Trying Times

I'm always amazed at how quickly elation can turn to frustration when things get complicated.  We often witness the unbelievable and count our blessings thanking God for bringing us through trials ranging from a trip to the emergency room and a dying dog to a parking space close to the door in record heatwaves...

Yet, the very next seemingly negative event or circumstance puts us in turmoil... no matter how trivial.

Human beings are funny that way.  We epitomize "what have you done for me lately?" through our incredible short term memory.  We also often fail to grant the grace we are given in our circumstance to others...  I imagine God in heaven must shake his head at us frequently.

So often we can't see past our "now" to even conceive of our potential future or the impact of our current actions on that future. I call these 'heavy sigh' moments. We allow the trying times we face to dictate our state of mind and subsequently our state of belief.

The result:  A lack of VISION

Isn't it funny how we can be given EXACTLY what we requested, prayed for, meditated on, or believed could be to then turn around and only see a new set of circumstances to derail us rather than seeing how much closer we are to our dream?

Why is that??

Well, there's the good vs. evil belief; karma principles; yin-yang; etc etc etc.  Pick your negative poison.  I think it's any number of things but regardless, I believe it comes back to a lack of vision. 

We fail to see the forrest for the trees... we have blinders on!

Next time you come through an incredibly traumatic time and receive our grace and victory, take a moment to WRITE DOWN your joy, your excitement and how grateful you are to have been brought through safely or given what you wanted.  Do that for yourself so when you face your next problem you see it for what it is:

A circumstance.  A challenge.  A step closer to your GOAL...

When things get complicated - as surely they will - REMEMBER where you've been so you can have FAITH in where you're going.

Your ability to achieve your VISION is decided by the myriad of choices you make today.  See past the circumstances of now to where you want to be - and then refuse to settle for anything less than your dream... one circumstance at a time.

Whatever you are facing today - no matter how big or how insignificant the issue - consider how 'big' that is in comparison to your dream!  You can have your hearts desire if you believe you can. 

Embrace your Vision!
Choose to see it rather than the circumstances.  ;)

You might be surprised at how close you already are!

THINK.     WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.

Answered Prayers...

Incredibly... God came through.

This morning, the Vet called and the first thing he said was "Aspen's fever broke."  I almost cried.  I smiled and instead waved my hand to God in thanks...  He had answered.

The vet went on to say that his lungs had started to clear... he was breathing better... and that his insides were responding.  All things were improving!


All things were improving...
Improving...
Improving...

It is so breath-takingly humbling to experience a miracle.  To know that with a WORD, God answered... and not in any sort of random or non-descript way.  Not in generalities.  Not circumstantial.

God answered in strikingly significant specifics.
The response was so precisely perfect that the Truth is that it could be NOTHING else but God.

And isn't that how it works?

Be still and know...
He answers so that we KNOW.
He answers in a way that assures us that it IS Him...

Our hearts recognize and KNOW.

Thank you Lord, for answering this prayer and for responding to the overwhelming love and support by so many friends and family who were praying also.  Praise you for your unbelievable grace and love... for helping renew and infuse our faith.

You ARE all in all... THE God - THE Lord.  The one and only, Alpha and Omega.  The Morning Star. King of Kings...

I love You - and honor You - and am so humbled and blessed by this miracle of restored life for my little Aspen.  I know his healing is not yet complete - but I know it will be because You answered already.  How great thou art!  And how incredible is it that the God of the Universe cares so much for a life so small?

How much more do you mean to Him?
How much more will He do for you?

Prayers for Aspen

A friend asked me 'how' I prayed?

This is how...

I'm asking for prayer and healing for little Aspen... 

That today his fever breaks and his health is wholly restored to the amazement of his vet and for God's glory. We are praying and agreeing that Aspen is healed completely from the inside out - the cough disappears, his breathing is normal, his lungs are clear, his fever is gone, and he can eat and digest his food with no problem!! Your Word says to ask... so I am asking for this restoration miracle now in Jesus Name, Heal this little life who brings such joy and bring him home to us THIS week!

I thank you Lord that Aspen will live a long, full healthy life for at least another 10 years!  ...that his eyes see, his organs, cells, muscles, and bones are vibrant and alive, healthy... that he is surrounded by love and not afraid... that his heart is strong, his kidneys and liver and intestines all work normally as they should... that his body is strong and healthy, free from infection and disease.  I pray a hedge of protection around about him - that he is surrounded by your warring and ministering angels to guard and comfort him.

I pray and come against ANY ailment, infection, disease, or negative thing that attempts to hurt or kill him and command those things to GO NOW in the Name of Jesus - at whose name every knee must bow and tongue confess that He is Lord ( Isaiah 45:23 and Philippians 2:9-11).  "It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord" (Zech 4:6) so I acknowledge You, Lord.  Only YOU can heal Aspen and I praise you and thank you for this victory.

I thank you Lord for the blessing that this little dog is to me and my family.  I thank you Lord that you have given him as a blessing and that his 'time' is not yet done.  He is an innocent life whom You love as much as I do.  I TRUST You, Lord and KNOW that You want Aspen alive and healthy... therefore I rebuke and reject this attack on him.  Your Word says that 'the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy' (John 10:10) so I know where this comes from and am so thankful that You, Lord defeated him.  Your Word further says that "when caught, the thief must restore 7x what he has stolen" (Prov 6:31) - so I claim that now for Aspen.  He WILL be restored to full health and live seven times a greater, stronger, longer, healthier life than before.

You are the Alpha and the Omega, Lord.  The beginning and the end.  All life, all hope, all love comes from You.  You are ALL in ALL.  Jehovah Jirah (our provider), Jehovah Rophe (our healer), Jehovah Shalom (our peace), Jehovah Nissi (our banner)!  You heal with a word... Emmanuel - God with us.  I thank you that 1 John 4:4 says "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world" and Psalms 23:4 says "I will fear no evil, for you are with me Lord, Your Word and Your Spirit comfort me.  No evil shall befall me, neither shall shall any plague come near my dwelling" (Psalms 91:10) and that means there is no place for this illness, this plague in my home because I am a child of the King.

Thank you, Lord!  I give You all the glory for Aspen's healing and I thank you humbly for this amazing grace... today and always.

I love you, Lord Jesus - I believe.
To God be all the Glory.
Amen.