919 - headed to the "store" to get a new foot!

Hey yall - i am headed to the hospital to get a new ankle!!!  I appreciate sooooooooo much your prayers!!  I am nervous about this one!!  I guess the older you get the more privy you are to information about other things happening in simple surgeries!  God reminded me of this - 

"God protects those who look to Him." 

Ps. 18:30

I praise you Lord - U r my life!  

762 - Prayers and Knowledge!

Once again - I don't know why in tarnation my eyes can never be open!

Hopefully I will be back on Friday - if not, Monday, if not - call me! ha!

Love to hear from you - thank you for praying for me! My 2nd daughter, Sarahjane, bawled her eyes out tonight worried for me! Please pray for her peace! She is a momma's girl!

756 - Fear in Prayer

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." Hebrews 5:7

Oh Lord, how often do I come to you and my prayers feel as if they have hit the ceiling and come smashing right back down on my head? There are times I feel this way whether it actually happens or not, I don't know. I am not here today to get in a huge theological discussion of whether He hears some, all, or even none of our prayers. What I want to discuss is the kind of prayers I know He listens to or possibly something in us or out of us that causes Him to bend His ear to us...a little closer maybe? (I think that is the point - I believe He hears them all, but maybe just doesn't listen to them all.)

So often I know I come to you Lord with all my requests, favors, and beggings too! I am willing to make them known, but may not always be willing to hear You out. Forgive me. Even if I do hear You out, I may not be willing to do as You say. Again, forgive me! This verse above speaks loudly to my sorry, selfish, lazy, no passion, did i say selfish, not good for much prayer life.

The end of the verse says that "he was heard because of his reverent submission." That reverent submission was just the healthy fear of being willing to do as the Lord asked. The healthy fear of not saying yes to the Lord and doing as you please and reaping the consequences!

James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

So it seems to me that prayers that the Lord listens to - at least in these 2 verses - are ones that will be received with a heart ready and willing to respond with a yes no matter what the call. And also a prayer that is spoken by one that is righteous.

This all brings me back to the grace of our Savior. How am I righteous - not on my own, but by the blood of Christ. Only by the filling of the Spirit, the shed blood of Christ, and my admission of needing a Savior makes me righteous. So after all this, I realize Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for me (Romans 8:34), and the Spirit makes groans for me (Romans 8:26). So when I do stink it all up and totally screw up or just lax in my prayer life, i know that the best are still going to the Lord Almighty on my behalf! Does that give me an excuse to lay low and stay the same - no way!!!!

Father - help me to prayer more fervently and more effectively! Help me to put action to my talk more often than not. Help me to be more passionately in love with You and Your Word. Train me more and more my Lord. I need you!

731 - Look (and pray) Before You Leap or You Might End Up in a Heap!

Just last night we were at the ball park just hanging out and watching games.  I guess we don't get to be there enough with the 5 different teams my kids play on so we thought we would take in some more.  (It is actually much less stressful watching someone else's kid.)  The weather was nice and the kids were getting worn out - good thing!  

We had to cross one inside park road to get to another ball field.  Elleigh was up ahead of us just talking to all the birds and bugs - really anything whether it talked back or not.  Getting right up close to this road we had to cross, Elleigh darted across the street without looking either way for cars and abruptly stopped on the other side.  She turned around and proceeded to look both ways as if she was going to cross again.   She then yelled out to me, "Mom, no cars crossed after I got to the other side!", as if that made complete sense - at least to her.  

Elleigh just leaped into the other side of the street just like we like to leap into the other side of life - without warning, thought, or anything diligent about it!  By that I mean, I have many times gone after something with good motives, but have not truly taken it to much prayer just because it was a good thing and basically I wanted to do it!  NOT GOOD!   After the fact I might look back and see that nothing smooshed me, but is God honored in that at all?  

I have found the Lord saying over and over to me - Leigh, look before you leap or you might end up in a heap.  This saying came from a safety drawing contest my brother entered one time with a guy jumping off a diving board into a pool absent of water! But that is so me.  

Blind faith is not walking into something without prayer!  

