Double Digits

My little angel turned 10 on Monday. Time sure flies! I've watched this gift that God has entrusted to me grow. With each age I say "I don't want her to grow up"! And at the same time I can't wait to see what the next year brings! It's such a huge responsiblity - raising a child - and yet it's one that I cherish. I pray that God gives me the wisdom I need to do the best job I can. At times I feel like I'm failing. Other times I feel like I'm Supermom!
In a world that is so filled with immorality it's sometimes hard to protect her from it. I stand on God's promise that when you start a child on the way he should go, when they get old they will not turn from it. (Prov 22:6) So I teach her right from wrong, I try to be the best example of a godly woman as I can, I discipline her when she needs it. I love on her and I pray. The rest I leave to God!
The next 10 years will be here before I know it - my job will pretty much be done - she will be a young woman. A young godly woman with a mama that can look back and be proud of how God has used her to shape her daughter into the woman she has become.

While I Wait

I'm in a valley right now. Not a terrible one. But a valley all the same. A valley is something we are going through that is not what we would want. Sometimes we are put in a valley because of others. Sometimes we are put in a valley because of ourselves. The valleys are used by God to help us grow. Nevertheless, valleys are not places we enjoy being. I will not share with you what this valley is however, I will share with you what I do when I'm in a valley. Something I have learned over the years as I've grown closer to God. When I'm in a valley I need God's help. I need to wait patiently on the Lord. The Bible says that you should count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 4:2-4) So I know that how I act during this time needs to be pleasing to God. This is what I know; God is in control of everything.  All things work together for good to those that love the Lord (Rom 8:28). Well, I love the Lord and know that this valley is somehow going to work out for my good. How do I know? Because God doesn't lie. And because I have faith in Him. I believe how I act during this time determines how long I remain in the valley. I am not saying I don't get down during this time - sometimes I cry, sometimes I complain, sometimes I act...human. But as I grow closer to the Lord these ways get less and less. As quickly as I can, I turn to my Comforter - the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I go into my "prayer room", turn on some worship music and praise God for all the blessings He has given to me. I turn my thoughts to Him. While the valley remains I can choose to focus on Him rather than on my valley. When I focus on Him I am filled with peace and joy!
For now, as I walk through this valley, I am singing and praising Him!  I know that this is somehow going to better me. One thing I am sure of is that while I am in this valley I am getting closer to my Savior - and that is one reason I will gladly stay there.

This is my song when I'm in a valley!

Get Ready To Be Amazed



Today started out - like I try to start most of my days - up before anyone else, a large cup of java in hand and then up to my "prayer room" to spend some quiet time with God. This is the best part of my day but it wasn't always. I used to dread waking up early to go and read the bible and pray. I always knew it was what I was supposed to do and always envied people that said how awesome their time with God was but I just didn't get it. So, one day I asked the Lord to help me. To give me the desire to want to read His Word and to spend time with Him. I started forcing myself to get up and do it. Then one day very soon after I prayed I realized that the days I didn't spend with God in the morning felt "off". Like I didn't have the peace to get me through when things went wrong. Like I wasn't as patient with my daughter or husband. Like the bounce from my step was missing. I realized I missed spending time with God. I know this may sound a little strange to a lot of you but I'd rather give up my coffee than give up my quiet time - and trust me I LIKE my coffee! The stronger the better! But when I spend time with God I get stronger! He transforms me! He talks to me through His Word! He gives me what a need for the day before I ever need it. Without my knowing I'm going to need it. The more time I spend with Him the more I fall in love with Him. I find that He truly amazes me!  I don't know why I'm amazed. I mean He is God! Still, I want to be amazed everyday! I think it helps me to know that I'm paying attention to the things He's doing in my life.
Here's just a little encouragement for you. Take that first step and ask God to give you the desire to want to read His Word and spend time with Him. You aren't keeping a secret from Him. He already knows that it may be the last thing you want to do. But get ready to be amazed!

