July 2009 Prayers and Praises

June seemed like it's been a tough month for everyone - from plateau's to serious life issues. But as Mark pointed out in the new forum link "The Fellowship Hall"  that God is right there in the struggles, and that's one thing we can count on. 

I've found a lot of comfort and encouragement in the book of Psalms this past month and decided to memorize the 23rd Psalm.  At one of the churches I attended in the past, an older gentleman was called on from time to time to pray at some point during the service - and each time, he stood up very deliberately and recited the 23rd Psalm as his prayer.  It is one of those verses that you can never get tired of hearing.  There are so many layers to ponder and incorporate deep down in your heart. 

So, come on, see how far you can get with me . . . 

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want (because He provides for me everything that I need) He makes me to lie down in green pastures (I think of this at times when I'm sick or need healing and am confined to my bed) He leads beside the still waters, He restores my soul (in his word is a calm and peace that he takes me to) He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake (chosing to live my life well brings honor and glory to Him) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me (in the worst of circumstances He is right there with me and there is no reason to fear) Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me (His rod of correction and His staff of guidance to keep me on the right path gives me comfort, knowing He corrects whom He loves and will be there to keep me on the right path) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies (there is no need to be jealous of what others have knowing what He is preparing for me in Heaven) Thou annointeth my head with oil (He has chosen me for a purpose and has ordained me to do his work on earth - and brings his healing into my life when I keep my eyes onHim) My cup runneth over (I am rich in His love and all the provisions He makes day by day) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (His goodness and mercies are fresh every day and will be there for me here on earth until I reach heaven) And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (when my time on earth is over I will be with him FOREVER in the place He has prepared for me)

So, if you've never meditated on these verses, I encourage you to commit it to memory and hide these truths deep in your heart.  In God's word, may you find comfort, encouragement, conviction, love, joy and peace.

So, I pray that all of us will have a better July! (even those of you who had a good June!) and I pray you will post any prayers and praises here, so that we can join you in praying for specific things happening in your life - and join you in celebrating your answered prayers!

Prayer & Praises

I noticed that there was a job posting at the school that my son attends.  The position is for an Instructional Assistant for the Special Education Department.  I had sent an email to both the principal and the special education coordinator at the school expressing my interest in the position. 

I have been in contact with Ms. Cassady (principal) and Ms. Foy (spec. ed. coordinator) regarding Glynn's active IEP and his needs.  These ladies know how hard I have worked with Glynn to help him with his problems.  I am praying that they will be able to see that as experience and will hire me for the position.

I am still looking for work.  But the job market is tough.  Four years ago, I had quit my job of 10years to stay at home with Glynn to help him with his learning disability / delay.  Employers are not concerned with the reasons why I have been out of work for 4 years.  They will hire someone who has been out of work for 3 months over someone who has been out of work for 4 years.

Please help me pray.  I am afraid that we will be evicted (again) if I do not find work soon.

Hello All,

I haven't technically inroduced myself,but you can read alittle about my weight "journey" in my profile. I am recently new to the group,and this "discussion" has definately touched me the most. My heart and prayers go out to all of your needs. May God's grace find all of you and turn your problems into blessings. You have such a SUPPORTIVE GROUP, I feel so blessed to have found you.

I would like to turn in a PRAISE report. It fell on my heart that I needed to share this w/all of you during my morning exercise. I work nights, so actually it's past my usual bedtime, but I decided to exercise now,so I can have more free"swim" time when I wake, my children are looking forward to the hot day today. Pa's summer has been more like a long spring more than anything so far.

I thought I knew where I was going to begin, but God is good, and upon further pondering, this blessing goes back alittle farther than I realized. Or maybe it's a big group of blessings,or a domino effect of blessings,but blessings just the same.

I was a nurse's aide for 12 years when I fell and tore my ACL(not on the job,but @ home), leaving me unable to work. This left us in a terrible financial crisis(which we still feel some of the effects of). At first the doctor wasn't going to repair it(if you are not a young athlete,are over 30 and overweight, you may be tagged as"not a good surgery candidate"). I was sent to therapy which did not have the results they were looking for, and then finally he agreed to operate. (only after I quit smoking and lost 35lbs). After surgery I had a hard and painful recovery which was made much harder by my size(even after losing 35lbs, I was still very overweight). I was at a very low point, disgusted w/myself,realizing how much easier it would be to get around w/o having to carry all this extra weight.

