is. Everytime I see this, I am thankful to have grown up in SLO and lived there for so many years. I miss it so much, but you go where the Lord leads and make the best of where you're at and with what you have.

Just recently, I've been thinking about my gifts and talents and realized that I'm not utilizing them like I should. I make excuses about not having another car or I'm too tired or I ache too much. Jesus walked everywhere. Even when He was tired, he was out there and THEN found a place to rest. And He knew more pain than I could ever imagine. What a sloth I am! I have the time and there are many ministries I can check out at our church. My other problem is taking on too much. So, I will look at the ministries, see what catches my eye and then make that call to see how to get involved.

I love having special things that remind me of how blessed I am to have so many friends and to live in special places. And to remind me that wherever I am, He can use me. The Lord is good...all the time.

Alzheimer's Walk

My daughter decided to do the Walk to end Alzheimer's in November in Huntington Beach. I figured I would donate to her team and then thought it over. I keep wanting to do walks for causes because walking is what I'm supposed to be doing - doctor's orders. I have had a few people diagnosed with Alzheimer's. A dear senior saint friend of mine died last year who had Alzheimer's and my son-in-law's grandfather died from complications not too long ago. So, I decided to walk with her and her husband and a couple of her friends. It will hopefully motivate me to walk more now so I'm in shape in November.

If you would like to help our team, you can join us on the team (we'd love to have you), donate, let others know or just pray for us as we take part in this event. We would appreciate any kind of help you can give. And thanks.

Prayer

I know not by what method rare,

But this I know,

God answers prayer.

I know not when He sends the word

That tells me fervent prayer is heard;

I know it cometh soon or late,

My part is to pray and wait.

I know not if the blessing sought 

Will come in just the guise I thought,

I leave all care with Him above

Whose Will is always one of love.

(don't know who wrote this)

So thankful to know that God hears my prayers and already knows what's going to happen. My part is to keep praying, not only for myself, but for my brothers and sisters in Christ and leave the results to Him. He knows what's going on in our lives and is there every step of the way. 

What tools do you use when you pray for someone? A prayer list? A journal? Cards? I'm trying to make a point of praying for people everyday, using my Facebook as a guide. The faces along the left side of my page gives me names and faces of friends/family to pray for.  I'm also trying to keep my promise to pray for someone when they ask me to pray for them, not just say I'm praying for them. Keep me accountable, okay?

So who are you praying for? Or what do you need prayer for?