personal devotions at the keyboard

Dear Father,

I do thank you for the fun had with the grandchildren last night and for the good night's rest for all, bumpa, nana, Sid, Pru, Lenny and Beckett. I am so grateful that many of our grandchildren are close by and I pray this morning for each one of our grandchildren, the Texas girls the Mpls kids and the two new grandchildren to be born. Please Father, I pray that each of them will come to a saving knowledge of you Jesus. Protect their little lives spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Only His is enough, “His divine power had granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us.

 2 Peter 1:3 a

This morning as I read the word and have my quiet time before the children arise I will spend some time in 2 Peter 1:3-11, Galatians 5:22-23 and John 15:4-5. Father, give me understanding and I will keep your law and obey it will all my heart, direct me in the path of your commands, make me the best wife, mother, grandmother that I can be today!

Father, I thank you that you "call and elect" me according to 2 Peter 1:10. You have called me to faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly kindness. I am so sorry for times when I have neglected not only your word but what you have called me to ... Please forgive me.

In Galatians 5 I learn today again about the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Father, this is my prayer for Tim and Nancy, Mike and Denise, Aaron and Alisa, James and Kathleen, Ken and Ginny Kim Le and Teresa: as you have called them to be missionaries. Father on the harder days would you remind them that they are filled with the Spirit and can depend on You! Remind us today to take spiritual inventory ....

Add goodness. Do what you know to be right.

Add knowledge. Study the word. Pray without ceasing.

Add self-control. Control your will and operate in the Spirit.

Add perseverance. See His tasks through, even when it’s hard.

Add godliness. Let others know to Whom you belong by your conduct.

Add mutual affection and love. Give your time, talents and life for others.

  ~ taken from She Knows Truth

This writing is not mine but every so powerful of a reminder to me!

This is not my writing but ... It's Ann's over here
http://www.aholyexperience.com/

I love what it says and I wished I had written it and I want to remember this about love especially when I think about how to love the golfer well and extra especially now this month of August 2013 when we will soon celebrate 40 years of marriage!

I know I don't always show this kind of love to my husband but it is a good reminder to me that I desire to serve him as I live out the gospel daily! Really nothing is more attractive than sacrifice!

"There are no standing lovers: the only way to love is to lay down.
Lay down plans.
Lay down agendas.
Lay down self.
Love is always the laying down.
This is how to make love out of a marriage: Love lays down it’s own wants to lift up the will of another.
Love lets go of its plans — to hold on to a person.
This is the passion of Christ.
Ours is the romanced universe. For God so loved, He gave….
A good marriage isn’t about reliving a good movie, but reliving the Good News.
Nothing is more attractive than sacrifice."

The Golfer and the Oldest Grandson

 

I am pretty sure I came up with this saying first ... but does that really matter?

I am pretty sure I came up with this saying first .... It was 2002 when I thought to myself the children need to know this too ... you may be wondering what the children need to know. I had been a part of the adult intercessor's team at CEFC from 2000-2002 and had been learning so much about prayer ....

I had learned what prayer is and how it's done. I had participated in prayer meetings that had a beginning time but no ending time. My experience with prayer prior to being a part of this team was, prayer is private, confidential. I had grown up in a religious home where my father prayed before meals but as for praying at other times, or publicly that just did not happen in our home.

When I was asked by my good friend Donna if I wanted to come to a prayer meeting with much hesitation I said, "Sure, but I won't have to pray aloud will I?" For weeks I attended with my friend and listened to others pray without saying a word. I realized after listening in on others as they prayed that it was not about religion, it's about a relationship. I could tell that those who prayed knew personally the God they were praying to. They had a relationship with Him; they talked like they were talking to a good friend across the table. I decided that I needed to step out of my comfort zone of not saying a word and take a risk in praying aloud. At first, I was uncomfortable. I thought I needed to have the right words. Others were listening in and I wanted to know I was doing it correctly. It wasn't long when I realized it was not about doing or saying the right thing but it was about having a right relationship.

