The View From The Front Porch

Walls

2009-08-09T12:23:00.000-04:00

You know when you exercise there is a point where you literally think you can’t continue on. For me this point usually hits at about 5 minutes into what ever I am doing. All of a sudden your body begins revolting against everything your motivation is trying to get you to push through. Sometimes we give in and it goes away, but if you continue pushing through there is a point where your body, no matter how out of shape you are, settles in to the cadence of whatever you are trying to do. Now it doesn't mean you’re not tired or that you don’t feel the burn, but the feeling that you simply are going to fall out and die right there passes and at least for a time (me about 20-30 minutes) I can continue to push myself.

Now, I know this about my body and I know that it is coming every single time I work out, but for some reason when I hit that point, I again, think I need to call 911 bc I am gonna hit the floor at any moment. It just feels like it will never release its hold on me. I know that just like last time if I only have faith and keep looking forward that it will pass and the workout will get easier, but far to often I find myself lost in doubt and the grumbling begins and sometimes I choose to give in even though I know it is a trick and if I just pushed on I would be okay.

I think sometimes in life we hit that “wall” like we do in exercise. I know for me when I encounter significant change I will hit a wall.

I actually adapt rather easily to change, but still just like anyone the unexpected creeps up and fatigue sets in from a new routine or the emotional toll of the change eventually catches up with you and you find yourself up against a wall.

You haven’t done anything wrong. Maybe in fact you’ve actually done everything right, but there, that wall still sits and waits for you. You know if you can just push through that pain, that change, that disappointment it will be better on the other side…even if nothing changes.

I have hit that wall. The wall in my life right now is my new job, which really translates more into the new lifestyle involved with me not being a stay-at-home parent right now. I long for that time and I miss it, but there are still some great things I see from working full-time as well. I recognize that this might be a season of my life or it might be more of a permanent change. Either way, right now it hurts, it burns and I want to throw in the towel and run back to what I know.

The fatigue, both physical and emotional, of being on someone else time, someone else’s priorities along with having to fully rely on God to keep my children safe in my absence and help my husband handle the stress of home life along with that of finding a job, is difficult, demanding and completely overwhelming at times.

However, just like in my workout I can see that this feeling is temporary. In a few weeks nothing in my life may look any different, but I will probably feel that wall easing down as my body and mind adjust. One thing I have realized is that I need for my heart to adjust as well and this is the part I must submit to God. I can continue to worry over my children and my husband and mull over not being able to do this or that, but at some point I have to choose who I will serve and how I will serve in this new part of my life…in this part of my heart.

God gave us this opportunity as a way to help us have provision while my husband looks for a job and I need to center my heart in gratitude for this blessing. I had a moment with God in the car on the way home from work the other day. I was mumbling and griping about not being able to do things or have things my way- you know a grown- up tantrum, when I literally felt God lift my eyes from myself and say to my heart, “Laurie, this isn’t just about what opportunity I have given you to provide for your family. It is not just about a job. At this moment, for reasons yet unknown to you, this is what I have called you to. It may not make sense, but it is just as real and necessary in your life at this moment as you being a stay-at-home parent for the past 7 years.”

Now, I don’t doubt that God wants to give me the desires of my heart and allow me to at some point return to the stay-at-home-mom status I had once before, but that little conversation did help me. It helped me see that I was seeing this experience as if it were all about me, instead of asking God to use me in this experience for Him.

Walls can be tricky. They can be deceptive. They can loom much higher than they actually are and sometimes when we don’t trust that God has great thing son the other side of it we loose hope and throw in the towel.

I think I might pull out some metaphorical Sharpies and draw some friendly (clean) graffiti on mine to make the process of it coming down a little more enjoyable.

Moving Mountains

2009-08-02T22:25:00.004-04:00

I just finished a post on my personal blog about God moving mountains. It was inspired by the song, "Mighty to Save," that Hillsong, among others, sings but it is quite a powerful song. Here it is below...

Read below and I hope you will share with me the acknowledgment of how awesome, powerful, capable and mighty to save the God we serve is! No matter what you are facing I know our God loves you as much as He loves my son and He is right there ready to move any mountain you are facing. Just close your eyes, raise your hands, praise Him for His mercy even during your suffering and no matter where you are God will find you. He has said he will search the depths for you and He WILL find you!

It was a moment...that I won't forget. I walked into church today about 2 minutes late and the music had already started. We were good and settled in by the second song, which was "Mighty to Save," and is one of my absolute favorite songs.

Now every time we have sung this song in church it has been my Sunday morning to sing on praise team, but this morning I stood before my fellow "team" mates who were leading me in worship today and I was amazed by the power of the Holy Spirit's presence. It was one of those moments where you could actually feel the presence in the midst of a huge group and you knew something was coming.

During this song I happen to look down at Braden(5) standing beside me holding my hand. Typically, children in our church stay during the opening set until the children's time and then they leave to go to "Children's Church," until they are in Kindergarten and after that they stay the entire time.

Like a lightening bolt of electricity into my head in the middle of worshiping during this song I was convicted by God through the Holy Spirit(don't doubt it) that today Braden would stay and have his first communion. It wasn't a choice, it was a certainty. Today was the day and for what ever reason it was important that it was today.

On December the 8th, 2003 I released my 7-day-old son Tyler(Braden's identical twin) from my arms to spend eternity with our Lord, the next day when Braden almost died too I hit my knees at 2am in the hospital and begged God for his life. I promised Him that I wanted this child and would take him no matter what; no matter what complications, (surely there were going to be some from a child 12 weeks premature in heart, lung, liver and lung failure), no matter what hardships like the blindness, cerebral palsy or deafness they were almost convinced he already suffered from, no matter what inconvenience it brought to my life, I begged God to please, "let me keep him."

In that prayer I promised God my life would be committed to making sure that he knew the Lord and knew what God had done for him and helping him grow to be the man God intended him to be. In hindsight this is the defining moment in my life. The moment when everything else disappeared and I choose that day who I was going to serve. A moment where free will met with God's grace and mercy. My obedience was to still honor God despite the unreal pain of letting go of one child just the night before and showing up to the other also dying.

That night God swept through my heart, but I believe He also swept through Braden's as he made it start beating again and allowed his lungs to finally agree to let one of the ventilators work to breath for him as soon as my prayer of begging, but yet still asking for God's will to be done ended.

When I returned to the door of the NICU from praying and we looked through the tiny frosted glass that for the last 45 minutes we had been peering through only to see the doctors and nurses still frantically breathing oxygen into manually and pumping his heart for him; they stopped moving frantically. The high-pitched noise of the breathing bag stopped and as we watched the doctor who had just spent nearly an hour with our son start to walk towards that frosted glass window that we were on the other side of, we had no idea if it was to tell us he was alive or not.

That night God choose an amazing doctor to save Braden's physical life, but there is no doubt in my mind that it was that night that God claimed Braden. Whatever God has planned for Braden He needed my attention and my commitment to always trust Him and know that He knew what was best for my children and that they are simply on loan to me to share this journey with.

The road was rocky and it was months before they would even consider the fact that Braden might not die. When he was 10 months old and had been home from the hospital for a few months cold weather was approaching and Braden was going to be put on house arrest by his doctor until May. He was still on oxygen and would be for a long time, but I felt convicted that he needed to be baptized, but there were no open spaces until Nov. Our pastors were able to figure it all out and the first week of October sweet baby Braden met our church congregation as the praise team sang Selah's, "You Raise me Up."
(yes, that's him in my arms with his oxygen on)

Most people who were there knew how biter sweet a moment that was. His future was still so uncertain and our hearts were still hurting so badly from our loss, but we wanted to publicly praise God and thank Him for this child no matter what.

Today was one of those moments where God lets the sweetness of life sweep all over you and I cried tears of joy as I sang knowing how far Braden has come and how faithful and merciful God is by bringing him through all of that. And despite my prayer that I would take him, want him and beg for him no matter what the cost, He allowed Braden to be completely healed with no complications, no long term issues, no delays...nothing, except a heart wide-open for God. Braden loves the Lord like I have never seen in a child and he understands God in a way that most adults don't. Healing doesn't always come in the way we hope or in the time we hope. We learned that with Tyler, but it does come in God's timing and for Gods glory, but God is always right there ready to put His arms around us and gently turn our face to the path that the light is shining on.

5 years later that same doctor stays in touch with us and has said Braden was the sickest baby they ever had to make it out.

This morning I asked Braden if he wanted to take his first communion knowing full well what the answer would be. It was a resounding and joyful, YES!!! He was so excited and sat patiently all through "Big Church" waiting. He listened to Pastor Judy's explanation of the bread and the cup and then he wanted to get into his buddy, Pastor Brad's line. As we waited I just thanked God for every second with this child and for this, the sweetness of life.

As it was his turn I knelt down with him and cupped my hands up underneath his and the pastor placed the bread in his hands knowing this was his first communion. Scott was brought to tears behind us and then we knelt and prayed. My mind could have been on Scott's 8 long months without a job, or provision for the things we need, but in this moment all I could do was acknowledge, just like the song says that, "Savior, He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save. He is mighty to save, " and what God has done for Braden will be more than I could have ever imagined. (Braden, now 5, attempting a cannon ball)

Whatever mountains you are facing...the God I know can move them.

Oh the sweetness. Thank you God for the claim you have on this child. I will probably just go ahead and start crying now and continue on for the next 3 weeks and 2 days until he starts Kindergarten.

Stick-it to Satan

2009-02-26T15:18:00.003-05:00

So it really isn't nice to say "stick-it" to someone is it? Well, considering it is Satan I can rationalize it alright within my own personal moral framework. :)

A few weeks ago I told you about my three Jesuses who showed up at my door with a sandwich. Well, that day they "stuck- it" to Satan for me. See, when Satan is after you he stoops low and does seedy, frustrating and cowardly things. I think many of us have come to recognize these attacks on us to be Satan is a very bully-like form. They are particularly apparent that way when we are working extra hard to d and be in tune with God's will. Satan knows we know that and he hopes it will detour us in some way and if we don't see it then he just hopes we blame God instead of turning to God.

I knew Satan was working hard in my life to pull us down emotionally, but even though I knew my emotions and reason were not following, well um, lets call it, God's ideal design for emotions and reason I still couldnt seem to stop that downward spiral on my own. So he sent three sandwich bearers to remind me.

One of my Jesus friends at the door that day holding that delicious sandwich has since, in the last two weeks, lost a family member to death, had to travel a great distance in bad weather with three very small children(one of whom was sick puking at the time) to get to the funeral and 2 days before the funeral another family member was injured in a car accident. Now that they are home and she is finally back around her network of people who love and support her as a mother struggling through this time, there is more illness to go around forcing her to miss all her small group support time. Stupid, stupid Satan!!

Well, this is the same friend that said to me during my oh so low week that I should take the sandwich gesture of friendship and love and take it only in that spirit bc she knew that I would be the first at her door if she were in need.

I don't know if I was first, bc frankly there are a lot of people who love her, but I do think that she made a great point. Sometimes when we are in need for any reason- illness, lost job, troubled marriage, depression, spiritual warfare we find it hard to accept love and generosity from others because we feel guilty or indebted, or maybe even a little bit embarrassed at our own need. It is hard to be humbeled weather it is within our control or out of our control.

I think that is SO Satan! All of those feelings are not from God. God calls us to worship and live and share this life in community with one another. Not so we can ignore each other's need, but so that we can know of it and answer in big ways for God, or smaller ways with a sandwich. When we let our hearts refuse to be humbeled or admit we are in need we deny others the opportunity to let God move in the situation.

Wanna know why my sweet godly friend and her husband are being attacked right now??

Well, they decided to finally take a honeymoon-about ten years late. They saved up for a while and then felt an urging from God that this would not be just any ordinary honeymoon. They committed the money for the honeymoon and their time to God and he led them to a service opportunity in a Liberian orphanage. In five days they will leave there three children with family and head off to Africa for 10 days to serve these children who have no one and on top of everything the last two weeks has already brought them Satan is now busily frustrating their lives and thoughts with stomach bugs, and cleaning up the remnants of stomach bugs from three children, worrying over leaving sick children, all while they attempt to pack and prepare for this massive trip. As I said before, stupid, stupid Satan.

So on my way to a doctors appointment today I felt God urging me to call her husband and find out her favorite coffee. Coffee from one specific coffee house for this friend is a ministry all on its own. It's a relatively warm day here today so it seemed an odd thought, but I called and he called me back and left a message with the exact info I needed. It took me all of 30 seconds to run in and get it and when I arrived at her house she was on the phone with the pediatrician and so I just stuck my hand through the door with the coffee and stated what it was, that I loved her and to call me later.

I had a message a few minutes later on my cell phone explaining that she started her day today with a prayer that she could have a coffee from this particular coffee house today. She didn't say it to anyone and was hoping that her hubbie might bring it home to her, but never asked anyone but God. When I showed up with it she knew, without a doubt, that God had heard his little girl and knew she just needed some encouragement.

It meant so much to me that my friend never said, 'you didn't have to do that' or 'that wasn't necessary.' She looked relieved and just so happy to see that cup of coffee in my hand-that is, once she realized it was for her. :)

I couldn't help but think as I drove off, God just SO stuck- it to Satan...Go God!

Thank you God for giving me friends to bring me sandwiches and for putting someone on my heart. What an unexpected blessing to me. Here I thought I was just making the day of a treasured friend a little easier, when in fact God showed me how seriously He feels about our lives and our happiness, even down to a prayer for coffee on a warm day from a desperate mommy tired of cleaning up puke. He loves them so much and I feel certain He is so proud of what they are doing in His name, and-Donn and Cyndie- we are so proud of you too!

Feels good to help God stick-it to Satan for someone.

Survivors Guilt

2009-02-11T13:15:00.003-05:00

This doubt this is going to be what you expect so hang in there with me.

I can imagine that 24 hour news stations are struggling right now. Maybe I am wrong, but I know a lot of people who just can't hear any more bad news. They literally can not handle the stress of the reality of our world and our economy.

I know I have had to stop watching just to keep my sanity. I sort of subscribe to the 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all' mentality, and maybe if we could all tune in to live breaking news coverage of amazing things that people are doing for each other then God would be extraordinarily visible to those people in need right now. Don't really see it happening, however, I think right now if there was ever an opportunity for "good" to get ratings, it is now. How much we could inspire one another.

If we simply can't watch reality news anymore maybe it is time we change our reality and make our own news in our own lives.

Who are those people in need? Well, I think everyones obvious first thought might be people like my family who despite doing everything by the book(both college grads, good job, great devoted employee) are facing unemployment, facing no health care and very real worry and fear over life in general. You might think of my neighbor to the right who also has a family to support and was just layed-off again. You might think of my neighbor to the left who last week had to pack up all his things and leave a home he has owned for nearly 7 years. He has lived in this neighborhood longer than anyone has and he simply knocked on the neighbors door and said good-bye and said I can't afford to live here anymore. So he and his two sons had to leave. I suppose he just couldn't stand to stick around for the looming foreclosure that he knew was breathing down his neck.

I live in a very middle class neighborhood and we have are a very middle class family. I look out my neighborhood and I see dads who have been the soul breadwinner of their families now pushing strollers with toddlers in the middle of the day. While I know they are thrilled to have the time to spend with their children, there is a sense of hopeless and numbness on their faces as they walk around on an otherwise perfect faux spring day in the south. The neighborhood I live in has about 60 houses and at least 30 of them are either unsold, unoccupied, abandoned or foreclosed, all in the last year.

While it breaks my heart, literally, breaks my heart to see hard working well meaning people, men and women, including my own husband, doubting their purpose, their lives and God, these are not the only people in need.

For a lot of people anger is just fear turned outward(I don't know I heard that somewhere, but it kinda makes sense) but nevertheless there are angry people. People are hurting and scared and they are looking for someone, anyone to blame. They maybe blame the boss that layed them off, or the government of before or the government of now, or maybe they blame God. Maybe they are angry at all of those people and maybe they are just angry at people in general.

