Saturday, January 9, 2010

The More I Seek You With An Empty Cup


You are welcome to take my picture and use it on your blog for your encouragement.

Last night my honey and I came home from a meeting. The meeting was precious and gave our hearts comfort, just because we were with two Christian friends. We are at a crossroad in our lives and are looking for a new way to make a living. We won't be farming. Age 57 and 60? Yikes! Life sometimes crashes in on us, which make us more dependent on the Lord. It is causing me to trust the Lord and that is definitely not a bad thing. So many times in life our cups are empty and in need of a fresh out pouring from the Lord to fill it. I realize I am not the only one that is going through hard times. All across America families are making huge decisions in their lives about what to do next. Elizabeth Elliot says, "do the next good thing". So many are losing jobs. It breaks my heart, but we are praying for an out pouring of mercy and grace on our land and that people would find help in the Lord. Crisis has the opportunity to do that and my sweetie and I are finding ourselves in a little crisis. My encouragement though is that the Lord will never leave us. I CAN look back on my life and see HIS HAND all over it.

After we got home Mr. Phil went out to do the chores, I had my own praise time by myself with the Lord as my audience. I like to go to youtube and put in a christian artist and listen to songs. My paniced heart was put to rest again. So here we are crying out to the only one that can truly help us in "any situation."

Here is one of the songs Kari Jobe sang. I hope it blesses some of you who are out there and who are very weary. Life is hard. For me, it makes me long for heaven. What a day that will be. Until then lets just keep encouraging one another as scripture says. I Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." Wow, that is how I feel every time I get a comment from you all. I hope I can be that for you!




We Cry Out
Father of life seated on Your throne of grace
It’s only by Your mercy we are saved
Lord, You have said if we call upon Your name
We and our families will be saved

So we cry out Your name
El Shaddai, God of grace
Lord most high, Jesus Christ
We rely on Your grace
Adonai, crowned in praise
Lord most high, Jesus Christ

Father of love never failing to forgive
Each moment is a gift from
You to live
We’re only here to tell the world about
Your grace
Until the day
You take us all away

We will cry out on
Your name
El Shaddai, God of grace
Lord most high, Jesus Christ
We rely on
Your grace
Adonai, crowned in praise
Lord most high, Jesus Christ

Heavenly Father we come in the name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names. We are with our hands lifted up before you Lord, to ask that you would fill our cup with you. Help us to be grateful for what you choose to put into it. You know what is best and what you have for us to do. We ask that you would make the path straight. Thank you for being such a Wonderful Daddy.
We love you and want to live it with our lives. In Jesus name, Amen

Talk about something that happened that encouraged me. I did a little bartering with a blogger friend. You will love Cathy, she is a sweetie! Course all my blogger friends are sweeties, right. Her blog is called Live well, laugh often, love often. She also has a store Made With Love by Cathy, that you will want to look at also. I received the feather trees as my trade and then she put in a market bag she designed in just for me. I felt so loved! The market bag had scripture all over it. I love it!!!!!! I will use it a lot!


Hope all of you are warm. I am trying to wear more clothes. We are going to have a heat wave from our 10 degrees to 42 degrees on Sunday. That will be nice. I think.


Going today to celebrate our grandson's 8th birthday and our middle son's 34th birthday today....... hmmm ........... I always thought when I got to my 30's I would be old. What does that make me now? heheheh

Blessings from our Home to yours,
Linda

31 comments:

  1. Trust in the Lord..we are..and the Lord has been opening up doors for us..Thank you, Jesus..its so hard when you get to be older and go through these hard times....we are 59 and 60...lost all our retirement and past jobs...a new world has opened up for us...and the Lord has blessed us. Looking forward to the Lord's return and until then, we take life day by day..

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  2. Thank you Dani, what sweet words for all of us to hold onto. Isn't the Lord wonderful? So thankful that He has blessed you!!!!!!!
    I remember when you wrote us and said you were going through hard times without a job. YAY!!!! for Jesus. He has answered our prayers.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  3. Linda,

    We're having to lean on the Lord even more also as our medical benefits shrink and medical bills increase! Like you said, it makes us yearn for Heaven. May you find the Lord sufficient in every way. Praying for you!

