Dear Reader,
My life has taken many turns these last six years or so since I came back to the Lord and got baptized. My old life is in the past. I am still learning from it, but I vow to never repeat it. I am so different, and walking in a light that is visible to anyone who takes the time out to open their eyes and seek it. Once you see it, you want it more and more and more.
I have been very blessed in the last few weeks since my last post. I have received tips from readers of where to get pictures, hopefully the kind I need. I have told you that my devotional begins at Week 6 Day 1 - Trust. There is a reason for that. Six weeks pregnant is really only four weeks after conception. But it is how the doctors plan on a date because the actual moment or day of conception is unknown. Let me try and make this short, but share a little story with you about how God works.
Earlier this week I saw Divine Intervention at work. On Wednesday, a friend sent me a text early in the morning saying simply, "love you". I thought that was so nice and so I texted her back and told her how it made my day blessed and extra special. A few hours later another friend texted and said "Good word, please pray for a girl considering abortion." Without even thinking, I asked, "Is there a way to get my devotional to her? I will pray for wisdom." She in turn referred me to someone else who was in touch with the young woman. When I called her, she began with how wonderful the text I sent her was and how it was in due season! I was flabbergasted. "What text? I didn't send you a text" I replied. "Yes you did, it's right here, 8:31 this morning, from Deirdre Tolhurst. "No, I was walking with my husband at that time", I said. But she was looking right at it on her phone and insisting that I sent it, and it was exactly what she had been telling this young woman. We spoke about how she told this girl that she knew that God had something planned for her and her child. We then made arrangements for me to send her the devotional day by day.
Dear Reader, this is exactly what I was saying in my last post. That if we could get the word of God through this little book into the hands of someone considering abortion, that perhaps it would change their mind, and a life could be spared. She has decided to keep her baby! Praise God! This is because she saw that there were people there that reached out and showed her that they cared, and that they were willing to listen and walk her through those moments of doubt and fear. She knows the Lord loves her, but don't we know that the world can be very loud in its lies sometimes.
We need to pray for these women and lift them up to the Lord. Things happen and consequences follow, but we are not to judge lest we be judged, and who of us could throw the first stone? Certainly not me! God wants these children to live. He loves each of us and has a plan for us. Who is to say that the next child born isn't going to be an amazing man or woman of God? I prayed over my granddaughter every day before she was born, I wrote the devotional for her mom. But while writing it I read it. I said it, and felt it in my heart. My granddaughter will be a strong woman of God. She will lead many to Christ. She will minister on the playground, because I have dedicated her spirit to the Lord Jesus. I have no doubt that what He tells me is true!
Back to that text that my friend received. The night before or early on Wednesday I received a text from a wonderful woman I know. It had a scripture and said that God was blessing me and that I needed to share this with a few other women. So I hit forward and sent it to about eight of my girlfriends. Almost immediately I got an error message back, repeating exactly the same thing for the number of people I sent it to. So I did it again. And again the same thing happened. So I gave up and deleted all those and went on my way.
Later that night I saw my friend in church and she showed me the text. It was the one that I tried to send twice but it didn't go through! More absolute amazement in how God works. The next day my best friend calls me and tells me she meant to call me the night before but knew I would be at church. She wanted to tell me about a conversation she was having with a fellow coworker about her prayers that morning on her way into work. She was telling her about how there were things that she hoped for, but that she was perfectly happy submitting to God's will because no matter what, she knew that she knew that she knew that He had a plan for her and would reveal it to her when the time was right. In due season.
So even though (I believe) the enemy tried to thwart my efforts of forwarding that text, God turned it around and made it work for His glory!! Let's see, there was confirmation that what was counseled was from God. A young Mom decided to keep her baby (Praise God a million times), and a friend received comfort knowing that her heart was indeed in the right place. Only God Himself could do these miraculous things. A miracle indeed, and I was blessed to be a part of it!
What was the word that reached into the hearts of these women?
"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."" Jeremiah 29:11
Please join me as I pray for those women who are lost.