After making progress,able to walk w/o any aides,I knew I needed to look for some type of work. I was still unable to lift patients, so I considered looking for work as a "sitter", but no one would hire me, my "hobble" was just not reassuring loved ones would have the assistance they needed.

I answered an ad for a "sleep tech" as a shot in the dark-not really sure what they did, and got a call back to come in for an interview. It turns out I was REALLY underqualified for what they were looking for, but they were willing to take me in as a student/trainee(at a wage higher than I was making as a nurse's aide(as I said this story is thick w/ blessings). I realized that this is were I wanted to be,and could hardly believe I "fell" into this situatiuon.(seriously-there are no coincidences in this life-God puts us right where he wants us). Turns out,I was actually the last trainee they took in that way. Now candidates have to attend costly schooling before their training even begins.

Being a sleep technician, I can still take care of people, it's just not as physical(usually). I am fully recovered now, and on the rare occassions we get a disabled person needing extra help transfering, I am one of the few at my company who knows how to transfer safely and correctly.

That brings me to my latest blessing to report. I found out yesterday(after a month of waiting, that I passed my registry test). I am now a RPSGT.( A sleep technician certification that is internationally recognized!) PRAISE GOD!!

I apologize for the long report,but you see tearing my ACL turned out to be a blessing! That may sound crazy, but I have a many blessings stemming from that terrible accident.

True, my weight has fluctuated since my first initial loss of 35lbs, but over the past year, I have manged to lose 75lbs(and have proudly remained a nonsmoker)! I still have a  way to go, but I am a work in progress!!!(also a small victory--2 days ago, on our family walk, my 10 yr old son said"Mom,slow down your walking too fast"!--PRAISE GOD!--I would have never believed I could have ever gotten that response!)

I will pray for all of my new friends and their needs, please just stay strong,and know even this may end up as the start of a "tidal wave" of blessings for you!

Hopefully someone can find hope in this long, rambling story, I felt moved to share it.

Maria

Maria.....good to meet you! What a wonderful thing to read first thing in the morning! Praise God! I'd say He's done a remarkable thing in your life. You're a walking testimony! You have blessed me and I'm sure many others, by sharing what God has done for you!

Thanks again for sharing your story, good reading.....I'm really enjoying this cup of coffee!

~Maggie

They won the victory over him because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.  Rev. 12:11a

Maria is is great to met you.  This was a blessing to read a wonderful testimony when you first get up.  Not only do you see God the awesomeness of God when you look outside, but his loving kindness and mercy towards us when we read testimonies like yours.

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.  You will find there are many here who love the Lord and are here to elevate, encourage and just love each other in Christ.

God Bless

Mark

Maria - God is so good!  Thank you for your testimony.  As I read tears strolled down my face.  God can make anything beautiful and provide as HE sees fit!  Welcome to our group and thanks for sharing!  ~ Norma Jean

Well, I went to the Doctors office today for my follow up appointment, and she did not like it because I took myself off the medication, especially the high blood pressure.  She said but you had a stroke, you need to be on this.  I told her I was healed and I was fine.  She said you need to take your medicine.  But you know, when you know what you know, you can stand firm on the word of God.  Just as the woman with the issue of blood, she said if I could but just touch the hem of his garment, then I know I shall be made whole.

She ran one test on me in the office for my blood pressure it Glory Halleujah, it was 117 over 72.  She did another test I don't know what it is called, but my blood pressure was fine then also.  She said it is probably because you have lost so much weight your blood pressure is down, but I just smiled knowing who the healing came from.  She said to me keep on doing what you are doing, since you have been off your blood pressure medicine for a month and still have low blood pressure. 

She still sent me for another test for my cholesterol, and said I need to take my medicine for that also, but I am claiming the results are negative for that as well.

If I could but touch the hem of his garment, I know I shall be made whole.  Isn't God awesome.  He has done to much for me to doubt him now. 

