How's It Going?

First off, I have a major prayer request. Please pray for Elizabeth and her sister Susan.  Susan is very very ill, and I know Elizabeth is torn between being here or there for her family. I know what it's like to be torn between here and family. My heart is with you Elizabeth. My prayer goes up for you.

How is your fasting going? It's been over a week now. Are you still surviving? I hope it's been good to focus on God. It has for me. I've struggled a little bit, but I'm going into this week with a better and with a strength that's not my own.  I give Him all the praise.

I'll leave you with a few questions that are from the 7 study guide:
Read 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. Jesus changed the parameters of the temple, but do you think he changed its sanctity? Are our bodies more or less sacred?
How do you think God's immense concern over every detail of the original temple translates to how He wants us to manage our bodies, the new temple?
How does your life reveal the value you place on the body God has given you with which you are called to serve Him?

Let's keep supporting and encouraging each other this week! Much love and prayers for you.

Kara

This is part of a prayer from the "Complete Artscroll Siddur" (a Jewish prayer book):

You are holy and Your Name is holy,
And holy ones praise You every day,
Forever, for You are God, the great and holy King.
Blessed are You, Hashem, the holy God.

You graciously endow man with knowledge and teach insight to a frail mortal.
Endow us graciously from Yourself with wisdom, insight, and knowledge.
Blessed are You, Hashem, gracious Giver of knowledge.

Bring us back, our Father, to Your Torah,
And bring us near, our King, to Your service,
And influence us to return in perfect repentance before You.
Blessed are You, Hashem, who desire repentance.

Forgive us, our Father, for we have erred;
Pardon us, our King, for we have willfully sinned;
For You are the good and forgiving God.
Blessed are You, Hashem, the gracious One who pardons us abundantly.

Behold, please, our affliction,
Take up our grievance,
And redeem us with a complete redemption for Your Name's sake,
For You are God, the powerful Redeemer.
Blessed are You, Hashem, Redeemer of Israel.

The Start of Our Journey!

I'm not the most tech savvy person in the world, and I'm not a very good writer.  But here we are and here we go through this 7 challenge together!  Hopefully we can all just comment and post freely about praises, issues, struggles, and prayer requests.  Let's use it as a way to get connected to one another and be each other's support group.
So, I just got back from a birthday party that Owen and Vance were invited to.  They had a great time, and the mom of the three birthday kids did a no presents policy (which we've been doing for the past year with our own kids).  I was proud of her for making that commitment, and I don't think the kids enjoyed it any less without all the presents that are all about self.  Also, some of you know, that the kids are also on a "fast" of chocolate.  Not that they get it except for if they eat good at supper, but it's been very good training for them.  It brings God up a lot more in conversations with them, which I am very thankful for.  Anyway, I was so proud of them at the party because they both made the decision on their own to not eat a chocolate cupcake (they did take vanilla, what's a party without cake!).  It was one of those moments that make you want to applaud your own children! So my thought and prayer today is that I can be a good example for them, so they choose on their own to serve God with all their heart, mind, and soul.  Today is a victory in that small little way, and I am thankful to God for the children he's blessed me with.
How are you?  Are you struggling?  Are you praising God?  Are you learning anything?  Please share!

Much Love in Christ!

Kara Bea

P.S.  Here's an article Jason sent me today that might me interesting to you!  http://www.today.com/moms/minimalist-mom-vows-spend-nothing-her-kid-2013-1C8110210