Dear Father God,
You are all mighty and all powerful and see every detail of my heart. You are glorious and lovely, and always faithful and trustworthy. I believe in the power of the Name. I believe in the power of Your written word. Please show those women that are lost or alone or afraid that Your love overcomes anything we may face. Please always place a laborer in their path, send your heavenly messengers to them to minister in Your name. Bring them through their hurt, disappointment, or shame to a place of light, and love and truth. Help them to know that they are never alone, and that the child they carry is a child of Yours first. You chose this time and place to bring that child into this world. It isn't a mistake, it isn't wrong. There can only be love and light and joy in the presence of the Lord. And while You are within them, help them to see that only You have the right to give life and to take it away. We are the stewards of all the things You have blessed us with, and I ask that You give us diligence to nurture and take care of those things and to follow Your word and live righteously. I ask You to bless these women and the men who are now fathers, to follow Your word and step forward and take responsibility for the most precious and worthwhile gift in the world, that of being a parent. Thank You, Father for hearing my prayer of faith. I love You with all my heart, and I pray in the name of Your own Son, Jesus Christ, Lord of Heaven and Earth, Sustainer of Life. Amen
After the heartache, there is joy in life. May God bless you all, always!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QLbR361wXI
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
My New Book is Almost Finished, But I Need Your Help!
Dear Reader,
I have been very busy writing my next book, Dear Child of Mine, a devotional for pregnant women to read out loud to their unborn child. These last almost 12 months have been a blessing to me. When I found out that our daughter was pregnant, the Holy Spirit told me to write a devotional for moms to be. I had to rely on Him to lead me, as this is not an easy task, and it has been 30 years since I was pregnant and going through changes in my body, heart, and mind. But I went into it with enthusiasm and joy of heart, and each day I would write something and email it to my daughter early in the morning. She in turn would read it out loud to her baby. My first grandchild, a beautiful little girl was born last January, a few weeks earlier than her due date. I had to finish writing the devotional through 40 weeks. When that was complete, I had to go back and start at the beginning. But where would the beginning be?
I thought week 8 would be good, because by then a woman pretty much knows she is pregnant, and may pick up a devotional at that time, or receive one as a gift. But.... when I started to research and found out what was going on with the developing baby at week six (four weeks gestation), I was astounded! Did you know, dear Reader, that the heart is the very first organ to begin functioning? Yes! Would our loving God start anywhere else? No! The heart, a place we associate with life and love, valentines and joy would have to be the first working organ, it just makes sense. The brain is also starting to function in the sixth week, and you would be amazed at how quickly Jesus forms the baby.
I truly believe that Jesus Himself, who resides in us believers, is right there in the womb speaking life into the child. I believe the first words a child hears are those of its Creator, and that the first thing it touches is the mighty finger of God Himself! Just a tiny little hand wrapped around the finger of God Almighty! Oh yes, I can see that so clearly, can't you?
I have written from Week 6, Day 1 through Week 40, Day 4, ending with You Are Here! I have pretty much completed the introduction and most of the epilogue, but I want to add a little synopsis at the beginning of each week to state what happens that week in the baby's development or the mother's changing body. The most important reason I want to add this synopsis; however, is to add pictures of the developing baby in the womb, but I am not sure where to get those pictures with permission.
The enemy does not want babies to be prayed over. He doesn't even want them born, and tens of millions have died by abortion in this country and around the world. No matter how the baby came to be, God was behind the creation. I understand that an unexpected pregnancy may cause fear in young women. But abortion is taking from your body something that is a part of it. What some women may think of as a mistake, is not what God had in mind. He doesn't make mistakes, ever. Every child is a blessing in His eyes, and it should be that way in our eyes too. We were all born when we were for "a time such as this." God declared that we were able to do His work even in the worst of times. Perhaps because they are the worst of times. We have wars, and rumors of wars, tornadoes and earthquakes, all those things that are prophesied.
Who knows who that child would have become! Could it have been this generation's Billy Graham or Joyce Meyer? Who are we to silence the mouth of God's child? At seven weeks, five gestational, the baby has arm and leg buds, a lower jaw, a mouth, and vocal cords! It has a closed spine, a beating heart, ears, optic pits, and it is developing blood cells! And possibly, a woman hasn't even skipped a period yet!
So you see, I need to get permission to use pictures of the baby in the womb (like the kind in doctor's offices) so that women who are contemplating abortion for whatever reason will see that there really is a baby in there. I didn't have any morning sickness, and no 'symptoms' of pregnancy. My dear husband had that for me. So I know that even though a woman knows she is pregnant, she perhaps doesn't feel it or show yet, that it makes it that much easier psychologically, I think, to get an abortion. This devotional in the hands of some of these women may change their mind. The Holy Spirit may speak into their hearts as He did into mine to write it. I would love to see Pregnancy Centers all over the world give this book to unsure mothers. Whether they accept it or not, they ARE someone's Mother, Mommy, Mama now, long before the baby is even born. So my first hope is that lives could be saved by someone receiving this devotional.
