Peace With the Psalms: Week Thirteen

 

Happy Friday, Friends!  Tell me about your week.  Mine has been wonderful!  I had my last Lenten class at church yesterday:  It lasted for six weeks.  I'm having a blast in art class.  Last week I went to my old class for a make-up, and it was fun to see my art friends in Thursday's class,  But this week it was nice to be in my regular class, and it's been nice to have a week without workmen in our home.

YAY!!!!!!

I enjoyed this week's lesson, especially the roller coaster metaphor.  Why do we constantly try to navigate this world alone when we have a God who loves us lavishly?  I know I can be a complete idiot in this regard.

Here's a quote from the lesson I've repeated to myself this week:

Being self-aware --- aware of when you are taking on the fight alone --- is key.

~page 50

Here is this week's scripture:

I admit I cheated a little with this graphic.  Joshua 1:6 is quoted in our lesson, but Joshua 1:9 is actually a repetition of it.  

How do you get back on track and let go (not white knuckle) and let God?  Constantly staying in God's word certainly helps.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for Rita's daughter Megan as she finishes her masters program this semester.  Pray that she will stay healthy, and that she will manage her time well for work/school/life balance.  
• Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer.  UPDATE:  Her scans were better than expected.  She will have about a month's break before her surgery.
• Carla would like for us to pray for the military build up at the door of Iran. Pray for our leaders to seek wisdom.  Continue to pray for our military, our young men and women who are at that door waiting what orders might be coming. May God protect them.
• Please pray for Kris's MIL because she has been having some heavy health issues, and Kris is currently her full time nurse.  Pray that God will help and bless Kris as she cares for her MIL.  Pray that other family members will step-up and will be discerning about what's best for her care.
• Rita's friend Pam needs our prayers because her cancer is stage four.   Her care team found another 2" tumor beneath her chin and a spot on her lung. Original surgery was 1/5 and only 3/30 will she have her first radiation and chemo.  
• Please pray for my baby great-niece, Lundy.  
• Pray for Rita's neighbor Chris.  A .5-1cm lesion was found on her bladder at her 6mo scan after kidney surgery.  She had two small papillary tumors successfully removed via outpatient surgery recently.  UPDATE:  Chris is particularly frozen in her fears of cancer.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will allay her fears.  She started chemo infusion 3/20 and will have 6 total. Her brother was just diagnosed with esophageal cancer and she is about to start her own chemo treatment.  UPDATE:  He is finished with his radiation and chemo already, but very weak. 
• Pray for Kris's son-in-law Tim because he is starting back to work tomorrow (Saturday, March 21st).  UPDATE:  Things are going better at work.  Tim and Jen are putting their home up for sale this week. Pray for them as they prepare for this big move. 
• Pray for Carla's friend Alice who had plastic surgery on her nose due to skin cancer.  UPDATE:  Alice did not have a good outcome with the reconstructive surgery. They will be looking at doing another.
• Carla recently had to deal with a very bitter person.  She has been very bothered by this, and she does not want this person to steal her JOY.
• Praise God I'm still cancer-free!
• Carla has an extended family member stationed in Kuwait named Haley. She is her cousin Steve's daughter.  Please pray for her safety!
• Carla's Sam has several Wisconsin Guard friends stationed in Kuwait and Iraq.  As this war continues, we pray for our troops and for the troops preparing to deploy.
• Continue praying for Kitty's son Mike as he continues on his journey of no pain meds. Praise: He has been successful for over nine weeks!
• URGENT:  Pray for Rachel who has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Pray for Kitty's granddaughter Harper’s mountain biking race this weekend.  Pray for Harper's safety.  

Palm Sunday is the day after tomorrow.  What are your plans for Holy Week?  I will definitely go to Palm Sunday services (We will enjoy "Donkeys and Donuts" at my church...yes, real donkeys!), and I might go to the luncheon and lecture series on Wednesday.

I might also bake an Easter treat or two, but I haven't decided.  I need some inspiration, so please share if you have any ideas!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill