A Simple Prayer???

If you're like me, you have heard that phrase millions of times.......you've probably said it at least half that many. You know the blessing:

God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food.

Have you really given much thought to it or just said it?? I must admit....I'm guilty of both, but recently, that particular prayer really made me think. (I think I was in the shower at the time. God does alot of His talking to me in the shower-----that too leaves me to think deeply, why the shower??) Most little children are taught it. They NEVER forget it. Such a simple prayer........or is it??

GOD IS GREAT!!!
This really doesn't need any more explanation. As you read that how many breaths did God allow you to take? You are able to see, think, smell, feel, & love. Where do you think that came from? The sun, the rain, all the stars (more than the eye can see), the wind, trees, flowers, dirt, food.......ever given much thought to it all? God IS great!!!

"Creator of heaven and earth." Genesis 14:19

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4

GOD IS GOOD!!!
He is sooooo good. He has forgiven me. My sins, oh my many, horrible, terrible sins have been forgiven. ME!!!

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." Romans 3:22-25 (this is for everyone who believes)

He knows ME!! He knows my thoughts, my motives, my heart, my feelings, my fears, my worries. He knows what I'm going to do before I've even thought it. He's NEVER surprised! He hears my prayers without a word being spoken. God IS good! He IS alive in me!!

I pray He is also alive in you. I pray that you REALLY feel Him. Remember, He knows YOU!! He loves YOU!!

God is great! God is good! Thank you LORD for everything!!!!

The Power of Prayer

This blog started a week ago. Either I was busy and didn't have the time I needed to devote to it, or God needed me to wait to do it properly, I don't know, but it's now time! I'm praying that it is taken in the context it is "whole heartedly, graciously, lovingly" intended. (I love you Kari!!!)

Most of you know I've been dealing with some medical issues. On Friday the 13th, I had gone back to the doctor to get results of the tests I had had done and to hopefully finally have "the answers"......the answer--more tests. Anyway, my friends and family (church family included of course!) were praying faithfully for me and my situation and were anxiously waiting to hear "the answers". I texted, twittered, and called everyone when Mark & I left the doctor's office. I never, NEVER worry about people not praying. I'm am BLESSED to be surrounded by prayer warriors! Knowing that sure does make the peace I feel more "peaceful" if that makes sense to you.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7


Last Monday morning (2/16) I was literally brought to my knees (and face)! I was checking my emails, which I pledged to do regularly this year (still working on that).....any way, there was one particular email that "drew me" to it before any of the others. It was an email from a special lady who is dealing with her own medical issues. Here's what I found----as you read this, you are getting them latest response first:

3.to me:
"The reply was touching thought u needed to know" Kari

2.to Kari:
from judy @ wibi.org
Re: WIBI Prayer Request Form

Dear Kari, We are joining with you and all those who love Toni trusting God to walk with her step by step. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Psalm 62:5-7 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7My salvation and my honor depend on God' he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Blessings, Judy....Prayer Team

1.to prayer @wibi.org
from Kari

Request A very DEAR friend has learned of cystis on her ovary etc and needs prayers! She is such a devoted woman to CHRIST to others to her husband and children! She never gets just one minute for herself. SHE TRUELY IS A AMAZING WOMAN!!! I just hope she gets thru this ok and receives the kindness she shares with all of man kind everyday......(Toni Stewart is her name) Thank you so much!!!!


Are you crying now too????? Understand why I was brought to my knees? I was so humbled!! For Kari to do this selfless act, words cannot begin to express what my heart is/was feeling! THANK YOU GOD!! Here was my response to her through my tears:

oh my beautiful..........THANK YOU!!! You NEVER cease to amaze me?? I KNOW I'll be ok......God is GREAT!! He has me in His loving arms & takes care of me EVERYDAY!! He gives me my next breath. He's MY everything!! Thank you for asking others for prayers. He hears them all!!! I love you!! Know what else, God loves you too!!!

This gesture----this wonderful caring, loving gesture was made by one of God's beautiful children that I have been trying to share with & convince that He DOES love her. He DOES know her thoughts & prayers. He IS always with her. I KNOW God is tugging on her heart! I KNOW God trying to reach her! I am now praying SHE knows it and allows Him in. The AMAZING love and peace she would feel........AMAZING!!!

Then, as if there could be more, on Tuesday 2/17, she gave me the most beautiful cross necklace for Valentine's Day. More tears!!!! Now everyday when I put my cross around my neck, I let her know she also is around my neck with her love!!!

