second tuesday of lent...

scripture:

to those whom God has called, both jews and greeks, Christ [is] the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(1 corinthians 1:24, niv)

questions about the scripture:

why did paul call upon the greeks as well as the jews in this letter to the church at corinth???

my answers to yesterday's question:

the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
(psalm 19:1, niv)

in this scripture, david, is making a point about the heavens only being there to glorify GOD. why??? i think david wanted the heavens/sky only to be marveled as GOD's handwork... as opposed to being used used for telling the future (astrology/astrological signs).

memory of the day:

a long time friend (with a life unfinished) was given some really devastating news.
heartbreaking...

saying grace:

dear Father, i love you and Your way with all i am and all i ever will be.
FATHER i have put in a pretty large request to YOU.
i will continue to pray YOUR will until i receive a sign from YOU.

however...

here am i; send me.

FATHER, please forgive my selfishness and my inability to forgive the way i should; help me!!!
i want to be not only Your child but a child of YOURS of whom you can be proud.

my GOD, in prayer of intercession, i humbly lift up the following...

pat (GOD, YOU and YOU alone are the great healer; if it be Your will i ask that YOU pour your mercy on this dear man...)
ginny
john
john
the nielsons
the schrijvers
tabitha's family
amanda's family (and her co-worker with tb)
the nall family
the sorenson family (baby elisabeth)
k!!!
the macs
the skaggs (all of them)
the gaddises
the pardues
phillip shannon
ann moore (Father, please ease her pain and suffering)
as well as all those otherswho are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their loved ones
those who no longer have employment
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU!!!

FATHER, i continue to praise You for answering the prayers above for elisabeth (her mommy said she is doing better than ever!!!) and now for k, who is back to his normal self:)))

thank YOU again for all YOU are and all YOU do in our lives!!!
in Jesus' name i pray.
amen.

love,
dani

ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.
i also welcome any/all
praises:D

the second monday of lent...

scripture:

the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

(psalm 19:1, niv)

<sup>questions about the scripture:

in this scripture, david, is making a point about the heavens only being there to glorify GOD. why???


my answers to yesterday's questions:</sup>

against all hope, abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "so shall your offspring be."
(romans 4:18, niv)

what is it to believe against all hope??? it is to have total faith; suspending all worldly knowledge.

who are the offspring of abraham??? those who believe in GOD.


saying grace

my Father, in heaven:
You are an AWESOME GOD.
i look forward to spending my eternal life with You when it is is my time to come home to be with you.

until then, please show me what you would have me do here on earth.

here am i; send me.

FATHER, please forgive my sins and help me to be a forgiving, loving soul that You can be proud to call Your own.

my GOD, in prayer of intercession, i lift up the following...

john
john
pat
the nielsons
the schrijvers
tabitha's family
amanda's family (and her co-worker with tb)
the nall family
the sorenson family
k!!!
the macs
the skaggs (all of them)
the gaddises
the pardues
phillip shannon
as well as all those who are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their jobs
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU!!!

FATHER, i continue to praise You for answering the prayers above for elisabeth and now for k.

thank YOU again for all YOU are and all YOU do in our lives!!!
in Jesus' name i pray.
amen.

love,
dani

ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.
i also welcome any/all
praises:D

second saturday of lent...

scripture:


against all hope, abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "so shall your offspring be."
(romans 4:18, niv)

questions about the scripture:

what is it to believe against all hope???

who are the offspring of abraham???

my answers to yesterday's questions:

then HE called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
(mark 8:34, niv)

what does it mean to deny yourself??? i think it means to keep your eye on GOD and doing HIS work without dwelling on our fleshly desires. it also means to be WILLING to give up whatever GOD asks of you.

what is your cross??? well, Christ's cross was that upon which HE would surrender HIS life... hence our cross is our willingness to surrender our lives to HIM that we can be made new ie born again.

what does it mean to follow CHRIST??? to follow HIM, means to give the wheel (if you will) and letting GOD be our driver... and DO what's pleasing to HIM.