I believe that women that aren't sure about God will fall in love with Him through this devotional and come to know Him better, perhaps even get saved. Christian women who don't pray over their baby and read scripture to it will now do that. I prayed that my own daughter would be healthy with ten fingers and toes, but I didn't pray over her every day.
Each day has a word to the child. The child is told each day that they are loved. Then there is a prayer, expressing love and thanks to God for this wonderful miracle. Each day's devotion ends with a scripture. I have heard from women that I have sent it to that the baby reacts when the mom or dad reads the prayers aloud to it. That is an amazing thing, to me a sign that the child already knows the Lord. Also, after the child is born, I believe that when it hears scripture it will find it familiar and comforting. It does matter what our unborn and born children hear. If they hear death they will speak it. If they hear life, they will speak that. There are devotions for the baby's development, it's eyes, ears, feet, friends, trust, grace, mercy, pancreas, heart, brain, mind, and many more.
Please pray for me, dear Reader, that I am able to get the pictures I need and the endorsements to reach the most pregnant women possible. It is not for my own gain, but for the glory of God that I want to see success with this book. How many can come to the Kingdom is known only by our Savior. If you have comments, please leave them and I thank you for being faithful to my postings. May God bless you and keep you.
By the way, my granddaughter, who I call Grace (her middle name), easily falls asleep when listening to worship music. She is comforted by the words that must be so familiar to her.
Thank you for your prayers, may God bless you! And to Him goes the glory!
"I have prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I ask of him." 1 Samuel 1:27 NIV
"I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." Psalm 9:1 NIV
"I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." Acts 27:25 NIV
"I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord." Habakkuk 3:2 NIV
"God made everything, and you can no more understand what he does than you understand how new life begins in the womb of a pregnant woman." Ecclesiastes 11:5 GNT
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 NIV
I have been very busy writing my next book, Dear Child of Mine, a devotional for pregnant women to read out loud to their unborn child. These last almost 12 months have been a blessing to me. When I found out that our daughter was pregnant, the Holy Spirit told me to write a devotional for moms to be. I had to rely on Him to lead me, as this is not an easy task, and it has been 30 years since I was pregnant and going through changes in my body, heart, and mind. But I went into it with enthusiasm and joy of heart, and each day I would write something and email it to my daughter early in the morning. She in turn would read it out loud to her baby. My first grandchild, a beautiful little girl was born last January, a few weeks earlier than her due date. I had to finish writing the devotional through 40 weeks. When that was complete, I had to go back and start at the beginning. But where would the beginning be?
I thought week 8 would be good, because by then a woman pretty much knows she is pregnant, and may pick up a devotional at that time, or receive one as a gift. But.... when I started to research and found out what was going on with the developing baby at week six (four weeks gestation), I was astounded! Did you know, dear Reader, that the heart is the very first organ to begin functioning? Yes! Would our loving God start anywhere else? No! The heart, a place we associate with life and love, valentines and joy would have to be the first working organ, it just makes sense. The brain is also starting to function in the sixth week, and you would be amazed at how quickly Jesus forms the baby.
I truly believe that Jesus Himself, who resides in us believers, is right there in the womb speaking life into the child. I believe the first words a child hears are those of its Creator, and that the first thing it touches is the mighty finger of God Himself! Just a tiny little hand wrapped around the finger of God Almighty! Oh yes, I can see that so clearly, can't you?
I have written from Week 6, Day 1 through Week 40, Day 4, ending with You Are Here! I have pretty much completed the introduction and most of the epilogue, but I want to add a little synopsis at the beginning of each week to state what happens that week in the baby's development or the mother's changing body. The most important reason I want to add this synopsis; however, is to add pictures of the developing baby in the womb, but I am not sure where to get those pictures with permission.
The enemy does not want babies to be prayed over. He doesn't even want them born, and tens of millions have died by abortion in this country and around the world. No matter how the baby came to be, God was behind the creation. I understand that an unexpected pregnancy may cause fear in young women. But abortion is taking from your body something that is a part of it. What some women may think of as a mistake, is not what God had in mind. He doesn't make mistakes, ever. Every child is a blessing in His eyes, and it should be that way in our eyes too. We were all born when we were for "a time such as this." God declared that we were able to do His work even in the worst of times. Perhaps because they are the worst of times. We have wars, and rumors of wars, tornadoes and earthquakes, all those things that are prophesied.
Who knows who that child would have become! Could it have been this generation's Billy Graham or Joyce Meyer? Who are we to silence the mouth of God's child? At seven weeks, five gestational, the baby has arm and leg buds, a lower jaw, a mouth, and vocal cords! It has a closed spine, a beating heart, ears, optic pits, and it is developing blood cells! And possibly, a woman hasn't even skipped a period yet!
