Oyer5

Change Happens !!!

2010-05-04T16:50:00.003-04:00

It has been a while since I have blogged.. There has been so much going on around me.. Some good, some bad.. some the jury is still out ....

While Fall is my favorite season,I do love to see the spring flowers and Trees bloom.. It has been wonderful to see all the different colors and now most things are so green.. I am not just talking about the Pollen either .. Which I heard someone say "Pollen is Satan's dandruff." Haha

Looking at the trees that once just a few months back were bare and looked dead, now they are full of green leaves, that give shade and show that they are alive...
Which made me think about how I have gone through the season like a tree.. I have been full of life, I have been changed to many different colors and watched as my leaves have fallen off and then strip bared with nothing.. Only to begin to see a tiny bloom .. I would love to be able to say it was nothing... But most of the time it was of my doing.. my choices.. but God has a way to show us Himself during those times of Changes..Did i tell ya.. I do not like change ? maybe only if I am the one doing the changes.. but for the most part, do not like it at all..

But during this time of Change God has showed me.. that he has been with in every season of my life.. Joshua 1:1-9...I will not leave you or forsake you..Be strong and courageous.Do not be frightened, do not be dismayed for the Lord , your God is with you wherever you go.".....
I know this.. there has been times mostly in the stripped bare time.. i felt like where is God, what is he doing? How long? is this it? Then He sprouts a seed of growth in me.. that begins a work that only He can do and Growth happens!!! Phil. saids he who begins a work in me will continue it till the Day of Jesus Christ..
So through theses times of Changes he has shown me, that he is my foundation on which I can stand. That he can be trusted.. That His word is true and It can fertilize my growth if i would let it.. Also, He has shown me, that I can not do this life alone..We need each other... I am grateful to Him for those He has brought into my life.. some do not even know how much I desperately needed them and their words of encouragement.. but God did!!!

One of the last things I am learning about Change came from a visit to Boone NC.. I went in the winter time, they had many ice storms and looking at the trees.. it looked really bad.. like a fire or tornado had come through and killed all the trees but then I went back during the spring and those same trees were flourishing with beautiful green leaves.... I was amazed at how it worked.. God has His own pruning service.. and WOW, it worked!! he also through changes prunes me.. So that I... Joshua 1:8 'For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success" ...
So I can be like a tree planted by the rivers , bringing forth good fruit in due season.... the poem below is something I read and thought I'd share it with you..

Why Tension ?

We don’t lead from the safety of the fringe.
We take up residence in the fray.

Where change is happening
Where change is necessary.
WHY Tension?

There we find ourselves in a unique tug-of-war
between what was, what is, and what could be.

We are faced with the reality
that we are the catalyst in the moment.

A tension ensues between ambitions and fears.

We are tempted to bail on our goals
but discover that under pressure
our vision becomes remarkably crystallized.

A hundred voices attempt to sway us.
And we find we must lean into God with a faith
deeper than we have ever known.

Change happens in the very place where many leaders
flinch, fear, and fail.

The tension we resist is actually by design.
It tests us, it tries us,
It conforms us to His image.

The tension is necessary.
The tension makes us strong.
The tension is good.

Washed any feet lately ?

2010-04-02T11:08:00.001-04:00

For years now I have read the book "The Final week of Jesus" Max Lucado..writes about how On Thursday, the Lord's supper and How Jesus knew the time was drawing near and He met his disciples and washed their feet.....The Lord Himself who was going to die was washing feet.... I have been to many going away parties and never have I seen the ones moving away being the most active one at the party, Usually others are serving them and loving on them but at the last supper we see Jesus serving them and loving on them.. He could have taken His seat and relaxed but He fulfilled the role as a servant by washing feet,And He fulfilled His role as a Savior by forgiving sins..He was in charge...He still is!!!...

It is the Lord's table you sit at.It is the Lord's supper you eat.Just as Jesus prayed for His disciples, Jesus begs God for us....John 17:20...He meets you at the table.. when the bread is broken, Christ was broken, when the wine is poured, he was poured out for us..... I pray you have met Him at the table and accepted Him into your life.. if not He is waiting , there is a seat for YOU.. .....for those of us who Know Him. and we are sitting around the table. I pray we will get up and serve others even the ones who betray us as Judas did Jesus..( Ouch)..washed any feet lately?
I pray we all are celebrating this life we have ,because He Chose YOU!!! For He rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you!!!

IF ONLY.......

2010-03-22T07:39:00.004-04:00

This weekend I was able to get away with some girlfriends for a
SWAG weekend ( Southern Women Aging Gracefully)... It was a great time of fun and fellowship.. The scenery was awesome!! I love the Mountains.... As I was able to see the sun rise over the Mountain tops .. I told God "IF only" I had this porch that looked over the mountains.. I would be closer to Him. be able to spend time with HIM... I said the same thing when I was at the beach looking over the Ocean or at my friends house sitting on her dock looking over the river .. or ????? I realized that I say "If only" a lot.. If only,I didn't have to be at work so early, if only my kids would sleep in.. If only this or if only that!!!!

My friend brought a devotion this weekend that drilled this home to me Once again( I am a slow learner, thank God,He is patient with me)... She talked about our Sanctuary and where and what is it.. God reminded me that it is where He and I are at in fellowship with each other.. if that is true then it is everywhere.. in the car going to work.. in the bathroom as I get ready.. as I clean... I do understand we need time away.. even Jesus took time away to spend with the Father.. but If I kept looking at it, as a certain place or it had to be a certain time or a certain ritual.. OH how I would miss what He had for me during the day.. I would miss HIM !!!..

There are a lot of buildings called churches that He is not at.. If it had to be a certain look or way.. then those who are in the jungles or those in the prisons would not be able to have a sanctuary???? Paul had he most awesome fellowship and ministry for God in Prison.... Some of us are walking around free outside but inside we are in bondage.. to lies, to rules.. to tradition, to fear to ???.. Saying to ourselves and maybe others.. If only I could... or If Only I had....

Psalms 95: 1-7 Oh come let us sing to the Lord! Give a joyous shout in honor of the Rock of our salvation. Come before Him with thanksgiving hearts Let us sing Him psalms of praise. For the Lord is a great God. the great King of all gods. He controls the formation of the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains all are His. He made the sea and formed the land, they too are His.
Come,kneel before the Lord our Maker for He is our Shepherd. Oh that you would hear Him calling you today and come to HIM!!!

Another How Can this be?????

2010-03-09T18:23:00.002-05:00

I have to tell you.. I Love God's word.. He amazes me and cracks me up.. I love the fact that He uses people that are all messed up and in Need of Him.. Just Like me!! ONLY God!!!

This year I started the study of Jesus.. and Mary was approached by an angel.. to let her know she was going to carry God's son.. she said..How can this be? I am a virgin!!.. after reading that.. I ask God to do "How can this be" moments in My life, my family, My kids etc.. Moments that could only be God!! and I have to tell You.. He has. and I praise Him for that!!

I am reading now, in Luke 4;22-30 Jesus speaking and the people were amazed at the words that came from His mouth and said.. How can this be,Isn't he Joseph's son?"..... how many times does satan fill our minds with doubts.. how can God use you.. your a nobody..Jesus didn't let this stop Him..

After reading this, it made me realize that even those who heard Jesus.. were amazed by what He said but still missed His message... This same crowd.. who were amazed by Him then turned and were furious at Him.. just in a matter of moments..WOW!!!.. How? because they missed His message...

I realized.. that our churches.. the body of Christ, so many times, are amazed at God and sing His praises on Sunday but then are mean and cruel to one another.. We welcome everyone and We say we ought to love and forgive but first chance to show it, we gossip, we ignore, we judge, we look the other way. We pick up rocks to throw..

Why? Because we missed His Message.. to Love one another, to serve one another, to forgive one another... to go and do like wise.... WE missed it!

James 3:10- "My brethren, these things ought not so to be"..... How Can this be??

Letter to the Princess

2010-03-04T17:30:00.004-05:00

This past weekend,I had the privilege to meet up with some girlfriends,some I hadn't seen for 4 years.. We had a Great time.. It is so cool to be knitted together by the same Father's love...
At the house we stayed at.. there was posted on a sign.."Why do you want to fit in,when you were created to Stand OUT.".. It truly spoke to me.. mainly for my kids.. but then as I thought about it more.. it does fit us all..
A friend of mine ,from the weekend,sent me this, from a devotional.. I knew I had to Post it....

Galatians 1:10-Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?
Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

My Princess,

You don't have to fit in. I know you want to be accepted by others, but you were not made to fit in. ..

You, My princess, were created to Stand Out.

Not to draw attention to yourself, but to live the kind of life that leads others to Me. Remember, it's your choices that will pave your path to life. I will not force you to do anything. I have given you a free will to walk with Me or to walk away from Me. I want you to know that you can put on your crown at any time and let people know that you belong to Me.

You have a royal call on your life. I want you to remember you wear the crown of everlasting life, and through you I will do abundantly more than you would ever dare to dream.

Love,

Your King and Crown Giver

From Windows of the Soul

2010-02-22T21:34:00.003-05:00

When you feel your strength is sapped, remember and rejoice!

Join me in this prayer from Ken G. book,
"Windows of the Soul"

Help me, God,

To realize it is in being crippled that I learn to cling, and in limping that I learn to lean, that victory comes not in how courageously I struggle but in how completely I surrender, and that this is how I am to grow, by being defeated,
decisively, by constantly greater things.

Help me to understand that Your power is perfected in weakness,
so that when I am rendered weak,
You are given the opportunity to be shown strong.

Just Breathe

2010-02-20T15:05:00.002-05:00

Breathing.. you know I must admit, I take it for granted.. I breathe everyday and do not think about it.. Not until it is hard to do...

I remember when I was younger, having the wind knocked out of me when I fell and landed on my back... and then watching my little boy gasp for air as we try to get him to cough up a candy stuck in His throat...It is a very Scary thing...

Well, this week I had my spiritual breathe knocked out of me..I was in disbelief.. I couldn't catch my breathe.. I was in a daze.. watching the world go around and people going about their business .. I wanted to scream and Say..Hey!! don't you care...I was angry , hurt and so sad, feeling all alone.. I had a hard time even trying to talk to God cause I didn't even know where to begin...I even ask God, Why?. I knew He must be hurting too!

I had been here before.. all due to my own Bad choices ..The shame and burdens of sins had knocked me down and I felt like I couldn't' breathe.. but this time it was different.. It was watching someone else get Hit and Knocked out of breathe. I could not help.We cried together but I know she felt all alone and I had nothing to offer..As I sat to try and talk with God and study His word,He so sweetly reminded me that....

Psalm 22:1-11 "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
Jesus spoke them from the cross (Matt. 27:46), but they were first spoken by David when he was going through a severe trial.
Jesus Christ was forsaken that we might not be forsaken. God the Father forsook His Son on the cross when He was made sin for us (II Cor. 5:21).
We cannot be forsaken because the Savior was forsaken in our place. We can't be forsaken because of His promise to never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). We cannot be forsaken because of His abiding and eternal presence with us (Matt. 28:20). We cannot be forsaken because of His purpose to work all things together for good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). And what is His purpose? That we might be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). David became a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he had to suffer to do it. In spite of your circumstances and feelings, remember: God will not forsake you.

When you go through trials, your circumstances and feelings can deceive you into thinking God has forsaken you. But the Bible promises us that He will never forsake you. Next time you feel forsaken, remember that God is always true to His Word ..Trust In the Lord with all your might and Lean NOT unto your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge HIM...He will direct your path..
He will breathe new life into you!!!!

Awwww So Refreshing....

2010-02-12T14:19:00.002-05:00

I remember the good old Coke commercials, that would show a person on a hot day drinking a icy cold Coke and then say Awwww.. Just watching it , you felt your thirst quenched...(Then they might start singing I'd like to teach the World to sing...;oD Just kidding, but I like those commercials too)

There is nothing like a vacation where you can totally rest For me a change of scenery or Even just spending an evening with with my Man or family or with girlfriends refreshes me...

But to be Refresh from the Lord is like none other...

Acts 3:19 "Repent,then and turn to God, so that your sin may be wiped out, that times of Refreshing may come from the Lord."... This verse really open my eyes to to the fact that I asked God to forgive me and thank the Lord, He has! He saved me but the daily confession is like refreshment to our Souls...

There is a lot of us walking around with unconfessed sins that are weighing us down and we are wondering why we are parched,weighed down,weary, or discouraged....
When we confess sin daily, we walk away Refreshed, cleansed and ready to be filled and walk in the Spirit...
The verse says "Repent".. "turn to God".. so many days I am in a hurry or before bed so tired... I say God, please forgive me of sinning( but I don't name it) then I go on my merry way.. I haven't Turn to God.. so then I find myself right back where I started with a weary soul, all the while wondering why am I here again???..

God wants to refresh us... He is asking that I repent and return to Him...
"Oh soul are you weary and troubled ?" Maybe You need to Repent and Return to Him and He will Refresh YOU!!!

My prayer is that I will quickly Repent and Return to Him, And that He will make me eager to wear His righteousness and Holiness , just as He was to wear MY SINS!!!!

The Obstacle in Our Path

2010-02-10T15:37:00.003-05:00

I was sent this from a friend of mine and thought I'd share it ..Author Unknown..

The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if Anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by And simply walked around it..

Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did Anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of Vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

Go Tell it , to the EAR

2010-02-08T19:58:00.004-05:00

Today at the preschool I work at.. I saw from across the Hall a Kid talking to what I thought looked like a Kidney bean.. but She was talking away.. Then later I saw a little boy do the same thing.. I was curious as to why theses cute Kids were talking to a Bean.. The teacher told me that the Kids were tattling on each other and so she made a EAR (The Kidney BEAN) and Posted it on the wall and when they tattled, She would say.. "Go tell it, to the ear".. it was funny to see them talk to this fake looking ear.......

I thought about that through out this whole day and driving home,I was thanking God that He lets me tattled to Him!! Tonight as I sat down to study. I couldn't believe what it was about..You guessed it.. Jesus listening..

Christ not only speaks, He listens...Not, to learn anything because He already knows it all!! but He allows me to Tattled to Him.. He allows me to share my hurts, desires, my heartaches.. because He loves me and wants to hear from me!!

Psalms 55:16-7-.. I will call on the Lord, morning ,noon and Night,Pleading Aloud.. I love that!! cause sometimes I Can get loud...

Hebrews 5:7- Christ pleaded God,praying with tears and agony of soul.... To the Only and One ,who would save Him....See, that is the key... He knew Who to go to..

I have been like the kids.. tattling to a "Fake Ear"...when all along, the fake Ear can't hear or do anything about it.... As funny as it was see the kids talking to the EAR.. It must be Sad to my Father watch me, Talk to or Trust In.. FAKE EARS, When He is willing and waiting to Listen to me...

