Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Prayer for the Little Ones - Phoenix

Welcome to my weekly prayer for the little ones. I am so excited that I have found a way to show all of the many blogs for children that need prayer that I have come across. There is so much need in the world, and I am willing to give as much as I can. I hope that you join me in prayer for this little guys.

If you would like to be included or know of someone who should be please email me at

saffoa (at) gmail (dot) com

 

Phoenix is almost 2 and has cystic fibrosis. I have read a bunch of their past posts. He seems like a real fighter and a sweet little boy. Please head on over to his blog, read his story and send up a prayer for him.

My prayers for Phoenix:

  • Continued weight gain
  • Strength and renewed encouragement for his family
  • That God would clear a path for his insurance to cover all the treatment that he needs.

Thanks for reading.

*Sorry I haven’t been blogging for the past week. I will be starting a new adventure in the bible soon, so look out for that.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Prayer For the Little Ones – Lydia Eileen

As I go along this blogging journey, I find myself more and more addicted to reading other blogs. People have so much to say, it's truly amazing. I have even amazed myself at how much I have to say.

There are blogs about everything…everyday life, technology, finance, blogging, family, children, etc etc. Out of these thousands and thousands of blogs I find myself coming across the same types of blogs over and over. About 80% of the blogs I see are for children that are in need of prayer.

This has really got me thinking. Why me? Why now? And what am I to do with this?

I have come to a small conclusion.

I am starting a new segment, Prayer for the Little Ones. Each Wednesday (I hope) I will be posting the site of a child who needs prayer or a family that has been through these tough times and are sharing their lives.

If you would like to be included or know of someone who should be please email me at

saffoa (at) gmail (dot) com

Praying for Lydia


Lydia Eileen is the Little One that needs prayer closest to my heart. While you may have seen me discuss her here before. I again urge you intercede on her behalf. Her blog can be found at http://www.lydiaeileen.blogspot.com. You can get her prayer button on my sidebar.

Lydia’s story (from her blog)

“On August 20, 2009 God changed our lives by giving us a beautiful little girl. Lydia was born with Zellweger Syndrome, a genetic disorder that has no cure. This is the story of her life, and our dealings with the God who created her and who is daily drawing us closer to Himself. Thank you for your love and support for our family.”

My prayers for Lydia:

  • strength like she never has had before
  • a seizure free night
  • miraculous healing for each cell in her body
  • peace, strength and rest for her parents as they walk this difficult road

Check back next week for a new Little One to pray for.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Even the Smallest of Prayers

The other night I sent a friend of mine a message that I would pray something for her family on Facebook. As I typed this out, I said a quick prayer. I had intentions to sit down and meet with God at a less crazy time that evening, one where I could truly focus. Sadly that did not happen. My prayer was forgotten and the night ended.

The next day I received a note from my friend that my prayer had been answered.

I am not proud to say, but I was pleasantly shocked!

Why is it that I was shocked? I should not be shocked. God answers all prayers, even the smallest of them.

This has been a humbling lesson from God. A lesson on what childlike faith should look like. I believe because God said He would answer.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Walking on Your Own Faith

You would be amazed at how long you can walk on borrowed faith, on how long I have walked on borrowed faith. It's like when you are gaining weight, and all the sudden, one day your pants don't fit. Your not sure when or how it happened but one day, BAM! You wake up and realize you've fallen so far.
Sure, you listen to Christian radio, and read Christian magazines (or blogs), you have Christian friends. It's all great, but whose faith are you standing on?
I'm sure there is an exact moment where you stop listening directly to God and His Word and begin listening to people and what they say about His Word, but who can say where that is? Now I'm not saying that listening to others is bad, its the stop listening to God part that's worrisome.
So you wake up one day and find this, then what? I've had grand plans before..."I'm going to read my bible everyday!" I am good at that for a week, two, maybe even three. So then what. I'll be honest here, I have no golden answer. Here's what I am going to do though.
1) Ask God to give me a passion for His Word.
2) Set my alarm (blackberry) to remind me everyday.
I'm starting small. We'll see where this goes. If I can master these two things then I'll add another.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Following God Through Feelings

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Most of the time when I am following God, it is because it started as a small feeling, deep in my heart.

For as long as I can remember…I have always heard not to follow your feelings. Feelings can be swayed…a fickle heart and all that.

Each time, this lingers at the back of my mind. Every time I think that God is showing me something, I worry about this. I am tired of this. I am tired of feeling like God wouldn’t or couldn’t show me things through my feelings. I am tired of feeling like my feelings are evil, or I am not a good enough Christian because I listen to them.

Who are these people that say this? Why are they doing this to people like me? Do they genuinely believe that God would give us these feelings and then not use them for His good? (This last one is a recent revelation one to me). And lastly, do they realize that they are limiting God this way?

So, I’m here to buck the trend and listen to my feelings!! I know! It’s crazy.

That said, I think there are a few rules to this.

1. You must know that God uses everything at His disposal to help guide, teach and use us.

2. You must listen to God in more ways than one. Communication is key.

3. Is what you are feeling biblical? Does it go against God?

Then what?

Here’s where more listening and some faith comes in.

Pray about it…and take a step in that direction…then pray about it again, and listen.

God will direct you from there. And if you need to, keep taking steps, until you are sure.

God is a great God. God can use your feelings. Don’t be afraid of listening to them.