I have heard the term 'survivors guilt' circulating lately in context of the economy. Survivors guilt is a very real issue. When someone is lost in an accident or natural disaster or tragedy and your life is spared, often times while there is a deep sense of gratitude for your life being saved, or your real love and God given compassion for your fellow man sets in as survivors guilt. I think this is a very real phenomenon right now. The only hesitation I have in using this term is that I don't ever want the word survivors or victims to imply any sort of blame. Someone who might be deemed a "survivor" of the economy right now, is in no way responsible or should carry any guilt for those who are considered "victims" of the state of the economy. Just like in a natural disaster or accident, it often makes no sense why it happened the way it did. We are all in this together.

The person in need I want to tell you about is my neighbor 2 doors down. He is a small business owner that has done well for himself. From the first day I met him it was clear who he gave the glory of his business success to, God!
He's one of those people that you just don't have to talk to him long to really know he loves the Lord. We were out playing in our front yard on this beautiful day today and I saw him home.

I was concerned for our next door neighbor who just disappeared and knowing they were friends I walked down to ask him if he was coming back. Sometimes you know the answers to your own questions. He confirmed that he would not be back that he said he couldn't afford his house anymore. We talked for a few minutes and I think he must have seen my husband playing in the yard with the kids and assumed what had happened. I think out of guilt he confessed to me that he had to lay off four people that week before.

Four people he knew had children, four people he knew he was taking their health insurance and that unemployment wouldn't cut it. Four people that had helped him build his business and had worked with for nine years. He looked up and saw my husband and looked at the house next door and just said, what am I supposed to do, I have three children I have to provide for.

He was tormented with guilt. He was not only taking the guilt of what he had to do to save his business, but he was also taking the burden of all that was around him, feeling like he was the cause of that somehow too. That because he was able to still hang on and make his payments and save his house that somehow it was his guilt to carry. This is a man I know loves the Lord and knows the Lord, but even he was so burdened with guilt he couldn't even see it.

I looked at my neighbor and felt so much compassion for him. Life is not easy for anyone right now and going through a lay off during a time when you know almost no one is hiring is a very scary thing. We cling to God because we know that while the world changes, God is the constant in a very scary world.

I asked my neighbor to remember one thing and that is that the God he loves and serves and the God that protects him and has a plan of good for his life loves him dearly. And- that same God feels the exact same way about the people he had to lay-off and my family and all the other families our there in the same situation. God adores us, he loves us with a passion we can't fathom. God knows that life makes no sense to so many of us and he is always there ready to step up and move in and show himself when called upon and trusted.

I told my neighbor of some of the amazing, practical ways God has shown up for our family and that while it is hard not to be afraid, we trust Him and I promised him that while not everyone saw things that way that many of us who lean on God do not blame the "survivors." That we are, in fact, praying for them too. He just looked at me and smiled and sincerely thank me as he said how much he needed that today. As I walked back to my yard, I couldn't help but think how much I needed that today too.

There are people right now who have been relatively unaffected by the economy. For whatever reason they have a job in a more stable industry that has weathered the storm. I just want to encourage all the perceived victims out there to realize that the perceived survivors are just as scared, just as uncertain about life and quite possibly are carrying a seriously heavy burden of guilt that is not theirs to bare. I went back home and told my husband what our neighbor had said and he just looked at me and said, "I can't imagine how hard that must be."

But sometimes the "perceived" enemy that you think is just living life without any concern or cares is really your next door neighbor hurting and in need of Gods grace, but maybe is so laden with guilt and concern for the consequences of what had to be done that his own life is being tormented and torn to threads.

Victim or Survivor we have to be willing to see God first It is a time when we all, no matter what our resources may be, are giving all we can to one another. If your a victim, as hard as it is swallow your pride, when one of your friends or church members wants to help realize that them helping you may be the only thing that allows them to see God in reality that day. That what they feel for you isn't even close to pity, it is genuine concern and in some cases possibly a heavy burden of guilt.

If your a victim know that the survivors and other victims need you too. You are not incapacitated because of the circumstances. You still have a calling from God to be out there and reaching people. Maybe someone blesses you with a gift card for groceries and you take two bags of groceries to your next door neighbor who has no job either and no church home. God is moving...God can move even now if we let Him. We can stifle God with our anger and fear towards whoever it is we are angry at, or we can be God for one another and hang on tight to Him while the Storm blows.

Survivors have no reason to bare any burden of guilt. The God that loves you and is providing for you, is also doing the same thing for those you may feel responsible for and through the compassion of others and provision He is giving, He might be more amazing and more visible in their lives of people in this country than ever before. Our mighty and powerful God is only limited by our own inability to see the possibilities of what he can do. As a good friend of mine says, We are the only thing that gets in the way of God.

With God, victims of this economy can become Survivors again, but without God, the ones who seem to be the Survivors might in fact be the unseen victims who suffer the greatest in their hearts.

Compassion is a calling to us all and the view from my front porch looking out and looking back inside looks very different right now, but the calling from God and Gods desire to be a part of our lives is exactly the same. There is an opportunity for believers, both economical survivors or victims, right now to see the unseen needs, to help the ignored, as well as many different opportunities to impact lives for Christ. For many people jobs are on the line, homes are on the line, cars are on the line, But most importantly, for so many, faith is on the line. While not all homes can be saved from foreclosure, or cars from being repossessed. While we may not be able to find our best friend a job and we hurt desperately for them; with the God we love and serve behind us we are never helpless. Showing love, compassion and random acts of kindness for the neighbor who may be unfairly receiving the vibes of your anger might feel like a tall order when you are hurting yourself, but Jesus shows by example that compassion and love are always the way to bury evil for good. It may not be an easy task, but it is one you won't regret. You never know your own heart might be melted and changed.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

God has a plan of good for all of us, but maybe part of the plan of good He has for all people who are hurting right now is to be lived out and to witness to one another through compassionate, humble, judgment-free, Christ-like love and service.

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

The dry erase board

2009-02-02T22:03:00.003-05:00

I am a organizational nut. I am one of those people that, while my house is almost never clean anymore, I have a designated place and spot for everything under the sun. And most likely, it is labeled.

I like order, and while I do not mind change, I like to be able to sit and fully plan something and have the change completely ordered in my mind and most likely also in list format, before it happens. So, not unlike many other organizational freaks I have a central family calendar, which allows us to see what is happening for he entire month for everyone. This dry erase board lets me color code for different people and change appointments with ease. It allows everyone in the family equal access to the plan for the day and gives me great comfort as we all check in with our day before we head off.

I love the month change, for the same reason I love New Years. I get out my daytimer and write on there everything that is coming up for the new month. I know I am a dork.

One thing I do not do is leave up the days past. So if there are 2 days left in the month only 2 days are on the calender. Every night I walk into the kitchen and as I set our house alarm and turn off the downstairs lights I reach over and with my bare finger I erase the day. I have done this every single day for the past 5 years since I have had this same board. Hey, few things have that kind of longevity, but when you find something that works you gotta stick with it.

For some reason last night it seemed as though I was erasing in slow motion. It was after midnight and the dim light of the kitchen made my finger seem to more in slow motion with almost a sort of comet trail essence. I stopped for a minute reflecting on the day. So many things about this day had been so good. But my heart has been in a bad place lately. I have been struggling with many challenges and I have been spiritual withdrawn and frankly exhausted.

Another day...I thought...Another day-Gone!

I know for a fact that I did absolutely nothing today to glorify God and this day has just been wiped away, never to return.

I know, it is all a little depressing sounding. But what hit me was the symbolism behind my action.

My plans, my calender, my day, my finger...all of the things about that day and unfortunately, so many days, were about me. And it was my finger that wiped that day away. This day was truly gone and it was fruitless. By my own hand I planned the day, wrote it out and then wiped away any possibility for God to use me. Not everyday is fruitless...some days I am better than my typical self and hopefully God is able to do something with me, but for the most part there is little room on that calender for Gods plans.

I wonder what would happen if I actually wrote "God's work" on my dry erase calender. I wonder if I would be more likely to check in with Him and serve for Him. I wonder if I might leave a day or week or maybe just one hour to spend looking for the person who God knew needed some Christ tangibly right before them. I wonder how hard it would be to erase God off my calender knowing I didn't even try to do His work.

Some great amazing people showed up at my door today. I had my hair wrapped in a turban as I had just gotten out of the shower and my house was a complete disaster. No kidding- you can ask them. Total disaster!

They knew I had been having a tough time and they showed up for me. And they brought me a sandwich...a really yummy sandwich. I was in no way hospitable. I mean I was glad to see them and deeply touched by their gift of time to me.

But I realized after they left I never even offered them a drink or a chair. But they didn't care...they immediately went right about the business of loving me and nurturing me. They over looked my mess and did not ask for a thing while they were here. They came only to show me Christ today.

They knew I had a need and while they may not be able to change the situation, their act of friendship was able to start changing my perspective of where God was in the situation. Don't I have amazing friends! Their visit not only changed the course for my day, but actually changed my heart. Struggles are still there, but my three little adorable Christ look alikes standing in my doorway with their yummy ten foot long sandwich has been the image in my mind all day, rather than the emptiness that was there before.

I hope that tomorrow I can do that intentionally for someone else. I think I should write it in!

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

Just enough to get by

2009-01-28T21:01:00.003-05:00

Knowing the economic crisis is what it is, you might think by my title that this is about getting by financially.

Nope!

God called me to something a year ago. He called me and my husband and after a lot of prayer and some major "God moments," we answered with our commitment.

We joined a foster care certification class. We actually want to adopt...well, we actually feel led to adopt a little girl from the foster care system. We feel that God is telling us she will be less than 2-years-old, but we don't know that for sure.

Last Jan we started our class and in March we finished. In April we started our home study and in May we were certified by the state of NC to be foster care parents for up to two children(we already have three biological children). All last year we were anxious and excited, yet patient with the thought of "That Call" could come at any moment.

We were pleased with the fact that everything for us in this process had gone super smooth. Our kids were excited about the possibility of having a sister. We always told them that it would happen only if it was God's desire for us and they have always been very peaceful about that.

It is hard to not be peaceful when you have three perfect children. We felt God was calling us to this, but if we misunderstood, we knew we would be okay with that. This was for Him, His beckoning and we were glad to answer and excited about the possibility.

The later part of the year took its toll on many of us and like so many others my husband lost his job.
Peace! Total peace!

God never for one second left us and we knew he had a purpose. But, we still had to make a difficult call. We had to call the agency we had been working through to let them know we were no longer suitable foster care parents and why. They were so understanding as we were not the first to call with that news. They had heard it from many other potential adoptive parents.

Holidays come and passed. Husband gets a new job(PRAISE GOD) and life begins to set its course back to normal.

But we never made that call back.

God called upon us to be committed to Him and be ready to act if He were to ask. Now, even though we were back to being suitable foster care/adoptive parents no one knew because we didn't call.

Feeling a little guilty, but allowing my worries and fears over the economy and insecurity of a new job to reign in my mind, I chose to email the agency instead of call. This was a conscious decision to just get by, almost hoping they wouldn't get it right away. I knew God was asking me to act again, but in my own fears I acted the way I was comfortable with, instead of the way I should have.

2 weeks passes and I am feeling God's breath so heavy on my heart over this non-committal effort I had given, so I picked up the phone...but I waited until after hours and left a voice mail in the general box and told them that things were back to normal, at least as normal as this economy would allow.

Another two weeks would pass and again the full knowledge of my half-hearted attempt to follow God's prompting was just about all I could think about. I was afraid...what if we were given a child and this all happened again, or something worse...would they take her away?

God literally laid a burden on my heart so heavy regarding my disobedient and honestly, untrustworthy and manipulative spirit and one morning while driving to church the Holy Spirit spoke so loudly in my heart as to what I knew I was supposed to do that I grabbed my phone without even thinking and dialed the number. My sweet foster care class teacher answered.

All my fears were gone melted as our conversation continued. I told her about the email and the message, but then I said that I just felt that God said I needed to speak to someone. She thanked me and told me that they had not known our situation had changed and she was glad I called.

I still don't know if God desires for us to complete our family this way or if our family is already complete. But I do know Satan wanted me to be afraid and wanted me to forget what God has promised those who are faithful to Him. He wanted me to be content with just enough. This may have been less an act of God's path for us and more about my obedience to Him.

Had I taken any time during that month to give to God what had been worrying me I know He would have faithfully provided me peace and answers in his right timing. I know that in prayer I can honestly discern his will and not be sidetracked by fear. My 'get-by' commitment was nothing more than evidence of my desire to not give it to God because I was scared of what His answer might be.
If there is something in your life that you are withholding from God for any reason at all. Don't be scared, don't let Satan tell you lies...

God says...

"For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord. "Plans only to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

No matter how scary life's issues may be, my God loves me so much that he only has plans to prosper me and to give me a hope and a future.

Who knows, now that we have released this to Him, maybe there is a little girl out there whose hope and future includes us.

Sweet Blessings

A tiny presence

2009-01-23T22:10:00.003-05:00

We have an ant. This one tiny little ant lives in our downstairs bathroom. Now really, who wants ants in their house? I dislike ants...every year I fight off the trail that finds their way into my kitchen on the hottest day of the year. Never fails- they find one tiny little crack in the caulking by the back door and you come downstairs just as they are having a crumb buffet in the middle of the floor.

So annoying...

You may be asking yourself, then why, do you have an ant in your bathroom and know about it? My youngest son is almost 3 and last summer as the yearly parade made its way in and swiftly we escorted them back out and caulked the door, again,, my little then just 2-year-old would help me look for stray ants. You know, those stubborn ones that you will find off by themselves hours and even days later.

He was so adorably cute squatted down with his head low to the ground, looking so intently that his eyes would almost cross. He was "ant hunting." Over the next few weeks, despite the fact that we had the ant problem well under control, he would still crawl along the floor searching for ants. One day many weeks later he found an ant in the downstairs bathroom, which is only a few feet from our kitchen. He started yelling for me and I casually blew it off and said oh let him be, as I honestly didn't have time to deal with it at that moment. I knew the ant would eventually find its way out of the bathroom and into the kitchen looking for food and I could, well, ahemm, dispose of it.

The ant was temporarily spared.

Later I thought about that ant and knowing that I had not seen it in the kitchen, I too went ant hunting, but it was no where to be found. Lucky thing. Spared once again.

This would go on for weeks. Jaxon would find the ant and by the time I would get to it it was out of sight. Because I too had seen the ant I totally believed him when he would yell that his ant was back.

Fast forwarded a few months and Jaxon now calls this ant his ant buddy. It seriously is like a pet.

As weird as it sounds, when nature calls, I will look by the crease of wall right behind the door and about half of the time there will be Jaxon's little buddy. Maybe the ant knows now that it is safe. No one intends to reroute him or "dispose" of him. Honestly, as much as I know it is not your average pet, this little ant is a tiny little consistent presence and reminder to me that just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.

There are even days that when I visit the restroom I find myself a little disappointed that my little reminder is no where to be found.

Yesterday I had a moment. This was a moment of doubt in which I felt that my little tiny impact just wasn't meaning anything. I know my kids love me and I know my husband loves me and I absolutely know God loves me, but honestly, who am I? I am just one person. I am a no one. Why am I trying so hard? Who is it really affecting?

Just as I was sitting with my head in my hands and feeling lost and even a tiny bit hopeless in prayer, I looked up and, you guessed it, there was my little ant crawling towards me across the floor. I was never so happy to see an ant. This little ant helped me dry the tears and find the strength to believe that somewhere within that tiny little creation of God was God. That ant was God for me yesterday.

We may seem so small, so insignificant because we are fighting off the lies that Satan likes to tell us. He plays on our low self-esteem moments and uses those times to try and convince us that our cause is pointless, fruitless, wasted. We might as well just go sit and watch TV rather than open our Bible. We might as well blow off an important servant leader meeting at church or a volunteer commitment because we are nothing but little tiny ants who can't make a difference, not a real difference. Satan would love it if we would believe him, as he has everything to loose if we don't.

