I know I have been absent much lately.  That is because much has been on my mind and heavy on my heart.  A couple of people have asked if I am sleeping better.  No.  I did sleep almost 6 hours last night.  There have been only 4 nights out of the last 12 that I have slept more than 3 or 4 hours.  On those 4 nights, it has not been longer than 6 hours.  I know the reason is probably stress, although, I don't feel stressed when I wake up after only 2 or 3 hours of sleep.  Another possibility is the Lord is waking me up to pray.  I have prayed a tremendous amount during these long nights, and the Lord has shown me things concerning that which is stressing. 

I am asking you, as my friends in Christ, to please stand and pray with me.  You see, I don't need prayer for sleep, or for anything for myself.  We need prayer for a spiritual battle that the enemy is fighting.  This is a battle involving one of my daughters.  NO!  it is not a battle for her, but a battle for a friend of hers.  God has called our daughter to be a light and a witness.  This friend is in a very legalistic church, and we KNOW, with no doubts, that God has put this friend in her life, and that satan wants to keep that friend in this legalism.  In one respect, it is about our daughter, too, in that she needs to be covered in the full armor, so that she is not swayed in any way by this friend's words.  I can't go into many details, but this an urgent prayer.  The outcome has many important consequences. 

She will be meeting with her friend for a Bible study for the first time tomorrow morning at 10:00 am central time.  She is not sure she feels prepared.  As I prayed for her last night, and asked God to help her, I was struggling with feeling like this was too big for my little girl.  Immediately, God gave me the picture of David and Goliath.  He was a young boy (much younger than my daughter, I'm sure) facing a huge enemy.  But, David knew that he did not need to fear, because God was with him, God was fighting this battle, and all David had to do was show up and obey.  Next, Gideon came to my mind. God continually reduced his army until it looked impossible.  Again, God fought the battle using willing, obedient, and trusting hearts.  God wanted the glory for Himself, not the army. 

God has been preparing us for this.....James, our daughter, and me.  We have watched him AMAZINGLY answer prayer after prayer and answer question after question in this so far.  He has made it clear for over a week now, in several different ways,  that He is in this, and that He has a plan.  Then on Monday, THREE times throughout the day, God brought the same verse before my eyes from 3 very different and random places....."For God has not given you a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline".  When a verse comes at you 3 times in that short of a period, God wants you to take notice.  Also, this friend told her Monday, that they had been in a dry place spiritually, but that over the last week or so they had realized some things that were not right, and had made some big changes.  They told her that she was the reason for this....that it was nothing in particular that she had done, but just who she was, and watching her walk with Christ.  God is working. 

So, our daughter just found out about this Thurs. morning Bible study late last night.  That does not give her much time to prepare to learn something about what this friend believes, and to be able to pray and search for answers.  Only a few hours today.  Therefore, we need the LORD to go before her, to continue to pave the way, to open this friend's heart to the truth, to give our daughter a spirit of power, love, and gentle boldness, to be able to continue to just be the person she is, who has already made an impact, and to be able to hear the spirit whisper to her what to say.  We fully believe this friend is a Christian, but is in bondage to some legalistic beliefs. 

I know without the details, that it is hard to understand why we feel so strongly that this is a spiritual battle, and, perhaps it is just my mother's heart over reacting, but would you please pray?

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Posted by Juldos

I will continue to pray!
I would appreciate your prayers as my husband has a counseling appointment with a very troubled man this afternoon. His wife believes him to be suicidal and homicidal, so I am a bit concerned. Your post encouraged me not to fear but to pray.
Much love,
Julie D.

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Posted by Anonymous

I'll be happy to pray. The battle belongs to the Lord, submit yourselfs to him and rest in that.

The Holy Spirit recides with in you, He is your counsel and your wisdom.

Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com

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Posted by tnmomtomanyblessings

I will be praying for you all....Praying for His hand to move hearts and that you sense His peace during this time....

Love,
Maria

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Posted by 4sweetums

My prayers are with you. We are fighting to save our cousin from a very dangerous cult right now. She was swayed into it thinking that she was not Christian enough and needs to go to the Middle East and be martyered. It is a scarry time for us. I Understand your worries even though they are different.
Blessings,
Dawn

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Posted by jiffy11

Oh Letitia, I am praying for you all.
Hugs,
Jennifer

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Posted by ThreeLittleLadies

Thanks for praying for my daughter too.

The way I learned that verse the Lord gave you three times is that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. To me "self-discipline" is a me-centered thing (although I'm sure it doesn't mean completely what comes to my mind), while "sound mind" speaks to me of God's peace - that comes from God. I thought I'd share that in case you have been pondering the self-discipline thing...

I had one other thought that I thought I'd share, for what it is worth. I don't know this girl's church or the kind of legalism that you are speaking of. With that in mind, I've been seeing legalism in a whole new way over the last year. To me legalism is acting in a way that you think you must do to gain love or salvation from God. Is that how you see it? On the other hand, some people may choose to take a path because they feel the Lord is saying "this is my path for you and I think it is best for you". It is a lifestyle choice and not a salvation choice. Let me explain more. Lately the Lord has been showing me some things about His teachings in the Old Testament. Eating pork, for instance. We've been taught that following the Old Testament laws was done away with our whole lives, right? That obeying the laws was what was important before Jesus came, but the cross took care of all that... Therefore, if I choose to not eat pork, because the Lord taught that it isn't food, or unclean, or however you want to look at it... then people think that I am being legalistic, when in actuality, I'm trying to find a standard for my life based on the Bible - not to find my salvation, because I am clear that my salvation is secure in the blood and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I just want to live the Word... and in it I find life. Anyway, to what others may think is legalistic and leads to death, to me is a lifestyle that leads to life based in God's Holy Word. There are more ways than one to see someone's actions, and don't be too quick to condemn someone's actions based on whether you think it is legalistic...to them it may be life-giving. It may draw them nearer to Jesus. It could also be legalistic! They might be doing something to try to gain God's favor or approval or salvation...

Okay, so this is a novel already. Know that I am praying.

Carol

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Posted by MamaJ

I realize I'm probably late adding this, but I am praying as well. It's an amazing thing when God uses someone in this way. Thankfullly, He's shown you verses and examples to reassure you. I do hope He continues to use your daughter, but there is a specific verse, forgive me for paraphrasing and forgetting the reference, in which Paul assures the church, that "He who began a good work in you will see it through". Hang on to that verse for your daughter as well. God bless.

Mama J.

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Posted by bbullard

I certainly will pray, Letitia. Interestingly enough, I've had trouble sleeping, too, though I don't feel stressed about anything. I've been praying my circle of prayer and have often fallen asleep somewhere in the middle of it. I certainly will add your daughter when I get to family and friends.

I don't know if it'd be listed, but it might be worth checking out Compact Guide to World Religions. Of course, I'm writing this on Thursday, and with the time difference, she's probably on her way to the meeting. Go will fill all gaps as we trust Him.

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Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi

You have been on my mind and heart a lot lately. I know it's because we're sharing this insomnia thing - though I've been getting more sleep than you. My stress is just silly - yours is serious. I'm praying!
Let me know if you want a phone chat! :)
Heidi

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Posted by Anonymous

I was searching for pictures of little boy haircuts and came across a link to your site (which said to leave a comment) Anyway, I was so discouraged going through all the sites and coming up with nothing! Eventhough I didn't find what I was searching for- I was blessed to be led to your site. It is such a wasteland out there and we have to be careful even when searching for "little boy haircut tips". Thank you for the "drink" when I needed a break from the search. I am so glad that I homeschool and usually search for answers through the homeschool community instead. That wore me out!

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