Thank You Father God, that You are Not fake, but Alive and REAL..In MY Life.. Thank you that I can trust You with everything.. here I come Lord, Running to your mercy seat... Ready to Tattle In Your EAR.. Love YOU!!!

Run ,Girls, Run..Go tell it to HIS EAR!!!!

Hey There,... Your Heart Is showing....

2010-01-31T14:53:00.004-05:00

What is the difference between being obedient to customs(traditions) and being faithful to do what God has commanded ?

This was the beginning questions of the study I am doing. I said "Heart Attitude"..Which I think is pretty good and correct ....AS I read what Mary and Joseph did after Jesus was born... the customs that they did were typical of devout Jewish parents.. but they were anything BUT typical Jewish parents!!

The 3 Rites:
1-Circumcision
2-Redemption
3-Purification

I would love to type all that God spoke to me in this study but I will give ya the readers digest versions..(Hopefully)

In circumcision- it was God's way of requiring the Jewish people to become Physically different because of their relationship to Him....Thankfully because of Jesus.. I have been spiritually circumcision.. there should be proof I am a different person....I have had to ask God for forgiveness, in my trying to be so "Relevant", I have sinned against Him.

In redemption- They presented Jesus to the Lord.. this symbolized act of giving him up by saying 'He is yours,we give him back to You"' which I kind of smiled at cause here is God coming down to earth and they are giving himself back to himself..Humm?? Reminds me when I had my kids dedicated to the Lord.. I truly pray for each of them and God gave me all three.. and I gave them back to him and boy it hasn't been easy at times wondering what is going to happen to them...and wondering if He gave them to the right parents.. I am thankful God's redemption doesn't wonder, doubt or waver.. We all needed redeeming and Jesus filled that and I am Redeemed...

In Purification--Parents would offer up a sacrifice.. which I learned this week, that Mary and Joseph offered up the least sacrifice permitted by Jewish law for Purification...They offered up the poverty version of the sacrifice....WOW!!! This hit me on so many levels... Like:God choose the poor cause He knew we are the poor in soul and could not offer Anything for our purification.. in comparison..there is no comparison..we have nothing!!!!how fitting that they held in their arms the greatest sacrifice a Holy God could make for their eternal purification...Also.. God spoke to me about how proud I could and have been by what I had offered up.. the years of service to the Lord.. trying to be good and do the right thing.. Falling down and getting back up, the roller coaster life, teaching the Bible...praying...shining my light for Him.. when in comparison.. I had nothing but rags... Yet, God in His goodness knew and Still, He came, For me!!(Titus 2:14)

One last thing.. I wondered what all the religious people thought of their sacrifice...."MY goodness ,look at this, Do they think God will honor this?, or "They are giving the least amount?"...That is Not a sacrifice?..."Do they know how that looks".. They are not right,God would not be using them., if they were right with him,, he would provided a better place and offering?" ......Oh, I haven't said those words exactly but I have said things with the same attitude about what others have offered up to Him in my church ...
God has said to Obey is better than sacrifice....He knows our sacrifice is NOTHING compared to his righteousness...What is your heart showing? Let the redeem of the Lord say so.....

The SuperBowl of Your Life !!

2010-01-25T19:52:00.004-05:00

I like football even though I could not explain it to you cause I do not understand all the rules.. Just when I think I might get it.. it seems like they change it ..This Super Bowl coming up is going to be good but I am sad cause my team..Dallas Cowboys! did not make it.. they had a hard time this season, They always seem to pull through but were never consistent with their games.. I even tried to help them from My Couch but ALL of my yelling could NOT help those players , coaches and not even the refs!!!!

As I was thinking about the Super Bowl.. I was thinking of how two of the best rivals come together BUT only One will Win..

Well , I have seen Satan fighting against God. 1 Peter 5:8- ..Your enemy the devil prowls around....looking for someone to devour...). His offense strategy to Oppose God by casting doubts and discourage (2 Cor.12;7).. to deceive both believers and non believers...2 Cor.4:4.. he also Plants evil thoughts ...

We know that defense wins the game..But What is our defense against Satan?..I must admit, I am like the Cowboys,I win some and lose some ... Because 2 Cor.2:11 -.. that Satan will not outwit us..For we are NOT Unaware of His schemes." Even knowing the other teams plays... I have acted like....How did that happen? How did I get here and do that? Why do I keep struggling with the same thing over and over??

God has given us...The strategy:

Ephes.6:11-18- Put on the "Whole of Armor of God"
vs.17- word of God
vs.16- shield of faith
vs-17a- helmet of salvation
vs.18- Prayer-And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of Prayers and request.. With this in mind,be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Strength for the battle comes only through Lord.... Ephes 6:10 "Finally,be strong in the Lord and in his mighty Power."
.. So while I sit herein my locker room, I Look over the game plan ,which defensive measure do I need to practice, to overcome the attack ? James 4:7 -"Submit yourselves then, to God.Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

It is Time... .. Got Your Armor on? Dress for Success!!!

From Youthful to Useful

2010-01-20T14:05:00.002-05:00

Below is a post form a day I did with the swag on the life of David.. I am re posting it cause God had me read it this morning to remind me,AGAIN!!!...

Monday, September 7, 2009
Day 2 From Youthful to Useful

In day one,The Lord ask Samuel How long will you mourn for Saul? This really spoke to me, he ask me, how long you going to mourn,Lisa ? All the could haves, should haves and even the wish I didn't haves.. I even mourn the good ole days or past success.. what that it?I am a whiner to God I usually say,But God...., So it was refreshing to see this man of God whining over the fact that his plan did not work out, what he thought should have happen, didn't! I love God, He always knows what to say.. How long?, I know in my life I have mourned over something for years .I know, it smells really bad by now! So as I do this study, I lay it all down and ask God to renew me and Change my heart to a heart like His~! To stop Mourning and to find that special place He has in His heart for me.

Day 2- In a world where looking younger is all the crave, and we spend lots of money on it,especially for Women! Then as when we look at this younger generation and think to ourselves, They are our future. OH ,LORD,Help US! Do you see what they are wearing? what music they listen too? They are not committed or discipline.... How could this be? That might be what Samuel and David's family was thinking as they waited for Him to come in from the field. Thinking, how can He be useful, He is too young and has no experience, all he does is watch Sheep all day!! I love it, God choose David, but on the surface it made, NO sense at all, He wasn't the oldest, he wasn't the strongest, he wasn't the one with the most experience. So how could this be? It was a God thing! God choose David and took Him from tending sheep to shepherding His people. Ps.78:70-72.
Guess what? He choose You and I. In Is.44:2:10- says He formed you in your mother's womb. We are heaven's custom design, in every detail...Ex.4:11 He planned and packed you on purpose! For His purpose, not to throw away who you are, but recognizing He made you that way to serve him .. Just think, before He said let there be light or place a star in space, He says, I will make Lisa__( Put your name)And I will make Her with this personality___(outgoing) and I will give her these experiences____( being a Preacher's Kid,loss of children). You see, We are God's idea, set aside for His special work ,Jer.1:5. So when your are Wondering ,Why? you look,act or have the family you do ? You are God's Idea! Some may think you are a NUT, but Remember the Oak indwells the acorn! When others see a shepherd boy, God may see a king/ QUEEN!

Because of Jesus, Sisters 4-ever,( blame God ;o).. Love ya, Brat SWAG!(LISA)

John did it ,.Mary did it.,...Have YOU ?

2010-01-15T09:42:00.004-05:00

Remember being a kid ,telling your parents, My friends did it, how come I can't? That didn't work well with my parents..

But I am here to say...John did it ,Mary did it.. Have YOU?

Luke 1:41.."When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,the baby leaped inside her..." In the Womb,John jumped for joy..In the presence of His Lord....

Luke 1:47-Mary says.." My spirit rejoices in God my savior." ..( Original word for rejoices meaning to.. exult, Leap for JOY, to show Joy by leaping and skipping, often spoken of rejoicing with song and Dance )

As I read this,.. it struck me, that abortion is killing of a Baby. John Leap in his mother womb, He knew he was in Jesus presence... but I won't go into Abortion

My Little girl, Loves to sing and dance around..She doesn't walk , she skips everywhere, I love to watch her.. My mother said I was the same way.. I do remember making up songs for my mom, She was so sweet to listen to me as if It was the best song, she ever heard...We laugh about it today .. Cause I am NOT a writer, singer nor a dancer.. Watching My little girl dance around with Joy, Brings me JOY.. ( BTW- Her Middle name is JOY).. I thought of How it must have brought God the Father such pleasure when, John leaped for Joy and Mary Leaped for JOY !

I thought about the things I get excited about.. like: Dallas Cowboys football,My son's games, a vacation, My kid's rooms clean ..etc..
I was sad when I realized that many times that I have missed God presence and what He is doing around me cause I am focused on MY stuff.. If Jesus walked in the room,would I Leap for JOY? When He is working in church service but I am focusing on music too loud? or who is there? What are they wearing? When He is working and answering prayers for others, do I Leap for JOY?

Mary Leaped for Joy, that God ,whom she Heard about through His word ,Would choose her, to carry out His plan.
This same God, chose me, to Know Him and serve Him...My prayer is that I too will Leap for JOY and NEVER ,EVER ,Get Over IT!!!

Great exercise.. Leaping for JOY!!!

To Question or NOT to Question... This is the Question?

2010-01-11T12:32:00.004-05:00

Have you ever questioned God? Why me? What are you doing? Can you changed this person?

As a child ,I Questioned everything, Not always a good thing to do, I might add. But it has followed me into adulthood..( My poor Husband) I want to know the "Why's" of what you are doing..
As I was reading "Jesus" , in Luke 1:34-38.. I really enjoyed the question Mary ask..in verse 34- "How can this be, since I have not been imitate with a man?"...Great question... But as always God has answer...vs.35.-The HOLY Spirit shall come upon you....The Power of God shall overshadow you...

On New Years day,God impressed on me, "John 3:30 -He must increase,I must decrease." and how I should live out this verse for this year. So I ask God how can I do this?( How can this be?), Cause He knows this is not natural for me, I am selfish,I like my comfort,I like me! But He is so Loving...This morning,He spoke to me through His word and said,Lisa, My child...My spirit is upon You,(invading,resting upon and operating in you) You are mine!!..Allow me to do it.. cause You can't...

In verse 34,Mary said- I am your servant and be unto me according to your will..
WOW!!! How could she say this? ( there I go again with questions)...

I must admit.. because of my selfishness, I have missed out on a lot of God moments of "How can this be".. Mary could ask the question and She could also accepted the Answer...because in verse 45..She believed that God would do what He said ... She didn't miss out on the wonderful Blessing He had for her because She believed God!!!

Lord knows, that I can, ask the questions.... The question is..Can I accept the answer? OUCH!!!
I can, if I believe God!!!

My prayer is that..I will surrender to the Spirit , as He invades every area of my Life and I would believe,Not just in God but believe God! He does what He said He will do.. Yeah God! Phil. 1:6 He said "He who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ!"

Be unto me, According to YOUR WILL ,Oh LORD!

Is it really MY Bible ? If so.. then how am I living?

2010-01-04T14:28:00.002-05:00

This morning I was reading and came across this and wanted to share it with ya...

This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive; Ill never be the same. In Jesus name, God bless you- by Joel O

Below is from James MacDonald:

We need God’s Word in our hearts, minds, and lives every day. Why? Here’s a resource that I have shared with our church family. I hope it’s helpful to you as we start 2010.

This is my Bible.

I am who it says I am. Matthew 5:16
I can do what it says I can do. Philippians 4:13
I am going where it says I will go. John 14:3

God’s Word is milk for my soul. 1 Peter 2:2
God’s Word is seed for my faith. Luke 8:11
God’s Word is light for my path. Psalm 119:105
God’s Word is power for my victory. Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is freedom for my life. John 8:32

When I read God’s Word it brings me joy. Jeremiah 15:16
When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. 2 Timothy 2:15
When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. Psalm 119:11
When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. Ephesians 6:10, 17
When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. Joshua 1:8
When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. John 15:7

Reminding me that He is the VINE and I am the branch..ABIDE IN HIM!!!!

God came to live with us....

2009-12-23T10:06:00.000-05:00

Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.Luke 2:19

It was anything but an idyllic, silent night on that cool Bethlehem evening when a scared teenager gave birth to the King of kings. Mary endured the pain of her baby's arrival without the aid of anything more than the carpentry-roughened hands of Joseph, her betrothed. Shepherds may have been serenaded in nearby fields by angels singing praises to the Baby, but all Mary and Joseph heard were the sounds of animals, birth agony, and the first cries of God in baby form. A high-magnitude star shone in the night sky above the outbuilding, but the manger scene was a dreary place for these two out-of-town visitors.
As Joseph laid the infant in Mary's arms, a combination of wonder, pain, fear, and joy must have coursed through her heart. She knew, because of an angel's promise, that this tiny bundle was "the Son of the Highest". As she peered through the semidarkness into His eyes and then into Joseph's, she must have wondered how she was going to mother this One whose kingdom would never end.
Mary had much to ponder in her heart on that special night. Now, over 2,000 years later, each of us needs to consider the importance of Jesus' birth and His subsequent death, resurrection, and promise to return.

God came to live with us so that we could live with Him.

Ministry of the Towel....

2009-12-18T07:36:00.001-05:00

Jesus came to serve and to give.
It makes sense, then, to say that
God desires the same for us.
After bringing us into His family
through faith in His Son, the Lord God
sets His sights on building into us the
same quality that made Jesus distinct
from all other in His day. He is engaged
in building into His people the same
serving and giving qualities that
characterized His Son.-Charles Swindoll

Where is your Towel ? around your neck to be served or In your hands to SERVE

The Son of Man
did not come to be served,
but to serve.
Mark 10:45

Here's looking at you Kid......

2009-12-17T15:13:00.001-05:00

God misses nothing. He's looking out for us.
He's listening to our prayers. And He is completely aware of the evil that is happening to us.
Don't ever think He has missed the evil. He sees,
and He remembers. He may be long-suffering, but
He doesn't compromise His justice..... Not only His eye
on the righteous, His face is against evil. Ultimately,
good will overcome evil. In the end God wins!
-Charles Swindoll

The eyes of the Lord
are toward the righteous, and His ears
attend to their prayer.
1 Peter 3:12

Prone to Wander......

2009-12-11T18:18:00.005-05:00

Wherever I am--high above the sky or in the deepest ocean-nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us. Romans 8:39

Have you ever heard of the name Robert Robinson? I have sung his songs and read some portions of his writings but never knew his name... Last night, as I read about his life, I recognized some of myself in his experience....
If you were raised in church like I was,then you might have sung his song or heard it .. "Come ,thou Fount of every blessing,Tune my heart to sing Thy grace"....
Robert admitted,that while he love Jesus deeply ,but..At times his passion for God and his devotion ran dry, His heart was prone to wander...

In Revelation 2:1-7 In this letter, talks about their service to him and their unwillingness to tolerate evil but He said..YOU don't Love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love!....

