There Is Gonna Be Six Of Us!

I am SO EXCITED to actually be able to say with confidence. WE ARE ADOPTING! We've been praying over the decision around a year, and have come to the conclusion we will be adding one more Murphy to the family. Layla, is the name God has laid upon our hearts. I don't believe it's by coincidence that it's origin is African, and means "dark beauty". Unless God intervenes, we will be applying to the Ethiopian program through our chosen adoption agency. We will be starting at the beginning of 2009, a time Scott felt was right. Until then, my heart is aching to be part of the relief effort for Ethiopia, so I am looking into connecting the charity focused women's group I am a part of, and Ethiopian Orphan Relief somehow. We are keeping it entirely in prayer. Anyway, I am SOOOO EXCITED! In a couple years Scott and I will have another daughter. Emily and her brothers will have another sister, EllaGrace will have a lifelong friend, and Layla will have a home, a family, and more love than she could have ever imagined. And it is ALL because of God's Great Glory and Love. Isn't He AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS the book (and the children's home in Ethiopia) that it was named for was something I ran across after this prayer "Lord, what does her face look like...where is Layla?" Cool,huh?

"I gotcha".... said God.

It's all coming full circle again. Thank you God for showing me another facet of You. This week, it's been all about God's love. The lesson God is trying to teach me is like a flower slowly opening it's petals. I have fought "the fog", as I call it, this week. I don't know if it's hormonaly induced, if it's a spiritual attack, I'm not sure, but I do know I feel like I was in the fire this week, my light was dim, my worries overwhelmed me. There were so many questions in my head. Then yesterday God said "STOP...ONE DAY AT A TIME. APPLY MY TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE, ONE DAY AT A TIME". OK God, now what? Well, I wake up this morning to this Ovitt Devotional

TODAY'S VERSE "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." I Peter 5:7 (NLT) "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Wow...God speak. I read this and think "great, I can give my worries to Him because He cares enough to take them...but how do I wrap my mind around that God?" And I get this mental image of me holding Carson in the pool while he SCREAMS, because for some reason he doesn't trust me....and I keep saying "I've got you Carsie, mama's got you, DON'T WORRY". Ah hah! I'm Carson, and He's me. I'm sitting here crying and screaming and flailing around for no reason. God's holding me, because He loves me and He is SO CAPEABLE of taking care of me. Even in the cold water, even when I don't feel anything under my feet...I just have to look at Him, and see Him as my DAD, who has the same unconditional love for me as I have for my kids (times a zillion) Now, this weekend (and last night at 707) we are learning about....you guessed it....GOD'S LOVE. I can't wait!!!!!!!!

Set Your Minds On Things Above....His Will, Not Mine!

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4 AMEN!!!!!!


Corinthinans 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.



So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

—Philippians 2:1-4

This verse stuns me with it's truth...circumstances lately (mostly me being self-centered and not Christ centered) have put me and my love on different sides of the street, so to speak. I going my way, and he going his. That is until this weekend, when an AMAZING thing happened. He went to the "Walk of Emmaus", a soul stirring, Christ facing, discipleship training, life changing retreat...although he says it was definately not a "retreat" from anything. Anyway, he got back, and I was tired of being by myself...very self-absorbed about what I have been so wrapped up in lately (me=baby...i want baby...i want baby now,now,now!)After a couple points it came to a boiling point. To make a short story long, we had a VERY intense discussion, until we realized WE WEREN'T IN CONTROL OF ANYTHING. I know, obvious point here. But we realized it at the same time, and made the commitment to push ourselves aside, and let God use the passion in our hearts for what HE WANTS. Since then we have made time to pray together every morning and night. We both are doing our Bible studies, and all is well with my soul. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!

Dealing With Worry....Bowing Down to God's Ultimate Authority

Sermon Notes

* Submit to God's ultimate authority
* If you wrestle with God, He'll win every time
* We think if we worry about this situation enough, we will control it...WRONG!
* Worry makes you miserable, and does nothing for the situation
* Why am I finding it so hard to follow this authority, telling me not to worry
* Worry chokes the life out of our lives
7 Worry divides our mind between what God wants and what WE want
* Jesus says things we were about don't make since...it's not reasonable
* We worry about things we can't change
* We worry about something and it BLOWS UP, it's gets bigger and bigger
* Worry is unnatural...if He cares for the world (birds, flowers) don't you know your Father would take of you, HIS CHILD
* Our bodies were not meant to worry.
* We are not born worriers...we are learned worryers...we can unlearn.
* Worrying wears you down. peace gives life. if you pray as much as you worry, you wouldn't worry much
* Worry won't do a DERN THING
* If you worry about the future, does it control it?
* Worry is the most worthless use of energy
* Worry is unnecessary
* We will never have another daughter.....greatest worry
* Put God first in EVERY AREA of your life.
* You have MOVED GOD OUT OF THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE
* WHEREVER GOD IS NOT FIRST, IT WILL BE A SOURCE OF WORRY...cuz we're afraid we'll lose it
* Live ONE DAY AT A TIME..
* Because you worry, you miss out on today, the blessings RIGHT NOW!
* Give God the things we CANT CONTROL
* If we let worry in the front door, faith goes out the back door of our heart
* Stop panicing and start praying
* If God sent His son for you, don't you think he cares about your life?
* God is saying..this battle is not yours! trust Him
* Worry is distracting us from what God has for us.

