Laying Track

When I was visiting my dad in California, I ran across this railroad track that came to an end. That is not something you see often. I went back and took some pictures.

You see, I got excited because I’ve heard teaching from Pastor Mark Brazee that prayer is like laying railroad track. You want your praying to be out ahead of where you need to go… so you’ll always have “track to run on”.

This track that “came to an end” was a great picture reminder that I want to keep my praying out ahead of “my going”.

One of the best ways to accomplish this is find the scripture promises in the Bible and speak out what they say.

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The Gatekeeper – Again

This week we have been talking about guarding our hearts, the hearts of our children and then training them to become the gatekeeper over their own heart.

Today I have an audio clip talking about this subject with my good friend Barbara Arbo.

If you were at my house I’d make you some tea, or hot chocolate, since I (confession time) don’t know how to use the coffee maker. Since we are having an audio visit, grab your own cup of beverage and join us for a “chat.”

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The Gatekeeper

This week we have been talking about guarding the entrances of our hearts and our children’s hearts.

The gatekeepers, in the Old Testament, were men who were in charge of the chambers and treasury of the temple (the House of God). Their job was to make sure nothing holy was taken from the treasury, and to make sure nothing unholy was brought through the gates.

The shift from the dispensation of the Old Covenant to the New Covenant occurred when Jesus was crucified and resurrected. The temple would no longer be a man-made structure, but would now be us, as individuals.

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received as a Gift from God? – 1 Corinthians 6:19

Your child’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and you are the gatekeeper of this temple!

God has entrusted us as the gatekeepers over our children. While they are still young, we must train them to become the gatekeepers themselves — to know how to guard their own hearts so nothing holy is removed, and nothing unholy is allowed entrance. Read more…

Guard the Doors

Today I saw an article written from one of my favorite ministers, Patsy Cameneti, and it stirred all kinds of thoughts in me regarding not only protecting the doors of our heart but those of our children’s.

The reason we lock our car doors and the doors of our house is because we value what is inside… we don’t want unwanted intruders gaining entrance into what belongs to us.

We do not want thieves to take what is precious and valuable.

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Girlfriends are Fun and Important

Today is Story Friday. This story is just a reminder how we need our girlfriends and how our stories will live for decades.

We were in our twenties, living in California…

I have never been much of a “concert-goer”. Barbara, my best friend from high school, wanted us to see a group she liked. Our tickets had us up against the wall underneath the balcony. You know how they have the “warm- the -crowd –up” bands before the main event comes on stage? Well, we had a low budget version. I cannot recall who the headliner was, probably because I never got to hear them.

Sitting under the balcony, where the sound got trapped and ricocheted around was truly painful. We endured the “warm up” bands for close to two hours. I did not want to complain or tell Barbara that I could not stand it another minute; I decided I would plug my ears – so as not to go mad or deaf.

Hmmm, no tissue or napkin in my purse or pockets.

“Oh, the corner of the program could work.” (Why didn’t I go get a napkin from concessions?)

I folded up the slick program paper, wadding it the best I could, and stuck it in both ears. It seemed to help. One side worked better than the other… it needed to go in a bit further to block the horrible sounds coming from the band. I tapped it in a bit. Better. Oops… too far. Ow! I couldn’t feel my “ear plug” any more! Oh my goodness, it had slipped down into the ear canal!

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