The following are just a few- and I mean a few.

When I was 15, I was shot by a friend playing with a gun, it went in my back and missed my spine by 1/4 inch, went all the way through my body to my scrotal area and stayed there for 3 months, and I was confined to a bed,  the doctors told me I was not going to be able to have children, but now I have 3 three.

12 years ago I was diagnosed with epilepsy.  I was having black outs to the point that the doctor told me I could not work and I could not drive.  I was office work for a year, my wife worked part time and we still survived with food, clothing, nothing was turned off and we did not get behind on our payments. But after a year, I told my wife, I am coming off the medication, which I was suppose to be taking the rest of my life, and thank you Lord, He healed me of epilepsy.  I have been off the medicine since than and have not had any kind of seizure or black outs any more.

I give all praises to Him for He has truly done great things. Jehovah Rapha He is my healer.

Thank you for healing me again, you just do it over and over and over again.

Praise you Jesus!  How exciting about your blood pressure and praying along with you about the cholesterol.  You are a walking testimony of God's grace and all he has done and can do when you totally trust Him completely.

(Note to self: Surrender it all Norma Jean you will be at peace, like Mark and many others are! )

I dedicate this [ Song ] to Mark, Mark's father and Lorraine's son and family.

The song is One Touch [Press].  It is from Nicole C. Mullen.

I hope that it blesses you as it did me.

Thanks Denna,  I just had that song on my mind today and even sent the link to my sister.  He has made me whole and I praise him for that!

Mark, thanks for sharing that testimony of what the Lord has done in your life.  He has done great things and is worthy of our praise!!!

Praise God for your healing(and weight loss!). The medical community is usually quick to dismiss Blessings as something else,but we are the lucky ones, we know better. Our God is an awesome GOD!

Maria075,

I will praise the Lord at all times, His praise shall be contiually in my mouth.  Truly I thank God for them both, and praise God for your words as well.  Yes God is an awesome God.  I pray that others will get to know me, once they do, they will see just how much God has always always always been there for me, and when He says I will never leave you or forsake you, His word is true, even when I don't want to be in certain or go through certain trials of life, but then Jesus said "My Grace is Sufficient"  I hold onto these words each and everyday.

God Bless You

Denna, I thank God for you and your love for others, Thank you for the song, those words to be made whole has a special meaning to me, because not only in health over and over, but also in spirit.  "By his strips we ARE healed"

May I say to you that while you are continually reaching out to others in love to encourage us, remember to continue to look for the hand of the one God has reaching out to you to be an encouragement to you.

Servant to Servant

Mark

Received the following in an email at 10:40 AM and I just read it at 12:25 PM:

Norma Jean,

Mom past away last night she stopped breathing around 9pm I'm am sorry you weren't able to see her but I am glad you talked to her.I will either be stopping by or calling you after I have made moms final arrangements.

Dave

At least she is at peace - I do not know where she stood with the Lord - but we made peace with each other and I knew she did love me - her last words to me.

My prayers are with you and your family during this time, Norma.  It will be my continued prayer that God will use this to bring your family closer together. 

While it is easy to say I know how you must feel, I don't because not yet crossed this path, all I can say is that I thank God you did have the opportunity to speak with her and hear those words I love you. 

Jesus said Come unto me, all ye that labour and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Matt 11:28.

God Bless you

Mark

Norma Jean - what a beautiful gift the Lord has given to you - to be able to tell your mom you love her and then to hear her say back  "I love you ". 

Know you are in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days. I pray there will be many more blessings to come as you reunite with family and loved ones.

Jesus said : Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  (John 14:27)

I will be praying for you, David and William, along with the rest of your family.

God really knew what HE was doing when HE started you down the path for the Bible Study on Celebrating Recovery.  If it was not for that Bible Study, then the needed steps would not have been taken in time for you to reunite with your mother before her passing.

I am praying that God continues to bless you and to comfort you during this time.

Love you my dear sweet friend

ALL the LOVE that I can send from Kentucky

\o/

Norma Jean,

I'm sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I will be praying for you and your family.

Take care of each other,

Maria