Who Am I Imitating? Part 2

I am imitating Grandpa Bobo.

My Grandpa Bobo was one of the funniest people that ever lived. Even though I have not met every person who has ever lived, my Grandpa was so funny that I feel perfectly safe in saying; "My Grandpa Bobo was one of the funniest people that ever lived."

When it came to church building, Grandpa was never failing in his work. I remember him driving around and picking kids up to bring them to church. I remember plenty of times when Grandpa and Grandma drove two cars to church because they had them both filled up with kids. Whenever I start to feel tired of driving around picking up kids, I remember them. Obviously kids knowing about Jesus was important to Grandpa, and it's important to me, too. I don't think that Grandpa ever forgot what it meant to him be saved from eternity in hell, by calling upon the name of Jesus in repentance. That is why he cared enough to go and pick up all those kids.

Grandma and Grandpa were a major part of starting at least two churches that I know of. I know that they spent time going from door to door witnessing. When my brother, my sisters, and I were young, it was always special when it was our turn to go on visitation with Grandpa and Dad. I remember having Bible Study for years at a couple's house, who were unsaved before Grandpa and Dad knocked on their door one day. Grandpa was not the Pastor of the churches, he attended, but he went door to door witnessing. In today's church, I believe that the door to door visitation/witnessing is believed to be the job of the Pastor. Also in today's church, many churches are dying out. If only more people in today's churches were like Grandpa Bobo, who didn't believe that door to door visitation/witnessing was only the Preacher's job. It is not just the Preacher's job , it is the Christian's job. When Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," He was talking to all of us, not just the Preacher.

Grandpa was a very unique song leader, and I miss hearing him. He didn't just tell us a page number and sing along. Often he would tell us about who wrote the song and why. He sang with all his heart, he just put so much into the song. He loved to sing at home as well. I remember many evenings when Grandpa got out his guitar and Grandma went to the piano, my Aunt Sherry, Aunt Linda, Dad, and Mom, and Grandpa would sing in harmony. They sang old hymns, and not once did it sound like a funeral. That music was alive! Beautiful! I remember as a child watching Grandpa as he lead singing in church or sang with guitar at home. I knew that those songs meant so much to him. Now as an adult when I hear songs that Grandpa sang with so much passion. I listen extra careful to the words. I realize that he was teaching us all what was important in life by leading songs the way he did. These songs teach us about our lives as Christians, and Grandpa knew it. I don't know how many times I have been going through a hard time, and the words to a song that Grandpa led us in singing with his great passion, have gotten through that hard time.

Grandpa was a wonderful family man. He loved us all so much. Most of all I have learned from him, that your family is a gift from God, and you should love them with all your heart forever, no matter what. If they do something to make you mad, than you forgive them and keep loving them.

I want to share one of my favorite songs that Grandpa used to sing. I remember when I was a little girl, and I mean really, really little, like 5 years old, he led the singing for kids at church. He used to have us sing this one over and over, and he sang it with so much meaning, I know it meant a lot to him. Maybe this is the reason he loved all of his family so well, because he loved Jesus first.

There is a Name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest Name on earth.

Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

It tells me of a Savior's love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The Sinner's perfect plea.

Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

Who Am I Imitating?

Today, I got my Sunday School Class's "Greenhouse Project" books and study guides in the mail. I have been anxiously awaiting getting these so I could begin studying them and getting ready to teach the books for Sunday School. I can't really tell you a lot about the book yet because I haven't starting reading it. I did read the first page for the Student Guide though, on which the students are encouraged to be aware of what they are imitating. This made me think, as a leader to the students, who am I imitating?

I am imitating Grandpa Eastwood.

I will never forget at Grandpa's funeral when a Pastor gave my family a Christian Flag, in the manner that a veteran's family is awarded a United States flag. (Grandpa was a veteran as well, by the way.) This was to honor his work as a solider for Christ in his lifetime. The man told us that Grandma and Grandpa Eastwood had a left us a legacy. They may not have left our family many earthly treasures, they left us a much greater legacy. They left us the legacy of prayer. Grandpa and Grandma were true prayer warriors.