After many years of wondering far away from God,Robert Robinson was riding a stage coach with a young lady that was shocked to find out that the words she was reading, were written by the man sitting in front of her... with tears coming down His face..She read, "Streams of mercy,never ceasing" She showed him there were no seasons too lengthy ,no distance too great for the love of God to find him,comfort him and bring him home again....

I have been in a relationship with Jesus since I was 8 yrs. old... I have been like the church in Revelation..stood against evil but did not love... I have been like Robert and wondered far from God...I have done a lot of service for God.. I thought what I did for Christ ,was what the christian life all about but in Knowing the truth of God's word, it is what He does in and through us!!( Gal.2:20) As I surrender to His will and live by His spirit, Loving becomes His responsibility!

I am forever grateful for his love and mercy..May the words of Robert Robinson be our prayer......"O to grace how great a debtor ,Daily I'm constrained to be! Let Thy goodness like a fetter, Blind my wandering heart to Thee: Prone to wander Lord, I feel it-prone to leave the God I love: here's my heart-O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

By the Grace of God,I never want to leave of my first love for Him....

The study of David is over but God is NOT finished.....

2009-12-07T10:26:00.002-05:00

Our Swag study of David has ended and I wanted to share with you the last blog I posted.. hopefully it will encourage you.. to devote yourself to having a Heart Like His..
Monday,December 7,2009

While the book study and blogging might be finished... God working in us to make our hearts like His..IS NOT finished !!!

This study of David's life has been an awesome encouragement to me... Showing me God's love and mercy and His faithfulness to those who love him... David's life gave me hope... That devotion to God doesn't mean PERFECTION but that God loves me in spite of my weakness and He can use me, when I devoted to Him..
Even though David made BIG mistakes and had many troubles., and even though he'd fall down and He'd get back up, he'd run and hide ... He did leave a legacy of faithfulness and a heart that was devoted to God through it all.... David allowed God to develop within HIM an authentic relationship with Him....
There is so much from this study that God has impressed on heart.. from different people, just a few are :

* Samuel- not to mourn what could have been or what I thought should have been...
* Saul- not to hide behind my baggage and waste the opportunities God has given me, not to let jealousy , angry take root in my life..
* The woman, who stopped the revolt by cutting of the head- That God sometimes ask us to do the unthinkable to help farther his kingdom and I too can stop a revolt by cutting my words!
* David- while some might just see a Shepherd boy God sees a King!, don't judge,others, God ain't done yet!! Also to worship God with a" no hold Barr", worship, focus on HIM- no matter what you look like.. Dance!! He taught me that with God, all things are possible..He showed courage even in the midst of His own fear.. Forgiveness given in the deep sin ... he was devoted to prayer, also to make sure I am not trying use someone else Armour (expectation of me or their gifts) but use what He has given me , He will uses it to slay the giants and point people to HIM!! Also, to hold on to people ,positions and things loosely, cause they are all His!! David served His generation, so how am I doing this? Even when His dreams were not fulfilled, he stayed faithful to God til the end, trusting God with it all!!! So many other nuggets in this study.. as a wife, mother, friend, a mourner, warrior, worshiper...

I am so grateful, that the God of David, is also My God... That I too, can have a Heart like His.,being wholly devoted to HIM.. because He who began a work in me will continue til the day of Jesus Christ!!(Phil 1:6)

Thank you my friends, for taking this journey with me, God has used You in my life, like Jonathan with David, You have encouraged me through what God has spoken to you... As the songs says.. I see Jesus in You and it makes me love HIM!!!..
My prayer for you is...1 Chronicles 29:10-20-...... direct their hearts to You Lord, give to them a perfect heart to keep your commandments... Now bless the Lord Your God!!!!.......

I am blessed, to call you my friends!
Love ya'll, Brat SWAG

Blogging

2009-09-12T08:35:00.003-04:00

Well , I have hit the pavement running, school has started and so has work!!

My friends and I ( we call ourselves, SWAG-S.outhern W.omen A.ging G.racefully, we hope ;o)

We have been friends for a long time, we all lived in Florida and now we are up here in the Carolina's .... We get together for Fun, fellowship , girl weekends every once in a while.
Then we realize, that we all need to be accountable to each other for prayer and growing in Intimacy with God , so then we went through a book( The Shack) and Now We are going through a 90 day study of David, a Heart like His a Beth Moore study.
We went to see the movie Julia and Julia and one of us(Queen SWAG) got the idea we would each have a day where we blog about what God has spoken to us.. So while I am doing that blog, I will not be blogging on here.
I want to invite you to join us there.....swagfriends5.blogspot.com

I hope you will join us, as we take this journey together, to Have a Heart Like His!!

BTW- I am Brat SWAG ( Not sure how I got that name, only to say, it is true of me ;o)

Summer and Surrender

2009-08-29T23:25:00.003-04:00

A lot has Happen since I last blogged.. The summer was fast and furious... While I love to travel, I am glad to be back and starting a routine.

My man and I celebrated 25 years. We able to go to Alaska. We had such a great time. The scenery, it so beautiful. After seeing the beautiful scenery, You have to say There is a GOD! But we have no idea of how big He is. Just seeing his creation of Alaska, I can't wait to see heaven.. I know it will truly be,Out of This World!!

I also, was able to go to a Deeper Still Conference, Beth Moore, Kay Author, and Priscilla Shiver. I went but I have to be honest. I felt like Why? I like them but I have been to many of conferences, so I'm not sure why I was going. I felt like I have been out of it, Not sure what God wanted me to do.. So the first night I was there, during the music, ( which I love to sing) but during this time, I was talking to God and telling Him( like He didn't know) that I did not want to sing something that I did not mean. I begged him to speak to me.. Well, He did, Kay A. stood up and began to read in the book of Hebrews. " Man, shall not live by bread alone but by every word out of the mouth of God... She cont. but the Holy Spirit stopped me with this verse and said to me, Lisa, What are you living by? Anger, Unmet expectations, fear, friends, circumstances, etc. or by His word?... He then build on that the whole weekend with the other speakers. This has been a daily reminder.. Lisa, What are you living by? I want to focus on something else or Someone else , He reminds me of ... It is by His word! I am so grateful to him for meeting me right were I am but I have to tell you, He hasn't left me there.

A while back, our church showed a video, of Penn and Teller, the illusionist, Penn had been given a Bible by a man after his show, so he blogged about it, ( they are professing atheist) he said, How much would you have to hate someone not to share Jesus with them, If you truly believe that He was the only way to Heaven. If a truck was coming, wouldn't you yell or do whatever it took to help save that person.... I ask God, Who is it that He wanted me to share with? He said Your cousins, well, I dolove my cuz, but family can be hard so I fought Him on it for about a week..

Then after He spoke to me at this conference, I told Him I wanted to take risk for Him and step out of the boat, what do you want me to do ,Lord? He said I want you to share me with your Face Book friends! I wrestled with Him for about 3 weeks. I kept rationalizing it, saying God, most of these people I met in church, they have known you longer than I have, some are pastors and all are better writers than me .Come On ,Lord, Not me! Fear set in, wondering what others would think.. God said.. What are you living by,Lisa? So I surrendered and It is amazing How He has met me every step of the way. I prayed for all who would read it, that they would know him.. I do not know what God is doing on their end but I will tell you, He who began a good work in me,WILL continue til the day of Jesus and I am Living for that!!

Children or Orphans

2009-07-07T07:45:00.003-04:00

This summer has been crazy with traveling and Kids at home... God is still speaking to me and revealing himself to me in a new ways.....which I am grateful, He is with me and loves me!!! I will share about that later when I have more time!
Our pastor has been teaching through Gal. and this last week He spoke about living as children or as orphans. Please check out our church blog and go through the list and see how you are living.Check out nlcblog.org
Ask God to help you live as children and reveal those areas where you have lived as an orphan.. I thank Him for never giving up on me!!! Phil 1:6
Have a great summer!

I am ashamed

2009-06-06T10:01:00.002-04:00

This past week I went to see my mom and grandma. I had a wonderful time. I realized again how blessed I am to have come from these great women. Women of faith , prayer and love, always giving themselves away.......
I have always tried to value people for who they are,Not what they looked like , did or any power they had. I kind of even at times could be prideful about it. Well, I was confronted with how far I have NOT come, I saw someone who, when I was in school was not popular, not pretty ( the world standards,) Many made fun and ignored this person.... But this week, I was faced with myself and it did not look good. God reveled my ugly side . I am ashamed that I still , Even though, if i did not say it, I thought it!! But as I watched and listen to this person, I saw God's love and a person that has Joy beyond, what the world has to offer, someone who is dependable, hard worker, pleasant, sweet spirit, loves God, family and people. In a world where people are angry at everyone and their situations. She had and has some very good reason to be Bitter and she isn't... You can see Jesus all over her .... So as I face Jesus this week. I left a changed person. I pray that when people leave me, they are changed because they see Jesus in me!

The best gift

2009-06-01T12:43:00.002-04:00

Tis' the season.. Weddings, Graduations and Babies Oh My!!!. So I go to my favorite stores trying to find the perfect gift... which most time I end up getting a gift card.. what is up with that? Why, when I want to get the perfect gift..Cause what I like, they may not , what I need ,they may not! So letting them choose seems like the best gift....
So what has God given me? The perfect gift, The choice, Jesus or not? To choose Life or death... He brought so much to the hill of Calvary.. He brought, love without boundaries, forgiveness and acceptance, and so much more..
What do I bring? Anything I have is not worthy of Him. What would He like for me to bring?
1 John 1:9- My sins... If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right.. Trust him? with my bad habits, selfish moods, lies, binges and bigotries, failures and fears, He wants them all.. doesn't seem like a great gift.. but He is such a Great God who does what is right! He says that without Faith (trusting Him) it is impossible to please him.. so trust him today and step out in faith and bring your gift( all of it) to Him. He knows we can't truly live with them!

Not reform but adore!!

2009-05-18T15:27:00.003-04:00

Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy on me,O God, according to your unfailing love: according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
This Psalm was written after Nathan confronted David's affair.. David is begging God to deliver him, David knows the high cost of sin, he had to be in agony over all he had done.. When sins reigns over a believer, it always separates them from God, not is relationship but in fellowship...Here David comes to God begging for his mercy, you know God welcome him into his presence.. In his presence is where we all long to be.. but sin and holy never keep the same place so how can this be? Paul talks a lot about the struggle we have with flesh and wanting to be holy and blameless before God....
I was raised with lots of rules but learned that legalism totally ignores the holy spirit and our relationship with God and others. Its focus is negative...The rules, instead of limiting our sins, defines sin..... giving our attention to sin and then we desired it more than desiring the one who we were trying to keep the rule for....The answer to having victory over sin is learning to worship... not reform but to Adore the Savior!

Green thumb, I have NOT!!!

2009-05-02T19:25:00.002-04:00

It is spring here in NC, I love it!! Well, not all of it... like the green pollen that coats your car and everything outside,If you are like me and have your windows open it coats everything inside too!
I have been driving a lot lately and seeing all the different trees bloom and flowers, It is SO beautiful.. God knew exactly what he was doing, He is very artistic! I can see him, in his creation and It makes me love him all the more, also, Makes me smile to know that he loves color, I love color , I am trying to use them all in my house ;o)
I was talking to a woman, who really does have a green thumb. I asked her about these flowers she had , they were so pretty She told me about them and how that they moved with the sun, When the sun was straight up in the sky, they stood straight up and when it moved, they would move and when the sun began to go down, then they would follow and go down .At night they closed because there was no sun. It amazed me! I would love to tell you what she called them, she had the right technical name for them but to me they were just pretty flowers..... I know, I know, I am into the details,NOT, Sorry!
As I thought about those flowers and watched them do exactly what she said,Up with the sun and follow the sun and went down with the sun. It made me think about my relationship with Jesus.. Do I follow Him, Am I up with Him, Do I even know what He is doing around me? Or am I wanting to bloom all on my own and asking Him to come and shine on Me?
The bible says, look at creation and you will know of him... It is true, even the flowers can teach you to ....... Bloom where you are planted and Follow the Son!

Cracked Pots

2009-04-20T09:02:00.004-04:00

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
~2 Cor. 4:7
I love this verse, It says a lot about God and who he is ... His Ministry of grace on our lives, that he would choose to use cracked pots for his glory...
Our lives should be nothing but a visible representation of Christ.. 24/ 7. We are His ambassadors.. we never get a day off. 24/7 Ambassadors represent their country. Everything they do , say, go, how they spend their time ,reflects back on their country. So if I am God's Ambassador, I am a walking, talking 24/7 representative for Christ. Whether or not I open my mouth( which is hard for me not to open ) I am communicating volumes about my Savior..... My pastor has this great quote" What I believe about my future determines how I live today" So true...... My actions and attitudes reflect my true beliefs.. Do I worry, Am I fearful or joyful? A servant or selfish? In the ways that God has blessed me, do I use them for His glory? Am I forgiving or angry? Prideful and ???.......
Knowing these struggles.. makes this verse even sweeter to me... cause I have been all of those.... BUT this precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us( ME)-is held in a perishable container, that is, in our(MY) weak bodies. Everyone can see that glorious power within must be from GOD and it def. not our(MY) own!!!! ANY and I do mean ANY good that you see if from HIM!!
Thank God He uses ... this pot, that many would not look at, want or use because of all the cracks it has, It is a wonder it holds anything. Some of the cracks , others made, Most of the cracks I have made myself, from bad choices along the way......
My prayer is that His glory shine all through my many cracks !
This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.....

Happy Easter

2009-04-08T15:49:00.002-04:00

At work, I am trying to teach my kids about Jesus and all that He did for us. I am trying to make it on a 3 year old level.. which is not hard for me, cause I am not smarter than a 3 year old! They love the part where Jesus after he arose, comes to the disciples in the upper room, says... Surprise, I am alive!!!

There has been so much confusion and pain in my life because I really did not know God.. who He is and how He works. I could have saved myself some trouble had I known His word. I believed some lies and base my beliefs and life on those lies only to find out later after getting into his word, I was WRONG!! The crazy thing is.. I hurt myself, I hurt others and pushed others away from him in my ignorance.. I thank God he has forgiven me and continues reveal himself through His word. I love what Beth Moore says. How do you recognize a lie? by knowing the truth.. So this Easter.. let's celebrate the Truth.. Let's celebrate HIM....The "I AM THAT I AM"

Psalms 9:10 And those who know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee: For Thou O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.....

He is: The All-sufficient ONE,The Everlasting God, Lord,Master,The Lord will Provide, My Shepherd,The Lord Who Heals, The Lord is there, The God who SEES, The Lord Our Righteousness, The Lord who Sanctifies you, Peace, Creator, Banner, God Most High,Righteous Judge... and so much more!!!!

Revelation 15: 4-... Great and marvelous are your doings,Lord God almighty, Just and True are your ways, O King of ages Who shall fear, O Lord and glorify you NAME? For you alone are holy.All nations will come And worship before you, For your righteous deeds Have been Disclosed!!!