I began to practice praying alone and continued to go to prayer meetings and pray aloud with others. When I prayed with others I found myself agreeing with them as they prayed and I was moved to pray in the Spirit about things others were praying. It became easier and easier, One night after an adult prayer meeting, with my friend Donna, I leaned over and said, "The children need to learn this".

I thought if I had learned to pray as a child it would have been so much easier to go and pray aloud with other adults. I said to Donna, "someone needs to teach the children." She agreed and stated that she believed I was the one that should teach the children.

I remember saying to her, "no, not me, but someone needs to."

In October of 2002 I stepped out in faith, and with the support of our children's pastor and the adult intercessor team and began the NHC Children's prayer team. We sent out a letter to all the 4th-6th grade parents and invited them to consider signing up their children for prayer team. There was no curriculum per say and I was stepping into territory that had not been covered before in the history of our church. I knew we did not need material or curriculum but we did need to gather to pray. Two boys signed up and they began to pray and then two girls joined and by January there were seven students desiring to learn to pray. I had 3 main things I taught the children in 2002, and this year 2012, a team of teachers and myself, will continue to teach the team these same 3 things:

1. it’s not about religion, it's about relationship

2. It's not about having devotions, it's about being devoted

3. P stands for Praise

    R stands for Repent

    A stands for Ask

    Y stands for Yield

Last year was our ninth year of the children's prayer team at New Hope Church http://www.newhopechurchmn.org/ . We have grown from a team of 7 in 2002 to a team of 28 in 2012. When Dayspring was asking for product reviews that could be a part of a life story I knew I could not resist reviewing this product.

 

 

 

I don't have children going back to school but I am a teacher going back to school both in a public school and at our church. I am excited to have all my notes for prayer team this year in my new notebook with a line that has become a part of the curriculum it's not about religion, it's about relationship.

I am also excited to start once again teaching school and being a part of a community of parents, students, and teachers where I will use my other products to share about my faith.

Having these tools gives me an opportunity to be bold about my faith. Thank you Dayspring for the opportunity to share my story that began nine years ago. (long before you maybe you even thought of putting these words on notebooks and folders!)

 

Pastor Greg Braly and I planning out the new year for

HopeWatchers, the children's prayer team at New Hope Church, New Hope, MN

 

Feel free to get your products here:

http://www.incourage.me/category/deals

 

 

(*disclaimer* I was given this products at no cost from Dayspring in exchange for my story about their product. All stories and opinions are mine and mine alone!) 

 

Pursuing God in Conversation

God spoke a book and God lives in the words He spoke!

He is constantly speaking to me using His Words!

today He said in John 1:12 that I am His child

and in John 15:15 he said that I am His friend

and in Romans 5:1 He said that it is just as if I had never sinned

and in Matthew 5:13-14 He said I am the salt and light at my work place

The Study of Ruth

It has been fun to begin a study of the book of Ruth, at the request of my daughter Ashley. I remember when we would read the Bible together when I home-schooled her and the other kids. Reading the Bible and studying the Bible are two different things. As Ashely and I studied separately but answered the same questions it was fun to see that not all answers were the same. As women we come from very different walks of life yet many heart issues are the same. I believe both of us desire to be like Ruth in being women who are self-sacrificing. Father teach us to be women who have great concern for others. Thanks for studying with me Ashley!lywm

anew, everyday

Isaiah 43:16, 18, 19

"This is what the Lord says, ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

This is just a simple thought for today that I received in my in box ... as I reflect on the past year and look forward to next year this brings great encouragement. Throughout the valleys of this past year I am reminded that the lessons are learned in the valley ... love you all, praying for you all ....
In His Arms, B.