Now I'm asking you all to pray for Kari.....pray she continues to feel......to love......to grow!!

Kari, "night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." 2 Timothy 1:3

Thank you Kari........I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

God's Gift Today

Ever have a day that you KNOW down in your core that it's a gift from God? Today was one of those days for me! I have been blessed with MANY God-loving, God-serving, God-filled people. Among those people are children. God's beautiful children!!! I am blessed and humbled to have a "special" relationship with these children. For some reason, (it HAS to be God) they like me!!

Wednesday night while we were cleaning up the kitchen at church after our meal, Isaac Daugherty asked me when I was coming over to play Wii with them. You see, I had promised (1st mistake) that I would come play "some day"-----but "some day" never comes, right??? WRONG!! When you tell kids your going to do something, their memory is better than an elephant's. There I was.....put on the spot & in church at that! What to do....what to do.....

Beautiful Isaac earlier in the day had winked at me as he cut through the kitchen (melt my heart) and then later, he told me he would be my Valentine for 1 second--if I wanted him to be..........that's it........he stole my heart!!! Now, you see my dilemma? Play Wii with them.......don't they know I'm TERRIFIED of video games????? I have NO hand-eye coordination. They talked and talked about boxing.....beating each other up. Bowling, tennis, golf...........are you kidding me???? My language required serious SERIOUS repenting when I golf...........what to do???? Quick......they are staring me down.......ANSWER please!!!!

Oh alright.......I told them since they didn't have school Monday (today) that if it was ok with their Mom & I didn't have to take care of my grandpa, I would come over and play Wii with them, but they would have to remind me. (Mistake #2) Remember the elephant thing.....they didn't forget!!!!

This morning I was busy doing my errands, when a text message came to me asking when I was coming over today to play Wii. Before I could send a message back, my phone was ringing. No escaping them.............they were holding me to my word. God's children!!! Now here I was again put on the spot..........I could have said "NO, I'm busy", but I knew this was a true gift from God that I couldn't let pass me by. "Yes, if it's ok with Mommy, I'll be over there about 2. Call me when it's ok." There, I did it!! (Mistake #3?????)


See this picture of the baby playing Wii........the baby could beat me!! It's ok though.......the excitement in Taylor, Isaac, & Luke's eyes & heart when I walked through the door was my gift!!! THANK YOU GOD!! They promised me they wouldn't beat me up......I practiced (if you call it that.....remember, I DON'T do video games.....just ask my kids-----can't wait til they hear what I did). I did the Wii Fit Challenge......ha ha ha!! I'm a vibrant 74 year old......look out Social Security & Senior Citizen Discount!! OH YEAH!!! After I recovered from my humilation, I played 2 games with each of them. When it was time for me to leave, they wanted to know when I was coming back!! THANK YOU GOD for putting me on the spot!! Thank you Daugherty kids!! I love you!!!


Please-----please don't pass up God's gifts!! I'm sure glad I didn't!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

In case you've been living in a cave somewhere, today is Valentine's Day! It means different things to each one of us. As I was searching for images for this blog, I ran across MANY different pictures when I typed in "valentines". I must tell you, my eyes were opened wide to the MANY different feelings people have for today! WOW!! Some were quite disturbing, but the majority just made me feel LOVE!!!! I smiled and laughed as I searched for my "perfect" pictures. This one is my "sweet treat" to you. This is the no-calorie kind!! (would be MUCH better if it was a real cookie, huh???)


I LOVE YOU! That phrase is not one I take lightly. I use it all the time, but I mean it when I say it. As I sit here typing this, I had planned on getting my Bible studies homework done this morning, God led me to post this blog. (He's VERY persistent!!) Valentine's Day is about "love". Who knows more about "love" than Our Heavenly Father? HE IS LOVE!!!

He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. John 14:21

I heard the phrase "I love you" when I was growing up. My mom would tell me all the time how much she loved me, how special I was to her.....her gift from God. (Someday when God gives me enough strength to type what's in my head and heart, I'll go into detail how much that truly meant to me----will probably be a mini-series blog!!!) My Grandpa Al & Grandma Lois, Great-Grandma Yahr, & Uncle (now Grpa) Myron, and Aunt Sheron ALWAYS told me how much they loved me.....ALWAYS!!! I KNEW they loved me!! I KNEW it!!!