Next time Satan starts whispering in your ear that your service, your time, your commitment, your walk is meaningless, close you eyes and visualize your self literally being filled with God from head to toe.

Because when you allow yourself to be a vessel for God, it's not you they see, its Him!

Just because you can't see the immediate fruit of your effort, or even ever, don't doubt that it is there.

The ant is safe.

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

A place to put your hope

2009-01-19T22:08:00.002-05:00

Let's be honest- Tomorrow is a BIG day(okay, today is a big day if your not a night owl like me and are reading this on Tuesday).

It is a day of celebration and pageantry. A monumentous day. Think of it this way- 43 Presidents ago, our journey as a country was forever changed when we inaugurated our very first president in 1789.

For about two weeks now God has given me a heavy heart about the feelings of some, myself included, towards our almost President. Now I have no problem in saying that I voted for the other girl. :) But God has put a urgency on me and softened my heart and I have spent a lot of time in prayer over this next phase in our country's history.

A look at life through my 7-years-old daughters social studies book lesson this week shows a General, General George Washington, basically having just returned from war became our first President. Times were tough. Poor communication, hurting citizens torn and confused from war and a new and unpredictable country was placed at the feet of our very first president.

I am sure there were lots of people, good people, honest people, hardworking people who disagreed with the ideals set forth in the constitution and probably didn't like the new president or the new rules at all. Perhaps the hurt and the fear of their difficult lives prevented them from having any hope.

Over 220 years we have watched through out history as our country has grown from these shaky beginnings into the greatest country in the world. It is hard to think we would have much in common with the country President Washington served. Could they understand our struggles? Us there's?

Fast forward nearly 220 years to this day. For many people hope is fleeting and hard to find. War, the economy and health care has left many people, good people, honest, hardworking people, confused and fearful for their future and for their children's futures. Times are so tough and the country feels so shaky and unpredictable and fear seem to reign in this world.

A few weeks ago when Mr. Obama met with the former presidents and all the country's baggage that no one but the presidents get to know about was presented to him, I wonder if his heart sank just a little. I wonder if for a second he thought twice about his forth coming position. I wonder if he just wanted to sweep his little girls and wife up and forget everything. Maybe not, maybe hearing all the details made him even more motivated for the position.

It seems to me that while we have come a long way and learned a lot of lessons from our fore fathers we still need one thing and one thing only...Hope...because where there is hope, there is God.

Hope is abundant and in apparent in a very exciting way for so many people in our country right now, but then there is also a kind-of slimy underbelly of discourse and fear that can't stay covered up for too long.

So what do you do? What do you do right now if you did vote for the other guy(or girl) and your hopes feel dashed? You don't agree politics and don't mind saying so.

Maybe you're like me and while you don't agree with some things politically, you still want to find a way to respect and lift up this new president and our country? Maybe inside, like me, while you would have made a different choice politically, you can't help but be so excited for this long overdue first in our country. Maybe, like me, you feel God calling you to help be a part of healing.

My daughter has this poster in the school room and it has all 43 presidents on it and today we sat and talked about Dr. King and about what would happen on Tuesday. I showed her the pictures of the Presidents and told her that over the last 200 years things looked a certain way(no I don't mean they all wore wigs-which she did notice). She looked up on our school walls and saw the many pictures of children from all over the world hung there and then she looked back at the poster and she said, "they all have light skin." I said, "that is until tomorrow." The men and women who began this country knew the rights of all people were to be honored and dreams were given by God and not dictated by people. While I am sure in those 43 presidents there have been some amazing leaders, strong godly men it doesn't change the fact that this first is long overdue.

Maybe you don't get to say much politically over the next four years, but in four years you will have your say again. This is a powerful time to be alive. It is a world changing time and it is to me a privilege to be a part of a country who pushes the fear aside and says, agree or disagree on politics or any other matter, we really want to be excited and want to be a part of turning things around in this country.

I know for certain I would rather be wrong politically and see our country prosper for my childrens good, than to be left sitting, proven right, in the midst of destruction. But if we really mean it and we really want to see this country prosper it is time to hit our knees daily, together, in prayer for this president. He may be a good man and he may be a good president but with our prayers covering him in safety and in judgment God can do great things through him.

I don't think God is calling me to consistent prayer for our new president because he is weak or not capable, but because the burdens he faces and the challenges ahead are too great for anyone to face without prayer.

We have to be willing to take accountability for our country and for our president and now that the choice has been made, as Christians, we are called to lift him up and choose our faith in God ahead of political bitterness.

No matter which side of the aisle you sit on if you serve the Lord then I believe we have a responsibility to give, with every ounce of our being, the support and prayers, for the good of our country, to this man. God blessed us all with the privilege to be born or live in this amazing country and with that privilege we agree to participate and uphold the process that has stood strong for over 200 years.

I do not know Barak Obama and I do not know of his morals or of his faith anymore than I know anyone elses. I do know one thing that I see with confidence and that is he is a father.

My husband is the amazing father of our three small children. Two of these children are almost the ages of President-Elect Obama's children.

While I may not agree with his political positions on many things in our country I do see the love of a husband and father. I may not be able to trust that he will always make the right call or that mistakes won't occur, after all, it's that human thing again, but knowing my husband as a father, I do believe that Obama would do whatever it took to keep his girls safe. I do think they will be in his mind when important decisions need to be made and that he understands the weight of the job.

I do think he knows that it is their future that is at stake. I think just about any father would go to the ends of the Earth to protect his children, so yes, I do believe that he has every intention of protecting and defending our country to the best of his ability.

I hope that you are feeling the same call to lift up our president and country in prayer. If so, please feel free to lift those up here if you would like to share them. I pray that the celebrations tomorrow are able to excite and energize this country to stand behind our new leader.

Blessings

The motivating factor

2009-01-01T14:05:00.002-05:00

"A New Year, A New You."

Anyone ever heard that slogan? I have, many times...I think it might be for a weight loss company or something. While I am sure they mean well, this was ringing in my head all morning and I felt the need to sit and write about what does a new you actually look like?

This is the day, for some of us, a few weeks, when we often evaluate ways to improve ourselves. We cringe at that bathroom scale knowing exactly which holiday treat it was that pushed us over the number we promised not to hit. We see some things in our own personalities that we know if we would improve upon that we would surely raise amazing, well-adjusted, giving, genius children.

We see the homes of our friends and resolve that this is The Year that I will not leave for work, church, errands, school or elsewhere with a dirty disaster of a house and this will most definitely be the year that I make more time for God.

You all know exactly where I am going with this one...we could stop there and come back here next week this time and well it's not then it’s not a new year anymore...it would now be Jan. 7th and those things are barely an afterthought!

Why is that? Why are we such highly motivated people, yet with so little will power to stick it out?

See, I don't think it is a matter of will power at all. I think that the problem is actually the motivating factor behind our desire to be new in a New Year.

When I think about it, I am not actually sure God really wants me to be a new me. I think he likes the me he created just the way he created me. He made me this way for a reason, right? Well, before you get all crazy and think, "yahoo, no need for self-improvement, the mold cannot be duplicated any better than this baby"- let me offer this.

In my prayer today, aka shower time(only time I get peaceful prayer), I felt God leading my heart to find out what he has to say about me being a new.

I found this just sitting on my own blog waiting for me today as a Biblepromise.com hyperlink. It is 1 Corinthians 2:12 and it reads
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Pretty cool stuff. It sounds to me like God is saying that he created me with His spirit and not that of the world. As Christians, we are filled with just the right spirit...all the right motivations, but it is the distractions of this world that seem to cloud us and prevent us from seeing that we need God as the first point of contact for everything.

You know all those things we try to do for ALL the wrong reasons. Maybe they are good things to do(spending time with kids, weight loss, charity work) but without the right motivation they are fruitless. It is literally like trying to walk around in the dark and get anything done.

If I understand this then with the spirit of God being my motivation, I should be able to overcome these things. I think this is so hard because we are consumed with all the wrong reasons. At least I know I am.

I started brainstorming about why it is that I would like for there to be less of more around my middle. And honestly it is so I will look better in that bathing suit in the summer and not hate myself in pictures. Sure maybe health is a part of it, but it certainly is not because I revere my body as the temple God created it to be.

When I think about stepping onto that Stairmaster I am not thinking temple. I am thinking I hate this body and I hate that I have to get on this Stairmaster to not look like this. My motivation is all wrong.

When I look at my children I don't think, “wow, I would like for them to have the very best I have to offer because God has gifted them to me and blessed my life with the chance to guide and mold them towards God good plan for their lives.” I think guilty thoughts over not spending enough time with them and so I must try harder to do better to not feel guilty, or I am thinking I really want my family or my friends to see them acting with good character or wonder why we are such awesome parents-come on let's be honest. Don't we all secretly wish that?

At our most desperate parent moments when we don't know what to do or we have been trying our own way and it hasnt been working. We start to panic and pray things like, "please God, just don't let them turn out as criminals. I just don't know what else to do."

I find myself lowering my own expectations, not of my children or my desire for them, but of myself so it is easier to achieve. God doesn’t do fear, guilt or frustration, so my motivation is all wrong. And boy am I glad that God doesn’t lower his expectations of what he can do with me. I would rather try and fall short and learn and try again then to have a one shot God who accepts no re-do’s.

God created me exactly the way he wants me. Yes, no doubt that sin and experiences in my life have led me down paths which may have melted that mold away from what His desire and intent for me was, but God does do new, forgiveness, compassion and love better that anyone.

So while new may not be what God wants for us, refined might be a better word. He wants to take the perfect mold, plus the choices (good and bad) and the sin that has led our motivation astray and he wants to refine that into something that only he can make.

What does the refined you look like? Notice that the word "fine" is in there! Keeping the fine he has already done and letting Him be the one to make you a little more polished.

Keep the old you; it's the perfect place to start. Motivate yourself with God's good intentions for you and offer to him whatever part of your life that needs refining.

Ask God to restore the temple he has blessed you with. If your temple has scars and lines and stretch marks thank him for those experiences and ask him to be your motivation to make your temple into exactly what he desires it to be.

If you know you are not being the godly wife or parent he desires of you then ask yourself what your motivation is. Then ask God to be your motivation so that you can parent with godly intention for the right reason- to raise them to seek Him. He has given you an open invitation…don’t be shy…he loves you and has said “Ask it unto me and you shall receive.”

When God is at the center of every shortcoming we feel, it is no longer a shortcoming. Once you have asked God to start working on it in your life; let's just say you can start getting excited, because while He does work on His own timeline, in your best interest, He never disappoints.

If you need something truly new in your life ask God to lead you to what he wants you to do. Sometimes we just crave newness and change and sometimes he puts that desire there for us because he needs us to step out. If we took that desire and asked God to be a part of it then he might very well lead you to the answer you didn’t know you were looking for.

We can safely look to Him, try something new and not worry. If it is the wrong path, if we misunderstood, he knows we tried. He knows our intentions, but if it is the right path what blessings for our lives could be awaiting us.

You can rest assured of one thing; while we are all wishing each other happiness and joy in the New Year, God is sitting right there beside you waiting, ready and able to make it happen.

If you’re not a fan of greens or black-eyed peas, maybe pass on those today and don't feel all weird about it. I really hate collards and have no intention to eat them! Know that while every moment of this year may not be filled with happiness, love or even good health that you have the real assurance of a God who wants to spend this year and every year with you and has every hope for your life to be blessed, to bless others and to make great impact for him. Let his perfect wisdom be your can’t lose motivating factor.

Do you know how much he loves you!

New Year Blessings,

Laurie

The Christmas Porch

2008-12-27T12:44:00.003-05:00

I am praying that this post finds you all aglow with Christmasness all over you. Just two days ago we celebrated the birth of our Savior and I don't know about you, but I'd love for that feeling to last as long as possible. The preparation that we all go through for weeks, some of us months, in order to prepare for Christmas Day is just unreal.

I know that we, personally, travel right after Christmas every year and by the time I get back on Dec. 28th most of the decorations around our house are already gone. My goodness, the wisemen hadn't even got to the stable yet! Now, I know many accounts say Jesus was two when they finally got there; so while homeowners covenants surely aren't going to let the decorations stay up year round, let me encourage you... if you haven't yet taken those decorations down, let them stay just a little while longer. We spent so much time in preparation, now it is time to sit in adoration and gratitude.

By letting those decorations stay up just a tad bit longer that is more time for you to sit in your favorite chair with a cup of tea or coffee and your Bible. Read through again in total amazement what God has done for us through this perfect baby. Imagine Mary holding her newborn close and praising God for their safe travels. Imagine the wisemen still wandering and seeking...were the shepard's even there yet?

Just for a little while longer breath in the scent from the evergreen and enjoy the lights you worked so hard to put up. Sit and watch their glow from you tree or mantle and think about how God came to us in flesh to be the light for everyone.

I am all about rushing into the Christmas season, but lets hesitate to rush out of it.

Merry Christmas just a little while longer.
Laurie

a white stone

2008-12-08T21:55:00.004-05:00

Many of us stray as far away from the book of Revelations as we possibly can for many reasons. Some of us feel completely paranoid when reading prophecy. Some of us feel incapable of understanding the seemingly mystic and somewhat cryptic text, while some of us just don’t like to hear about bad things and so we just don’t go there. I’m a fairly sure there is a little bit of all three of those categories in me. I have done a few studies on Revelation, but will admit to still feeling a little bit intimidated. After today I have a new view of Revelations.

When we look at the word Revelation, it is defined by Webster’s as

God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His creatures.

-an instance of such communication or disclosure

-something thus communicated or disclosed.

-Something disclosed that was not known before

Wow, did they say communication? Okay, maybe that is a serious no-brainer(but I am slow), but a revelation is a communication from God in some way of something not known before. Now, this is the case for the Book of Revelations and the contents there of, as well as a revelation that God may bring about in your life.

Now, it may not be of epic, world coming to an end proportions, however, if might very well mean the difference in a life served well for God and a life serving ourselves. If we are open and willing to communicate with God and let him reveal things to us, even when that might mean putting ourselves out there, exposed for all the world to judge(I can’t help but think of sweet Mary) or accepting and uncovering a wound of the greatest proportion in our lives.

When our pain, whether it be a past that causes us embarrassment or shame, a pain so great we can’t even think of speaking it, or maybe a memory or experience we are just sure we will be judged for if anyone knew… but when those things are unearthed, faced by us and placed before God, he can take that hurt, shame, guilt, fear and redeem us.

Now that we have trusted him enough to forget what the world would think and just put it out there for him, he has a place to reveal things to us that may very well mean the difference in just living mindlessly in the numbness that life can become to creating in us a place where passionate hearts eagerly accept the calling placed upon us. A calling meant just for us; no more or less important than anothers, perfectly different and perfectly planned and designed just for us by our creator.

There is a small group Bible Study that I am in, which is currently being led by a close friend who is guiding each of us down a path of discernment in spiritual formation within our own lives. Many weeks have passed as we have intimately shared with one another our life histories, high points, low points, memories and dreams and pain.

With her good guidance and counsel she has gently helped us each to a place where we are now at the culmination of the entire experience. The end result of this “study” in spiritual formation is to come up with a purpose statement, a vision and a mission statement and finally a new name. The new name is meant to be representative of the new white stone that the book of Revelations talks about.

Revelation 2:17
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

Wow, God is going to place in my hands a new white stone engraved with a new name just for me! I know I haven't spent enough time in Revelations, because that was news to me.

This name, and the different statements for each person, have come to be know through prayer and discernment during this process and with the loving companionship and contribution of trusted friends within this small group. It is a name for which you are to be proud, as it is a name that God wants for us. Not a name that we would think of, not name that serves our own desires, but one that sets us clearly on a path towards God’s desire for our lives. Today, after months of waiting and working towards this, it was my turn to be named.