Day 18 Still feeling crummy :-(

Ok I have to say that there is not a lot to say or write about when I still feel crummy ... except maybe to say how thankful I am for my husband who has taken such good care of me. He got up with me at 12:30 am and took me to the hospital last night. The doctor ran IV fluids and anti-nausea meds for the night because I have been unable to keep anything in my system.

As of 9:30 this evening I am happy to report I am doing a bit better and I have kept the banana, applesauce, toast and even popcorn down. Hopefully by tomorrow things will be a bit closer to normal.

One upside of being sick is at times during the day I actually feel like reading and I jump between the Bible, a leisure book and the following book I am reading towards spiritual growth:

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us.

Fasting, Solitude, Contemplative Prayer ... Have you wandered from one practice to another? Then you may want to pick up this book. I love that this book is written by a women as many books like this are written by men and in particular Pastors. ... for me I am reading it on my Kindle!

Keeping Company

morning pages from the word
July 14, 2010

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life, I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (The Message)

Looking forward to keeping company today with Him, my husband Terry as we shop for the food shelf, my daughter Kelley, her kids, and Ms Cathy, as we go to the library, my good friend, Keli Moen, who I have not seen it seems like forever, as we enjoy lunch. And I will be continuing to keep company with Him in the school of praying unceasingly.
Notes from my handwritten journal ...

I have a good friend ....She is always asking thought-provoking questions. She often asks me, "what is God teaching you through His word these days?, or how has God answered prayer in your life this week?" When I ask her questions about the Word she often turns it back to me by saying, "that's a good question, that's a worthy question, what do you think?" It's what I love about this friend, she causes me to think and to grow spiritually

.
As I was keeping company in the word this morning I was keeping company with Stephen in Acts 7.

Remember Stephen in Acts 7?

Am I looking in, out, up, and around, to see the glory of the Lord?

I proceeded to our back yard and both looked and listened to His Glory ... These are my questions today ....

Have you seen the glory of the Lord in the flowers?

Have you rested long enough to hear the water coming from the pump that once belonged to you earthly father?

Are you hearing My wind blowing through the trees?

Are you listening to the wind chimes created (seemingly out of nothing) by your earthly father-in-law?

Are you hearing the blue jays (made by the Creator) squawking for their peanuts?

Do you wait for the creator of the bird feeder to wake to feed the blue jays?

I love that the father of our children, my husband, Terry, cares so much about the birds that he daily feeds them peanuts from inside the top of the home made recycled Weber grill bird feeder!

I am certain that the questions in my mind will continue to come forth. I look forward to a day of keeping company with the Lord and others I come in contact with!

Remaining In His Arms, B.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan

January 30, 2010
early morning pages

I find it interesting to read what I have written years ago. As I look back on past journals I am amazed at what the Holy Spirit has done in my life.

In reflection of the post "Journals Past; Pictures Present" regarding my prayer for the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on my kids each day. Because of my learning from Forgotten God today I pray differently.

I pray that the Spirit of God would dwell in Terry, Lisa, Matt, Carrie, Jacob, Adam, Renee, Kelley, Josh and Ashley.
It is my hope that there will be a huge difference in their lives daily because of the Spirit of the living God within them.

My knowledge of the Holy Spirit is greater now than in the past.
My prayer is different now than in the past.

"We need the Holy Spirit in order to live faithfully. But we also need one another as we work out our faith." Chan

Family, I need you as i work out my faith and thanks for needing me!
In His Arms, B.

Love Sunday, Especially Easter Sunday (Questions to Probe My Soul towards a deeper Love Relationship with my Risen Savior)

OK, so now I am currently reading Humility True Greatness and I came across an author who I looked up on the web today ... this author pointed me to another author (Whitefield) and these questions by George Whitefield.

Probe Your Soul with Questions
George Whitefield (1714-1770) was "the best-known evangelist of the eighteenth century and one of the greatest itinerant preachers in the history of Protestantism." Before he retired each night, he opened his journal and probed his soul with questions such as these he'd placed in the flyleaf:
Have I,
Been fervent in prayer?
After or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God's glory?
After any pleasure, immediately given thanks?
Planned business for the day?
Been simple and recollected in everything?
Been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?
Been proud, vain, unchaste, or enviable of others?
Recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?
Thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?
Confessed all sins?