The person I never heard "I love you" from until I was almost married, was my dad. I longed to hear it. I ached to hear it. Why didn't he tell me he loved me? What was wrong with me? As I sit here now thinking about that, tears are rolling down my face. I'm 46+ years old. My dad's been dead for 17 years. Why the raw emotion as I type this??? Where is this going??? I have NO idea. God is leading me and I'm obeying. I'm typing. ....it's all you God!!! What took so long for him to say three simple words, "I love you."? Maybe that's just it.......they aren't three simple words!!!! I thought I knew he loved me. I prayed he loved me. I told myself over and over as I grieved to hear the words "I love you" that he loved me. My dad wasn't a "touchy-huggy-kissy-feely" - let your emotions show kind of person. Maybe he didn't know how to say "I love you"--you were just supposed to know it. When he did finally tell me, the world looked different. I was different. Why are those three little words so important to a child? to anyone?

Something about a Father's love. That's what we have in Jesus!

He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. John 14:21

I KNEW He loved me!! No matter what kind of mess I made of my life-and I made some BIG messes-, HE LOVED ME!!!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over all multitudes of sins. 1 Peter 4:8


Over and over and over in the Bible we are told how much He loves us. How much we are to love one another.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:38-39

Over and over........ God is love!!

When Mark, my best friend, the love of my life, my soul mate, entered my life, "I love you" was not foreign to me/us. I ALWAYS heard it, I felt it, I KNEW it!! When God blessed us with Jeramie and Amanda, they too ALWAYS heard "I love you"! I always knew if God blessed me with a loving husband and children, they would NEVER doubt my love for them!! I would tell them daily!! We NEVER end a phone conversation or leave each other without saying "I love you"!!

And these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13


Is there someone you need to tell "I love you"? What are you waiting for?? It's NEVER too late!!! Why not do it today.....the day of LOVE. I probably drive my friends and family nuts telling them I love them, but I don't care!! I love them and never want them to doubt that!!



Today is Valentine's Day........flowers, cards, candy, stuffed animals are nice.....but, will you remember them next week, next year........three simple words.......I LOVE YOU is FOREVER!!!





Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Father, when I started this blog this morning, I thought it was going to be light, happy, joyful, loving........wow, look where you lead me. Thank you for your guidance, patience, strength, and love!! You are AWESOME!!!

Don't forget it.....don't doubt it!!

When Did We Lose Control???

When did we lose control? While getting my morning chores done before heading to church to help cook our Wednesday night meal, I was listening to our local news on the radio. The sports updates were on (mainly high schools sports around the area). That's when it happened! Not the first time this school year, but the overwhelming "disgust", maybe it was more "severe sadness" enveloped me! I was almost paralyzed!! The announcer was discussing the regional basketball tournaments taking place Wednesday evening. I repeat, WEDNESDAY EVENING!!!!!! Is anybody else seeing the wrong in this? Is anybody feeling what I'm feeling, or have we just grown numb? When did we succumb to the way of the world??

I have seen MANY games being played throughout this school year on Wednesday nights!! Worse than that (in my eyes), there are sports activities taking place on Sunday mornings. My heart breaks when I think about this. Why are we as Christ-followers allowing this to happen?? What are we telling our children when we allow the "authorities" to dictate over our beliefs that Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings are God's!!!!????

When my kids were in school and active in sports, Wednesday nights were practice nights, yes!! But, if their church activities conflicted with practice, they were "allowed" to attend church without the possibility of repercussion for missing practice. GOD FIRST!!! There was never a game on a Wednesday night! The school "reserved" Wednesdays for church! When did we lose control?? Better question, why have we given up our control??

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel with being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. Philippians 1:27-28.


Being a Christ-follower is rough! The fear of our children being punished (running laps, staying late, etc), benched during the next game, or even teased can be scary. But didn't Christ endure far more than that for our freedom?! I pray that if I still had kids in school, I would stand-up for my beliefs!!


Next comes the discussion of working on Sunday. I'm just as guilty as everyone else. I think nothing of running to WalMart to get whatever on Sunday, to fill up my gas tank, to eat out after church. Where did we lose control? When did we allow the ways of the world to take over?

What would happen if we just said "NO!! Enough is enough!!"??? LORD, here my cries!!!


Just remember as you maybe fuming at my thoughts- they are MY thoughts!! LORD, please forgive me!! I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts!!

PEACE!!