I remember visiting Grandpa and Grandma in Rensselaer where he was a pastor. After breakfast Grandpa would have his prayer time. We had to play quietly during that time, so we didn't interrupt his prayer time. I remember just waiting, quietly outside his door for him to come out so I could spend time with him. (I LOVED hanging out with my Grandpa Eastwood.) I realized at a young age that his prayer time was so important to him. He knew that when he had a need the first thing to do was pray. When he met anyone he put them on his prayer list, and didn't take them off until they died. At which time, he began praying for their family. I have been trying to make prayer more and more important part of my life.

I am learning that the more you prayer the more you grow. You know, kinda like that kid's song, "Read your Bible, pray everyday, and you'll grow-grow-grow." Well, really exactly like that song. The more I pray, my relationship with the Lord is growing. The more I pray, the happier and more content I am. I am definitely starting to understand more what Paul meant when he said "for I have learned whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Of course, I am also learning places where I am doing the wrong thing, which isn't the most fun, but I am learning to change as well, which is good. I appreciate each prayer request that someone shares with me. First of all, I appreciate the someone had entrusted their need with me, to share with the Lord. Second, I am thankful that each petition I make know unto God, is only going to make me stronger.

What is continuing to amaze me more and more is that I can actually talk to God. I mean, when I fist type that sentence, I am thinking, 'uh-duh-prayer is talking to God." What I mean though is, Isn't it incredible that the God of the Universe, not just the Universe, but the God of ALL! Allows us to go to Him with our repentance, thankfulness, praises, and petitions! I am nothing, my life is nothing more than the life of a blade of grass. I was born, I will live a short while, and I will be dead. I am nothing special, but God wants to hear from me! Wow! How wonderful and amazing God is, that He loves us so much that He allows something as small as a person to come before Him, to come before His throne, and talk to Him! Also, I can't believe that He gives us this precious gift of prayer and we choose so often not to use it!

Finally, just one more quick note. If we want our children to grow up to be people who pray, than we must start teaching them right away. No age is too young. My 3 year old son prays. He has learned to make a list of his own requests. He puts everything from family members to his pets to his toys on his prayer list. Just the other day, when I was not feeling well, he told me in a very reassuring voice, "I will pray for you, Mommy."

Grandpa Eastwood is definitely a hero! He is not my only hero though, and I will write more about other's whose life I would like to imitate soon.

Balaam and His Donkey, Numbers 22

What does it take for God to get our attention? How great is the protection of the Lord on those whom He chooses to bless? How serious is it when we determine to follow our own will, instead of the Lord’s?

In the beginning of Numbers chapter 22 we see Israel camped in the plains of Moab and the king of Moab, Balak, terrified. He could see that Israel was large in number, he had heard of their victory over the Amorites, and he knew that his country didn’t have the power to defeat them. Balak decided to put his faith in Balaam, a seer. Balak believed that whom Balaam cursed was cursed and whom Balaam blessed was blessed. So, Balak teamed with the people of Midian and sent messengers, bearing gifts to Balaam, begging him to curse Israel. God gave Balaam a very clear answer, “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed.”

When his messengers returned telling him that Balaam had said no, Balak sent messengers a second time with a greater offer than before; “For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me; come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.” Balaam, tempted by the promise of great earthly reward, decided to inquire of God again regarding cursing Israel. This time God told Balaam to go with the men, but God knew that he would use Balaam to accomplish His will and that Balaam would die for his greedy disobedience.
Later we read of Balaam traveling along the road, planning on cursing Israel, the people whom God had clearly stated were blessed, all the while God was very angry with him. Suddenly, his donkey sees something that Balaam doesn’t, the angel of Lord holding a sword, and barring their way. The donkey runs into the field, Balaam not seeing the angel of Lord strikes his donkey and tries to turn her back on course. The donkey still seeing the angel of the Lord in their path runs into a wall. Balaam, his foot crushed against the wall now, strikes his donkey again.
Finally, the donkey seeing that the angel of Lord has completely blocked the way, leaving them no way to turn from the right or the left, the donkey just brings him and Balaam to the ground. After Balaam strikes the donkey a third time, the Lord allows the donkey to speak to him. The donkey, who had more common sense than Balaam, the seer, asks his master what did I do to deserve to be hit three times. Now, I ask you, wouldn’t you think that by now Balaam would have stopped and thought about what going on? His donkey has prevented him from continuing on his path three times, not to mention the fact that God clearly told him right from the start not to curse Israel. Now his DONKEY IS SPEAKING TO HIM! Determined and stubborn, Balaam rather than admit that he should do God’s will instead of his own, still doesn’t wake up! Instead, he just carries on a conversation with his DONKEY! This is just so absurd! Balaam pretty much just answers his Donkey by saying, I hit you because you mocked me, you didn’t respect me. Funny how, Balaam is concerned with the fact that his donkey doesn’t respect him, but he’s not concerned with the fact that he didn’t respect God.

