31 Days of Worship - The Way to Pray

Yes, this is a video spoofing different ways to pray. So, why would I put this in a series on worship? Watch to the end.

Turning Dread into Therapy

In my last post, I recapped what's been going on with my health, and told you about having to go to the same cancer clinic Momma had gone to. Memories I just didn't want to revisit, even if I wasn't going there as a cancer patient.

I decided instead of dreading the visit, I’d make it therapeutic. I had wanted to do something special for the waiting room where Momma had spent so many hours. Since I don’t knit or crochet like my sister does (she is planning on making a blanket for the chemo room), I decided I would make a tassel for the waiting room. Just something pretty for people to look at and maybe take their minds off the waiting for a bit.

I realized that this trip was going to be a journey of sorts. The first one since Momma's death...and my heart was a mess.

But as I worked on the bird tassel, my heart became more focused on what I was doing for the people who are still where Momma was this time last year.

It became clear to me that if I focused on the hurt that place symbolized, I was going to stay a mess...but as the tassel took shape, I could see how beauty could come of it.

It got to the point where I was actually excited to be able to go and give this to Momma's doctor, one of the most well known and respected oncologists in the South, if not the country. I chose a bird because of the Wings Foundation volunteers...cancer survivors who come to the clinic and serve patients in the waiting room and chemo room. They are so precious, and Momma got to know several of them.

I wrote a card and stuck it in the bag with the tassel, explaining what it was and where they could hang it (I told them my preference would be one of the lamp switches in the waiting room). I meant to take the camera with me to take a picture of the finished product, but forgot in my anxiousness of the morning. Plus it was 6:00 a.m. when we left the house. I am not a morning person. Heh. I gave it to one of the ladies in the office who promised to get it to Dr. Tauer and his staff. She seemed as delighted to get it as I was delighted to give it.

Since I didn't take a picture, this is the inspiration tassel...I just put a pretty burgundy ribbon on the back instead of the champagne and brown ribbons in the picture.

I put one of my business cards on it with a little note on the back saying it was in memory of my beautiful mother. I hope they do hang it where others can see it and know her name.

Some good news that I just found out...my test results came back okay! I will have a follow-up visit on the 24th of August. I still don't know why my heart rate went up so high on the treadmill stress test, so I will discuss that with him.

Thank you all who have been praying for me. I cannot express my gratitude enough.

Hopefully my next post will be the third post about my craft room. When all these tests took over my life, I forgot where I was! :)

My Heart Test Recap

So many of you have asked about the tests I’ve had lately on my heart, so I thought this was the best way to fill everyone in...

For those of you who don’t know, I went to the doctor a few weeks ago to get checked out. I was feeling yucky and had been having some chest pains. I finally had enough and decided it was time to go. The doctor ran some tests and determined I was anemic and my thyroid was still out of whack. He still wanted me to go to the cardiologist to have him look more closely at my heart to make sure there wasn’t anything else going on.

I went to the cardiologist Monday a week ago. I had no idea I wouldn’t leave there before I had done the treadmill stress test (which was definitely STRESSFUL! My heart rate went up to 170 and I almost passed out!), had an echocardiogram, and walked out with a monitor hooked to me for 24 hours.

The echo test results were normal (praise Jesus!), and I haven’t heard back from the monitor test, but my treadmill test resulsts were “abnormal.” Of course, I’ve always known I’m abnormal! *snicker*

So, the doctor wanted me to have a CTA of the coronary, which is a CAT scan of my ateries, to see if I have a blockage anywhere.

The biggest problem I had with it...I would have to go have the test done at the cancer clinic where Momma was treated. The heart clinic and the cancer clinic are owned by the same group…I looked at the woman as she was telling me this and just said, “I DON’T WANT TO GO THERE.” But I knew I’d have to put on my big girl shoes (as my precious friend Dawn says) and just do it.

Tomorrow I’ll let you know how that went…I decided I wanted it to be therapeutic instead of dreading it.

We got there at 6:40 in the morning. I had had to take a pill to get my heart rate under 70 bpm. When they took my blood pressure and lab stuff, it was still 81. When I got back to the radiology department, they gave me more medicine through my i.v. and it still didn’t go down. I waited an hour and it still didn’t get down consistently below 70.

The doctor had told me if we couldn’t get it below 70 we would have to cancel the test. Well, THAT didn’t help my heart rate! But I knew if the Lord wanted me to have the test done, I’d have the test done. If not, then I wouldn’t. I tried to keep thinking about that instead of how upset I’d be if I didn’t get it done.

After a while, he finally decided to try it, hoping that once I lay down it would go down further. So, we went ahead and tried. After waiting a few minutes, they went ahead with the test…and it went fine! I don’t know the results yet, but will keep you posted.

