July 1, 2012: My Personal Journal Entry: God answers my prayer for our family to reunify under the same roof

Dear Elohim, after three and a half years of living apart, our family is once again reunified.  I would never have imagined our new life together would begin in a trailer park located just outside of Los Angeles. Yet, from the moment we pulled into the park, my heart practically burst from excitement. I could barely contain my eagerness to help my husband set up camp. I swiftly asked, “What do we do first?” as he began to attach the sewer line and electrical cords. LeeRoy sweetly responded, “I got this honey. I don’t want you to get dirty.” Like a little child, I had to fight the urge to fidget while I stood by his side offering words of encouragement.

With nothing better to do, I looked around and took in our new surroundings. Right away, I noticed two new neighbors. The two women, living in the neighboring campsite, kindly greeted us and welcomed us to the park.  Within a few hours, we were all set up and settled in.

Soon it was time for supper. Since it was our first real night spent around our new dinner table, I prepared some warm home comfort food: pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn, and applesauce. Our 7-year-old set the table. My husband took his seat while I made his plate. Then, I set his plate in front of him. Without hesitation, my husband humbly said, "This is so nice." Then, he reached out both of his hands, palm side up. We all held hands and my husband began to pray, "Lord Jesus, there are no words to express how grateful I feel right now. Thank You for this meal and for bringing my family home to me." My head slumped over a little further as tears fell like rain.  

In my heart, I said a little prayer of my own. "Thank You LORD for answering my prayer to reunify me with my husband under the same roof. In Jesus' name. Amen."

February 10, 2012 Will God answer another prayer?

El Shaddai, God of all things, I know You hear my heart and that You respond to my prayers. Over the past two years, including how You recently answered my prayer for snow in Texas, not one prayer has gone unanswered. Perhaps that’s why I am still praying with all my heart, that in four days, on February 14, those who do not know You will glance at the sky and see the glorious message of, “John 3:16.”  I just know You will answer my prayer! 

YOU are in every Chapter of the HOLY BIBLE!

Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock..."

Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,

I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

     It was our first real night spent around our new dinner table. I prepared a simple dinner, pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn and applesauce. Our 7-year-old set the table. My husband took his seat while I made his plate. Then, I set his plate in front of him. Without hesitation, my husband humbly said, "This is so nice." Then, he reached out both of his hands, palm side up. We all held hands and my husband began to pray, "Lord Jesus, there are no words to express how grateful I feel right now. Thank you for this meal and for bringing my family home to me." Tears overflowing!

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!  

To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

The Ten Commandments- Honor Your Parents

         

Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” ^(NKJV)

       
          Recently, my husband and I sat watching a television program together. The premise of the special was to demonstrate the danger that can accompany speaking with strangers.
          I sat in my comfortable chair, and I called out to our seven-year-old son who was playing with his dogs in the adjacent room at the time. "Son, come watch this special with us." I yelled. Soon, we were all watching the program together.
         In the special, parents watched from afar as their children accepted free ice cream from strangers. Some children even climbed into an ice cream truck with a man they had never met before. "How scary for those parents," I thought, feeling confident that I had taught my own son the valuable lesson of listening to his conscience.
        When the program broke for commercial, I tested my son. "Son, what would you do if someone approached you and tried to lure you into his or her car?" My son replied, "I would kick and scream."  I probed further. "And if he was able to capture you? What would you do?" Without giving him a chance to reply, I continued. "You know to pray too, right? God is more powerful than any scheme of the devil, right?"
       My son patiently waited for me to stop asking questions. Then, he replied, "Can I tell you something Mom? You know what I would really do? I would bring my bible and tell the mean person about God." My husband and I began to giggle. Still, deep down I wondered, "What would our young impressionable son really do under temptation?"  That same night before bed, I prayed with my son. "Lord, please help my son to resist temptations from Satan, especially the ones meant to cause him harm. Please keep him safe Lord. In Your Holy Name, Amen."
      The next day, I felt unusually tired. So, after we returned home from school I said, "Honey, I am going to lay down and take a short nap. You can have your friends over after my nap. Make sure to do your homework before watching television." My son nodded in agreement.
      It was rare for me to take naps during the day. But, I was suddenly physically exhausted. I needed to sleep for awhile! As I crawled into bed, my mind began to recall the television program from the night prior. "Certainly, my son would never answer the door when I rested," I confidently thought. 
      Just after my head hit my pillow, I heard the sound of knocking on our front door.  I remained still. I wanted to see if my seven-year-old would open the door. Suddenly, the sound of an unfamiliar female voice wafted into my bedroom. My son had opened the door. What's worse, he didn't even ask who is it first. Then, before I could finish the frightful thought, "What if I had been fast asleep?" I heard the door close. I called out from the bedroom. "Son, who was it?" He replied, "The neighbor from upstairs," as he walked into my room. I then reminded him not to answer the door to anyone while I am sleeping.
      Moments later, more knocking! "Are you kidding me?" I thought. I yelled, "Do not open that door!"  This time, he listened. He peered through the window instead and saw his friend from down the street standing on the other side of the door. My son, then tiptoed back into my room and whispered, "Mom, it's _____." Pure frustration! I tried to remain calm while I replied, "Son, he will need to come back later." My son put his head down and quietly walked away.
        However, less than a minute later, he entered my room a third time. Again, he began to whisper, "Mom, when should I tell him to come back?" That's it! I through the covers off of me and stood up.  I said, "I just wanted to rest for a moment!" I stormed towards the front door. I was ready to yell at the next person who knocked.
      But before I could turn the handle, I felt the Holy Spirit fill my heart. I opened the door to discover that the young boy, my favorite of all of my son's friends, was waiting outside."He looked at me with that "dear caught in the headlights look' and humbly said, "You can go back to sleep if you want. I can wait."  I began to roar with laughter. How could I sleep now?
      My son must have thought I had gone crazy! He could see how upset I was, yet I was laughing. I placed my hand on his friend's shoulder and invited him inside. "Perhaps I was never supposed to take that nap," I thought. Suddenly, I flashed back to that question in my mind from the night before. "What would my son really do if he was tempted?" I began to wonder, was God responding to my curiosity and providing a powerful way to teach my son obedience?'!
     The two boys played for awhile before we all ate supper together. During dinner, I took the occasion to speak with both boys about respecting their parents. "We are commanded by God to honor and obey our parents." I said.