Finally, God opened Balaam’s eyes and allowed him to see the angel of the Lord and Balaam finally admited that he was wrong. But now it was too late for Balaam. God had decided to use him to bless Israel, when he meant to curse them. God also allowed him to die for his disobedience and greed (Genesis 31:8).

Is this really much different from what we do today? God has given us a very clear statement as to what is right and wrong in the Bible. Yet, so often, we are determined to do what we want, sometimes in hope of earthly gain, sometimes because it’s the simplest way, and sometimes just because we want our own way. In our faithlessness we don’t trust God to bring us happiness or contentment, so we seek it by our own means. God opened the mouth of what many consider to be one of the dumbest and most stubborn of all the animals, to get the attention of this stubborn and willful man. What will he use to get our attention?

Peace In Hard Times

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

John 14:27 “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.”


What does it mean to have the peace of God? How do we claim it? Actually, without Christ, without God’s peace, we cannot really, and truly know peace at all. The peace of God is the only real peace at all. John 14:27 tells us that God gives us a peace that is unlike that of the world. He gives us this gift of his Salvation and peace freely. It is such a great abundance of peace that it is more then we can even understand (Philippians 4:7). This peace guards our hearts and protects us.
In John 6:1-15 we read about how Jesus fed the 5000. In this record we can learn about accepting God’s peace. The people had a need, they needed food, they had been following Jesus for a long time and they were hungry. Jesus went to Phillip and asked him to give people food. Phillip answered that he didn’t have enough money to purchase food for that many people. When Jesus asked Phillip this, He actually already knew what he was going to do and was only testing Phillip’s faith. One of the disciples, Andrew, brought Jesus a little boy who had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. Andrew didn’t really think that this small amount of food would do much good among so many people, but he brought it Jesus. Jesus asked everyone to sit down. Then Jesus took that small amount of food, prayed, and then started dividing it up and giving it to the disciples to hand out. After everyone had eaten they gathered up 12 baskets of leftover. What can we learn about peace from this story?

Jesus knows our needs.

Jesus knew the people were hungry. He cared about their needs. He knows our needs and cares about them. In Matthew 6:25-26 He says, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns yet your Heavenly Father feedeth the. Are ye not much better than they?” One problem I find in my life regarding this scripture is that I want to try and take care of the need myself. I will have a need, pray, and then want to worry about it, or think about how I can solve it. This is not what the Bible tells us to do. Jesus said not to even think about it, I should tell God my need, and then just leave it with Him. In the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 you notice that Jesus told the people to sit down, He wanted sit and rest, be at peace, while they let him supply the need.

Jesus uses the small amount that we have.

Andrew brought Jesus the little boy’s lunch, 5 loaves and 2 fishes, in such a large group, it must have seemed nearly pointless to bring that to Jesus. I think we can take that to our represent our talents. We all have talents, and using them for God is the only reason they given to us! That is what I try to teach our teens when I ask them to be involved in the Teens Involved program. It’s about realizing what they're good at, we are all good at something, and we are all given talents. Then after the teens realize what they are good at they are shown in TI how they can put that talent to use in the ministry of the church. Each time our drama team performs their play, they are giving the Gospel. They have learned a way that they can fulfill the Great Commission, by utilizing their God-given talents.