Five years ago today my 7-day-old son was put into my arms and I held him until he went into the arms of his creator 8 hours later. There is not a pain deeper and God knows that. He takes special care and love and attention to those who have little ones. He tells us this in the Bible. And when parents loose children, he knows that life is going to never be the same. Hearts are broken and there is no power except his that can heal them. He takes gentle care of us and comforts us, even though the world around can be so harsh to be a part of after such a loss. Memories can be comforting and haunting. They can bring us joy and immeasurable pain at the same time.

Wow, what God must feel towards us if this is how we feel towards our own children.

For the past five years on this day, my spirit, my soul, my heart has always been to weak and to unsure of the world around me for me to venture out on this day. I go to visit where my little Tyler is buried and I otherwise seclude myself. I don’t answer the phone, or plan anything. I don’t do this to be a hermit or to even wallow in my understandable pain, bc most of the day is spent in the mundane activates of any other day... but the tears can be so unpredictable and I am not a person who is comfortable with tears, especially in front of others. And I don’t really have one of those cute cries. I have the nasty, face and eyes get red and puffy, make-up dripping, ugly cries.

I stay home because the memory of him is so intimate to me that sometimes I just get lost in my thoughts of him. As each hour passes my mind wanders back to each fine detail of his face and sweet little hands, as I rocked him and sang to him. I run my fingers over his perfectly formed eyebrows and down his cheek and over his perfect little nose. I remember that face and the clarity of that day in my mind is miraculous. To many people he is a memory and the inspiration for a ministry, to me he is the sweet baby boy that I longed for, carried inside me, prayed over, cried for, gave birth to, comforted, held and sang to and loved with every ounce of my heart, never once suspecting that would end.

When I am alone I am free to stay there.

No distractions no interruptions and no one watching me when I decide I need to cry and no feelings of guilt when I am so inspired by his life that I decide to dance and sing really loud.

There is something about this day. It is not all sadness and pain. It is so special to me, as I know how very special this day is for him. This is his heavenly birthday.

It almost feels to me that, this day, in my life, God allows Heaven and Earth to line up as close as they can be and for a few hours I feel as though God is literally reaching across the Heavens and placing him back in my arms, but He never lets go. He holds him too. I feel so close to them both.

While he lived for seven days, this was the only day I ever got to hold him in my arms and that 8 precious life-changing hours set a course for my life that God would use to allow others in my life to gently direct me towards Him so that he could work on me, so that I could be ready to work for Him.

One baby, one tiny perfectly made little boy, seven days…God in his perfect plan and wisdom can take any life, no matter how long or short, illness or struggle, rich or poor can and make it a glorious testimony for His power and greatness.

As I walked out of the hospital 5 years ago, arms empty and heartbroken, I prayed one prayer and that was that God would do whatever it took in my life to make sure I did not miss the message of what Tyler’s life was meant to bring…

In years past on this day I would not have even opened the front door, much less stepped out onto the porch to see what was going on with others, but that is not at all what the message that Tyler brought to us.

So today, I was faced with a decision; do I stay home and have my time or do I give that time to God in the hope and trust that when I make myself available to him he can reveal things to me that I might otherwise miss.

Don’t let me miss it...

God has faithfully answered that prayer for me over and over again. He answered again today by giving me a wonderful group of trusted women to surround me and assure me that I was safe with them and that by trusting God and choosing today to step out he would reach his arms out and be ready to catch me . He gave me the courage to venture out for the first time on this day, which was even harder than normal because today is the first year it actually falls even back on the day of the week, as well as the date. I did cry and it was okay. I did want to rush home right after our study, but am so glad I followed God's prompting to go bc I would have missed a very important part of what God desired for me today if I had stayed home.

I got my new name today. While I know that it may not actually be the white stone name that Christ will place in my hand one day, it is the name that God has blessed me with right now. He has surrounded me and affirmed me and given me a name that calls unto me a purpose and a meaning and a direction for what he wants me to do. I feel certain if that is to change he will put that on my heart, but today especially, it feels good to have a new name.

A Revelation!

Happy Heavenly Birthday Tyler!

For Nick

2008-11-30T21:32:00.001-05:00

Please be in prayer today and for many days to come for our sweet sister Tammy and her beautiful son Nick. Nick went to be with the Lord early this morning. Please read below Tammy's post about today and be blessed by Nick's life and this amazing and faithful woman.

Our Saddest Day....Nick's Most Wonderful Day

Dear Precious Prayer Warriors,

You know I just couldn't end my day without spending time with all of you who have grown to hold sucha special place in my heart.

First, I have to say that Nick's journey may have ended in a physical sense today, but Nick's journey is only beginning in a spiritual sense. While my heart is literally torn in two, I know deep inside that Nick is with His Heavenly Father............safe in the arms we have all laid him in time and time again in prayer. And Nick's journey will continue here on earth as well. A foundation will be beginning in Nick's name. Through this foundation Nick's life will touch others for years to come as we give college scholarships, promote literacy in children, minister to hurting families and sick children, and help support missions worldwide. Nicholas Yancy Nischan stil has work to do!

Second, I have to share with you a little about the past couple of days at our house. All of our kids have been home, which in and of itself has been wonderful. Erich, our oldest son who is a junior in nursing school, has been more help than I could possibly EVERY put into words. Nick's health had weakened to the point that we could not have made it without Erich's strength, knowledge, and love for Nick. Evan's humor kept Nick's spirits up on many occasions. Todd and Olivia continued with their "normal" activities of computer/cell phone life (Todd) and sleepovers and basketball (Olivia). I believe that these normal events also kept Nick's spirits up. One evening a little friend of Olivia's stayed all night and we made gingerbread cookies. I came down and asked Nick if he would like to make one if I brought him a pan and a cookie cutter. He said, "no," until Mamaw had the great idea that he could give the gingerbreadman a gun! Nick cut out a man and Mamaw helped him create a nice-sized bazooka in one of its arms!

Thanksgiving morning Nick was lying on the couch upstairs and mamaw was under his feet holding her dog, Amber. I was sitting with Nick's head on my lap on a pillow. The tumors were so hard to look at but deep inside I just kept praying that they would shrink....that Nick's head would be totally healed. As we sat there together, Nick patted the blanket and said, "Amber," in a sweet little voice, trying to get Mom's dog's attention. Then when Amber looked at him, he said, "This is the life." And honestly, Nick meant it. He had me at one end of the couch, and my mom at the other end of the couch. He was under a blankie and there were no needles and in his mind no worries. He had great peace. To him it truly was "the life!"

He was able to eat a little for Thanksgiving dinner and then of course we watched the Titans have their 11th victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With a score of 47 to 10!! I of course loved the numbers, and Tim told me later that Nick was so glad the Lions didn't score 1 more point! He knew I would have totally flipped out then. But truthfully the 47 points combined with the 11th win was enough for me to know that God was with us in a very special way. Nick napped off and on throughout the afternoon, and then late in the day, as I was sitting by him holding his hand I noticed that his hands were tightening up and he kept looking over at me but not really talking. I felt very nervous and honestly thought that maybe he was going to die at that time, but mom said she thought he was having a seizure and we were able to give him some medicine that really relaxed him. We called Martha, my very dear friend who has been such an unbelievable nurse to Nick over the past few weeks. She and Linda (our other special nurse and friend) came within minutes and stayed for a while to make sure things were okay. I did not want to take Nick to the hospital......the thought of having him endure any needles was more than I could bear.

Nick fell to sleep peacefully that evening, but on Friday morning it was apparent that Nick was not waking up from his sleep. It was as if he were in a coma. All day long he slept without responding to us when we would talk. The boys would take turns talking to him and they even brought Rock Band down to the room with him and played for a while hoping he would hear and want to wake up and be a part of the action. Friday night at midnight, Mom, Erich, Tim, and I were still up (Olivia had gone to stay at a friend's house) and I had bought the movie, "The Nativity" which we decided to watch. It was such a beautiful reminder of the amazing plan God had in bringing His Son into this world, and I just hope and pray that Nick could hear the movie as he slept there with us watching it.

This morning, Nick's breathing seemed much more strained, but he still would not respond when we talked to him. Evan, who normally sleeps in very late, was up by a little after 9 and was sitting right at Nick's head just watching him and touching his shoulder. I came down and suggested Evan get under his feet and rub them for a while. I looked down into the room a bit later and Evan had leaned over on Nick and was holding hand and was sleeping. I wanted to take a picture, but I chose to just take one with my heart. It just didn't seem right to violate that moment for Evan. But I couldn't help but think of the verse that says Mary, "pondered all these things in her heart." That is what I have tried so hard to do this Thanksgiving break....simply ponder and soak up every precious minute. Every single word.

Around 11 (I think), I had been outside talking to mom for a minute on the porch about Nick's condition and then came in to give him another kiss. I noticed that something did not seem quite right and went to get mom. I called Martha and a couple of other people from church and they were at our house within minutes. It was amazing how Nick seemed to know that the stage was set for his beautiful departure to glory. Erich came to hold his hand and was crying, Todd came down beside him and cried harder than I have ever heard him cry in my life, Evan sat at Nick's side and held onto him crying, Caleb (Todd and Nick's buddy from birth sat right there along with us), and my brother got there in time to be with us too. Tim was at Nick's head and I was at Nick's side...............It was so hard to let go and whisper in Nick's ear that it was okay to go. I reminded him of Bill Leamon and John Mark Pemberton....I asked him to take care of Adrienne until we get there.............I told him we would be there soon. Mom sat at Nick's feet and told him she loved him too. It was a moment in time that I will hold close to my heart every minute of every day for the rest of my life. Nick simply began breathing less and less frequently until he took his last breath.

From that moment on our house has been a constant whirlwind of friends and family. We are sure that at least 100 people have been in and out of our home today. We feel so loved and so thankful. I have so much more to say, but I know that I am already going to be in trouble for the hour at which I am writing this. For tonight, I have to say this, Of all moms ever handed a child, I consider myself one of the most blessed to have been handed Nicholas Yancy Nischan, my sweet Nick. Oh, please know that I have cried so many times today.

I will share tomorrow about Olivia's learning of Nick's passing.

Tonight as I went up to get my computer, I saw Nick's cell phone lying on the table still hooked to its charger from Thanksgiving Day. I just broke down in my mom's arms. Oh, I love Nick so much. I will miss him more than words can ever say.....EVER SAY. However, I am determined and committed to being the vessel through which Nick's testimony and love for God will touch lives from this day forward. I will share more with you later about how you can be a part of Nick's continuing journey.

Olivia so sweetly said tonight, "I would love it if Nick showed up at his foundation." Then she said, "He probably won't though." It was so precious. She misses him so much. I told her Nick will be everywhere we are. At every game, every concert, everything. Oh, I love you all so much.

I have a lot to learn about prayer and miracles and times when prayers seem to not be answered in the ways we desire.............. I hope and pray that you will walk this chapter of Nick's journey with me as faithfully as you did the first.

With Gratitude for Every Prayer Whispered on Nick's Behalf,

Tammy (and Tim)

A little break for some "boo'ing?"

2008-11-06T13:22:00.004-05:00

Very cute post below from our sweet Jennifer... Sure Halloween has come and gone, and in Jennifer's defense she gave this to me weeks ago, but me being the resident slacker, well you are seeing it about a week overdue.

I loved this and think I may attempt some "boo'ing" myself. Just don't expect it to be pretty...I just ain't crafty!

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

As I walked the dog recently, I noticed something cute as I took in the view from my porch…several of my neighbors had been “boo’d”. Although this has been going on for several years in our neighborhood, I recently learned that Hallmark has not missed the opportunity to capitalize on the fun and is selling a kit for you to use (really not necessary) but that is for another post. Quite simply, to “boo” a friend and neighbor, you arrange a basket with goodies, treats and other fall or Halloween things and leave it (hopefully, anonymously) on their doorstep. Included in the basket, is a small sign of a ghost or some such which is displayed on your door so others will know you have already been boo’d and then you pass the fun on to another neighbor. Eventually, little ghosts are on doors up and down the block! Since we are known on our street as the ones who don’t “do Halloween,” we have occasionally been included in this game but, most often, we are not; however, it is fun to watch….to guess who will be next and who left the last basket?!? The sense of community is so evident.

So began my thinking about how I, as a Christian, can increase the sense of community on my street? Are there some ways that I could share some fun with my neighbors and others down the block? Would there be some ideas to perhaps work the “getting boo’d” idea into a surprise at Thanksgiving or even Christmas? We know this is what expected of us as Christian neighbors and witnesses for Him on our street….that’s what this blog is all about. Maybe we could share some ideas – ones we have only thought about or ones that have actually worked for us – with each other. The holiday season is right in front of us and now is the time to plan how we will include our neighbors in our plans for the next couple months.

Jennifer

2008-10-13T15:31:00.005-04:00

Week 7 on week 6-
When Satan tries your patience-
Sometimes when you do good work for God the flames will rise and the tests will begin in our own lives. This can be scary. How can we hold strong and still keep our eyes focused on others when we are in the fire ourselves?

Some of you may have noticed that the frequency of the Front Porch posting has dwindled by about half. Our weekly Sunday posts have turned into every other week. Well, for this very reason I decided that we would change the order of the last two weeks of this series, bc Satan has certainly been trying the patience of the ladies on the Porch over the past month especially.

I don't know if it is this way for you or not...maybe as you read this you will think "Man, that is exactly what I have been feeling," or maybe you know someone that has been and can use this to encourage them.

Over the past month, the Front Porch sisters have been faced with illness for themselves, children and spouses. We have faced serious financial struggles, including lost jobs and very uncertain futures. We have been faced with burdens so great that our initial reaction was to pull within and forget the very blessing that we are to one another. God's gift to us as his people is his love...and how does he show that love in our daily lives?

He shows by providing us each other. Maybe you have a supportive friend or colleague, or you are the friend in need of support. Maybe God has provided you with abundant family that sometimes drives you nuts, but no matter what loves and supports you. Maybe God provided you with a "stranger" on a very low day who provided you something. All I know is that Satan wants us to turn inward. He wants us to turn away. He wants us to isolate...bc it is there he can whisper his lies and there is no one there to protect us from our own thoughts.

Fear is abundant right now... jobs are being lost left and right, friends and loved ones are loosing homes and health care on top of our "normal" struggles. Our country is divided and frustrated. People are hurting.

When going through my illness I learned one thing very well...when something in your life is of frustration it usually comes from Satan. Look around, what do you see? People scared and hurting and uncertain about life. We need God and we need each other to remind each other how much we need God.

The Front Porch Sisters were brought together for a very special reason...we are starting to see some of that come into play. We knew from the start that it was all a very "bizarre" coincidence. The whole table and the similarities and the instant connection between so many women seemed of God, but Satan has certainly been trying to convince us that maybe we are just silly women who just met and nothing more. Let me tell you what we are about to show Satan who we believe and it isn't him!

Maybe you have had that experience. An instant connection with a friend or a Bible study or maybe even your spouse, and then life takes hold and you withdraw and before you know it you can't remember the last day that held real joy for you. Real joy- I mean the kind that transcends all understanding and circumstances as scripture says.

Last week one of our Front Porch sisters emailed all the rest and stated clearly that she felt God was "rallying the troops" so to speak. Make no mistake there is a fight to be won. There is an enemy at work and there are huge stakes. Look around; Satan is dividing us in so many ways. He is hardening our hearts and telling us lies on political levels, emotional levels, financial levels and more. He wants us angry, unaccecting and confused.He wants us in pain and bitter.

He is telling us to forget everyone and focus on ourselves. He knows divided we are nothing, but together working for God, lifting each other up, we are unstoppable.

We each have unique and God-given talents and blessings. He wants us all. Each person is powerful and necessary, but unless we share those things with others they can not be fully realized in God's kingdom.

This sister felt we had grown complacent in our prayer life for one another, in our posting on the Porch and she is right, we had. With such love and concern she let the rest know how we were valued and not forgotten and that we needed to revive our commitment to honor why God brought us together.