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  4. Praying for blessings on you and your family. You are such an encouragement to so many of us, and I KNOW blessings will pour out upon all of you. We survived a year of many uncertainties due to hubby's job loss. But, I'll always remember it as a special year of discovery and wonderful blessings. Isn't it amazing how everything falls into place, somehow? It can and will all work out with the Lord's help! hugs, Tammy

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  5. Thank you for posting this! I really like your blog!

    Common Cents

    http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

    ps. Link Exchange?

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  6. I will be keeping you in my prayers as you and your family make this transition.
    What lovely gifts you received in your trade with your blog friend!

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  7. Hi Linda,
    Thanks for sharing your heart with us all. If it is any encouragement to you and anyone else who reads this, my husband has been unemployed for 2 years after being self employed in the same industry for 25 years. Even in bad times, our company had always survived, but not this time. It's very different this time. He is doing some temporary work for friends here and there but for the most part we are living on faith. The Lord has provided everything that we need plus more and we are amazed and give Him all the glory. He does this for our sanctification and because He loves us.
    I'm hoping to share my story on my blog soon. ~ My friend, Be still and know that He is God. Rest in Him and His promises.
    You are in my prayers.

    Your friend in Christ,

    Christa

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  8. Linda, I think a lot of us find ourselves in the same boat. I am 56 and hubby is 64 and disabled. It is a struggle month to month for us, but we have a roof over our head and food in our belly. Our sons are grown and on their own, and healthy and happy as happy can be I suppose. I pray for you and your husband as you try to figure this out. God will provide my friend:)

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  9. Dear Linda ~ You are right...God is THE Source of ALL our needs and HE is FAITHFUL and will provide! May HE give you the wisdom you need as you look to HIM to guide you in the coming days. I love the Psalms for encouragement in life...Psalm 121 is precious, as is Psalm 138:8 AND our life-Psalm is Psalm 91...just meditate on those wonderful words and wait on HIM...one day at a time...moment by moment!

    With Love,
    Camille

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  10. Linda you always make feel so inspired when I read your blog! I tend to "get dramatic" about everyday life but somewhere and somehow the Lord always pulls us through. I get so much comfort from your blog. I am behind today so please excuse me. I need to comment on your bird blog too. I just felt the Lord touching my heart when I read these. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, your Christian heart and sharing. God Bless You!

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  11. Honey you can absolutely make it through this with God. My husband went from $60 K job to now working part-time for less than $300 a week. God is getting us through it somehow. Life doesn't look like I thought it would or even like I'd like it to; but, I'm getting so much closer to God through this.

    God bless you through this!
    I've written a lot about what God's done over the last couple of years. Although I write on Wordpress now, I have a list of my best writings on the top of my old blog, http://harvestlanecottage.blogspot.com . You might take a look.

    Laura
    Carthage, MO

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  12. "He will never leave you nor forsake you". If you have god and jesus you have everything you need. Oh what a day it will be when we enter heaven. We all have realtives and friends waiting for us there to spend enternity. Oh what a happy day it will be. God bless you and your family and protect you and show you favor in all you do.

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  13. And to think that He knows what is happening to each one of us, and He knows what is going on with you and your husband also!

    Remember that He taught us not to worry about tomorrow - He knows ~ He cares ~ He will provide.

    Our job ~ to be still and let Him be who He is supposed to be!

    Blessings,

    maria

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  14. Hi Linda (My Mama's name too~you must be a keeper!):-)
    How sweet of you to leave a comment on my blog!!! It made my day!!! So many compliments~I'm humbled... "I could live on a good compliment for a month." :-)

    I'm glad you enjoyed it! :-) It still humors me to think that someone is interested in reading about my everyday life~ Giggle

    I just LOVE LOVE your grammie and Papa camps, Oh if every child could have so much love! I miss my grandparents terribly~ I wish I could have just one more day with them here on earth, I'm happy to know that I will reunite with them in heaven though! :-)
    The time and thought you have put into spending with your grandchildren will be lasting memories forever with them!!! What a gift!! I still remember very clearly all the things I did with mine! Anyway, sorry, I rabit trail all the time!

    It was wonderful for you to visit...Please come again!! :-)
    Your blog is adorable~inspiring!!
    Hugs and prayers

    Love Carissa Anne

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  15. Linda,I meant to mention in my previous comment I follow Elisabeth Elliot too. I have a perpetual calendar I bought at Gateway to Joy many years ago. I love that little calendar! I also found another blog to follow your friend Laura from Harvest Farm. Elisabeth's style of teaching is so biblical. I love updating on her now that she is not doing speaking engagements anymore. I would love for you to stop by and say hello on my little blog. I am having a giveaway through tomorrow. It will be fun. Please take care and always remember God never gives us anything He knows we can not handle! But darn, I wish He did not trust you & me so much! Love to you.