I usually don't have a blog topic so quickly.....but, today I was flooded with emotion!! I didn't even need my "voice" to speak!! It was all around me. It's ALWAYS all around me! PEACE!!!

Today is really no different than any other day, except I'm having to put myself & my health first before everyone & everything! That's a struggle for me.....getting better though and that's what brings me to this blog today.

Got up, coffee, breakfast (something new since my 1st place 4 health class), laundry, morning housework, etc. I checked my email (about as far as that goes, if I'm lucky....a New's Year Resolution I've still not concurred) & chatted with my twitter tweets!! I stopped by Dianne & Miranda's for our morning "session" (not as faithful with that this year unfortunately), & then on my way to church to take care of business, a dear, special friend texted me to see how I was feeling today & offering her help with errands, food, whatever! She herself is dealing with medical issues & she wanted to help me.

That's when I was overcome with "my life". The today, here & now!! "WOW!! How blessed I truly am!!!"

I just wanted to shout at the top of my lungs............."if they could see me now!" If someone would have told me as recent as 2 years ago I'd be here today, I probably would have been taking them to the doctor!! Me, Toni, walking into my church and LOVING it!!!! It's like taking my next breath. I look forward to ANYTHING involving church. I'm teaching Sunday school to 4-5 year olds---me, a Sunday school teacher!! I'm taking & LOVING Bible studies! I'm actively involved in many ministries. Mark & I are Home Team Pastors, are you kidding me?? God is FULL of love, patience, mercy & grace! My friends.......wow, my friends......they love me for ME!!! REALLY love ME for me!! Not one day goes by that I'm not in communication for MANY of them.........all I can say again is WOW!!!!!

God loves ME for ME!!! He KNOWS everything too.............EVERYTHING!!! He's forgiven me. He encourages me. He strengthens me. He KNOWS me! He gives me mercy & grace every day!!

On my way home for my ultrasound today, my mind was still counting my blessings when this came on the radio (now not exactly per word, but you'll get the idea):

Thank you for everything. Thank you for loving me. No matter what tomorrow brings, thank you God for everything. Thank you for the sun & rain. Thank you! Thank you for what you give and take away. Thank you!!!

That's it!!! I'm sooooooo thankful!! I'm thankful for my peace!!

I'm hoping you CAN see me NOW!!!

I love you all!!

Kicking & Screaming!!!

Do you ever feel like if you just had a doctor's kit, you could "fix it"??

You ask yourself over & over & over, why waste the doctor's time & our money when it's really nothing!? It will pass.....It's NOTHING!!!

As I struggle with this blog, my "voice" is saying........"go ahead, lay it ALL out there!" My head is saying........"You've GOT to be kidding me? I can't get it straight in my head & I'm living it. How is the world am I going to put in from my heart & head to my fingers????" To be quite honest with you, I worry about my "voice" sometimes.....I think it could quite possibly be confusing me with someone else..........FAT CHANCE!!!!!


Here's what my head & my heart are struggling with......... so MANY signs! I started to type "but,".......there really is no BUT.......there are so many signs....if my family or friend, or a stranger for that matter, had as many signs (or symptoms) I would have been dragging them to the doctor way before now!! Why is it I feel I'm not worthy????


Am I not God's child? Didn't He choose me? Doesn't He love me? Is He not using me as an example of what His mercy grace does to a sinner!!!!???? Isn't my body the temple for the Holy Spirit?? (Romans 12:1) If the answers are YES........what am I doing ignoring the signs?????!!!!!!


I finally broke down/gave in/caved........NO!.....I finally prayed and OBEYED!!! My "voice" just kept saying, "How many more signs do you need? The signs you are receiving aren't in a "foreign language". You only have ONE life." There was no peace........the "voice" wouldn't stop......it continued on & on & on & on..........you get the point? Not only did the "voice" continue, so did the signs.

My signs (symptoms), the "voice", my loving husband, my "nagging" friends, OK I get it already! I'm NOT a doctor. It's time to lay down my pride. Throw my fears to God. Lean on Him!.....I finally went to the doctor this past Thursday. I am now having tests ran to see what is going on.....I will continue to keep you updated! Prayers are definitely appreciated!! Thanks to my "nagging" friends & my loving husband...........and thank you to my "voice", my guiding force! I DO HEAR YOU!!!

My New Year's Resolution: take care of me.............it's hard, but I'm doing it.....kicking & screaming the whole way!!!!!