“Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Recently I was cheering on my granddaughter as she filled in a “connect the dots” activity sheet. For myself and probably anyone beyond preschool age the design was apparent; but for my young granddaughter, this was a fun challenge. As she was drawing the line between the final dots, she squealed the answer in delight. It was the sound of revelation and excitement! My response was quite similar when the Lord brought to light an answer to my prayer, “Lord teach me to pray!” The request had come at a time when I was feeling that my prayer life was far less than powerful and effective. (James 5:16) I truly wanted His guidance; but in the days to follow, I didn’t feel like I was getting a definitive answer. So I heeded advice that a Christian mentor had once given me; keep doing what you know you are supposed to do. In this case, I kept praying! During the months that passed, my “connect the dots” design was still rather unrecognizable, yet I was moving forward slowly. Then the day arrived that the dots were connected. The Lord began to speak to my heart as I read Mark 14:36, “And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” We know this is the prayer of our Lord as He was getting ready to go to the cross for you and for me. As I read and meditated on this verse, the Holy Spirit guided me to look at the parts of His request. In this time of great anguish, Jesus shared three things with God the Father. He acknowledged that God the Father can do anything, He shared what was on His heart, and then submitted His thoughts and desires to the Father’s will. On that day; I realized that it wasn’t just any design, but it was God’s design for me. God’s design was to bring me to the cross. I needed to be reminded that it is because of Jesus’s finished work at the cross that I can talk to God in prayer. The Holy Spirit also opened my eyes to see what was missing in my prayer life. It’s hard to verbalize, but the best way I can describe it is that I needed to learn to bow my heart with each request. I know that many of us don’t typically go to our knees when we pray; but for analogy sake, think of bowing our knees as the act of lifting up your requests. I picture a bowed heart as the spiritual act of awe and trust; a heart that joins the voice of prayer. A bowed heart says... Nothing is impossible for God God desires to hear what I ask of Him God’s will be done With great joy my, heart squealed in delight that day. The Lord answered my request so specifically and beyond what I asked and imagined. My prayer for you and me, as found in Mark 14:36, is that we will have God’s heart in prayer!
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My precious husband, Bill, and I have been planted in Fort Myers, Florida for almost 35 years. As a newly married couple, God most graciously had placed people in both of our jobs to share Christ with us. Its hard to believe it has been almost 34 years since we asked Jesus into our hearts! Bill and I have been blessed with four children, 3 daughters, then a son. These blessings came quickly, all within 6 years!! During these years I'm so thankful I was able to be part of women's ministry classes at our church, helping me to grow in my walk with Him. Then came the day when I was asked that question that stretched me way outside of my comfort zone...will you teach a class? Its hard to believe that I have now been teaching more than 20 years. Bill and I love to travel, most of the time going to visit our 9 grandchildren, oh ya, and their parents! I also love reading, walking and hanging out with some very special young moms in Beloved that bless my socks off!
Julie is a Kansas girl who resides in sunny Southwest Florida. She's been married to her husband Sean for 23 years and they share two boys ages 21 & 17. She enjoys baking and biking, but her absolute favorite thing is snow skiing which is a little difficult to do in a sandy 80 degree land.
She became a follower of Christ at age 10. She loves studying and teaching God's Word. She has a passion for encouraging moms to love and follow Jesus. Beth grew up in a loving home; however, in her early 20s she faced a very lonely time. During that time, she cried out to God and asked “If You are real, please show yourself to me!” God met her where she was and she trusted in the Lord Jesus at that time. Her life verse and desire is “no matter what happens, to conduct herself in a manner worthy of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27
Beth now resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband Larry. The Lord has blessed them by blending their family of five children. They currently have eight grandchildren and are hoping that there will be more grandchildren in the future. Donna accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of nine and has been amazed at God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout her life. She has been blessed to have had many mentors through each season of life, who have shown her what trusting God looks like. Donna and her husband, Bryan, make their home in central Arkansas. They have five grown children and are grandparents to wonderful grandchildren. Donna enjoys spending time with her family, laughing with friends (usually over coffee), going for long walks with her husband, and reading a good book (which may also be accompanied by a cup of coffee).
Sarah is a true Florida Cracker. She was born and raised in Southwest Florida. At the age of 6, Sarah accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and she hasn't looked back since. Hebrews 13:8 is one of her favorite verses, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Eating delicious desserts, spending time with her family and friends, and teaching people about Jesus are a few of the things she enjoys to do in her spare time.
Sarah has been married to her best friend and husband, Brandon, for 7 years. They have been blessed with one beautiful, determined son, Asher, who keeps them on their toes. Sarah and her family live in the Tampa area. They love exploring their community together, family hugs, and eating pizza whenever possible. Katie Flint just recently moved back home to Fort Myers, Florida with her husband, Ryan and two children, Collins and Madden. At the age of 5, Katie accepted Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of her life, after attending Vacation Bible School. Through each phase of her life, God has shown her that He alone is trustworthy. The verse that has been her life source is Psalm 46:10- “Be still and know that I am God.”
She is a stay-at-home mom and enjoys exercising and baking. She has been married to her husband Ryan for almost 9 years, who is her high school sweetheart. They enjoy trying new restaurants, family trips to the beach, and relaxing at home. Marsha grew up in a small rural town in upstate New York. In 2006, after finishing college, she moved to sunny SW Florida where she met her, now husband, Shawn. Together they enjoy spending family time with their two fun-loving toddler boys Zachariah and Kairos.
Marsha enjoys living an active lifestyle, which is helpful, considering that her favorite hobby is baking. Though she attended church as a child, Marsha was not saved until adulthood when her eyes were finally opened to the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Since being saved, God has placed a loving burden on her heart to share the truth about God’s healing grace with those who may feel like forgiveness is not possible for them. Archives
December 2021
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