Blind faith is walking into something that you really don't know many details and are in complete trust of Him, but you are completely prayed up and in agreement with the Spirit!  I think too often we or I want to have an overall disclaimer that I trust the Lord and want to follow His leadings and so therefore I don't have to pray as much as I ought because I have a blind faith and just do it!  

I honestly get scared that I have done that with lots of things in my life.  God has been so merciful to pick up the pieces and make good and wonderful things of my leaping without looking and praying, but how much more wonderful would it have been if I had truly followed His plan instead of just doing!  

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Phil. 4:6  

The word "prayer" in that verse has the meaning of general prayers...  Possibly the kinds we say at the table over a meal or the blessings a pastor might pray over his congregation before departing from them.  But the word "petitions" has a much specific meaning.  It means prayers that we are praying for a particular benefit  - specific in nature and I would think with much more passion and urgency possibly.  

So as we walk into a blind faith kind of thing the Lord does not want us walking without prayer.  In everything and that does mean everything we are to have taken it to Him with general and specific prayers.  He does want us to leap and have reckless abandon and barbaric faith, but not without praying and seeking Him - in everything!  Don't cross the street looking back to see if you got smooshed any longer - look before you leap or you might end up in a heap!  

674 - I am Crying!

671 - No Assumptions

613 - Face of Prayer

A few weeks ago I was reading the words of a dear friend talking about the way her youth minister prayed. It was unlike anything she had ever seen or heard before. His prayer had so much passion that she could not help, but to open her eyes and see for herself Him talking to the Lord. In her words he was "giving his best" even in prayer! I want to do that!

Many things the Lord could ask of me would not seem near as hard, difficult, or overwhelming as prayer. I really do believe I could move anywhere, witness to the scariest of sinner, or even give up my most beloved food (ha ha) easier than being more devoted in prayer. I know that sounds so horrible for a person in ministry, but I do not think it is uncommon for prayer to be difficult at times. In fact I know it is not uncommon.

I am a "prayer", but it does not come easy to me. I have a hard time focusing, I have a scattered brain with multiple thoughts going on at one time, I have a hard time sitting still, and I am impatient! In the very basic sense prayer is a struggle for me daily. Even with the impending sickness that my daughter is going through, it is still difficult to pray at great lengths about that situation. I will, I do, but like i said it does not come easy.

I know from experience there is so much power in prayer. I have seen it for myself and heard different accounts from other Christians. But I will be the first to tell all that Satan too knows the power in prayer and will do everything possible to stop that kind of interaction between the Lord and His people. As difficult as it may be I will not stop pursuing the Lord in this avenue. Not only because He beckons me, but because He commands it!

Luke 9:29 "As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as a flash of lightning." Taking the time to come to the Lord with any and every situation can make all the difference in the world. When I have spent time with the Lord in prayer I pray that I have given Him my best. I pray that like Jesus the appearance of my face will change because i have released the burdens, engaged in the power, and truly experienced the Holy One. Without saying a word at times prayer can completely change not only your life, but your day! Be disciplined, listen to the voice of the Savior!

600 - Just Praise Him!

Dear Lord, I need the prayers of friends, neighbors, relatives, strangers, and ... anyone!! The last week of school my Sarahjane - #3 child - told me her underwear were too tight around her groin area of her leg. I excitedly told her, "Yeah, you are growin' in the groin and go get on another pair." She did and that was the end of it. Fast forward to about 1.5 weeks later.

"Mom, my leg hurts really bad right here."

"Sweetie, it seems strange to me too, but you are growing in every place of your body. Just go to bed and I am sure you will be fine in the morning."

She woke up fine and life went on.

This past Monday she woke up limping and hobbling around. Same spot on her right leg, but only hurt for a short time. Tuesday night the limping was pitiful and she was in excruciating pain. Up all night calling and crying out in pain unable to get any real relief. The sun woke up and I rushed her over to Evansville to see the ped.

Concerned as well they sent us straight over to the orthopedic doctor. We took x-rays to look for a septic bone. It was not conclusive and everything looked wonderful - they were calling it a viral infection in her hip - the blood work would tell the truth. They sent us home with round the clock Ibuprofen and little to no movement. Went back to see the doctor on Thursday to get an update. She was almost embarrassingly better - like I had to convince the doctor - this one she had not see yet - that she was not walking the day before and was really bad. He too sent us home with Ibuprofen and little movement.

