The beginning,the most important part of the work

The beginning is the most important part of the work.  ~ Plato

“But the Lord said to her,“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 38:41-42, New Living Translation)

I love New Year’s Day because, like each new morning, it gives us a brand-new, fresh start. Like the white snow here in Missouri covering the ground, that seems to wash everything clean. Like Jesus’ blood that sanctifies us and makes us new creatures in Him, forgiven, redeemed, a new person with a new name that the mouth of God designates.

This coming year I have hopes and dreams in my heart. To do things I’ve never done before. To have new exciting adventures in Christ.  To be stretched beyond my comfort zone. To die more to self and to become more like Jesus.  To climb higher to new heights with hinds’ feet. To accomplish more for God, to begin to walk in a greater level of His Love, power, anointing and authority. Most of all, to draw closer to Him. Because Jesus is all that really matters! He is my EVERYTHING!

What about you? What do you desire for 2010?  What dreams are in your heart?  What goals have you set?  What do you need to begin to do – and finish – this year?

 Write these things down. Pray about them.  PASSIONATELY pursue them this coming year, and don’t stop until they are done!  Press in to God! Believe!  Step out!  This is the year for great things for you and for me! Can’t you feel it in your spirit?

Most of all, ask God what He wants for your life in 2010. What changes need to be made in your life and your family’s? What things need to be pruned to make more room for what God wants of you? 

What things do you need to let go of so you’ll have room for more growth in Christ and  to allow greater blessings to flow into your life?

Step up to all God has for you in 2010.  It’s the year for new beginnings, new hopes, new dreams, new accomplishments!

A new look for preparation of January launch

Celebrity new hairstyle

If you have noticed Tablet Of My Heart’s website appears different, it has gotten a little bit of a new look. The “search” feature is now underneath the RSS and email subscribe button at the top of the page on the right hand side. My personal mailing list sign-up for the weekly ezine has been moved down a little on the page. 

I have temporarily made some articles and other pages private to make room for some new articles and products for sale, and have added a new heading on the black navigational bar (7-audio sessions).

Kelly with FreshNets helped me with the change to my website’s search feature, so I could add the new heading (7-audio sessions) on the black navigational bar at the top of the page. The new changes are preparation for Cindy Rushton’s group coaching program class’ BIG LAUNCH in January 2010, and to make room for the new products I am working on this coming year. 

Some of the students  in Cindy’s coaching group who are EXCELLENT writers and speakers will be teaching and sharing words of encouragement on Cindy’s upcoming show in one month, so stay tuned for a VERY exciting event! You don’t want to miss this one! I can’t WAIT!

All of us students in her coaching program will be introducing our brand-new products that we began creating in her class during the four weeks in December.  I HIGHLY recommend Cindy’s coaching program. Cindy is a mighty woman of God, and she just pours out His love, wisdom, and very practical, helpful advice on making information products, based on over 20 years of great success in writing and speaking. She has another coaching program coming up soon. You can find out more at www.cindyrushton.com or email her at cindy@cindyrushton.com.

For my product in Cindy’s class, I am finishing up a 7-audio series on prayer, based on my book Walking With God, that will include freebie session questions, freebie session articles, and other goodies, in a bundle set for sale.

This audio set will include practical, useful tips for how to have that daily quiet time with God in the midst of a noisy, hectic, rushed world! So many of us wives and moms have a long to-do list every day, and we feel like we can’t squeeze in just ONE more thing.  This series will encourage you to make prayer to God a #1 priority in your life, and will give you helpful  tips for HOW to make that happen – and it does not have to take an HOUR, but in just a few minutes a day. You will see what a difference prayer can make in YOUR life and in those around you!

If you are not already signed up for my personal mailing list for my weekly ezine, sign up today so you’ll be sure to not miss any new updates or announcements about this upcoming launch in one month! 

Just go to the top of the page on the right hand side, and fill in your email address. Your email address is safe with me; I will never sell, rent, or give it away; you will NOT receive spam from me! What you WILL receive is a weekly ezine with encouragement from God’s word in mini-articles, updates on what’s new here at Tablet Of My Heart, a link to my newest podcast, and freebie articles and audios to bless you and to encourage you in your friendship with God.

No longer forsaken

Pat and Kim Weber and their newly adopted baby Hadassah, at hotel lobby

For those of you have been following the story of my friends Pat and Kim Weber in Florida who adopted the baby girl from China, they arrived safely home with Hadassah on Christmas Eve 2009 about midnight Read more

The Day After

I don’t know about you, but I have never liked “the day after.” The day after my birthday – a year older and no more cake and presents (GRIN). The day after Christmas – eating endless turkey leftovers and having to take down the pretty decorations from the tree and the house. The day after your wedding – the honeymoon is soon over! The day after your baby is born – at least the very painful recovery part and the hospital staff not letting you sleep at all isn’t very fun.  The day after a big project is finished – because then it’s off to the next one. 