I know so many people were praying for me…for the test, for having to go back to the cancer clinic…saying thank you just doesn’t sound like enough…but that’s all I can say. If you’ve prayed for me…thank you.

And keep praying! Until I know I’m out of the woods, keep praying! : )

My Son's Mission Field

The other day my 11 year-old Kiddo went down to the end of our cove to meet the kids that live down there. He is not what I'd call shy, but he's not the most outgoing person when it comes to meeting new people. Kind of like me. I'm as loud-mouthed and crazy as anybody else when I'm with my friends, but put me in a situation where I don't know anyone, and I'm a regular wall flower.

Anyway, these boys have lived there for several months, and Kiddo had just gotten the courage to talk to them. He came home a few minutes later, saying he really didn't want to be friends with them because they "cussed." A lot.

Now, I have to say that I'm proud of my son for not wanting to be around that kind of language. His daddy and I have hopefully taught him that is not honoring to God, just like watching t.v. shows (or commercials for that matter!) with scantily-clad girls on them is not honoring to Him. He is almost paranoid about that one. That's fine with me.

Sorry...back to my story. Sound Man and I talked a little about Kiddo reaching out to them, but then we sort of didn't bring it back up for one reason or another. Well, evidently it's been on Kiddo's mind. Yesterday we were eating lunch at my favorite establishment and we started talking about those boys again. Kiddo finally decided that he needed to do something. He decided that talking to his pastor, Bro. Jack (our children's pastor) was what he wanted to do. Mom has only so much to say on the subject, after all. Heh.

But it's what he said next that broke my heart as much as it made me happy. He said, "I need to talk to Bro. Jack as soon as I can because they could die tonight and not ever know Jesus or go to heaven!" Oh, that I would have that urgency for those around me!

We did go see Bro. Jack today, and now Kiddo has some ideas of how to get into their lives without them (or more specifically, their language) getting into his. He does want them in his life...just not their influence.

I have no way of knowing if my sweet son (that my mother thought from the day he was born would be the next Billy Graham) will stay on the path the Lord wants for him. We as his parents can do our best, parenting the way God teaches us, but ultimately he will make his own choices. One thing I can do now to ensure I am doing all I can is begin praying Scripture over him.The other day I introduced you to Brooke McGlothlin, author of the new e-book, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys. She has issued a challenge for the month of April: "21 Days of Prayer for Sons." If you want to begin praying for your boys in earnest, I encourage you to hop over to Brooke's blog and read about it.

Oh, and you don't even have to have boys to participate. Do you want your daughters to marry men who've had their lives prayed over? I would!

Don't forget that I'm giving a copy of Brooke's book away! You must go to the giveaway post and comment to be entered to win. If you are reading this after February 25th, you can buy Brooke's book for only $5.97 here.

I'll keep you posted on how Kiddo reaches out to his neighbors.

Praying Scripture Over Our Boys - and a Giveaway!

Yesterday I introduced you to Brooke McGlothlin, author of Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most. Today I'm concluding my interview with Brooke. Stay tuned to the end, because I will tell you how to win a copy of Warrior Prayers!

What do you see as the major deficiencies in parenting today?

I'm certainly not a perfect parent, and I believe there is SOOOOO much grace for moms, but it really saddens me to see Christian moms falling for all of the latest fad parenting and neglecting to allow God's Word to teach them about parenting. So many women have bought the lie that they can have it all and are so busy "living" that they don't even have time to see what the Bible says about parenting, much less apply it. It's easier just to "trust the experts." Unfortunately, much of the modern parenting techniques only change a child's behavior...not his heart. If we don't reach for the hearts all we're doing is producing little Pharisees, who look good on the outside, but are rotten on the inside (ref. Tedd Tripp's Shepherding a Child's Heart)

How do you think God has equipped us to be mothers of boys?

I question that nearly every day ;) For me, it's just a simple trust that God will provide me with what I need to mother these boys WHEN I need it. I don't know that God has really equipped me, in the sense that I already posses all I need to be a good mom...if He had I wouldn't need Him. But I do believe that He will never leave me nor forsake me and that when I call on Him, He will come. Some of the worst parenting days of my life have seen me locked in the bathroom, head in hands, begging God to meet me, help me, save me. And He has NEVER failed me. When I stop and ask, He comes. That doesn't mean He always gives me exactly what I want, but He does give me what I need...more of Him.

How have you seen Scripture prayers answered already with your boys?

I've seen God soften their hearts in specific areas over time, but honestly, I think praying the Word over my boys has done as much for me as it has for them. It reconnects my heart in faith that God is able to be true to His Word. It reminds me of what He's truly capable of and that ultimately, He is the one most responsible for the hearts of my sons...the part I play is really so small.