Sing a song Hope, sing along, God of Heaven come down....

If you give a Mouse a cookie or a Moose a muffin...

2009-04-04T17:22:00.002-04:00

Can you tell I teach three year olds? I love these two books. They both show true behavior.. Well, I am not sure about the mouse or moose but definitely my behavior. If you give me a cookie, I will WANT milk and then I will NEED something else and then WANT more and then NEED , you get it ,and nothing satisfies me!
In my Life group study of the book of Mark 7:1-23- It is about the disciples not washing their hands before they eat, they were not following the traditions and then Jesus steps in and Lets the teachers of the law know it is NOT the outward but the Heart that makes one clean...."These people show honor with words but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is worthless, the things they teach are nothing but human rules" OUCH!!!........ I would love to say I would NEVER allow traditions and rules to run my life but I am guilty! I have made sure that my kids have looked the part, made sure I was at church every time the door was open . I prayed before every meal and listen to only Jesus music and I have God's word on index cards all over my house, the list could go on and on... ALL the while my Heart is far from HIM!!!
Now that my mother in law has left. I need to clean out the frig. I have no idea what is in there, SCARY..I know, I could only clean the outside and make it look so shinny and no fingerprints on it, how cool would that be? , I could put pretty magnets on it, even add a TV on the door....but would it be clean???Who would concentrate on the outside when the problem is on the inside. How silly, right?
Well, the same is true of me, when one of our friends are depressed and we say let's go shopping and buy something or eat chocolate. Someone is lonely and we say get a man, have a baby, get a job, stay busy, go to church. All sounds good at the time but they are only taking care of the outside while the inside is corroding... and smelling awful!
We are all like the mouse and moose, if only I had the cookie or muffin, then if only I had milk.... if only....trying to satisfy the outward all the while the inward is.....
Hey, Is you Frig clean?

The Buzzards are circling, but God's not finished with me.. Yet!!!!

2009-03-29T13:32:00.002-04:00

Have You ever wonder why you were born in this time and not in the times of "BIG Valley ", "Little house on the Prairie" or "Happy days !!".. OK, I am a TV kid...Sometimes I can feel the air from the buzzards' wings circling around me, like when I hear the music of today and do not understand the words or see the clothing made for the younger generation and all the tech. stuff that I am so behind on! God has to remind me... He is not done with me .. yet!!!
My Grandmother is 96 years old and has often said, she is not sure why she is still here, What does she have to offer...I know, what she has to offer, she intercedes on the behalf of all of her children and grandchildren and I am a product of her prayers, I am very thankful for her and her life.
1 Peter 4:11 "If anyone ministers let him do it as with the ability which God supplies" God made me for this time and generation.. He knew what would be needed as in the past.. He knew Israel would need the law so He created Moses, and a King, He made David, He Knew.. He made Ester, Paul, and....so many more!
He knew what this world needed and He gave it, He made YOU!!
So if you are not sure why you are still here or even if you are still needed.. Take Heed.. God knew and he made you for such a time as this.. so minister as with the ability which God supplies!!
He even made those buzzards that are flying around you( you have got to love his sense of humor).... You are a designers' creation...He is not finished with you yet!!

A Magic Wand.... Please?

2009-03-23T07:22:00.003-04:00

You know when you are a little girl, all those stories of happily ever after were awesome, on so many levels. For one you got the prince , the castle and beautiful dress!! But what I really needed was the magic wand! If I could have that, then life would be so much better... I would not have any troubles. All I would have to do is wave the magic wand and Voila... all would be better!! Dishes done, house clean, laundry finished, money in the bank, pumpkins would be my mode of transportation, Mice would be men, hummm ;o)
Well, I must admit, I would love to have a magic wand waved over me! Becoming the person God's longs for me to be doesn't happen over night. The older I get the more I understand Paul when he says.. the things I want to to do , I don't and the things I don't want to do, I do!
If I could wave the wand and then the Woman of Faith, Mary,( Martha's sister) or the Proverbs 31 Woman ,would appear. How cool would that be !
This transformation is a process of walking daily with Him. Asking him to penetrate every fiber of MY being. Surrendering to his will and allowing him to mold me, change me! And little by little the process happens!
Ecclesiastes 3:11 'He has made EVERYTHING beautiful in its time"
Have Hope, during the shaping time, He is molding you!
I don't need a magic wand. I need HIM!!!

Selective Hearing

2009-03-18T15:24:00.003-04:00

Being a parent has brought much joy into my life, along with many other things. It has brought out the good, bad and ugly sides of me, that I did not even know I had. Our middle son,Jacob is deaf and I will never forget one day in Walmart, he did not want to listen to me so he closed his eyes, so there I am leaning into the cart trying to pry his eyes open and talk to him- wasn't funny then but now, I think back of how, I must have look crazy!

I remember seeing a Hallmark movie about a boy who was left in a town and he never spoke and everyone in the town thought He was deaf, so they all told their secrets to him and one day he was a witness and had to go to court and they all learned he could hear and speak and he could tell their secrets.... Scary!!! Now my other two kids can hear very well but at times I think they have selective hearing ..they never heard the part about clean your room!!

In Our Life group we are studying in Mark and How Jesus was ministering to people and a religious man came and ask him to come to his daughter, she was dying, On his way a woman had touched him... All the while the crowd was wanting him to help them, the disciples wonder what he was doing and then when he got to the man's house, the people were sad cause she had died. Ever Notice that Jesus never allowed the voices around him to sway him from what His purpose was? It is amazing that Jesus could ignore all of them and stick with His purpose.. So many times the" committee in my head", talks me out of things, condemns me and sometimes what People have said to me in the past has filled my head with insecurity or what I think of myself , starts to condemn me with doubts and fears... All these can and has kept me from the purpose He has called me... (Mark 5:36.. saids Jesus.. ignoring what they say.. ) WOW, Jesus had selective hearing..Not always a bad thing.. So the next time voices are wanting your attention, some good intentions and some just trying to keep you from doing what God has called you to do.. ask yourself... WWJD?..... Have selective hearing and Ignore them!!!

A truck is coming... Get out of the way!!!!

2009-03-14T01:07:00.003-04:00

In my life group,We are study the book of Mark. I have heard all the stories before but this time I have ask God to give me fresh eyes as I study it again....And boy did He, ya got to love Him, He does hear and answer!!! This week we are studying Mark 5:21-42, A Leader of the synagogue came and ask Jesus to come to his house, His daughter was dying and on his way there, a woman who had been bleeding for years, Touched Him... In studying this, you see that both the man and the woman were desperate for Jesus.. One was religious and one was an outcast but both needed Him!!! It brought me back to what God has been reminding me over and over again..... About two Sunday's ago, we had a video clip of Penn from Penn and Teller, the illusionist. He had been given a NT bible after one of his shows, He clearly was touch by this man and He said that while he knows there is no God(he is atheist) he said that If you truly believe there is a Heaven and Hell, HOW much would you have to Hate someone not to share with them... He said if he saw a truck about to hit you, he would warn you and help you get out of the way!! I can't shake that thought from my heart and mind....So I have written the people that God brought to my heart, some are religious and some are not. I pray that God will work in their lives.. Just as these two people from two different back grounds,He was in high standards with the community and She was the Outcast, both needed Jesus.. So I need to look around, in my church , community, work and family and see who needs Jesus. While there might not be a truck coming down the road.. death is coming to all of us.. I need to step out in faith and WARN them!!!

SWAG ON !!!!

2009-03-09T18:00:00.002-04:00

This past weekend, I had the privilege of going on a trip with some friends. We call ourselves "SWAG.". meaning Southern Women Aging Gracefully.... We had a blast! I always love getting together with people but sometimes you do not know how bad you need it til you get there and then it is over and you realize how refreshed you are. This weekend, we laughed, ate chocolate, talked ,shop and ate more chocolate! OH yeah ! we made a craft to remember our weekend, Well, you win some you lose some, just kidding!! ( I am not a crafty person) but it was great to see all the different personalities come alive . While we did not have a bible study or any deep discussions. I can honestly say, I saw Jesus this weekend, in these women. I am so grateful that God has blessed me with many friends and I want to encourage you to make time for your friends. You will be the better for it!!!

Even if you are not from the south, SWAG on, my sister friend SWAG ON!!!!

Love the Souvenirs..NOT!!!

2009-03-02T08:49:00.004-05:00

Lately , I have been trying to organize my pictures and closets . I have come across a lot of things I had totally forgot about. Duane and I have travel some before we had kids and then vacationed with the kids, We have acquire some souvenirs. I guess at the time, we thought we would like to have the souvenirs to remind of the trips but now looking at them,"What were we thinking?"....Then there are those things that have come from friends and family, who went on vacation and brought it back, saying" We saw this and thought of you .. " This is scary,Makes you wonder, What exactly do they think of us and Do they really like us? Just Kidding ( sorta)
My kids have receive the T-Shirt that said "My parents went to.... and all I got was this lousy shirt" Now , looking back at those souvenirs, some are pretty lousy...

Philippians 3:8 "All things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of Knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." In reading this verse, I wondered how many souvenirs I have acquired over the years serving Christ but not in Knowing Him. Did I go to Israel just to get my fish plate or my Nativity or was it to see the places where Jesus had been and talked about? Did we go out west to get the T-Shirt or was it to see the Beauty and wonder of God's creation? The souvenirs were not the reward, the trips were!........ I have many times serve Christ to get the praise, the fulfillment of getting results done, pride in using my spiritual gifts to their fullest...Even some of time , to think I could have God's favor through, things, people, status..... When compared to Knowing Christ, is worth nothing!!!! I have missed it.... I have been on the right road trip but focusing on the souvenirs as my REWARD, Which when it is over, I look at and wonder what was I thinking? Why did I buy into that? The reward of being a Christian is not...having money, health, beauty, fame, success. etc... The Reward is fellowship with Jesus. Walking and Talking with Him, learning about Him and from Him. Listening to His heart and pouring out yours.... He who made the universe and all that is in it.. wants to fellowship with me!! Now that is the Best Reward, why settle for just the souvenirs?

Pet Peeves

2009-02-23T23:34:00.002-05:00

I read a Blog by a Pastor name Perry Noble and while I have never met Him, I hear how God is using Him and his ministry to reach lost people and he is so real in his blogs.. His latest one was about His Pet Peeves .... so I was thinking about mine... here goes my list:

1- Women who smoke while pregnant - I just want to smack them!!
2- People who drive slow ,in the fast lane ( WHY, People, WHY ??????)
3- People who try to control me by sweet talking me.. come on, that is my job!!!
4- Adults who talk mean to children, calling them names---Don't get me started on this one!!!
5- People who say they want to serve God but are waiting on their spouse to serve, cause they want to serve God together.. Give me a break... Do ya wait on your spouse to eat, work or think ?....
6- People who use traditions and say it is holy and from God.. Read the Bible....
7-People who Judge others and think they are right and justify everything they do
8-People who have no Mercy

OUCH!!!!! Excuse me, While I get the honking beam out of my of my own eye..... All this time,I thought I was looking at others and I was looking in a Mirror!

I bought it, I bought it!!!

2009-02-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

I remember years ago, Marshall's had a commercial that had a lady who got to the store early and was tapping on the windows and saying ..OPEN,OPEN,OPEN!! Many times I have been at the store saying"OPEN,OPEN!!! I used to like to shop a lot. But now I go in sperts( not sure that is a word) but when I get that, Spert.. I love it!! I usually like to home shop more than anything else. I love to see the latest stuff for home decor... My tasted has changed over the years, My husband can't believe some of the things I have bought, He says he would have never bought that for me and can't figure me out!! Can you imagine, not being able to figure me out.. We have only been married for almost 25 years.. you'd think he would have some idea... but To His defense.. I have change in my style of decor. not sure what it is, I like to mix old with the new, bold colors... maybe I am shabby chic, hits traditional with a hint of modern all mixed up together and dip into all the colors God made!! Sounds good to me!!!
Hey, blame God, He made me like this.. OK, maybe the world added somethings to me.... and maybe I added somethings.. maybe I bought into some beliefs about myself.. starting when I was young.... My Parents always told me, I was the best girl in the world... My daddy loved His red-headed, freckle face girl, My mom called me sleeping beauty.. My grandparents... thought the sun ,rose and set on me.....It was a good life... I am not complaining,I loved being loved and adored by them all and truth be known, I still do!!!
But My creator, has revealed to me that I have bought into it all.. I Have believed that Life revolved around me, my comfort, my rights, my desires, my LIFE!!! You don't have to be raised by awesome parents and grandparents to believe this but for me, It lead right into.... my beliefs system. which I have lived out most of my life.... I realized How selfish I was.... I have prayed over the years not to be selfish, not to desire my rights and way! God keeps bring me back to" I would decrease., He must INCREASE", That I would get self out of my focus and focus on my Savior! Recently, God has brought this to my attention by His word, a song, and then yesterday at church.Ya think God does not want me to miss this.? I do have an attendances to miss it , if only said once..OUCH! Phil 2:2- 5 "If there is any fellowship of the Spirit,if any affection and compassion,make my joy complete by being of the same mind , Don't be selfish... be humble... don't think of yourself interest but others....Have the attitude of Jesus..This is what he spoke to me through His word.. Then I read about a minister who explains the reason why He closes his prayers with the sign of the cross..."The touching of my forehead and chest makes a capital"I" .The gesture of touching first one shoulder, then the other, cuts the"I" in half"...Isn't that what the cross does? Then I heard the song that goes something like.. Give me eyes that I might see., Give me a heart... like Jesus , yeah, " and then God decided I need to hear one more time.. Yesterday at church. Speaking about Is. 58 and how the children of Israel wanted God's blessings on their lives.. so they did all the right things. like prayers, fasting..etc. but God said.. Your knees are dirty from praying which is good but look at your hands.. they are NOT!!! And I want them dirty from Serving others, not just write a check or donate once a year but to get involve and invest in others.....
I have realized, I bought into the lie.. hook ,line and sinker.... that it was all about ME but Jesus said he came to serve not be served... It is all about HIM!!! .. Let the cross cut the"I"
This is the cure for selfishness!!