We may think that we aren’t good at much, or aren’t very talented, or maybe we think there is nothing that we could add by working in the church. Yet, Jesus fed over 5000 people with the little, tiny amount of food that was a little boy’s lunch. He can take our talents, no matter how small, and use them to make a BIG difference in the church! All we have to do is bring them to him, just like Andrew brought him the little boy’s lunch!

He gives us more than we ask.

After all the people have eaten, they gathered up 12 baskets of leftover food! When we give our need to God, He will fulfill our need and then give us even more than we ask for! Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
Finally, I would like you to think about one more thing, what would be the reason for us, as Christians, not to experience this peace? Why would we not experience the peace of God supplying our needs, physical and spiritual? The reason we most often miss out on experiencing this peace is because instead of asking God to supply our need, we try and do it ourselves. Remember, Jesus asked the people in John 6 to sit down, and let him do the work of supplying the need. Instead of sitting peacefully in the grass, we try and do the work ourselves. We try and find ways to supply the need. Whenever we do this, we just make a total mess of things! So the next time you have a need, don’t be like Phillip when Jesus tested his faith. Instead just give your need to Christ and accept His peace as you peacefully wait for Him to show you His power.

Faith and Promise

It has been ages and ages since I have been able to write a blog, at least that is what it feels like to me! My computer broke down, and first we were waiting to see if we could get it fixed, and now we know we can't, and are shopping for a new one. But not having a computer makes me very, very, very sad :-( I end up with all things in my head I want to jot down and write about and what am supposed to do if I don't have a computer and I can't blog? Write the ideas down on paper, I don't think so, I can't even read my own handwriting. I will stick to typing blogs, and will just have to jot less of my ideas then normal. Which frankly, may not be a bad thing anyway. Well, that is until I get my new computer again, then it's going to be BLOGMANIA at my house :-)

Not long ago when I was doing my Quiet Time, I realized something that I hadn't really paid a lot of attention to before, and I just had to take the time, to get to a computer and jot this down, before I forget! Often times when reading through Mark, I have breezed past the miracle described in Mark 5:24-34. It just seemed like a quick miracle that was described in 10 verses just another example of Jesus’ compassion and power. However, the last time I read this scripture I realized that this passage is much more then just a description of a miracle. This passage is a lesson on Faith and Promise that we should all take very seriously. I am talking about the miracle that involved the women with the issue in her blood.

She had Suffered…

The passage begins with Jesus walking through the crowd, heading to perform a different miracle and heal someone’s daughter. In the crowd was a women, who has suffered for many years but who also had much faith. She suffered from some kind of blood disease, and she has clearly gone many routes trying to find healing. In verse 26, we read “And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.”
She makes me think of many others of us today, who have various ailments or diseases, and we keep going to doctor after doctor, trying treatment after treatment, have test after test done, and still nothing gets better only worse. She clearly was living in much pain, and did not have a good quality of life.

She Dared to Step out in Faith….

The fact is after we suffer enough, having faith that Jesus can heal us is scary. It may seem easy to say, but when you are the one doing the suffering, whether it is with illness or other needs, it is not easy to be faithful, and give our worries and cares to God. This brave woman, whose name we don’t know dared to step out on faith. In verse 28 we read, “For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.” So she pushed her way through the crowd and bravely reached out her arm, in complete faith, not even having the littlest hint of doubt and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. I just really think it is cool, that she just said, so determinedly, that if only she could touch His clothes she would be healed. She knew that Jesus's power was enough to heal her needs.

She was filled with the Power of God…

I was excited when I realized that this woman not only touched the Son of God's garment, was not only healed, but was filled with God’s Power! I know this is true because Jesus was pressing through a crowd; many people were reaching out and touching Him. Verse 30 says, “And Jesus, Immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?” The disciples wondered, why would Jesus ask who was touching Him when clearly many people were touching Him, but you see, when this women touched Jesus, He felt her receive His “virtue.” Out of all the people in the crowd she was the only one who was reaching out in complete faith in Jesus’ power to heal her of her issue.

