Faith

How was your Monday?  Mine wasn't bad at all and Pat said his was pretty good too!  Enjoyed dinner tonight with some lasagna and the family. 

VBS started today at our church so staff gets to wear VBS t-shirts all week.  The best $9.95 I could spend to wear my jeans all week.  There is always some comedy with VBS as our ministers really go all out each year with their personal touch whether be acting or dancing all designed around our theme this year, Big Apple Adventure. It is a great place to work!

I have mentioned before the Purpose Driven Life Devotional I receive in my inbox each day.  I have forwarded this particular one on faith to least five people now, so I am just going to share with you.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Psalm 3:5-6 NIV)

God doesn’t promise to make your life perfect and problem-free. Instead, he promises to give you the life you’ve always been meant to have. Only God can do that.

This week, we’ve been looking at faith. Part of having faith in God is expecting him to bless your life. He wants to make your life all it’s meant to be — not all you want it to be, but all he wants it to be. He always has your best interests in mind.

When God asks us to do something, Satan typically reminds us of all we have to give up in order to obey. But that’s only part of the story.

Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (NLT). That’s great news! When I trust in God — or take refuge in him — he brings joy. Instead of thinking of what we have to give up when we trust and obey God, the Lord wants us to remember the joy we’ll find when we obey.

My wife and I recently were able to spend some time with our 2 year-old granddaughter, Reese. We can really see this truth in the lives of 2 year-olds. One time, she was swimming in her little toddler pool. Every time she’d get out of the pool and shiver, her grandmother would dry her off. So Reese would walk back to her pool, pour a pitcher of water over herself, and walk back to grandma to get dried off again. That’s a smart girl. She knows where her needs are going to be met. She went back to grandma because she expected grandma to dry her off again. And grandma did — every time!

That’s the kind of relationship God wants with us. It’s what faith is all about — expecting God to act on our behalf.

You might think, “God hasn’t always come through for me. He hasn’t always done what I expected of him.” How could he? God is so much greater than we are. There is so much we don’t understand about God. But I know I can trust him to love me no matter what. God will be here for me from now to eternity. Faith is expecting that even in the midst of what you’re facing now, God will keep loving you and keep being faithful. He’ll keep his plan all the way through eternity.

Psalm 42:11 says, “Oh, my soul, don't be discouraged. Don't be upset. Expect God to act!” (TLB). I've not always gotten what I wanted, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that God has never let me down. He's never failed to act on my behalf when that’s what I’ve needed.

Expect Him to act. He won’t let you down.

Tom Holladay is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of The Relationship Principles of Jesus.

What a great word....gotta keep reading it!

Hugs! xoxo

Love You Uncle Mark

My heart is so sad as with the rest of my family as Uncle Mark is in Jesus' presence as of a few minutes ago.  His condition worsened over the night and surgery was not an option, so they removed the ventilator.  I would describe him as a Christ follower, a family man with a beautiful wife, three children and oodles of grandkids.  He stood for what he believed and sometimes he could be a little stubborn.  I saw him on Saturday the day before Father's Day at my dad's and we were able to laugh and tell stories.  I will miss him greatly, but I am so thankful he is not in pain anymore.  Judy, Jennifer, Chris, Jessica, Bill, Michael, Melinda and all those kiddos, I observe what a close family you are, and I know your heart is breaking.  May God surround you with His love and hold you with His strong hands in the days to come.

Pat's days have been better and he has really worked nonstop around here this weekend.  He finds that the busier he is, the better he feels.  Thank you for your love and concern in the past week. 

As I have said and I will repeat often, life is precious.  I always took good health for granted, but now I see what a gift it is. 

In His Grip,
xoxo

He Feels So Much Better

He feels so much better today!  Mid morning Pat texted me that he felt great!  Oh what a feeling of relief. Late evenings he is usually very fatigued.  Just a short hello tonight. 

There is not much change in my Uncle Mark tonight...please keep him and his family in his prayers.

Have a great Friday!