Jesus take the Wheel, take it from my hand.( Sing it)

2009-02-13T08:14:00.004-05:00

Living here in NC, I have heard Carrie Underwood's song.."Jesus take the wheel" over and over again, and I don't even listen to country music..
Have you ever fallen asleep at the while driving?
When I was in college, My family was driving me back after a long weekend home, it was an 8 hour trip, We left after church on a Sunday night and my uncle was driving , we all were asleep and all of a SUDDEN, we were swirling around and around til we can to a sudden stop!
Then after I was married, my husband and I made a 24 hour trip to MI to surprise his family fro Christmas, the trip was 12 hours one way( we were young and.. yes.. stupid but we were in love ;oO ), On the way back, my dear husband fell asleep and we found our self all over the road and ended up in the middle of the road with traffic stop and all looking at us. Both times God protected me from getting hurt..
I have never fell asleep driving but there have been times that I wondered how I got from point A to B and then at a light I would be jolted by the horns behind me, telling me to GO Girl!,
I didn't remember dozing off. In today's world, we are all so busy with work, kids and their lives, family, friends and church. No wonder.. the polls have shown that 67 % of women have sleeping problems and 43 % say that daytime sleepiness interferes with their daily routines.
Most of the time,I do not have a problem sleeping ,BUT.. I have found myself sleeping spiritually.. I have been going along in life, reading God's word but not even knowing what I read and serving him but not knowing why or how I got from point A to point B... I have been in his presence in my quiet time and in corporate worship and then,I have walked away and not been changed!!! How could this be? When you are in the presence of the almighty God, you should be changed! Just like when you are sleeping, when you wake up , you should be rested!

Psalm 51:1 "Be gracious to me,God according to your faithful love: according to your abundant compassion,blot out my rebellion." Now as I first read that,I rejoiced over the fact that He is faithful to love me and blot out my rebellion.( which we need to celebrate it) but as I meditated on it... God spoke to me.. His word says in Psalms 103:12.. He promises to remove our sins from east to west.. at the same time, sin leaves a scar that is real and can have a powerful impact on our hearts. In the Bible, over and over again God shows us people, who chose rebellion and bare the scare to tell the story. Eve ate the fruit and was banished from the garden, had hard childbirth and then her son killed her other son. Talk about dysfunctional family! Then David, a man after God's own heart, lost a child, conceived out of adultery, deceit and murder...There are real consequences from sin and rebellion.... The Great News is.. We are never too far from God's faithful love ,His abundant compassion and never to far from His blotting out my rebellion.. We can repent, and turn away from our sins and cling to God and his forgiveness, his mercy and Love!
We could let our wounds DRIVE us from Him or We can let Jesus take the wheel and take our hand, remembering what He has done for us and saved us from!!!

Friends don't let Friends drive or live sleepy, they point them to the ONE ,who never Sleeps nor Slumbers!!! Let Jesus take your the Wheel!

Happy Birthday, Jacob

2009-02-05T22:16:00.003-05:00

Feb.6 1995.. God made a beautiful baby boy. On May 13th God brought that baby boy into our family and blessed our lives. I have lots of crazy stories about my kids, they are not perfect, just look at their parents and you will see why but they are all great kids, full of life, and fun, OK, I could go on and on, I always get mushy around my kids birthdays.

I was told when I was very young that I could never have children, so to have three, is such a blessing to me. While they all did not come through me... They all have my heart. This weekend we celebrate our son Jacob's 14th birthday and I can not celebrate his birthday without thinking about the woman(or at the time the girl) who made one of the hardest decisions of her life, to do an unselfish thing by giving him to a family who has been so privilege to be His parents. While I have never met this woman, We will always be bonded.. We both love this boy... I know she thinks of him on this day ... one of my prayers is, that God would comfort her and assure her that she did what was right. I pray , that one day they will met and when they do, they will both know God had ordained it all, even if it is not here on earth, that it will be in Heaven...

So today, I say thank you, to the birth mother, for giving Him life and allowing us to be a part of it . I say Thank you to God, who knew him in his mothers womb and knew this child would change this mother forever!!!

Clean or Dirty Dishes to Serve you on?

2009-02-05T07:44:00.004-05:00

I am glad that as I write this I can honestly say I have no dirty dishes in my sink.. Now it was a different story last night but we are talking about NOW .....
I have been trying to get organized.. ( those who know me don't laugh ,God still does miracles) my pictures, in closets and under my cabinets in my Kitchen.. I have found so many things that I forgot all about .. In one of my cabinets I found many vases . You'd think I get flowers all the time looking , at looking all these vases .
I looked a these vases and remembered where some of them came from and others I had no clue.I have to say, some were cleaner than others, I think Charlotte had spun her web in some of them and it spelled 'WASH ME"!
This Morning, I was reading 2Timothy 2:20-22...In it it talks about how in houses we have dishes for company and then the ones we use daily bases.... You know the ones with the chips and cracks and maybe stained from microwaving sauce in them.... I guess ,I am confessing here!
Back to the His Word.. He talks about keeping ourselves Pure and Holy staying away from sin, that we will be like the dishes, Vases, (vessel) that are useful for the Master, prepared for every good work!
What does this look like? I asked myself... God answered Me with these thoughts.....
Love Him with a Love that surpasses anything and anyone. Respect and revere His word and understand that he has given it to me for my benefit. To Hide His word in my heart so that I am not attracted to sin and will run from evil,thoughts,words and deeds . Seek the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to do what is right and let Christ be formed in me...Wheeew.. "No problem God"... I thought... he answered me again and said " Surrender'".. your will for mine, your way for mine, your desires for mine... your possessions for Me.... Your past, present and future for mine! Allow me to Clean your dirty dishes. Even the ones you forgot about and not sure when or how they got dirty. "Let me clean them" cause I desire for you to be a vessel of Honor, sanctified and useful for Me, to use, to Serve Others!!!

Watch out!!... Your beliefs are showing!!!

2009-01-30T09:43:00.005-05:00

In these last days, and I do believe we are in the last days, But I have heard that most of my life. Being a parent I am more aware of evil than I was a kid or teenager or even young adult.
I have a wonderful and awesome family, but my sister and I joke about how we put the "FUN " in dysfunctional for our family. As I grow older, I realize we all are dysfunctional. It is a wonder we can even do anything with all the baggage some of us have... That is where God comes in and begins a work on our hearts and minds... leaving nothing unturned..
I have really desired to raised my kids to love God with all their heart , mind ,soul and body and love others!!! but I wonder about what they really heard me teach.
You know people can hear ya but they learn from what you really believe.. example... We believe everyone is valuable but who gets our attention the beautiful ones, the ones who are high achievers.. We say no abortion yet, we do not support crisis centers or adoption..We want to reach the un-churched , saying God hangs out with everybody but don't expect to get close to me. We say we are not a racist, but my kid is not hanging out or marrying them!
That's where our hidden beliefs speak louder than our words. We can say we believe it but when the rubber meets the road, our beliefs come out!!!
I would like to believe, it's the world way of doing it and if that were true, we could explain it away cause look who the world's father is!! But it is in the CHURCH.. The body of Christ.. We say God forgives, yet, we don't! We say Jesus came to serve but we won't, We say the church is for the broken, yet let one of the leaders be broken and we all forsake them like the plague. We say God is in control, then we worry.....
No wonder people are confused about Christ.. They always believe the hidden belief rather than the words we say....
As a wife, mother, sister, friend and leader, I wonder what am I really Teaching????

It is scary to sit and ask God to search your heart and reveal to you , what you truly believe, I have even fooled myself in a lot of areas of my life. Facing what's hidden is not easy. It is like on that show "What not to Wear" they have a mirror that the women step in front of to see the whole picture.( glad I don't own one of those). While they can see a lot, they can not see themselves as a whole, directly... We have a mirror..." God's word" to show us truth and the Holy Spirit to reveal the whole Picture, inside and out!!
In every life their is a hidden and spoken belief. The spoken belief does matter and worth getting right. But, The spoken belief can not overcome a Hidden Belief, that is wrong and based on a lie.
Hidden Beliefs shape our souls and changes lives....mine and all who I come in contact with...
Listen to the voice of Truth!!!
Watch out!! Your beliefs are showing!!!!

Wrestling

2009-01-21T22:06:00.002-05:00

When I was growing up , I wrestled with my brother and daddy all the time. I loved it. I was not much of a sissy girl. We would wrestle until either I had to go to the bathroom or could not get up and we had to claim a winner. Well.. God blessed me....I had two boys... my oldest son loved to wrestle w/ me and he would fight with all his might. We would wrestle until whoever pinned each other down had to say.. whatever the winner wanted them too. Like... if I was the winner I would make him say " Mom, you are the BEST mom in the world and YOU ARE the WINNER!!!!"
Both of my boys would laugh and try not to say it but I loved to hear it.I know most mothers hear it a different way but however I can...... Now that I am older and can't get off the floor,and they are a lot stronger than me, we play "King of the rug," .. it is standing and pushing each other off the rug... lots easier on the joints.
I was reading in Genesis 32:24-26 , Here Jacob heard that his brother was coming to see him....(remember what he did to Esau, stole His birthright and His blessing,I'd be scared too!) so Jacob divided His men and sent them ahead- Brave man he was! I can relate to Him.
Now he was left alone...he wrestled with a "man" Jacob later name that place"I have seen the face of God" Jacob wrestle w/ Him even to the point of dislocating his thigh with just a touch. Yet, Jacob, did not give up!!! He told Him.. "I will not give up unless you bless me" ...
Then God said"you will be known as Israel " For you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed"
You know, when I am alone, I can wrestle.. thoughts, doubts, fear, shame...... But reading this. Reminds me not to give up! but hold on to God, hold on to my time alone with Him. When I am alone with Him, He can speak to me without distractions, any influences of this world. When I am alone with Him I can pour out all my stuff! I can wrestle with Him and He teaches me (by pinning me down, I say, You are the winner and the best God in the world!!! )I have more of an intimate relationship with Him and My life is changed!
So in this busy life we all lead.. take time to be alone.....Spend time with Him...All wrestling is not bad!

Thank you President Bush and Welcome President Obama

2009-01-16T17:09:00.002-05:00

I read this prayer from Max Lucado and wanted to share it with you. but before I did I wanted to say Thank you to President Bush for serving this country. ( I know he won't read my blog) but I wanted to say it out loud . I also wanted to welcome President Obama and to say I will be praying for you and your family.......

A Letter from Max Lucado
Dear Friends, I am a pastor, not a politician, so I can only speculate as to what awaits President-elect Barack Obama. The long-lasting benefits of good choices…the fearful consequences of poor ones…complicated social issues and relentless international problems.He needs our prayers. And it’s our privilege to pray for him. The Bible says: Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. (1 Timothy 2:2)For that reason, I invite you to set aside a few minutes on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20, and ask God to bless Barack Obama and his family. Join me and urge as many people as possible to speak to God on behalf on our incoming president.Good things happen when people pray.A few years ago I attended a meeting in the White House. While standing in the State Dining Room, I noticed some words engraved on the fireplace: a message from John Adams to his wife Abigail. “I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.” Here’s hoping that same prayer is offered and answered again.
Max Lucado

Loud and Often

2009-01-16T08:47:00.005-05:00

I am reading a book by Lanny Donoho imagine "GOD"S BLOGS".
Since I start by accident, blogging, which is really nothing more than sharing what I am learning when I read God's word. Other blogs are about people's day, family, church, job, up coming events. I like reading other blogs. I like people and their stories , I guess you could say.. I am nosey! Does it help?, that I do learn from others.
In this book, he talks about God's favorite stuff He has done: Setting up the universe to spin like it does.. the red sea incident.. SURPRISE LAZARUS!! You're back!... Sent Jesus to earth!.. rolled away that stone so he could come out and show you who I really AM... created YOU in MY image(and you look good)......... It is a good book with refreshing thoughts on the life with God with a quirky author..... if ya need a book to read.
My daughter and I sing before she goes to bed, we sound pretty good.( I think) Well, in the morning, not so much singing is coming out of her, more like whining! She is not a morning person! but this morning she woke up singing "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,"I wish you could have heard her, she added the vibrato at the end of each notes, just like they sing it on veggie tales.. When she finishes a song, we always clap loud and often and say ..well done!! great job!!! sing it one more time!!! ( We might be those parents, that their kid is on American idol singing and Simeon, Paula and Randy ask Who said you could sing? and they say My parents!!!!(Well, to us she Can sing !!!!)
In my reading ,Psalm 105:2 "Sing to Him, sing psalms to him talk of all His wondrous works!"
Wondrous works....Think about that.. He loves me, he is always near me, He hears me, His eyes are always on me. He died for my sins !!!!Wow!!! Not to mention all the other great things he has done.. create universe, red sea, raise from the dead.......
What do I do?... I sing and worship God. Loud and often, clapping and saying, Well done, awesome job! One more time!!!! I need to worship Him and I need to do it more often....
and for heaven's sake, He does deserve it!!!!!!

He still working on me......

2009-01-11T08:30:00.005-05:00

I guess you could say I have always been a daddy's girl. Even when I was going through the teen years and we argue about everything, I remember saying.. I NEVER will be like you!!!!!
(I was a little drama queen, OK, maybe I am still, a little)
Well, low and behold, I am just like my Dad. Funny thing is, I love it!!!!
Every time he calls me he sings, he makes up songs and sometimes he sings old ones .. I love to hear Him sing to me... I now realize that I too, sing to my kids , family and friends when I call them, Especially if I get their answering machine. I look at it as , an invitation for me to sing to them. This last week my daddy called me and He sang an old kids song to me," He still working on me, to make me what I should be....." There truth in that kids song, My daddy is 70 years old and saids God is still working on Him. He loves God and is one of the most praying people I have ever known, My Life is a product of His Praying!!! I thank God for giving me, my Daddy.
We,as a family are still working on this crazy puzzle.I really don't think they put all the piece in the box! or someone has taken them to drive us crazy, which I would not put it pass anyone in our family.
It is funny though, my kids have tried to make some of the piece fit, my little girl said she has a pink hammer that she could use to make pieces fit , this is after she hit it a couple of times with her hands... It reminds me of my Life....So many times I have tried to make the pieces fit ....MY self with MY ways!! Did not work out well, at ALL!
God has already told me not to lean unto my own understanding but in all my ways acknowledge HIM!!!
Exodus 35:35 He has filled them with Skill....Jer. 29 :11.... He has already prepacked us with everything we need for the pieces of our life... for the purpose which He has called us!!
He knew I would be born in NC, live in Tenn, and Florida , marry , have kids.. and be back in NC. He Knew it all.... good, bad and ugly!!!
He has given me a choice.. Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way for truth,I have obeyed your laws.... This gift of choice that He has given me.. is a hard gift.. The choice to choose .. narrow gate or wide.. small crowd or big crowd.. Rock or Sand.....
Hard to choose in the moment.. to Obey or self- gratification, to choose... servant or Boss.... to choose MY way or His...The choice to walk in faith or take control.. the choice to surrender my will for His.. the choice ....to not hide anymore and allow Him to be seen in me.....The choice to listen to lies or Truth!!!
He has given us choices, eternal choices with eternal consequences....
I worship Him because....He is still working on me, to make me what I should be.......

