The Power Of A Praying Mom.

One of the greatest blessings in my life as a DAUGHTER has been the power of a praying mom.  My life has been guided and blessed immeasurably because of my mom and her prayers. 

One of the greatest blessings in my life as a MOM has been praying for my own children, pouring my heart out like water before the face of the Lord, on their behalf.  

For 4 years now,  conversations and praying together during finals (over the phone) have held a special place in my heart.  

The reality of my son's college graduation (in a few short days) was hitting home, and tonight as we prayed together,

"one last time before finals"

my heart was filled with a bittersweet gratitude.  

I've learned a lot about prayer over the years.

Raising a daughter, who is now a mom of her own
AND
 Raising a son, who is celebrating one chapter closing, and a new one beginning,
(with a great husband and father by my side)

I have known the joy of prayer, the urgency of prayer, the discipline of prayer, 
AND THE POWER OF PRAYER! 

4 Generations -- Me, my mom, my daughter and grandaughter

Celebrating Matt's 21st birthday (last year) 

"Prayer is acknowledging and experiencing the presence of God and inviting His presence into every aspect of our lives and circumstances.  It's seeking the presence of God and releasing the power of God which gives us the means to overcome anything.  Praying not only affects us, it also reaches out and touches those for whom we pray.  When we pray for our children, we are asking God to make His presence a part of their lives and work powerfully on their behalf. All that needs to happen in our lives and the lives of our children, cannot happen without the presence  and power of God.  Prayer invites and ignites both!" ¹

Whether you are MOM to a 2-year-old or a 22-year-old, (or maybe both)

won't you pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord?  

Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your children. 

Lamentations 2:19 

CRYSTAL

---

1 FOOTNOTE^↩

  The Power Of A Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian  Copyright 1995

A New Thing!

Three days into the New Year (2018), I received this picture text from a dear friend. 

(picture to the left) 

IT TOUCHED ME DEEPLY AND PROVED SO TIMELY.  

You see, 2017 was a year committed to intensely focused prayer. 

 Having lived a lot of life,  I was no stranger to the desert, but getting thru this one would surely take a miracle. 

****

I possessed a deep, inexplainable stirring for something more, something new, something real! 

Not just in my life, but in the life of every believer in our immediate circle of worship, those we've been called to shepherd, and for all of God's people everywhere.  

But sadly, 

I also possessed a deep, inexplainable discouragement.  My lens was blurred, my soul parched and weary.  Lying dormant, deep beneath the harshness and pride of humanity was an incredible amount of untapped potential and great purpose.  

I knew that no amount of striving on my part was the answer, so I remained steadfast!  

IN PRAYER,

THRU SCRIPTURE,  

 Luke 18:27 - What is impossible with man, is possible with God.  

 Matthew 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.  

 IN QUIET SEARCH

"for that WAY in the desert and those STREAMS in the wasteland". 

Perhaps today, you too are shut up in a wasteland.  Does discouragement run deep?  Is there something hindering you that seems impossible?  

Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  

Isaiah 43: 18 & 19

Today, I am thankful to God for signposts along the way. 

Walking in the desert is not for the faint-hearted, but today, my lens is a little less blurred and my weary soul filled with hope.  I am drinking from that stream in the wasteland and rejoicing in His plan coming together (just like he promises). 

The start of a New Year is now a distant memory, but that stirring for something more, something new, something real, is just beginning to unfold. 

With God (and a few great friends by my side) 

ALL THINGS are possible! 

Are you believing for A NEW THING?  Hold Fast!  

Crystal  

Writing A Great Story- Our Story

As the morning sun peeks over the horizon, I pull a book from the shelf. It isn't just any book.  It is a gift that I deeply treasure for the words inscribed on its pages.  

"I  hope that these stories of love, bring you laughter, joy, a warm feeling in your heart

and an attitude of thanks to God for ALL that he has given to us in each other.  

Let ours be a story that is greater than any contained on these pages"

WITH LOVE BOTH NOW AND ALWAYS,

       Your Husband, Rick 

       Dated: April 13, 1992
           (our first Wedding Anniversary)  

More years than I can believe, have slipped by us!  And since that day, I have learned that great stories aren't just "written".  They are walked out and felt deep in the soul. They are forged thru great responsibility and every decision point along the way.  After 27 years, there are a lot of chapters!  All of them making us who we are today.  I sit in the still of the morning with a sense of awe and wonder.  A sense of accomplishment and reward.  We've camped in some pretty green pastures along the way, but we've ascended some pretty rugged terrain too.  True love binds our hearts, and it binds our story!  How does one celebrate so many years of writing together, walking together, feeling together?    

It's been fun to reminisce how we've marked each year.  

 Big or small, there has always been a special celebration. 

And, because there is still a lot of "story" to write, we keep walking, we keep feeling, 
and ALWAYS making time to do some of our favorite things.....

today, April 13, 2018, we push the pause on schedules and responsibilities
to seek out a corner coffee shop in a quaint little town
and we write yet another page in "our great story",
Thanking God for ALL he has given to us
IN EACH OTHER. 


Happy Anniversary My Beloved! 
With Love, Both Now and Always,
Crystal 

(our 27th Wedding Anniversary)