Thanksgiving Thursday

 Today although we were missing one from our table, my heart felt fuller than ever before. I feel very thankful today and I hope that I can continue to carry on this attitude throughout the year. There is no reason I cannot except if I let my own selfishness get in the way.

            It has been hard having my brother away during this holiday. It has been even harder knowing that he still hasn’t surrendered his life to God and been covered by the saving blood of the Lamb. While I would not wish tragedy or sorrows on anyone, I am thankful for mine, in a way. I am thankful, even for this hard time, because it is in this that I see that I am so weak. It is because of this that I am found more on my knees. It has brought me closer to my Father, and for that I am thankful.

            Today, I am thankful that, even though having a lost family member is hard, I do not have to put my life on the line everyday for the protection of others like soldiers all across the world. I am thankful that I do not have a child or a family member that is fighting a terminal illness and am not sure how long he/she has left to live. I am thankful that my parents are both still alive and well and teaching me in the ways of the LORD. I am thankful that on this holiday I can come home, where it’s warm and cozy, and have the ability and funds to make a Thanksgiving dinner.

There are so many things we have taken for granted. Say a prayer today for those who may be being tested more than you…..that, in all things, they would find something to be thankful for. I am thankful for so many things. I think on it all and it brings tears to my eyes. There is so much to be thankful for and yet, so often I just get caught up in what I “want” that I don’t have. I lose my trust in the fact that God knows what is best for me and will only allow what will work for my good. This year, starting today, that will change. I will focus on His great love for me, instead of the negative influences of this world. Blessings are all around you, if you will just purpose to look for them.

            “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100

        Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!  May Thanksgiving Day 2009 find your heart filled beyond capacity with gratitude to our Faithful Father for all of His blessing, not to mention, His grace!

To Him Alone Be The Glory,

Maiden Princess

Thanksgiving Thursdays

       A week from today is the big Thanksgiving day!  As I watch people bustle about buying groceries and thanksgiving décor to prepare their houses, I wonder how many have prepared their hearts for this day. It is so easy to get caught up in the holiday instead of the meaning. As most of you know, this day was celebrated by the Pilgrims (and some Indians) as a day of thanks to God for bringing them through all the hard times.

They could have focused on the vast amount of them who had died in the previous years. They could have focused on how little food they had to eat or how drafty their houses were.  They could have focused on the negative aspects of their life in America, but they didn’t! Instead, they gave thanks. They realized that there was still so much more to be thankful about. So much so, that they set aside 3 whole days for feasting worshiping, and thanking God. In lieu of that fact there is a verse I would like to have us all memorize this week.

            “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 (Emphasis Mine)

       At all times, bad or good, hard or plentiful, rich or poor; we will bless the LORD who causes all things to work for good. Continually, we shall praise Him. Our hearts shall trust in Him and not be shaken. We know that He is faithful. He is the definition of faithfulness and we can rest in whatever He brings.

            So this Thanksgiving, maybe your life is not what you wish it was. Maybe you’re going through a really hard season. There will always be reasons that could keep us from praising God. However, just like the Pilgrims, don’t let it stop you!

If the only reason you could think of to praise Him was because He sent His only Son to die in your place, then your lips would be filled with praise all day long. But, we all know, He has given us so many more reasons to praise Him. Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to see the blessings He has bestowed upon you and your family. Make the most of this Thanksgiving, spend it praising Him. Let the stress of food and family drift away, and just look around and bless Him for His goodness. After all, that is the true spirit of Thanksgiving!

Because of Grace,
Maiden Princess

P.S. What I am thankful this week is: two wonderful, hard-working, and loving parents who God placed in my life to nurture and protect me. They are such a blessing to me and I wouldn’t want any other people in the world to take the place of the parents God has so richly blessed me with! I love you Mom and Dad, and I appreciate the great examples you are to me! Love you always!

Thanksgiving Thursdays

I can hardly believe that a week has already gone by since I decided to do this. This afternoon was a very busy one for me and I just finally got time to sit down and type this up. Sorry it’s so late. 

I started a thankful journal last week too and I have written in it every night except one. I generally fill up a whole page, although, sometimes I don’t have time. J I have really enjoyed doing this and it helps keep my mind on being thankful.  I generally write in it before I go to bed, but dividing it up into parts is also neat. That way I can think about what I’m thankful about all day long. I know that on hard days all I have to do is pull out my thankful journal and read through its pages to be reminded of how much I’ve truly been blessed.