So you see, I need to get permission to use pictures of the baby in the womb (like the kind in doctor's offices) so that women who are contemplating abortion for whatever reason will see that there really is a baby in there. I didn't have any morning sickness, and no 'symptoms' of pregnancy. My dear husband had that for me. So I know that even though a woman knows she is pregnant, she perhaps doesn't feel it or show yet, that it makes it that much easier psychologically, I think, to get an abortion. This devotional in the hands of some of these women may change their mind. The Holy Spirit may speak into their hearts as He did into mine to write it. I would love to see Pregnancy Centers all over the world give this book to unsure mothers. Whether they accept it or not, they ARE someone's Mother, Mommy, Mama now, long before the baby is even born. So my first hope is that lives could be saved by someone receiving this devotional.
I believe that women that aren't sure about God will fall in love with Him through this devotional and come to know Him better, perhaps even get saved. Christian women who don't pray over their baby and read scripture to it will now do that. I prayed that my own daughter would be healthy with ten fingers and toes, but I didn't pray over her every day.
Each day has a word to the child. The child is told each day that they are loved. Then there is a prayer, expressing love and thanks to God for this wonderful miracle. Each day's devotion ends with a scripture. I have heard from women that I have sent it to that the baby reacts when the mom or dad reads the prayers aloud to it. That is an amazing thing, to me a sign that the child already knows the Lord. Also, after the child is born, I believe that when it hears scripture it will find it familiar and comforting. It does matter what our unborn and born children hear. If they hear death they will speak it. If they hear life, they will speak that. There are devotions for the baby's development, it's eyes, ears, feet, friends, trust, grace, mercy, pancreas, heart, brain, mind, and many more.
Please pray for me, dear Reader, that I am able to get the pictures I need and the endorsements to reach the most pregnant women possible. It is not for my own gain, but for the glory of God that I want to see success with this book. How many can come to the Kingdom is known only by our Savior. If you have comments, please leave them and I thank you for being faithful to my postings. May God bless you and keep you.
By the way, my granddaughter, who I call Grace (her middle name), easily falls asleep when listening to worship music. She is comforted by the words that must be so familiar to her.
Thank you for your prayers, may God bless you! And to Him goes the glory!
"I have prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I ask of him." 1 Samuel 1:27 NIV
"I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." Psalm 9:1 NIV
"I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." Acts 27:25 NIV
"I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord." Habakkuk 3:2 NIV
"God made everything, and you can no more understand what he does than you understand how new life begins in the womb of a pregnant woman." Ecclesiastes 11:5 GNT
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 NIV
Thursday, August 1, 2013
NO one!
Dear Jesus,
I read a scripture today that is resonating in my heart and mind.
"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 NIV
The words no one keep repeating in my heart. NO ONE. I understand it doesn't mean that no one will ever come against me again, just that I don't have to feel the giants are going to win. The Creator of all things is on MY side! Like David, if all I am armed with is a rock and my God, the rock is inconsequential, an unnecessary weapon.
It wasn't so much the rock that slew Goliath as much as the presence of God in David's heart and life! His faith in the truth kept him from being afraid. It was what made him run forward towards the enemy, lest the enemy make any more progress in David's life or his words cut David down. I too must run immediately towards that enemy, with such haste that I don't have time to even feel fear! My God is beside me always!
I understand that I need to remember that You promised that you will be here for me like You were with Moses All the Days of My Life!! Never leaving me or forsaking me. Jesus, You are my shield, my faith, my hope, my desire and my love. I will never be without You. NO ONE can stand up against me ALL the days of my life! You are with me. I adore You and I thank You for loving me! Amen.
Dear Reader, take heart when troubles are smothering you. The bills, the children, your health, your relationships. Our God is a strong and mighty God! His wish is for you to come to Him and believe and trust in Him, and He will always, always, take care of you. When you feel you just can't make it anymore, that the road is too rough and the day too long, remember, He will bring someone to hold your hands up so that His glory will be seen! Hallelujah! Give your praises to God for His love and mercy!
"And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." Exodus 17:11-13
I read a scripture today that is resonating in my heart and mind.
"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 NIV
The words no one keep repeating in my heart. NO ONE. I understand it doesn't mean that no one will ever come against me again, just that I don't have to feel the giants are going to win. The Creator of all things is on MY side! Like David, if all I am armed with is a rock and my God, the rock is inconsequential, an unnecessary weapon.
