Just a word...

Satan is real as we all very well know. He is out to devour us, not just trip us up - DEVOUR us. He is ruthless and cunning, an angel of light. We MUST be prepared for the fight. We MUST daily put on the whole armor of God. That takes action and obedience, never assuming the armor will just "fall" upon us because we are saved. Put on the full armor of God every day. Still there are areas uncovered, it seems, where Satan gets his grimy little hands in our life, but we MUST fight the fight and finish the race realizing we have a "great cloud of witnesses" cheering us on. (Hebrews 12:1)

We have a power in prayer. We cannot fail to lift one another up. In these last days even the very elect will be deceived; we are warned of that. Yes, we MUST ask questions and we MUST dig in the Word daily to recognize deception and false teachings. The blood Jesus shed those thousands of years ago hasn't lost its power. Let's plead the blood over one another through 2008, let's FIGHT with the Sword of the Spirit because we KNOW that "in this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"!!! (John 16:33)

Remember, we can, through the power of Jesus Christ, do all things. Nothing is left out there. We can find answers; we can be healed - emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually; we can minister; we can find that peace that passes all understanding; we can defeat the enemy! We can trust God enough to know that He is allowing us to pass through the fire to refine us as pure silver - PURE silver - so He can see His reflection in us.

Oh, friends, let us hold one another up. "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." Hebrews 12:12-13

Let us remember the POWER in prayer. Let us try to search out joy because God has told us to count it ALL joy. I'm the first to say, that's often a tough one to obey, but again, Phil 4:13 - it's still in there. We can - through Jesus Christ and His power.

And keep your hope!! "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 'For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:35-39)

Hallelujah, brothers and sisters!!! We just have a little longer to tarry. Don't give up the fight! Read, study, memorize, hide the Word in your heart - and maybe Ephesians 6:10-20 would be a good place to start. Like David who faced Goliath we must remember - the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17:47), we just have to take off the "armor" of this world, and put on the FULL armor of our God!

Jan
Isaiah 43:1-2

Were you born in a barn?

I don't know about you, but down here in the hills of TN, I've heard this question thousands of times. Usually as a child when I had my mind in too many places to remember to shut the door behind me when I came into the house -- ESPECIALLY in the unusual heavenly occurrence of Dad having the air conditioner on in the middle of August!! He loves the heat and one of his innumerable wise sayings is "Sweatin's good for you. You sweat out all the poisons." So, if he had the air conditioner running, trips in or out better be quick and few! :)

Yesterday, however, my brother shed new light on this saying for me (he's my pastor, you know).

Who is welcome in a barn? Some folks lock up their barns, but I don't know many cows and horses who have keys, do you? And in the Old West, the family slept in the house, but guests and strangers coming along the way, well, they slept in the barn. Mom and Dad's barn stores all those things there's no room for in the house, things no one wants or can use right now. Usually, barns aren't the most pleasant smelling nor the most clean, either. Even my dear, dear friend Kathy - one of THE best house-keepers I've EVER known, probably doesn't have Pledge in the barn! They have quite a farm, and though their barn is immaculate - for a barn - I wouldn't consider delivering a baby in there, you know? Get real! A barn?

But God did.

Why? Why choose THAT environment for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of all mankind?

Because EVERYONE is welcome in a barn! Shepherds, kings, rich, poor, short, tall, fat, skinny -- EVERYONE!

Had God chosen a palace, it still wouldn't have been good enough for Jesus, but I wouldn't be welcome there - I'm not royalty. Had God chosen the Inn where maybe Mary and Joseph got the very last room - the next person coming by wouldn't be welcome because there would've been no room. Get the picture? He chose a barn so EVERYONE can come to Him! I love that picture!

"For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I'm a 'WHOSOEVER' and so are you! What a blessed hope!

Were you born in a barn? My Savior was... just for you and me.

Well, here it is...

Christmas, it's here. I just hope I remembered everyone. Even though I make a list, I'm always afraid I've forgotten someone or something. *sigh*

It's just so hard to REALLY keep the focus, isn't it? My daddy always says, "It's Jesus' birthday, not mine; don't get me a thing." Well, I've never NOT gotten him anything, but deep in my heart, I think if I didn't he'd really be okay with it.