Kindness of a Savior

2009-01-09T07:22:00.003-05:00

In my life i have had many people mentor me, some did it with out even knowing it and others walk with me and taught me. My mother is the one who has poured most in my life,She has mentor me in ways she will never know. She has taught me with her words and deeds. I learned more from watching her handle different situations than anything. I will always be grateful to God for allowing me the privilege to have her as my mother. But as great as mother as she is, She hasn't always been there with me.... when I went to school, when I became a wife and moved 8 hours away, then became a mother.. She could not be with me, But there was someone who has been here to mentor me through it all.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
My dad grew up on farms , they were sharecroppers and he would often take us by the many places that his family lived. He would tell the stories , some were funny but alot stories were of major hard work , that he did as a young boy. I remember him showing us a old plow that they would follow behind the cow or mule or whatever animal they had a that time and plow up the land, it did not sound fun at all to me, so when I read this verse, I realized that I do not want to take any yoke upon me but as I have learned, that when farmers would train a inexperienced ox, they would yoke it with an experience one. The Yoke would be tighter on the older one and they would carry most of the weight.So the younger would walk along side of the older one but his burden would be light... Makes a difference in this verse now.. Jesus is saying"I will walk alongside of you, we are yoke together but I will pull the weight and carry the burden"
WOW!!!!! What kindness, a Savior who could say.. you know you made your bed, now lay in it!, you choose that road now walk it!!!, but not Jesus, he carries my sins, my shame, my hurts, disappointments, my sorrow, my confusion, my fears. I wonder how many things, He has carried, that I know not of, and given me peace when I did not know I needed it.
That is the Kindness of My Savior, that my soul finds rest in.

Things that puzzle me.. Hummmmm

2009-01-04T14:39:00.002-05:00

I hope you have had a great start in the New Year. At our house, it has been a little hectic . Today is the start of... trying to get back on routine. For years I thought of myself as a spontaneous person , but once I am off my routine for a while I am itching to get back on it quickly, maybe it is a control thing.. Ouch!!!
I know many of people ,who over the holidays have puzzles started and when you come into their homes, you are welcome to work on it.
Well, this year we have one... our son Jacob picked it out and it has 1000 pieces!!! I would not suggest for anyone to start out this big, I think a 50 or 100 pieces is pushing it for me.
I have notice that we all look at the puzzle and work on it differently.. some walk by and grab a piece and place it right were it goes, ( I am not that one) some sit for hours and find only four pieces that fit together. It has been funny to see us all get frustrated with it and walk away!!!
Some of us never to return to the puzzle but some are up for the challenge and do it!!
With a couple of days that have gone by I can actually see the picture starting to appear, among the tiny little pieces of puzzles.
While we still have a ways to go, til it is through, it is encouraging to see the end in sight. It kind of reminds me of my life.... When I look at it , it can be over whelming and not look like much at all. Many of times people have walked away with pieces of me, I have wanted to walk away from myself too, but where would I go??
I thank God that He can be trusted... In Phil. 1:6 "He who began a good work in me will cont. it til the day of Jesus Christ." Looking through my own eyes or even eyes of another human being, I do look a mess but Looking through God's eyes.. He sees Jesus!!!!! And as Ps. 103:4 saids He.. loads me with love and mercy!!!
While, I might not see the big picture , I may only see one piece of the puzzle , I can thank God that, He never walks away from me and He going to finish what He started!!!!

It is Important for us to be on the Right Track but......

2008-12-29T17:02:00.002-05:00

As I come to the end of the year, I can't believe it is 2009, I remember when..... OK, I won't go there. But as I begin a new year, I sit here and start to make new years resolutions, .......

You know as a parent, I was so proud when my kids began to walk and talk. ( Now, I am not so sure about that! ) I remember our son Jacob, who is deaf, His first word was "fish". We were so excited, I wanted it to be Moma, but I was so happy when he signed fish cause we knew he got "IT" He understood that everything had a sign and he began to communicate with us. He hasn't stop talking since ;o).

I was reading 2 John as a prayer, I pray for my kids for years, I notice how excited John was in watching his "Spiritual Children" learn to walk..
verse 2-4 , they were living in the truth.
verse 6- they were walking in the truth- they believed it, obeying it in words and deeds!!!
verse 9- they were abiding in the truth- their faith was grounded in His word.( so they would not wonder from it)
Now you see why i pray this for my kids...What progress they made.... living, walking, abiding....
I look back at my life this past year and see some progress, some baby , big steps, some forward, some backwards.... This year, 2009, I want to learn to live, walk and abide in His truth more.
It's important for us to be on the right track, but don't just sit there, Get up!!! Live, Walk and Abide or....... you'll get run over!!!!

The real reason for the season!!!

2008-12-23T14:16:00.003-05:00

This past Sunday, Pastor Todd talk about " Why did Jesus have to die? " I thought to myself, why talk death when this season is all about Jesus birth?????
But then He read John 12:27" Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, Father, save me from this hour? But this is the very reason I came!!"
This is the very reason I came!!!! It made sense that to talk about His death! Wow, talk about a purpose driven life, Jesus had it!
My kids and I have been counting down the days til Christmas and it has been so exciting especially now, we are at 2 days left but when we first started, we were at 21 days which seemed like.. eternity!!! but I wondered .... Jesus who came from Heaven and knew no time, when he came to earth..... what he thought when God said your time is up! The reason you came is Now!!
In the last days of His life, He was praised by people when he came into the city on a donkey, then he washed his disciple's feet, Then in John 17:20 He prayed for the followers , I love this cause ....that would be you and me!!!!!! He prayed for us!!!!
As I worship Him during this season, My heart over flows with gratitude and awe, that He came for me ! I am the reason, He paid a debt , He did not owe cause I had a debt, I could not pay !!
Jesus was born on this earth, then He stretched out His hands on the cross ,
doing it all to say..... I love you! You are the reason I came!!!!
Merry Christmas from the Oyers

All In a Reputation

2008-12-19T07:34:00.002-05:00

During this awesome season, when we buy and receive gifts, it is funny how we want our gift to be special and I want the person to like it alot!!! if truth be known, I want them to like my gift the best! I have a friend who is awesome at gift giving, it is because she listens to people and can remember what they say they like all through out the year, I wish I was like that .
I have been teaching the story of Jesus birth for the past two weeks at pre-school and I have heard it many times. This year I have thought alot about Joseph and what he must have felt and thought.. Here is the woman he is going to marry having someone Else's baby. Joseph had a reputation, He had plans for his family...... Matthew1:24-25 Joseph.. took to him his wife and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son. And He called His name Jesus.
Wow, Joseph did not worry about his reputation with others . He had to let his own plans for his and Mary's life go.. you know now a days if a man was in this position, he might try to make money off the story, and make a name for himself, but not Joseph, he gave it all up for Jesus..
I am faced with this challenge, will I be willing to lay it all down? my plans? my reputation? instead of making a name for myself, will I make a home for Christ ,as Joseph did??
It is a wonderful thought that Joseph ,a man from a small town , a blue collar worker ,was the first to to say the name of "Jesus". What if, he hadn't laid it all down, He would have missed the greatest gift of all... Jesus!

More than a Story

2008-12-16T16:20:00.002-05:00

I love this season, it has always been my favorite holiday. I love the music., smells and lights,everything! The song" Mary did you know" has played many times on my radio since Halloween. I never grow tired of hearing it. Now Faith Hill has a new song" A baby changes everything" I cry after hearing that one. Ptl- He does change everything!
I guess as a mother, I wondered about so many things about my own kids. I always prayed that I would not see them on Sally Jesse Raphael , talking about their mother ;o0 ( thank God she is no longer on TV)
I always pray that My kids would follow Christ and love Him with all their hearts and love his people. Yes, I want them happy,healthy and enjoy life. But I can't imagine what it was like to have the Son of God, knowing that this baby who you cuddle and kiss and have grasp your fingers and pull your hair, would be the savior of the world, it so hard for me to wrap my mind around that!!!
She was called to a very special job, but also, this child would be different than her other kids, He had a special calling on his life, He would be God's son and her son ,Yet, he would be so much more-He would become her Savior.
This past weekend our pastor talked a little about Application vs Knowledge , Which was awesome and I could go on and on about that but I won't at this time......I know Mary had the knowledge that her son, would be the Savior but applying this would be hard.
I grew up in church, I am a preachers kid( OK, I know that explains alot, just remember it was the deacons kids fault;o)) I heard all about God and I love going to church, I had lots of knowledge, I even won many bible drills but as I got older and things happen and I made lots of wrong choices, Then I began to understand, God's love, mercy and grace. The bible and Jesus, were more than a story, more than History, as the song lyrics go... more than words on a page,.. He is the air I breathe, song that I sing, He is everything to me!!!
I am so grateful to God for choosing to use such a simple thing as motherhood to bring all people to himself!
So this season, celebrate more than the story, Celebrate Him!!!!!!

Moma, Where did I get this Scar?

2008-12-12T08:01:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I read a blog by ragamuffins soul , He was talking about his daughter and how she fell and had a big scar on her chin and how she was sad to go to school because she did not want the kids to make fun of her, Well, her daddy went into his wife's make up and drew scars on his face and said he would wear it to work. I love his attempts to console His little girl and try and help her through her pain.That's what a great daddy does!
Last night my little girl was pointing to a scar and asking me where she got that one and then she would point to another one and ask where did I get this one? Some of them,I would remember.... like when she fell on the side walk,or she burned her arm on a fire pit but many others I did not remember.( she is an active child :o)
Do you remember the movie with Mel Gibson and Renee? I think it is Lethal weapon 1,2 or something like that, where they compared their scars to see who had the biggest one or the biggest story about the scar? Anyways, I think sometimes, I do that, I look at my scars or I compare my scars to others. Thinking ,hey ,mine is not so bad but most time I try and hide my scars, like the ones on my legs, from many motorcycle burns and accidents. Some of my own doing and some from others doings. ( I will blame my older brother ;o) We do like motorcycles!! many scars i don't remember where i got them from.
It is just like the scars in my mind and heart,that Satan keeps lying to me about and trying to defeat me with. Some are from others, some I don't know where they came from but most are from my own doings! I praise God that, He loved me so much that he sent His son so that by His scars , I am healed!!!! We have a Father who does know and understand All of our scars.
I no longer have to hide them or be ashamed of them, God has and can use them to help others, be healed. Where did you get your scars? Give them to Him , to heal and use for His glory!

"Thats what friends are for"

2008-12-10T19:49:00.003-05:00

Don't ya just love that song.? You can sing it with me..... In good times and bad times... that's what friends are for....
I have had friends, some good, some bad. I have been a good friend and I have been a bad friend.. The bible talks alot about friendships.. I love the story of Jonathan and David but my favorite is when Jesus calls us His friends. How cool is that ????
What do you do with a friend? shop, visit, shop, go out to eat, pray with them, laugh with them, cry with them, shop with them, OK, you get it!
We see John who loved Jesus.. he lived out Proverbs 17:17"A friend loves at all times"
He was loyal to Jesus to the end, he was the only disciple at the cross. Even when he himself did not understand it all that was going on...
It did not really matter that he understood, he was more concern that His friend, Jesus was in trouble and he came to help Him.......Cause "That's what friends are for!!!!"

Who do you need to be a friend too, even if you don't understand all that they are going through?

Hey ,where are you?

2008-12-10T19:23:00.002-05:00

As I was reading in Psalms 103, when I came across verse 4, which I have read many times, this time it hit me... "He.....loads me with love and mercy".
As I meditated on this verse and It is awesome to think about what He does... during this season I celebrate His birth and all that he is doing.... He.... loads me with love and mercy!!!!
When I think about what that really means, I could cry..( OK, if you know me, you know I did) cause His love covers ALL things in my life,the good and Bad and ugly!!!!!, Every hurts,worry, secrets, pride, hurtful thought , word and motive.......
His love covered it all!
One of my favorite authors is Max Lucado and he has a great word picture I would like to share with you..Picture this, there is a dump truck full of love and it back up to you and God lifts the bed of the truck until the love starts to slide. Slowly at first, then down,down,down until you are hidden, buried,covered .
Then someone ask "Where are you?"
You say......"In here, Covered in love"

Now that is Mercy!!!
Celebrate that my friend ,Enjoy being Covered my His love and mercy!

Majority Rules , RIGHT ?????

2008-12-05T08:07:00.002-05:00

You Know in this day and age of new tech and new gadgets. We should have simplified our lives. In some ways I guess we have.We can talk to many people at one time, we can let people know where we are and what we are doing ,at all times.( Twittering is what they call it).
With all the many different things that we do, All have expectations of us, Like being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, Neighbor, employee, serve at the Church..... the list could go on and on for some of us. Everyone of these , come with people who have expectations of us... Could the majority be Wrong?????
As I read In Luke 4, The people of Capernaum tried to Keep Jesus from leaving them: But He said In vs. 42-43" I must preach the kingdom of God... because For this purpose I have been Sent" How could he resist the majority of the people, could they be wrong? Was he suppose to Forget what his purpose was a because these people needed Him and wanted Him with them, was this a Bad thing? Not a bad thing but Jesus resisted the peoples expectations of Him and stayed on with the purpose That God had Given Him..
I am so glad He did!!!!
He had a choice.....He could have reason w/ them and set up camp with them.. thinking that The whole world was why he came and the cross was His destiny but this town needs me to stay with them, If i had more time, i could help them.Could they be wrong? Yes, they were.
Jesus said no to the good things so He could say yes to the right thing: His unique call..

"Living on Purpose is the only way to really live. Everything else is just existing"

An Expensive Habit

2008-11-30T17:54:00.002-05:00

Today is ending a long weekend of Thanksgiving fun. I had some much warm fuzzy time with family and friends. My mom made all the great comfort foods and for a short moment we all forgot about our worries and enjoyed each other and our life!!! Not to mention that the Dallas Cowboys won their game , Yeah!!!!;o)
But now , as I come down off the mountain top, Reality hits and I hear about heartaches,From the loss of a 15 year old boy , who was out with his father and brothers hunting and in an accident loss his life, then, others who have loss their job, marriages that are fighting for survival, Men who have to be deployed and spend time away from their family..
I begin to be highly concern... OK, WORRY! What is happening??? Why is it happening? Why do bad things happen to good people??? Then I recognize , I have become anxious.Which I do not consider myself to be that kind of person but God reveal, while I do not act as the rabbit in the Winnie the Pooh books saying ,"Oh dear". I do act it out. I will not be confessing how I act it out at this time ;00....
In Matthew 6:27 " You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it."
God reminded me I have an expensive habit, .. anxiety.. which it does cost me. It cost me peace of mind! I learned that Anxiety splits our energy between today's priorities and tomorrow's problems. Part of my mind is on now ;the rest is not even yet.
The result is.. half-minded living. You know that saying " you have half a brain"... well, if you are worrying then..... Ouch!
Worrying has been connected to causing diseases, link to high blood pressure, heart trouble, blindness and many other things.This is a very Expensive Habit!
God, through His word, let me know that Anxiety doesn't work, our frets are futile. It has never solved a problem, nor cured a disease.
It has cause me to live only half the life I was meant to live!!!
It is an expensive habit.. That is not worth the cost!
So Today.. I am casting All my cares on Him for He cares for me!!!

