Project 52 | Week 4

This week was even worst than last in terms of my consistency in the Bible. I still did all my reading, but in one or two days as opposed to a small bit every day. I've got to do better. There weren't any large themes that came to mind this week, but I will share with you some verses that got me thinking.

The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  ~Exodus 14:14 (ESV)

 This verse is so familiar to me. Some versions say "be still" rather than "be silent." I've had to take this position a lot lately...at work, in my marriage, in relationships with friends. I hate to say that I like to win. Granted, I'm not a poor loser, I can take an "L," but I have to work hard at not competing and/fighting in all things. I'm not talking physical fights here, but just issues where I disagree or I want to prove my point. I don't have to. God will take care of it.

And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them,  ~ Exodus 15:25 (ESV)

See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.”  ~ Exodus 16:29 (ESV)

The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan.  ~ Exodus 16:35 (ESV)

The Lord will provide. I am amazed how after all the grumbling, that God consistently provided for the Israelites as they journeyed from Egypt. He did just provide for a few days, or weeks, but for forty years, they sojourned and God provided food and water. I know I am all to often worried about finances and how next month will go. When I read Exodus and am reassured that if I am in the will of God, He will provide.

So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.  ~ Exodus 17:11-13 (ESV)

We can't fight the Christian fight on our own. I love this story of when Amalek fights Israel. I can picture the fight change for a different side's advantage each time Moses hands are down or raised. When Aaron and Hur step in, I am reminded that the Christian life is not one to be lived in isolation. God made us for community. The sacrifice of His son is all about a relationship with His people. Community is essential to live Christian life.

Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. ~ Exodus 18:17-18 (ESV)

So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge.  ~ Exodus 18:24-26 (ESV)

My church has some guiding principles that drive everything we do. One of them is reproducing leaders and I see it straight from the word of God. Moses' father-in-law was wise to tell him to share the responsibility of leading the Israelites. In leadership at work and in ministry, I often try to take on more than I have to. God has put people in place with the same passions and I have to learn how to share responsibility.

And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”  ~ Exodus 24:8 (ESV)

Now, some versons say that Moses "sprinkled" and others say "threw." Either way, I'm not to fond of being splattered with blood in order to acknowledge a covenant. I am so thankful that Jesus has served as the ultimate sacrifice and I don't have to find an offering to God other than my time and talents. Thank you Jesus for the blood of the perfect lamb of God.

I'm linking up with Angela @ Selfless Ambition and I hope you'll hop over there to see what God is doing in the lives of others or to share what God is revealing to you!

Project 52 | Week 3 - God is Sovereign

I have to admit that I got off a bit in my reading this past week. I had to take Sunday morning to catch up on a couple of missed days and again today to catch up from yesterday. There is no excuse for any of the days that I chose not to spend time in God's Word. I can't even say that I forgot because I remember in the evenings thinking, "I should spend some time with God." And I chose to do other things or go to sleep. Here's to a new day, which God provides mercies that are new every morning; great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 2:23).

This week, one thing constantly reoccurred for me and that is that God is sovereign. 

In Week 2 of Project 52, I left off admiring the life of Joseph. I am amazed how he was sold by his brothers, made the head of Pharaoh's home, imprisoned by Pharaoh, put back in Pharaoh's good graces by interpreting a dream, put in charge of Egypt, and finally reunited with his brothers. Joseph certainly could have blamed his brothers for all that happened to him and held a grudge, but instead embraced them and acknowledged God's sovereignty.

And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.  ~ Genesis 45:7-8 (ESV)

After Joseph's death, a new Pharaoh is in charge, one who does not know of Joseph and his family. For fear of the Hebrews being too numerous and rising up in war against the Egyptians. He give the order to his people "Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live." (Exodus 1:22) A young Hebrew boy is born, and his mother chooses to hide him in the reeds to protect him from being killed, and what do ya know, God is there!

Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said. 
Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” 
“Yes, go,” she answered. And the girl went and got the baby’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”  ~ Exodus 2:5-8 (ESV)

Can you imagine the mother who has set her son to float down a river thinking she'd never see her son again? He is alive and is going to be raised by Pharaoh's daughter.

