Prayer Pails

I have a new blogging friend. 

Her name is Kristin Sellars, and I found her through Pinterest.

I emailed her and asked permission to "copy" one of her blog posts on here. 

I absolutely fell in love with this idea and wanted to share it with others.

So, here is Kristin's blog, originally posted on Thursday, July 9, 2009.


Prayer Pail

Aaron and I try to be intentional about living out our faith for Mackenzie to see so we can teach her to know and love the Lord and live her life for Him. Lately I have been brainstorming some new, fun ways to implement spiritual disciplines and truths into our day.

And I came up with the Prayer Pail.

The plan is to let each of our kids pick one (or a couple) sticks out of the prayer pail while we are at the dinner table and then let them pray for whatever or whoever is on the stick.

Hopefully it will work out well!

Want to make your own prayer pail?

 

All you need is:

-large craft sticks

-a bucket (or you can use an empty tin can, flower pot, mason jar...whatever really)

-scrap paper

-markers

-stickers

-scissors

-double sided tape

-ribbon

Step 1: Cut out a strip of card stock, add the words "Prayer Pail" with stickers or a pen, and attach to the front of your bucket with double sided tape. Feel free to decorate the back as well with some stickers, verses on prayer or anything else you would like!

 

Step 2: Write the names of friends, family and any other people or things you want to be praying for on the craft sticks and place in your bucket.

Some of the ideas I added:

-The names of Friends and Family

-The Lost (People who don't know Jesus)

-Missionaries we know

-Our Church

-Our Neighbors

-Our City

-Thank Him!

-Praise Him!

-You Choose (they can pick anything they want to pray about)

Step 4: Cut a bunch of ribbon pieces and tie on the handle to spice things up a bit.

Yeah! Your done!

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

 

 

 

Be sure to visit Kristin on her blog:  www.lubirdbaby.com

 

 

<a href="http://lubirdbaby.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Lu Bird Baby" src="http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l148/kha02a/lubird_button.jpg" /></a

 

 

Or you can grab her button below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for allowing me to re-post!!

 

 

Turning Wounds into Gifts

I've kind of come to like this blogging stuff, but I find that I am running out of time to do it!

A while back, I told you that I was reading this book:

I don't usually take so long to get through books, but this one is, well, ordinary (no pun intended).

Just like the title says.

It seems like it is taking forever, but I am learning some valuable lessons!

I was trying to get through a chapter today, and came across a brief section that I want to share with you.

"According to yoga teacher and writer Stephen Cope, every human being is born with a unique gift, a gift that, once discovered, is the doorway to a fulfilled life, to our particular path or calling.  Not surprisingly, the gift requires practice, an enormous investment of time and energy and faith.  But what is surprising, according to Cope, is that our gift is often paired with a wound.  In other words, our strength seems to be born of our suffering, growing and flowering out of our limitations."

I'll wait patiently while you take a minute to read that one more time. . .

After taking some time to think that through, I have come to this conclusion:

That is an honest-to-goodness-profound-truth.

Let me give you some examples, without using names.

Friend #1:  Spent years upon years and who knows how many thousands of dollars trying to have a child.  Waiting and watching.  Desperate and feeling broken, I'm sure.  Wondering why God would allow her to be in this situation.  Yet, with time and energy, and out of a tremendous amount of wounds and suffering, is one of the most dedicated moms that I know.

Friend #2:  Was in a relationship that was slowly destroying her.  And, having come from a rather dysfunctional family anyway, this was just more that she could endure.  The relationship ended, not easily, and the woman was very unsure of what to do with her life.  But God.  In walked the man of her dreams--a Godly man who would love her and together they would move forward in a ministry for others that could only be ordained by God Himself. 

Friend #3:  Got married young in life.  To a man who was abusive to her in many ways.  And she felt she had no way out.  But eventually, she swallowed her pride and left.  And found God along the way.  Of course, nothing is ever that simple, but I don't want to include too many details. . .those things are quite private after all.  But, after finding a Godly man and starting their own family, she is one of the Godliest women I am privileged to know.  Her wounds are her testimony.  And her healing helps to heal others.