I so love Brooke's heart. Out of her passion for her boys she has written a resource that I see as invaluable. There are so many Scriptures to pray over our sons...multiple verses for each topic she covers.

If you are a mom of a boy (or boys!), you need this little e-book. Unlike reviews in the past, I didn't receive anything for this review. I just fully believe in it.

Brooke is selling her e-book for just $5.97. You can purchase a copy by clicking here. However, you may want to wait until you find out if you win the copy I'm giving away!

For a chance to win a copy of Warrior Prayers, just leave me a comment letting me know why you'd like to win. Are you a mom with a boy? Are you an expectant mom with a boy-under-construction? Are you mom of a girl who will one day marry a boy? You need this book.

There are a few other chances to win. Leave me a separate comment for each. Be sure and leave your email address if you don't have one attached to your profile.

• Follow (or subscribe) to Butterfly Genes
  
• Follow Brooke's blog, A Life in Need of Change
• Like Brooke's Facebook page
  

Thank you, Brooke, for not only sharing your story with me, but for writing this precious book that I know will change the way I pray for my son.

Warrior Prayers

I am so excited! I recently purchased the new e-book by Brooke McGlothlin, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most. Brooke not only writes for her own blog, A Life in Need of Change, but also writes for one of my favorite blogs, The M.O.B. Society, of which she is co-founder. Today I have the privilege of interviewing Brooke...my first blog interview that involves someone over the age of 11! This is big.

Before I get to the interview, let me say that this book has the potential to change generations. Not the book itself, but implementing what she outlines in it...praying Scripture over our sons in the areas they need it most. As I read the introduction to the book, I was already crying. When I realized she wrote each Scripture out, leaving blanks to add our sons' names, I was toast. She has Scriptures for over a dozen areas of our sons' lives, from obedience and submission to authority, to purity and integrity, to the fruit of the Spirit. I can't read over them for too long right now because I'm going to lunch with a friend and don't want to cry my makeup off. I can't wait to start praying these over my Kiddo.

Beginning April 1, 2011, through April 29, 2011, Brooke will be hosting 21 Days of Prayer for Sons. It is based on Warrior Prayers, and will be an intensive time of prayer for our boys. Like she says on her blog, "It's our hope." Oh, how it is our hope!

Now that you know a little of the e-book, I want you to hear from the author's heart. This is the first part of our interview. Tomorrow I will post the conclusion as well as have something special for you!

First, introduce yourself! Tell us about your family.

In short, I'm your average homeschooling mom, married to the guy I've had a crush on since the 3rd grade. We've been married for almost nine years now and we have two little boys born just 23 months apart.

What prompted you to write this book?

I've asked God for a lot of things in my life. But I never asked Him to give me a prayer ministry. I inherited that when He gave me two strong-willed, demanding, rambunctious, selfish, delightful little boys. I found out very quickly after #2 was born that I couldn't do this thing called motherhood by myself. I distinctly remember one of my first nights alone with them after my husband went back to work (he works shift work). My oldest was crying for my attention. My youngest was crying to be fed, but I couldn't get him to nurse because of the chaos my firstborn was creating. To top it all off, our 80 lb English Bulldog needed to go out. So both boys were crying, the dog was crying and I was crying. I put my youngest in the swing, my oldest in the playpen, leashed up the dog, grabbed my phone and plopped myself down on the front porch, miserable. I called my husband in tears and said "I NEED BEER AND CIGARETTES NOW!" (It's even funnier when you know that I don't really drink and I don't smoke). He brought me a Coke and dark chocolate. It helped. That may have been the first of many times to come that I would find myself walking around my house screaming "HELP ME JESUS!" at the top of my lungs. And so was birthed my desperate prayer life.

Why "warriors" why not just "good guys"?

The term "warrior" may be a tad overused, but I love what it communicates. I'm a passionate person. I believe strongly in things. And more than anything I desire to raise men who will be passionate about Christ, what they believe in, willing to stand up for it, die for it if need be.

I love the thought that we are raising "warriors" for Christ, even though it is NOT easy. I am so thankful Brooke's passion for her own children spilled over to help the rest of us! Tomorrow I will have the rest of the interview and the chance to win a copy of Brooke's e-book!

That I May Know the Hope...

Where I'm at right now...

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 1:17-21

31 Days of Praying for My Husband

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that I brag a LOT about my husband. Katy Lin at The Great Adventure started a meme called My Husband Rocks! Fridays over a year ago to celebrate why we love our husbands. Since my husband does rock, I started participating in it, and I've enjoyed it so much.