SO this weekend went by and we did the meds and movement was hard to restrict with it being so beautiful and her feeling quite good. Yesterday morning she begins to hurt again, but not near as bad. We had to another appointment with the ortho anyway so we went. This time he was very concerned saying that she should have been all cleared up and no limping at all. And not complaining of any pain. She is not!!!

Thursday we go in for an MRI and will have another appointment on Friday. Please, please be praying about the MRI. I have no idea how she is going to do. It is so hard to explain to her what it will be like. I have only done it once and it was just for my head - I didn't have to go very far in there. They will be looking for Legg-Perthes Disease. I think that is how you spell it. I did not understand a whole lot other than looking to see if there is not adequate blood flow to that bone area and if the bone has died. I do not know what could happen, I have not looked up anything on the "net". I really had rather take one step at a time!

We will be gone all day today at a water park. I pray she is able and has fun. She should be fine and she is so excited! Not knowing the future or possible surgeries, etc. we are going to have a great day!!! Shouldn't we live like this every day?

Thank you for your prayers!!! I love you all, I need your prayers because I know He hears your prayers!!! I love you my Lord. I praise you in this storm! Peace Be Still! You are my Rock!!!

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Jesus Messiah (Chris Tomlin)

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571 - Prayer for my friend!

Dear Lord - Before I ever moved to Illinois you connected me briefly with a sweet and precious friend. I really knew nothing about her and we only conversed maybe 2 times before I actually moved. She was a consistent reader of my blog and that was about all I knew other than who she was related to. Then when I finally arrived and was getting settled in this friend was one of the first to come by and give me a hello basket - welcome to the farm country! Oh and the best brownies - I will never forget those!

This friend of mine is one of those that you really are not sure if she is an angel or not. She is incredibly giving and so supportive. She is one of those people that looks at you in such a way that makes you believe that you really could do something with your life. She believes in me and is no holds bar about it. Even though I did not know my husband's granddad - his dad's dad - that long, he was the same way. They both just look at you a certain way that encourages you tons further than any words could do. It was much more than just an approval, it was like they knew something about you that you didn't even know - nor had the resources to figure it out. Thank you Lord for their love and affirmation!

Well, it is time to really send up some prayers for my sweet friend. Her husband has fallen sick and they are not sure what the deal is. This is a time I wish I could do something more. I know she does not want anything, but is pleading for prayers. I certainly can do that!

The Lord gave me these verses this morning and I want to encourage her with them.

Ps. 145:17 - 21

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Jesus - words are not good enough this morning for my friend today. Holy Spirit I need You to utter the sounds and groans my mouth is too feeble to express. I know she is scared, but has great faith. Lord, please comfort her in your special way. Allow her to be encouraged by Your Word and the prayers of many. Father if you see fit I pray that this sickness will be nothing more than a virus or something much less than the suspected. This scripture says that you will be near and I pray they both feel that - I mean really feel it Lord. Thank you for hearing their cries and the ones of all on their behalf. Thank you for watching over them and never sitting back to take a rest the way I do so often. Lord, you never even sleep. Lord, we praise you for being in control and above all. Lord, we lift up your name and pray all are drawn to it. Lord, I pray for this sweet family and all related. Lord, please work a miracle here - even so we will praise you!! I love you Lord!

558 - Seriously????? - Pray again??? Serious?

Good Morning Lord - my mom and dad made it safely and have already done a lot of work with the house or on the house. We got many valances up and a few curtain rods hung as well. Today I think we will finish that up and move on to..............I don't know - cleaning out the old house... ugh! It is fun being with them though. Mom and I laugh so much! Thank you Lord!

I am getting more and more excited about the conference this weekend. I tell you what - I have needed some of the message I am going to be speaking on... on Saturday! It is entitled "Armor Up and Fight"! And to be honest, I have not armored up near enough the last month. But more than anything I think that I have not fought the good fight - I have been fighting the stupid fights or at least ones that Jesus wants to take all on His own and have me just move out of the way! Goodness gracious, will I ever learn!