Christ tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:10

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: 

for when I am weak, then am I strong."

I don't usually do this, but I am asking for anyone who is willing to share, please give an abbreviated version of your testimony in the comments section below. 

How has God taken a weakness or a wound in your life and used it to make you stronger?

I will be sharing my own testimony in my next blog.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Princess!

My sweet H turned three on Friday.

Three.

She was only born like, yesterday.

I love the way she makes me smile.

I love to hear her laugh.

I cry to think of the journey we took before she arrived.

I shudder to think what might have been.

But God. . .

Happy Birthday, my sweet princess!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Well, it's that time of year again.


Time for the annual Mull family Christmas card.


First, there's the drafting of the letter. . .

Then there are labels to make. . .


Envelopes to address. . .

And stuff. . .

(My little helper elves!)

Then, there is the licking of the envelopes (my least favorite part--yuck!)

And, as with most other tasks, as soon as it's possible. . .

the help moves on to find better things to do!

Merry Christmas!

Give Honor Where Honor is Due

Some of you may think today's thoughts are kind of cruel.

Or biased.

Or both.

But sometimes I think things just need to be laid out and told like it is.

Today is one of those days.

I heard last night on the news that Rev. Billy Graham is in the hospital again.

I heard it again this morning on the news and on the radio.

And on my way to work, lost in my own thoughts, I began to think.

It is inevitable that one day, one day, we are going lose Billy Graham to Heaven.  He, just like the rest of us, will see his Saviour face to face someday.

Which got me to thinking.

~Will anyone stand guard at his casket for hours on end so that others can honor and respect him?

~Every year, on the date of his death and on the date of his birth, will there be millions of "sightings" of him, just like there are with Elvis?

~Will they permanently mark the sight of his death and turn it into a historic landmark for all to see like they did in Dallas, Texas for President Kennedy?

~How many flags will be flown at half-mast that day?

~Will we have a national and state holiday in his honor where everyone gets a day off from work and school to celebrate the change that he instilled in the lives of millions of people like we do for Martin Luther King, Jr.?

~How many days will we, as a country, spend in mourning?  I think it is close to thirty days for the Pope.  I wonder how many souls he led to Christ?

~When I turn on my television that afternoon, will it be on EVERY channel, over and over and over again.  CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, and on and on and on. . .or will I have to tune in to the INSP channel to see what I want to see?

~Every single year, will they show footage of him and his life and the difference that he has made?  They do for the Shuttle survivors, and the 9-11 survivors, and numerous other people of celebrity status.

~Remember Princess Diana?  Were you able to see a normal television show for weeks?  It was all about her. . .her death. . .her presence. . .the way others viewed her.  Think Reverend Graham will have the same respect?

~And Michael Jackson?  Do we really even want to go there?

I could keep rattling off names, one after another, but I think you get the idea of where I am going here.

For some reason, I have this image that, when God finally calls Reverend Graham home, things will happen in exactly the same way things have always happened for him. 

Quietly.

Reverently.

Without a lot of chaos or show.

Peacefully.

And, to be honest, that is probably the way he would want it.

But, to me, it just doesn't seem right. . .

Then I think about it this way. . .

I wonder how many crowns we will see Elvis get for having millions upon millions of fans fall at his feet when he simply walked out on stage?

How many people can say, "Thanks be to Michael Jackson and his 'Thriller' video!  I am now walking streets of gold"?

I will NEVER argue the fact that Martin Luther King, Jr. had a role in our history that can be compared to no one else.  I am in awe at his persistence and the effect that he had on people everywhere that he went.  But I wonder, how many people were led to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to go along with those newfound relationships with people of a different race?

Do you think that when the Beatles were singing "Love Me Do" they were referring to Jesus?

Just saying. . .

There are so many times that life just doesn't seem to work quite right.

Priorities are just way out of sync.

I don't know how the world will choose to remember Reverend Graham when his time comes.

But I know that he will always hold a special place in my heart, and that I want my kids to know of his legacy.  And to know of the effect that JUST ONE PERSON can have when they are truly, totally sold out for God.

I can't wait to track him down in Heaven so I can hear some of his stories. 

