February 21, 2010

February 16, 2010

December 31, 2009

October 28, 2009

  • Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotional for 10/28/09

    The Lord Is Their Refuge

    28 Oct 2009

    Marybeth Whalen

    “You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.” Psalm 14:6 (NIV)

    When I read today’s key verse, I thought about the people who contributed to the financial mess within our country this past year. These people lined their own pockets without concern for the ramifications of their choices. They knowingly deceived those who trusted them. They covered themselves, while leaving others exposed in the process. They were like the evildoers who frustrated the plans of the poor. Sadly, lot of us were left feeling poor – financially and spiritually – as our plans were frustrated.

    Thankfully, this is not where the verse ends. Yes, bad things happen. Yes, we have all seen our private finances affected by this public crisis. But this verse reminds us that the Lord is our refuge. I started thinking about what the word refuge means, and found this definition in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: “That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.”

    Then I cross-referenced the word “refuge” in the Bible. I found many other scriptures that remind us that God is our refuge. Second Samuel 22:2-4 and Psalm 18:2-3 are the same verses repeated by King David while facing troubled times:

    “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of my praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

    I love how both the definition and the verse talk about a refuge being a place where your enemies can’t get to you! Do you need that reminder today? I know sometimes I need to remember that He offers me that safe place I can run to … a place where my enemies can’t touch me!

    We can claim the promise that is found in Psalm 17:14: “O Lord, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.”

    People who make money their god receive their reward in this life. But they will spend eternity in longing. That doesn’t sound like a good trade to me!

    God promises those who place their trust in Him He will keep from going hungry. He will make sure our children have plenty, and He will give us wealth to store up for our children. That doesn’t mean wealth like our world defines it. Jesus said that He doesn’t give as the world gives. In God’s economy, wealth exists in hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. Unlike money, these are the things that last, and bring about eternal blessings.

    Do you need to take refuge in God instead of letting bad news rule your heart and mind? Do you need to spend time today searching His Word for promises and assurances that will comfort your hurting heart and settle your anxious mind? Maybe you need to journal your feelings, pouring out your heart to God and seeking His answers. Maybe you need to pray without ceasing, allowing His presence to give you rest from worry. Whatever troubles you, seek refuge in God.

    He is right there waiting for you to find shelter and safety in Him.

    Dear Lord, I need You to be my refuge. Thank You that Your Word promises You will be a refuge for me in times of trouble. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

    © 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
    Proverbs 31 Ministries
    616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105
    877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)

October 21, 2009

  • HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY!

    Today is my birthday. Tomorrow is Kathy’s. Kathy and I have celebrated our birthday’s together for so many years that I can hardly remember a birthday with out her… I can’t have her back, but I CAN celebrate her life… Please, read below and donate if you are able. I know times are tough! Everyone wants to save the breasts this month, but just for this one day, wont you go purple? If you are unable to donate I understand… please, just pass on the information and pray for a cure… so many lives depend on this.

    Subject: Update on my fundraising

    Message: Hello

    Kathy’s birthday is just one day away… It’s time to celebrate a life that celebrated life! Let Kathy’s memory live on by helping raise funds to end the terrible fate of many. Pancreatic cancer research is terribly underfunded. Research has shown that if your direct family member has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer then your chances of getting it are 2-3 times more likely. Supporting this research will help find a cure not just for the multitudes of individuals who will be diagnosed but it may help Kathy’s direct family… that is KIRA! Kira is only 7 today, wont you help her live to be 77?

    Thanks to your help, I’ve managed to raise $140.00 so far for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. That is AWESOME and I thank each and every one of you who have donated and/or passed this site on to others.

    Thank you for your continued prayers and kind words! Each day is a blessing, please don’t take it for granted!

    Please send my page on to anyone who might like to donate! http://www.firstgiving.com/lauralenhard

    Laura


    *** About donating online ***

    It’s very easy to support Laura online – visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/lauralenhard to make a donation.

    It takes a matter of minutes, is totally secure and you can even leave a message with your donation.



October 6, 2009

  • words can not take away our sorrow or sadness… it’s the feeling and the knowing that we are loved.



September 19, 2009

  • Shortly after midnight Kathy passed away.

    She fought the hardest battle imaginable and I am forever proud of her.

    Kathy was delivered by God into the hands of her mother and it was in the hands of her mother that she was peacefully delivered unto God.

September 11, 2009

  • Starbucks University…

    i went to starbucks drive thu last night. i ordered a decaf mocha light. the lady said we don’t make decaf frappaccino’s. i said, that’s ok because i didn’t order a frappaccino. she said, yes, but you ordered light. i said that’s because i want it fat free. she said well, then you should have ordered it as a decaf mocha skinny. i said but i dont want it sugar free. she said well usually skinny is sugar free but THIS drink doesn’t come in sugar free. i said, THAT is why i ordered it light. she started to say something else about how to order the drink when i said never mind, i don’t need a ______ coffee lecture i was just trying to order a cup of coffee. and drove off…

    i went to the hospice really angry (yes, my tolerance is quite low). kathy’s brother ken went back to starbucks, complained that it wasn’t necessary for them to be difficult and they gave him 2 free venti drinks.

    my dearest starbucks: of course i know you can well afford to give out free drinks, but i would have calmly and quietly paid for my drink if the ‘barista’ (another word for i serve coffee for a living but  act as if i have won the noble award) just said, ‘would you like that hot or cold’.

