Undefined, Day 5 Praise and Prayer

What can i do with my obsession
With the things i cannot see
Is there madness in my being
Is it the wind that moves the trees?
Sometimes You're further than the moon
Sometimes You're closer than my skin
And You surround me like a winter fog
You've come and burned me with a kiss

Lyrics from: David Crowder Band: Obsession

Praise-we had a great vacation and had amazing travel mercies throughout
our trip. We left at the right time. I pray that all those who have
suffered from loss during the storms will find strength and provisions. We
feel so blessed right now and pray that God will keep us strong as well. I
need clear concentration to get the taxes done this month and protection from
anxiety and stress. Thank you.
~Pray for Allison Yates and her family. She is in ICU.
~Pray for Hannah's skin condition to improve.
~Pray for the out break on my hands as well.
~Please pray for travel mercies for Joanne to Reno and for Uncle Joe in his
last days. Please comfort family. Please pray for Robert and Verla
to find housing that is no longer temporary and that will be what they need, no
settling. Thanks. HC.

Praise: For Jesus sending me the unexpected gift our our Ugandan
guest Veronica!! We have had 3 days with her and were such a
blessing! Praise: We saved and got enough money that we bought our airline
tickets for Kenya and only have 1 more round of shots left! Prayer: for our
fundraising we have about 4,000 more dollars to go! Prayer: for my
husband who is struggling with his faith. Our small group is going to be
starting "The Truth Project" by Focus on The Family, and Bob has decided he will
attend. So prayer that Jesus will begin softening his heart now before we
even start the group at the end of the month! ~Janell O

Praise report: I've moved from walker, to crutches, and am now using a cane. I've been released to drive and go swimming every day. I start physical therapy tomorrow and can start using the exercise bike next week. I'm make remarkable progress. Thanks so much for all the support!!!
My husband was layed off in December. He was only out of work 3 weeks then was offered another job. It's only for a few months. But, that gives us an income while he looks for other employment.
Our daughter made it to Spain safely. She'll be there for 6 months of study abroad.
1 month ago, life was vastly different. We are so thankful for all our blessings. ~Linda W

please pray for me-to help me get rid my childhood insecurities at 43.I
know it sounds silly, but everyone has problems to deal with. ~bonita e

Please pray for my sister McKayla, the last I heard no one has seen her in over
24 hours. They believe she has run away. Pray that our Father give her
protection and wisdom to call someone for help.

Praise God for the work He is doing with me and my quick temper. One day
at a time. He is faithful when we are weak. ~Angela S

Our continued prayer requests; please take the time to pray through this list of needs.

~Pray for Linda W and a speedy recovery from her surgery
~Pray for Julz and Sam Y and their marriage.
~Sam C., health and less stress, provision, self control
~Diana B., Marriage, more time for herself and for family to be able to take care of themselves so she can spend more time enjoying life
~Denise P., for her new relationship with Christ. Knowledge.
~Pray for Shannon and Jonathon. Marriage
~Pray for Jay, For financial peace
~Pray for Kalee and Kimberly, direction and knowledge
~Pray for Matt S. who is at Hume Lake camp for ministry
~Pray for Hayley, Hormone
~Pray for comfort and guidance for Rachael S.
~Pray for strength for Ashley J.
~Pray for Healing: JoAnne A., Healing of cancer. Heather C., Healing of Thyroid, Iron deficiency, lump Dale G., weight issues Lea N., hip Kathy L., past, addictions, sciatic issues, neurologist, Robert C. Sr., severe back pain Ginny R., healing of cancer Addyson D., Iron deficiency~Kym, for feelings and emotions, living arrangements.
~Kathy L.,restoration~McKayla L protection and safety.
~Janell O and her family, provision in their planning phase of an Africa missions trip. Pray also for peace and strength in their marriage. Pray for understanding and discernment.
~Canvas Fellowship, location opportunities. The children's ministry has outgrown their space.
~Please pray for revival at Canal Fulton Christian Fellowship
~Pray for Jane M. gaining knowledge through life experiences
~Pray for everyone you know who has lost their job or been laid off in the last few months. Praise God for those that still have theirs.

Undefined, Day 4

Do you ever find it hard to explain faith to people? Your faith? Why do you believe? What convinced you that Jesus was the sacrifice for your sins? How do you know God created the Heavens and the Earth?

Our greatest undefinable as Christians: FAITH.

Faith, the one thing that saves us from death and gives us the freedom to be different.