She was healed inside and out…

The women who knew immediately after touching the Lord that she was healed, came forward with “fear and trembling”, then Jesus accepted her as part of His family, he said, “Daughter, they faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Jesus accepted this woman as His daughter, and told her that she was made whole! I believe that she was healed of her physical plague and the plague of sin! I wonder what it must have felt like when the women reached out and touched the hem of the Son of God’s garment! I wonder what it felt like when she felt his power flow within her and heal her completely. I guess it must have felt like what it feels like today, when someone bows their head, puts their faith in Jesus Christ, turns from their sin, is healed from a life of sin, and filled with the power of God.

"...the Covert of Thy Wings.."

Lately, I have had some problems that seem insurmountable. In fact, I have even talked with quite a few friends today that have mentioned things that they needed prayer about. Then I sit down, just now, to do my Quiet Time, and I am once again shocked at the answers that the Bible gives. It is funny how people can think that the Bible is outdated, because it is almost miraculous how it is SO not outdated, but also how when I have a need I just "happen" to read a verse or chapter that answers or speaks directly to that need. If fact it does not, just "happen" at all.

Psalm 61:1-8
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king's life; and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows."

So, this tells me that David felt overwhelmed. And really his problems seem a bit more frightening then mine, since David was running and hiding from a son who wanted to kill him. Sounds pretty overwhelming to me! But then David says that he can trust in God to give him a shelter, a tower to escape from enemies, he can trust in the covert of God's wings. I can just imagine, hiding under powerful wings completely safe from danger! The verses also say that God will preserve David's life and God did save David from this danger. David, even in this horrible danger was able to feel safety from God's protection. And that protection is not only for David, it is for me, too!!! Not only that, God will not get bored of me going to him with every single need I have. Because it also says "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever" and "He shall abide before God for ever"

Actually this promise will be kept for anyone who comes to Jesus and trusts in the "Covert of thy wings". I can't help but remember another verse...

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Calvin's Prayer List

Calvin and I were filling out his prayer list in his new Quiet Time. Each year, you get new Quiet Times, and the front of them has pages for listing prayer requests. I have really liked it with Calvin because it has taught him that he can personally pray for people that he cares about. He prays for everything, too, people, dogs, cats, toys, milk, juice, and even dinosaurs. (I didn't have the heart to tell him he maybe just a little late on that request.) So, I told Calvin "Tell me people that you want to pray for and I will write their name down. Like you could pray for Daddy.." Then I wrote "Daddy" on his prayer list. His list now looks like this..

Daddy, Grandma, Pixie (Mom and Dad's dog), Grandpa, Aunt Mary, Patches (Our Cat), Grandma Jobe, Grandpa Jobe, Sissy (Diane), Nonny (Andrew), Mommy, Aunt Bekah, Uncle Mike, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Tom, Aunt Hollie, Uncle Johnny, Xander, Ashton, Aiden, Tabitha (Bekah's Baby- who is still in her tummy), Joe (Bekah, Mike, and Calvin's kitty), Rascal (Bekah and Mike's other cat), London, Jack (our Dogs), Uncle Kenny, Aunt Melinda, Kourtney, Aunt Mindy, Rachel, Jenny, (Right about here Calvin stopped and said, "I have to pray for my friends.") Taryn, Taryn's baby, (This is about where he stopped and said, "That's not all of them, I have LOTS of friends"), Kylie, Edwin, Allanna, Hollonna, Taydon, Keeliegh, (What cracks me up here, is that he just went from naming his friends that were kids to his friends that are grown-ups, like Calvin, he sees no difference in age where his friends are concerned.)Shea, Penny, Mike, Matt, Tabitha, Logan, (This is where Calvin said, "Logan is my friend!". Calvin thinks Logan is super cool, and I think that he thinks it makes him extra cool that Logan is his friend.) Cody, Ty, Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Frank, (I loved how he told me to add this name, he goes, "Make sure you put Aunt Bobbie on there!") Aunt Bobbie, Uncle Terry, Grandma Bobo, Lindsay, Trista, and Cortney.

Now the majority of these prayer requests he came up with totally on his own, remembering most of the people all by himself. Every now and then he would stop and say, "I am forgetting someone.." Then he would think about it for a minute and then start naming names again. It was a very, serious and important job to him. Which I think is good.

