I'm so Full, I'm Overflowing...

Last night was a great time of worship, Bible Study and Fellowship at Thursday Night Amplified... I can't really describe how my heart feels after singing a few songs of praise and worship, but it starts to pound and I just feel full... Have you ever felt that way? Just full of the spirit... I'd love to share it with everyone I encounter because it is what brings me peace and joy. Thank you, God, for filling me with your spirit.. For hearing my prayers and for loving me...
Last night we talked about compromising our faith... How just little steps away from God's righteous path can lead us to destruction... The only way we can know how to live a righteous and pleasing life is to read the instructions left to us in the Bible... It is our owners manual for life.... It is our guide... It is the heart of God... If you want to live a life of joy and peace and walk in wisdom, do what the Word of God says to do... It works...
Have a great day...

A Season of Reaping what we've Sown

I have been studying the life of Solomon and yesterday my spirit was pricked about how faithful God is to reward those who sow a seed of faithfulness... David was said to be a man after God's own heart, and his whole 40 years as King, there was war... Solomon, on the other hand, started off as a man of integrity, but wound up following after his own sense of power and prestige and lost his focus on God, but he had peace in his whole 40 years as King... God was rewarding David's years of faithfulness, and he will also reward us for our faithfulness. If you'd like to know what happened to Solomon after all his years of sowing for himself, take a look in 1 Kings 11... What seeds are you planting today that will generate a harvest of reaping tomorrow... It's the law of God... You reap what you sow... Are you sowing good seed or bad seed?....

Getting Carried Away

I'm still figuring out where this new feeling of compassion is coming from for the brokenhearted... I know in the past when I've felt a little depressed or sad, I knew I could call on the Holy Spirit to comfort me... I remember the poem called Footprints... Do you? It was about how when things were going good in a person's life there were two sets of footprints on the sand, but when things were tough, there was only one set of footprints.. The walker asked God why that was and God's response was, "I was carrying you!" (or something close to that)

We do not have to beg the sun for light, and we don't have to beg the Holy Spirit for comfort either. He is comfort... We simply have to separate ourselves from anything that separates us from Him... We have to pray that when we go through difficult times, He will give us a greater sense of His comfort in it.

Is there some sin that is separating you from receiving the comfort of God? Ask Him to reveal it to you and have the courage to turn from that sin today. This is not about feeling better, it's about knowing our savior is there, carrying us through the difficulty and wanting to be a comfort to us... And then, because we do this, we do feel better...
I feel better already!
Lea Anne

Comfort the Brokenhearted

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Isaiah 61:1

I am definitely being stretched by God here... I am not one to be very sensitive to other people and I'm usually a very "tell it like it is" person. After my heart was broken last Wednesday night, I've been re-evaluating my purpose for the moment... I feel like I've been called to reach out to hurting people... I have to call upon the Lord for the strength and ability to do this, because it doesn't come naturally... I do know the voice of the Lord and I will just have to submit to it.... I pray I can offer a little comfort to someone today... I pray you too, will see someone in need today...

Noticing the Needs of Others

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

Last night I had the privilege of going to supper and prayer meeting at church. I did what I normally do and I stopped to say Hello to my friends or slowed down to speak to people on the way to my table. It was a good time to fellowship around the table with my church family... However, right before the prayer meeting started, I noticed a guy that was sitting at a table all by himself, and I couldn't help but notice he was crying... I just asked him to join our table and he did, but he was still crying... This was a little uncomfortable because being the fixer that I am, I just wanted to fix whatever was wrong with him, and be comfortable again... That didn't happen right away. We had the devotional and went into the prayer time and as we all prayed out loud, when it was his turn, he just said, "God, just be with me." His prayer was interrupted as the pastor called the group back into corporate prayer, but I couldn't just leave it there.
After the prayer time was over, I just asked him, How can I pray for you right now?
He was able to open up somewhat, and I can't say that I even offered a solution to his problems, but I did pray for him, and I'm still praying for him...
His whole burden was that he wanted to be around family... He just needed to be with his brother...
We can't always depend on our family, or our friends and loved ones to be there for us when we just need to be comforted... But we do have an advocate for us in Jesus Christ. Tell God all about your needs and everything that is in your heart. Don't worry, He won't be surprised or shocked. He already knows. He is just waiting to hear it from you.
Although we are the hands and feet of Jesus and if we look for opportunities to hug someone or sit with someone who is lonely, and just be there for someone, that may be what gets them through another day...Only God will relieve him of his burden...But we can notice and pray... Look to ONLY God today to relieve you of your burden...
Notice someone today.

A Prayer that Moves Mountains...

So Jesus said to them..."For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

What prayer would you like to boldly pray in faith and see answered? What would you like to see accomplished in your life, or in the life of someone you know, that would take a prayer of great faith? Ask God to take that seed you have and grow it into a giant tree of faith so you can see these things come to pass.

Is there someone in your life that needs Jesus? Pray that you can be so bold to talk to them about your Lord and Savior... He is who everyone needs to overcome an addiction or a dependency on something that has a stronghold on them... It is only Jesus that can help... Once we start being Jesus to our lost friends and loved ones, they will want to know more about him... Start being Jesus to them today.