Jesus has truly done so much for us, hasn't He? This week in our Bible discussions, we got to the point in Mark where Judas betrayed Jesus. I've felt betrayed, haven't you? But to betray Jesus after following in His footsteps, hearing His voice, seeing His miracles... wait - I'VE done that! I certainly can't be too hard on Judas Iscariot when Jesus has given me so much - His Word to guide me, His Holy Spirit to comfort me, His GRACE that saved me! And I still betrayed Him.

Even this time of year, I struggle to remain faithful. I go to sleep with my mind swirling with things needing to be done, I wake up rushing so I can get things done... I have to MAKE myself sit down to my devotional journal. There's just so much to do. Satan does a mighty good job of getting us so BUSY, we put Jesus on the back burner -- and like Daddy says, It's HIS birthday!

I don't mean to put Him on the back burner, do you? It's not intentional. I try very hard to keep the focus on Him, but I fall so short - the dinner, the glittering lights, wrapping gifts, lists, schedules, double checking the lists,... and this year our heat pump went out. Whew! An added item on my mind's swirling list.

I saw a bright red sign in front of Simonton's Cheese House here in Crossville yesterday - JESUS IS THE REASON. If it hadn't be for Jesus we'd have no Christmas.

My goodness, when it's one of our boys' birthdays, we go all out from morning to night making him realize what a special gift he is, how blessed we are to have him in our life, what a treasure that day is for no other reason than HE WAS BORN!

Well, I want to do that for my Savior this year. I want His day to be focused on Him! I mean really! He is my hope, my ROCK, my counselor, my friend, my REDEEMER!

My God is Jehovah Jireh - the Lord my Provider. He has provided me with all I need and more - even the recognition that HE is the reason and that because of HIS gift, I can give - and I don't mean only physical gifts. I can give a smile, a word of encouragement, offer hope, lift a prayer...

Yes, it can be difficult to keep our focus, but I'm determined to NOT betray my Savior. I want to give Him all I have. Won't you join me?

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!

You know, it's like that song Randy Travis sings -- He had the birthday, but we got the Gift....

Joy and Perfect Peace

This morning I heard the sweet voice of our son before I saw his sweet face. His first words of the day? "It's December!"

The smile on my face came from my heart. The joys of children at Christmastime.

I lay in my nice warm bed looking out the window at the wind tossing leaves around thinking... December, the year is almost gone... Do I really want to dig into the "wrapping presents" scene today... where will I find a sturdy fireplace set that we can afford... Then I heard the patter of footsteps trotting toward my bed.

Our oldest son "whispered", "STOP! Leave her alone; let her sleep in!"

"I just want to tell her it's December!"

Dustin plopped up next to me. "Happy December, Mommy!" His smile was contagious and sparkles glittered in his eyes. A soft kiss came my way. "Now, I'll let you do what you let us do yesterday." He ran to the doorway.

"What's that?" I asked, puzzled.

"Sleep till you wake up!" He replied innocently.

"Okay, Thanks, buddy." He wanted me to have a peaceful morning, didn't he? But the excitement of DECEMBER (CHRISTMAS!!) just overflowed and he had to share the joy!

Last night we watched the movie Gods and Generals. It focused a lot on Stonewall Jackson and his part in the Civil War. His faith was amazing to say the least. Sitting tall and confident on his horse in the midst of battle - a seemingly easy target for the enemy. A soldier asked him how he could do that; how could he not fear the cannon? Jackson's reply penetrated my soul -- I know I won't get the quote word for word, but -- "My religious belief doesn't offer fear. God is in control of the timetable of my life. I won't die until He so chooses in His perfect will for me to do so. My only duty is to be ready."

I'm sure my countenance mirrored the soldier's - awe.

That assurance in God's ultimate and total control of a surrendered life yields perfect peace.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

This time of year we hear the word "Peace", but our hearts often feel far less than peaceful. I find myself there, anyway. Christmas lists. Christmas cards. Christmas parties. Christmas parades. Christmas shows. Christmas shopping. Christmas schedules. Christmas budget (or lack thereof) :)

The demands our culture has put upon this Holiday can be overwhelming. It is a challenge to even remember why we celebrate it sometimes. BUT I saw those sparkles in my son's eyes ... WHAT A HOLIDAY! Jesus came! I want MY joy to be so evident that it's contagious to anyone I meet. I want MY mind to be so consumed with Jesus that HIS perfect peace is evident in my confidence that HE is in control.

During this time of year when the lines are too long, when the ONE toy left that you reached for got snatched right out from under you, when the world tells us we can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS, when your schedule is bursting at the seams, and on and on it goes... Let us be careful. We must not let the gifts replace THE Gift.

