CH-CH-CHANGE! Good thing I like CHANGE, because 2009 brought a lot of CHANGES to the Dailey house. This year, I learned to walk through some of life's changes with the Lord's leading, direction, and help. Some of the most notable CHANGES:
1) January 2009 - Carlisle Baptist called Dave as an Associate Pastor after serving there for 7 years as the Youth Minister
2) May 2009 - Shane, our son, graduated high school...old doors closed behind him, but new doors opened before him.
3) May 2009 - Dave graduated from Baptist College of FL (with honors)
4) May 2009 - Dave had his ordination service, and became an ordained minister
5) August 2009 - Dave & I went to our first church planting seminar
6) August 2009 - Shane began his first year of college!
7) August 2009 - I started my Master's degree program!
8) August 2009 - My Dad retired from full-time work.
9) September 2009 - Dave & I launched our first home bible study under our church plant, Lifeblood Baptist.
01 January 2010
15 December 2009
Chasing Rainbows
Every time since I had a miscarriage in 2002, when I am discouraged or stressed or upset, the Lord always gives me rainbows as a sign of hope and His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. In Genesis, after the flood that destroyed the earth, the Lord gave Noah that same sign.
God's covenant with everyone:
Genesis 9:12-17 states, "12 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
Ezekiel's vision of the Lord:
26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
And another vision of the Lord:
Revelation 4:2-3 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was[a] like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
Today, on the way to work, I saw the MOST BEAUTIFUL rainbow...it was tall in the sky, but I only saw one of the posts of it. It had swirly stuff around it...I saw it all the way from Starbucks on Tyndall Parkway until I drove into the parking lot at work (off Thomas Drive). I got to look at it for about 30 minutes.
I have been struggling with anxiety and been under some serious spiritual warfare lately. I know the Lord gives me these visual signs to remimd me to keep focused on Him, not my circumstances. I will continue to chase rainbows with all my heart!
God's covenant with everyone:
Genesis 9:12-17 states, "12 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
Ezekiel's vision of the Lord:
26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
And another vision of the Lord:
Revelation 4:2-3 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was[a] like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
Today, on the way to work, I saw the MOST BEAUTIFUL rainbow...it was tall in the sky, but I only saw one of the posts of it. It had swirly stuff around it...I saw it all the way from Starbucks on Tyndall Parkway until I drove into the parking lot at work (off Thomas Drive). I got to look at it for about 30 minutes.
I have been struggling with anxiety and been under some serious spiritual warfare lately. I know the Lord gives me these visual signs to remimd me to keep focused on Him, not my circumstances. I will continue to chase rainbows with all my heart!
13 December 2009
This Is How We Christmas....Decorations Edition!
Lisa at The Preacher's Wife blog has asked us to blog about our decorations this week. This December has been so crazy and hectic that I have had to do decorating a little at a time. We got our Christmas tree last Saturday. Like Lisa, I got several tree branches to use for decorations... I got up early Tuesday morning before work to put the lights on it, and I placed the box of ornaments on the floor beside the tree and told Dave (hubby) and Shane (19) to put ornaments on the tree as you walk by it. So yesterday, the tree was half decorated. I took breaks between writing a paper for my course (due Wed) and finished decorating the tree...then we had to go to get a tree topper, because I could not find the angel topper :) Dave and Shane got the lights up yesterday, and so we are pretty well set...
I bought this set at Kirklands in 2001...it has actually survived intact, with no broken pieces, for the last 8 years!
Decorations
Like Lisa was saying in her blog, my husband gives me grief when I get extra tree branches...this year, my hubby and son teased me, saying that I got enough extra branches to make another tree :/ Yeah, they THINK they're funny!
Our Tree
Finally got it decorated yesterday...it has an ensemble of old ornaments, some Shane made in school when he was younger, and new ornaments. We recently got rid of a massive entertainment center, but still have not moved the speakers out of the living room...as you can see behind the tree on the right :) Martha Stewart, I am not...
My Favorite Ornament
This is my most favorite ornament in the whole world...I have been hanging this ornament on the tree for as long as I can remember. My Mom was going to throw it out about 10 years ago...and it is not worth anything, but I saved it from impending doom and destruction! :) Snow Globes
My collection of snow globes...mostly given to me by my mother in law...
Outdoor Decorating
Last, but not least, the outdoors....
