Luke and I returned to the Promised Land last night and though we had a fabulous time with our friends in Florida (say that 5 times fast), it is undescribably wonderful to be back at home with the kids and sleeping in our own cushy bed.

I intended on writing an uplifting, fun-filled post after all the heaviness around here the past few days, but my plans have changed. I am on my way to see my uncle Ken who has suffered a severe stroke. He had one a few years back from which he has recovered relatively well. This second one is serious and I don't yet know the long-term implications of it. He is not even 50 years old and so this has been such a shock to all of us that such a young man could be experiencing these problems. Ken is dear to me and at an earlier point in my life was as close as a brother. Years have passed, some things have changed, and I don't get to see him often. It's moments like these I get so angry with myself for letting my crazy life get in the way of seeing people I love when they are well instead of lying in a hospital bed. So, if y'all think of it, please whisper a prayer for his healing.

In better news, I received my package of Spectacular Sins books! I'm almost finished reading mine. It's so heady but will definitely reaffirm our confidence in God's control over every event that takes place on this earth. If you haven't entered the giveaway yet, go here now! You have until tonight. I'll announce the winners tomorrow and give the rest of you a link to order your book so you can be reading between now and January when we begin our discussions.

BTW - I'll be announcing another giveaway on Monday for some light-hearted reading that you will love! {Hint: The books are in my right sidebar..}

Have an awesome weekend!

p.s. I swear I hope none of y'all read this post when it was entitled, "Better him than me.." When I began it I was about to write about something Luke did on vacation and I ended up talking about my poor uncle. Better him than me? I'm an OGRE! It's okay to laugh. Ken would. :))

UPDATE: Thank you so much for your prayers and sweet emails of encouragement! The banquets are now over and I can not express to each church whom I was blessed to serve this weekend how much I enjoyed spending the time with you. I love God's Word more than life and it is a privilege to open it wide and meditate on its wonders together.

Praying God's blessings on each and every one of my new girlfriends I met this weekend!

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Just popping in for a moment because I am majorly coveting your prayers!

I am so excited that in a few hours I'll be heading to my friend, Lisa-Writes', church to speak at their women's banquet. The theme absolutely rocks - Taste of Italy. I can't wait to see what all they've done to incorporate that into the night. Don't you just love being a woman? You would think at some point that one church's banquet would more or less look like another's but I've yet to be disappointed at how each groups unique personality shines in their women's events.

Tomorrow afternoon I'm headed over to speak for my girlfriend Carrie's church. Several of the women there are great ballfield friends and a few even attended our church's retreat a few weeks back. There is nothing like living in a community where there is truly sisterhood among the churches. I love these girls and can not wait to hang out with them for the night!

So back to the prayer. I always get nervous. Always. Would you pray that the Lord Jesus settle His Spirit over mine? That He would envelope my words with His? That the girls at these two events would leave infused with a little more courage to be Steady Ones for those coming along behind them? I feel the power of prayer when I'm trying to communicate a message God has placed on my heart but I'm also aware of the confusion that Satan uses for interference. Pray I'd be clear-headed and focused and that my heart would not fail. As anxious as I can get in my humanness, there is one promise to which I cling - I can fail but God can not. I believe in Him for a modern-day Pentecost where women will hear in their language what their spirit needs to be energized.

Thank you in advance for the prayers I know you'll whisper on my behalf. What a wonderful group of girlfriends you are!

If there be any consolation let it be that even when we couldn't see, we still believed.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

For we long.....

We love you, Tim, Gaye, and Eric

UPDATE: More about Eric here.

Anytime a phone ring splits the stillness of the early morning hours in a minister's home, you can't help but automatically dread hearing the news on the other end. This time was no different as we've just learned a beloved family of our congregation's 20-year-old son was killed in an auto accident.

Luke has gone to be with the family and I sit here between sobs and shock. I know nothing to do but ask you to please pray for God's Presence to be felt. Dad and Mom are Tim and Gaye - their son is named Eric.

To our church family and community: announcing this here is not the way I would prefer for you to learn this terrible news, but it was early when we heard and we felt it was important to ask for prayer and get the word out as quickly as possible. We will let everyone know arrangements as soon as we have them.

Take a look at this note from Emma's mom Kelli and then PRAISE HIM, people!! Our God has done a miracle in our midst! Ya'll, this wasn't simply a mistake. You can find Kelli's initial report of the doctor's findings here. The oncologist was already talking treatment. What little I know of the medical field, specialists just do not do this kind of thing so early unless they are very confident in their preliminary diagnosis. What a perfect opportunity for a God Show! (For you 'I AM' Study girls, A Set up for a Show Up! :)

This past Sunday, Justin and Kelly brought Emma to church and following the Biblical mandate of the elders and congregation praying for healing, we did just that. It was one of the most heart-wrenching yet powerful times of prayer I have ever experienced. We promised our God we would glorify His Name no matter the outcome. This time, He chose to magnify Himself through a healing that can not be explained by medicine. Praise His Most Holy Name!!

Here's Kelli:

GLORY TO GOD ALL MIGHTY!!!!!!

My baby girl is healed in his name!!!
To all of my prayer warriors out there, GOD LISTENS!!!!!
The doctor called this afternoon and asked how I was doing, and I told her as well as could be expected, and she said well you are going to be doing a whole lot better after I tell you the news!!! IT IS NOT CANCER!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah....GOD IS GOOD!!!!