If you are in a situation that requires GREAT FAITH... Pray that God will give you an opportunity to trust him a little more than you do today... Our faith grows as we see answered prayer... Write down something you want to see happen today and then pray for it...

You have not because you ask not....James 4:2

Ask for it...

I love you guys (and girls;-)

Behavior Modification Day Number 2

You may be asking what am I trying to modify about my behavior?

I went to a Women's Conference on Thursday and was able to attend a seminar called "Light My Fire" which was a seminar for "Big Girls"... Did you know that it is totally legal to flirt, date, and seduce your husband? I know that as a married woman I have the right to do that, but I don't always take advantage of that right... So I decided that I would not only start trying to be a little more pleasant towards Dana, but I would try to be a little more pleasant looking... Does the picture at the top remind you of any one? Unfortunately, that's me, at home... UUGGHH!!

It's not that we don't have a great marriage, but whose marriage couldn't stand a little more intentional effort poured into it? I am going to do a little work on myself, because one of the things the speaker mentioned was about how we present ourselves to our husbands... It's like we put on our best clothes, do our hair and makeup, and put our best face forward for everyone else, but when we get home we look or dress like something the cat dragged in... She also mentioned how we should maintain our nails... both fingers and feet!!! This is where I drop the ball big time and never get a manicure or pedicure... I always thought I was being frugal in not spending the money... I never looked at it as a way to entice my husband? Do men notice things like that?

How beautiful are your sandaled feet...how beautiful you are and how pleasing... (Song of Songs 7..)

And one more thing she mentioned, we should have a fragrance about us that will remind our husbands of us... and I don't think "bacon grease" is the fragrance we should shoot for... Although this is quite tantalizing...

Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out...(Song of Songs 1:3)

One other thing she spoke about was speaking a word of encouragement into our husbands... Telling them how handsome they were, or how strong they were, and she used scripture to emphasis the need to do this as well...

My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven. His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels. His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume, his lips... his arms... his body... his legs... his appearance... his mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend... (Song of Songs 5...)

Well, I always like to share when something I've heard or read has touched me in a way that makes me WANT to be a better person, and this was something that I've actually already started to implement... I'm on DAY 2... I'll let you know how it turns out...

Timing is Everything

Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25

When a wise woman speaks, she knows that timing is important. When things need to be said that are difficult for the hearer to receive, timing is everything. Certain words cannot be uttered with any success if the person listening is not open and ready to hear them. It's important to discern that, and the only way to know for certain when to speak and what to say is to pray about it in advance.

I've been praying for three people specifically this week who I want to speak to on a deeper level, but I don't feel the timing is right yet. I would ask that you pray for me to be able to discern when that time is...

When a wise woman speaks, she tells the truth.
When we don't speak the truth, we hurt others as well as ourselves. Do you know someone today that is living in a state of denial? Are you praying for that person? You may be the right person to guide them into a new way of living by speaking a word of truth into their life. I pray you are bold enough to speak into someone's life today. I challenge you to go to God's word and ask God to reveal the words He would have you speak.

Remember, we are here to serve others and to help others and I pray that you are where you need to be in right standing with God so you can bring some abundant life giving words to someone else...

Live free today from the burdens of your sins... Acknowledge that you are a sinner, Believe that Christ can save you and Commit your ways to serving Christ.
It's as easy as A...B...C.... You can live FREE today.

Just pray...
Lea Anne

Thursday Night Amplified

WORSHIP

BIBLE STUDY

FELLOWSHIP
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15

The most important words we can speak are ones that explain our faith to anyone who asks or who will listen. We must be able to give a reason for the hope we have within us. We have to pray that God will help us become bold enough to clearly explain our faith in God.

Last night was a great time of Worship, Bible Study and Fellowship at Thursday Night Amplified. The College Department has started a group that meets on Thursday Nights at 7pm to give an alternate meeting time over the traditional Sunday Morning Bible Study at 9:15... For some reason, college kids don't like to get up early on Sunday mornings... I can't imagine why?

We are studying the book of Ecclesiastes and it is amazing how relevant that book is to today's situations. Last night we talked about corrupt court systems... Anybody???? And how God allows us to be TESTED in our faith by choosing the right way out of a temptation. God will test us, but do not be decieved because God DOES NOT TEMPT us... That is from Satan alone... I hope that when you find yourself in a test by God, that you will pray for the guidance that only He can give us and choose the right way... He is so proud of us when we choose to live right. Have you faced a temptation lately? Temptations are an opportunity to do the RIGHT thing... Go out and find what YOUR right thing is today... I hope you pass the test!!

I was touching base with you to see how everyone was doing today? I've had a good week and a lot is getting accomplished at the house. The tile was being put down yesterday in the kitchen and once that's done, it'll be smooth sailing to finish... We picked out the hardware for the cabinet doors and drawers and that was quite an undertaking... I don't know if you've been down the hardware aisle at Lowes lately, but there are a lot of choices...

