Friday’s Fact

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope

In Captivity ~

"Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month,

as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar,

that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and  

the hand of the LORD was there upon him."

Ezekiel 1:1-3

 

"No calamity can be to us an unmixed evil if we carry it in direct and fervent prayer to God,

for even as one in taking shelter from the rain beneath a tree may find on its branches fruit which he looked not for,

so we in fleeing for refuge beneath the shadow of God's wing,

will always find more in God than we had seen or known before."

~William Taylor from Streams in the Desert


A Happy Birthday to Joshua in Japan!!!

by ObtainingMercy, posted in What's Happening

Joshua is 9 today!

Joshbd

What a bummer to spend your birthday in the hospital, but Josh seems to be taking it in stride.  He had a good day with his family.

You can read all about his birthday here: 

Mom 2-4 Xanga Blog

Be sure to drop by and wish the J-Man a Happy Birthday!

Catching Up

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Prayer Request, What's Happening

We are having such nice weather right now, in the high 70's, low 80's – just gorgeous really.  We'll only have a bit of this, so we try to enjoy it while we can.

We're also getting lots of rain, which is so good for everything.  This summer was too dry, even for Florida.

I can't believe some of my friends are seeing snow already – that's just cRaZy!

Doug made a huge pot of vegetable soup on Saturday, and we are enjoying it so much with our fall-like weather.

My back went out again over the weekend.  I didn't "do" anything, it just sort of "went".  I was able to get to the chiropractor today, and will need to go back tomorrow. 

Our caregiver was sick, so Doug had to miss a day of work.  That is the thing that really "gets" to me when I'm stuck with a bad back – when I can't care for my child and my home the way I need to. 

However, I thank the Lord often for the fact that our church streams its services live.  I was able to "be" at both the morning and evening services. 

The sermon on Sunday night, from our senior pastor, was just what my troubled soul needed, too.  He gave us a great reminder to not follow in the footsteps of Thomas the Doubting Disciple; but to instead cry out to the Lord, as the father of the child possessed by devils did with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

So, I've been able to put that sermon into immediate practice as I've been dealing with a great deal of pain the past 2 days.  The Lord is so faithful to minister to me in my time of despair.  He is a good and gracious God to me.

Our little friend, Joshua in Japan, is still in the hospital; and his blood counts continue to drop.  The doctors continue to be confused as to the cause.  Laura and Jerry continue to try to manage family, work and hospital time.  It is difficult.  Please continue to pray!

I will share a specific answer to prayer for Laura, though.  She has been stuck eating "fast food" for most of the past 3 weeks, due to the demands on her very limited time.  However, over the weekend, on the Joshua's classmates parents brought her a basket of goodies that included fresh bread, fresh veggies and tuna.  What a wonderful treat for her!!!  What a thoughtful thing to do!  I am praying the Lord's blessings on that classmate's family! 🙂

That's it, I guess, for today's update.

Blessings to you,

Alesha

Asking You to Keep Praying for Joshua in Japan

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Prayer Request

I'd like to ask you to continue to pray for Joshua in Japan.

He has had several blood transfusions to try to regulate his platelets, and white and red blood cell counts, and they do help short term.  Unfortunately, his numbers start falling by the next day.  The doctors are working on several things, trying to find the culprit, and to see what will work for him.

You can read all of his mom's updates here:  Mom 2-4 Xanga

Just imagine yourself in their shoes and you will know how to pray.  I know his parents are getting tired.  They have no time to talk with each other.  There girls are just getting bits and pieces of parental attention.  They are worried.  Their jobs are taxing their energy.  They are getting very little sleep.  There is no time for laundry and grocery shopping and cooking.  It has been exhausting, and they still have no concrete answers.

Please pray for God to move in a miraculous way in the minds of the doctors and in Joshua's body, to find a cause, a remedy and a solution to this situation.

Thanks for praying,

Alesha

 

What Do You Need Today?

by ObtainingMercy, posted in Uncategorized

 

He will supply it!


 When the poor and needy seek water,

and there is none,

and their tongue faileth for thirst,

I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

 

I will open rivers in high places,

and fountains in the midst of the valleys:

I will make the wilderness a pool of water,

and the dry land springs of water.


Isaiah 41:17-18

Why would you turn to anything else???

Friday’s Fact

by ObtainingMercy, posted in How Great is Our God

 

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

who healeth all thy diseases;

"Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

"Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Psalm 103:2-5


~~~He is a mighty good God!!!  Let's bless Him this weekend!~~~

It Must Be Important…

by ObtainingMercy, posted in A Door of Hope, Just My Thoughts

 

…if the Apostle Paul said it TWICE:

I Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

I Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

What are you doing today that isn't a "sin",

but it also isn't "expedient" (useful; profitable)?

What are you participating in today that may be "ok" for you to do,

but it does not edify (to build)?

What are you allowing in your life today that may be "ok" for others,

but you have come "under" (a state of oppression or subjection to) its power?

 

Two verses

Nearly identical

One important truth:


 If it's a sin – don't do it!

If it isn't a sin – is it useful? are you under its power? does it build you as a Christian?

Good questions for us today! 

Blessings,

Alesha