God is amazing in how He orchestrates our lives. My prayer is that I will trust His sovereignty and His plan for my life!

I'm linking up with Angela @ Selfless Ambition and I hope you'll hop over there to see what God is doing in the lives of others or to share what God is revealing to you!

Fitness Friday | Week 4 + Link-Up

It's so hard for me to believe that I've kept up with this for four weeks...well, this is week 3 for me, but the 4th week of the link-up.

Anyway, if you read last week's Fitness Friday post, you know that I lost 5 pounds. Well, earlier in that week, I was actually down 6 pounds. I'm trying not to weigh myself more than once a week, but when I noticed that, I had to consider the reason for the difference. My eating didn't change much, so the only thing I could think of is the fact that I did mostly toning last week. So, as a result, I decided to devote this week to cardio (and abs).

Most days I did the Secret Admirer Cardio Workout from ToneItUp.com.

For the days leading up to Valentine's, Karena & Katrina of Tone It Up are hosting a 6-week #LoveYourBody Challenge. I'm not participating in the challenge, but I love this cardio workout. There are a few typos in the picture: the workout is split between 3 machies (not 4) and the time on the stairmill adds up to 15 minutes (not 10). Anyway, when I put my full effort in, I usually burn 700-800 calories in 45 minutes.

In addition to focusing on cardio this week, I began the Daniel Fast with my church. You can read more about the Daniel Fast here, but in a nutshell I'm only eating foods from the ground...no meat, dairy, sweetners, etc.

At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.  ~ Daniel 10:2-3 (ESV)

In the past, the Daniel Fast has been extremely difficult for me, but this year, I am much more prepared...and preparation is key!

Today's weight is....drumroll please...

That's 3.6 pounds down this week...

MyFitnessPal - Nutrition Facts For Foods

By the way, I am loving MyFitnessPal. I feel like it is so much easier than WeightWatchers Online and Spark People. The only thing I need added to it is for it to track a few more measurements other than just neck, waist, and hips. Speaking of measurements, I haven't taken mine. I need to get on that!

So happy with my weight loss so far! And thankful for my workout buddies, My FitnessPal buddies, and fellow bloggers for keeping me accountable. Three weeks to a habit, and I'm three days shy of that. My husband called me a gym rat yesterday! I'll take that as a compliment!

______________________________________________________________________

Last week was a great success, we had 15 bloggers link up! Very awesome. Lets see if we can double that this week. Spread the word. Tweet it, Facebook it, pin it! This is a fitness, health, weight-loss, and everything related in between. Link up your weigh-ins, your healthy recipes, your work outs, and any other fitness related posts. Please make sure you are linking up a specific blog post, and not just your blog ;]

Make sure you are a follower of the host(s).

A huge thanks to Desirae @ Going with the Flow for organizing Fitness Friday and for allowing myself and Samantha @ In Bloom to co-host with her!

<a href="http://goingwiththelastingers.blogspot.com/"> <img src="http://i49.tinypic.com/o5ncw5.jpg" alt="image" /> </a>

Project 52 | Week 2

Wow! This blog is really keeping me accountable on not just reading God's Word, but really meditating on it and doing my best to hear what God is saying to me through His Word. All to often, I want a sign from God...not thinking about the fact that He has already said so much in His Word.

So, this week, I read Genesis 25-42, and here are my take-aways:

1. Children are a Blessing. I know the Bible says to 'be fruitful and multiply' several times, but I am amazed by how God chooses to make one sister fruitful and the other barren. I mean, have you read Genesis 29-30 and just amazed how Leah has kid after kid after kid, and six of them are boys.

When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.  ~ Genesis 30:19-21 (ESV)

After the experiences of some of my friends with infertility and miscarriages, it makes me wonder if I will be the fruitful or the barren sister. I have to believe though that God has a plan for me and my life...even as it relates to childbearing. And that He has a plan for each of the ladies that He chooses to experience infertility or miscarriages.

2. Names are Significant. As I kept reading of all the child birth, the names of each child of each place, of each alter...they all had significance and meaning. Again, in Genesis 29-30, each child's name has significance.