The doctor shared with me that Emma must have "someone" watching over her because when she opened her up for the biopsy on Friday she was CERTAIN is was cancer, and when she looked under the microscope today, it definitely was NOT!!! I told her she had more than one person looking after her, she had a band of angels and Holy God that still heals. She said she needed to take a day just to let this sink in!!! PRAISE YOU JESUS!!!!
It is a gathering of blood vessels that formed a knot and that we may just need to watch it and there may not be a need for any kind of operation!!!!

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!

I can not tell you all how much your prayers and your support and your encouraging words have helped me to stay strong in my Faith and in my daily walk. I almost started doubting today!! Satan ALMOST got me, but GOD IS GOOD!!! Praise the Holy Lamb!!!! Jesus still heals today!!! Please tell everyone the good news! We love you and thank you for all of your prayers. Share the good news that Jesus Lives and he lives in ME!!!!!

Emma has a story to tell and she will do it in his Holy Name!!!

More Celebration to COME!!!!
In Him,
Justin, Kelli, and our HEALED EMMA!!!!

Girls, if there has ever been a time I have coveted your prayers, it is this day. I beg you not to read this screen and jump to the next blog without petitioning the Father in this most urgent time.

A dear family in our congregation has a 6 week old baby girl who had a biopsy done this morning for a lump that came up on her upper buttock. In the doctor's words, it could be cancer. Now this is not definite, but still horrifying words for these parents and grandparents, loved ones and friends to hear. The biopsy report will not ready for a week.
For any of you who have done Beth's study of Daniel - we know how to pray in this kind of situation:

1. To be delivered from the fire, 2. Through the fire, or 3. By the Fire....

It's time for step one girls.....Our first prayer is that this mass is benign and sincere apologies from the doctors for scaring this poor family to death. Or better yet, that the lump is just flat out gone....

Also, these friends read this blog. Would you be so kind as to leave an encouraging word for them?? The baby's name is Emma... All they are holding on to this moment is the prayers of God's people. I know you are faithful prayer warriors and again, I beg you to ask God for deliverance from this trial.

Just a quick note to let you know we are in Montgomery ministering in a housing project which boasts the most murders in the city. We had an amazing day with over 75 children and several adults in attendance at an outdoor VBS. One teenage boy prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior! This is a huge decision in an area where gang membership is essential to survival.

I had the opportunity to sit down with 8 adult women and talk extensively about salvation and questions they have about God. I can not wait to tell you all the details and include some pictures, but tonight I am begging you to pray. These women are coming back in the morning for us to continue our discussions and I know of two who seem on the brink of salvation. Please ask the Lord to prime their hearts to be ready to receive Him. Also pray for a woman I met today struggling with drug addiction. She wants to be free and yet her situation seems so hopeless to her. Please ask the Holy Spirit to give me the words to convince her He can help her be strong enough to say 'no' to temptation.

Also pray for our safety. We do not take for granted we are all in Satan's territory and that he is not at all pleased. We just got word a hotel very close to us was robbed and a patron shot. We also will have to run buses into the housing area in which we are working after dark tomorrow night which has us a little on edge.

Thank you for being faithful prayer warriors...I know your intercession will make a difference!

Blessings!

I will be traveling to Georgia today to speak about being 'Beautiful to God' at a Mother's Day Banquet. I am so excited, and as always a bit nervous, to worship there tonight!

Now you girls who are going through the 'I AM' study have an idea on some of the material. So can I ask you to pray that these women tonight will embrace their 'City Girl'? And also that the young girls there will understand that in their quest for worldly beauty, if they reveal flesh they will only attract flesh! But if a godly girl reveals her heart, then the boy's heart she attracts will be one who will honor her instead of bring her shame. I so much want our young girls to get it that they are never too young to be complete and confident in Jesus Christ instead of looking for their worth in a toxic relationship. A challenge to us moms - if we don't get it, they won't either. Confident moms = Confident daughters. Oh we have to get this one right.

I wish all of you a blessed Mother's Day. I hope it includes at least one indulgence for you! If you are a daughter, tell your mom at least one specific thing you appreciate about her. If you are in a place of longing to be a Mother, I know sometimes this can be a painful day. I pray God will comfort you in the knowledge that through Him, she who has no physical children can be the spiritual mother of so many more. You have no less opportunity for impact than one who has given birth. Whatever your station, embrace it! God will be glorified in our 'yes' spirit.

I love you girls!!
Have a beautiful, blessed weekend!! :)

UPDATED: JUST GOT BACK FROM THE BANQUET....WHAT A PRECIOUS GROUP OF GIRLS YOU ARE!! HAVE A GREAT MOTHER'S DAY!

Hi Girls!

Some of you either know or have heard of Heather of Swank Design fame, some not. However, today is one of those where it doesn't really matter. She needs our help and I hope you will consider joining in.

I am asking you each to click on the button above to read about Heather's brain cancer diagnosis and make a decision on April 18th to pray and if possible to give financially to aid her family. I won't elaborate here on what is best told through the link. All I can say is that I am torn out of my frame after reading her plight. This is one of those situations where you might ask, "How much can one family take?" This young wife and mother is a picture of the grace of God being sufficient. By her testimony you will respond, "How can she possibly be so calm?" It is only the confidence she has in our God...No doubt she is spreading His fame.

On April 18th a link will be established through this button for donations to this family. Again, you can read more by clicking. Please pray about how you can seize this opportunity for ministry.

Thank you!!

Lisa