Those Who Wait

There is a Beth Moore video session from her study on Esther that gave light to the verse Isaiah 40:31:


but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

She was asking the Lord for a closing thought to tie up sesson 5 on Esther Chapter 5 where Queen Esther is waiting for the right time to ask the King to spare her people, the Jews, from a horrible decree he issued to have them all killed.

The lesson brought us here...

Wait on the Lord. Wait on Him. He is at work in your waiting. DO NOT WAIT ON THE EVENT. Our strength WILL be depleted if we wait on the event, but waiting on the Lord WILL renew our strength. 

Glory to God our Most High!     


"To Those Who Wait"


I am waiting on You,
I am waiting on You.
You say You’re good to those who wait.

My heart’s discouraged,
So I come to You expectant.
You say You’re good to those who wait.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won’t run anymore.
I’m waiting on You.

Oh, wretched man that I am!
Free me from my distractions.
You say You’re good to those who wait.

Then confession and repentance
Find me in the quiet.
You say You’re good to those who wait.
Now I know You’re good to those who wait.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won’t run anymore.
I’m waiting on You.

Oh, my soul,
Wait upon the Lord.
Keep your lamp filled with oil.
Oh, my soul,
Be not deceived!
Wait for Him.
Don’t be quick to leave.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won’t run anymore.
I’m waiting on You.

Mega Mess

Today I stayed in with the kids and in order to re-group, organize and cook dinner for a friend in recovery. After the meal was packaged up I had to take this picture of my kitchen mega mess! Just last night the counters were pretty clear and our wonderful friend Eli had left us clean dishes after babysitting for bible study. It literally takes minutes to create this beauty. Yep, this mega mess is our real life.

I have been wanting to also photograph and share the opposite wall of our kitchen. Forgot to, so imagine 2 diaper boxes of recycling, a flat screen box (early Xmas!), a baby carrier, baby bouncer, diaper bag, purse and food containers being used as 'drums' all in front of a fully loaded red bookshelf. Ooooh yeah.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord

I received an email this morning, which I've included below if you'd like more details. This morning I am touched by a precious memory of Cathy Ng in our first days at Rogers Park Community Church. She passed away last night after being in a coma from the worsening condition of her brain tumor. She's rejoicing in the presence of the Lord, but I also remember a time of much rejoicing...

Tripp and I had been attending RPCC for just a few months. We were so enamored by the friends and quirky acquaintances we were finding among our christian brothers and sisters there. I believe Tripp knew of Cathy's brain tumor after walking by or being a part of a prayer meeting asking God for her healing. I knew Cathy as the woman who stood in front of me during worship with one hand wrapped around her little baby girl and the other lifted high in praise. For multiple Sundays we happened to sit behind them. And for multiple Sundays I could hardly sing because that woman just brought tears to my eyes. I think I even told Tripp that if we sat behind them again, I just wasn't going to sing.

My heart was broken by Cathy's unabashed praise because I knew her days may be numbered with that beautiful baby girl and she praised Jesus regardless. I was so humbled standing behind a woman in trial singing 'Forever You are faithful, forever you are strong, forever you are with us, forever...' Oh goodness, things haven't changed. That woman still makes me tear up.

I wanted to write this post just a day after her death and new life with God in eternity because as a mother, I don't know how she did it. I do know she did it with lots of tears, I saw those too. I guess I could also determine that she did it with LOTS of PRAISE! In the fiery trials of life, even in those that lead to death, blessed be the name of the Lord. He was my beginning, He WILL be my end.

Job 1:21 (KJV)

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

 

" Dear Brothers and Sisters of RPCC,

Tonight I received a phone call from our dear brother, Jason Ng.  Earlier today because the condition of his wife and our dear sister, Cathy, had become even worse as she remained in a coma, he and her parents decided that she needed to be taken off the life support.  Before doing so, her mother dressed her up very nicely!  Shortly after she had been taken off life support, praise the Lord that she looked beautiful and peaceful as she went to be with our wonderful Lord Jesus!  Consequently, Jason and her parents were really comforted to see her leave this world in that way!  Glory to God that she is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord forever!  

Please pray for the Lord to continue to abundantly comfort and strengthen Jason and her parents due to their heavy loss! Thank you very much! 

Love in Christ,
Pastor Scott "

Coconut Oil and Yogurt

If you're looking for a way to incorporate the new nutritious Coconut Oil trend into your diet, I recommend adding it to yogurt!



 













Ingredients

1 tbspish Coconut Oil
1 tbsp sliced almonds
1 packet stevia
1/2-1 c. yogurt (greek is super tasty)

Heat the oil in a mug in the microwave for about 45 seconds or until melted. Add in sliced almonds and stevia and stir thoroughly. Add in yogurt and enjoy.

Other variations I've tried are pretty good:

C Oil + Yo + Stevia + Lemon rind

C Oil + Walnuts + Yo + Stevia + Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice



Hopefully soon to follow this entry will be one to explain why I'm eating coconut oil and yogurt instead of ice cream :)