This is why God brought us together. For you, for each other- Back in June(actually lot sooner than that) He knew what we would be facing in October. He was preparing us and providing spiritual provision for us. In order for that to be fully realized for the purpose it was intended we have to each understand that no matter what Satan is trying to whisper to us...no matter what tricks he is trying in our life to frustrate us, God has a very real purpose for why he placed every single one of us in the lives of the other and also into your path.

Our sweet sister reminded us of how important we were to God and to each other and felt led to ask for a prayer commitment. We each agreed to Monday morning at 8:30am. We would stop where ever we were at that time and knowing the prayer requests of each we would lift up the concerns of all at the same time. We would petition God as a group(an army) ready to break down Satan's walls and see the truth. What a powerful moment that was this morning.

How lucky are we that one stood up to hold the rest accountable! Will you be that one?
One of God's sweetest gifts to each of us is the gift of each other. When Satan starts his tricks and lies, when he goes after you to your very core of self-esteem, or need for approval, or feelings or worth, or via your greatest fears don't let him have one second of your heart.

Protect that heart you have given to the Lord. Show Satan that, try and try as he might, you wont turn inward. You won't isolate. Instead, you will turn towards the people you know will see and speak the truth to you and hold you accountable. When the flames rise the more people are needed to put them out. Ask God to discern for you who he wants you to rally with and for.

There are a lot of hurting people right now. Our Christian friends may not be able to "fix" our problems or make it alright, but they are God's gift to us to be honored and seen as the treasures that they are intended to be. Even though they can't always fix the problem they can love you through it, circle around you and lift you up to the one who can, and does, make everything alright. They can offer you encouragement and show you the lies when Satan has you blinded.

I am one of the guilty ones. I am an isolator! When times are tough I run and hide and while I do pray, I turn inward. I am a shell. I am there, in the church, in the pew, in the study's, but hollow and numb and hurting. There is a smile on my face and most of the time you would never know. I don't wan't to be the burden. I don't let myself invest because I am too busy feeling sorry for myself and listening to Satan's lies. In a crazy, unpredictable world it is easy to do. But what I am promising you is that you are never a burden to God and your worries and pains are his. He loves you more than his own life and he gave it for you. He doesnt want you smiles when you are hurting. Let him provide you the love and support and comfort through the people that love him and you and also be that person for someone else.

I am not the one who rallied the troops.

I am the one who was inspired by the faithfulness of one sister and what that one heart was able to do in the lives of 7 sisters and then some.

This morning we prayed and God was at work. It felt like he just came into my heart and from the emails I am gonna go out on a limb here and say the hearts of others and seemed to breath into us that this is what he intended for us. Not the fear,not the isolation, not the lies- the love, the support, the central focus, which is him to be the answer to all of our problems and together we are stronger than we are alone.

When Satan starts trying your patience and working to divide it usually means he has something to loose and God something to gain.

Thank you God for these sweet sisters and for all those reading this. We ask that you bless us and provide us with the comfort and peace that only you can give. We know that so many people are hurting right now. They are feeling lost and afraid. Maybe they don't know you or maybe they are hearing Satan's lies right now and we ask that you will strengthen us so that we may be able to lift them up and help them see your truth.

Thank you for always providing us a place to seek the truth, be protected and be loved abundantly through you.
Amen

I am going to put an email off to the right sidebar. It was written by our sister Sharon. She sent this after our prayer time this morning and I thought it was so amazing!
Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

Diligence

2008-09-20T23:46:00.001-04:00

What to do when the Front Porch has a stench-

It seems to make sense that diligence would be the next topic. When I created this series I wrote it down all in one sitting. The Holy Spirit was moving strong inside of me and it came so quickly that my hand and pen could hardly keep up with my thoughts. Sometimes life is that way and then sometimes we sit on our porches wondering where on Earth all that copious inspiration that we had just a few weeks ago went.

My porch has been still and stagnant over the recent weeks. Prayer for my own life and issues has taken the place of time on the porch looking outward at others. Recent events have left me desperate for the Lord and feeling ill-equipped to pass along anything more than my bad attitude. I have been waiting for a fresh, sweet breeze to blow across my porch so that I could just breath it in. Feels like all I have gotten lately is a whiff of the pig farm a few miles away.

My attitude has literally been as dirty as a muddy pig. It wasn’t until tonight that it even occurred to me that my stinky attitude wasn’t really due to the things happening to me, but more my response to them. My perspective and my focus has been on me.
Diligence defined is the ‘persistent and hard-working effort in doing something.'
Well the only thing I have been very diligent about lately is thinking about my own problems.

I have diligently prayed for myself, my family, our challenges and I have diligently thought about myself, my family and our challenges, and well considering the Holy Spirit led this to be a topic of importance and seeing how it just happen to coincide with my lack of a good example of what Godly diligence looks like reminds me even more than we have a diligent God. A God who always has a persistent and hard-working effort in doing something…something for us, with us, through us.

My stinky and self-focused attitude has been completely blocking me from being useful to God in anyway. There is nothing is could do for me, with me or through me when my heart is so focused on myself.
I don’t have all the answers for how to stay diligent for God during difficult times. I obviously need a great deal of work in that area myself, but I do know that it is important. God calls us to look towards others and how we can help them even when we are struggling.

So baby steps…Next time you find yourself wrapped up in yourself and your woes, no matter how significant or insignificant they may be in relationship to the struggles of others, sit and have some devoted prayer time with God. Give it to him and give him the chance to take this burden off your shoulders. Allow yourself to trust in his perfect and infinite wisdom and know that he most certainly knows best for your life. He sees the big picture and only has a plan to prosper you.

After that time ask God to reveal to you someone in need. Someone in need of prayer, a friend in need of a hug or encouragement, the church in need of a volunteer, the next door neighbor in need of some gas for a lawnmower or the grocery clerk in need of Jesus; ask God to not only reveal them to you but give you a heart on fire and excited to focus your attention elsewhere. You know he’s got you covered. You know he is your comforter and protector. You have shared with him your heart and your worries and now he will bear that burden for you, but there is someone out there who God may be asking you to reach out to.

God can use our very toughest moments and still bring out the very best in us. We can be shining examples of what he is able to do in our lives if we allow him to bear our burdens so we can focus on the task he has for us that day.
Please don’t hesitate to leave your burdens here. We would love to pray for you so that you can go out there and be Jesus for someone else today.

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

Most recent update from Tammy

2008-09-07T12:51:00.005-04:00

Dear Front Porch Community of Believers and prayer warriors. Our sweet sister Tammy is reaching out to us for prayer, but in a different way than over the past few weeks. Please know she is still asking for prayer for Nick and his health and knowing God's awesome power and ability, but if you read her most recent message you will understand what they need now.

If you have time or feel led please let her know you are in prayer still and that friends joined by faith walk together even in the very darkest moments. We will not abandon them and neither will God.

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

You've probably noticed that my postings have been a little less frequent the past few weeks.

A friend of mine who lives out of town called to me to read some excerpts from the book "Facing Your Giants" yesterday, and it made me start thinking.

I am sure that as David prepared to face Goliath and during the actual battle, he wasn't turning around to the crowd of supporters to let them know how he was doing. He was just DOING what he had to do to win the fight. That's where I'm at right now.

Nick's battle with cancer has become a Goliath in our life. He is not doing well at all. We have decided not to try another type of chemo. After six years of living with cancer, Nick is tired of needles, hospitals, everything that has to do with the medical world. At this time we are simply going to be taking Nick for 10 to 15 rounds of radiation to his hips to help with pain and then focusing on supplements and nutrition. Down the road, if God gives us the opportunity, we may look into another surgery. However, at this time Nick is too weak to even think about that.

He sleeps a lot and he has lost his appetite for most everything.

So, as I think about the Goliath that we are facing, I have to rethink what I have thought for 6 years. See, I have seen cancer as our Goliath and the belief that if Nick could beat the cancer then we would win the battle. But, after some soul-searching and talks with friends, I have come to this sobering truth.

Our battle and Nick's battle is against satan not cancer. Satan doesn't really care if we live or die. He just cares about where our heart is when we move to eternity. So, while I fight to keep Nick alive, I am fighting more to keep his heart focused on the most important reality: GOD!

That's really a Goliath we all face in this world. Whether we are facing depression, divorce, loneliness, grief, anger, jealousy, or any other tough situation, the devil is right there hoping to trip us up in our walk.

So as I ask for all of your prayers as my family faces the Goliath of cancer, I am asking even more for your prayers that our family win this battle with the devil. Protect Nick's heart as well as all of our other kid's along with Tim and me and my precious mom who is walking this road with Nick right along with us. Help us to stay focused on God's love and blessings even on the darkest days.

Love from one warrior to another,

Devotion to Others- Week 3

2008-08-23T21:01:00.003-04:00

I am thrilled to introduce you all to Jennifer. Jennifer is our dear Virginia Front Porch Sister. You can read her bio down the right sidebar. She has blessed us this week with a wonderful blog about our perspective when we are considering our devotion to others. After reading her thoughts I will most definitely be looking off my porch with different eyes.

Sweet Blessings for a grace filled week!

Laurie

The Right Perspective

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them……”

Matthew 9:36

After reading the blog one afternoon, I began to mentally access the view from my own front porch. If you were to step out my front door, stand on my small front porch crowded with pots of pink and white inpatients and absorb the view, what would you notice? You might notice the next-door neighbor’s yard that desperately needs to be mowed. Maybe the group of questionable teenagers that is so enamored with the neighbor’s daughter would be gathered at the house across the street. Or the neighbor a few doors down might be washing one of his too many cars.

I suppose I should stop there. You might think I live in the really rough part of town but, in reality, I do not. I live in a very pretty, family friendly neighborhood with beautiful walking and biking trails and across the street from the lake and neighborhood swim club. I feel very blessed to live here, but you probably did not pick up on that from my description above because, as often happens, I allowed myself to focus on the negative. I had the wrong perspective.

In our passage from Matthew, chapter nine, Christ looked out over the crowd. This was the crowd that constantly thronged him. This crowd no doubt included tired, complaining people, sick or diseased folk, not to mention doubters, mockers and naysayers. And they constantly demanded his attention. However, Christ’s view of the crowd evoked only compassion. Of course, He had the right perspective.

I want to have the right outlook when I view my neighborhood. I would rather see the next-door neighbor who works long hours with a difficult commute and has so little free time at home. I would hope I could notice the single mom who finds it difficult to monitor her teenager before she gets home from work but loves her daughter as much as I do mine. What can I do to help keep the right perspective? Christ’s view of the crowd was different because He knew exactly what His purpose was – He was “about His father’s business” (Luke 2:49) and He came “to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) Remembering His purpose gave Him the right outlook.

Remembering my purpose can also affect my outlook… or perspective. It is not by chance that I live in this neighborhood or that I have certain neighbors. God has placed me here as an opportunity to be a blessing, both physically and spiritually, to these people around me. What can I do to be a help? Lend a hand, invest some time, or make myself available. How have I been a witness for my Savior? Have I shared the gospel or given an invitation to church or Bible study? When I remember that God has allowed me to be here at this time, it can refocus my view from the front porch.

Devotion to Others Part 2

2008-08-17T20:28:00.003-04:00

I am so excited to introduce you all to Rev. Melodie. Melodie is a Pastor, Pastor’s wife, mother, daughter and a beloved Front Porch sister. This week Melodie will write to us again this week on Devotion to Others. Melodie knows firsthand the demands of ministry on the family and who better to write to those of us who need encouragement in looking into our own homes, to our own families. I feel so blessed having read her view.
Please consider joining in with the Jericho March for Nick and Natalie. The information is in the last post.

Sweet Blessings for a wonderful week.
Laurie

Devotions to Others
by Melodie

I couldn't help but feel regret as I remembered how I rushed my elderly parents in the car this morning. They are both on walkers and my sons were assisting them to the minivan. I forgot that I had left all of my stuff for church in the kitchen and left my parents in the car for another twenty minutes as I searched the house frantically for my bible, my tote, and my dress shoes. I, too, had to count to see if they and my two sons were present and I was still late for intercessory prayer - again.

I am learning to settle in my spirit and let the Lord lead me, but had I not overslept, I would have had some sweet time with the Lord and he would have reminded to slow down and gather my things earlier. Instead, at 6:30 am, I was putting some last minute touches on an agenda for an important meeting after church service and I was worrying over all the details that I had forgotten while on vacation the previous week.

Sometimes I figure that I am doing enough for my family, my parents and my husband, but as I strive to serve them, many times I get so caught up in the doing that I too often forget to savor the purpose. The purpose is to be a blessing to those who need me and to focus on their needs more than my own. But is it a challenge! It's really hard when my 10 year old wants me to watch Nickelodeon when I would rather be taking a bubble bath or planning (and writing!) my ever evasive blog.

As a minister it seems that I've always been devoting my time for others. Yet, when other seem ungrateful, I sometimes tend to feel resentful and back off. I take the challenge of giving my all because I know that is what God wants from me. I purpose in my heart not to take score, but to serve as Jesus served, with a heart of compassion and readiness. I purpose to come out my protective zone and "do it anyway" just because.
Devoting myself to others won't be hard, the challenge is surrendering my flesh when it wants to do otherwise. I vow to seek Him early and listen with my spirit as He plans my day and orders my steps. The next time my husband wants me to share a bowl of soy ice cream (yuck!), I'm going to say yes (yikes!) and share not only the dessert but the moment.
When my teenage son wants me to sit at the computer and look at dream cars (and dream) I will close my Writer's Digest magazine and do exactly that. (I dream about the uncompleted novel that is dying to be published).
When my Mom and Dad want my undivided attention as they watch The Price is Right, I'm going to pay close attention and shout out a bid as if I were on Contestant's Row. And the next time my son wants me to watch a movie (Star Wars...again?...I prefer a romantic comedy any day), I'm going to sit patiently and enjoy the struggle between Luke Skywalker and his Dad, Darth Vader, while he pretends that he is fighting alongside Chewbacca.

There are other things that many would think I should be doing. Right now, though, this is what my family needs from me...the illusive tired ME! Sometimes devotion to others starts on the other side of the front porch...right in your own home.

I'm beginning today as I offer myself to God and to my family. I'm scheduling time for popcorn and a movie and I'm going to bid on the Showcase and win!

Blessings,Melodie
Only what you do for Jesus Christ will last.

Jericho March for Nick and Natalie

2008-08-15T21:30:00.004-04:00

Off to the right sidebar I have placed Tammy's last update on the most recent news on Nick's condition and below is an explanation of one of the most empowering ways to pray with impact that I have ever heard. I am awestruck at the concept and hope you will be to. I feel blessed to have such a committed way to pray for Nick and his friend Natalie who share in the same condition as you will read below. Please consider this Jericho March, as I get chills just thinking of all of us storming and marching around these two precious children in protection of them and their families.

The Jericho March- From Tammy

There is a girl who is battling brain cancer much like Nick who I have become connected with through a common friend. I recently discovered that they were planning a special prayer event for Natalie and talked with them about sharing our children's stories with each other's prayer warriors in order to increase the number of people praying for both Nick and Natalie.

Below is the basic explanation of the event from Natalie's website with the addition of Nick's name. Please join us in this critical time of prayer. Natalie is bedridden at this time. Nick only gets up if absolutely necessary. Both of these precious kids need miracles.

JERICHO MARCH
The apostle Paul said, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:3–5).
We are organizing a Jericho March for Nick and Natalie and their families to intercede to God on their behalf and to wage spiritual war on the enemy who will use lies to discourage and defeat everyone who is praying with and for the Nischans and Yokeleys. There is a website that explains this – how one woman studied and prayed over 2 Scriptures – Joshua 1-6 and Ephesians 6:10-18 – and prayed God’s will over a situation. She was led in prayer by the Holy Spirit. The site is http://www.navpress.com/EPubs/DisplayArticle/2/2.41.7.1.html
We can actively enter into this fight with Nick and Natalie and their families by committing to a Jericho March where we each commit to walk around our own neighborhood blocks once a day for 6 days praying against the enemy’s attempts to rob, defeat and destroy the faith and trust we have in God’s power. On the 7th day, we walk the same
route SEVEN times singing, praising God and declaring the works of the Lord on Nick and Natalie’s behalf. In one week’s time we believe, we EXPECT that we will be reading of tremendous breakthroughs and gains! We can invade the enemy’s camp and take back what he has stolen.
This is Biblical; this is pro-active. We invite everyone to join in and commit to this Jericho March for Nick and Natalie.
The Jericho March begins on August 18th for 6 days. On the 7th day, August 24th, walk
around your designated Jericho proclaiming the glory, majesty and power of the Almighty God!!

