Devotion for July 3rd
By carpenter5
@carpenter5 (6782)
United States
July 3, 2007 11:46am CST
It's an Isabella Day! My two year old niece is staying with us today while her mom works. Daycare is closed this week due to the 4th of July holiday.
Last night, my 19 year old son called my sister in law and asked if it would be ok if he took Isabella to Magic Springs to ride some of the kiddie rides and play in the water. Arrangements were made to bring floaties, swimsuits, towels and sunscreen.
Isabella arrived at 7:00 this morning. The first thing she did when she came into the house was to go to James' bedroom door and start beating on it. He came out, still sleepy and asked what in the world she was doing.
"I'm ready to go play in the water." She told him.
"What?" he wasn't awake, and he wasn't putting two and two together yet.
"I want to play in the water" she repeated. "NOW!"
And off she ran back into the livingroom. She pulled her bathing suit out of the bag and took it to James. "Put it on." she demanded.
"Bella, it won't fit me." he knelt down to talk to her.
"NO! Me!" she laughed at him.
"But Magic Springs isn't open yet." he tried to explain. "We'll have to get some breakfast, and then go to Nonnie's work for awhile, and then we can go."
"Get a sausage biscuit!" and off she ran towards the kitchen.
Do you get that excited about Sunday Morning Church Services? Does the thought of walking into the sanctuary, to worship and praise the name of your Lord raise the anticipation that this precious two year old has with everything?
Sometimes, when it's time to get ready for worship, my heart isn't what it should be. It is those times that I don't seem to get anything at all out of the services. Where did my joy go?
Psalm 100:2 tells us: Serve the Lord with Gladness, Come before his presence with singing
Are you serving the Lord with gladness today?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
3 Jul 07
I know the feeling. Here lately I don't know what is wrong with me. I dread going to church on Sundays and Wednesday nights. I think it is because we have been having a gentleman come that is suppose to be leading our area in a huge revival movement. The problem with this is that everyone wants to "carry the wood" (this is a big saying he says) while he is here (which has been at least once a month since april) but in between his visits it goes back to the way it was. My husband and I both volunteered to do things around the church and with all of the things that no one wants to do and basically haven't heard anything from the pastor, etc. I also think it is kinda wierd that he doesn't like calling himself a prophetic person but he is always telling people what he says God is showing him to tell these people (which I have seen come true from someone else that came that turned out to be true) but it seems funny to me that he is telling the same people things over and over again, and these people work close with him as they are part of the worship team. I don't know I just ask that you will remember my family and I in your prayers that the Lord will show us if we are to continue in this church or to go to another or just what he wants for our life. Thanks for the post and God Bless.
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
5 Jul 07
Thank you. The bad thing is we just moved to this new church a year ago because the church we had been going to didn't believe in some things that we believed in. When we came back from the perry stone conference in Hot Springs last june we felt the Lord was telling us to move we tried several churches but you didn't feel His presence so we finally asked God to show us where to go and we both had dreams of this church so we went. Thank you for your prayers.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
5 Jul 07
This church is in the Little Rock area is that correct? I don't know what the things you believe in that the other church didn't you're referring to, but you are always welcome to visit Trinity. We are just a small Bible-believing Southern Baptist Church. Country people that love God and love each other.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
5 Jul 07
I will definately remember your family. It's hard to make a move to a new congregation...even when you feel God is telling you to go.
1 person likes this
@aprilgrl (4460)
• United States
3 Jul 07
LOL. Isabella is so anxious to go to the Magic Srpings. I can picture her telling James to get up oh that's was funny about getting dresses and said it wouldn't fit him and she say no me! I think that's so cute. Bet she had a wonderful going there and spend some time with you. Thanks for sharing and have a safe fourth.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
5 Jul 07
The child has no fear. James was putting her down at the top of the water slides in the kiddie section of the water park. I was supposed to be catching her at the bottom. She learned how to flip herself around mid slide---until she was on her tummy-head first!
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
5 Jul 07
It's hard to catch them when they're coming down that way. She'd go under, come up and just cackle with laughter! I bet I heard the words "Do it again" 500 times yesterday!
@mi2ok02 (406)
• United States
3 Jul 07
It has been hard for me to have much joy lately, especially since I have been sick for the past month. I have been battling a sinus infection that is now only a virus of some sort.
I try to do the things I need to do but get too tired out or I make a bad call because I am not feeling my best and then I find myself in a spot or just in a bad mood.
Please pray for me that I will be back to normal soon!? I haven't even been able to go to church because I have been too sick to go. Thanks in advance for the prayers.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
5 Jul 07
You can always count on me to pray! All you ever have to do is ask.
Father, I lift up my friend right now to you. Please help the medication heal her body. I ask you to heal her spirits and her heart that she will like the apostle Paul return to the joy of her salvation. We know that is so easy to be depressed when we get sick, and that Satan can use that depression to bring us even further down. I asked for a hedge of protection around my friend Father, that Satan cannot penetrate. In Christ's Name I pray all these things.
@ChangingLivesForever (145)
• United States
3 Jul 07
Many children feel the warmth and love when they walk into a Sunday School Room. The teacher greets each child as if they were the most important person in the world. We need to remember how important each and every little child is and the impact we make in their lives. Are we not an example of the Lord's love? Shouldn't we be at all times?
1 person likes this
@bambi_doe (566)
• United States
4 Jul 07
I can relate to those days of services. I work third shift and it is rather hard for me to get going on Sundays for church. I get going with a cup of coffee and toast and a shower. Try playing a nice religious song or music while eatting your breakfast that has helped me out alot of the time. On the way to church think of all the good times you have had with fellow members and when you get there great them with a hug that gets me entergized for the service and then the rest of the day I smile and thank god for all he has done in my life. But for right now here is a special hug and smooches for you as well as your family and of course Bella little angel of spunk and full of life. hugs
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
5 Jul 07
We can all relate! I don't envy you working third shift. I remember going to sleep once when I was working that shift at the hospital and Mike was preaching somewhere the next morning. I was really too tired to go, but as a preacher's wife...he wanted me to. Of course, then he had to ask my kids to wake me up, because I was SNORING!