Lord, you know I have very naively said in my head or even out loud - I hope no one was listening - do I really have to lift up the same request over and over and over. And certainly I know the answer to it, but still I question just to make sure. I know that 1 Thes. 5:17 says that we are to "pray continually". Well, that does not mean just every now and then. It means without stopping. Actually that verse does not bother me at all. It actually encourages me - not so much that I can come to Him at any time, but that I am able to pray in a way that suits my crazy lifestyle - go and go and go!! What if the Word said that I must sit and pray for 4 hours every morning before I get going out the door or whatever. Praise you Jesus, you actually give us what I see as an easier command. "Pray continually" - as you go and do and live, pray always!! I love that - thank you Lord! I can do that!

So as I look deeper into Eph. 6 again I see the passage ends up with prayer. You put on all your armor and are ready for the battle. Then it is time for the war, but what are we to do in the war - Pray!! I have heard it said that Prayer is our only offensive weapon. (Readers, do you agree with that?) I am not sure I would say our only offensive weapon - what about the Sword - Bible? We can swing that even though there are no arrows coming - precautionary measures! ha! Anyway - love to know your thoughts.

So, Eph. 6:18-20 says the "Pray continually" passage just a bit different. It says it in a way that there is no confusion - much more explanation, kind of like exegesis. Now how you like that word? My former pastor, Clint Pressley, would be so proud. So Lord - what is it saying?

How - Pray in the Spirit - not vainly or with false motives, but in the Spirit

When - on all occasions - not just here and there, but on all occasions -"occasions" actually means at the perfect timing and opportunity, season, etc. But that one tiny little word before "occasions" is ALL! That means ALL!

What - with all kinds of prayers and requests - the word "prayers" means just general prayer - offering up a prayer to the Lord. But "requests" means to beg specifically, supplicate, implore, prayer with particular benefits. I love that - I can pray just generally, but also I can beg, implore, seek out the Lord for a particular benefit!! Oh Lord - thank you!

The end of 18 says we are to "be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints". That is that imploring prayer again - the begging kind. He wants us to want Him desperately so that we never stop begging Him for all things - more than just general stuff. I can not ignore that it says "for all the saints", not so much praying for all my wants that I think I need and find myself begging for, but for all the saints and their needs.

And then verse 19 & 20 - Oh Jesus, would you please prompt someone to please pray that verse over me? Lord Jesus - I so want to disclose the mysteries of your word in a manner that brings others to their face and to your throne. Help me to do that boldly and fearlessly. Lord, help me not to be intimidated by whom may be in the room. Help me to obey the promptings of You. And Lord, oh Jesus, please help me to not chase rabbit trails - it can be done!

Thank you for your Word! I am so in love with you! Lord, I want you more in my life - please keep cleaning out my heart and doing a new thing! Prompt me to pray for the saints and to not give up even though I hear nothing back or no reports of change. Lord, thank you for wanting to listen. Thank you for allowing me to beg. Thank you for your many ways. Direct me, fill me, mold me, and shape me! Get me out of the way - it is all because of you! Amen!

*******************Update*****************

1)I heard from the tax man yesterday and he said we are so close with our non-profit application. It is on the "desk" of the US government waiting for approval....or denial. Please implore prayer.

2)If you are a reader, please do not forget to tell your church, women's director, whomever that you know... of a team of ladies (I don't mean we all have to come, that would be almost impossible) that come to churches for no speaking fee. We are booking now, well for the fall actually, and I am personally moving to a 1 event per month. I learn from my mistakes!

3)Please go visit the word "purse" on the blogroll and be thinking about Mother's day - or send your husband here to get you one. I currently have a great inventory, but then again I am speaking for the next cazillion weekends in a row. ugh!

4)My book collaboration with my beautiful cousin should be coming out soon - like maybe this fall. We are down to the editing part and will be turning it in so soon!! Deadline is only a few weeks away.

425 - Opening up for Beth Moore

Awe ha - I knew that would get your attention. I am posting my traveling schedule for the next 2 months since i can not get my website updated for the life of me!!!! Please be in pray for each event as God leads you!! Thank you!!