It seemed to be something I wanted to remember so I choose to copy and paste the journal ideas which are indeed soul searching questions on my blog rather than just posting them in my personal journal. I post also in hopes that these questions to be asked by me at the end of the day may spur others on to think more deeply and to allow me more accountability for my words and deeds.

For the "pleasure" of family time, Thank You Father! The past week I have throughly enjoyed ... children, grandchildren, celebrating Annika's first birthday in TX, reading, writing and more reading and writing ... I could choose to be "down" today knowing that this time is coming to a quick end as I am done with spring break tomorrow and back to work, and school with less time to spend with family and doing what I love best reading and writing or I can choose this day and tomorrow and here after to look forward to what is ahead walks with Terry ... adding a daughter to my family ... another grandchild ... (Carrie's pg with baby number 2) ... Adam's graduation from Teen Challenge ... and on it goes ...

I choose to look forward to the days ahead and all that God has in store for me and my precious family.

Father, as I probe my soul, just for today, may I be mindful to be "humble and contrite in spirit." Is 66:2

Constantly running into Your arms for confession, and forgiveness because You were forsaken!

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

A very Blessed Easter to All! B.

Thursday January 1, 2009

I am not up for resolutions but I do like to have intentions ... so

I intend on being in the Word daily!

I intend on praying often!

I intend on writing more!

I intend on communicating well and often with friends here and in Peru!

I intend on reading what I want to read not what I have to read daily!

I intend on walking on the treadmill at least 3 times per week!

I intend on learning to cook gluten-free!

I intend on learning Spanish! (thanks to a gift from Lisa)

I intend on selecting some verses of focus from God's word for the new year! (more on this soon)

I intend on spending time in special devotionals and books that I have selected and have put aside in the kitchen where I have my quiet time!

Finding myself In His Arms again and again! B.

Christmas Day Personal Devotional Thoughts

Christmas Day
December 25, 2008
morning pages

ponder; to weigh in the mind; to consider carefully

treasure; to keep as precious; something of great value

As I have focused my study these past 25 days on the Christmas Story in Luke Chapter 2 I have thought deeply about the word "ponder" as it states in the NIV and the ESV and the word "treasure" in the NLT. What does it mean to ponder and do I take the time to ponder? And what about treasure ... what do I treasure, keep at precious and think of as great value. Well after time, thought and deliberation, I have found that I do indeed love to be able to take the time to ponder God's words. I like to study, and come up with questions regarding the scriptures. I often can not answer the questions myself, but I love that I can go to Terry and Andrea who usually have an explanation for what I am unsure of. Recently, while reading the story in Luke 2:9b I began to think, what does the radiance of the Lord's glory look like? For this question, I had some thoughts that others, who are fully and totally in love with Jesus, display this radiance. But I believe it is more than this, yet I am just not sure. Because of my uncertainty, I will ask. Yesterday, when I read through the story the word that struck me was "ran" in Luke 2:16 NLT.
I like to think, that I too, am like the shepherds, and that I "run" to Jesus, not just on the day of his birth, but daily and often during the day. My prayer today is that you, the reader and I the writer, will daily and often during each day run to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day and night!~ In His Arms, beth

I like these journal prompts from the Simple Women's Day Book ... Above is the picture thought I would like to share for today ....

Monday November 3, 2008

evening pages

Outside My Window ... it is now dark due to daylight savings time.

I am thinking ... about the reading I need to do for school and the reading I want to do for fun. Which will I choose?

I am thankful for ... my husband and the awesome eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns he fixed for dinner.

From the learning rooms ... I am learning how to better manage my time and take the time for the things I want to do.