And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun. Afterward she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah.  ~ Genesis 30:19-21 (ESV)

It made me look into the meaning of my own name. Kimberly is originally an English surname/name of a place, a meadow near a royal fortress. Kimberly does sound like  hebrew name though: Kinneret meaning harp, and also translated to mean 'Sea of Galilee' probably of its harp-like shape.

3. The LORD is with me. In Genesis 39 alone, the phrase 'the LORD was with Joseph' is mentioned three times. I have to believe that for myself.

The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.  ~ Genesis 39:2 (ESV)

I love seeing the story of Joseph play out and am looking forward to reading more about him next week.

I'm linking up with Angela @ Selfless Ambition and I hope you'll hop over there to see what God is doing in the lives of others or to share what God is revealing to you!

Project 52 | Week 1

I am so thankful to my dear friend, Angela over at Selfless Ambition! She is always challenging me and holding me accountable. This year is no different. She challenge me to read the Bible every day in order to read the entire Bible this year. So, she has mapped out a reading plan that can be found here! I accepted the challenge, and to my surprise, have read the Bible every day for the first week...no missing one day and catching up the next, but actually reading small bits every single day. I've found myself enjoying the reading so much that I went into the next day's reading on accident.

If I'm completely honest, I have to admit that I haven't really mastered how to study the Bible. I read and if something jumps out at me or God speaks to me through His Word, I take heed and I keep reading. I think next week, I'll take notes as I read. I hope also to spend a little more time in prayer and meditating on God's Word.

But for this week, after reading Genesis 1-24, here are my take-aways:

1. God makes all things new! Even though this wasn't in the reading, I was constantly reminded of this verse as I read the creation story. I was reminded of this verse when I was down and out on New Year's Day. God has the power not only to make all things as He did in Genesis 1, but He also has the power to make all things new. I've committed this as my memory verse for the first two weeks of 2013.

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  ~ Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

2.  God answers prayers! I was amazed at how Abraham interceded for the city of Sodom (Genesis 18:22-32). He asked if God would indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked. After pleading with God to not destroy Sodom if He found 50 righteous. He went on to push that number to 45 righteous, then 40, then 20, and finally 10. God remembered Abraham's prayers and rescued Lot.

So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.  ~ Genesis 19:29 (ESV)

3. Good keeps His promises! God promised Abraham he would be a great nation in Genisis 12:2.  God clarifies this promising Abraham a son of his own in Genesis 15:4. Abraham and Sarai, his wife, were up in age, and Sarai took this promise into her own hands, giving Abraham her maid, Hagar, to which a child was born. This son, Ishmael, was not the son God promised Abraham and clarifies some more when He promises a son by Abraham's wife Sarai in Genesis 16:17 and again in Genesis 17:16. Well, that promise is held even though it was not in Abraham's timing.

The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.  ~ Genesis 21:1-2 (ESV)

There are several promises throughout the Bible for those who believe. I am encouraged by the life of Abraham to believe those promises for myself as well.

I am so thankful for the time I've spent in God's Word this week! I am looking forward to what treasures are buried in His Word for me next week and what I can share with others.

I'm linking up with Angela @ Selfless Ambition and I hope you'll hop over there to see what God is doing in the lives of others or to share what God is revealing to you!

Solemn Assembly + Fasting

The first full week of every year, my church participates in a Solemn Assembly, and this year is no different. Economic disaster was imminent when Joel prophesied to the nation of Judah. Locusts had come through and had wiped out the crops. Our nation is in decline morally, economically, and culturally. There is divide in families and communities and the church. One has to see a parallel between the times of Joel and our current times. The answer prescribed by God was a solemn assembly.

Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.  ~Joel 1:14 (ESV)

This call is repeated in Joel 2:15.

What is a Solemn Assembly? It is a call to the whole church, the people of God as one, to gather in repentance in the house of their God...a time for people to fast and pray; and seek the face of God.

Usually the solemn assembly was accompanied by fasting because throughout the Old Testament, fasting was a sign of self-humiliation, mourning and repentance. It is significant that historically the singular sign of a repentant spirit was the willingness to mourn through fasting.

What is fasting? It is giving up a need of the flesh for a greater need of the spirit.

There are several reason for fasting...to repent and seek forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), to seek direction from God (Jeremiah 29:11-14), to bring freedom in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), but the main reasons I'm fasting are:

To draw closer to God.

But he answered, “It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'.”  ~ Matthew 4:4 (ESV)

To help keep balance in life.

Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not allow anything to control me.  ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12

If you recall my 2013 resolutions, my focus for the year is spiritual and physical fitness. This time of fasting directly relates to my personal goals for the year.

There are several types of fasts. My church chooses to fast from food and entertainment after 3:00 pm for the week of our Solemn Assembly. Food is normally not the area that challenges me during a fast. I concentrate on what I'm giving up rather than what I'm seeking to gain and then I just bury myself in the TV, internet, music, work, etc. When those things are taken away, I am more likely to spend my time with God.

So, after 3:00 pm this week, I will spend my time reading God's Word (Hebrews 4:12), confessing my sins (Psalm 51), praying (Matthew 17:21), and investing in family and friends (Matthew 25:35-36)...not blogging.

Have a great week! I hope yours will be as fruitful as I know mine will be!

2013 Resolutions

I know I'm not the only person who absolutely hates making New Year's Resolutions. Ihaven't made resolutions for the past few years. I feel like every single time, I just set myself up to fail. Two questions that have been bugging me lately about making resolutions are:
1. Why do I need to wait until the beginning of the year to make changes?
2. What makes me think that all of a sudden, all the things I've struggled with will magically change?

Even though I feel this way, I know I need to make some changes and the new year is a perfect time for a fresh start. And as I read the #SheReadsTruth devotional this morning, I was encouraged knowing that God makes all things new.

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  ~ Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

So, my two resolutions are for spiritual and physical fitness. It was not hard at all to narrow down to just two. I feel that from spiritual fitness, all my relationships are enhanced. I considered saying be a better wife, but I know that my interactions with my husband are better when I am in constant communion with God. As far as physical fitness, I think there are two mistakes we make as Christians: not being concerned with it at all or being obsessed with it. I hope to find a balance between the two.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." ~ Ephesians 6:1-12 (ESV)

So, how will I achieve spiritual fitness? I've decided to join my friend, Angela, in her Project 52: Through the Scriptures in 365. Our goal is to read through the entire Bible this year, following a daily reading plan. This is somewhat intimidating, and I feel so bad admitting that it is so hard to spend daily unhurried time with God. I know, though, that my relationship with God has to be a priority.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

How will I achieve physical fitness? I've blogged about that here, but in a nutshell...I'm hoping that setting a goal, having some accountability, and working hard at eating healthy and working out will make the difference.

So, what are your New Year's Resolutions?

I Love CHRISTmas!

I love the holidays...I love giving gifts...I love reflecting on the gift God has given me in Jesus Christ...and I love spending time with family!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  ~ Luke 2:11

I have not been in the mood for Christmas carols this year for some reason...but I absolutely love this song this season!


Christmas was just time spent with family for us. My mom was set on getting some family photos. Unfortunately, the weather was lots and lots of rain in Shreveport, so we didn't get to go outside as planned. Here was our attempt at indoor picture and using the timer on the camera.

After the eating and gift giving was done, my hubby had to head back to Dallas in order to work today. My brother and his family had one more stop, so I hung out with them for the rest of the evening.

I love these times together...makes me want to move back home...but I'm sure Willie wouldn't be hearing that discussion!

I Love CHRISTMAS!!!

Fisher of Men

"And Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men'." ~ Matthew 4:19 (NASB)

The Story: In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, I have found myself wondering if the victims are saved. Will they be spending eternity with God? I often meet people (at Target, the grocery store, the gas station, etc.) and struck up a conversation with no problem, but for some reason, I am reluctant to transition to proclaiming the Gospel or asking if they're saved or have a church home. I feel God telling me to ask, but I end the conversation without following what God is telling me to do.

The Application: In the beginning of the Book of Mark, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus, and then after John’s incarceration, believers follow Jesus as they had once followed John the Baptist. “As He [Jesus] was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:18-20).