The 15 year old boy who died in the hunting accident, At His funeral, 17 young people came to know the Lord.
It is not for me to understand but to TRUST HIM!!!!!!

I ask God....

2008-11-14T08:34:00.002-05:00

My Husband and I are involved in a Life group from our church, which we love! In our group we watch a movie and then answer questions, trying to find Jesus in the movie and how it relates to our life and how we can apply God's word to it.
Well, Since I do not analyze most things, this has been a challenge for me. I usually watch a movie for entertainment value only, Others in our group see it clear as day, my husband being one of them. ( opposites attracts ;o) Our last movie was SIGNS, In it Mel Gibson character had lost his wife and was really mad at God for allowing that to happen and then aliens came and attacked his family. OK, you might need to see the movie .
I was thinking about Mel's character ,He had asked God not to take his wife ,He was very angry with God, cause it was not the answer he wanted. He then turn from God and left the church ., lots more going in the movie.... but.....
I realized that I too have asked God to do something For me and many times did not get the answer that I wanted. I can thank God for some of those "NO" answers .. like the boy I wanted to marry in high school, God protected me and Him :O) but there have many things like my parents divorce, then loss of children through both pregnancy and adoption.. there are many more things both big and small, that I have ask God to do For me ...
Psalms 121 is a great reminder of what God does and reminds me , that too often I seek help from wrong sources... It is He who made the Mountains , the heavens and ME!! He will always have his loving eyes on me, refreshing my soul and protecting me from danger without and within.
While God may have not done all that I ask Him to do for me, He was doing something IN me.
Phil. 1:6 He who began a good work in you, will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns!!!
I am eternally grateful that God, who knows and sees the big picture , Yet, He still wants me to be a part of his plan. What an awesome God!!!!

Daddy and Daughter

2008-11-10T13:54:00.002-05:00

This morning, As I was getting dress,I heard the conversation between my daughter and her daddy. He was getting ready to go out the door for work, it went something like this..

Daddy, I love you, you are the best daddy in the world. Daddy, thank you for my house and food and clothes and Dora, Daddy, daddy. Daddy ,where are going? thank you for working hard for me, Daddy, When will I see you? Daddy. I love you!!!!

Then he went out the door and she comes skipping and dancing into my room and lets me know that she has the best daddy in the world and She is his princess girl. As I listen to her, I was grateful at what God had done in our family. We adopted her at three years of age, she is now seven, I remember the very first day she saw Duane, she called him daddy, (I knew at that moment she was ours, there was not turning back). I was reminding of my relationship with my heavenly father. I thank God, He adopted me into his family. I was reviewing Romans 8:28-39 and what God had told me He will do for me.

The "I will" statements in the passage..

I will... make sure all things work together for your good.

.... conform you into the likeness of my son

...... justify and glorified you

.....graciously give you all things

.....intercede for you

..... never separate his love from me!!!!!

These are promises to me from God, He does not just tolerate me.

God is on my side because He chooses to be. He choose me!!!!

So I, as his daughter can be confident , Just as I see the confidence in my daughter when she saids to her daddy, You are the best daddy in the world., I am so glad that I am your girl. I too can say the same to my father, cause He is the best father , in and out of the world!!!!! So let's go skipping and dancing and living like God's girls!!!

Mixed Emotions

2008-11-05T16:13:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, We as a nation voted and I love the fact that we have the freedom to do so.
While I did not vote for Obama, My heart was filled with alot of emotions and crying as I watched many others , Many thought we'd never see this day. Many cried cause they have worked very hard and Many have given their lives so that this day would come. I was so excited for them. I know as a white woman, I could never really understand all the emotions that I saw but as a Parent of two children who are black, I am filled with alot of excitement for them ,to know that NO More, can anyone tell them they can't be President of the USA, ( Our history has told them that and many other Cant's ) but No More!!! While I am not naive to think that prejudice doesn't exist anymore, It does help to have a biracial President. Thank God we have come along way and I am proud of this country for that.
I say all that .... then I look at what this country DID vote for, My heart hurts for alot of things that we differ on, but mostly for the unborn and marriage act, which he is against.
On my drive to work this morning, I talk to God about it cause He created and loves us both , He was not surprised by the results! He let me know that while I may have wanted to put my trust in a President, I need to put my trust in God, He can trusted!!!
I need to let my love for my Lord show more than my wanting to focus on the things that are wrong with the President. I need to pray for him and his family, and all those he chooses to put in charge. I need to pray for this nation and the world we live in. I need to pray for the body of Christ, that we as a church , will stand for God, not for ourselves, not for our rights, but for HIS righteousness!
So I am learning when I have mixed emotions, go to God who created me cause He can handle them ALL!!!!!!! He can be Trusted with me , with my emotions and with the USA!!!!

Made for a Mission????

2008-10-31T12:26:00.002-04:00

Reading in 2 Corinthians 5:20... God uses us ( ME) to speak, beg or persuade others to drop their differences and enter into.... receive His love He offers them....making things right between them and Him..... !!! What great verse for me, this season of elections.

God is at work in this World not just here in America and He wants ME and you to join Him... We might be the only Christians, some people will ever KNOW....

This is my mission ....if I am willing to accept it or not?????

" A Christian's life should be nothing but a visible representation of Christ" ONLY by the grace of God my savior, Lord, King and Friend can this happen. Lord save me from Self AGAIN!!!

I am a Sheep

2008-10-27T18:04:00.002-04:00

Did you know???... In ancient times the sheep pin was a circular stone corral with a single narrow opening. After the sheep were inside, the shepherd would lie down across the opening, using his own body to form the gate or door of the sheepfold. Nothing could enter or leave the fold without the shepherd knowing about it.
Sheep really should be on the Endangered Species list. Because...Sheep are slow, weak and defenseless, left to on their own, they would starve, they follow one another blindly, according to an unthinking"herd instinct"
They cannot cross deep water without drowning, they are vulnerable to parasites and diseases, they tend to overeat, then lie down and can't get back up ( I am more like them than I care to admit)
Indeed sheep would be virtually extinct- Except for one thing.......
SHEEP follow their SHEPHERD
I was reading in John 10:27- My sheep recognize my voice and I know them and they follow me.. Well after reading what all sheep do, it is not very flattering to be called a sheep.. but really knowing me and what I am capable of, I know I am a sheep , that needs her shepherd!
Isaiah 53: 6 ..... We everyone of us- have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God's paths to follow our own. Yet,God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us!
I thank God that He Is my shepherd and He is one Leader, I can't afford not to follow!!!
Remember: God loves EWE!!!!!!!( OK, I could not help myself :O)

The Future is ours you see.....

2008-10-24T12:02:00.004-04:00

"The future is that time when you'll wish you'd done what you aren't doing now."
This is so true. I remember being in college twenty something years ago and started a exercise program of running, Well, I did not stick to it and well, the results are..... I still struggle, we won't go there ;oO
I have started and stop lots of things, some good and some bad.
After Reading in the word, I wondered..... What does the fall of an ancient city more than 2500 years ago have to do with my life today? What lesson can I draw from Prophecies?( In Nahum, which is where I am reading )
One of the most important thing I am learning is this... .God keeps His word. What he promises, whether blessing or punishment, he will deliver every time!
If I really believe that, then do I live that way? Do I pray that way?
In 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, What does this tell me about the promises God has made in his word to me?.. He carries out and fulfills all God's promises, no matter how many of them there are: and we have told everyone how faithful he is, giving glory to his name... It is God who has made you and me into faithful Christians and commissioned us to preach the good news...he has put his brand upon us- his ownership- given us his Holy spirit in our hearts as a guarantee that we belong to him, and as first installment of all that he is going to give us!!!!!!!
WOW, can't wait to get the rest!
Praise Him, cause no matter what the future looks like in the news. With Him, the future is Bright!!! He keeps his promises!!! He does not start and stop things... He will finish what he started. Now, I need to go and live like it!!!! Glow girl Glow!!!

Prayer From Max Lucado"You have our Attention Lord"

2008-10-15T17:20:00.002-04:00

I read this and thought I would share it with you...

You Have Our Attention, Lord A prayer by Max Lucado - October 2008

Our friends lost their house

The co-worker lost her job

The couple next door lost their retirement

It seems that everyone is losing their footing

This scares us. This bailout with billions.These rumblings of depression.

These headlines: ominous, thunderous -“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What's Next?”What is next?

We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.You told us this would happen.You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.Greed will break your heart, You warned.Money will love you and leave you.Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.

We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have.Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor.Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it.

And now, tell us Father, are You taking it?We’re listening. And we’re praying.Could you make something good out of this mess?

Of course You can. You always have.You led slaves out of slavery,Built temples out of ruins,Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.

This disorder awaits your order. So do we.Through Christ,Amen

God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them. (Luke 18:7 NCV)

Missing Out on God moments

2008-10-13T10:05:00.003-04:00

In the times of uncertainties.. I have seen fear on many faces. Sometimes looking in the mirror at myself. I realized how much fear has had a grip on me. I remember living in Florida and our family was driving through downtown Miami and a homeless man was begging for food. my husband( who has always had a very giving heart) wanted to give him some money or food but out of my fear I said No, do not stop just keep driving and then My son said but mom he needed it. I realized it was a great opportunity for my son to see us extend Jesus Love to those who can give nothing back to us but because Of my Fear, I missed a God moment.
So as I read in Isaiah 43 this morning, The Lord said.. Now he who created you..... don't be afraid for I have ransomed you, I have called you by name you are mine. when you go through deep waters and great trouble I will be with you, you will not drown, when you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you, For I am the Lord Your God, Your saviour... You are precious to me and honored and I love you..
It comforts me to know I do not have to fear,He is with me. but when I let fear rule. I miss Him working all around me and miss allowing Him to work through me. And in these days with all the things going on around us, God wants to use His people to show others Himself.
I sure miss alot by being controlled by fear

To be right or righteous?

2008-10-10T09:00:00.002-04:00

With this being a political year, It has def. stir up lots of emotions in people. Myself included.
I have to admit, I love to argue with people about it all. You , might say i have a confrontational personality. I love hearing their side but I want them to hear my side and I want to Change them !!!! I have even got angry with people and Judge them for their views. Which God has reminded me to be angry and Sin Not Ephesians 4:26. Which is hard to remember in the heat of a Debate. God has taught me over the years, to check my motives!!!! Am i more interested in being RIGHT or being Righteous?..... I would love to say being righteous, but in all honesty being right has been my motivation for most argument I have been in whether political or in my marriage, with my kids,etc.... from the silly to the serious.
I love the fact that David in the Psalms tattles to God about His enemy and how God should destroy them He calls down cures on them, He was angry , because of the Sin, not because he was saving face for himself. Big difference!!!
So as I talk with my friends and neighbors about political things, I am reminded .. to check my motives...Is it to be right or to be righteous?

How well are You?

2008-10-01T18:11:00.004-04:00

Last week I went to the doctors for my yearly visit. While I was there I notice, there is a well side and sick side.I was so thankful that I could sit in the well side cause You know just sitting on the sick side makes you think you are sick. While I was sitting there I felt for those who were on the sick side but deep inside I was so glad it was not me.
Well, a week has gone by and my test are back and while I have nothing serious, I am not as well as I thought I was. Here I was walking around thinking I was well, when deep inside something was happening , that only a certain test would show , Unless I did not have the test and then it got worse. I did not even have any symptoms. I am just going along with life not knowing what was hidden deep inside. I started to think, How long have I been walking around thinking I am OK spiritually, when deep down inside I have something festering.( anger, fear, pride, etc...) Now I know what the bible was saying when it said "Search me ,OH God, and know my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me" Then and only then will I know how well I truly am.

How deep is your Love?

2008-09-23T15:35:00.004-04:00

How deep is your Love.. great song. Can you sing it?

God is love and he wants us to grow up to be like him. The height of maturity is not how much doctrine you know. The height of maturity is how deeply you love." - Rick Warren

This month at our church we have had a sermons series "Give Love Away! Mostly talking about our money, and what is important in God's economy as to what is important in the world's economy. It has made me do some really soul searching, ... this is truly where the rubber meets the road, it is action and not just words. .. it is maturity over whining , It is giving and not getting... Ouch!!!!
Questions ... How deep is God's Love? What does He value? Do I?

Today is My man's 50th birthday ;oO

2008-09-22T17:04:00.002-04:00

Ok, since we have been celebrating his birthday all month long, I think I am 50 now!!!
JK, He is a wonderful man who deserves to be celebrated everyday but thank God he doesn't expect to be. I love you honey, and I hope you have another 50 years but I hope I am in heaven for last ten, hehehehehe ;oO

For Realsssss

2008-09-22T16:23:00.002-04:00

My daughter has a new saying" for realssss", she uses it all the time now , I am not sure where she picked it up but I love to hear her say it, especially when she is trying to convince me of something and I am laughing and she saids to me, MOMA, for reallllsss!!!! She cracks me up! I am not sure she uses it at the right time or in the right context but since I do not use words at the right time or context, who am I to correct her, I know scary!
As first day of Fall, I am watching the leaves turn and fall , It always reminds me of old things gone and God makes all things new. I am grateful to him for doing that, there are alot of things He needs to make over in my life and make new. I won't go into that here on this blog, He knows me :O)
I love him for His constant presence in my life. I love the fact that He has never left me, even when I wanted to leave myself. I love him for the fact that he not only tells me He loves me but he shows me all the time. He not only saved my soul once , when I was 8 years old, He keeps saving me from myself daily!! I love the fact that He is faithful, In a world where not much is.. (ie. the stock market) He is faithful .
Go ahead , sit outside , feel the cool weather ,drink your apple cider and let God remind you of his faithfulness and how He can change your old to new!!
He has done great things, For reallsss!!!!!

Good intentions enough?

2008-09-15T14:23:00.003-04:00

I am still reading"Every body's Normal till you get to know them"
OK, I am slow a reader ;o)
I am still on the "Mat carriers and roof crasher". I want to be both!!!! but I am afraid I am more often like the ones who go inside and find a seat , get comfortable and wait for Jesus to speak. My intentions are good, I want to hear Jesus and all that he has to say, I want a up front spot, I want to see his face!! Is this bad??
well, when I think about the whole thing, I think about these friends and what great friends they are, they wanted more for their friend than for themselves, they wanted their friend close to Jesus, that is what great friends do, I mean they could have left their friend and got there early and got a great seat but instead they carried his MAT and dug through the roof and lowered His Mat for Him to see Jesus. I did wonder what the homeowner thought but then what did the others ,who got there early think?
I mean, they wanted to hear Jesus and then someone interrupts ! How dare them! I may not have said that out loud but many times I have thunk it ;oO
Thank God, He reminds me that More than anything, God uses people to Heal People.
Jean Vanier ( not sure who he/she is but I like this) said" A community is never there just for itself or for its own glory.it comes from and belongs to something much greater and deeper:the heart of God to bring humanity to fulfillment. A community is never an end in itself: it is a sign pointing further and deeper,calling people to LOVE"
So while good intentions are good, if they are not with Love then they are Nothing!!

surprise party

2008-09-11T16:19:00.003-04:00

This past week, I gave my man a surprise 50Th b-day party. While it was alot of fun, it was alot of work. i had to lie about alot of things. like where I went and why some people were coming to town. It was hard to keep it all straight and many times I almost let it slip. but i must say watching his face, was worth it all. it was worth it watching him sing all the songs played that night. He enjoyed begin with his friends and family. God blessed b holding the rain back. i do praise Him for that!!!!