Resurrection Sunday

This is the day I long for. It is the reason for my hope. There was found an empty tomb. God had raised His son from the dead. Over 500 people saw the Resurrected Jesus. (1 Cor 15:5-6) Could you imagine? What if you had been there? I am sure I would have been like Thomas and doubted. Jesus says that Thomas believed because he saw but that those who have not seen and yet believed will be blessed. (John 20:29).
I believe. It is by faith that I believe. Something like this requires faith because it sounds so impossible (?). I can only tell you that I know it's real because I know what has happened to my life since I turned from my sin and accepted Jesus into my heart and made him my LORD and Savior! I am a new person. My life is controlled by Him. I want it that way. He protects me. When I do things His way, things turn out better.  I obey His commands not to earn my salvation but because I know He knows what is best for me. It's like the rules you give your kids - you are not going to love them any less or tell them they are not part of the family anymore because they disobey - sure you'll be displeased but your love will not change. The rules are there to protect them, to keep them safe.
I think all Christians should watch the movie "The Passion of the Christ".  It shows the truly brutal beatings and the crucifixion of Jesus. Some say it is way too violent. Too bloody. Too gory. It is. I watch and I sob. I try to put myself there, in that time. As one of the disciples. I get angry that no one stood up for Jesus. I wonder if I would have done the same. These were men who loved Jesus. Said they'd die with him. But when it came right down to it - they fled. What if I was Mary Magdalene - watching at the foot of the cross - heart breaking. I'm sure I'd have trouble breathing.  My heart is filled with so much love for this man who was beaten for me. For you. For the world. How could you not owe him your life? To be perfectly honest I don't think I would willingly suffer like that for anyone, well maybe there are a few people, but to suffer for someone that doesn't love me or may never love me? I know I would not even consider it. But Jesus loved us so much he did it while we were still sinners, before we ever loved Him. Wow - that's love!



Better To Give Than To Receive!

Selfishness. The act of being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for another. That definition explained me and sad to say it still does rear it's ugly head on occasion. I mean, if I don't look out for numero uno, who will, right? Wrong. When we trust Jesus He will look out for us. It's amazing what happens when you forget about yourself for 2 minutes and do something for someone else, not out of selfish ambition, but out of love. The saying "it's better to give than to receive" really is true. When I was going through depression a few years back I started to go and visit people in a nursing home. If anyone had a right to be depressed it was these people. Most of them are put there by family members with good intentions of coming to visit but life happens and the visits get fewer and far between. Most of the people have a room-mate, 1 dresser, 1 tiny closet, a bed, a small t.v. and maybe a recliner. That's it! This is home. Some are happy and thankful, others are, well not so happy. But I learned that a smile from me or a visit from me could brighten up their day. So, I started going more often. Got to know people's names. Started smiling again. Started to realize that I was not concerned with my situation as much. I started coming out of my depression. You know, when someone has too much time on their hands, I think it can sometimes become stomping grounds for the devil to come in and mess with you. So get busy! Do something for someone else. There are so many lonely people in nursing homes that would love to have a visitor or a neighbor that is going through a hard time. Someone that's been out of work that needs groceries or even a home-cooked meal. A friend going through a divorce. A couple that never get a date night because they don't have anyone to watch their kids. Maybe you know someone in prison. Come on - get creative. Get your mind off of yourself and let's make this world a better place to live. Let's start acting like Christians instead of telling everyone we are. Let's truly be the hands and feet of Jesus!


Meet some of my friends at the nursing home!!

MARIE - 92 years young - had a heart attack a year ago but God wasn't ready to take her home yet because she's back to her old young self!

Praise God!

 

  MARY
This is my adopted grandma! She was introduced to me on my 1st visit. Always a smile on her face! Mary will be 84 on April 20. Happy Birthday, Mary!