Please pass this on to all of your blogging friends! Please, please, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you.

Love, Tammy

Devotion to Others

2008-08-09T20:20:00.000-04:00

Women of our day get many conflicting messages. Media messages tell us about women that have it all. Working mothers with glamorous lifestyles, jet setting off to foreign countries to have babies and then one month later are a size four and back in their former working roles, with their adorably dressed tyke and nanny in tow. Their hair and nails are perfectly manicured and $2,000 jeans fitting better than what even photo shop could ever do for us.

There are seriously days I can’t wear flip flops because I haven’t even had a chance to clip my toenails, much less paint and perfect them. In fact, if you see my toe nails done at all it is because my mom treated me to a pedicure, which required six months of planning. Look out for the needs of others? I can barely get myself and my children bathed!

The commercials and professionals tell us we are worth it and if our needs haven’t been met we can’t provide for anyone else. We need “us” time they say Then on the other hand we also hear about a different perspective. We are told to care for others before ourselves and be a martyr for our children and husbands.

Don’t we all secretly strive to be that Proverbs 31 woman? I know I do. I have my lazy days where getting up before dawn to prepare meals, go trade stuff at the market and along with a host of other things that woman has perfected are just ain’t happening. In fact, there are days when I can barely get myself up an hour late, rush to gather my flock of children, dress them to at least the standards where no one will stare,(except for their faces- something’s are just too much) remembering lunches and book bags and my Bible for Bible study later that morning, and get my non-showered and greasy-haired self out the door just in time to arrive as the last few cars sneak into the carpool line with a tardy notice.

Really people, there are mornings I have to run back into the house for Poptarts or waffles because I realized as we were pulling out that I actually forgot to feed them. I kid you not, I think I count my children at least twice in the car just to make sure they are all there, out of fear that in a rush I might forget one of them. Plus, I am not the most competent mathematician, so it is good for me to always do a re-count.

What do we believe? Of course we must take some time to nurture and care for ourselves, but I am going to give you my prayerful perspective as to what a middle ground in these two worlds may be.

I agree with both. I think you do have to care for yourself before the needs of others and I also agree that you should put the needs of others before yourself. How can I agree with both of these conflicting statements? Because I know God and when you know God “need” takes on a new meaning as we realize a lot of those “needs” are actually wants.

I know that God is my caregiver and that when my heart is right with him I am fulfilled, with all my needs being making me full and capable of giving to others. Now In this season of my life my toenails may not be perfect, my outfit might be faded and last season with spit up on it. I may look hurried and my kids very likely will still have some remnant of breakfast on their faces, (keeping handi-wipes in the car helps a lot with this). But as long as I remembered that Bible and made time to actually read it and have time with my Lord, in true sincere prayer, he will provide and equip me, giving me just what I need to be able to reach out to others.

Maybe at this season of my life I don’t have as much to offer as those whose children are all in school, or whose children are grown, but those phases bring their own sets of challenges too. Just like the woman who gave all her coins when others only gave a small percent of what they have, God knows if we are giving what we really can. If we he have first spent our time with him and have prayed for his guidance over our lives and schedules we can with confidence take heart in our devotion to others.

We can always busy ourselves to a place where we can claim we have no more room, but God is asking us to delegate better, choose what really matters and give up some of the things that are giving us that immediate payoff(TV, Internet, vanity) and invest in things that have a kingdom payoff.

Challenge- If you find that you are overwhelmed, but yet you know you are not where you want to be doing God’s work. If you are saying you can’t squeeze one more thing in your life and you don’t know where to start, then spend some time with God, then ask him to take control over your schedule and your heart and help you find a way to make you more effective for him daily, which begins with you relationship with him.

If he fills you up first you will have everything you need to take care of you, as well as the time, desire, and perspective to devote to others. Lord knows if I got up early enough to have my time with God before the day begins(I’m a night owl) then we would have a lot less tardy notices.

Sweet Blessings,

Laurie

The Decision to Look

2008-08-02T22:23:00.003-04:00

Could the biggest barrier to reaching out to others possibly be our attitude, which reflects the condition of our hearts?

God has blessed us all, every single person, with unique and perfectly suited gifts and strengths. These were given to us to be used for him and his kingdom. They are perfect and are meant to impact the people God brings our way. Some of us have a harder time feeling gifted, but trust me God has not overlooked you, they are there, you just have to ask him to reveal them to you if you are unsure.

Proverbs 20:12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord.

Romans 12:6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

1 Corinthians 1:4
I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.

1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

1 Corinithians 12:11
It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

1 Corinthians 12:31
So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

2 Corinthians 9:11
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

If the state of our hearts keeps us from being able to find joy in all places in our life, even when things are difficult, even when things are devastating, than we may miss the people we are supposed to see and impact with the gifts God has given us uniquely because those people can see on our faces the truth of how we feel. If we don’t care about something, it shows.
Maybe we are thinking about that so-and-so who just cut us off or that ugly tone our spouse had on the phone. Maybe we are lost in thought over bills, children, work or school and on our face, without even realizing it we have gone the majority of our day seeing no one anywhere we went, but everyone else saw us with that big ole scowl on our face.
Proverbs 15:29
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;good news makes for good health.

Proverbs 18:1
Unfriendly people care only about themselves;they lash out at common sense.

I did this exact thing on Friday. I was so consumed in thought and what was going on in my own world that I got to the end of the day and I almost couldn’t even remember where I had been I was on serious autopilot, tunnel vision, or as my husband calls it “Laurie Land.”

You know- when you get home but you don’t really remember what direction you took, or someone is talking to you and half way through the conversation, there is no way around the fact that you don’t have a clue what they have just said…that is “Laurie Land.”

It’s not anger, frustration or anything really… a whole day of nothingness. Just traveling by, just visiting…no interactions, no memories of the faces or conversation of anyone or anything outside of my own head and honestly not much going on up there either.

Friday night I realized, I missed an entire day of work for God, and what for? I don’t even know. I did not begin that day with God, I did not have my prayer time with him, I did not set out with intention for anything at all. I was useless to God and when I finally realized it I was ashamed. Who had I missed today? Who did he need me to talk to or smile at? How serious are the consequences of my choice to be a big nothing all day?

Okay, I know for a fact that we all have these days and it is gonna happen, the point I was driving home to myself last night was that it would not be hard to slip into this pattern and before long not even realize I was doing it and that is when we become ineffective for God.

Proverbs 21:13
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poorwill be ignored in their own time of need.

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. Psalm 41:1

2 Corinthians 1:11
you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

How do we open our eyes?

Once we decide to look it means we accept that God is now in control of what we see rather than us being in control of what we choose to ignore.
Maybe this means that as we allow God to allow our eyes to fall on things that are unfair, unkind, unjust and we don’t let ourselves turn our gaze. Maybe what we see makes us fearful or uncomfortable, maybe it is hard to look at, but we trust in the Lord that he has a plan for why this was meant for your eyes.

Maybe he knows you’re a person of action and he needs action, maybe he knows you are a person of compassion and he needs compassion for one of his children, maybe he has gifted you as a person of words and has put you in a place where he needs words. One thing, however, if your heart is not willing to allow your eyes to look then it doesn’t matter what God has gifted you with, your gift will bear no fruit for him unless your heart is open to act for him.

1 Peter 4:11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

All talk-
Romans 16:18
Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

Ohhh, a biblical smooth talker. What does that look like? When I read this verse I of course think of a sales person who is only interested in profiting from you not benefiting you. Can we be smooth talkers even if we have nothing to sell? I think so. Most of us like being liked and want to be accepted and we spend time talking to others and being a part of experiences that allow us to be social and get to know people.

Is the person they are getting to know a smooth talker and all talk, but no action? I talk a lot. I love to talk. Am I saying anything at all of value? Please don’t ask my husband or children that question.
What I really mean is there anything valuable for God in what I am saying or am I simply deceiving innocent people to benefit my own personal interest? I hope the real me is not, but that autopilot Laurie I was talking about earlier certainly can. A glazed over smile and obviously empty attempt at conversation because I am really thinking about something that is more important to me right then.

But how can I stay in tune? How do I keep that station set, without static, to what God needs me to see and hear? It can be so hard.

Maybe if we look at things from the perspective of the one in need.
Philippians 2:3
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

At some point in our lives we will be that person in need. If we can look outward everyday from the perspective of what it feels to be in need, not for ourselves, but understanding what it feels like to be in need. Maybe there was a time of disappointment or feeling disheartened or letdown and no one called, no one smiled at you that day, a day when all you needed was a little kindness from even a stranger.

Psalm 69:20
Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me.

We have all been there at some time and how much faster we see God in a situation and can begin, or even just remember to lean on him rather than to keep plugging away without him can depend on the actions of others.
Remember that lost and abandoned feeling each day as you travel through your life and if you hold onto to the feeling of empathy towards others you are less likely to hold back on what God needs you to give.
It may not be money, it may not be a missions trip, it truly may be a smile or a short conversation or a complement. Do we not treasure a sincere complement?

Proverbs 15:23
A man has joy in an apt answer,And how delightful is a timely word!

This timely word could come at church, in the line for coffee, in the very long line at the grocery store, to total stranger who just for some reason captures your heart. God can use you anytime, anywhere and an act of Christian love or as some people like to call a random act of kindness, done a little less randomly, bears great fruit for God.

Challenge- Ponder your God given strengths; do you have the gift of hospitality, words, encouragement, listening, writing, intercession, speaking, being social… figure out a way to use these various gifts in a daily application and give it a try. See what happens and we would love to hear your story. Make a decision to engage someone in your day today and bless them by your unique God-given gifts.

Philippians 2:16:
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

Professional Greeter

2008-07-29T10:26:00.006-04:00

If you have read the NY Times Bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven, written by Don Piper, you will probably remember him talking about people "greeting" him in heaven. Some of these people were family and people he would expect to be there and then he talks about people who had been impactful in his life and in his faith walk. A few months ago when I read this book this particular part of the book really made me think about our lives in heaven and our "jobs" so to speak.

I stopped mid-chapter and walked into the kitchen and like a six-year-old proclaims their desire to be a vet, police man, doctor, or in my sons case the garbage man, I announced to my husband, proudly, that I wanted to be a professional greeter in Heaven!

Say what!? Oh, my sweet husband...in our house it is kind of like Dezi Arnez and Lucille Ball..."Lucy, you got some splainin to do!" He has put up with countless schemes and tolerated, with the most love, my somewhat silly quirks.

I went on to explain about Mr. Piper's book, which he was also reading at the same time.

In heaven, we will all certainly be praising God and working hard for the kingdom of heaven, I said. Maybe a little divine gardening and buffing the streets of gold, but as my mind wandered a little bit farther I told him that I started to wonder about those people that would come to the gate for me.

Who would welcome me? I'm sure my grandparents, my sweet infant son and others who have passed on before me and who have been impactful in my life would be there.

Without a doubt, I think they will greet me and walk me to my Lord and Savior.

But for me the question was...who will I greet? I guess everyone considers family members as a given, but I think what God was trying to show me through this book was that we should all strive to be professional greeters. If I were to leave this world today, who would I greet? If I live another 60 years will that number change at all? If I only had a few days or a few years how would that number change? Going through a life-threatening illness as a young adult really drives home the notion of live for each day.

The number of my days has already been decided, but what I do with them has not. I want to be so impactful here on earth that I don't have anytime to do any other job in heaven. I want to be so busy going back and forth to that gate welcoming people that there simply isn't time for anything else until his kingdom is complete.

So how do I do this? I have to tell you as much as I love people I am an unlikely choice for a greeter. I get nervous around others, I have a few close trusted friends and I absolutely did not get the gift of hospitality as much as it is a desire of my heart.

But...maybe I could help plant a seed in someone's faith walk or led by an example to someone who was watching closely looking for God, maybe a random act of kindness or a specific act done with intention, but certainly not by allowing myself to focus only on what I don't have to give. God gave me a heart that desires to please and as I struggle with this people pleasing personality and knowing how devastating it can be in my own life, God has allowed me to start looking at it from a different angle.

Instead of being a people pleaser I need to turn that energy into pleasing the only one that matters...him. If I do that I will be effective for him and pleasing to him, as well as to others, but in a healthy and productive way.

Surely once I am in heaven all my insecurities will have been washed away and I will be able to stand at that gate and shake hands, make chit-chat and hug without feeling that queasy nervousness that I get now, but if I don't let God help me focus my attention on others and be a willing servant despite my busy, hectic life, my dreams of professional greeter in heaven are a wash.

This moment, this decision, is a big part of what began this blog. Unless we are willing to begin each day with God and allow ourselves to invest in the lives of others then we are missing the chances he gives us to bless and be blessed. If we desire to be impactful for his kingdom than we have to be willing to give away some time, some comfort zone, some luxuries in order to put ourselves in the places where he can use us.
Maybe it is just down the street or off in another land, but if we don't decide, with intention, to be his hands and feet than there will be a whole lot less greeting going on in heaven and a lot less people being greeted.

I have a long way to go, but God please guide me. Keep my heart open and willing and accepting of those people who, for whatever reason, have come into my path this day and need something that you have equipped me with. Even in my difficult moments and my own personal challenges give me the strength and character to see others. I only have a certain number of days here. Help me make the most of each one for you.

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

Prayer Vigil from the Porch

2008-07-26T20:52:00.004-04:00

In lieu of our regular Sunday blog on the Porch the ladies and I, instead, would like to focus on the prayer vigil this evening for Nick Nischan. Please read below the latest blog from Nick's Web site and we ask that if you join us this week on The Porch that you would take one minute to send a quick email to this sweet young boy to let him know that you are praying for him.

The struggles that this child has seen in his short 13 years is far beyond what most of us can comprehend, and yet he has done it with abiding faith in our Lord. Please take just one moment to thank God for him and encourage him with an email to let him know you are praying. Trust me, you don't have to know him to pray for him, love him or encourage him.

Sometimes it is the love and support of people you have never met that can have the most impact.

Blessings,
Laurie

From Nick's Site-

We are asking for special prayer Sunday evening the 27th from 7 to 7:30 for Nick's important and very critical tests on Monday morning at 8:15 a.m. in Cincinnati. They will be doing a bone scan on Nick to determine if the reading of "cancer in his vertebrae" is accurate. We are praying that it is simply the regeneration of bone marrow. If this is the case, then Nick's prognosis will be much better! Please join us in this prayer time if you can! Email us at nicksprayerwarriors@yahoo.com to let us know if you are a prayer warrior for Nick...we are trying to let him know how many people all over the world are praying for him! Thank you so much! We love you!

Life Simplified- The people in the prayers

2008-07-20T13:17:00.004-04:00

Hello all and welcome back to the Front Porch!
We hope that this blog is blessing your life in someway.

This week we asked you to pray for our friend and Front Porch sister Tammy and her son Nick and she has asked that we thank you for those prayers. So many prayers were said for Nick and so many people attempted to access his Web site that it actually exceeded the number of hits that the server allowed last week. Isn't God amazing. He sends people into our lives and shows us that through prayer and a willingness to invest in others that we can make a real difference; all for his glory!

We hope that you will continue to keep Nick and the entire family in your prayers.

Can you think of anyone more fitting to talk to us about prayer than Tammy? She offered last week, on the same day of Nick's MRI results, to write the blog for this week, despite great concern over the recent set back in Nick's condition. That is faith! I just know that Tammy's words and thoughts are going to bless you this week.