ER Visit

Goodness and bless his heart and I am talking about Pat.  We had an ER visit this morning, but actually packed a bag last night as we were heading out the door about 10 PM, but his pain subsided so we stayed home and he slept through the night just fine.  He had severe stomach pain and my prayer was that it was not related to the cancer.  After blood tests and CT they said he was having some intestinal issues and doesn't appear to be related to the cancer or chemo.  He is still not feeling very well, but hopefully tomorrow will be a brand new, pain free day.

My family has another prayer request.  My dad's brother Mark (some call him James) fell off of a horse and broke his foot, six plus ribs and now has a collapsed lung and pneumonia. He is in critical condition in Tyler.  He is daddy's little brother who has been battling Parkinson for several years. As you know Uncle Mark, we McNatts are tight and we are pulling for you. I know that you are in good hands and have some great nurses around you.  I too know that you love the Lord and He is hearing every prayer and plea for your healing.  Aunt Judy, Jennifer, Jessica, Michael and the gang, please know that we are praying and I would love to be able to come and give you a big hug.  Friends and family, I asked that you  join us in praying for his completely healing.

Garrett is home from camp!  Yay!  I haven't seen my big little one since Sunday, July 17th.  I think he grew while he was gone and I know that he has more facial hair than I remember! 

Oh, have to tell you how awesome my God is.  Everyday I read from my 365 Bible and this is what I read in the old testament. After we got up this morning we were waiting around to see how Pat was feeling, so I was able to sit in my chair, open my Bible and read this:

1 Chronicles 20  vs 15 "Do not be afraid!  Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's...vs 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. Do not be afraid or discouraged.  Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you. vs 20 Believe in the Lord your God and you will be able to stand firm.  vs 21 Give thanks to the Lord, his faithful love endures forever."

What other word could He have possibly given me?  It was His promise to me as He new what this day would hold and He was going before us.  By the time this morning came around and watching Pat in such pain, I had no idea what we were facing and we were both confused as to what to do next. I could do was just wait on the Lord to show us.  I had to grin that he used Chronicles to speak to me as my A.D.D. takes over when reading the Old Testament at times! 

As I close, Pat's stomach issues are not resolved, so I ask that you pray with me. 

Thank you for loving on us!
xoxo

So Thankful For Friends

You should feel fortunate if you have DSL as I am sick and tired of this country living internet service.  Thank goodness I have tethering on my phone.  My kids are frustrated and I was too when there were 11 callers in front of me.

Pat's day was not much better.  I sure wish I could trade places with him, but he wouldn't let me though.  He made himself  go to work for a few hours and I do not know how he was able to do that.  He has been such a trooper.

I was reading in Bill Hybel's book last week and he mentioned Isaiah 43:2. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. This morning while praying, God brought this verse to mind.  We have certainly been in the waters and doing our share of floating, but sometimes it does feel like fire.  One thing I am sure of is that we will not be ablaze as He has been so faithful. 

Saturday morning when Pat and I were ready to pack up and head home, I realized I had such a peace.  I immediately said to myself that someone must be praying for me right now.  An hour later I opened my email and read this:  "Hello my friend, I now you are having a tough time right now.. I can feel it... guess that is just God's way of telling me it is time to pray a little harder for you and, Pat and your family. Love you!"  Sure enough, the message was sent at the time I knew someone was praying.   It was from my friend, Jennifer in Fort Smith.  She and I were roommates college and cheerleaders for the Southeastern Savages!  Thank you, Jennifer and all of you who send your timely messages. Many times they reach us just when we need them. 

The other day I was thanking a friend of mine, Carla, who is walking this same road with her husband, Rick, and I told her I was thankful we could do it together. I said that this journey can get weary for our friends who carry us.  She said that she tells her friends that "Friendship with me is expensive"....and priceless. 

Loco needs my attention!  Can you believe that Matt had the nerve to tell me that I am Loco's grandma? Geez, that will get him a slug in the arm.

Hugs!

xoxo