God's hand of protection

Every night before I tuck the kids in bed, I pray over them. I believe no matter how many times you pray, God hears everyone of them. I pray esp. for protection from harms and hazards and to keep them free from sickness and disease. God answered my prayers today in front of my own eyes. Jentsen went to put his hand on the table and missed. I was kneeling in the hallway picking up clothes and saw what happened from ground level. It was like slow motion, he fell off his chair with his head going first. He landed on his head and actually balanced on it until his neck gave way and he then crumbled to the ground. He was in shock. No crying at first. I picked him up and started praying over him immediately. Boy he took a hard hit to the head and neck by landing on hardwood flooring. No bleeding, able to move legs and feet, able to walk, and little crying. WOW, GOD is so faithful. I would have loved to been able to see in the Spirit world to see what really took place. I have seen my guardian angle when I was about 17. He's an older man. Some may not believe in guardian angles, but I do. There is no way that Jentsen should not have a bump on him tonight. Thank You GOD.

Birthday parties

What an exciting day of giving and receiving. We made a new tradition today for the kick off of the Barton's Christmas day. Before we opened presents, we sat down around the tree and sang happy birthday to Jesus. We opened the Bible and read the Christmas story and then Daddy prayed over his family. Then of course it was a 3 and 7 year old tearing into gifts. Jaden couldn't wait when Jentsen was unable to get the tape off so she would have to rip it for him.

We enjoyed having the family to our house for Christmas brunch. Boy was it hard to stay on the 40 day challenge today. But with Jesus's strenght I was able to resist the swedish coffee bread, home made cinamon rolls, but not the swedish rice pudding. That has been a tradition in our family at my Grandma's since I can remember. Now my niece Melanie makes it. You can't even tell she is not a full blood sweed. However, everything in moderation, so I had a small bowl today and I took some for a small bowl tomorrow. The egg casseroles turned out the best this year in my new oven.

Off for the second party at Jimmy's family. Life is good with family and friends. We are so blessed. God made us as people who like relationship with others. He made us in His image. Have you had relation with Him today? If not, I encourage you to do that. Merry Christmas everyone and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS. I LOVE YOU.

Temple of God

Sunday night at our Christmas party with rush church, I was sharing with an individual that sin is sin. There is no big or small sin. For example, the Pastor who has lust for women is no worse than the Sunday school teacher who gossips at every change she gets. Sin is ugly and we all have it. What we don't realize is that for years we have listened to messages in church that tell us that our bodies are the temple of God and we are to do nothing to destroy the temple. (examples usually are smoking, drinking, doing drugs). What we do not hear is how over eating can also be included in that list. Obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes, Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), Hypertension ( high blood pressure), heart attacks and strokes due to the above listed problems, joint pain, venous insufficency (poor blood flow to the lower legs), the list could go on and on. We need to take an active rule in our health to obey God's command and take care of the temple of God.

Obedience can be a Challenge

Lately I have been reading in Leviticus and Numbers. Have you ever wondered why sacrifices had to be done exactly like God instructed Moses. This was so important that God inspired man to write books in the bible about it. There are lengthy descriptions that often become tedious to read. There are Chapters describing the Tabernacle (man's place of worship) and what should look like and how they were to make everything even down to the curtains. God created man with such creativity and vision, you would think that God would want man to worship Him in a place of their own expression. I've seen some beautiful churches, so I know that man can be creative.
I believe it boils down to OBEDIENCE. Yes we can do it on our own, but it is harder to submit to authority to be told how. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was not living inside each man to help discern right from wrong, so we can't relate. God would speak to Moses, because He was a humble man that God chose, and the people would have to obey. There were terrible consequences when they rebelled, like wondering in the wilderness for 40 years, or even the earth opening and swallowing families alive. God looks at our heart while we worship Him. Are we obeying His commands out of religious rituals, or are we obeying His commands because we love Him and have a relationship with our Father above. We have the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us, and we have direct access to God 24/7. God speaks to us directly, if we are listening.

Are you going to be obedient with what God is speaking to your heart or are you going to wonder in your desert for 40 years?

Stepping out of the Boat

Sometimes in life God asks you to do things you might not feel comfortable doing. Do you retreat or do you move forward? Almost 2 1/2 years ago, God asked my husband and I to church plant (AKA starting a church from the ground up). I was excited and pumped. Shortly after that, our senior pastor resigned and we needed to stay put where we were. We held this secret of what God had asked us to do for so long, that I got comfortable where I was at and kind of lost site of the true calling. When it was time to leave our church, I was scared and somewhat doubting if we were to do this. My husband, the great man of God that he is, had kept sites on the calling and knew we were to step out of the boat. We left our home church in May of this year and since then God has taken us on an amazing adventure. Not always on top of the mountain, sometimes in the valley, but God has always been there. Church planting can be encouraging and discouraging all in the same sentence at times. But we have to keep our sites set on the task God has asked us to do and know He could have asked anyone to do this, but He asked us. WOW, I'm so honored. Just like Peter, if you keep your eyes on Jesus you could walk on water, or church plant.

Taking control

Today is day 5 of the 21 day challenge of getting closer to God. Monday was the hardest, we had our kids birthday party and I had to pass on cake and ice cream but serve everyone else. Jesus was the example of being a servant. At the last supper Jesus served communion then took off his robe and washed the disciples feet. He was a true servant. Serving God is an honor. Serving is one of the hardest things to do at times. Its not always easy to serve, however we like to be served. As we walk closer to God in the weeks to come, serve your neighbor. It can be as simple as blowing some of their leaves into your yard to rake up. Kathy and Lisa may never know I did this, but God knows.

Fasting for control

God has impressed upon my spirit that I need to be in control of my addiction to sweets. I have decided to fast sweets for 21 days. I have realized that this is one area of my life where something controls me. Today I knew that starting tomorrow, no sweets for 21 days. Todays breakfast consisted of 2 pieces of pumpkin pie, as I cooked lunch I had to eat another piece, and before I left for church, yet another piece. I'm out of control..... If I can let sweets control me, what else could potentially slip through the door to be in control. Fasting is self denial. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, as our example. Jesus denied himself while walking to the cross for us. Fasting brings you closer to a living Savior who knows and understands what you are going through. Take a moment to reflect on your life. Is there something in your life that has control over you. Only God can help you break bondage when you are not in control. By being in control means, walking with God in a new way, depending on Him for your strength. Join the 21 day challenge to deepen your journey with God.