The verse I have to share for this week is : “I will sing to LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being, let my meditation be pleasing to Him; as for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.” Psalm 104:33-34

This week I am thankful for: God’s faithfulness. The fact that when He makes a promise He fulfills it. What He says, He means. When I am so faithless, He ALWAYS remains faithful. Truly, who is a God like our God and who is a King like our King? Because of His faithfulness I can rest in His promises and trust in His goodness.

What are you thankful for this week? Have you started a Thanksgiving journal? Remember that Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away, now is the best time to start preparing your heart! Have a blessed Thursday in Him!

Only Because of His Grace,

Maiden Princess

The Book

        Dear Friends,

I have told you in the past that the LORD has laid it on my heart to write a book about inner beauty. In fact, not just a book, a devotional.  You may have noticed that I have not been writing many spiritually challenging posts as of late. Not only is this because I did not have time to write them, but also because I feel the time has come to really press in to working on the book. Because of this I may only be posting once or twice a week.  I am not sure what I’ll be able to handle for writing but time will tell soon enough. I will keep up with the quote of the week and we shall see where we go from there. I do not wish to abandon my blog, in fact, I love my blog. However, until I know where I stand with time and my book, I cannot say how much I shall be able to invest here.

I would very much appreciate your prayers as I enter this new stage of life. I feel that the LORD has specifically called me to this at this very time. I am being sensitive to His leading and I do not wish to jump ahead or make the book into what I think it should be. I am a bit worried about getting it published and the amount of money that will cost. However, the LORD has asked me to put all my trust in Him and He will cause it to work out the way He wants it to. Please pray for me as I journey on this new path. I get nervous knowing that I’m writing for the book and sort of clam up instead of just letting the writing flow. Please pray that I would not be nervous but just let my heart flow out in my writings, instead of making sure they are “correct”.

Thank you all for being such wonderfully supportive friends. I hope to spend as much time still here as I am able.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,

Maiden Princess

No Such Thing As Perfect People

        Today was a routine checkup at a new dentist for me.  My insurance from my parents runs out October 1^st so we wanted to have my checkup checked off the list, so to speak. Like I said, it was routine.  What was not so routine is the fact that this new dentist told me that I had a cavity that needed to be filled and that I needed my four wisdom teeth pulled and she recommended I see an orthodontist to see about getting braces! ARGH!!!  Some of you may know that my birthday is next Thursday, a week from today.  Well, at least I’m not getting my wisdom teeth done on my birthday but now I can’t eat birthday cake on my birthday or get a blizzard (which is what I was going to substitute for cake this year).  My Mom did mention going to Wendy’s to get a chocolate frosty (cause it’s smooth) and eating it with a spoon.  That will probably work.  So I got my teeth cleaned and since my insurance runs out on the 1^st I had to have my filling soon, it was either today right after my cleaning or September 30^th but the gals at the dentist office told me I HAD to have my filling before I had my teeth pulled. LOVELY J !  I had it right then because if I would have gone for the 30^th I would have to have my teeth pulled that same day (NOT HAPPENING!!).  So, I can’t pretend I wasn’t nervous. I intensely dislike going to the dentist in the first place but when I have to work done, yeah, I don’t enjoy it! The dentist was nice enough and the numbing is finally gone now!  I’m glad to have it over with but now I have this pulling ahead of me!  I’m not looking forward to that one iota, I can assure you!  L  

Later tonight: Ooooppppss sorry about that ranting earlier. I was so distressed about going to have my wisdom teeth pulled and I was focusing on the negative…like the title says, there is really no such thing as perfect people.  There, for all you people who thought I was just so great, I have amazed you haven’t I?

My Mom and I were talking and one minute I was just so nervous about getting my wisdom teeth out and the next I was just like, it’s gonna be no big deal.  WEIRD!  My Mom, very wise she is J, also told me that is so much easier to encourage someone else to walk in the way of Godliness but it is much harder to walk it out!  True words indeed! Just a few weeks ago one of my close friends had her wisdom teeth pulled and cut out, she was nervous and I remember telling her that “As for the LORD, His way is perfect.” (from Psalm 18:30).  How interesting that when I’m going through the same thing I can’t remember that.  I can’t dwell on God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness but I can encourage her to do it.  Now is the real test, do I have what it takes to walk out my talk?  I sure hope so! 

We were reading a chapter about being purified before God in our Tuesday afternoon ladies Bible study and it was talking about gold being refined.  I remember making the comment that so many people say, I want to be more Christ-like and yet when the fire gets hotter (to bring up all the impurities) they don’t understand it.