EMMA

This woman has a mansion or 2 waiting for her in heaven. She's anxiously awaiting the meeting of her Father in heaven. Tears come to her eyes when we talk about this. It's not fear but joy. Emma is 92 - every time I visit she is either reading her bible, a devotional or praying. Thanks for praying for me. Can't wait to spend time with you, my dear sister, in the Presence of Jesus!

A Nerve's Been Hit

Yesterday I received a notice from a Christian organization that monitors what's going on in our society. I was informed that a new pilot t.v. show was being worked on - it's called "Good Christian B*tches". Have you ever felt like your blood was boiling? My blood was boiling. It's still pretty hot. I signed a petition and posted on Facebook to get the word out. The sad thing is that obviously there is a desire for people to want to watch this crap! I say fine to those that aren't Christians, if that's how they want to fill their minds, hearts and souls. But for the Christians, I will be bold and say we should be ashamed of ourselves! The bible tells us to guard our hearts, for everything you do flows from it.(Prov 4:23).  We need to monitor what our eyes are intentionally looking at and our ears are intentionally hearing and if it doesn't line up with God's word, then we need to stop watching or listening. It's as simple as that! Do you think our heavenly Father is pleased with us when we watch shows like Desperate Housewives, Sex in the City or even Oprah? Yes, Oprah! She believes that there are many ways to God and even promotes this. Her following is large and therefore she is leading so many people astray. Why would you want to promote that? We have become a society so desensitized by what we see on television. Hollywood has programmed us to think that adultery is something that most married people do and it's no big deal. That there is nothing wrong with sleeping with someone before you are married (heck, the more sex partners you have the better) and that it is not wrong to have relations with someone of the same sex. The Bible calls all these acts sexually immoral. It says that these acts are wicked and the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9). 
I know this is very controversial but someone needs to be controversial! We need to take a stand against what Hollywood says about Christians. We can not be silent. Look what silence brought to the public schools. We, as Christians, are to be holy not tolerant! 1 Peter 1:14-16 says, As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy". The world doesn't know any better. They are in the dark. (Ephesians 4:8 - They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.) But we do, or should, because we have been brought out of darkness and into the light. (1 Thessalonians 5:5 - You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.) Be holy then! Stop conforming to the world. (Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.) How are we supposed to transform our minds if we are still putting in the junk we watched or listened to when we lived in the dark? The day you accepted Jesus as your Savior you became a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!) When are we going to start acting like what we say we are? When are we going to start looking different from the "world"? Truth be told, we should've started looking and acting different the moment we accepted Jesus as our Savior. His Holy Spirit now resides in us and therefore we are being transformed into His image from glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18). I know we all have our convictions and passions for what is right and what is wrong and while you can tell this subject has hit a nerve, I am praying that it has hit a nerve with you, too!



If this has hit a nerve, I urge you to go to the link below and sign the petition. Let Hollywood know that you don't like what they are doing! 

http://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/signpetition.asp?id=1930

Diesel's Home!!