From the kitchen ... I am about to stop blogging and clean up the dishes. I have a plan with my husband that he makes dinner and I do the dishes.

I am wearing ... cords and a short sleeve shirt but I will soon be in my jammies.

I am creating ... a scrapbook of my pictures from South Africa so when I return from Peru I am ready to scrapbook those pictures.

I am going ... to Peru on Friday (I am very excited).

I am reading ... War of Words by Paul Tripp.

I am hoping ... to build relationships with the people of Peru and to bring Christ to people with disabilities and bring people with disabilities to Christ.

I am hearing ... the washing machine as I try to get a load of towels washed and dried tonight.

Around the house ... I found signs that my grandson had visited today while I was at work.

One of my favorite things ... writing, of course!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: pray, read, work, eat, play and pack.

~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Wheels for the World Peru

Tuesday October 28, 2008

Dear Family and Friends

Some of you may remember that a year ago I was all set to travel to Honduras with Joni and Friends, Wheels for the World and was unable to go due to a contusion to my head and a fractured thumb well …. I am all set to go now on my first Wheels for the World trip but this year the trip is planned for Peru. I am getting prepared to leave on Friday, November 7th and I will return home on Sunday, November 16th.
I would be honored to have you pray for me during my time away. A couple of ways you can pray specifically for me are:

Safety as I travel
Health while I am away
Unity for the team (we are from all over the United States)
Food intake (I have recently found out that I am gluten intolerant)

Some of the verses God has prompted me to pray for the team and myself are:

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

“Be wise in the way you act toward others; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” Luke 14:21

As God prompts you would you pray one or two of these verses for the team and
myself while we are away? I am looking forward to how the Lord will use me to serve the disabled community of Trujillo, Peru. I hope through the power of the Holy Spirit
to bring people with disabilities to Christ and to bring Christ to people with disabilities.
Thanks for your prayers!
In His Arms,
Beth Pederson
ps you can follow the comings and goings of our days at
http://wftwtrujillo2008.blogspot.com

Friday, March 21, 2008

morning pages

Planned by God so that I might have my sins forgiven the death of Jesus opened the pathway to heaven -- A pathway prepared and paved with His blood ... Oh Father, how exceedingly grateful I am for the Lord Jesus Christ. Although the scene I have visited this morning occurred twenty centuries ago it is as if I have just witnessed Your death today. How horrible it was. I can not even imagine the pain you bore on my behalf. It was because of my sin. In this quiet moment tears of gratitude well up within me and I pause to say I love you, I'm sorry, please forgive me and thank you.

Because of Christ I find I am always In His Arms, B.

March 15, 2008
afternoon pages

Intention; is the general word implying to have something in mind as a plan or design; or referring to the plan had in mind; intent; purpose; aim; goal etc.....

I really do love going back to this week after week and many times day after day. I would love to set an intention, plan or design for my day but often I am nearing the end of the day wondering what were my intentions or promises to myself that day. I miss spending time writing. I know that I can do anything I set my mind to do but I just have not done that with writing. Yes, I do continue to journal often but I wanted to at the very least blog twice a week and that has not happened. I also had intentions to exercise each week and that is another issue. I know what I need to do to be spiritually, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially healthy but I am choosing not do to what I want to do but rather do what I do not want to do.

I continue to be In His Arms, wondering, asking, questioning, wanting, waiting etc ... B.

Saturday February 23, 2008
early morning pages


Today to Adam ....

When I think about my son,
and there is only one,
I think about how proud,
of my one and only son,
I can be as a mom.

Even though many struggles and trails may hit,
I am reminded of God's son,
His only one,,
who works all things together for good,to my son,
who loves God,
and who has now been called according to God's son's purpose.

Thank you Father, for victories you have won , progress, growth and answered prayer in the lives of my children, their spouses, my grandchildren and future grandchildren.

praying for all my children and grandchildren today
placing them all In Your Arms ...

