MORNING THOUGHTS

Please say a quick prayer for me today. Satan is trying very hard to throw me in a pit. I could spend hours commisserating and complaining about my lot in life, but what good would that do? For the most part my so-called "complaints" are only self-serving. But sometimes it amazes me just powerful Satan can be in our lives if we give him the opportunity. How he will try to take words from a loving spouse, and twist them, and instead of seeing encouragement, we see only despair. How he will take the blessing of a wonderful earthly father, and make me think only about how short his life was and about how miserable I am that he's gone, instead of how blessed my life was because he was in it. How he will take a job that is such a blessing because I am able to stay home with my kids, and instead make me feel like I hate my job. How he will take the blessing of my husband having two jobs that he loves, and instead, make me only think about how little time I have with him.

I went for a walk this morning. I haven't exercised lately, and I think that has contributed to my feeling like I'm "in a pit". I need to exercise because I need to lose weight. I need to lose weight because I have high blood pressure. I need to get rid of the high blood pressure so that I can be here to fulfill my purpose in life: to glorify God, to love support my Husband in everything he chooses to do (regardless of what or not I like it), and to raise children that truly love and want to serve God. Everything beyond that is extra. A trip to Ohio is extra. A weekend at a women's conference is extra. Attendance at fellowship meetings is extra. I should only be thankful for the blessings that God has given to me, not moping around because I am not getting the "extras". If I stopped worrying and fussing about the "extras", perhaps my blood pressure would go down on its own.

While I walked this morning, I listened to Christian music on my mp3 player. Two songs brought me to tears this morning. Had I not been with Caleb, and pushing him in a stroller, they would have brought me to my knees. Both songs are by Point of Grace. Here are the words:

FAITH, HOPE & LOVE
Artist(Band):Point Of Grace
Words & Music by Ty Lacy & Kevin Stokes
(Chorus)
Faith, Hope and love
Is more than enough when times get tough
Faith, hope and love
Will tunnel through what's in front of you
If you just trust in faith, hope and love

There's a lot of things we face
That seem to pull us down
There's a lot of tears and pain
That turn our world around
Seems the hammer always falls against us
At our weakest times
But I know a power that can heal
The wounds it leaves behind
It's a stone's throw away
From anything we may face

(Repeat Chorus)

There's a lot of hurt and sorrow
That can cloud the bluest skies
Still there's hope in tomorrow
If we just close our eyes
To every fear we must face
As wE learn to embrace...

(Repeat Chorus)

You can trust
You can really, really trust
In faith, hope and love
Just a little faith will pave the road before you
To see you through

(Repeat Chorus) 3x

I'LL BE BELIEVING
Words & music by Geoff Thurman & Becky Thurman

When I'm walking the straight and narrow
Sometimes life throws a little curve
If I slip on the stones beneath me
Will I loose my nerve?
Looking up when Ive hit the bottom
Giving thanks that the motions stopped
I still have a rock to hold to
If the bottom drops
Out here on my own I wont be alone
I'll keep believing you

I'll be believing
I will be believing
I'll be believing
Oh, I'll be believing you
I'll be believing
I will be believing
Oh, I'll be believing you

If I find all my hopes are hollow
Even if all my wells run dry
If Im left here with next to nothing
And I dont know why
I'm here on my own
I won't be alone
I'll keep believing you
Out here on my own
I won't be alone
I'll keep believing you