Earlier this week I received a forwarded e-mail from a neighbor that read as follows - We are calling out for your help.  Our dog, Diesel, got out today around 1:00 p.m. and we have not been able to find him.  He is a yellow/orange Labrador retriever and has a red collar (his tags may have fallen off at some point today). He was last seen at the blue park in Deer Creek on Morgan Drive and Prairie. He is up to date on all his vaccinations.  Please call us if you have any information about Diesel we are offering a REWARD to whoever finds/has him. Please pass this e-mail along to anyone you can. PLEASE PLEASE HELP OUR FAMILY FIND DIESEL!!! Thank you so much for your help.  Then the next day this update on Diesel.
Diesel has been seen yesterday and just this morning at 7:50 a.m. at the blue park in Deer Creek at Morgan Drive and Prairie.  He has been running the cornfields and prairie behind the houses along Morgan Drive/Sud Circle and Prairie that travel along to Arbor up to Route #.  He has been seen as far as Route # and Mink and back to Club.  Please pass this update along to anyone you can.Please keep an eye out for him and call me if you see him.Thanks again for your help. 
Later that night when I was at the Walgreens I saw a mini-van with "DIESEL IS HOME!" written on the windows. A big smile came to my face. 
You think that family loved their dog? They would have done just about anything to get him home. 
God is like that with us. He calls us and waits for us to come home. He searches us out. Do we listen? Some of us do - some of us don't. Some of us hear but ignore. But He doesn't give up. Think about it, if you're a Christian how many times did He have to search you out before you came home? Or maybe you ran away for awhile - how long were you gone before you came back? Maybe you are not a Christian, how many times have you felt that there's got to be more - you've felt a "knocking" but just don't want to answer? God wants you home! 
It is God's will that none should perish (that means be apart from Him in Eternity) (2 Peter 3:9.) But He gives us free will on whether or not we will choose the Salvation he offers. That Salvation is found in His son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) It's our gift from Him. (Romans 6:23) It's free! The amazing thing is that He paid the REWARD for us before we ever came home! While we were still sinners Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8) When we "come home" or in other words surrender our lives to Jesus, there's a party in heaven! God writes your name in "the book of life" and rejoices!
Because once you were lost but now you're found! 
Because

(YOUR NAME) IS HOME!

overcomer

Today I saw great strength.
The kind of strength that only comes when the Lord is Lord of your life. 
The kind of strength that isn't human.
The kind of strength I pray I will never need but will be there if I ever do. 
Today I saw someone look directly into the devil's eyes and tell him to go to hell. 
Today I saw an overcomer!

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

roller coaster of Love

My sister-in-law Kristie loves roller coasters. It's almost as if she lives for the thrill. Me on the other hand, let's just say I'm okay with the kiddie coaster. I've never asked Kristie why she loves them so much or why she likes the thrill of them but since my first blogs have been relating my faith journey to a roller coaster this is my analogy. I may be aging myself here but do you remember the song "Roller Coaster of Love" by the Ohio Players? The only words to the song were "Roller coaster of love, woo hoo hoo hoo. Roller coaster of love. Woo hoo hoo hoo. Your love is like a roller coaster I wanna ride". That's it over and over and over. Well, I can tell you that once I got a taste of the love of my Savior it was like I started singing - "Your love is like a roller coaster Jesus, I wanna ride!". One second in His Presence and I knew I'd never get enough! Since I've given my heart to Jesus and have started reading and meditating on His word, I know that I now have access to that Presence through the blood of Jesus Christ. (Hebrew 10:19) Even when I don't feel His Presence, His word tells me otherwise. That's a lot of my problem, feeling! Feeling like I'm condemned when God's word says that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Did you know that when you confess your sins God is faithful and just to forgive and purify you from all unrighteousness? (1 John  1:9) It also says that He removes our sins from us as far as the east is to the west. (Psalm 103:12). So there is no reason for guilt. Jesus Christ died on the cross. He shed His blood. He took my sin, your sin upon His sinless body so that you and I wouldn't have to pay a penalty. Then on the 3rd day God raised Him from the dead. There is an empty grave. He defeated death. He brought me and you back into right standing with God. When you make Jesus the Lord of your life you are made righteous, not because of what you did but because of what He did. The Bible, God's word, is like His owner's manual. It teaches us how to live. This book is alive. There are a lot of excuses on not wanting to believe what's in the Bible. I probably used most of them. I know that this Holy book is true because it has transformed my life. I have seen it transform the lives of many. Before I was saved I didn't want to believe it to be true because I didn't feel like changing - until I was at my lowest point - then Love showed up. Oh, Love was always there, I just wasn't feeling it!

You want me to give up what?

Do you ever feel that you might never be happy? 