Sept. 7 - Mt. Juliet, Tn. This is where my friend Andrea jokingly said that she was just going to believe that I was opening up for Beth Moore that morning and then Beth would speak that night at Deeper Still just down the road in Nashville. I laughed and said, "What a dream, privilege, far-fetched thing." She sarcastically laughed back and basically said, "Believe, Leigh, Believe."

Sept. 16 - Shiloh in Norris City and UMC in Norris City

Sept. 27 - Salem, Il.

Oct. 3 - Carbondale, Il.

Oct. 9 - Fairview Heights, Il.

Oct. 19 - Salem, Il.

Oct. 22 - Ministry Partner, Ginger, speaking in Murfreesboro, Tn.

Thank you thank you thank you for your prayers and encouragement!!! Yeah baby!!! Praise Him!!

417 - Prayer this weekend

Hey - i forgot to ask for your prayers for Sunday. I am speaking at two local churches as the preacher has had to go officiate (do) a wedding. It is an honor to be asked to fill in.

The regular preacher is Mr. Skaggs - i think my husband, Clay, had him in school some. I know he is a good friend of my in laws. So anyway - I am excited. 9:30 and 10:30 if you want to come. Let me know and I will get you directions. One church is way out...........somewhere! The other is in town - Norris City Christian Church.

I will be speaking on Ps. 143 - I Don't Like This One Bit, Lord!!

Thank you for your prayers!! To Him be the glory!!

407 - Blogging Break, but Pray!

Hey Ya'll - I just wanted you to know that I am leaving at about 5:30am to go to Charlotte to speak on Wednesday night. I know that is quite a long trip, but this may be my last time in Charlotte unless I am invited back by some sweet friends or by a church for speaking! Yes, I pray with all my heart this is not the last time, but it could be. So in view of that I wanted to take a few days and see as many people as i could see. My schedule is crowded with here and there and I can not wait. All my favorite eating places, most of all my favorite people, and then a few things in between.

Would you please pray for me? This is my last of the three month one session conference kind of thingy. Each month God has showed up stronger and stronger. I want this month to be no different and His presence to be so thick that we can hardly get up from the ground! Last month we had 2 salvation's! Oh may it be that and more!!! God do something in me and through me! Thank you in advance for showing up and being BIG!!!

I will not be posting or checking email i don't think until i return on Thursday afternoon. I can not wait to tell you all that He does. May He be glorified and magnified!!! I love you, Jesus! Amen!

Off to Cabo Fish Taco!!

Hey - I leave tomorrow morning from my house around 4:30am. I am driving to Evansville and then flying off to Charlotte, NC where I will speak on loving strangers and how we display to them whether we know the Lord or KNOW the Lord. It is the first 3rd of my book written with my cousin, Heather Hargis, coming out hopefully in Feb. 2008.

Please pray for me as I deliver His message and minister to these ladies. I am so excited to see some familiar faces and eat really, really good food!!! Oh how i miss that food! Cabo Fish Taco. I know it sounds awful, but it is the best!!!!!! Be brave!!

I have new thingies on each sidebar. One is a button for the Fruit of the Spirit. It was an Honor and surprise to be chosen for that - I will explain more soon, but i have got to get to bed!! Then on the other side I have listed some of the messages that those interested can get on DVD or CD. Questions - email me or leave a comment!!! Love those comments!!!

Have a totally terrific, totally tubular, totally tantalizing day tomorrow. Why? HE is worthy!!!

371 - Miracles and Healing - God in a Box!

Oh Lord, today in my Believing God study Beth Moore discusses reasons that GOD possibly heals and does not heal others. I am not of the belief that all sickness is from Satan and that God wants all His children to be healed and whole on this side of Heaven. Healing will come, but it might come in a new body when you see Him face to face. TO say that sickness comes from Satan and that God does not want anyone to be sick in a way puts God in a box. People are placing God's duties to just healing - although wonderful - but He is just to heal and that is His only option when I fall ill. I can not go with that. I am not in any way saying He does not still heal - of course He does - I was told 2 times that I had Chrone's disease in high school. I remember Ergun Caner (www.erguncaner.com) my youth minister committing to pray for me and others in my church and on my third trip to the doctor for another colonoscopy after hospitalization, etc. they could find nothing. I was sick!!!! They saw those tell-tell cells on the first scope, but on the next ones - GONE. Don't even tell me it was a mistake!!!