saying grace

Father, i have to begin by thanking you again for the positive prognosis i received on thursday. as... i am very grateful for the peace that came with the knowledge that all was well!!! thank YOU for always being with me in the good times as well as the bad. thank you to the moon and back for giving me your SPIRIT to be with me through good times as well as those which are not so good:)
being led by YOUR SPIRIT,
here am i, send me:D
please forgive me for my transgressions,
and help me to disarm my heart if that is what YOU would have me do!!!

my GOD, i lift these especially as prayers of intercession.
john
john
the nielsons
the schrijvers
tabitha's family
amanda's family (and her co-worker with tb)
the nall family
the sorenson family
k!!!
the macs
the skaggs (all of them)
the gaddises
the pardues
phillip shannon
as well as all those who are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their jobs
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU!!!
FATHER, i continue to praise You for answering the prayers above for elisabeth and now for k.
BABY ELISABETH SORENSON IS HOME WITH A VERY GOOD BLOOD COUNT:)))
K IS HOME TOO AND DOING MUCH, MUCH BETTER!!!
thank YOU again for all YOU are and all YOU do in our lives!!!
in Jesus' name i pray.
amen.

love,
dani

ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.
i also welcome any/all
praises:D

second friday of lent...

scripture

then HE called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
(mark 8:34, niv)

questions about the scripture:

what does it mean to deny yourself???

what is your cross???

what does it mean to follow CHRIST???

my answers to yesterday's questions:

all the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before Him.
(psalm 22: 27, niv)


so many times i hear that we in the western world are not mentioned in end time prophecy. do you believe this is true??? i believe "'all' the ends of the earth" pretty much sums it up:)

why is the western world not mentioned specifically by name??? i would say that in biblical times the americas were not mentioned by name because they hadn't been discovered at that time. further, in revelation john described what he saw in terms of what he knew.

saying grace

Father, i have to begin by thanking you for the positive prognosis i received yesterday. i know You are all knowing and that if the news had been negative that YOU know best; but, i am grateful for the peace that came with the good news!!! thank YOU for always being with me in the good times as well as the bad. i am so grateful to have You in my life and the feelings of peace, love, and assurance especially that go along with having been born again of your SPIRIT.
i know it is rather late in the day to ask You to direct me to do your work, however if there is something you would have me do before i lie down my head...
here am i, send me:D
Father, forgive me for my binge eating... too many girl scout cookies too little time:b
forgive me too for my sinful nature and help me to be more loving, caring, and forgiving, please!!!

my GOD, i lift these especially as prayers of intercession.
john
john
the schrijvers
tabitha's family
amanda's family (and her co-worker with tb)
the nall family
the sorenson family
k!!!
the macs
the skaggs (all of them)
the gaddises
the pardues
phillip shannon
as well as all those who are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their jobs
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU!!!
FATHER, i continue to praise You for answering the prayers above for elisabeth and now for k.
BABY ELISABETH SORENSON IS HOME WITH A VERY GOOD BLOOD COUNT:)))
K IS HOME TOO AND DOING MUCH, MUCH BETTER!!!
thank YOU again for all YOU are and all YOU do in our lives!!!
in Jesus' name i pray.
amen.

love,
dani

ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.

2nd thursday of lent...

(dani and maggie)

hello, all!!! i am dani, and this is my other blog. i have noticed on my feedjit that i have had several visitors from all around the world:)

welcome, and i invite you to return!!!

further, it doesn't matter to me at all if you leave a comment about the post, itself; but i'd love for you to take the time to say a quick"hello"!!!

also, i wanted to let you know that i have been a blogger for a year and a half or so. you can also visit me at "give me a second to think about it" by clicking HERE.