Jesus came. "But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves." John 17:13 Jesus prayed that prayer for us. Oh, that HIS joy will be fulfilled in us.

Joy and Peace - two traditional themes for Christmas. The REAL joy and peace can only come from the One who came.

Joy and Perfect Peace to all - through and only through The Gift of our Savior, MY KING!

Blessings Abundant

I do a daily devotional journal called The Daily Light Journal. The Daily Light was first published by Samuel Bagster in 1794, then in 2004 Anne Graham Lotz put the Scripture in the NKJV, and added a journaling area. I LOVE IT! I've filled 2 and am close to filling the third. One particular entry was a lot of fun and although it was assigned for August 6, it is very appropriate for America's Thanksgiving holiday.

So, meditate upon some of the awesome Scriptures from this devotional piece, then maybe you can follow through with the "assignment"... once a teacher, always a teacher - can't get away from homework. :)

O Lord our God, all this abundance... is from Your hand, and is all Your own" 1 Chronicles 29:16


Of Him and through Him and to Him are all tings, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36

The living God ... gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Take a look before we start our assignment at that last verse I listed. "Riches" - we often think of riches monetarily, but God, I feel, has a far different view of riches. PRICELESS riches are more along His line of thinking, I believe. A Godly heritage, health, peace, joy... Priceless riches from HIS hand.

Now, for the fun assignment. Make an alphabetical list - A through Z - of God's blessings in your life. It might seem a difficult task at first, but once you get started - WOW! Look what God has done!

Here's mine:

A - Alesia; she signs my paycheck!!! :)
B - my Brother and his precious family
C - Corbin - "I don't care if your eighty, you'll always be my baby..." :)
D - Dustin - my snuggle bug / Daddy
E - Eternal life!
F - Friends, family, faith
G - GRACE
H - home, heritage, homeschooling friends, health
I - my wonderful mother- and father-In-law
J - Jesus!!
K - Ability to Kneel before my King
L - Love has surrounded me all the days of my life - what a blessed Life!
M - Mark / Momma / Mindi - my angel
N - Nail-scarred hands
O - God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient!!
P - Power of Prayer
Q - Quickening of the Spirit
R - Rhonda - my "sister"
S - Shane - our firstborn son, our "little" drummer boy
T - Tracy - my AWESOME manager!
U - Undying, Undeserved love
V - VICTORY!
W - the Word - the LIVING Word!
X - XL clothes... *deep sigh*
Y - His YOKE is easy.
Z - ZERO bills due right now! HALLELUJAH!!!


"Thank You, Lord, for saving me,
for giving me the hope of eternity,
Thank You, Lord, for Calvary
and sending Jesus Christ for me.
For it's by the blood of the Lamb
that He doesn't see me as I am.
And it's by the cross of Calvary
that He sees me holy..." (by jan,2001)

Okay, your turn!

Mentor Across the Miles for Teenage Girls!!

I just finished reading My Life, Unscripted by Tricia Goyer. If you have teenage girls or know teenage girls, I HIGHLY recommend this book!! What an awesome gift! What an awesome investment for parents, youth leaders, anyone willing to take the time to teach our precious teen girls appropriate direction... To follow is my "official" review:

Tricia, I'm sure, wouldn't want the credit for the Inspiration brought forth in this amazing book for teenage girls, but her obedience in having shared her story will bless, strengthen, and encourage anyone who completes this study. God has given her the courage to boldly share her 'unscripted' life to mentor, teach, and provide godly alternatives to hopefully thwart others from the same mistakes she made, while sharing the joy of making right choices!

Tricia addresses topics in a unique way, and, if you're not careful, you'll learn a bit about scriptwriting. :' She also includes 'scripts' from teenage girls across the USA. Topics covered are peer pressure, fear, those hard-to-love folks, sex, abortion ... She doesn't back down, and that's what our youth need today - examples of Strong Christians grounded in the WORD willing to take the stand for Christ, sharing His neverfailing love for us - no matter what!!

Thank you for your obedience and your boldness, Tricia!!! I pray lives are changed and that final script in the book becomes a reality a thousand times over!!

Where to find the book: www.amazon.com / www.barnesandnoble.com / www.christianbook.com

Very reasonably priced, and priceless in instruction!

Yes! I Will Praise Him

Ever have those times when you think, "Okay, God. What else can I do? You promised abundant life..."?

Yeah; me, too.

