30 Days of Accountability: Day 2

1 Thessalonians 5:17  NIV

pray continually


I had decided to use the app that I have on my phone for my daily verse, but today it didn't happen.  I had a short lesson in Children's Church on the above verse and it seems to be the theme of the day.  I find myself constantly talking to God and asking him to touch and comfort people through out my day.  I do believe that is what this verse is about.  I know I wanted to set aside a time to sit and pray to God along with what I do through out the day.  Yesterday and today I found myself not praying.  Not because I didn't try but that I felt like God was hushing me.  The time I set aside for prayer has become quiet time with God.  It has become a time where I feel the Holy Spirit just holding me, refreshing me.  It is like when Bryan or I are having a bad day and we seek the other one out because we just need to be held by the one that we love and loves us.  Hugging Bryan can make me feel so much better.  The Holy Spirit holding me does that times 10.  Not that I don't pray some, but I mainly sit in the quiet and feel God filling me back up.  Filling me spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.  I must say I have had a better day today.  I have hit 4 of my 6 goals.  I had a much better day eating wise and got most of the housework I set out to do done.  The only thing I set out to do that I didn't get done was folding the laundry.  Which I didn't get to because while I was laying down with Steven for quiet time this afternoon, my wonderful hubby did it before I could.  I love my man!!!  Tomorrow starts a new week for Steven at school, it is going to be a wonderful one I know.  God has it and we will get through it.

Take care and God bless,
Sherri

30 Days of Accountability: Day 1

Psalm 94:14-15  NIV

For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.


I read the scripture above and took it to heart today.  I have been reminded constantly that the Lord is there for me and has me in his hands.  I didn't do the best today, but I did better.  I made my prayer time and half of my housework done.  I ate a little better with having some fruit at breakfast and veggies for lunch.  No exercise and not much done on my God's tasks.  I tried to work on them, but didn't get anywhere with it.  Steven had a good day.  We didn't go anywhere until tonight when we went to the fireworks.  He did take a nap so he was wide awake for the fireworks.  Bryan even got back from his load to see some of the fireworks with us.  We are now home, Steven is sleeping while Bryan and I are watching That Metal Show.  Here's to tomorrow!

Take Care and God Bless,
Sherri

Steven eating his Casey's cookie and waiting for the fireworks.

30 Days of Accountability: Introduction

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.



Some of you may be looking at the title and going "OH NO!"  Not another 30 day deal.  Yep, it is.  I have been so many years at not being able to deal with anything, I don't know where to start on getting my life back together.  I am not going to give you blow by blow on here, but an overview. 
I am working on the 6 following areas: prayer time, exercise, eating, housework, God's tasks, and daily verse.  These are areas I need to make sure and hit each and everyday.  I am hoping being accountable to those who read my blog will give me the extra push to do it.  Below are the goals I have for each area.

Prayer time:  I pray though out the day, but I am going to do my best to set aside 15 minutes a day to just do nothing but be with God.

Exercise:  I need to do some sort of exercise.  Even if it is just stretching.

Eating:  Get rid of the candy and eat fruits and veggies

Housework:  I am going to work on hitting 4 different tasks a day.

God's Tasks:  This will be to make sure and take time for the responsibilities that God has given me to do for him.

Daily Verse:  Not only read the verse every day, but try to apply it in some way.

I know making me better will only help Bryan and Steven be better as well.  Mommy happy and healthy definitely helps this house out.

Today hasn't been to bad of a day for Steven.  He didn't take a nap until now (6pm)again, so I will need to get him up in about an hour.  Bryan is out working, he has a route today that he says is really scenic, so that is good for him.  I have hit some of the above goals, but not good. 

I hope you all enjoy reading this and I don't bore you to death.  Any tips to help keep my goals would be appreciated.

Take care and God Bless,
Sherri


Part of my sheet was cut off, but you get the idea.

A new heaven and a new earth

Isaiah 65:17-25

¹⁷ “See, I will create
    new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
    nor will they come to mind.
¹⁸ But be glad and rejoice forever
    in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
    and its people a joy.
¹⁹ I will rejoice over Jerusalem
    and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
    will be heard in it no more.

²⁰ “Never again will there be in it
    an infant who lives but a few days,
    or an old man who does not live out his years;
the one who dies at a hundred
    will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
    will be considered accursed.
²¹ They will build houses and dwell in them;
    they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
²² No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
    or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
    so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
    the work of their hands.
²³ They will not labor in vain,
    nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,
    they and their descendants with them.
²⁴ Before they call I will answer;
    while they are still speaking I will hear.
²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
    and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.