It wasn't so much the rock that slew Goliath as much as the presence of God in David's heart and life! His faith in the truth kept him from being afraid. It was what made him run forward towards the enemy, lest the enemy make any more progress in David's life or his words cut David down. I too must run immediately towards that enemy, with such haste that I don't have time to even feel fear! My God is beside me always!
I understand that I need to remember that You promised that you will be here for me like You were with Moses All the Days of My Life!! Never leaving me or forsaking me. Jesus, You are my shield, my faith, my hope, my desire and my love. I will never be without You. NO ONE can stand up against me ALL the days of my life! You are with me. I adore You and I thank You for loving me! Amen.
Dear Reader, take heart when troubles are smothering you. The bills, the children, your health, your relationships. Our God is a strong and mighty God! His wish is for you to come to Him and believe and trust in Him, and He will always, always, take care of you. When you feel you just can't make it anymore, that the road is too rough and the day too long, remember, He will bring someone to hold your hands up so that His glory will be seen! Hallelujah! Give your praises to God for His love and mercy!
"And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." Exodus 17:11-13
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Which Way Do I Face?
Dear Reader,
Right now at this time in my life, I see myself in God's mighty hand, a safe place where I can curl up , sleep, and rest. But where is the face I seek? Do I stand on God's great hand facing away from Him? Do I look at what is before me unobstructed ready to go forward? Is that wise? Look again. I am facing away from God, even though I am safe in His hand! How often I tend to move before He does.
If I turn around; however, I can see His face. Am I facing backward? To where I have been? Seeing the past? No! I am putting my trust in God! If my future view is obscured because His face is so large I can't see beyond it, let me delight in knowing He has already been where I will sometime go! Let me take joy in the beauty of His smile, and trust in His eyes filled with love! Shouldn't I wait on the Lord to decide when it is best to move forward? In the meantime, I should just rest.
Dear Reader, don't run, don't be misled that our adventures awaits where the view is unimpeded and the vista magnificent! Storms could easily arise out of nowhere and darkness could fall on the earth. Will we ever want to be in a position to look 'back' and see God? I don't think so!
He will let us see what we need to, but I want Him to be before me, yet cradling me in the safety of His palm! I will move by faith, not by sight. How about you?
"The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you." Numbers 6:25
Right now at this time in my life, I see myself in God's mighty hand, a safe place where I can curl up , sleep, and rest. But where is the face I seek? Do I stand on God's great hand facing away from Him? Do I look at what is before me unobstructed ready to go forward? Is that wise? Look again. I am facing away from God, even though I am safe in His hand! How often I tend to move before He does.
If I turn around; however, I can see His face. Am I facing backward? To where I have been? Seeing the past? No! I am putting my trust in God! If my future view is obscured because His face is so large I can't see beyond it, let me delight in knowing He has already been where I will sometime go! Let me take joy in the beauty of His smile, and trust in His eyes filled with love! Shouldn't I wait on the Lord to decide when it is best to move forward? In the meantime, I should just rest.
Dear Reader, don't run, don't be misled that our adventures awaits where the view is unimpeded and the vista magnificent! Storms could easily arise out of nowhere and darkness could fall on the earth. Will we ever want to be in a position to look 'back' and see God? I don't think so!
He will let us see what we need to, but I want Him to be before me, yet cradling me in the safety of His palm! I will move by faith, not by sight. How about you?
"The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you." Numbers 6:25
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
A Prayer from Isaiah 58:9-11
Dear Lord,
I call and You answer! I cry out and You are here. Help me to remove the yoke from my midst, the pointing finger, and my wicked speech. Help me to extend my soul to the hungry and help the oppressed. For only then will my light dawn in the darkness so that my darkness will be as bright as the noonday sun.
Guide me continually, O Lord, and keep my soul fed and watered with Your guidance and love. Strengthen my body so that I can do the things You wish. Let my joints be moist and my teeth strong in my gums. Let me be as a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Amen
Taken from Isaiah 58:9-11 New King James Version
I call and You answer! I cry out and You are here. Help me to remove the yoke from my midst, the pointing finger, and my wicked speech. Help me to extend my soul to the hungry and help the oppressed. For only then will my light dawn in the darkness so that my darkness will be as bright as the noonday sun.
Guide me continually, O Lord, and keep my soul fed and watered with Your guidance and love. Strengthen my body so that I can do the things You wish. Let my joints be moist and my teeth strong in my gums. Let me be as a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Amen
Taken from Isaiah 58:9-11 New King James Version
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