just so you know, as lent was approaching, i decided to do a daily lenten study and journal: rather than giving up something, i decided to "do" something. the study has, thus far, been really good for me... as it prompts me to delve into the scripture everyday:)

if you are wondering how i decide each day which scripture to use for the study part of my blog, i am using the upper room's daily lenten scripture. i have found that the randomness of using the upper room's scripture has been probably more interesting than choosing scripture with which i'm already familiar.

also, i use the niv (the new international version) bible... as that is the bible with which i am most familiar. if you use a different version, you may have a totally different perspective than i do on the same scripture.

finally, if you would like to add to my answers or even disagree please do!!! i want this to be a very comfortable place for those of any/all denominations to learn, discuss, and even debate... (just keep it nice please!!!:)

well that's all for now...
on to today's post:)

scripture

all the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before Him.
(psalm 22: 27, niv)

questions about the scripture:

so many times i hear that we in the western world are not mentioned in end time prophecy. do you believe this is true???

if you do believe this is true, why???

if you believe this is false, why???

and...

why is the western world not mentioned specifically by name???


my answers to tuesday's/wednesday's questions:

tuesday's scripture: for if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless.(romans 4: 14, niv)

tuesday's answers...

what does this scripture say to you??? it says to me that if we live by the law and the law alone, faith in Christ and our redemption is futile. it also says to me that we are all doomed because we are sinners by nature; wrath follows sin. however, if we live by faith, through the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT, we are led to live a more righteous life out of our love for GOD, our FATHER, and the knowledge that we have been redeemed by the blood of JESUS.

in the old testament, where was the first mention of "the promise" (the coming of Christ)??? Christ was alluded to for the first time in the book of genesis.

"and I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel."
(genesis 3: 15, niv)

and, by the way, Christ did indeed crush the head of satan when He defeated death.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

wednesday's scripture: when abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." (genesis 17: 1, niv)

wednesday's answers:

why was it important that abram (abraham) be blameless (righteous)??? it was important that he set the standard for righteousness, for GOD had made a covenant with him that abraham would be the father of all nations. also, so long as abraham was righteous a strong bond would be held between abraham and GOD. (remember to always keep the way clear between you and GOD so that there is nothing to interrupt your way to HIM:)))

what covenant was made with abraham that day??? it was the covenant of circumcision.

what transpired in the house of abraham as a result of that covenant??? all the males in the house of abraham were circumcised... including abraham.

memory of the day:

today, i am patiently awaiting the results of a biopsy.

saying grace:

Father you totally rock!!! You are the essence of good in ALL WAYS ALWAYS. i could never thank you enough for blessing me with allowing me to be one of Your children. i am so grateful to have You in my life and the feelings of peace, love, and assurance especially that go along with having been born again of your SPIRIT.
please direct me today to do what YOU would have me do, to pray for whom YOU would have me pray, to say the things YOU would have me say.
here am i, send me:D
FATHER, i am very aware that i fall short on being the person YOU would have me be, but YOU never fail to bestow my cup with mercy to over-flowing. please help me to be more merciful.

HEAVENLY FATHER, i lift these especially as prayers of intercession.
john
john
the schrijvers
tabitha's family
the nall family
the sorenson family
k!!! (special prayers for k, today, and wendi too, please)
the macs
the skaggs (all of them)
the gaddises
the pardues
as well as all those who are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their jobs
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU!!!
FATHER, i continue to praise You for answering the prayer above for elisabeth
BABY ELISABETH SORENSON IS HOME WITH A VERY GOOD BLOOD COUNT:)))
thank YOU again for all YOU are and all YOU do in our lives!!!
in Jesus' name i pray.
amen.

love,
dani

ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.

1st tuesday/2nd wednesday of lent combined...