The Reflection: God has given us skills and gifts to do anything we please that aligns with His plan. Simon and Andrew were skilled fishermen, but when they chose to follow Jesus, they became “fishers of men,” rather than fishers of fish. One of our purposes as Christians is to be the feet and hands of Jesus Christ, evangelizing to the lost. This was the primary purpose that Jesus called the apostles, and this remains the main mission of followers of Christ. What gifts, skills, and talents has God given you that can be used to grow His Kingdom? Are you following Jesus, and using those gifts to grow His Kingdom?

The Prayer: God, help me to follow you and be a bold professor of the Gospel in order to grow Your Kingdom. Thank you for leading someone to “fish for me,” and allow me to be a “fisher of men” for Your Kingdom. Amen.

Linking up:

He Gives and Takes Away

Today, I'm thinking of the Sandy Hook Tragedy. I received the news of the tragedy after I had just finished teaching my own class of 8th graders and I was immediately shaken and driven to my knees. I can't imagine this situation for my own students or for the kindergartener in my life.

My nephew, Ashton

Today, my friend Angela told me a story I had not heard. There was a teacher who, after hearing the gun shots, hid all her students in closets. When the shooter entered her room, she told him that her kids were in the gym. She was then gunned down, losing her own life, but saving the lives of her students.

I know these situations make us grateful for what we have, but it always brings up the age-old question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. I don't have the answer for that question, but I do have the hope of the return of Jesus Christ. Without this hope, I would focus on the tragedy rather than the glory God receives in this situation.

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel."  ~ Philippians 1:12

I pray that in this tragedy, God still gets the glory. We do not understand His ways. There are blessings in what He gives and blessings in what He takes away.

"...The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."          ~Job 1:21

I pray for the families of the Sandy Hook tragedy...that they will be comforted in this time of sorrow...that they will draw closer to God, rather than abandon Him...that they will find their strength and hope in Him who gives and takes away.

Football, Faith, & Flattery

As the title suggests, today truly is a random, whatever, whenever Wednesday post! Hopefully, I have some other football fans out there in blog land! This is my third year playing fantasy football and I can't imagine a football season going by without joining a league. This year is an all girl's league and if you look closely, you'll see the joy of the picture below!

Did you see it? Yep, that's right! I finished the regular season in third place! I made it to the playoffs! This is the first time in three years! Woot! Woot! I'm stoked considering that 2 weeks ago I was in eighth place, last week in fifth, and now third! I don't know how it will go beyond this week, but I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts! 
By the way, if you're wondering about my team name, it's pronounced "doo'-nam-is." This word has made an impression on me ever since I heard it preached in a youth ministry message. Dunamis is a Greek word referring to strength, power, and ability...inherent power...the power to do miracles. We get the word 'dynamite' and 'dynamic' from 'dunamis.'

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective] (Hebrews 4:12, AMP)

The "Word" is effective to perform that which God designed it to do.It will not return to Him void, but will accomplish its purpose. The "word'  is both active and powerful. It is active in that it produces results and it is powerful in the amazing type of results that it produces.
I know football has nothing to do with the amazing power of my God and God's Word, but I love to think of God's power and how He's moving in my life. I now think of it every time I log in to my fantasy football team.
And the flattery... I got the sweetest email from a co-worker yesterday! It's not my job to make copies for teachers at my school, but when that person is out, I and a few others fill her spot to help teachers out. Well, the copier was giving us a hard time, and I just took the time to update the staff. This is the flattering email I received back.

I gotta tell ya...this email just made my day! I need to be sure to let her know how much I appreciate her kind words!

Hope you have a great 'Hump Day!'

Linking up with Shanna and Savannah! Go check them out!

Out of my Overflow

Recently, I was encouraged by and had the opportunity to encourage my friend, Angela of Selfless Ambition. She posted about spiritual starvation and how this depletion left her on empty, unable to give to others. She shared a pin that definitely inspired me.

via Pinterest

I am all to aware of the fact that when I am filled with God's love and God's Word, those around me reap from the overflow. I was reminded of this again today when a co-worker asked me to pray for her. I know that our prayers ares just a conversation with God, but that conversation comes so much easier when I am closer to my God. When I am constantly in God's Word, it's easier to pray His Word and to encourage others. I am trying my best to encourage others with God's Word and not my thoughts, and I try really hard for my prayers to be the same.

For the word of God is living and powerful! It is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)