Diligence - earnest and persistent application to a matter in hand

Diligent - characterized by persevering, painstaking effort.

Recently we had visiting Missionaries from Cuba in our church. They spoke to our congregation challenging us to grow deeper in knowledge and relationship with the Holy Spirit. They inspired us to accept that God has an answer to every concern, worry, challenge or mountain you may be facing. They referred to 2 Kings 2:9 where Elisha asked for a "double portion" of the blessings Elijah had received. The Missionaries challenged us to seek more from God. To push the limits of our imaginations to where God can use us and bless us more than we could ever dream in each situation.

After their message the couple gave a review of Cuba's history and where they are now. And one particular event stood out in my mind so strongly. I know

His Banner Over Me is Love

"Let there be no doubt about it ... God still works miracles today."

I was researching on the Internet the other day about discovering the Banner that God places on your life. I had heard a speaker a few years ago, Brad Jersak, talk about it and I wanted to dig a little deeper as I prepare to give my testimony at an upcoming Ladies Retreat.

It is a powerful concept of visualizing what God says about you and your life. I don't know enough at this time to explain it in any detail but I wanted to share with you a video I found as I researched. Grab a tissue ... it is powerful.

Disclaimer: I do not know the individual speaking or the ministry he represents. I am not offering a recommendation of any kinds. However the video is about the Power of our Living Savior and to that I can completely attest!

Also, if any of you know of some great resources regarding the Banner concept of prayer please feel free to send me a link or a name to research. Thanks.

Mine or His?

You know a dream is like a river - ever changing as it flows.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you become that?

I didn't. I wanted to be a lawyer. (That was until my first pre-law class in University. I couldn't run far enough, fast enough.) But I actually remember the day when I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. Now giggle if you must but I bet your story isn't too far off.

I was watching a soap opera with my sister after school one day when one of the characters who happened to be a lawyer was asked by someone on the show to take a pro-bono case for a boy in distress.The lawyer laughed and made some comment to shrug it off. Only later in a different scene he mentioned the absurdity to his "wife". While he continued to laugh she looked him in the face and asked, "who wouldn't want to do that for so-and-so."

I didn't even know what pro-bono was until I pulled our dusty dictionary off the shelf. Right there, at that moment I decided to become a lawyer so I could do pro-bono cases.

Looking back, I don't think my dream was to spend my life working for free. I think I was drawn to the concept behind the term.

Helping someone who can't help themselves with the specific set of skills I have.

That sounds like a servant's attitude to me. So even though I never became a lawyer

This morning I awoke with these words on my lips.

Oh God of Heaven come and hem me in
Gather the pieces that are broken
Show me the wonder of You again
Oh God of Heaven

I posted this song a few months ago here.  It is not my intention to return and repeat it, but my heart was aching for God's redefining touch this morning.  My post will be short today.  More of a prayer than a post.

In you, LORD my God,
   I put my trust.

I trust in you;
   do not let me be put to shame,
   nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
   will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
   who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, LORD,
   teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
   for you are God my Savior,
   and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
   for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
   and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
   for you, LORD, are good.

Good and upright is the LORD;
   therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
   and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
   toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, LORD,
   forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
   He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
They will spend their days in prosperity,
   and their descendants will inherit the land.
The LORD confides in those who fear him;
   he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
   for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
   for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
   and free me from my anguish.
Look on my affliction and my distress
   and take away all my sins.
See how numerous are my enemies
   and how fiercely they hate me!

Guard my life and rescue me;
   do not let me be put to shame,
   for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
   because my hope, LORD, is in you.

Deliver Israel, O God,
   from all their troubles!

Psalm 25, NIV


God of my hope.
God of my need.
God of my pain that no one else will ever see.
God of my healing.
God of my strength.
God who has always  and will forever reign.
God of my everything.
                                  Bebo Norman

Check out this awesome Mom

I have a very special friend named Heidi.  She has taught me so many things about being a mother, wife and sister in Christ.  She encourages me almost everyday with her comments on my blog. Her resume is impressive.  Let me share some of it with you.

• Homeschooling and raising three awesome kids
• Operates a business with her husband from her home 
• Tackles the leadership role at our church for our mid-week children's church and summer VBS
• Turns a passion for photography into a part time job
• Spends time with family and friends to nurture those relationship

This is only the tip of the iceberg folks.  Please join me in providing her a dose of the encouragement she so often dishes out to the people around her.

There is more ...

Greetings folks!
I missed a day of posting.  I honestly feel like my world has been turned on its heels.  I wish I could tell you all of it but then we'd be here forever.

I will start with my weekend.

As a chaperon for our Youth Group I went to YC Edmonton.  If you have never heard of it, it is the gathering of about 16,000 youth who come together for a weekend to listen to cool rock bands and incredible speakers sing and talk about God.  It is overwhelming ... and I don't just mean the volume!

This was my second time there and I honestly hope I can go many more years.  Although I do have to admit that my 39 year old body complained more than it did two years ago.  However for me there is no replacement for seeing young people in love with Jesus.

I did not grow up a believer.  I didn't find The Way until I was

How Great Thou Art!

My sister in law directed me to this Youtube video.  I do not have cable tv so I am a little behind the times.  (Thanks Kristi!)

Recently, Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill performed this hymn at a music awards show that is televised around the world.  It is powerful. (see video here)

It tickles my heart (and tear ducts) to see My God worshiped and glorified on National television.  Then to receive a standing ovation to boot.  I am sure many folks out there think that the audience was standing for Carrie's amazing voice.   However I have a different thought.

There are countless people who grew up on bible stories and prayers of a faithful grandparent. Some were sitting in that audience.  There is an abundance of folks who know what they believe, but with the pressures of fame and fortune they have forgotten how to live it.  Some of them were sitting in that concert hall.  There are endless stories of individuals who have an ache in their heart but they don't know what fills it. They have tried fame, they have tried alcohol and drugs, or relationships and money.  Someone once penned it as a God-shaped hole that nothing else will fill.  Some of the awe-inspired faces in that crowd were these people.

I think this performance is a perfect example of what God will do to bring His people to Himself.  He took a willing servant, Carrie and Vince, and poured out His love on a mass of unsuspecting Country folk.

People were clapping for God that night.  At least the ones who stood first.  (I believe that!!)

This video also reminds me a scripture that I often consider.  It is in Isaiah, chapter 55, verse 10 and 11.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty."


Let us, the ones that love God and love His people, storm the gates of heaven in prayer for every soul that was present in that building that night; and every faceless soul that watched over the TV airwaves; and every precious one that has viewed it online - let's pray that the impact that song had will not be void, but that it will return to Jesus filled with prayers of redemption, renewal and recommittment.  


Psalm 48:1  "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised."   Amen.