The only concern I have when I look back at his requests, and the thing that made it a little hard for me not to giggle while we prayed after making the list...and remember that "Daddy" was a freebie, I gave him that name and wrote it down...So that means, not only that Pixie- Mom and Dad's dog- was the 2nd most important prayer concern to him, but look at where I, his own mother, ranked! Not only did I come after Pixie, the one-eyed dog, but also after Patches, our Cat! I can live with coming after the Grandparents, brother, sister, but it is a little hard to come after the dog and cat!

Some Verses I Want to Remember That are Making me Think About Prayer

Over the last few days some verses have come to my notice about faith and prayer. These verses have made me feel so much excitment for God's Grace and Provision for me! I am really thankful for all that God promises!

Mark 5:36 "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe."

A ruler of the synagogue was seeking Jesus' help with the healing of his daughter. He was told by others to leave Jesus alone, that his daughter was dead, basically that he was wasting Jesus' time. But then Jesus told him not be afraid, to just believe.

I think sometimes we wonder if some problems and concerns aren't important enough to bring to God in prayer. Maybe it is a waste of His time? But this verse reminds me of what I believe, that God wants to me to share with Him, all of my concerns, about all of my needs, and all of my weakness. And then after I have brought these things to Him, He expects me to not be afraid but to just believe.

Whenever I have to remind myself to not be afraid and to just believe. I get this picture, no memory, in my mind. It is the picture of my Grandpa Bobo, standing so tall (he was a tall man), and bald (he was also a bald man), playing his guitar, and singing...

Now let us,

Have a little talk with Jesus,

Let us tell Him all about our troubles,

And he will hear our faintest cry,

And he will answer by and by,

Now when you feel the little prayer wheel turning,

And you know a little fire is burning,

You will find a little talk with Jesus,

Makes it right...

You may have doubts and fears,

Your eyes be filled with tears,

But Jesus is a friend that answers day and night..

I think because when Grandpa sang it, he didn't just say the words, I could tell that he meant, deep in his heart, what he was singing, was so true! I really think that he deeply knew that Jesus wants to hear about all our needs and troubles.

In our Quiet Times (WOL Quiet Times) we have been reading Psalms. I was glad that this time we got to the 56th Psalm because it is my favorite. The Quiet Times run for year, and they just started for this new year Sunday. When I first opened it up and saw where we were starting in Psalms I was like, "Alright!" because I knew we would get along to the 56th.

When I was young I used to devour any kind of books that were mystery, sometimes some sci-fi, maybe a little adventure. Put that together with my HUGE imagination, and I had nightmares constantly. So one day, maybe after being woken up 1 too many times, my mom refered me to Psalm 56:3 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." I wouldn't have minded just climbing in bed with my parents everytime I got scared, and I am not even joking. But Mom and Dad just didn't seem to go along with my way of thinking. And after awhile, I would get in trouble for waking them up with nightmares. I would have a nightmare, wake up, and then stop and think about the level of scared I was. Was I terrified enough that Mom and Dad wouldn't be mad at me for waking them up? Or did I need to take care of it myself? You would think that after awhile I would have thought to stop reading things like, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" which caused the nightmares. But maybe I am a little glad I didn't, because now I know what to read, and who to count on when I have a problem. Tracy always told me when I had nightmares, to just get out my Bible, and read it until I wasn't afraid anymore, so I did. And I would go to Psalm 56 first. I read it so many times, that is basically memorized now.

When I started reading it in my Quiet Time, I was mostly just quoting it. You know like when you quote John 3:16 real fast, and you aren't really thinking about it. But then as I got to the end, the last verse just jumped out at me, and the meaning of it had a greater impact this time. Psalm 56:13 "For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" Wow! God delivers believers from death and hell, what makes us think that He won't take care of us in this life? Of course he will! He will provide every single need! Realizing that, sure does take a lot of the wieght off my shoulders. I knew this stuff, but somehow, reading that verse was just the reminder that needed!

I also noticed verse 4 "In God I will praise his word..." Just another instance of God telling us that He wants our praise. Cool.