I cry out saying, “LORD, why are you taking me through this, I just don’t understand?”. “It’s so simple,” He says, “I just wanted to see if you really meant it.” “Meant what?” we ask. “That you wanted to be more like Me.  You said that whatever the cost your highest aim in life was to be more like Me every day. I just wanted to make sure you were sincere.” He speaks.  My heads hang in shame as I recall those exact words coming out of my mouth numerous times. “Yes, LORD I do want to be more like You, more than anything. Give me the strength to stand this heat LORD. Oh, I do want to be refined!”  “My child,” He whispers, “just lean on these everlasting arms and you’ll find all the strength you’ll ever need!” A pain lances my heart and I wonder why I ever doubted Him.  Why I ever believed that my life was so important, instead of bringing glory and honor to the LORD. 

Whatever comes this next Wednesday at that dentist office, I am resolved that leaning on His strength I will make it through and I will do so for His glory.  I will be thankful that I live in a country where I even have healthcare. I will be thankful that I live with my parents who have insurance. I will be thankful for a skilled surgeon to perform the extraction and for the numbing shots he’ll give me. I will be thankful in the midst of all things, because even hard things come to refine not-so-perfect people for God’s glory! Bless His Holy Name!  He alone is worthy of praise!!!! He’s turning up the heat, Hallelujah!

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

If my muscles of faith were never stretched how would I keep in practice for the race of faith I am running. I cannot run sitting down, I must get of my hind quarters and actually run.  I can count it all joy that I am even in this race, that I am even a child of His, that I He chose to give His gifts to Gentiles as well as Jews. Thank you LORD!  Do I have any room to complain?

This is the verse I will be clinging onto Wednesday. Psalm 18:1-3, “I love You, O LORD, my strength. (When I read that I just stopped right there, and read those words again. So true and so powerful! The LORD is my strength, and I love Him for it!) The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”  

The other verse I find to be a good remembrance to be thankful is in Deuteronomy 28:47.  Here the LORD is addressing them as to the cursed they would receive, “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things.”  May I not be found guilty of that charge.  LORD, make my thankful in the midst of all things, even for the pulling of my wisdom teeth! Amen. Please pray for me, that when doubt and temptation to think unfaithful or ungrateful thoughts come that I would be able to stand against the attacks of the Evil One.  It is amazing what power that little seed of sin can be if not rooted up immediately.  When dwelling on myself and my circumstances, my pain, and my fears, I was a totally different person (as evidenced above); but when I focus on Him and His faithfulness, His character, His immense love for me, I am at peace, I am rest, I am at home!  Watch out other runners, I AM IN THIS RACE TO WIN IT!  My God is strong enough to support me when I am tired and carry me when I am weak!  I serve a big and mighty God and all of Him is more than enough to satisfy this imperfect person who is being refined!

Resting In His Faithfulness,

Maiden Princess

Making An Impact---Lessons from 9-11

9-11 was a day that changed history forever.  So many lives lost, so many lives damaged physically and emotionally. So many orphaned and devastated.  So many tragedies from just two planes.  Nothing is too small to affect our lives and even a small thing can have a big impact.  Unfortunately, the men who flew the planes into the Twin Towers used their know-how to destroy the lives of many.  Their small act was turned into a big calamity. Every day we have the choice to make small choices that can have big effects for Christ.  These terrorists killed many in the name of Allah, hurting, devastating, and maiming. We, on the other hand, make our choices in the name of the One True God, YHWH, and He tells us to offer His life to all, to build up His Kingdom, to encourage His children, to offer hope in a hopeless world at every turn.  Who is the loving God? Allah or YHWH? Allah says to destroy, to look out for yourself, which goes against all of the commands of our LORD.  Jesus offers hope to a dying, confused world, by the shedding of His blood, not by the bloodshed of others.  We must pray for those confused thinking that Allah is the only god.  We must pray for those whose lives were forever changed by two terrorists that flew planes into the twin towers eight years ago today. Because of the choices of two men, their lives were changed forever and not for the good.  May we, not only today, reach out and offer the hope of a loving God to a lost and dying world.  May our choices affect our world to just as great a level as 9-11.  May we bring glory and honor to the name of our LORD by everything we say, do, and think.  This year may 9-11 be a turning point in your life to make an impact on your world for the Messiah.  Use your impact for good, point people to Jesus.  He is the one and only. 

        May the LORD of all be with those who have lost family members in the horrific tragedy of 9-11 this year.  May He wrap His loving arms around them and comfort them in only the way that He can.  If they do not already know Him, I pray that He would send someone to make an impact on their world for Jesus Christ.  That they would allow His healing power to transform their bitter and angry hearts and be overwhelmed with His love.  LORD, I ask that today would be a day of Spiritual awakening for this nation as we remember the impact just two men, dedicated to their cause, had on this nation.  May we, as followers of the One True Messiah, rise up and each begin to make an equally powerful impact on our world for You. Help us to stand tall in the face of adversity and be compassionate to those who are hurting.  I thank you LORD, that You give the grace to sustain us and the strength to uphold us in these times and every day.  Use us for Your glory LORD. ~ Amen.

