2010 February

Unanswered Prayer

February 26, 2010 By Courtney 18 Comments

Recently I have received gut wrenchingly painful emails from women who are suffering in broken and troubled marriages and a season of unanswered prayers. I tell my children often, “God is always watching, he is always listening and he cares for you”. I pray that one day when “mommy” isn’t there to comfort their hurts that this truth will be so ingrained in their minds, that they will always sense the ultimate comforter there with them.

On Monday in my quiet time I read Psalm 121, which says: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber.”

Dear reader, if you are struggling with unanswered prayers – please know that God does not slumber. He is still in control. He will not let your foot slip. Please persevere in prayer.

I’ve attached this song by Casting Crowns titled “I Will Praise You In This Storm”. As you listen – if you need to cry, cry. If you need to pray, pray. If you need to praise the Lord, praise Him. Ultimately, if you are carrying a burden – drop it right here and now into God’s lap. Jesus says he is our great shepherd and we are his sheep – we are not donkeys. We were not created to carry heavy burdens. So leave your burdens with Jesus and praise him. The darkness will lift as you praise him.

Lyrics to I Will Praise You In The Storm

I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say
“Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper
through the rain“I’m with you”

And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives
And takes away.

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are

No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side

And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper
through the rain“I’m with you”

And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

So I say with confidence to you dear reader, “God is always watching, God is always listening, he does not slumber, He cares for you.” Persevere in Prayer.

Walk with the King!

Filed Under: Perseverance, Trials

And The Winner Is…

February 26, 2010 By Courtney 4 Comments

I have two winners to announce. First let’s do Sally Clarkson’s new book “Dancing With My Father.” The winner is… Sarah A. (Sarah, please email me – you didn’t leave your email address with your entry – please contact me within the next 48 hours to win. Thanks and Congrats!)

Secondly, thank you so much to all who took the time to answer the Music or No Music post! The verdict is in.

Based on your votes, I will no longer have the music play automatically when you open Women Living Well. BUT there were quite a few of you who enjoy it (as do I!) – so for you – I left the playlist up and you can hit play on it when you want to hear it.

Thanks again for your input! I am so grateful to have met so many wonderful women who love Jesus and take the time to stop by here everyday. It was humbling to hear so many kind words. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you and say -live well and keep…

Walking with the King!

Filed Under: Giveaways

Please Help – Music or No Music?

February 25, 2010 By Courtney 103 Comments

I need some help. I have gotten negative and positive feedback on the “playlist music” that automatically plays when my blog opens. I love it – but I’ve had enough negative feedback to believe I should ask my readers. So here’s the vote.

Music or no music? What do you think? Is it a distraction? Do you turn it off as soon as you arrive on the site? OR are you someone who lets it play and you enjoy it?

If I have more postive than negative feedback – the music stays. If I have more negative than positive feedback – the music goes! So I need your input!

Thanks for the help!

Walk with the King!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Do You Have a Dream?

February 24, 2010 By Courtney 16 Comments

Word Filled Wednesday: Proverbs 31:16 “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”

Today is week eight of our Proverbs 31 series. This woman is truly amazing! The thing that stands out to me most is her work ethic. She labors with all her energy to benefit her family as an early riser, eager worker, and smart shopper. Today’s character trait is a summation of all of these.

In verse 16 we see:
1. She considers a field. She is not rash to jump into things. She is patient, cautious and prayerful. She sees a field and can imagine what it could become – she is a visionary! I love that about her – she is creative!

2. She buys the field! No matter how you translate this – this is a business deal. She buys the field. Rather than spending the family’s extra money on frivolous pleasures for herself she wisely invests in something that will benefit the family.

3. She plants a vineyard – Once again we see her work ethic. Planting a vineyard is not an easy task. She works hard and as a result her family benefits! At harvest time they will have plentiful fruit and drink.

Do you have a dream? Do you have a talent you wish you could use to contribute to your families’ finances? Follow the Proverbs 31 woman’s plan.

1. Consider – take time to pray about this. Ask God if this is the right season of life to invest time and money into this dream? Will this pull you away from your family or benefit your family?

2. Buy – most likely resources will be necessary for your dream to take place. You may have to buy materials, renovate a room in your home or purchase new clothing. What ever it is – be wise. Be prudent with your family’s money.

3. Plant – here’s where the rubber meets the road. You must work hard to accomplish your dream. It won’t happen overnight. It will take day in and day out over sight and care. They’ll be setbacks and frustrations. You must persevere to reap the fruit of your labor.

I feel like I experienced this verse when I considered starting Women Living Well. This blog was a dream in 2008. From January until August I prayed – should I or should I not start a website. Was this some silly idea I was coming up with or was this a work God had created me to do? I consulted my husband and together we considered the time factor. Do I have the time? Is this the right season of life? What is my purpose? One big benefit was that I could do this ministry from home – unlike the ministry I was doing at the time.

We knew I had the passion – but time is a commodity that we value highly! Could I really “squeeze” it in and still accomplish our other family goals? Together my husband and I decided “yes” this was a dream placed in my heart from God.

Once I had considered the dream and the time factor – it was time to “buy”. Buy the domain Womenlivingwell.org, a blog design and a few other items.

Now I am in the planting part. Daily I have to work to see the dream take shape.

I don’t make a penny from this website and I don’t ever intend to. But I know of many talented moms who are able to sew, craft, bake or create amazing things with their hands. I want to encourage you to not shy away from your dreams. From my own experience, I would say that I believe God places those dreams in your heart.

Every woman from the corner diner waitress to the Corporate CEO has a dream in her heart. We all have common dreams placed in our hearts by God – to be the best wives, moms and homemakers we can be. But after that we each have unique talents and gifts. When the talent and timing match the dream (and your husband is in full support which you will find out during the “consideration” time) I believe God is in it.

Right now in this season of life it may not be the time to invest time or finances in your dream. But pray and wait and when the timing is right – do it like the Proverbs 31 woman – to the glory of God!

Walk with the King!

Filed Under: Proverbs 31