Wednesday, March 26, 2014

I Will Go!

Life is rolling on in our house. Spring is coming. Every year when I  see the pink buds on the tree in my front yard, I rejoice that God got us through another winter. This has been a long one. A HARD one. After the baby was born in October, I stopped going many places because I wanted to protect him from germs. I am still scarred from Crew getting RSV when he was a tiny baby. They share the same birthday so the same germs are creeping around Rhett. We sailed through almost all of winter until the kids got a horrible cough. Including Rhett. Hope was hacking during her birthday trip with Tim.  All the kids were. Our house reminded me of a tuberculosis ward at night when scary coughs were coming from all the rooms. I can't not kiss my babies so I was holding them all and kissing them. Then, I spiked a fever and my throat started hurting. It started hurting so bad during the night I hung my head over the sink and spit for hours because I couldn't swallow. I watched the clock tick until it got to 5:59 am when I woke Tim up and said, "something is wrong with me. I need to go to the doctor." My throat, neck, and ear were throbbing so bad I didn't want to move. I took a trip to the doctor where he told me that he thought it was MONO. Needless to say, my world stopped. I went to the ENT. He told me it was tonsilitis and maybe MONO. Time would tell. During the following week I got a bladder infection (first of my life) and shingles (second time). The mono test came back negative. I was on steroids and antibiotics. WHAT IN THE WORLD? I prayed that God would have mercy on Rhett. The last time I got shingles, I gave 3 of my kids chicken pox. Rhett is too small for the vaccine. So, here we go AGAIN. Health trials are my thorn in the flesh. The enemy always kicks me when I am down.  When I have no energy. When I am so weak, I can hardly take another step.
I prayed that I would stay yielded during this fiery trial. I HATE HEALTH TRIALS and this kind of stuff. I just want to be a mom... a NORMAL HEALTHY mom.
My prayer was that God would strengthen me according to His Word. To give me strength for the battle. My body is so run down from fatigue. From doing the work of 5 people. From not sleeping through the night in 5+ months.

I don't know why I share super personal stuff on my blog for the world to read but here are 2 stories for you....
One night during this I had a dream that I was praying and the wind started blowing... hard... like a hurricane. It was scary. I was trying to brace myself from the power of the wind. In my dream, I fell facedown.
Then there was a blinding light and I woke up. I sat up in bed very startled by the power I just encountered. What was that? Could it have been the glory of the Lord passing by? I don't know but it was supernatural.
"When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by." Ex 33:22


 "I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling the temple of the LORD, and I fell facedown." Ez 44:4


Story #2:
We got a new table for our house. It has two benches and a carpenter made it for our family. We outgrew our old table. So, I went out (for the first time in weeks and weeks) shopping at Homegoods for a rug to go under our new table. I was in the back of the store with Crew when I see a man walking down the isle looking right at me. It looked like he was on a mission. He said, "excuse me, ma'am?". I said, "yes?". He said, "your baby is so cute. Is there anything I can pray for him about?". Again, I AM IN HOMEGOODS. I was so caught off guard and kind of nervous so I said, "no- thank you". He said, "are you sure? any health issues?". I said, "I would love for you to pray for him". He places his hand on Rhett's head and prays over him... IN THE HOMEGOODS RUG SECTION. He prays for God to heal him and make him strong. He prays blessing, favor, and protection over our family. He was a handsome man. Maybe in his mid-40s. I thanked him.  My mom was with me and saw the whole thing go down from a distance (if you don't believe me). The man walked away. I whispered to mom, "Mom, did you just see that?". She said, "yes. what did he say?". After I realized how kind his act was, I decided to go find him and really thank him. I had been really stand-offish. I needed to go tell him thank you from the bottom of my heart and tell him that we truly did need prayer.
I looked all over the store. 
HE. WAS. GONE.

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
Heb 13:2

Y'all. I share these precious stories with you to encourage you that GOD IS REAL. That He cares about us. That angels are real. That He sends them to protect us and strengthen us. God watches over you while you sleep. He strengthens you. He loves you while you are sleeping. It isn't about our performance. After I realized God's presence over me when I was sleeping, I was humbled by His agape love for me. He knows how weak we are. He doesn't need us to pretend. He needs us to pray and ask Him for His strength. 


“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

Daniel 10:19

He is Jehovah Rapha! Our Healer. He is able to heal YOU. Whether it is your health, your marriage, your heart... He is ABLE to do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask or think!
And, what is our response to be after He heals us?
The same as Peter's mother-in-law...
"But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.  So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. 
And she served them."
Mark 1:30,31 

We SERVE. 
We serve Jesus and others. 

I am burdened by  how many people are labeled with words like DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, Bi-POLAR, etc...
If a doctor has given you a sheet of paper with one of these words on it, I beg you to go to God for help first. We are more than conquerers. God can fix what is broken. Sometimes we have to wrestle through these things daily but God gives VICTORY.
I am not saying all meds are wrong but the over-use of meds IS wrong. The Bible clearly tells us to be SOBER-MINDED, to be ALERT... over and over. We don't want to put our inner girl to sleep. 
The rate of antidepressant use in the United States increased nearly 400 percent over the last two decades, according to a report released Oct. 19.
Drugs should be a last resort. These drugs are dependant.
I can't tell you how many times over the years of dealing with different illnesses that doctors offered me drugs I didn't need! I went to the doctor YESTERDAY with back pain and he wanted to give me anti-anxiety medicine. Huh? No tests. No blood work. 