But there was one time that “the day after” changed all of history. Jesus had been in the temple, making a whip with cords and was driving out the sheep and the ox, pouring out and overturning the money changers’ money in the temple. He told the ones who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

The Jews asked Jesus what sign would He show to them since He was doing these things, and Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews were amazed, saying it had taken 46 years to build the temple and would  He raise it up in three days? But Jesus was talking about the holy temple of His body. And that is exactly what He did!

In “the day after” of history – three days after he suffered and died from crucifixion, He arose from the dead.  It was finished; His Father’s mission was accomplished! And through his death and resurrection, we can have eternal and abundant life!

With birthdays and Christmas, there is almost a feeling of sadness  and emptiness when it’s all over – back to the daily routine now.  But with the Lord Jesus’ “day after,” nothing is ever the same again!  All things are made new in Him!

Do you know Him?

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb…And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve him. They shall see His face and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there. They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.  Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.”  (Revelation 22:1-5, NKJV)

“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s when you’ve had everything to do, and you’ve done it.” ~ Margaret Thatcher

For every mountain, there’s a miracle

“For every mountain there is a miracle.”~ Robert H. Schuller

It’s Christmas Eve, and here in Missouri we are facing a possible ice storm. Somewhere here in the U.S. tonight, my dear friends Pat and Kim are either flying to Florida, or are in an airport somewhere, waiting to finally go home after their long journey to China to get their adopted baby, Hadassah. I am eagerly waiting to hear from them, praying for their safety and for their strength for the remainder of the journey.

Their flight is supposed to get in to Florida at 11:00 pm. tonight. Grandma and the kids are probably staying up late tonight to welcome them home and to finally see “Sissy” in person (Hadassah). They’ve been watching her on the web cam each morning and night.  The kids are SO excited about seeing their parents and their new sister.  It is always so hard to wait!  (Our daughter Leah got to open one present tonight for Christmas; tomorrow on Christmas Day she will open the rest!)

Above is a picture of Pat, Kim, and Hadassah at one of their hotels in China. Kim knew I would love the waterfall.   Here is a picture of them when they took Hadassah to see the big pandas at Panda World in China.

Thank you all so much for praying for my friends, and please keep them in your prayers.  I will keep you posted as soon as I hear news of their arrival.  This precious, beautiful little girl is almost home!

Have a WONDERFUL day tomorrow with family and friends. Merry Christmas!

“And this shall be a sign unto you:  ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)

Hadassah

Seeing clearly for 2010: Focusing on Your Vision

What do you see? This is what God asked Amos when He showed him the plumb line at the wall in Amos 7:7-9.  What do you see ahead for the year 2010? Do you have a plan and a purpose, a vision burning in your heart from God? Did you accomplish what you wanted in 2009 or did obstacles hold you back?  Are you ready for a more fulfilling, fruitful, exciting year ahead?  Join Beth today as she shares about the importance of vision and faith, and encouragement from God’s word and Johnny Nash’s song, “I can see clearly now.”

Surprises in store for you and me

Don’t you just LOVE surprises?  Yesterday I came back home to Kansas City, MO, after my 10-day stay in Florida. When I came through the kitchen door, there was a glass vase of beautiful, long-stemmed red roses on the table with a note from Ray, “Welcome home.” To my SHOCK, he also had thoroughly cleaned the house for me, baked home-made pita bread and fixed home-made hummus (a tasty Middle Eastern dip made of chic peas, tahini, garlic, sesame seed, and olive oil), and he had flank steak marinating in the fridge for our dinner together tonight. Hey, maybe I should fly out of state more often!

Since Ray was working at the hospital when Leah and I arrived yesterday (but he had these things ready for my arrival), our oldest daughter Heather picked us up from the airport. I had a craving to eat at a Japanese steakhouse before going home.  Grilled chicken, fried rice, vegetables on the grill, salad, and a little cake dessert – mmm, delicious!  Here is the chef creating the onion “flaming volcano.”

 

The chef put on quite a show, and was hilarious. When he caused the soy sauce “lava” to bubble out of the ”volcano” onion, he suddenly hit the the side of the oven with his spatula for the “volcanic explosion,” making a loud noise and causing the three of us to jump. He laughed and said, “No hard feelings, eh?”  We all busted out laughing.  The joy of the Lord is our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

 

 

 

 

The chef also invited Heather to try to catch “torpedo” shrimp in her mouth (catching shrimp in her mouth one after another, at a rapid rate, not using her hands at all).  I tried to snap a picture of Heather in action. She managed to catch a few, lol.

This meal hit the spot after a long day of flying. Everything was so delicious. Once again, I just thanked God for His goodness to me.