As much as I brag on him, there is one area of my life that I have let fall to the wayside. It's the area of praying for him. Oh, I pray for him when there is a need, like if he's sick, or if he has a big thing at work, or if he has a relationship that needs help. But daily, ongoing prayer for the love of my life has not been a priority. This is something I want to remedy, and once again Katy Lin has provided a way to do that.

Yesterday she started "31 Days of Praying for Our Husbands," not a new idea, but one I had not seen in the blog world yet. I'm glad she decided to help us along in this journey! She uses prompts and Scripture to guide us in our praying. I love it! And the button is cute, too!

Not only do I expect to get closer to my husband through this, I expect to get closer to my Lord. A double blessing!

On another subject, once again thank you for praying for my Mom. She is much, much closer to me now at a rehab center not 10 minutes from my house. Compared to 30 minutes away, that's like she's in my living room! If you have been praying, continue to pray that her physical therapy goes well and she's up and moving the way she should be soon. She's improving every day!

A Very Little Update...

First of all THANK YOU for those of you who have prayed for my Mom! She came through the surgery beautifully. The doctor said it couldn't have gone more smoothly. God is good! She is having the regular bumps in the road that come with being sovemshty years old (I'll never tell! Okay, maybe I would, but that's another post) and having just had surgery. Needing oxygen, drips, etc. But she is already up and using her walker and sitting up in a chair for an hour or so at a time. Good stuff, but keep praying for her.

I stayed with her Tuesday night and last night and I will have to say that waiting on a patient on morphine, even if she IS your mother, is quite the entertainment. She remembers nothing, but when I told her what she said and did, we were both cracking up. She seems to have an affinity for clouds. Don't ask.

Anyway, she is hopefully getting to move to rehab tomorrow. My sister is with her tonight and tomorrow night to allow me to get some rest. You know you get NONE in the hospital. I'm SO grateful for my sister! She took Kiddo home with her Tuesday morning so Sound Man and I wouldn't have to worry about who to ask to keep him this week. And now she is there at the hospital. Which reminds me, I need to call to check up on them.

Thank you again!

Praying for Momma

I will more than likely be out of the bloggy loop for a little bit. Momma is having surgery on her leg today. She has cancer and there is a spot on her thigh that is severely weakening her leg, so she has to have a rod put in to support it. It is very important that she have this done, or else her leg could break very easily. We all want to get this over and done with so she can stop worrying that her next step could break it.

So, in trips to the hospital, running Kiddo here and there, and trying to keep a semblance of order around my home, I will probably put blogging low on the priorities list. I would so much appreciate your prayers for my mom. I know she would, too.

The Valley

Yesterday was a hard day. Several of my friends were hurting yesterday from various difficulties, but each time I heard of a new one, my heart hurt that much more. Relationships shattered, the death of a child, the last stages of cancer, a premature baby, a husband at war...how my heart ached for each one. I cried so much yesterday my eyes hurt. I don't think it was coincidence that Bro. Rick's sermon yesterday was titled "The Valley."

One of the main points of his message yesterday was when he talked about Joshua. God had told Joshua to "be strong and courageous" no less than four times. God told him that He would be with him wherever He told him to go. Bro. Rick pointed out that the correct translation for the word "strong" used here was not the normal, muscle bound strength we usually think of. Here, God used "strong" meaning "fasten upon." How interesting that God would use that particular word.

What do you "fasten upon" when you are going through the valley? When life seems to be drowning you in sorrow? I clearly remember the numbing pain when I found out I might lose my sweet Kiddo when I was only 23 weeks pregnant. I left the doctor's office murmuring under my breath, "God knows about this, He has allowed this, and He has limited this!" Meaning that God was in control of the child I carried, and if He chose to take him home, it didn't mean He was no longer in control. For the next three months I fought with my emotions, wanting to argue that it wasn't supposed to be this way, but every time I came back to the same conclusion...God knew the big picture, and I didn't.

The times that Sweet Husband has lost a job, I again wanted to argue that life wasn't supposed to happen like that. God sweetly reminded me again and again that the same God that brought my precious baby safely into the world could handle a job loss. He wanted us to be faithful to Him. And He was faithful to us. Every. Single. Time.

If you are facing the valley, I pray that you draw strength from the One who loves you so much. Fasten your heart to Him. He will never leave your side.

Oh, and by the way...Joshua's valley? It was right after Moses's death that Joshua and the children of Israel followed God's instructions (after grieving for Moses for a time, mind you) and won the biggest battle they had ever fought...Jericho. The encouragement Bro. Rick gave us yesterday was to remind us that God can use that valley to draw us into a time where He wants to show us His glory. Like when I gave birth to a healthy, full term baby. Or when the job that we didn't think could happen actually happened.

He is a good God...we can trust Him!