The Ten Commandments

http://www.the-ten-commandments.org/the-ten-commandments.html I smiled."Remember when I told you that God wants you to obey your parents?" I asked as I returned the coin to my son. He looked at the coin and began to read the words out loud. I smiled as he read God's law. Then, I held my son's precious little hand and we said a prayer. "Thank You God for Your law that teaches us obedience and humility. We will rejoice in the freedom that comes from submitting to Your will. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen."

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Was a divorce part of God's plan or One of Satan's Schemes?

1 Corinthians 7:12-14  ^"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy." (NKJV)

      One recent morning, my youngest son brought his bible to me. He said, "Mom, I am going to read to you from the bible." So, I grabbed my coffee cup and found a comfortable spot on the couch by his side. I watched as his little fingers crawled along the outside of his bible. Finally, he chose a page. He opened his bible to the book of Job. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job  
       My son read the story out loud in his sweetest voice. After he finished, I summarized what I knew about the lessons regarding the book of Job. I even spoke of the ways Satan had tested Job's righteousness. At that moment, I neglected to comprehend how God was speaking directly to my heart. Could God have been warning me of what was about to come?
          Recently, my husband and I had a fight that led to us to discuss the possibility of divorce. http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-sunday-opportunity-to-purfiy-my.html It was the first time in years that we had resorted to using this word in an argument. We had bought into the lie that our lives would be easier if we went our separate ways. Yet, as our tempers cooled, we were able to look inward and see how pride, self-righteousness, judgment and arrogance had taken over our hearts. It was instantly crystal clear to us that we had chosen Satan’s path, the world and money over God and that our own understanding had led to suffering and hopelessness. Realizing this, we surrendered our marriage back into the hands of God.
         Immediately, God made His will known. Within days, my husband physically returned to our home town. His upcoming job assignment had been inexplicably pushed back. As a result, he was told to work from home for a week or two. Because my heart was still healing from hearing the painful words, "I want a divorce," my husband offered to take residence at a local RV park for the duration of his stay. I accepted his offer.
       Meanwhile, I began to pray with a trustful heart. "Lord, won't You please bombard LeeRoy with opportunities to surrender to Your will?" That same morning, I drove to the local CVS to purchase a journal for my best friend. As I exited the store, I noticed that the woman at the register had not charged me for my entire purchase. So, I reentered the store and returned to the register. That's when I noticed a local Pastor standing in line. As we exchanged pleasantries, he asked, "How is it going Sis?" I didn't want to burden him with my heavy heart. Therefore, I politely nodded, shrugged my shoulders and responded "Okay." Yet, for unknown some reason to me at the time, the Pastor probed further. "Really Sis?" He asked as he leaned into me.  I tearfully began to share the struggles I faced in my marriage and how I was desperately trying to understand God's will. The Pastor asked if he could call my husband and pray with him directly. So, I gave the Pastor my husband's number.
         After I left the store, I quickly called my husband to share with him what had happened. My husband said, "I know, the Pastor has already called me." I sat in my car for a moment before I drove away. "Lord, there is none like You. No one else can touch my heart like You do. Thank You Lord, for always hearing my prayer!"
        Later on, my husband called and said, "Honey, I am going to have dinner with that Pastor that called." They went to dinner. Then, on his way home, my husband called me again. He said, "I just want to thank you. That was so great." God was reaching out to my husband. And my husband's heart was softening. The next day, I watched as my husband fasted for the first time and read his bible without my usual nagging.
       Moreover, each time my husband opened his heart to God, he also opened his heart to me. For the first time, I listened as he shared some of the secrets that he had kept. Then, I openly shared my heart too! We prayed together for our marriage with faith that God would draw us close as a family.
       Later, God revealed His will further when He led me to read 1 Corinthians 7:12-14.  ^"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy." (NKJV).
       After that, my husband continued to meet with regularly with the same Pastor.And, he remained steadfast in prayer. He spent time golfing with our older son and assisted our youngest son during his baseball practices and games. We began to hold hands together again in church.
       Now, as I think back to that precious moment when my youngest son read to me from the book of Job, I can't help but wonder if all that had happened between my husband and I was simply a test to stand firm against Satan's strategies and tricks. Each time I experienced the devil's presence, I am no longer able to deny his evil nature or reality and his influence on me to sin. I know now that the end result of choosing Satan’s path, the world and even my husband over God, leads to suffering and hopelessness. Therefore, even though I may not know what the future holds for my marriage,  I do know one thing for sure, God is faithful! And relying on my Lord and Savior while remaining close to His side brings Joy!