His Hands and Feet

They Chose Me by Debbie Rice

Scared and all alone
in the orphan home
No mom or dad to sing them lullabies
Waiting night and day
just to hear them say
too young, to old
not right
we're just not sure
They sing themselves to sleep
They know no other way
No family to teach
them how to pray
They long to feel the love
a family can give
Their empty eyes reflect
the lives they live
Why can't we see
Why can't we hear
the empty lives just waiting
to be filled
Why can't we be
His hands and feet
Why can't we change the world
for just one tiny life
why can't it be
They chose me!
That's how it is with Jesus
He chose you as His own
He saw your situation
and called you His own
He never would forsake you
He knew you had no hope
He never would forsake you
He knew just what to do
He chose you!
Why can't we be
His hands and feet
Why can't we change the world
just one life at a time
We're all the same
all in His name
a family adopted by the son
Why can't we see
Why can't it be
They chose me

I'm not sure why, but I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed by this deep conviction that we HAVE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BUBBLE WE ARE LIVING IN and LIVE LIKE JESUS WOULD IF HE WAS HERE. I was talking to my sweetie this morning and I just kept thinking we are NOT living this reality. God has been pushing us both I think to get out of our box. First it was a nagging feeling, followed by a sermon SPECIFICALLY about jumping over the edge. Getting off that comfy cozy ledge and being a rebel against the world. Living like Christ...period. tTaking the risk. We are not alone in this. Jesus Christ is holding our hand as we step out, and eternity is on the other side. Man, I am burning up inside right now.

With All My Heart

Just like the previous post, here is a "e-votional" I signed up for written by Ronald Ovitt. I am blown away how much God has used this as tool to speak directly to me. I have depended on these Bible verses through some very difficult times this past year.

TODAY'S VERSE "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

TODAY'S THOUGHT. When it is important to us, it is amazing to see how focused we can get. This is how it is with God. He spoke to His people through the Prophet Jeremiah, admonishing them that the only way they would really find God was when they involved their heart. Notice, Jeremiah did not say, "when you seek him with your whole intellect." It is not knowing "about" God; it is about "knowing God" in a deep and intimate way. God is saying that if you would get passionate about Him, then you will begin to find Him. How intent are you on knowing God? Begin today by seeking Him with your whole heart.

TODAY'S PRAYER Father, I come to You today. I really do want to know You. I want to have a deep intimate relationship with You. Help me discipline myself to take the time to know You. Take the time to hear You. Take the time to tell You my thoughts, hopes and dreams. To share with You my fears, apprehensions and doubts. As I seek You this way, that is with all my heart, I pray that You would reveal more and more of Yourself to me. AMEN

Isn't that the truth? We complain and say "boy am I busy, and tired....too tired to read my bible, too tired to pray". But I do find myself having extra time to think about that new shirt I want alot, or the way I want this adoption to go. (notice all the I's here)But am I getting REALLY passionate about what is important, developing a deep intimate realtionship with God. REALLY GETTING TO KNOW HIM? This week's preschool lesson (which I am writing a puppet show for) is a story from Acts. It is when Paul is traveling and spreading the "Good News". He encounters these two groups of people. One group believes in God, but has a distant relationship with Him. The other believes there is no God, no moral compass, and all that matters is seeing their own pleasures. I find myself falling into those two belief systems alot. Keeping God at a distance thinking "I can do this myself"....or trying to find satisfaction in things of this world. And God keeps calling "Come here, be still, listen to me. Rest with me. Get to know me. I will place your feet on solid ground. I am in control. I am God. I am God. I am God.

God Said "Shhhh, I need to tell you something"

Don't you love when things come full circle? Especially when God is drawing the circle? Yesterday's sermon was about how God changes us. Little by little, experience by experience. It starts with an uncomfortable feeling, like something just isn't right. I just happened to feel like I was drowning in anxiety.(note that word "drowning"). At the end of that sermon, God just whispered to my heart "my power is made perfect in your weakness"....but "what does that mean?", I thought. So I woke up this morning to this on my e-votional:TODAY'S VERSE "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him." Psalms 37:7 (NIV)

Even our prayers become a "tool" to use, rather than a relationship. Instead, God desires that we come to Him like a loving and wise Father. Our relationship with Him matters more than our circumstances. . Today, determine to know Him better. Choose some time where you can spend twenty minutes of solitude with Him. Don't let another day, week, month or year go by and not treasure God in your heart through time spent still before Him.

Wow...He knew I was drowning, and my Great Deliverer has taken my hand and set me on solid ground. God is....Indescribable. His wisdom and His peace floods my soul this morning.

But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33 (WOW!)

"He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved."
Psalm 62:6

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 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, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
Ephesians 3:16-21

The bottom line is this "If we don't have a close relationship with Him then we will forget to lean on Him when we are in need. We won't have the faith to allow Him to do His thing while we rest in Him. We have to have developed a relationship with Him so we know that we know that we know that God is willing and able to handle things.

It is most important to turn our eyes toward God and find out where He wants us to focus our attention. Once we get our hearts and minds in line with His will then everything else is just frosting on the cake. Don't have a "me agenda". Have a "Him" state of mind.