My new wreath I bought during Black Friday at Hobby Lobby (yes, I was crazy enough to brave the crowds that day)
Now that I have procrastinated enough, I am going to post this blog, and work on my research paper.
05 December 2009
This Is How We Christmas....Dailey Style!
Ah....its that time again! Cold air, hot coffee, fires in the fire place, and snow on the ground! Well, no snow here in sunny Florida, but girl can always hope, right? :) Lisa at www.apreacherswife.com is having asking us to blog about a variety of Christmas traditions throughout December. Each Thursday, she is going to post a new set of questions. This week she asked us about 1) The Santa Thing, 2) Christmas Eve Day, and 3) The Food and Parties and Games.
Dave and I have never had Christmas JUST at our house...ever...as long as we have been married (19 years). We have always had family living close to us, until 2007. How we do Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are dependant on which side of the family we are Christmasing with. So anyway, here goes!
1) The Santa Thing. For the first several years of our marriage, we were not following Christ, so we had no problems doing the "santa thing." We had pictures taken, presents from Santa, left cookies out, etc. Shane was about 9-10 when my husband became a Christian and so he was growing out of the Santa thing anyway. If I had to do it over, we would definitely celebrate Santa in the light of Christ...
2) Christmas Eve Day. As I stated above, we have never had Christmas JUST at our house. For the first 6 years Dave and I were married, BOTH sets of family lived here, too. Dave was working as a Chef at the time, so he usually had to work early Christmas Day. We split the day between HIS and HERs parents house...which meant two sets of presents and two Christmas dinners. Yeah, we were stuffed!
Christmas Now: We alternate between families. My in-laws live in Northern Alabama and my parents live in South Virginia...so there is NO way we can do Christmas each year with both families.
If we are at Dave's parents, Christmas Eve Day is usually spent finishing up wrapping Christmas presents, puttting up and decorating the Christmas tree, attending their church's Christmas eve service, and then (while eating a variety of junk food...chips/dip, cookies, candy for dinner) we listen while my Father-in-law reads the Christmas Story from the Bible. We then go around the room and pray.
If we are at My parents, Christmas Eve Day is usually spent finishing up shopping and then we go to a nice restaurant for dinner. We then go to late Christmas Mass (my parents are Catholic) and then to bed.
OH YEAH, every year we have gotten Shane a gift to open on Christmas Eve...every year its pajamas...and even though Shane is now 19, he still wants his Christmas Eve gift...and he always knows it pajamas...yet, he still expects it!
3) The Food & Parties & Games. Honestly, we don't get invited to too many parties or play too many games...but not because we don't want to :)
Christmas day food at Dave's parents: Prime Rib, baked potatoes, salad, and dessert.
Christmas day food at My parents: Turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes/gravy, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, deviled eggs, salad, dessert
I can't find any pics now, but I'll post some later if I can find them
25 November 2009
What are You Thankful For?
I've been dealing with some frustration and discouragement lately, so I decided to make a list of the things that I am thankful. Psalm 100:4, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."
1) My Jesus, who died on the cross for MY sins and was resurrected. While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.
2) My husband. I know I get frustrated with him sometimes, but I thank God for him and the awesome work God has done in his heart and life. Lord, please remind me that he is still a work in progress as I am and that he needs grace too, as I do.
3) My son. Thank you Lord, for giving me such a sweet son. I am so grateful that he is not out stirring up trouble. I am grateful that he feels he can talk to us about important stuff.
4) Our dog. Thank you for Jake, that he loves us
5) My family. Lord, please help me to remember to pray for Missy and Paul and my parents.
6) Dave’s family. Thank you that they are supportive of our craziness.
7) The IRS issues being resolved. Thank you that we finally got our money.
8) My ability to attend school. Thank you that You are providing me a way to pay for my masters degree.
9) My job. Thank you that You continue to provide for us through my work.
10) My friends. Thank you for my friends that I can trust. To tell me the good, bad, and ugly.
11) For ministry opportunities. Thank you for providing me opportunities to share Christ with others and to pour out into their lives.
12) Our past. I am not thankful for the things we did, but I am thankful for You having your hand on us through those dark years.
13) I know I am supposed to be thankful for the rough times, but I am having trouble being thankful for some of them. Please help me in this area.
15 November 2009
Through the Looking Glass--It's All About Perspective
Lately, it seems that the enemy has been shooting firey darts in our direction, aiming for that big target painted on our backs.