(abraham and isaac)

scriptures

tuesday's scripture: for if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless.(romans 4: 14, niv)

today's scripture: when abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." (genesis 17: 1, niv)


questions about the scripture:

for tuesday...

what does this scripture say to you???

in the old testament, where was the first mention of "the promise" (the coming of Christ)???

for today...

why was it important that abram (abraham) be blameless (righteous)???

what covenant was made with abraham that day???

what transpired in the house of abraham as a result of that covenant???


my answers to monday's questions:

for HE has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
HE has not hidden HIS face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
(psalm 22:24, niv)

why is it always pointed out that GOD is a GOD for all people including the seemingly least??? i believe it is pointed out firstly because it is true!!! however, i also think that GOD wants us all to know through HIS word that though we all have different lots in life on earth that regardless of whether we are rich or poor, sick or well, kings or slaves, etc... in heaven there is no caste system (if you will). HE loves His children the same and unconditionally!!!

are the least of these more blessed than those who are wealthy in all areas such as health, money, education, etc...??? "the least of these" have the propensity to be more blessed by GOD because we have a greater emptiness for HIM to fill with His SPIRIT. it is more difficult for those who are wealthy (in whatever worldly way) to have as great a need for GOD because they are so full of things and self... at least that is what i have noticed and believe.

memory of the day:

one of my dearest friends came over
and visited last night: i enjoyed it so much:)

saying grace:

God you are everything to me. i love You with all my heart and soul. thank you for answered prayer!!! just show me what i am supposed to do and when i am supposed to do it. for You know better than i...
here am i, send me:D
please forgive me my sinful nature. i try but know that i fall short of blamelessness. i am so grateful for your gift of the HOLY SPIRIT as Your SPIRIT is never failing:)
help me to forgive and point out to me those that i need to forgive that i may walk in YOUR light.

HEAVENLY FATHER, i lift these especially as prayers of intercession.
john
john
the schrijvers
tabitha's family
the nall family
the sorenson family
k
the macs
the skaggs
the gaddises
the pardues
as well as all those who are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their jobs
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU!!!
FATHER, i have a praise for You for one of the prayer requests above...
BABY ELISABETH SORENSON IS GOING HOME
FROM THE HOSPITAL TODAY:DDD
in Jesus' name i pray.
amen.

love,
dani

ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.

first monday of lent...

(beatitudes)

scripture

for HE has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
HE has not hidden HIS face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
(psalm 22:24, niv)

questions about the scripture:

why is it always pointed out that GOD is a GOD for all people including the seemingly least???

are the least of these more blessed than those who are wealthy in all areas such as health, money, education, etc...???

my answers to yesterday's questions:

Jesus went into galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “the time has come,” he said. “the kingdom of God is near. repent and believe the good news!”
(mark 1:14-15, niv)

believing that repetition is often a great tool for learning, why is repentance important??? repentance (asking forgiveness for sins) clears the way to GOD. it makes forming a relationship with GOD possible!!!

were the galileans accepting of JESUS and His teachings??? the galileans were very receptive to JESUS unlike the jews.

what is "the good news"??? the good news is the promise of salvation (eternity in heaven with the FATHER) through the atoning death of JESUS on the cross and HIS resurrection. it is also the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit (the indwelling of the SPIRIT of GOD) first given out at Pentecost.

memory of the day:

i've pretty much just have the sorenson's in my thoughts. i hope baby elisabeth is feeling better.

saying grace:

dear Father, YOU are all the good that i am. Your mercy and love is boundless, and i am so thankful for these things, the gift of YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, and all that is of YOU. if someone is reading this is looking for You to fill them up, please be generous. GOD if there is something particular i am supposed to do today to further YOUR kingdom...
here am i, send me:D
forgive me, FATHER, for all my unrighteous thoughts,
and help me to forgive the unrighteousness in others... as i know, it is YOUR place and not mine to judge. help me to pay forward your grace and mercy.

FATHER, i lift these especially as prayers of intercession.
john
john
tabitha's family
the nall family
the sorenson family
k
the macs
the skaggs
the gaddises
those who are suffering
with emotional and/or physical pain
those who have lost their jobs
the leaders around the world
and all others who are crying out to YOU
in Jesus' name i pray.
amen.

love,
dani

ps. if you have any prayer requests,
please let me know in your comment.
i will add it to my daily prayer list.