September 9, 2009

  • In 1973 I was in the first grade. As all first graders do, I had a best friend and second best friend. The best friend was always the first choice. The second best was the one who you enjoyed and played with when the first best was too busy for you. Kathy was my second best friend. I remember the exact spot in the parking lot where we played. I only knew Kathy a year before I moved away but I remembered her for 7 more and never forgot that she was my second best friend. On our first day of high school, September 9, 1981 I found Kathy again. She had no idea who I was and when I told her how I remembered her from years before she thought (quite accurately mind you) that I was nuts…. Despite her faltered memory, she eventually moved into the best friend spot. It’s now 28 years later and I can proudly say that Kathy has remained my best friend.

     

    Anyone who knows Kathy, either through family, friends, work or even in her CaringBridge site knows that Kathy’s life has been devoted to holding strong, being faithful, honoring others and holding true to her integrity. Even in death, Kathy has sacrificed to make sure we are all ok. Sometimes I considered this a fault and I spent countless hours telling Kathy that she needed to be selfish and make decisions for herself. Now though, I look back and I realize that this was not a fault… this IS Kathy. If Kathy didn’t sacrifice then she wasn’t Kathy.

     

    There are many words to describe Kathy…

     

    Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend. Empathetic, compassionate, devoted and strong. Kathy is diligent, passive, emotional, determined, and encouraging. She is full of empathy, honesty, adventure, and of course, she’s blonde! I will remember Kathy always for her diligence, passion, laughter and her gracious heart.  

     

    My favorite word to describe Kathy: candle.

     

    Kathy was obsessed with candles. Any trip to the store involved the candle aisle. Big ones, skinny ones, baby ones, free ones; clearance, smelly, purple, citronella… it didn’t matter. Kathy loved them. Through the years, I have observed Kathy and her desires, growths, dreams, and obsessions. Lighting a candle was the most consistent and symbolic.  

     

    In Chris Rice’s song, Go Light Your World he sings “There is a candle in every soul, some brightly burning, some dark and cold.” Many of us ignore the candle that is inside us. We think we’re content in our worlds but when reality strikes and the pressure thickens we suddenly are begging for someone to dredge us out of the darkness. Sadly, we are often unable to find the spark we need despite the fact that we were born with it. It is within us.  Christ gave us light and it is up to us to shine it wisely, share His passion, share His care, and share His world.

     

    Kathy’s candle is bright. Kathy’s dreams are to help others, lift their spirits, and shine away their fears. Kathy’s always been there to comfort, care and capture. She never knew she was carrying a candle in her soul and it was never consciously lit yet it was the brightest candle around. It was lit with compassion, love, and pure hope in those who surrounded her. Kathy used her candle each hour of every day. It was the fullest, brightest and the warmest around… Kathy’s candle is eternal. What is yours?

     This song describes it all…
    CHRIS RICE: GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD

September 3, 2009

  • Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:52 PM, CDT

    The words have been spinning in my head each day… my thoughts have been fragmented and I am unable to form an entry that could inspire even a fly… today I was reminded that my words mean nothing. It is God’s words that carry us through and I was looking in the wrong direction.

    God’s pen is the direction I need. It is in Him that I need to seek my comfort and strength. I needed to pour out and refill with the ink of Jesus.  

    I looked at Kathy suffering tonight and I could not imagine her pain. I know that when God sees his people suffer, he is suffering too for we are His. I cant begin to imagine the tremendous pain Larry and Grace feel as they face losing their child. My stomach twists in knots as I begin to even form the thought. I think of the sacrifice Christ made on the cross for us. How HIS mother watched Him suffer. I remember when my cat died and how painful that was for me. I felt silly and yet humbled by the amount of pain I felt in comparison to the pain God must have felt for His son. I am humbled today by the power around me and the passion of the people. I am humbled by the pure devotion of Larry and Grace. I am humbled by Ken’s strength and dedication. I am humbled by Bryan as he endures each day with unyielding energy and dedication to Kira, knowing he is facing an unknown future. I am humbled by Kira, a 7 year old girl who gently kisses and hugs mommy each and every time she sees her and although she may be scared to visit a face that is barely recognizable, she proudly approaches, watches lovingly and helps joyfully. These people are testaments of passionate love and powerful sacrifice.

    I am overwhelmed to think that God’s love is even greater! I realize that I will never be able love enough to even be a splinter in comparison to the love God has for us. He holds us ever so close to His heart that if we quiet our souls enough, we will hear his heart pumping inside us. It’s an amazing feeling if we allow it to happen.

    Kathy will not concede this fight with out using every power she
    has been given to make certain that everyone knows how much she loves them. She will, while under the utmost discomfort, make certain she has hugged and kissed each and every one of us daily while expressing her love in what I consider the most joyous whispering breath ever… ‘I love you’.   

    I love you too Kathy. I love you too.


    Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) Chris Rice


    UPDATE TO HEALTH: Kathy has likely had a stroke. She is paralyzed on her left side. She has been moved to a hospice center (she was receiving hospice at home before) to try to get her pain under better control.  Despite her discomfort and looking as if each breath is her last one… she STILL laughs!