I do love parties but I think this will be the last surprise one for a long while, I am tired!!

no more slide show

2008-08-31T19:12:00.002-04:00

I deleted the slide show of people I did not know ;o)
Hopefully one day I will be able to put a slide show together of people I do know!!
Let's not hold our breath ;oO

Our son was baptized today

2008-08-31T18:55:00.003-04:00

Today, our middle son who is 13, was baptized. Duane ( my man) was able to perform it and he got choked up, and well, I did too. I remember when our son, ask Jesus in his heart, A friend of ours , who was his teacher at church led him to the Lord, and he has always said he did it, even when we as parents wondered, if he was too young or wondered if he did totally understood it .
Well, God reminded me, that childlike faith, is all ya need and in Luke 18, Jesus stresses Childlike faith, he welcomes it, he wants us all to come to him in childlike faith for EVERYTHING!!!
When you really think about this, it is hard, the childlike faith he was talking about was not toddlers but infant, he wants me to be depend on Him, Trust him, realize I need him, and expect him to come through for me. Depend, trust, realize, and expect!!, I am only human , how can i do this?... childlike faith
It is just like God to be an 'Out of the box " God.
Why can't he have us be mature, religious people, that would be easier but as a child, a simple relationship, that is what he wants .
God- I want that too!

I wonder....hummmmmm

2008-08-26T16:14:00.003-04:00

Lots of things going on, first, I wonder ,how in the world did I get a slide show on my blog? HUMMMM

I have a squirrel that is laughing at me, he/ she sits on my deck eat my bird food and when i try to scare him, she just jumps from the deck to the trees and then back again. I wondering how to get rid of him HUMMMMMM

Then I am reading still about the friends who help their friend with His MAT, and tore open the roof and lowered him down, I wondered what the home owner thought Hummmm ;o)

I wondered if I would go through all that trouble , not caring what others thought, said or did, would I be willing to do the work it takes to tear open the roof and then lower my friend down. Do I do that ? I want to be that kind of friend, I want to be there for them, my intentions are good but do they match my actions, I wonder hummmmm

Intentions w/out actions, I wonder if that will be my next blog..hummmmmm

Everybody has a Mat

2008-08-21T11:46:00.002-04:00

In reading this morning, I read about the man in the Bible who was paralyzed and had to be carried by friends to see Jesus. After reading what truly this man went through, the fact that he even had friends was a miracle, cause back then people who were in that condition didn't they were outcast, even the kings wanted them dead at births and then the people thought they had sinned to have this done to them. Wow, I wondered if we have come along way since then.....
This man being totally depended on his friends, his trusting them with his being vulnerabilities. this mat should had created a wedge between he and them, instead became an opportunity for them to serve and love and value him as Jesus does us. Everyone o f us has a mat, something that should drive a wedge between us and them.. like drugs, fear, temper, need to be in control, or has a hard time to trust..... We all have a Mat, some of us pretend we don't cause we can make our mat look pretty or disguise it or Mask it..... But when we choose to live in community as this man did he allowed them to see his mat and to only see it but help carry it!!!! Wow what courage he had to be that vulnerable.
In my life I have had friends who have carried my mat and because they did, I was healed and restored. So today I asked myself ......
Am I living in community ,where I let others see my mat ,so that in those areas of my life that I need help, they carry my mat? And whose Mat do I need to carry?

Refreshing Others

2008-08-16T09:25:00.002-04:00

In the Bible it saids... He who refreshes others, will himself be refreshed..
How can this be? We do not have time to do this and when you do, Aren't we tired? With all the demands of life, Are you sure you got this one right God?
Well, He does know all things, He said his burden is Lite, So how did we get so overloaded and off base with our lives that refreshing others became a burden???????
What hinders us? Time, money, resources, or Because we are not listening to God and doing our own thing. OK, I am guilty!!!
I am doing what is good but not always ,what is Best! I do have excuses, they sound good to me but when I compare them to the Word, Not some much anymore.
I think my mind is more busy than I am. When the committee in my head meets, they can have long meetings ;oO( OK, don't be scared, everyone has a committee meeting in their head, all the different choices and feeling and opinions)
Well, I love God, cause he whispers to me to be still and Know that He is God and when I do that, Then I can hear him when he tells me go and refresh them , give them water in my name, or let them go first in line at the store or let them cut in traffic or .......... and then I am Refreshed!!!

God is awesome!!

2008-08-14T07:23:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I had an interview for a job, and in the morning I was talking to God , while I was brushing my teeth, ( i love that we can talk to God anywhere) I ask Him if He had anything for me. He reminded me of the verse in Proverbs that "Even a Fool seems wise when he keeps his mouth shut" Ouch!! I love that about God, He does not pull any punches with me. NOW, If I will obey what He saids, That is the miracle.
I praise Him that His mercies are New every morning and Great is His faithfulness to Me!!!

Flipped remakrds

2008-08-11T09:38:00.001-04:00

I must say this is a hard Post for me to write , cause I have been guilty of this so many times.
I have said something not really thinking about what I was saying or how it was going to affect someone .
This was brought to my mind ,when I heard something said about someone, they did not know but the words implanted a thought into my mind and If I choose to repeat it, (not even knowing if true or not) how it could hurt have them, and their ministry, It was a big Ouch to me!!!
God reminded of the times, that I had said things about others not meaning to hurt but they were careless words.... just thrown out there for the taking...( Satan's tool)
Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
I have been on both sides of reckless words.. and the sword cuts both ways, going in and coming out!!!
So my prayer today is:
Psalms 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep a watch over the door of my lips.
2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
I pray my words are an encouragement to you..... Like honey!!!

Sing , Sing, Sing

2008-08-07T07:12:00.000-04:00

Last week I went to see the movie Momma Mia. I loved it. I have always loved musicals from The Sound of music, Grease, Phantom of the Opera to Momma Mia.
I love Music. I am so thankful to know God loves it too!! I love the fact that He is singing over ME, It made we wonder what was He singing ? What the names were ?
So just for fun I came up with a list (this is the short version) of some,I know have been my life's songs:
1- Born to be Wild
2- She is running a hundred mile an hour in the wrong direction
3-NO one ever care for me, Like Jesus
4-Great is thy Faithfulness, Lord unto ME
5-Living Life upside down
6-Reunited and feels so good
7-In Christ alone I place my trust, in the glory of the Power of the cross

Trust me this is the short version ;oO
It was neat to be able to go over my life and singing about it, and know that " Through it all I have learned to trust In Jesus", and Because He lives I can face tomorrow!!
OK, I will stop but I pray I never stop singing.
I want to encourage you to SING , Go ahead sing, Sing a Song, make is simple to last your whole life long, don't worry if it is not good enough for anyone else to hear, just SING, SING A SONG, LALALALA

Normal? who is normal?

2008-08-05T16:23:00.000-04:00

The book I am reading is so good.."Everybody is normal till you get to know them"
He talks about how in stores they have items that have a tags on them"as is" which is a good way of saying damaged goods or sightly irregular. It is a warning!! no returns, no refunds.
They might not tell you what the flaw is ,you have to search for it!!
It reminds me , that people do not come with these signs .
Some of us , you can see our flaws a mile away but most of us , people have to search.
They get to know you ( really know you) not the " Sunday morning You" but the one that is angry at the kids on the way to church or mad at the traffic cause it is bumper to bumper, or mad cause someone can't read the sign 12 items only lane and they have 32 items!!!
Or hurt by our spouse cause they do not think the way we do.
It is kind of funny how we think our family is the normal ones and our in-laws are not!!
We all have quirks, and flaws. So I guess we all are abnormal!!!
Yet, it is humbling, when ya think ,that our God made us for community, He wants all of us abnormal people ,who have many flaws and can pick the flaws of others out right away and so many times , are more than than willing do soooo , OUCH!!!
He wants us, to live in community, it is His hearts desire, He wants us to draw closer to each other and learn and grow and value each other, Just as He values us!!!
This is hard! Only God can give us wisdom, power, the tools and humor to do so!
I am thankful for God and the ones ,He has sent into my life that know all about me and love me anyway! He is an awesome God!

24 years of marriage

2008-08-02T16:01:00.000-04:00

This weekend My man and I are celebrating 24 Years of marriage. I have to say, it has gone by fast, but then again alot has happened and I mean alot has happened during those 24 years.

I can remember meeting him on campus, watching him as he nervously asked me out and I said "Yes" , which is one of the smartest things I have done in my life.
Our relationship has never followed the rules. We have never been the fairy tale couple you see on TV, unless you count Lucy and Ricky ;o) We aren't mushy and definitely not perfect...
We do everything " BIG" Laugh, Live, Fight, and Love!!!

But I have learned that it is all "Ours." The crazy jokes only we understand, the looks, and the smirks.
All the songs he can come up with, out of every word I say.

I have learned that I would rather be "Real" with Him than " fairy tale " with anyone else.
I thank God for allowing us to go and grow on this journey of Life and we are a testimony of only what God can do!!!
I don't know what He has in store for us but I know I want, Duane John Oyer, in My Life.
I know I love him more now that I did 24 years ago, but then again, I was only 19. What were you thinking honey?! I was young and you were.... Well, an Old man!!! hehehehehe
Happy 24Th Baby!!!

Shoulder to shoulder

2008-07-31T12:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, was an adventure, One that turned out really good. ( Some advetures do not turn out so well) , A friend and I went to see extreme home makeover and we watch the house come down ( and met Ty ;o)
Last night when I thought of it all. ...It was cool to see the behind the scenes look at how it all works.
I was thinking about a lesson I had, on how the body of Christ are to work together , In Nehemiah 4, it talks about how they carried their materials in one hand and their weapons in the the other, and each builder wore their sword at his side as he worked. and in Zeph 3 9-17 they Serve him shoulder to shoulder!!!!
Watching those builders work yesterday, they did not have swords but they work side by side, helping each other.
I wonder how many times I have done my on thing and not work with those who God "Posted " by me. I was on my own!( not a good thing)
Don't ya think that they the people in neh.) had to help each other fight off the enemy????
Well, We the Body of Christ are not doing that!( I am guilty) we don't help each other fight off the enemy, Nor , do we help build the wall, We all have our own agenda and we let those who fall, fall where they may. As we look down on them from our ladder and say they should have, could have ,.....
If we do not want to find ourselves among the christian casualties, then we have to learn to fight FOR and NOT with each other.
Shoulder to shoulder my friends, til the end!!!!

Friends

2008-07-28T21:39:00.000-04:00

This is for my good friends who I thank god for and know they are from him. I am thankful for the ones who tell me to stay FOCUS!!!! it is so hard with so many chickens running around out there trying to get my attention!!!
Thank you. I love ya'll like a rock!

Good intentions

2008-07-28T21:22:00.000-04:00

I am studying about David and how he had god motives when he had the ark move on the ox cart but then it stated to fall and person died.......Beth Moore talks about how His motives for transporting the ark was both pure and right.His means, however was tragically unscriptural.He made the grievous mistake of not pouring over the scriptures for the proper handling and transport of earth's sacred vessel.
It made me think of how many times I have had good intentions and started moving and low and behold someone died( well not really) but got hurt, spiritually hurt and wounded, All because I had not taken the time to pour over God's word and went ahead and spoke on my own!!!
I really relate to this when it comes to my husband and kids, OUCH!!!! this is very convicting, i was raise that it was the thought that counts and now i know that is not truth!!!

One more thing, The bible tells us about the Philistines had transported it the same way , yet they did not died when they touched it, hummmmm. God expects His people to possess the scriptural knowledge and approach rightly what is scared..
Now we can understand why David was afraid and angry. but I wonder, Are we( the church) teaching His people what is scared or just to have good motives???
What am I teaching my kids???

Mask that we wear???

2008-07-27T18:44:00.000-04:00

Today at church our pastor preach on" dark knight" which we have not seen the movie ;oO He talk about how we all have mask, It made me really think and so i went strait to the source.....Duane , ( my man) who has already identify the mask he wears and as usual i am more difficult or stubborn.
You know, I have begun to think I like mask, cause they can be colorful, dressed up or down, they can go with many different outfits, right for many occasions of life. If ya have had them all your life, when you take it off, you may not recognize the real you when ya look in the mirror . don't get me wrong, I like me , but then once in a while when i don like how i feel, i like to wear a mask, then nobody knows this warrior is a child( as Twila Perry sings) So now I am asking God to reveal to me the mask i wear,i think i have ask him many times before and when He tells me I would explain or excuse it away so i get back on this merry go round, the scene is the same.. it is me standing in the need of prayers, Again!!!!

This is a hoot!

2008-07-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

I love this blog thing, thanks Kim for your encouragement.

I just wanted to say Praise the Lord for reminding that He loves my kids more than I do!!!
Since I am a control freak, it is hard to let them go but yesterday I saw God gently Hold my kid in a scary time and I did not realize until after it was all over, He was holding me too!!! I love that about Him, He is so cool!

2008-07-23T13:28:00.000-04:00

This my Middle child who always takes his own picture which he makes many faces, And..

I love tthem ALL!!!!

2008-07-23T13:26:00.000-04:00

This is daddy dancing with his cinderella Diamond ,

She loves her daddy

2008-07-23T13:24:00.000-04:00

This is my eldest, he can dance! Just like His dad, makes me proud!

random thoughts

2008-07-23T13:12:00.000-04:00

My friend said that if i have a blog, i need to share wisdom and random thoughts, well, since wisdom is not in me, then random thoughts it is ;o)
Yesterday, i had my bible study, it was awesome. you know the word of God is for my reality, It is when i choose to apply it that i can see what awesome things He has in store for us.

Example: It was on Zeph. 3- God is in Heaven, I am on earth, may my words be few, well, I applied it , to listening to someone and not giving an answer and low and behold it works, God met them and God worked, and I did not have to share alot of words of my own, even though I thought what i had to say was pretty good stuff.
another thing was how we need to encourage one another, well, I listen to God and the person He brought to my heart, i called and it was like honey to both of us, so healing and refreshing.
Ok, my friend also said that if i blog i need to keep it short and not long as others do. which can i say this is so hard for me since i have so many random thoughts but i guess those should be few too!
I hope i encourage you to apply God's word to your Reality!!!!

The first blog

2008-07-21T21:26:00.000-04:00

Hey,
This is fun, i can not believe i am doing this free ;o) hehehehe