He just gives and gives and gives, and I'm so very thankful, but you know what? I want more!! Is that not so selfish! I pray for forgiveness, and I pray for God to change my heart... "Please, Lord, get me to that place Paul was so I can be content in whatever state I'm in!!" Whew! Do I ever seem to struggle.

BUT today I'm clinging to what I guess is my most favorite passage of Scripture - Habakkuk chapter 3. I love Habakkuk. Even his name; it's just fun to say. But did you know it means "love's embrace"? Now, would you have EVER gotten that out of Habakkuk? Sounds more like a cat choking on a hairball. :) But to me, that's one more indication of God's ability to make beauty from anything - no matter how we see it or what we think about it. And after reading Habakkuk's book, yeah, I feel that loving embrace.

The theme of this beautiful book is 'Faith'. Habakkuk has questions - I can already relate, can't you? - about why God lets evil even happen in HIS world. Will God ever fix this horrible place where Satan is the prince of the power of the air? Will justice EVER be served?

And then... there's chapter 3. This beautiful poetic book ends with such confidence! I won't take the time to quote the entire chapter, but let me encourage you to not only read chapter 3, but the entire book of Habakkuk this week. You will be encouraged, I promise!

For today, this is my ROCK:


"Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls--
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills."

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV)

YES!! I will PRAISE Him!!

Is God Good or What?!?!?!

Don't ask me why, but God blessed our family with the time, money, and courage to take a real family vacation. WOW! Our first in 15 years of marriage. We drove over 1500 miles along the eastern coast on what we titled our "American Heritage Vacation." What a field trip for our homeschoolers! :)

Each of us gained a new respect for the freedoms we enjoy in America. Seeing the rows upon rows upon rows of gravestones at Arlington, then in Gettysburg made quite the impact.

How dare we stand by and let ANYONE burn our flag - especially on our own soil! Arlington is 300 acres of graves. Gettysburg - more than 30,000 graves, if I remember correctly. Each represents a soul that lived and breathed willing to lay his or her life down for our country. Some of the graves hold wives or children of the soldiers. Families ripped apart. Whether we agree with the "cause" of war or not, we MUST respect the willingness to fight to the death. And many, if not most, of the freedoms we enjoy today would not be had it not been for courageous soldiers standing strong and proud - dying strong and proud.

As we walked the sidewalks of Arlington after witnessing the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier, a horse drawn carriage pulled a flag-draped casket through the cemetery. A soldier from Iraq? A "lifer" retired who died of old age? A disabled Vietnam vet? We don't know, but what we do know is another life was laid to rest in that hallowed ground.

We ended our journey in awe. Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park. The amazing, breathtaking views - well, they just leave me speechless and full of wonder as to how anyone can say there's no God or that all that beauty came from some big bang or a single-cell amoeba. Get real.

"All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." John 1:3 (NKJV)

I'm certainly far from a professional photographer, but the picture with this blog post is from Skyline Drive. Honestly, it just doesn't do the view justice, but look at that bright spot in the midst of those dark clouds... Isn't that just like God? "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4-5 (NKJV)

You see, that's us!! You and I! We, because of Jesus, are a light in this dark world! The dark times in our lives - trouble (pay-cuts included!), persecution, fear, even death - can't comprehend the light of Jesus....

So, I ask you, Is God good or what?!?!?!

I have to say as a witness of His mighty hand - He IS good - ALL the time!

PS -- Thanks Aunt Betty! :)

Am I a Grape or a Marble?

I read this in Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest and just felt led to share it with you today. It ministered to me - right where it hurts. :o)

*******

THE COMMISSION OF THE CALL

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake." Colossians 1:24

We make calls out of our own spiritual consecration, but when we get right with God He brushes all these aside, and rivets us with a pain that is terrific to one thing we never dreamed of, and for one radiant flashing moment we see what He is after, and we say-- "Here am I, send me."

This call has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but with being made broken bread and poured-out wine. God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with. If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way! But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom. If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.

I wonder what kind of finger and thumb God has been using to squeeze you, and you have been like a marble and escaped? You are not ripe yet, and if God had squeezed you, the wine would have been remarkably bitter. To be a sacramental personality means that the elements of the natural life are presenced by God as they are broken providentially in His service. We have to be adjusted into God before we can be broken bread in His hands. Keep right with God and let Him do what He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children.

(September 30's reading)

*******

Father, as Your children, we ask You to open our eyes to see Your hand faithfully working in our lives...