Do you feel that if you could just get that one thing, person, whatever - you’d finally be happy? Well, that’s how I used to feel. Searching back as far as I can remember there was always something I needed and then I’d be happy. First it was my own car. Then if I just had a husband. Then if I could just get pregnant. Then when that didn’t happen - if I could just be single.Then when I was single, oh, I don’t even want to go there. For those of you that don’t know me I married my 1st husband, divorced him, got pregnant with his child and remarried him only to get divorced again.Talk about a roller coaster ride! This is when I truly gave up my way of finding happiness. My way wasn’t working. So, I raised my hands up and said, “Okay Lord, I give up! I know my life is a mess and it’s because of all the stupid (sinful) things I’ve done. I’m gonna do it your way now! Please help me.” Without ever hearing the sinner’s prayer, in short that’s what I prayed. I had always been a church-goer. I had always thought I was a “believer” BUT I was so deceived. I had never given my heart to Him. You see, sitting in church doesn’t make you a Christian, just like sitting in a garage doesn’t make you a car (statemtent of Joyce Meyer's). This means that there is nothing we can do to get to heaven. Good works are not a requirement. No matter how good our works are they are like filthy rags before a Holy God. (Isaiah 64:6)  However, good works are evidence of our faith. (James 2:26) The Bible tells us we are to make Jesus the Lord of our life. (Romans 10:9) So that is when I went from Satan’s roller coaster and strapped onto the Jesus roller coaster (starts out bumpy but after a while it smooths out). Trust me when I tell you this, becoming a Christian was the best thing I ever did - it was also the hardest thing I ever did. What I was learning went against what the world accepts.  That any sex outside of marriage was wrong. Whoa! Wait a minute, Lord. You mean you want me to give up having sex until I’m married again (if of course that is your plan for my life)? “YES! TRUST ME.” Oh boy! A 40 year old “born again” virgin in the time when “Sex and the City” and “Desperate Housewives” are the top t.v. shows. My friends thought I was crazy and quite frankly, at first, so did I. Remembering that things hadn’t gone so well my way, I decided to obey. Have you ever told a 40 something of the opposite sex that you weren’t having sex until you got married? Then having them ask what defines sex (they are totally all like Bill Clinton). Most of them run away. The one I'm married to now did for a short time but fortunately wised up when he realized what a catch I was! :) Do you think it was easy? I can tell you that every part of my being was screaming and throwing a temper tantrum but I still obeyed. I can tell you this, when you do things God’s way and obey - He will bless you! (Read Deuteronomy 28). I have been blessed beyond what I ever could have imagined!  The moral of this story is that the Lord will never ask you to give up something without replacing it with something way better!! So, if you haven't hopped on the Jesus ride yet - what are you waiting for? What don't you want to give up? Please don't wait too long to hop on or you might stay on the Satan ride and never get off!

To take the ride or not? - that is the question

Have you ever searched your soul? I mean really searched your soul. Sometimes what we find isn't very pleasant. Sometimes it's downright shameful - at least it is if you have any conscience! Since I became a Christian 6 years ago, my real soul searching started. It has been one amazing, scary, thrilling, hard, exhilarating roller coaster ride! God has shown me things that needed reshaping, refining and even recycling. He has taken things away and even added some. (Lots actually).  He is making changes in me everyday. (2 Cor 3:18) But heck, if He would have shown me all that needed changing at once I don't think I would have wanted to take the ride. Now, I am so glad that I did!  Joyce Meyer, a fantastic bible teacher, often says, "I may not be where I need to be, but thank God I am not where I used to be"! I ditto that. This blog is my faith journey - my walk with Jesus shared with you to hopefully help you search your soul and maybe get a little closer to the One who died so you could go to heaven. Please know that He is the only way you can get there - Jesus said  "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". (John 14:6). So, after waiting in that long line, hop in your seat, put the bar across your lap and start the ride! If you're not quite ready, if it seems a little scary, it's okay, you can watch from a distance and hopefully decide to take the ride the next time!