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posted by Esther on 05/24/08

Have you ever blown bubbles so long that you got dizzy and your lips started hurting? This was the case last month as I was babysitting. But it was worth it as I saw the little 3 year old learn how to blow a BIG one. At first he couldn’t make it work. He blew harder which of course, doesn’t help get a big one. He tried harder and blew harder until he was quite discouraged. It was only when he relaxed and listened to my instruction to blow softly and gently that he succeeded. You should have seen his excitement over the big bubble as he watched it float through the air.

It struck me how similar this is to us in our Christian walk. We want to do the right thing, find our calling and fulfil it but sometimes we feel no matter how hard we try it doesn’t seem to be working out! In our own strength, we can not succeed in these things. Like blowing bubbles, trying harder is not the solution. It is when we rest in the Lord and trust that He can do BIG things through us. “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

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posted by Esther on 05/16/08

There is nothing like knowing that others are taking the time to lift you up in prayer. This was a great encouragement to me as I was teaching this past winter. Thanks to everyone who was praying for me! (Click here to see God’s Power in Prayer! Part 2)

Following are some examples of God’s direct answers to prayer discovered by comparing my journal with Jennifer Wilkes journal of prayers for me.

1/16/08 At Bible Club, a girl eagerly approached me asking about hearing God’s voice, forgiveness, and being sure of her salvation. What a joy to look up Bible verses together that directly related to her need. That day Jennifer had prayed: “May these children seek out the teachers and want to know more.”

2/14/08 My Diary reads: “At Bible Club today an older girl…accepted Christ! She came asking how to have her sins forgiven… I felt like I covered all the points of the wordless book more clearly [than the day before] and she thoroughly understood.” That day Jennifer had prayed: “Give the children a desire to learn your truth. May they ask questions today in order to enlarge their understanding of you.”

2/15/08 “Dear Diary, I have been reading in Lev. 15 and thereabouts about God’s peace and being holy as He is. It has been a very encouraging time with God before starting each busy day.” That day Jennifer had prayed: “Keep her [Esther’s] heart at rest all throughout the day. Help her look to you for needed encouragement.”

Praise the Lord for directly answering prayer!

Who could you pray for? Click here to sign up to pray for someone in ministry, or choose a family member or missionary you know. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:15-17

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posted by Esther on 05/10/08

This week Mom and I attended a very nice Mother’s Day dinner with Grandma at her church. It was so good to see friends and neighbors gathering together to honor their mothers. I returned home with a new gratefulness for my Mom and the priceless friendship we share. I thank God for the huge blessing of  a loving mother. (Sorry that the pictures are so blurry! I’ll have to ask James for some photography tips.) 

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posted by Esther on 05/1/08

Wow the last verse! Good work everyone! Finish strong!

Psalm 100:5 "For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations."

We would encourage you not only to memorize these verses but engraft them into your heart, letting them change the way you think and act. The outflow will inspire those around you, your family, and generations to come.

Here are some  final shots of the Altizer’s visit. 

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posted by Esther on 04/28/08

Thank you all who have joined us on the Psalm 100 challenge! Our total so far is 30.

Psalm 100:4 "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful unto Him and bless His name."

I would like to express my thankfulness to God for the safe and enjoyable time we had with the Altizer boys. I was very impressed with how well they did memorizing this chapter. Their diligence paid off and when we took them back to their parents on Friday they were able to quote the chapter for them with excellence.  What could give more guidance than keeping God’s Word in our hearts? "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

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