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  16. I am touched and blessed beyond words through my visit here today. Thank you. Lea

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  17. Oh Linda, we are in a similar spot. It seems that crisis is a good time to refocus our thoughts on Jesus. And now our daughters are learning the same lesson. Your post was beautiful and perfectly timed for what I needed to hear. I pray the Lord makes His plans clear for you.

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  18. Linda: We are all struggling in some way or another, but we are all seeing our Father's hand on our lives. The times of testing can be so difficult, but how precious to know He is still with us. As a teacher is silent when students are taking a test, so is our Heavenly Father when we are being tried and tested. "Be still and know that I am God." I will be praying for you both. Rejoice, our redemption draws near!

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  19. What a beautiful, cozy blog. I will enjoy following this...it feels like a homey spot!

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  20. Dear sweetest ladies in the whole world, I got home late after all the parties that I had to go to. What a blessings to my heart! I cried and didn't feel so alone. Not that I want any of you to go through hardship, but the hardship that you are going through is truly building character and faith. Then you shared that with me. I am so grateful for you taking the time out to love on me! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. Not only are you encouraging me, but on one another. It is good when we allow Him to work His Holy Spirit through our life.

    Teresa, thank you for letting us know about your medical bills. I will be praying and please let us on the times when you know that the Lord has answered a prayer. You are so precious to the Lord and so is your family. I am trusting Him with the means to get them paid off.

    Tammy, sooooo true. I know as I look back on our life that the Lord had tons of blessings right in the middle of the disaster. I found a verse some time back that I have held onto. Isaiah 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. This is definitely one of my favorites. Thank you Tammy for being there for us.

    Commoncents, I love your blog. I agree with what I read so far. I have been praying for our country. I never thought our government would get to this.
    I will ask my daughter on the link thing" as you see, I don't know a whole lot about the internet. I do know how to leave a post though. smile. I tell her what I need and she helps me so much! Thank you for coming over!

    Gayle, yes they are the cutest in real life. I have always loved feather trees. They will be fun to use in my decor next CHRISTmas.

    Christa, you have blessed me so. To think that you reached out and gave gifts to Emily and Shauna at CHRISTmas time.You were so kind to do that. They had a real hard time, missing their momma so. I loved watching the girls open their gifts from you. Thank you for the sacrifice of giving, when you have been in need yourself. It is amazing how the Lord works in all of our lives! Thank you again for blessings the girls.

    Barb (Dogmom), I will be praying for you also! It is hard. Knowing that the Lord will help, gives me hope.
    I have to continue this to another comment. They said I had to many characters for it all together. I think that means I am to wordy! Never.. smile

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  21. Camille, I am going to print out the verses and put them up on the doors in my kitchen to meditate on. I listen on my computer to Bible Gateway audio http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/ everyday. It is free and you can put in the scripture you want and listen. We are going through the whole Bible. You can put in any translation. I love it. Thank you for the encouraging words. I love it when you come to my blog. You always leave an up lifting comment.

    Anne, dramatic, you and I are in the same "sweet pea pod". I have to stay in scripture!!!!!! I am thankful the Lord can use me to encourage you! He is so good to intertwine all of us in the body of Christ. You also bless my life. You leave the sweetest comments.

    Carissa, the picture of your children was sooooo precious. I love kids and at 57 if the Lord would let me have another one I would. If you would ask my family and husband they would tell you that that is the absolute truth. I just have so much momma in me. Loved having all of mine and now with the grand babies I have a blast. The sons won't let me keep them though. Not very nice of them...... hehe
    I know what you mean about people reading your blog. I am amazed in the same way. I love it though! Like I have said before. It is like a big family. I will keep coming to your blog. I saved it the day I found you. It was a fun visit.

    Anne, I did come over and sign up. Ladies go over, she has an adorable apron for a giveaway!

    Lea, I love your picture of you. You look "farm girl" all the way! Cutie!
    Aw, how sweet are your words. Glad you were encouraged. Love your blog. I have visited many times. Nice to have you as a follower!