Just one more example of how, while we are here, and while we have the chance to influence others, we can't take our money.

Or our possessions.

But we can take our family members.

And our friends.

And our loved ones.

And people we know and care about.

If we do our part.

It is harvest time. . .are you working for God or are you laying idle waiting for the seeds to plant themselves?

Just a thought. . .

Wild & Wacky Wednesday!!

Today, I want to keep it light.

And, I want to introduce you to some friends of mine. . .

Here are Deidre, Jan, Piper, Mandy, & Elaine in their music video debut!!


Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree


I LOVE you guys TO THE MOON!!!  Thank you for always being my I-can-always-count-on-you-prayer-warriors!!!

You're the BEST!!

Blessed

It always amazes me at how tired you can get doing absolutely nothing.

I don't have a lot to say tonight.

No frilly pictures.

No catchy phrases.

Just that I am blessed.

Blessed beyond so much more than I ever deserved.

"I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts:  and I will declare thy greatness.

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall

sing of thy righteousness.

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

The LORD is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works.

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.

To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty

of his kingdom.

*******

The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him:  he also will hear their cry,

and will save them.

The LORD preserveth all them that love him:  but all the wicked will he destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD:  and let all flesh

bless his holy name for ever and ever.

~~Psalm 145: 1-12; 17-21~~

Dear Lord,

If I started right now, and prayed without stopping until I draw my last breath, it would not be enought to praise you for all of your many blessings.  The ups and downs, the tears and laughter, the friends and foes, promises kept and promises broken. . .all have been blessings to me in some form or fashion.

I am not worthy, LORD, but you make me worthy.

Thank you for loving me, LORD.

Thank you for sending your Son to die just for me.

Amen.

Content With Who I Am

Have you ever just stopped to think about the word "content"?

Dictionary.com defines content as "in a state of peaceful happiness."

It gives synonyms like pleased, satisfied, glad, complacent.

I have one of those perpetual calendar thingamajigs on my desk at school.

I don't usually change it, it's just there.

(As a matter of fact, it was on September 8th when I changed it this morning.)

Why did I decide to change it today of all days?

Beats me.

But here was the quote for November 28:

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--

no more, no less.  That's the moment you find yourselves

proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. 

He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat." 

Matthew 5:5-6 The Message

Now, normally I am strictly a King James kind of girl.

But this.

This really hit me.

And as I roamed around my classroom full of second graders, I was constantly thinking in the back of my head.

Content.

Am I content?

Am I happy with what I have?

My Sunday School lesson this past week was on the Ten Commandments.

I had spent a lot of time wondering how I was going to explain to my small group of 8 year olds what the word "covet" means.

I settled on telling them that we should not spend all of our time wishing we had someone else's blessings and enjoy the blessings that He has given us.

Hmmmm.

Maybe I needed to be listening to my own lesson?

I never want to be "content" with my service to God.

I want to be a God-fearing, prayer warrior-ing, armored up, geared-up, ready to fight for His honor kind of a gal.

Not "just" content.

But, there are some things in my life that do make me content.

My home.

My kids.

My marriage.

My church family.

 And my girls. . . my prayer warrior girls.  My Bible study girls.

 My pastors.  The I'm-not-afraid-to-step-on-your-toes kind of pastors.





Preacher Dale


                        Preacher Paul




Things that, when I take the time to look around at what God has blessed me with, I wouldn't change for the world.

The best way I know to finish out my thoughts are to share a small quote from the book I am currently reading:

Author Katrina Kenison reflects,

". . .Not a day goes by that I don't still need to remind myself

that my life is not just what's handed to me,

nor is it my list of obligations,

my accomplishments or failures,

or what my family is up to,

but rather it is what I choose,

day in and day out, to make of it all. 

When I am able simply to be with things as they are,

able to accept the day's challenges

without judging, reaching, or wishing for something else,

 I feel as if I am receiving the priviege,

coming a step closer to being myself."

Wow.  What a powerful statement. 

THAT'S the kind of contentment I want in my life.

To stop worrying about what everyone else has and to start enjoying what I have and what God has made me to be.

It's just a thought. . .