I'll post pictures when I get a chance to go take them.
I hope you all have a great day...
Lea Anne

I'll Let You in on a Real Conversation between Me and God

I'm going to let you in on a Conversation...

To see how this plays out, you have to know a little of the background... Almost a year ago, when Dana and I were thinking and praying about whether to put the house up for sale, I was led to a verse in Amos... It said,

Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3:3

This struck me as a word from God about how Dana and I had to agree completely on the next step we were to take together, or it would be in vain... then we decided as a couple to sell the Prien Lake Rd house and build the Woodside house...

So it's been about a year since that prayer and the other day, I was doing my Beth Moore study and I was led to a scripture in Amos... It immediately rang a bell in my head about the scripture from last September and I turned to the passage...
This is the passage that jumped out at me.

Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Amos 5:11b

Now this is where I have to chew this around a little... let's think about it for awhile... I'm letting you in on how I process a word from God...

As I am thinking back over the last year, I use my journal as a guide, to see how the Lord has talked to me throughout this whole process... Did he ever say to me that I would LIVE in the house he has allowed us to build? I remember in 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 he said this....

9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately.
Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord
sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will
find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 So take this
seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.”

He did say to be strong and do the work, and this...

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly. 21 The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the officials and the entire nation are at your command.”

So I feel like He definitely called us to go ahead and build the house.

Then in my Journal I wrote on 9/3/08... Someone called about buying the house today... Could this be your will Lord. To sell it before we ever live in it?

I write things that I don't remember praying sometimes in my journal, and that's what I wrote about not living in the house. I wrote this BEFORE I read the scripture this past week from Amos 5:11b...

Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them...

So did God ever say we would live there?..

So what do I do now?...

I wait....

I wait on the Lord....

I keep doing what I know the Lord told me to do until he tells me to do something different... I keep building until it's finished, (which according to Dana, will be about 6 weeks) and I wait to see where the Lord will lead us next... Do you want to wait with me? I'll keep you posted on my conversation with God and when I hear a new word...

This verse could have been preparing my heart to receive a new word from the Lord, or it could have been a test to see if I cared more about the house than I did about the Lord who gave me the house to build... It's all about priorities...
Will I be able to sacrifice this house before I ever live there if that is what the Lord was asking me to do?

I don't even have to think about it.... YES!!! I know that if the Lord doesn't give me THIS HOUSE, it's because He has something better... You may be thinking, what's better than a new house? I can think of many things... A house that is free and clear of a mortgage... or a house that is in a new country... or a house that is in the heavenlies...

Our lives are like dust... here today and gone tomorrow... so if we don't take everyday as a gift from the Lord, we miss out on our purpose in life... To know God better... That's what I want more than a house...

I'm not saying this is set in stone(no pun intended)... we may very well be allowed to live here, which would be wonderful in my mind... I'm just putting my thoughts out there for you to see how God and I communicate... I'm letting you in on a little of my journaling...

If you don't journal, maybe you could start... It's a great way to remember what you think on and to see answered prayer...

Until the next post...
Go in peace, Lea Anne

Introducing.... The Media Room!

The reason we haven't had any pictures of the upstairs media room, is because we've had to use this rickety "Home-Made" ladder as a means to get up there... I haven't really wanted to climb it, so I haven't taken any pictures.... However, they installed the railing on the baluster yesterday and I had to show you how pretty it was... So here is the adventure of braving the ladder....

The approach is cautious...
I'm half-way up and it's hasn't fallen yet....

I've made it to the top and isn't the slate blue color beautiful?...

I actually have to put the camera down and hold on with both hands in order to get from the top rung onto the landing... All this while balancing the rickety ladder underneath me... It was quite entertaining... However no one was there to see me... AH!!! the media room at last.... We have a full shower, wet bar and will have a 103 inch projection screen television placed over the window at the end... Surround sound and booster upstairs.... I know my most used phrase after we move in will be "Turn that DOWN!!!"
Up close shot of the baluster.... The wrought iron will match the iron on the spiral staircase that will be installed after the flooring goes down in the kitchen... I can't wait to have a real staircase leading up there...
The beverage center.... Dana freaked out when he found out how much ice makers were. Needless to say, we don't have an ice maker upstairs...But we will have a mini-fridge, microwave and coffee pot!!! What more can a MAN ROOM need than that.... (oh and don't forget the bathroom!)
For an afterthought, this media room turned out pretty good... We thought we would utilize the empty space above the garage and I'm so glad that Dana will have a room all to himself...

I'll post more later....

Take care.

Lea Anne

Lordy, Lordy Look who's 40!

Today is Dana's 40th Birthday. I hope to inspire you with a bit of wisdom or fun. Dana is the funniest guy to be around... He is always laughing or giggling about something and to hear him watch television, you would think it was a comedy club. He brings a ton of joy to my life and I couldn't imagine life without him.

When the girls and I are on a trip and Dana isn't with us, they are always saying... "If Dad were here, he would say..." this, or that, or "it isn't as fun when Dad isn't with us."

He truly is a joy to have around... So I just wanted to send a shout out to all in blog land to say "Happy Birthday, Dana!"

Enjoy your day.

I love you,

Lea Anne