My son (5 yrs old) who has been sick the past couple of days was diagnosed today with scarlet fever. Funny how the name sounds far scarier that what it really boils down to–-strep throat with a rash. Apparently particular strains of strep produce a toxin that causes an allergic reaction, ie. rash, all over the body. And, yes, the rash can itch. Good news is you get rid of the strep, you get rid of the rash too. So the boy is on a good dosage of antibiotics and should be fine within a week. Well, minus the full body skin-peeling that will inevitably follow the healing of the rash. Bad news is it’s rather contagious, so we all (including the grandma who’s been watching him the past couple of days) have to be on the lookout for symptoms until he is better. Extra hand washing and all that. Had to call the school and report it, in case any of his classmates come down with symptoms; felt like a terrible mom for having to do so, though he probably caught it from some other classmate there...

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While washing up the breakfast dishes this morning I heard a Christmas song by one of my favorite singers, Randy Travis. The words gripped my heart. As the tears began to flow, I thought about the circumstances of how she birthed The Lord Jesus. Natural childbirth with no epidural drip for the pain -- in a dirty 'barn' surrounded by the animals. She had no comfort zone, no soft bed, no midwife to help her....Oh! but God was there during this labor of love!

I wish I would've written this song. Here is the lyric. Be so blessed!!

Andrew Peterson

It was not a silent night, there was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry in the alleyway that night on the streets of David's town
And the stable was not clean and the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace with tears upon her face had no mother's hand to hold

It was a labor of pain, it was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark with every beat of her beautiful heart...

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Dear CSN family,

Weeping Children of the USA will finally have a melody and music soon!
A Wonderful Friend and Willing Soul has offered to do the melody and music
to get this song out in the Public Eye to listen To and Heed the Message Within
This Anointed Song! When he told me that he was compelled to do this himself.
I Cried with Joy from my heart!
All I did is ask him to pray that someone would help Jesus and me get this
important song lyric made into a song!
It will have acoustic guitar, and a drum beat, with echoing of voices!
I hope with all my heart will Grab at People in the USA's Mind, Heart and Soul,
And Not Let GO!
Pray for me for there will be Many Challenges Ahead!
I need Everyones Prayers so I can Accomplish All that God Ask me to DO!
Let me know if you need any Prayers Yourselves or anyone you know needs
Special Prayers!

Blessing Prayers, and Peace to All,
Heleana Maria or HM or Ellen

Have you prayed in the Spirit? What exactly IS praying in the Spirit?????

Did you know or are you aware that praying in the Spirit is mentioned three times in Scripture?

Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

1 Corinthians 14:15 says, “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.”

Jude 20 says, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”

Some Christians understand these Scriptures to be referring to praying in tongues, but is that what it is??? I don't think so...

The Greek word translated “pray in” the Spirit can be translated several different ways. It can mean:

1. by means of
2. with the help of
3. in the sphere of
4. in connection to

Praying in the Spirit does not refer to an...

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I haven't had much time as of late to critique as much or for that matters, write lyrics. I'm trying really hard lately to keep to a diet. One that I need badly. I'm a yo-yo dieter. "ashamed to say" I need to lose quite a bit of weight. I would normally not ever post this sort of thing but I need some accountability. So what a better way than to have friends here pray for me. I won't EVER post my weight BUT would be willing to tell my progress if anyone would be interested. I need some sort of support system and like I said some accountability. I don't need MY will power but the WILL of my Lord Jesus Christ. I also get cranky when I am dieting, so please pray for me. I want to do the will of our Father, I want the Lord to use me in any way. I need to get my sin of overeating healed.
I don't want to make promises of not cheating, but end up breaking them because of lack of control. The Bible says... Whatsoever you shall ask in prayer believing you shall receive...

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