I want to ask you something.  What good things are you anticipating for 2010? What prayers are in your heart that you desire to see answered?   God’s word says, “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10) 

Psalm 34:8 also says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Do you know that God is just longing to bless you, to show you His goodness and favor this coming year? Do you understand that no matter what storms are going on around us in this world, Jesus can speak peace to those storms, “Be still”?  Do you sense that despite the chaos, confusion, fear, and darkness that are increasing in these end times, that God is about to show up in a great and powerful way for His kingdom and His glory? 

Oh, I do!  God has good plans for you and me!  (Jeremiah 29:11)   The best is yet to come!   It’s good to be back home now with Ray, our kids, and grandkids, and celebrating Christmas this week. And I am looking SO forward to 2010!  I anticipate that 2010 will be a year of God’s goodness and blessing to His children. 

Like the unexpected roses, clean house, hummus, and flank steak dinner that Ray had ready for my homecoming, I believe God has many pleasant “surprises” in store for us His beloved people this coming year.  Are you ready?

God adopting you as His own

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15, New Living Translation)

For those of you who are following the story of our friends Pat and Kim who are adopting the baby from China, here is a picture of Kim with beautiful Hadassah. These pictures of Pat and Kim with Hadassah brought tears to my eyes. I have been praying for an entire year for them to be able to adopt her.  GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!

Hadassah is bonding very quickly with Pat and Kim, praise the Lord!  She smiles, laughs, and plays with them. She is eating very well (table food and milk).  They have taught her to wave goodbye, to blow a kiss, to say a few English words, and other things. Kim said she is very smart and is picking up things quickly. She sleeps well at night, but doesn’t like to take naps. She loves techno gadgets like the t.v. remote and the computer, lol!

Pat and Kim are now the legal parents of Hadassah according to the Chinese government. Now the paperwork is being finished to make them the legal parents according to the U.S. government.  Hadassah went for her medical check-up today in China, and had to get six shots to enter the U.S.!  They are also getting her visa and passport, and will go on a city tour.

They have an appointment with the consulate, and then will take different flights to get back to the U.S. by Christmas Eve (a total of 18 hours flying – please pray grace for them and the baby on these long flights. I am praying she will sleep while flying!). 

Meanwhile back home at the ranch, Pat’s and Kim’s three kids are doing well with me and their grandmother here (I leave here tomorrow for home in Kansas City, MO, and grandma stays for a month).  The kids are so excited about seeing their baby “Sissy” on Christmas Eve.  Her Christmas stocking is hanging up with the rest of the family’s for the big celebration day here at home.

The kids get to talk with and see Pat, Kim and Hadassah by web camera each morning and night. Hadassah tries to touch their faces on the monitor and smiles at them! She has blessed our hearts, and makes us all laugh. She is just precious!

Thank you so much for your continual prayers for Pat and Kim in China, as the paperwork is finalized for Hadassah’s adoption and for their long flights home to Florida. This story is a powerful testimony of God’s goodness and grace!  Just as Pat and Kim desired to love and adopt this beautiful little girl who was abandoned as a baby on the streets in China, taking her into their own family, God loves you and has adopted you as His very own child – to show you His goodness and His blessings that He has for you.
 

I can see clearly now

Outside the window here in Florida, it is raining softly now. The words to the oldies song by Johnny Nash, I can see clearly now, are echoing in my head. I believe these words are a great prediction for the year 2010.

I am determined to remove all obstacles (the dark clouds) from my path, and to go for the dreams deep in my heart. Walking in the light of God’s will and His word (the sunshine).  Doing what God has called me to do for His glory. 

What about you? Are you excited about 2010? Do you see things clearly now? Are you ready for the promise(s) God has given you to be fulfilled this year (the rainbow)? Looking straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies for you and for me!

Lyrics:

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there’s nothin’ but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin’ but blue skies

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Christmas trees at the beach

Christmas is around the corner, and it is REALLY strange to be somewhere warm at this time of year, instead of seeing snow on the ground like we have in Kansas City, Missouri!  This week when I went to the beach with Leah and our friends’ kids whom I am babysitting, I saw Christmas trees for sale on the sidewalk – in 70 degree weather! My thinking about Christmas was limited! 

Sometimes we need to take the limits off our thinking, like a child coloring outside the lines of a coloring book.  We need to do this with our faith, too, and begin to think BIGGER. To go past what is familiar, what we know, what we’ve always said or done.  To begin to view things from a different and more creative angle.  To expand our thinking.  To remove the ceiling off our thoughts, and to believe the possibilities for our dreams are infinite!

God is not limited. He is all powerful, omni-present, omniscient.  With God nothing is impossible.  He exceeds time, space, distance, and all the limits human beings have.  When we pray, we can have assurance that God hears us and He will answer, as we obey Him and are in alignment with His will. He will do exceedingly above all that we ask or think! (Ephesians 3:20)

What are your big and seemingly impossible dreams?  What limits do you need to remove from your thinking?  What new angle do you need to view your life from?  What new ways do you need to try in 2010 to see your dreams come true?

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