Tammy wrote a blog on Tuesday, which was wonderfully written, yet at the end of the week she felt like something may have been missing so she re-wrote it and with her permission I am going to post both bc I think they are both wonderful.

Here is the direct link to the blog on Nick's Web site.
http://www.nick7-11.zoomshare.com/3.shtml

Have a wonderful and blessed week!

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

My Porch of Prayer
by
Tammy Nischan

Most every morning I head to my back porch (only because it is a little more private than my front porch) for some quiet time with God and His Word before I begin my day. It is in this time of solitude that I have a chance to share with God what is on my heart and soul. It is also in this time that God speaks to me through Scriptures, through nature, and through the silence of the morning.

Many times I carry personal concerns and fears to God. I try to balance my requests with praise and adoration for His Son and for His never-ending love and mercy. But I have found that when I begin to lift up those I love to God with the same passion that I have when lifting my own family I grow deeper and deeper in my relationship with my Creator.

I remember a little portion of a poem that my roommate had hanging on the mirror in our dorm room years ago in college. It said,

“Lord, let me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others.”

I love this poem. The depth of its words haunted me at the young age of 18....”Oh, to have a prayer life that was so “others” oriented!!!!” That was what I longed for!

Many, many years have passed. The opportunity to pray for others has been placed in my lap over and over again. Often I have said, “I'll be praying for you,” or “I'll keep you in my prayers,” only to discover that the prayer never left my lips or entered my heart. Saddened, I would experience great times of guilt and anxiety wondering how I could become the prayer warrior I longed to be.

I have found that keeping a prayer journal helps greatly. Jotting down who you are praying for and why helps to keep you focused so that, like the disciples, you do not drift off to sleep while bringing requests before God. Also, a prayer journal gives you a way to “look back” and see how God has worked and answered your prayers in direct and indirect ways. This written record truly deepens your faith in the power of prayer and gives you the opportunity to continue praying for those whom requested prayer months before. Often seeing someones name and need in your journal will serve as a gentle nudge to send a note or make a phone call or even send an email. And many times God actually uses these acts of kindness as part of the answer to the very prayers we have been praying! Isn't God amazing!? We can pray that someone will feel encouraged, and then almost without even realizing it, we can be the encourager and the answer to our own prayers for someone else.

Also, I have found that praying immediately is a gift that we often overlook. While with someone or on the phone with someone, why not simply say, “Can I pray with you right now?” These spontaneous prayers can be so powerful! I have one friend who will hug me and begin praying over my shoulder. It is so comforting to hear words being lifted to My Father concerning my life from the mouth of a precious friend.

When we step out and start praying deep, genuine prayers for others, we take a risk. The risk is that we will hurt with them and cry with them. The reward is that we will also celebrate with them. Why not start having a risk-taking prayer life? Share your porch of prayer with those who need it!

Prayer on my Front Porch and Back Porch and Everywhere I Walk and Breathe

by Tammy Nischan

I sent Laurie an article on prayer that was probably practical in some ways, but it wasn't a heartfelt writing from my soul to yours. It was an article. Here's my heart:

Through this journey with Nick my relationship with God has become the one and only relationship that matters............I mean really, really matters. I long for Him. I seek Him in His Word every chance I can. I see Him in nature. I hear Him in my children's voices and actions. I feel Him when the wind blows.

Prayer has become so less complicated for me as I have learned that talking with God is no different than talking with your oldest and dearest friend............a friend that never fails, never gives up, never forsakes, never leaves, never judges, never grows weary or tired. A friend whose promises are true! A friend who can carry all that we have on our hearts and then carry even more.

Oh, prayer. What a gift.

If I could unwrap the most beautiful package by undoing a silver bow and pulling away shiny paper, in it I would be content to simply find the gift of prayer.

When we lose someone we love, what do we miss the most? Their voice. The ability to talk with them. God gave us the gift of prayer so that even though Jesus had to return to Him for a time, we could still TALK with Him and He could speak to us through His Word.

Revelation 3:20 says,
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Embrace the gift of prayer. Listen for God, open the door to your heart, and fellowship with the Creator of the Universe.......................He is knocking and waiting to hear from you! Whether you are on your front porch, your back porch, or somewhere in between.................spend time in prayer.

Thank you for every prayer for my son Nick.

Listening,
Tammy
www.tammynischan.blogspot.com
www.nick7-11.zoomshare.com

This weeks challenge is to begin a prayer journal if you haven't already. This is something that seems like a good idea, but you don't realize the extent of the power and impact it will have on your life and relationship with God and others until you do it. Put it down someplace that you often pray; maybe in the car or by your bedside, by your computer, on the fridge even. Each week write down people you have offered to pray for, as well as open your heart to whomever God might be leading you to pray for then use the journal as a reminder of your promises to others. We all have great intentions but life takes over. This is a simple tool to hold us close to our word and keep us close to God.

Urgent Prayers Needed for our Tammy and Nick

2008-07-16T13:49:00.004-04:00

Friends,

I would like to share with you an urgent prayer request for one of our Front Porch Sisters who needs you right now. You may have seen her picture on this site, you may know her personally or you may have never heard her name, but Jesus has called us in Galatians 6:2 to "Share each others burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."

Even if you have never met her God has led you to this site where you could see her name, hear her story and pray for her son. You are now a part of his plan for reaching out to her family and covering them in prayer.

There is an amazing young boy named Nick. Nick is Tammy's son(check out bios down right side of blog) who has been battling brain cancer since he was 6. He is now 13 and has been in and out of remission, but an MRI Tuesday morning resulted in devastating news for their family.

Nick's cancer has returned and he has a tumor in his brain, a second tumor or bleed on the top of his head and a bone cancer of sorts in one of his vertebrae. This godly woman has not only watched her son battle this cancer, with 5 brain surgery's, spinal surgery, chemo and more, she also lost a baby daughter to SIDS, and has four other children, one adopted from India, yet her focus remains steadfast on the Lord and his plan.

The afternoon of her sons MRI results, instead of crawling in a corner, which I can imagine most of us would do, she asked me if she could write our next Front Porch blog, which ironically is on prayer. Nick was, at that time, playing in the pool despite the recent news. The tumor is inoperable and this family does not know what the next step will be.

They have reached out and asked that if anyone has any medical resources, knowledge or knows any avenues they could pursue to please post here. They are desperately praying over the right direction for Nick.

God is not done here. I fully believe the answers may lie with someone who might just be passing by. God is that amazing! I absolutely believe that God can turn this diagnosis and situation around and make it be a miraculous healing for his glory, and your prayers can make that happen. I believe he is using this site and others to rally an army of prayer warriors for Nick and we are boldly asking for 100% healing of his physical body; respecting God's will, yet rejoicing in the fact that with God all things are possible.

He has called on us to pray for this child and I promise, if you will allow yourself to set your fears aside and check out Nick's site all about his journey, you will not come away fearful. You will come away blessed by this amazing joy-filled child who has the strength of character that we can only hope to have if ever tested by such a fire.

This site was created when God put it on my heart that we needed a place to come together as women and challenge ourselves to reach out beyond our comfort zone and through baby steps begin acting with intention each day. Right now you don't have to look very far to find one of God's sweet daughters who needs you.

Please come back on Sunday to be blessed by Tammy's blog about prayer.

You can read Nick's story at http://www.nick7-11.zoomshare.com/ Allow yourself to leap and invest in the life of another. Your prayers can make a difference.

You can leave your prayers or encouraging messages for Tammy here in the comments section, or at her blog which is http://www.tammynischan.blogspot.com

Blessings,
Laurie

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Gal 6:2

2008-07-12T22:53:00.003-04:00

Sunday’s “View from The Front Porch” in the west

One of my favorite things to do, is to rise early, and with my cup of coffee in hand, sit quietly, reverently and contemplatively on my little Front Porch as the Sun begins to peak over the landscape from the East. Not that this can happen on a daily basis, mind you, but, it is one of my favorite times, (especially on the first day of the week) when I can indulge in this activity and let the coolness of the early morning soak into my mind and bones before the typical Summer heat invades the day.

Now, don’t misunderstand, I love this area of the State that I have called “Home”, for over 20 years now…it’s just the months between June and September that I hate (well, actually that’s a pretty strong word, hate, but lets just say that I have never liked, or tolerated excessive heat, with temperatures rising from 102 to 120 on a day to day basis!)

So what in the world would I be doing, you might ask, locating in an area with that climate history? Well…it’s because I love everything else about this area, the beautiful Mountains and Lakes and rural surroundings, the People, the Sense of Community and that small town feel, these are all the things that first drew me and keep me here, so guess you might say that I’ve learn to tolerate the triple digit summer days, and as often as possible, to prepare myself, I get out early in the morning, to water the potted plants and to allow myself the much needed time to the drink in the refreshing of this time of day. Spending a while contemplating and pondering and preparing my mind, body and soul for the day, helps me endure what follows, non-stop HEAT !!! I’m talking, sweltering, smothering stifling…….H E A T!!!!!!!

Isn’t that just like life? Unless we spend a few quiet moments in communication with our Creator to give us the peace and refreshment and focus for our day, the heat of life, just comes searing in!! It’s not exactly the same scenario for each of us, but without a doubt, when we just start to feel that we are getting it together, feeling pretty darned comfortable, and confidant about our lives, …...life happens!!!! Just like that heat of summer, it saps our strength and leaves us drained emotionally, physically and spiritually and, it seems to get more and more stressful and demanding and draining, day by day. The more we seem to gain in wisdom, maturity, life experience , those creature comforts that we all love and need, financial security, technology and time saving helpers, the greater the pressure to go go go, and do do do……..“multi-tasking ”

( now that, is a Millennial word for sure!! ) This technology- driven society has learned to do a minimum of 6 things at once, compared to a generation or two ago when Monday was simply washday!! And, despite our abilities to juggle all these stresses and demands, it still feels as though we are falling behind in the race of life.
There are times , in my mind, that I swear I hear those high, squeaky voices of the little mice, from Disney’s Cinderella movie singing, ( at Warp Speed) … “ Cinde rell e, Cinde rell e, all I hear is CINDE rel lE , ..from the moment that I wake up, there calling calling, calling!!!!!” you can do it, you can do it Cinder ell e!” ……. sound a little too familiar??? Too many pressures, too many demands, too much to think about and never enough time to do it all!! Just as the smothering excessive heat stifles our strength, so does the heat from the demands of life!! So many to care for, so much left undone, so many needs that we can never hope to meet, worthy causes, important commitments, ……worries, anxieties, pressures, demands!! There it is again, that annoying high and screechy sound of the mice singing. ..only, now, it seems to be my name inserted in the verse!!!!

For heaven’s sake, I scream to that song in my mind. Today is Sunday, A day of rest, and already I am facing the next weeks pace.

During my quite time today, I began to consider the ways that we cope with the increasing daily demands and psychological pain ( guilt, or anger over what we can’t control ) those issues that we each face, and that seem to rule our days…we run, we hide, we long to ESCAPE!!! We hang imaginary signs on our Doors and Hearts that say “ DO NOT DISTURB!!” (….L E A V E ME ALONE!! I NEED SPACE…I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE!!!!!! I am (sun) Burned Out!! ) Are you relating at all???? Why do we let it get away from us, or why do we look for substances and sources to try to mask the feelings, that we know we shouldn’t be feeling…could there be a disconnect between our heart knowledge and the reality of what we are living? My head seems to know the right way to handle this, but am I able to do this on my own??? Not a chance!! I’ve tried and failed miserably!!

In my own personal experiences, I’ve learned ( mostly the hard way, I admit ) that those times of “burn out” can only fully be restored and refreshed when I go to the right source. Not the easiest source, always, as I tend to want to vent first to a friend, or scream at my cat, or overreact to my family, or some other activity that is fruitless.

Though we can’t often control the degree of the “heat” (those “ Heated” pressures and concerns that literally dry up our “bones” ) we can, I’ve found, “insulate” ourselves by taking some early morning time, to rest by the Still, Refreshing Waters of Gods Word, and to drink in the life giving refreshment before facing the inevitable and unforeseen searing heat of the days we will face.

When our Daughter was small we taught her, (probably as you have as well) when crossing the street, to STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN ( for impending danger) . What good advice for us, in facing the heat of the day, as we:

· STOP Find a place and a time to hesitate, preferable early in the morning before the HEAT of our day begins, sit down quietly and rest, and refocus on the Source of Life, just BASK in His glory…you don’t have to do much else, as HE is ready and able to do what is needed from this point.

· LOOK …. look up, Psalm 123 tells us this, and when we look UP, rather than down at what is facing us, we can see that all around us is the evidence of the handiwork of the Master Architect, who created everything we see, for His Pleasure, and our enjoyment. He is the one who created US, to commune intimately with, and be refreshed by HIS strength, and not our own, (or worse, some foreign substance that is only temporary) and remember as you LOOK UP, that HE is the TRUE Time Keeper of life, and when we let HIM orchestrate our time schedule, and “insulate” us, we will endure the heat of the day so much better

AND THEN, we must…………………
· LISTEN … That means, don’t talk!!!, and trust me when I tell you, this is a challenging one for me, as I am quite a talker … but, just wait, with His Word sitting right in front of you, Is always a good thing ,…and just let his spirit speak to your soul, and to guide and direct you to the very spot that you need, for the very tasks that this new day will hold !!

Most all of us are familiar with Psalm 23, the shepherds Psalm… which is one of my earliest memory verses, but have you ever stopped to realize that it says “He maketh me” to lie down in Green ( restful, restorative, nourishing) Pastures, and Not that .. He “ leteth me” lie down? Sometimes, I just keep on pressing on, trying to handle, balance and endure the heat in my life.

Maybe it could be, I’m thinkin’, that He is allowing the impending “searing heat” of the day ahead, to drive us to lie down, and look to the One who comforts, protects and restores our body, mind and souls. Maybe we don’t need to run and hide, or turn to something ( or someone) that never fully satisfies, and just maybe we can keep those old “DO NOT DISTURB" Signs in the drawer, because when our hearts are fixed on him, it’s only then, that we are truly at Peace and Rest and ready to face the day, under the Shadow of His Wings, where, no matter how hot they day gets, we will be sheltered.

Well, I think I am ready to face the day now, and hope you will be too. Knowing that whatever degree the temperature reaches, we can withstand it. And, I pray that each of us will remember confidently that, no matter what we face this hour, day, or week, we will never face it unarmed, unprotected or without strength, if we come to the Source of Living Water before attempting to face the heat of the day :

Ps 23 NIV : The Lord is my Shepherd, protector, defender, and RESTORER of my soul
Ps 92: 13-14 The Righteous SHALL flourish, in the courts of the Lord, still bear fruit in old age, and be FRESH and Green.
Jer 17:8 ( we will be like) A Tree planted by the water, who sends out roots and WILL NOT WITHER in the Heat of the day!!

Read Psalm 92 ( a Song for the Sabbath)

Stay Cool, my Friends, no matter what the temperature, where you reside, and hopefully you will join me on the “ Porch in the West, next time, as I dig a bit deeper into the issue of the “ DO NOT DISTURB” SIGNS that we place over our hearts.

Praying with, and encouraging you till then,

Sharon

Front Porch Challenge for this week-
Attemp to carve out some time for God each morning so that you can arm yourself with his word and begin the day with a heart prepared to look for him in everything. If you do this with intention make metal or written notes about any changes you may notice in your week this week so that you can come back to the porch and share them with us.

Missed Opportunities by Cyndie Truax

2008-07-04T23:14:00.000-04:00

I didn’t ever meet her; I never knew her name; the sound of her voice never graced my ears. She was from a world completely unlike anything I’d ever known and she changed my life forever.

As a senior in college I felt like I had the world at my fingertips. I was blessed to be engaged to a wonderful Godly man who loved me more than I’d ever known. I was working in an internship that was a great addition to my resume as well as decent money, and I was looking forward to tossing up the graduation cap and facing the world head on! Life was good. Life was orderly and well planned out. In many ways, life was just beginning.