Beth gives some awesome examples of people getting terribly sick and healed in today's lesson. Incredible and awesome. Wow Lord - You really showed off in those individuals lives. Wow!! One of the common denominators that Beth talks about is of course the sick believing they were going to get better and having prayer warriors that believed as well. I remember one time the Lord leading me to truly commit to pray for this one lady to get pregnant. Her husband and I worked together and it was a very strained relationship. We did not get along to well - in a church, how immature of me! Anyway, they had extreme infertility and had even loss a few babies. Finally they got pregnant and God told me clearly I was suppose to tell her I was going to pray for her every Tuesday. My Tucker was born on a Tuesday, April 1. So because you can remember everything with the first child Tuesdays were special and easy to remember to pray. Her child was not born on Tuesday, but guess what day - April 1st!!!!!!!! How cool was that!

Now i remember thinking that this lady may not want my prayers. Her husband and I had exchanged many words and she had possibly rather I did not lift their name in prayer. I was not sure. I was scared if i told them i was praying for them on Tuesdays and they lost this baby too they might blame God or even me. I was scared, but I knew God had told me to pray and believe much like my youth minister had prayed and believed for me. It was such a pleasure and privilege praying for them. No it did not bring us all together in friendship, it did not make all hard feelings go away, but it did strengthen each one of our prayer lives!! Thank you Lord.

Just as we are called to do a mission in life, I really do believe that we are called to pray for specific people and their situations. After I saw God work in that way I was quick to pray for other friends that were struggling getting pregnant. Traci, Jennifer, and Amie are others i have seen answered prayers. Did my prayers have something special to them - No way - I just felt led to pray for those ladies specifically and believed!!! Many times we can take on the world's prayer requests and then our prayers get very shallow. When I am asked to pray about something especially those things that are not real close to my heart, I do pray for them, but then I ask God to remind me of that request if it is something I am called to pray about with earnestness and ferventness. I have found much more freedom and success in giving it over to God and asking Him to specifically call me to pray for certain things. Sometimes it is for strangers, friends, family, and even foes...

Lord, You are far bigger than i can even fathom. Lord, show me Your works. Show me some miracles. Show me what You are all about. Use me, Lord. Call me out! I want to go! I love you!

Purses still on sale - $5 off.

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http://www.topmomma.com/mommas/referal/644

362 - 2nd post today - prayer needed

Our beloved dog, Lu Lu, the one that has helped make this transition (moving to a new home far far away) a little bit easier for Sarahjane, my 2nd daughter - short hair - sassy girl, has been put in the hospital. The doctor said she had a very serious infection and was not sure how she would do!!!!!!! She had a fever of 103 - normal is about 100.

We all said possibly our last good-byes this morning and they took her away in the back. It was terrible!!! Thank you for praying!!!

I was very honest with the kids and so they are really upset - but dog gone it (no pun intended), already asking for another dog or cat.... What happened to mourning???????????? Oh kids - so adjustable!!

Bring us back Lu Lu oh Lord. Make her well. May she respond to the treatment in a positive way. WE are blessed and praise you!

298 - #2 - Radio, This is in Your Hands

I just wanted to post something to those that read this blog and of course in prayer to my Lord. I know He has called me to do a radio 30 second or 1 minute spot like Max Lucado, Ann Graham Lotz, Proverbs 31, etc............. I just don't have the foggiest how to get started, nor what all that entails............... But I will never forget the day in the car driving home from a retreat in Indiana when I asked Him what He wanted next. He did not say book, He did not say magazines, He did not say sing (ha ha), He did not say dance (even bigger ha ha) - He said radio. At that moment a short radio spot from Max Lucado came on and I felt the confirmation in my heart. I can not explain how I know, I just know. I know when He confirms something in my Spirit. I looked for radio to pop out in the scripture, but it has not.......... But I know.