    Sivje, so glad that the Lord used the post. I will be praying for you also. Thank you very much for your prayer for us. Hope you got your little gift. So sorry that the first one got lost. You may get two. Two ladies have just received their first gifts I sent out. Clear back from Dec. 10. Isn't that the strangest thing. Oh well, if you get two, you will have a gift for someone else. smile! Oh, the iron your honey got you? Really nice!!!!!!

    Mary, Thank youuuuuuu sooo much for the wonderful reminder. Such encouraging words for the weary! I love that verse! It will go on my kitchen cupboard. I am going to be surrounded by the word huh?

    Jenny thank you for coming and leaving a comment. You are so welcome to come anytime! I have tried to make it homey....... so glad you thought it was. Nice to have you as a follower.

    Ladies, I know that this was a long comment. I wish I could talk in person to every one of you so you could hear my heart. I truly am so thankful for each and every one of you.I just had to comment on every one of your sweet words of love to my family. I am truly humbled and will do my best to pray for all of you as you walk your days down here. I am going to start a prayer journal with all of your needs. For CHRISTmas I made fabric covered journals and bags for my daughter in loves. I need to get a pattern up for that. Anyway I am rambling here. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are all soooooo precious to me! Blessings to your day! I truly love you all, Linda

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  22. I love Elisabeth Elliot! I just posted about a young man without limbs and then I saw your picture and thought, wow that's what this young man has done, he's sat at the Lord's feet and drank from his cup, and been used in a wonderful way.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  23. Dear Linda!
    Happy and Blessed Birthday to your grandchild and your son and enjoy the time with your family!!! Thanks again for the little nativity- it arrived at my house some days ago, but I just didn´t get to blog about it, which I did now:
    http://violarissasblog.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/little-nativity.html
    Kind regards to you all,
    Viola.

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  24. Dear Linda!

    I wish you and your husband and everybody having to change their lifes because of the crisis (it´s affecting us in Germany as well, especially young people looking for their first placements, but I think not as bad as you at all)lots of patience and trust and that you find new opportunities and growth in the challenge and feel well-nurtured in the hand of the Lord and well-provided for by Him while undergoing these transitions!
    Blessings,
    Viola.

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  25. Sending sweet encouragement and prayers your way, Linda. May God lead you and your husband to exactly where He wants you! :) Along with that prayer I will ask for comfort and peace in your hearts as you make this transition. Best wishes, my friend! xoxo **And I love Kari Jobe's praise music....it is truly beautiful and helps put you in the mood to worship!!! :)

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  26. Bless your heart Linda, I know God has a plan for us each step of this journey we call life. I know your waiting to see which direction your going to take, but no fears, you'll know it when you see it, for he will be standing right there! Keep the faith, and I know you will. Now.. I'm going to go listen to a little Kari Jobe!
    Your adopted sister.. he.. he... Amy ;o)

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  27. Hi Linda,

    Oh my, how this touches my heart. We are so right in this kind of situation. I loved the song . . . we so need Him, don't we. I am tired, weak and overwhelmed and just need Him. I am so glad that no matter how deep the waters or how low the valley, He is always there, my Jehovah Shammah! Thank you for sharing your heart!

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  28. Hi Linda. I'm so sorry you are having trouble. I'm behind on my blog reading and just got here. What can I do to help? Just let me know. In the meantime, I will do that one thing I know I can do to help: pray. But really, please let me know something specific I can do for you. Love you, sweetie.

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  29. You're not old, you are ancient! Sorry, I couldn't help it! lol It's how I feel, and I am older than you! :D

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  30. Sweet Linda ~
    I am praying for you and will write more to you later.
    A few things for now:
    Yes, Ms Lea is "farmgirl" all the way and she is a cutie ~ sweet as can be, inside and out :)
    And, don't believe Ms Karen!!! lol!!! :)
    Now, we'll see if they read this. hehe!
    What I really wanted to say here is thank you for your sweet comments about me! You are a very special lady, Ms Linda, and I am so honored to call you my friend :)
    Hugz,
    Cathy ♥♥

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  31. Momma Linda, this was so inspiring to me today. I so enjoyed talking to you on the phone and sharing what the Lord is doing in both of our lives. All these testimonies are overwhelming to me... Jesus really does see His children through the hard times! What a faithful God He is! I'll be praying for you, and I know that you are praying for me too.

    I love you!
    Em

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God Bless your day!