I have seen so many lives wrecked by drugs. Please don't leave me mean anonymous comments about this. It is true. It is a PROBLEM in our country. Let's not confuse discouragement with depression, or our inner battle with bi-polar. 
If you struggle with mental health, I know it is real. I am just begging you to be WISE.
Have you gone to the elders of your Church and had them pray over you? That is step one. God will lead you through the healthy steps of healing. If, after you have gone through the Biblical steps for healing, you think you still need drugs... seek out a godly person who knows the Word for counsel and make your decision.

""Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming."
1 Peter 1:13

"Therefore be alert and of sobermind so that you may pray."
1 Peter 4:7

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8

Since I am hitting hot topics, I may as well address a couple more that I am processing. The uproar with World Vision.
I, personally, am calling to remove my monthly financial commitment to the organization. Why? Well, because they are no longer operating "in the name of Jesus Christ". We have to believe in Jesus "as the Scriptures have said". We can't make up our own rules. Scripture is very clear about marriage. God is not the author of confusion. It is VERY CLEAR.
1 Peter tells us that the only offerings acceptable to God MUST be THROUGH JESUS.
"offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:5

So, since we also sponsor children through Compassion and they are operating in the Jesus' name, we will transfer our spiritual sacrifices there. We will continue to feed orphans and love the ones He loves but it HAS to be done through Christ or it doesn't count.  Give all the money you want to an organization but if it isn't through Christ, God doesn't accept it. It breaks my heart that the World Vision guy did this. It is HIS DECISION that is hurting the children. Not Christians who decide to give to a different organization.
But, God will continue His work among orphans. Find out where and GIVE!
Jesus said he came with a sword. 
I believe that the Church is being purified. There will be 2 groups. Those who believe and obey God's Word and those who don't. Homosexuality will be a defining issue in our culture. What does the Bible say about it? How do we address it? 
Love. Love and truth. 
If we love people, we will tell them the truth. We don't shrink back. We are messengers with a message and a task to beg people to come back to God. This isn't hate. It is love. Approving of what God's Word condemns does not equal love. We ALL have to learn to control our bodies in a way that is holy and honorable. (1 Thess 4). That isn't something we are born knowing how to do. 

 The kids and I re-wrote the lyrics of Frozen because of the message it was sending. It is not the message of the Bible. We are not to "let it go". We aren't to "not care what people say". We aren't to watch the storms we cause rage on. We aren't to say "no rules for me". This seems cute and innocent until you compare it to Scripture.
If the song is stuck in your head (like it has been mine) try these lyrics...

I Will Go!

Is 6:8


"The cross showed love on the mountain tonight
What a Savior to be seen
A kingdom of salvation,
And I’m sure that He’s the King.

The world is dyingas the battle storms inside
The death of His Son, All of heaven cried

Let Him in! Let Him see!
Run to Jesus- He will set you free!
Confess, don’t hide, He loves you SO
Now You can KNOW!

I will go! I will go!
Can’t hold me back anymore
I will go! I will Go!
Take the gospel to the world!

I DO care
What they’re going to say
Let His love rage on,
My sin always bothered me anyway.

It’s funny how His love
Makes everything seem small
And the sins that once controlled me
Can’t get to me at all!

It’s time to see what He can do
To test the limits and break through
He’s right, I’m wrong, grace rules for me
I’m free!!!

I will go! I will GO!
I am one with the TRINITY!
I will go! I will GO!
You may just see me cry.

Here I stand
And here I'll stay
Let His love rage on

His forgiveness shatters through the penalty of sin
My soul is singing because His love will always win

I’m never going back,
My past paid on His cross
I will go. I will go.
And I'll rise at the break of dawn
I will go. I will go.
That sinful girl is GONE.

Here I stand
In the light of Him
Let His love rage on,
My sin always bothered me anyway."

I am having my boys watch the movie and write a book report on it for Discernment 101. To discern through it based on the Word of God. 
We have to teach our kids to think.
We aren't to keep them in a bubble. They have to know how to have the mind of Christ and use His weapons.
Our kids will fail. But, let's equip them to be outstanding leaders, soldiers who are fit for battle.
Here is one of my verse prayers for my boys...
"They were all select men—mighty warriors and outstanding leaders. The total number of men available for military service"
1 Chr 7:40


Read your Bible. It is the only place you don't have to use discernment. God will teach you His Word. You need discernment now more than ever.


"And this is my prayer: 
that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to DISCERN what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."
Phil 1:9-11

Be Blessed~
Steph














3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your blog always blesses me. I to suffer from health problems that are also my thorn in the side. Many blessings to your family
Linda Marsh
Ocala, Fla

Anonymous said...

Love the re-written Frozen :-) So cute, but true. You are such an encouragement, praying for you and your precious family through all the health issues. May you be healthy and well as you serve the Lord!! Much love and concern, Erin Lynn

amber said...

Waking up to another FROZEN morning here in canada and struggling w discontentment at living here I needed the TRUTH of your re-written song lyrics to help pound away the lies the enemy was pouring in! Such a great idea taking something so catchy and turning it into something Christ honoring- want to copy and share w my girls who love that movie and sing the songs constantly.

I know it's not easy to open your life and share w strangers, as you said... but that's the beauty of grace. As we are willing to share His work in our hearts, others are encouraged and pointed to Him as a result. {{thank you}}