So I do have one friend that is in the radio business. I asked some question and the following is her response. It is edited as to not expose her or those she works with.

First of all, if God is calling you to this, that’s awesome! He’s going to make it happen, then. I just want to provide you with a realistic view of what a project like this entails. It’s very time consuming, very expensive, and very difficult to get radio stations to play new short features unless you’re a well known author and speaker, an established ministry like Focus on the Family, or something like this.

Also, stations typically don’t pay people or ministries for their spots. In fact, it can often be the other way around. It can cost $100.00 or more per minute to purchase air time on commercial stations or even as a cost-of-service fee for a non-commercial station. Many stations play ministry spots free of charge. But, this isn’t always the case especially with stations that are supported through advertising rather than by their listeners.

Another big cost is production. To get something that would be broadcast quality you really need to produce the spots in a professional studio. Unless you know someone with an in-home studio you’re looking at hundreds of dollars in studio time and post production every time you record. A typical volume of programs would consist of 20-40 installments. So, you’re looking at recording every 6-8 weeks or so.

Just to give you an idea: For every 40 spot volume of the one-minute spend lots of hours writing scripts which edited to appeal to the target demo at an Adult Contemporary Christian Music Station. then spend more time rehearsing the scripts before the recording session. The recording sessions (20 programs each) take 2-3 hours. This is just recording reading the scripts. Then the producer spends several hours the next week polishing each segment and putting the music behind the voices, etc. Then have to get the master disc reproduced for all the stations who want to get the program on CD rather than by satellite or FTP Site download and get them in the mail at least 3-4 weeks in advance. also have to send out replacement discs when one gets lost in the mail or arrives to the station damaged, etc. So there’s an idea of the time commitment. As far as cost there’s about six hours of studio time, post production, consulting fee, CD duplication, and postage. Probably spend at least $1,000 every two months or so just on the one minute radio program.

Well, there ya have it. If after all this you’re still interested in moving forward it could be a God thing! If you want to ask more questions, let’s set up a phone call. Sound good? God bless as you seek His will!!!!

Now does that sound overwhelming or what. Once again I am not an established speaker nor an author - I am not a big name. I don't have a book out or anything along those lines. Just a girl that has been called out and wanting to do what I can to make His name great. Just a girl that has never been through much. Just a girl that is not related to anyone that can "get me in". Just a girl with basic education. Just a girl with small kids and one hot hubby. Just a girl that has made many mistakes and regrets them all. Just a girl that loves Jesus and that is it. Should be enough, right? With Him all things are possible. So - lets see Him work. Can He do it tomorrow - sure, but I am not sure how long it will take. I would have thought a cruise would take years and years, but lo and behold, He gave me that this year. We don't have many signed up so far, but He did give me the opportunity regardless of whether we set sail or not!

So for those of you that are reading this - pray.

Pray for Him to make things evident and obvious.

Pray for Him to show me the way.

Pray for Him to provide the resources.

Pray for....... if you are to be involved in any way. Editors, producers, contacts, dreamers...

Pray............ for my husband and family to grasp this passion far greater than they ever have.

Pray for me to have patience and understanding.

Pray for.............those future listeners that He will touch through the "air".

Pray for STM (Speaking Through Me) to obtain non-profit status so not to hinder one from giving because of lack of tax benefit - the way it is at this time.

2 Chron. 16:9 - "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. " Jesus, may my heart be fully committed to You. I need Your strength, find me committed. I love you. I believe.

So what can you do - send my name and ministry information to your church decision maker or any other church that you know, big and small. The more I get out there the more likely i am to run into the right person that can be a God-send. I really mean that. Send this blog info to anyone who might be able to give me more wisdom. Send this info to anyone that might be looking for a good "thing" to support - are their those people out there just looking for something to do with their money? - I guess so. (Out of the blue the other day I got a $25 check from a lady that just wanted to say thanks. It can happen again and again, over and over if He wants.)

Here we go Lord - I am ready.

246 - My Prison

Lord Jesus - thank you for a wonderful Valentine's. It was a great day of no school, playing in the snow, and just clowning around with the kids. I really enjoyed my day. After Clay risking his life driving to St. Louis all his flights got cancelled and he was home by 12:30 lunch. It was great.

