Passionately Praying

"The reason we do not have praying churches is because we do not have praying people." - Pastor Bobby

This statement got my attention as I was sitting in church one Sunday morning.  I often wonder why so many churches are dead and why there isn't much talk of revival spreading.  But then again, I am reminded that churches are made of people, people like me.

What am I doing to bring about change?  Do we have a passion to see souls saved? Do you have zeal for the ministry? Do I desire a deeper relationship with Him?

How is my prayer life?

How is your prayer life?

Pastor Bobby went on to share from Scripture how we ought to pray.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. - Acts 1:14

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. - Acts 2:42

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. - Acts. 6:4

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; - Romans 12:12

Pray without ceasing. - I Thess. 5:17

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints - Eph 6:18

Does this reflect my prayer life?

Do you talk to God about everything? Are we continually living in a spirit of prayer?  Am I praying with fellow believers? When a situation arises, do we go instantly to the One who can do something about it?

One of my favorite scriptures on prayer is the story that is told in Luke 18. The story is of a judge who grants a widow her request because of her constant nagging.

In verse 5 the judge grants her wishes, "lest by her continual coming she weary me."

Let me ask you, Have you wearied God with your problems? Do we passionately cry out to him, over and over again? 

Cry out to him, asking specifically for what you want Him to do.  Ask for His heart on these matters and remember what he says in Luke 18:1 "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"

Let's take back our churches. Let's fill them with revival and praying people and let's each start with ourselves. - Rejoicing in the Present

Packing Tip #4

TIP #4  - Don't be afraid to ask for help.

The very idea of packing up my whole house and moving was overwhelming to me.  After talking to my family, my sister offered to fly down and help.  In ONE WEEK we were able to pack up the whole house (not including everyday stuff, like clothes, toiletries and food).

Just having someone at my side, encouraging me to go through junk, throw away stuff, organize and pack the rest of it was a HUGE help.   She really saved the day in all of this and I'm super grateful for her. 

There have also been others who have helped us.  My parents had a friend from their church who flew down and drove the moving truck up for us so we could drive our cars. We had people who volunteered to help clean, and even a dear friend who replaced a broken window so that we could sell our house.

Don't try to do it all yourself.  

Offer some pizza and ask your friends to come help!  #movingparty

I hope you enjoyed the packing tips. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to leave them below in the comments. - Rejoicing in the Present

Packing Tip #3

TIP #3 - DON'T BUY YOUR SUPPLIES TOGETHER!!

Now, I could be wrong on this, but for me, it was cheaper to get my supplies at a couple different places rather than all at the same place.

Online Uhaul had a "deal" for a 4 bedroom household for 389.66. It has alot of boxes and equipment, but I didn't need all of what they were offering.

So I spent about $100 on boxes and then went to Amazon.com to get my labels, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, paper, tape gun and tape. 

Between the two places, I got more then I needed for a total of about $200.

Yes, it's easier to get it all at once, but you might not need all of what they are offering AND you can spend more money on specific things that really do help. 

For me, the things that I LOVE LOVE LOVED were the stretch wrap, and labels.   See what works for you!

Do some research.  Pinterest has some great posts and ideas as well. - Rejoicing in the Present

Packing Tip #2

Imagine you're at the front door of your new home and people are helping you unload.  They are walking in with your boxes. 

Every three seconds they are asking WHERE the boxes go.  It can be a confusing, frustrating mess but it doesn't have it be. 

One of the best things that happened to us were these labels.  Saurus Home Moving Labels.


We placed one on each box. When the boxes were delivered, all the workers had to do is look at the label to see where the box was supposed to go.

It went great! We actually were not even at the house, when our stuff was delivered. My sister and mom led the operation and they did a wonderful job.  

Another tip for coordinating your boxes is using different colored duct tape for each room. Example: Red for the Kitchen, Pink for the bedroom, flowers for the living room, and camo for the kitchen. 

BUT, I still like the Saurus labels better because you don't have to remember the color code AND they are easy to peel and stick.  I hope this helps - Rejoicing in the Present

Packing Tip #1

BOXES!!! Boxes!!! and MORE BOXES!!!!

The most basic thing you need for moving is boxes and the cheapest place I found NEW BOXES were at UHAUL. 

If you buy a bundle, you can get their lowest price.  For instance, if you buy at least 25 boxes, you can get them for $.73 each.

I bought the lowest amount of each bundle and it provided me exactly what I needed. 

For books and heavier items, SMALL is the best because they are heavy to carry.   Local stores, like Family Dollar, usually have extra boxes that they are willing to get rid of.  

Stop by some local stores and ask for extra boxes.

I also ordered enough boxes from uhaul.com to get free shipping!!! 

Another way to get boxes is via craigslist.  Personally, I did not find what I needed but, if you look in advance, many times you can buy someone else's boxes off them for a very low rate. 

Social media is also a great place to start.  You can ask your neighbors and local friends for boxes as well.  I hope this helps you get started! - Rejoicing in the Present

Eight-Twenty-Eight

Ian and Larissa Murphy are not the normal couple, but what is normal? 

Sacrificial love?

That is most definitely NOT normal. 

Ian and Larissa fell in love during college. They were pursuing a serious relationship that would eventually lead to marriage, when a serious accident happened. Ian's Volkswagen was crushed and so were their dreams. 

Larissa's world was turned upside down that day, but she stayed true to God and to her man. The book EIGHT TWENTY EIGHT is their story.  I love Larissa's brutal honesty and how she admits to wondering if she was doing the right thing. 

This story is not one where Prince Charming wakes up after a kiss and all is well and all is good.  Prince Charming goes through hours and years of physical therapy and still struggles. 

Larissa believed that God had brought the two of them together and so she didn't give up on him. 

One of the other things I really love about this relationship is that Larissa sees the good in him.  She is not a victim.  She doesn't do this for fame or glory. She truly loves Ian.  She loves his wit, she loves flirting with him, and she sees the good in him. 

I love that Ian brings Larissa closer to the Lord.  THIS IS HUGE.  Ian has something that MOST men do not nor will ever have and that is love for God and a desire to bring his wife with him in that relationship. ...and if it takes an accident to get that way, we would all do well to go through that.  (I do not say this lightly. I truly mean that the trials of our life can be some of the biggest blessings.)

As I read this book, I just kept thinking about my own marriage. It was such an either from married or single, to pick up a copy and read it. 

EIGHT TWENTY EIGHT. Get a copy today.  You won't regret it. - Rejoicing in the Present

P.S.  Just to clarify, I wasn't asked to read this book, nor did I get paid to write this review. I just simply enjoyed the book and had to share. :)