Sunday, January 20, 2008
afternoon pages

Wow! What happened to my week and my intentions. I only exercised once this week, I journaled some of my food intake, I read some of my novel but not necessarily 1/2 hour a day. I did not blog at all and I did read my readings in the Old Testament.

OK, so I fall short but I am working on getting back on track this week and I know I can do "all things through Christ who gives me strength." I will be thinking about how all my school work fits into my intentions this week as well. It seems I must make up an incomplete in one class, do work for another class and begin thinking about my Reading and Communication class that starts in February. Whew! I am getting a bit overwhelmed! Oh, and did I say my position at school changes some this week too.

But on with Loving Sundays ......
I love the message that Pastor Jeff Preached today in the absence of Pastor Steve ... from his readings about the missionary John G. Paton.

1. Rediscover Backbone (what am I doing that involves courage and endurance when it comes to my walk with the Lord?)
2. Spiritual conversion (conversion means repentance, what am I doing to turn away for sin?)
3. Recover a Biblical Sabbath (this is powerful to think on)
4. Reassert God's total sovereignty (God is more interested in the process of me becoming more like Jesus)
5. Jesus Has no grandchildren

I loved these thoughts, I loved the message and I love thinking deeper about my relationship with Him. In His Arms again and again .... Beth

Love Sundays

Sunday, January 6, 2008
evening pages

Love that God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th our Sundays

Love that my Sunday routine includes rest

Love waking up under the warmth of our new down comforter next to my husband Terry

Love that we have a car to drive to church; something I sometimes take for granted

Love to see and pray with friends, Richard, Russ and Ken this morning

Love powerful times of worship and learning new songs

Love a new year, new start, new intentions as Pastor Steve refers to resolutions

Love seeing the children worship and bow down before the Lord in prayer in big church

Love hearing the children's intentions; to resist temptation, to pray twice a day, to read the Bible 5 out of 7 days a week, to journal every day etc.

Love serving others at the front desk of New Hope Church

Love when I finish some reading and some school assignments (classes start again on Thursday night this week)

Love saving money and eating leftovers for dinner

Love getting into my PJ's and just hanging out with my husband before going to bed

Friday, December 21, 2007
Evening Pages

OK so I am getting some harassment from family and friends for having not written for some time and also that most of my posts have a spiritual bent towards them. Well, the not writing for a while has to do with the fact that I have had a lot of school work to complete and it seems I am using all my extra time completing that type of writing. (yuk!) I also have been using other spare moments holding, loving on and playing with my new grandson who seems to be growing ever so quickly.

As for the spiritual bent ... All I can say is that I do have that tendency but .... I do think of myself as one who reads and writes to teach and teaches to read and write. I want to do this through this blog and in other creative ways.

Tonight, as I write I will teach about traditions through my own experience and in hopes of inspiring you to consider what new tradition you may start this Christmas ....

A family tradition started six years ago as my husband and I were serving with the Joni and Friends Area Ministry. My children asked me what I wanted for Christmas and that year I stated all I wanted was to give to others. This began the "Envelope on the Tree" tradition. Each year I place an envelope on our Christmas tree and the children (now adults) place money in the envelope. No one knows when and who and how much is placed there, but they do know who will receive the gift, sometime after Christmas, because it is written on the envelope. The first year we did this, the money was given to Joni and Friends, MN to be used to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the disabled community in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Each year since I have been able to select the receiver as my Christmas gift from the kids. Because I love to give, this tradition is a favorite of mine. This year in the busyness of the season I almost forgot to put the envelope on the tree but was reminded by my daughter Carrie (who will not be with us this year for Christmas for the very first time). She asked who the envelope would be going to, because even though she would not be with us this Christmas, she had included money for the envelope in her package sent to us by mail. As of today the envelope is on the tree and does say from the Pederson's but there is no "to" yet. I am still not sure who the envelope will go to but as I pray I am open to how the Lord will lead.

In His Arms and In His will, Beth