This morning my devotion took me to Ps. 142, but I am set on verse 7, "Set me free from my prison that I may praise Your name." We all have a prison and some of us have more than one that we slip in and out of. This Psalm is one of the very prayers of David as he was running in I Samuel 22. I think that is amazing they can figure all that out. And who was the one taking notes or was David a journaler? Did he have a laptop or just use pen and paper. Just joking. But then again seriously, how was it taken down, by whom, and how did it survive.

First of all, God will allow something to survive if it is His will. Why some druggie lives for years and years and yet a woman of God will die suddenly at such a young age, I can't explain. All i know is that He has purpose. It may not be that the druggie has tons of life changing to do in his life, but the purpose for the life extension is for me to witness to them. God wants all to know Him and none to perish. But back to my prison........

This prison can certainly be an emotional prison, but most definitely a spiritual prison. Maybe the 2 can not even be separated. Many times we like to compartmentalize our spiritual walk, but it all works together.

An emotional prison is one of the hardest to dig out of. A feeling or emotion that is driving you batty or one that you can not erase can absolutely affect my whole day and week. An emotional battle i struggle with is the comparison prison. I am not as good as her, I have done as much as her, I don't look as cute as her (you know that is eating me right now, but my battle is not with a physical person, but the old me), I am not as educated.......... Another emotional prison is what I call the wifely/mother struggle. I am good enough to just be home and not be bringing in any money or at least not much to speak of, am i spending enough time with my kids to warrant being at home, will my kids grow up thinking i was a good mom even though i can not cook worth a lick... That prison can eat me up.

A spiritual prison is tough, but one that I can "deal" with easier. Many times when i feel trapped spiritually it is because something i have done. Unconfessed sin, laziness with my quiet time, no real heart when meeting and praying with Him, deliberate sin or continual sin... I feel trapped by no closeness with the Lord. I don't feel His presence or I don't feel His movement in my heart. No, we don't always "feel" the Lord, but I beg of Him to speak to me in a way that i know He is there. I am an emotional, feelly girl and that is the way He will reveals Himself so often.

Lord Jesus - the bottom line in both of these prisons is to bring it to You very honestly, passionately, and with purity. Searching out the scriptures to hold on to and then reciting them aloud. This is one area i fall real short. I do not run and hang to the Word as near like i should. Lord, give me a greater love for Your Word. Help me to cling to it like I do some many others things. I love that I can express all my emotions to you and you do not turn me away, not even once. Lord you are incredible and just amazing.

We are still doing the painting on the house. This house was beautiful the way Mrs. Gray had it, but just not my style. I am bit more contemporary, i think that is what i am. So it is not that it wasn't pretty, but i just want to put my spin on it so that it feels like my home. Going to shoot up to Evansville today to stay out of the painters hair and to get a few household things. Going by myself - let's not get lost!! I love you, Lord. You are awesome!!!! Increase my thirst for you!

232 - He is providing!!!!!!!!

Back in December I sent out a note to most anyone that had ever been in contact with Speaking Thru Me Ministries looking for various things. Well from that my friend from Charlotte, Valarie Elswick said that she was being led to help in the prayer part. The Lord had given me her name, but I was just waiting for it to be confirmed by waiting until she stepped forward. She did!!

So now when prayer requests are sent to me, I will send them "doctored up" for privacy purposes, and then she will post them and pray over them as well. We are beginning to have a system. Wow!!!

I think the Lord is also teaching me a lesson. He is going to bless Valarie for being obedient that is for sure. Just His way. But He is making prayer a priority in the ministry by fulfilling that area first. He is teaching me that prayer must be the foundation, but also the very aspect that will keep and sustain this ministry.

Lord, thank you and I can't wait to see what You do through this and through Valarie.

We love you!!

213 - New Blog

Hey go check out www.leighgrayprayer.blogspot.com. This is just a simple way of keeping track of prayer requests i get from others and ones that i have personally. Of course it goes without saying that i will only post requests that are for public knowledge and public prayer...

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of praying for you and your loved ones.

Have a great evening.

Ps. 5:3.