This is the scripture we studied today at The Master's Hands during our Bible study.  This shows us a glimpse of our new life when Jesus comes back for us.  Read it good.  There are so many good promises listed for us.  We had a very good discussion on if we will age when the new earth and heaven are here.  Will there be infants?  Will my son still have some of his disabilities?  We know that there will be no pain or sorrow, so I know the fits and unable to communicate will be gone.  But my son wouldn't be my son without some of his autistic traits.  But of course, it also says that the old will not be remembered or come to mind.  So I guess I wouldn't know that he is different. 

Steven has been having some pretty good days lately.  He has taken to sleeping on his floor on sleeping bags instead of his bed.  But, he is sleeping and he is happy.  That is my main goal.  He is still enjoying getting on the van and looks forward to going to school.  My mind has been pretty clear and really enjoy the time I spend up at The Master's Hands.  Bryan is working pretty decently and is sleeping better now that Steven has gone back to school.  So, as of right now, our happy little family is running smooth again.  I hope you can say the same.

Take Care and God Bless,

Sherri

 

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Romans 12  NIV

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.  ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d] says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[e]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 12:6 Or the
2. Romans 12:8 Or to provide for others
3. Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
4. Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
5. Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

This was pulled from the website biblegateway.com


This week has been a short but long one.  I was only up at the Master's Hands three days this week.  But, it was chaotic all three days.  We have been so blessed up there that we barely have time to take a breather before the next blessing comes along.  Verses like the one above have been going through my head a lot.  We have to remember that what we do as Christians, we are doing for the Lord our God!  We are not doing it for others or ourselves.  We are doing it to glorify God.  So, whether we are students, stay at home moms, doctors, lawyers, homeless, unemployed or on and on and on.  We do what we do for the Lord to glorify him and thank him for sending his son die on a cross for us.  I have been in two Bible studies this week that have moved me.  God is working this day just as he did in biblical times.  Immerse yourself in God with everything you do and the blessings will pour out on you!  Please remember that God deserves not just part of your hear, but all of it.  God doesn't deserve part of your soul, but all of it.  God doesn't deserve part of your mind, but all of it.  God doesn't deserve part of your faith, but all of it.  God gave you all, please remember to repay him accordingly.


Take care and God bless,
Sherri


It's Laminin!   This is what holds us together.  Here is a link to part of a video from one of the Bible studies.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGTI1I_A3Dk


Then at Godsippers, Amy was telling Lori and I to not say I am tired.  It is not who we are.  Then when I was talking more to Amy about it, she said there is only one I Am!  I literally almost fell over when she said this to me.  I had to run and put money in the blessings jar.

Exodus 3:13-14

Exodus 3:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”  

 

Time for the day

Philippians 4:10-20  NIV

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


I am not feeling the best this morning.  I am tired, in pain and my allergies are acting up.  I have no patience this morning.  I have to get over this and on with my day.  Steven got on the van great again this morning.  I was a little worried as his regular aide has to be out the rest of he week.  But he walked some to the van and then had to run.  Oh happy!  

I thank God for all the blessings he has given me.  I have such a wonderful, loving and supportive husband.  A beautiful, loving son.  A great family that loves me and is there no matter what.  I have a spiritual family that has my back and shows this family unending love.  I have friends all over that are concerned for not only me but my hubby and son as well.  They show their love to us in so many ways. 

It is the strength of Christ that has me moving this morning.  I would much rather go back to bed and not go into the Master's Hands this morning.  But, I refuse to let the devil keep me from the blessings God has in store for me today.  Being up there, I know if will happen many times over.  I guess I need to make sure and have a lot of change for the blessings jar!

Hoping for an early evening tonight and getting better sleep.  Oh well, not the end of the world if I don't.

Take care and God Bless,
Sherri

A nice peaceful day

Psalm 116:7 NIV

Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.


Well, today was the last day of Steven being on his June break.  It has been an up and down time.  With good day and all out days of horrible.  We have survived the break and looking forward to things getting back to as normal as possible.  I have been prepping Steven for being in a new room and back with an old teacher and aide.  I am looking back to getting back to the chaos that is better known as The Master's Hands.  I have missed the people up there greatly.  Bryan can go back to being able to sleep during the day when he works nights.  Today was definitely a restful day here at the Gibson plantation.  Steven spent the most of his day on the floor playing computer.  He has had me positioned on the couch behind him.  It was a wonderful day and we just enjoyed each other's company.  Steven wasn't even very demanding of my attention today.  Even though I had a spot in the afternoon of being sick, it was a good day for me.  Steven fell asleep by 8:00 and is out hard.   Steven is excited about going back to school tomorrow, but there is a good chance that he will still throw a fit.  So please keep him in prayer to keep the anxiety to a minimum. 

Take Care and God Bless,
Sherri


Steven in his spot for the day (and where he slept last night.)