Striving In His Grace,

Maiden Princess

Today while my Mom and I were at my Grandparent’s house waiting for our dog, Chloe, to be finished getting groomed, I ate a few pieces of multi-grain toast.  It was around breakfast time you see.  It was pretty good except the butter wasn’t salted so I had to sprinkle some salt on my toast.  Then it was much better!  Later on in the living room I was talking to my Grandma, I explained to her that although you thought you were eating something healthy from the appearance of the different sorts of seeds in the bread, research has proven that flaxseeds aren’t really helpful to your body unless ground up.

As I was thinking about that concept later on in the afternoon and a thought struck me. We are like flax seeds. While we try to impress the world with our “togetherness” on the outside, God doesn’t really care. We are of no benefit to Him unless our lives are broken and surrendered to Him. Humility and brokenness might seem out of place in this world but if we want to be spiritually strong and a useful vessel to our Master they are essential.  One last side note, the essential vitamins and minerals that make flax seeds good for you, don’t come out until they are crushed. In essence, the good stuff don’t come out till it’s been squeezed.  Just some thoughts!

Humbled Before Him,

Maiden Princess

Farm Show & Family

            Tomorrow my Dad and brother are going to a local farm show together for the day.  They will leave tomorrow morning at 7am and probably not be home until 4.  They will go out for breakfast and then be home by dinner time.  We are all hoping that tomorrow will be a good bonding time for my Dad, and brother and that my brother would be open and honest with my Dad in their times of talking. More than anything we are praying that my Dad will be able to plant seeds of life into his soul throughout the day.  Please pray with us and I’ll keep you updated! Our deepest desire, even beyond seeing him return home, is to see him surrender his soul to the LORD.

Loving Him,

Maiden Princess

Vacationing

            Recently, I have realized how fast time flies by!  You blink and you miss two thousand little moments of incredible pleasure.  These past few weeks I have barely been able to manage holding it all together, not to mention stressed!  It was really today that it hit me that I need to SLOW DOWN and enjoy today, because maybe I won’t get a tomorrow.  I have been trying to cram too much into my days and many things have been suffering because of it.

           So, without furter ado, I  will be taking a blogging vacation until nex Monday, July 13th.  Of coures, I know that my blog, in and of itself, is not what is making my life go hay-wire, it’s me and my choices on how to spend my time.  I just need a few days to regroup, reorganize, and reprioritize my life.  I want to pray and seek the LORD on how I should be spending my His time that He’s given me. There are some things that need to be weeded out all together and some things that need to be done less often.  I need to reevaluate my go-to-bed and wake-up times so that I can be the best and most energetic me that I can be to do my best at the work the LORD has called me to do.  (Not depending on coffee to get me through the long days and still yawning every 10 minutes!)

Thank you for understanding!  I hope the rest of your week will be filled with many little blessings and unceasing love for each other.  

Because of His Grace,

Maiden Princess 

The W. Family Update

Well, ya’ll know about what’s going on so I’ll just give you the latest updates.  Since the last ultrasound (the one I told you about) she talked to another doctor because she just couldn’t believe that there were no options available.  This doctor told her that she could have more fluid inserted and take steroids for the development of the baby.  The doctor in turn told his nurse, who then called St. John’s , and St. John’s hospital called her back to see if she wanted to make an appointment to discuss the risks of doing “fluid replacement” (that’s what I call it anyways, way easier to spell).  She did, and Mrs. and Mr. W. went in to discuss it with them last week.  They however, since praying about it very hard, decided against the treatment because, not only is so unhealthy for Mom and baby, but also because there were some extreme health risks. 

Also because of the tear in the baby’s sack which is causing the leak, she is at risk for an infection, and depending on how bad it gets she could even lose her life!  At this point she is on bed rest and ordered to take lots of fluids, because there is a possibility that the tear could heal itself. 

However, with so little fluid to develop in the baby will probably be born in about 4 weeks, either on its own or by induction. Also, because of the small amount of fluid the baby is living in, his/her lungs may have a hard time developing, and between 20-24 weeks is when that usually happens.  Mrs. W. was 20 weeks on Saturday. 

There are some hard things to think about for this family and the Mom and Dad are “doing just ok” (in their oldest daughter’s words).  Please continue praying.  I will keep you updated as anything changes.

Thank you all again!

Kneeling At His Throne,
Maiden Princess