As Dave and I continue to work in the direction of the church plant, the Lord continues to provide us guidance and confirmation we are going in the right direction. Dave preached an awesome series at a youth bible drill weekend in a church about 30 miles away from here, and we had an awesome time in worship this morning. The bible study for the church plant is really taking off and everything is going great.
But, the enemy seems to be always lurking, seeking to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-11 admonishes us to, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." Peter warned us that we would suffer attacks from the enemy, so therefore, we should not be surprised when these attacks happen.
In Ephesians 6:16, Paul admonishes us to "...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the firey darts of the evil one."
Lets face it, persecution hurts. Especially when it comes from people who claim to be Christians. And especially when it is undeserved and without merit. Why is it when everything seems to be going great, and the Lord is working mightly, that the enemy chooses those opportune moments to start firing away? These types of attacks aim right for that secret wound, that has been there since childhood, that only the Lord and the enemy know about. Paul also tells us in Ephesians 6:12 "that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms."
So, what has the Lord taught me today about persecution, firey darts, and the enemy? That I need to stand firm on the Word, put on my shield of faith (Eph 6:12), and to forgive those who persecute me (Romans 12:14). Romans 12:17-21 states, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
As a Christian, and a servant of the Most High, I have to remember that Jesus stated "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:9-12).
We will do well to remember that even though the enemy uses real flesh and blood people to do the attacking, that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12)
Lord, please help me to pray for those who are attacking us. For You to extend mercy to them. Please help me forgive them, as this is Your will. Please help me to continue to love them and to remember that Your will be done, not theirs. In Jesus name. Amen.
As Dave and I continue to work in the direction of the church plant, the Lord continues to provide us guidance and confirmation we are going in the right direction. Dave preached an awesome series at a youth bible drill weekend in a church about 30 miles away from here, and we had an awesome time in worship this morning. The bible study for the church plant is really taking off and everything is going great.
But, the enemy seems to be always lurking, seeking to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-11 admonishes us to, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." Peter warned us that we would suffer attacks from the enemy, so therefore, we should not be surprised when these attacks happen.
In Ephesians 6:16, Paul admonishes us to "...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the firey darts of the evil one."
Lets face it, persecution hurts. Especially when it comes from people who claim to be Christians. And especially when it is undeserved and without merit. Why is it when everything seems to be going great, and the Lord is working mightly, that the enemy chooses those opportune moments to start firing away? These types of attacks aim right for that secret wound, that has been there since childhood, that only the Lord and the enemy know about. Paul also tells us in Ephesians 6:12 "that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms."
So, what has the Lord taught me today about persecution, firey darts, and the enemy? That I need to stand firm on the Word, put on my shield of faith (Eph 6:12), and to forgive those who persecute me (Romans 12:14). Romans 12:17-21 states, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
As a Christian, and a servant of the Most High, I have to remember that Jesus stated "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:9-12).
We will do well to remember that even though the enemy uses real flesh and blood people to do the attacking, that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12)
Lord, please help me to pray for those who are attacking us. For You to extend mercy to them. Please help me forgive them, as this is Your will. Please help me to continue to love them and to remember that Your will be done, not theirs. In Jesus name. Amen.
09 November 2009
They pay for THAT?????
HHmmmmm.....had an interesting and rather humerous conversation today at work. For those of you who don't know or who may actually care to know :), I work for a defense contractor. Anyway, we were discussing Hurricane Ida today and what kind of effects it would have in our area. Well, anyway, I was telling some friends that my hubby and our Pastor are in Pensacola, FL for a Florida Baptist Convention meeting and that they were talking about coming back tonight instead of tomorrow night because of the impending storm.
Now, for sure, everyone in my sphere of influence at work knows that I am a Christian and that my husband is a Pastor. Or so I thought... Anyway, one of the guys we were talking to asked me, "So what does your husband do?" To which I replied, "he is the Associate Pastor at our church." To which he replied, with a rather incredulous look on his face, "they pay for THAT?!?!?!?!?!!?"
Now, for sure, everyone in my sphere of influence at work knows that I am a Christian and that my husband is a Pastor. Or so I thought... Anyway, one of the guys we were talking to asked me, "So what does your husband do?" To which I replied, "he is the Associate Pastor at our church." To which he replied, with a rather incredulous look on his face, "they pay for THAT?!?!?!?!?!!?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)