As I saw her walking along the railroad tracks that day, I remember thinking how out of place she seemed. In a very wealthy suburb outside of Boston, it was typical to see signs of the ‘better’ side of life. Boats in tow behind expensive SUV’s, mothers running in and out of boutiques along the street, people scurrying about with Starbucks cups in their hands.

And yet, there she stood that fall morning as I drove to work; her long salt and pepper hair badly mangled from what clearly had been years of outdoor living. She carried with her a mangy bag that undoubtedly held all of her worldly possessions, and she wore a holey long mauve winter coat that was covered in patches of dirt and mud.

As I saw her struggling under the load of her bag with the cold Boston air whipping against her face, I couldn’t help but wonder what her story was. How did she end up in this place? Did she have anyone else in life or was she limited to this solitary existence? Where was she going and where did she come from? My heart ached for her.

As the months dragged on, I began to look for her each day as I passed the railroad tracks. Despite the different lives we were living, we clearly had one thing in common - we were both tied to a schedule. And so, each morning around 8:17am, I would anticipate my daily ‘meeting’ with this woman who had stolen my heart.

As our paths crossed day after day, I often wondered if I should stop. Maybe I could offer to buy her a cup of coffee or give her a lift to her destination? And yet, just as quickly as these thoughts entered my mind, they were lost in the world of “what if”.

What if she’s a psycho who murders me? What if she doesn’t want my company? What if she thinks I’m crazy? And so, the days dragged on and we remained nameless in one another’s eyes.

It wasn’t until months later, in the midst of a winter nor’easter that I learned the lesson the Lord had been preparing for me.

With the snow moving in all around, the roads had already become unsafe. I called my fiancé and told him I would be heading back to campus and asked him to wait for me at my apartment to be sure that I made it home safely.

As I drove down the road with wiper blades swishing from side to side, I tried to do all I could to keep the car from sliding on the wet, winding pavement. As the snow piled up, I began praying, “Lord, help me get home, help me get home.” My body was tense and my eyes in full alert mode as I rounded the corner that ran along the train tracks.

And there she was.

Though I had never seen her before on my afternoon commute, there she was; walking along the road with her head bowed and her eyes wincing from the bitter cold snow that was pelleting her face. Her mauve coat was hardly noticeable under the layer of fluff that covered her body and it was clear that with each step came an excruciating amount of pain. The wind encircled her and my mind began to race.

“Lord, she’s going to die out here! Where is she going? She needs to find shelter! Lord, she’s going to die!” In many ways I felt as if I was watching a friend suffer a tragic and horrible end.

“I need to do something! Should I pick her up? Where would I take her?”

And yet, the very minute those thoughts entered my mind, I felt myself giving into the fear again. “What if she’s crazy? What if I end up dead? What would my parents or my fiancé say?”

And so, I gripped the wheel tightly and continued on my way, offering up a silent prayer that the Lord would protect my unknown friend.

By the time I reached my apartment I could barely breathe. I opened the door, ran in and began sobbing as I recounted the entire story of this woman who had been a silent part of my life and how I left her to suffer alone. Donn listened intently and then said, “Cyndie, we need to go back. If we don’t, you will spend the rest of your life wondering what could have happened.”

We jumped in the car and drove 10 miles back up the road that had now become treacherous under winter’s wrath. When we got to the area where my unknown friend had been, we scoured the streets searching for any sign of her. We drove in and out of side roads, pulled into parking lots and peered in shop windows.

“Where was she?”

“What have I done?”

“Oh, Lord, please don’t let her die out here!”

She was nowhere to be found. She was gone.

As we crawled along the road that night and headed back to the warmth and comfort of our cozy shelter, tears streamed down my face and I realized one of the biggest lessons in my life.

I had missed out on an opportunity to be used by God.

I had missed out on an opportunity to be blessed by God.

How many times have we allowed the opportunity to simply pass us by? How many times have we taken all we have for granted or made excuses for why we are not “equipped” to bless someone else? How many times has our calendar been too booked or our wallet been too small? How many times have our jobs taken priority or our favorite TV show been on? How many times have we known what God was calling us to be a part of, but we’ve turned and walked away instead?

As I lay under the warmth of my down comforter on that blistery winter night I made a declaration to God. Never again would I ignore the tugging that He placed upon my heart.

If we’re really honest about it; we all know what God’s tugs feel like. It’s that moment when you feel absolute certainty that God is asking you to do something. It’s the feeling you get when something that seems absurd in the world’s eyes, makes absolute sense in your heart because you know WHO is guiding your steps. It’s the feeling I had on that day when I passed my friend by in her moment of great need.

Proverbs 14:4 says, “An empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable.”

My life was tidy and orderly back on that fateful winter day. I had a fiancé, a good job and an entire future to look forward to. In many ways, I had a very “clean stable”. It was nice that it stayed clean. It felt safe and comfortable. It felt predictable and soothing. It was peaceful. It was my comfort zone.

I wonder how many of us live in a world of “clean stables?” A clean and tidy life is a wonderful thing; don’t get me wrong; but, how many of us refuse to allow God to use us for fear that it may mess up our comfortable lives? What if I invite that needy person in for dinner and the neighbors see? What if I have to give up some of my “coffee money” to help out a friend who’s just lost their job?

What if?? What if?? What if??

“An empty stable stays clean, BUT NO INCOME COMES FROM AN EMPTY STABLE.”

If we think of “income” as the blessing we receive from our efforts, then we quickly realize that, according to God’s Word, sometimes it takes getting messy in order to receive God’s blessings. If we sit around in our neat, tidy and comfortable lives (clean stable), we will receive no blessing (income).

What is your “clean stable”? What mess are you trying to avoid but know God is calling you toward? Is it the alcoholic that needs a listening ear? Is it the child from down the street who has a broken home? Is it the pregnant teenager who is scared and alone?

As you look at the world from the view on your front porch, what is it that God is leading you to step into? Open your heart to the Lord’s promptings and don’t miss the blessings that He has for your life.

As you feel led

2008-07-01T18:59:00.001-04:00

As you read and ponder the weekly posts, I hope that you will share your experiences as you feel led. We so desire for this to be an interactive conversation between women(men don't be afraid your always welcome) who are ready to start challenging themselves in their faith walk to consider how each day they are serving others in the name of Jesus.

I hope that as you share your comments and stories you will reap the benefits of knowing that you have encouraged others walking along with you. Your story could mean all the difference in someones day, even their life. If God speaks to you this week or something in the weekly post spoke to your heart, we would love to hear about it!

Sweet Blessings,
Laurie

Obstructed View

2008-06-28T13:25:00.001-04:00

As we dive into this new online ministry experience of looking at the world from our front porches and beyond, it would be appropriate to take into consideration what possibly is obstructing our view.

The first thing that comes to my mind is last summer. One day the neighborhood builder began building houses directly across the street and every single day at about 7am the banging and drilling and sawing would start.

This went on for about nine months until they had finally moved down the street enough where it wasn't in my face all the time. During that nine months, however, we had a view of construction dumpsters, porta- potties, lumber and cement trucks parked in front of our house.

At first this was a real nuisance and everyday we would say how we couldn't wait until they were done. After a month or two we were so used to this intrusion that we hardly even noticed it anymore. It was still technically an inaccurate view for us even though we were accustomed to it. These people, workers and trucks were obstructed the beautiful landscape that was previously in it's place and the new houses and neighbors that would follow their completion. It was temporary. At first I was keenly aware that my view was being obstructed and I even disliked sitting on my porch. Who wants to look at a dumpster?

One day while I was still in school and taking Spanish classes I noticed that from my front porch I could hear Mexican music playing from the inside of the houses in mid-construction and I sat down in my rocker and listened to see if I could understand any of what was being sung. I caught a word here or there and was fairly tickled with myself. We decided to take a walk. One step off of that porch and I could see the men who were singing, joyfully I might add, to that music. A quick "hola" as I passed by with my two boys.

I knew that my view had been obstructed, but I chose to look ahead and long for the time for when it would no longer be obstructed rather than step off my porch and work within that obstructed view of which I had no control over. Here God had been equipping me with those Spanish classes and I was so focused on why it was important for me(to graduate), rather than why it was important for him. Who knows how many opportunities I missed during that time when my eyes were focused on me rather than him. This is an example of something so very small, and it still is small because I never gave it to God to let him make it something much bigger.

I would imagine an obstructed view could be just about anything. Maybe a health condition, a hardened heart towards a spouse who isn't living up to your expectations is obstructing your view; maybe you have a lot of trash(baggage, unwanted responsibilities), in your life cluttering your view, or maybe maybe it's dissatisfaction in your life in any number of ways. What is causing you to say no to God or say nothing at all? What things in your life are obstructing your vew of God and makig you trick yourself into believing you are doing all you should be? I am the queen of this one. I can trick myself into thinking just about anything. God knows I'm tired and had a long day. He will understand. He knows I will try harder tomorrow. All those tomorrows start to add up and then I don't even have a starting point any longer. Let this be your starting point.

Maybe you don't have a front porch to sit on and watch the world and you long for a front porch like your neighbor has, and instead of figuring out a way to get a side porch or simply pull up a chair and sit in your driveway, you choose to stay inside out of anger or resentment. Whatever it is it that is obstructing your view is causing you to not even see the people God desires for you to see, or be in the places where you can do his work.

We have to let God clear our view through prayer and living with the intention that our first purpose here, each day, despite all our other responsibilities, is to give ourselves to him daily in complete trust and commitment so that we can be open vessels for him ready to do his tasks for the day.

I have my to-do lists just like everyone else. Mine are very likely also categorized, color-coded and sometimes highlighted(we have already established that I am a dork), but when I look at those long lists of tasks that are so important I can't risk forgetting so I must write them down, do I see any of the tasks that God has for me? Do I even see anything on my to-do list that gives me the channels or opportunity(prayer, Bible study) to be in a position to hear or know what Gods tasks are me for that day?

My first act as a woman of intention is to make out my Monday to-do list and include in there, first, at the top of the list, God's tasks for me, or at least the things that will give me the opportunity to start moving those dumpsters away from my view and see better what my view actually looks like.

He can help me see what my view really looks like and if it still looks obstructed for a time, maybe it is for a very real reason. Even in that obstructed view I can still do good work for God and as long as I desire it he will show me the people he wants me to see. We can't always have a perfectly unobstructed life, but with God leading the way we can have clear sight on how to navigate through those obstructions. He can't show us if we don't ask with intention.

I hope you will challenge yourself this week to figure out the things that are obstructing your view. What is keeping you from seeing more clearly understanding what God wants you to see. I know for me it is a daily challenge. I have to put him at the top of the to-do list and make sure that gets checked off first. Maybe, who knows, the rest of the list would make more sense, get done more efficiently and be far more impactful for his kingdom if I allow myself to surrender to his to-do list first.

I would love your comments on how to include God on your to-do lists. I certainly need suggestions.

I think I will highlight God in pink...it is my favorite color.

Some verses to ponder-

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 5:16 (Whole Chapter) And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind.

John 9:4 (Whole Chapter) We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. [ Other manuscripts read I must quickly carry out the tasks assigned me by the one who sent me; still others read We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me.] The night is coming, and then no one can work.

John 10:25 (Whole Chapter)
Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name.

Sweet Blessings!
Laurie

What is "The View from the Front Porch" all about?

2008-06-06T15:24:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Front Porch!!!

The inspiration for the front porch began with the reflections of my own personal relationship with Jesus and how I desired to be his hands and feet each day.

Why the Front Porch?

I spend a lot of time on my front porch. I read, write and pray out there. I sit in my rocking chair next to my husband, or with my children in my lap and we enjoy the simple things. It is a peaceful, beautiful and reflective place for me, filled with the smells of jasmine and sights of my favorite flowers. The joy and peace I feel here often leads me into prayer.

One day the peacefulness of my front porch was interrupted on one side with the loud, highly inappropriate music of my next door neighbors teen sons. This went on for hours and was coupled with the unrelenting barking of the large dog of my neighbor on the other side. Both of these neighbors made my skin crawl with their goings on, and I felt the solace of my favorite place being ripped from me and my heart being hardened to someone I hardly knew.

Not long after that incident I found myself in sincere spiritual turmoil over my lack of compassion and love for my neighbors. I was pretty appalled by my thoughts. God calls us very simply to love our neighbors, whether they be courteous or not, clean or not, wealthy or not, or even nice. He calls us to love all people as our neighbors, regardless of how far from the comfort of our homes they may be. He certainly calls us to reach out to those, who are, often times, way out of our comfort zone. We have many examples from Jesus of exactly how we are to do this.

Sometimes in our everyday lives of being wives, mothers, business women, sisters and well-intentioned, but sinful disciples, the view of God's world and God's people is blocked. Our focus, sometimes out of survival, turns inward to the daily routine we face with our jobs and families. I am one of those people, well meaning, but with a large fence up around my life, unable or unwilling to peek above it, and heaven forbid actually open the gate and step into the unknown. I would like to believe that because I go on an occasional mission trip or participate in acts of service through my church, that makes it okay. God is clearly telling me it is not enough.

The challenges in my life have shown me first hand people who know what it means to step out of their world for God. They obeyed his call to them and they stepped out of their comfort zone and away from the focus of their own lives for me. He has shown me what it means to have random acts of kindness done simply to let another person know they are loved by God.

What would happen if we each walked out of our homes each day with the intention to find at least one person, that day, that God meant for us to be Christ for? What if it was their moment of desperation and he knew our hearts were willing and open to his call? What kind of impact could that have? I hope this blog will serve as a place where we can find this out, at least from our earthly view. We won't know the full impact until we see God, but I'm okay with that.

God has put it heavy on my heart that it is now time to use the lessons learned from the challenges in my life and to join with other women who feel the same call in their hearts. I know God has exactly the people in mind he wants to see this blog. What is the view from your front porch? Are you like me and feel happy and content with your view and annoyed when the outside world comes in, and in any number of ways, messes with you view? Do you feel God telling you to you pull out some binoculars and look a little farther; that there is life beyond what you can see?

The content of this blog will be focused on practical ways that we, in the many different places and seasons of our lives, can take steps to reach out for Jesus in every aspect of our lives. We can be his hands and feet each day, without compromising our families; in fact, we all know that when we allow ourselves to be working disciples for God and focused on his plan, he blesses you in ways you could not have imagined.

If you feel called by God to look outside of your own life and step into the water and walk towards Jesus, so that he can use you to bless someone else, then this is the blog for you.

Each week we will write using God's word, personal reflections, as well as the contributions from readers and inspiring stories from around our world. Some will challenge you(and myself) to serve the Lord that week in a specific way and other times just hopefully inspire and encourage you to be Jesus for someone. You will get to know the other "sisters" sitting on the front porch and we hope to get to know all of you who share in this same desire to honor God each day with real intention.

God works in the biggest ways and the very smallest. He is looking for willing hearts ready to carry his message. This is inspired because of the people and things God has done in my life, and it is quite possible that you will be the inspiration for someone else.

I know God has a detailed plan for exactly how he will touch each of you and there for all the people you will come in contact with. We hope you will return and share your stories of the ways you served him with intention. I hope that we can hold each other accountable and inspire each other as well.

There is a stirring here; I believe, and as I shared in my bio, it doesn't matter your age, health, or physical state, if your heart is right with God, you are able to do good work for him. Even if your own life is in complete disarray, God can still use you for someone who needs you. I truly believe that turning outward when times are tough makes the joy in your own lives so much easier to see.

Please post or email your ideas, thoughts, inspiring stories and challenges and each week I will choose one and we will see where God leads. You can email these to TheFrontPorch@Live.com

We all have different lives and the view looks different from each of our front porches, but when we come together, we have a much larger view of God's world than we do on our own.

Ladies, it is time to get excited! God is using you for his glory.

Sweet Blessings,

Laurie