Romans 10:8-11 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses,
resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM
WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Heavenly Father: Praise your name for the sacrifice that was made for me that I may be brought back into relationship with you. You are truly amazing. Undefinable. Lord, all you ask from me is faith the size of a mustard seed and I will receive the inheritance of eternal life. Sometimes Lord I don't understand the grace that comes freely from you. I want to show you I am worthy of Your love. As I learn Lord that it is about responding to your grace and showing others what you have done for them, I pray for your guidance. I pray for the Spirit that lives in me to shine through, to be the undefinable, to be the thing people can't quite figure out about me. May your name be truly glorified in my life. ~In Your Precious Holy Name

Please continue to pray for Sue O this week.
Tomorrow is Prayer and Praise Friday. Please send along your praises and prayers to be shared. It has been a few weeks, I hope we can hear about some amazing things the Lord has been doing. I know too that our list of prayer requests is in need of a little updating.

Undefined, Day 3

We are a week into our New Year. How are your resolutions going? Have you made it to the gym? Some things about us can be very predictable like our new found commitment to health at the beginning of every new year.

One of the reasons I chose the word undefined this week is because it is actually one of my goals this year. In 2008 I learned more about myself then I could ever have imagined. I found out I am stronger then I thought. I realized I have more courage and also more weakness then I would ever like to admit to.

Because of this blog I have also started to taste what it means to be an overcomer. There were a few moments last year where I truly felt my life was a response to the grace I have been given. In some of my weakest moments, I was able to find the conquering spirit that lives in me. I want more of that and I want people to wonder what it is that is different about me. I want to be undefinable. I want to stand up when I am knocked down. I want to love the people that are unlovable. I want to live outside of the stereotypical boxes that society tells me to live in. I want to live and experience the freedom my faith has given me. I want to Praise His name in all of it.

Romans 8:35-39 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword? Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO
DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE
SLAUGHTERED." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him
who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor
height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have to admit I don't have a game plan. I don't know how to be undefinable but I have confidence in my God and know He knows what I desire and how I want to respond to His grace. I pray the same for you. I pray that you too will be known as someone that overcomes and has something people just can't put their finger on. I pray that the Spirit that lives within us shines through so brightly that lives are changed.

Please continue to pray for Sue O this week.

Undefined, Day 2

Are you a list person? I use to not be. The older I get, the more lists I make. I have recently become a couponer and my grocery shopping list has become so specific, even my detail oriented husband is worried about me.

I think lists can be a good thing. I know they keep me on track and keep me focused. I know they prevent alot of forgetfulness during hectic days. Like our Friday praise and prayer list, it helps me to keep track of all of the needs that my loved ones have. I have a list for all of things I want to do in my life, places I want to see, things I want to experience. These lists are the ones that give me goals and courage to try new opportunities.

Even though my lists make most of my life more organized and less hectic they can also be a distraction from living. On errand days, I can be so list oriented that I am short with my children that they didn't get the memo that laughing and having a good time are not on the list and take more time then we have to waste. I have even given my husband "the look" when he slyly places something in the grocery cart that shouldn't be there. More often then not whatever thing he picked is usually the thing that makes for a great family night.

Lists make me think about the Pharisees. They were so focused on their rules and their ideas that they couldn't see the gift in Jesus.

Matthew 9:10-13 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the
house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus
and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples,
"Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" But when
Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13"But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Can you imagine what the Pharisees were thinking. "Hold up, wait a minute, my list, this isn't what the King of the Jews was suppose to sound like." They must have felt panicked, maybe they were concerned he was leading people away from their God. It can be difficult to see the truth that is right in front of us when it doesn't come with the definitions we have given it. Sometimes, religion lives in the undefined not in the boxes we have so gently placed it.

Matthew 13:14-15 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled,
which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'

Please continue to pray for Sue O this week.

Undefined, Day 1

Happy New Year! We hope everyone enjoyed the holidays.

Can you believe it is a new year? Time to start with new goals and ideas. I love that each January I feel as though I have been given a clean slate. With nothing yet written on the years identity I get to decide how it is going to go. There hasn't been anything to help define the year quite yet.

I have ideas, thoughts, and goals about what I want this year to look like. I am sure most of you do to. But, right now is just the baby steps to getting things started. Undefined, right now 2009 doesn't have an identity, it doesn't have a look or a feel. It isn't far enough in to have history only future. For the most part my 2009 is ready for me to mold and shape so that come December I will have a picture of a year in my life that hopefully resembles some of my ideas and actions.

Undefined:
1. without fixed limits; indefinite in form, extent, or application

All of this thought about new and undefined made me think a bit about my faith. Even though I say that my year is undefined, it began with one simple thing and that is faith. Each day I get up and believe in something I can't touch, I can't feel and I can't always define in the simplicity of our language. I believe in the greatest Undefinable there is.

Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things
not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we
understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is
seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Heavenly Father I thank you for the beauty of a new year. May we learn Lord that while we choose to define and identify this year with goals and opportunity that it will be You, your undefinablity, that shines through in our lives this year. ~In Your Holy Name

Please pray for Sue O this week.