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Valentine's Day 2012. God is Love! (John 3:16)

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."(NKJV) 

On October 20, 2008, after many years of calling myself a Christian, I finally accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. Soon after that glorious day, I repented, asked for forgiveness and turned from my past sinful ways. And, in the process I learned to how to pray to God.

Over past three years, I have prayed many prayers. And in return, God has demonstrated that there is no limit to His reply. This past Valentine's Day, God answered yet another prayer.

It was during a church service, a few weeks prior to Valentine's Day, February 14, when our Pastor shared a story with our church congregation. He said, "A congregation in the foothills of the Smokies wanted to build a new sanctuary. But days before opening, the building inspector noted that they could not open until the parking lot was doubled. The only way to have more parking was to move the mountain out of the back yard. The church prayed asking God to remove the mountain and to provide enough money to have it paved and painted before the scheduled opening next week. The next morning the pastor was visited by a construction foreman. He said, 'We’re building a new shopping mall in the next county and we need fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the church? If we can have it right away, we’ll pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge.' The church opened and was dedicated as planned. God does move mountains!" http://www.aminuteofencouragement.com/god-moves-mountains/

As I listened to the Pastor's motivational story, I felt inspired to pray a private hope-filled prayer to God. I prayed, "God, will You please write, "John 3:16" in the clouds above this town for Valentine's Day?" After the church service had ended, I approached my Pastor and shared with him the prayer I had prayed. "Just think people will be looking up to God on Valentine's Day." I said with a pure heart. Later, I returned home and on my prayer board I drew “John 3:16” in cloud like formation. Then, for the next two weeks, I prayed with all my heart that God would answer my prayer. On the morning of February 14, I scrambled to find my camera. I was excited to capture on film God’s glorious response to my prayer. Perhaps, I could snap a picture along the way to dropping my youngest off at school.  With my camera in hand, I drove under the speed limit. I tried hard to pay attention to the road. Yet, I was so eager. I couldn’t help but glanced up to the heavens to see if God had in fact responded to my prayer.


3:

Along the way, I noticed a few clouds in the shape of numbers and symbols. One cloud was in the shape of the number 3. It even had a semicolon beside it. Two other clouds formed a perfect "JO." However, I still hadn’t seen a complete “John 3:16.” So, after I dropped my son off at school, I continued to drive around town looking for the entire biblical address. Finally, about an hour later, I decided to return home. After entering our apartment, I felt an urge to sit at my writing station. Out of habit, I booted up my computer and began to read my email.

Right away, one particular email grabbed my attention. A friend who knew about my Valentine’s Day prayer to God wrote, "I saw this while driving back into town this morning." She attached the following photo.

 



Just above our hometown, was a cloud in the shape of a heart. I smiled as I began to wonder if the heart was God's reply to my prayer. I spent the rest of the day looking up even until dark. No “John 3:16!”  

Soon after I tucked my youngest son into bed, I glanced at my prayer board. I humbly and tearfully asked God, "Was it selfish to hope for something so personal Lord? I am sorry if I acted silly."

A few minutes later, I picked up a copy of a paperback booklet called Our Daily Bread. I opened the booklet and began to read a story called, Magic Eye. "But even though he couldn't see the hidden image, he believed it was there because others had seen it." My shoulders slumped and tears filled my eyes. I began to pray, "Okay, God." I said. "I don't need to see the miracle. I know You are real.”

The next day, I received a call from a friend whose father had recently and suddenly experienced a massive stroke. He was still fighting to recover. "Will you be home in an hour?” She asked. I want to drop by on the way to the hospital." She said. I asked my friend if it would be too weird if I prayed with her over the phone." She softly replied, "You can pray." So, I prayed. "Please Lord, comfort my friend in her time of need. Show her a sign that You are with her and her family right now." 

As she walked up to my front door and reached out to me, I felt the Holy Spirit urge me share with her my prayer for Valentine's Day. Afterward, I said, "I didn’t get to see the entire ‘John 3:16’ written in the sky." Then, I added, "For some unknown reason, I still find myself looking up." She smiled and said, "Now, I am going to be looking up too!"

Then, approximately fifteen minutes after she left, my telephone rang. "Hello?" I said. "Donna, I just had to call. You are not going to believe this! As we drove out of town and into the next, we looked up towards the sky. There it was! " 3, dot dot 1 6. Your 3:16!" Tears overflowing! "But even though he couldn't see the hidden image, he believed it was there because others had seen it."

 Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

To read the first written and published personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html