May YOU feel God's precious presence in ALL you do today!

Life's Little Surprises

How do you handle life's little surprises?

It's very easy to tell others how to handle them, but when it gets personal...

My husband got a pay cut this week. Not a fun little surprise. I must confess; when something similar has happened to others, my first (and very sincere) response is, "Well, now, you just trust God. He has a plan and you know the Bible promises that ALL things work together for good..."

And, this is the exact advice/comments we have received from family and the few friends we've shared the info with. I KNOW that it's true, but when it's the bread and butter, the food on the table, the electric bill, well, you get the idea.

It got personal.

So, it's time to put our faith to work, yet again. We only THOUGHT we were living by faith to this point. LOL I think I'm through my bitter little pity party and am ready to say, "Yeah, I really do trust You, Father... even when I don't understand."

Maybe you've seen the movie Facing the Giants. What an impressive, inspirational show!

I have a new job. I LOVE it! But it's strictly commission based. I don't know how many times I've quoted the movie line "Give it all you've got and leave the results up to God." Well, let me tell ya... that's easier said than done!! But I'm certainly giving it my best shot! My sweet manager, bless her heart, probably thinks she hired a mental case!! But she's just so patient and encouraging. I thank God for her.

I found myself in tears today wondering how, why, when... all those questions. While pouring out my heart to my King, another line from that movie came to my mind... "Yes, God, I'll still love you even if..."

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (NKJV)

I wrote a song based on this verse. The chorus goes like this, "When I don't understand... I'll keep on trusting. When it's not how I planned... I'll acknowledge Him. I'll let the Lord direct my path til I'm safely Home at last. I've put my trust in Him."

Well, now, isn't that just like God to give me a song like that then put me to the test? :o)

But, yeah, I DO trust Him, and yeah, I DO trust that ALL things work together for good AND for His glory. (see Romans 8:28)

Life's little surprises. I didn't handle this one too well at the beginning, but hopefully I'll finish well - with GOD!

What about you? How do you handle life's little surprises... when they get personal?

So, Who Asked You?

I love homeschooling. I love the support I get from my wonderful husband. I love our boys. I love being their teacher, choosing the curriculum, watching them learn, seeing their excitement when they "get it." But you know what I love most of all? No bells, no rigid schedule.

As a jr. high/high school teacher in a Christian School, it seemed the bell rang at the most inopportune times. Just as we were getting into the good stuff, you know? The meat of the matter -- especially Bible. Teens and pre-teens have great questions, but it takes a while for them to warm up sometimes. My homeroom/first period class was Bible and English 7/8. It was always frustrating to me knowing I had to get to that adverbial/adjectival prepositional phrase lesson, so I felt rushed in the lesson, say it was from Hebrews 11 on faith! Aarrgghh! Considering life as I know it (a bit beyond pre-teens here), faith vs. prepositional phrases, hummm, which will benefit life more? Which will matter for eternity's sake for some of those students?

Of course, there is a place for proper English, don't get me wrong, as there is for math, history, etc. But that brings me back to why I LOVE homeschooling. You see, Thursday our boys and I had our regular morning Bible study. We dug deep into Romans 11. WOW! There around verse 17 is shouting ground for us Gentiles, let me just tell you! To see how we were "grafted in" just the same as the Jews, God's chosen people... Hallelujah!

But then, we read a bit further... verse 20 (NLT) "... Don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen." We stopped right there for a long discussion and no bell interrupted us forcing us from this "holy ground" into math or science!

Our discussion went something like this:

So, who asked you where you wanted to live? I mean, in what country you wanted to be born, for example?

Who asked you who you wanted your parents to be?

Who asked you what color you wanted your skin?

Who asked you what you wanted your nose to look like? your hair? your teeth?

Who asked you what your heritage should be?

Who asked you if you wanted to be a Jew or Gentile?

Get the picture? "Don't think highly of yourself..." You see, I'm at a disadvantage compared to some folks. I've never known life without having EVERYTHING I need right when I need it. Obviously, I haven't had all my wants (lots of them,though), but my needs? Yeah. Always.

I've never slept in a cardboard box outside, nor have I ever not had food in my house. I've never known what it's like not to be loved. I've never known life without knowing God is ALWAYS with me.

Did I ask for such a blessed life? Even though I've experienced heart-wrenching tragedy, it's been blessed abundantly. No, I didn't ask for it; it was a gift.

Did those who suffer ask for that in their life? Some may have brought on consequences themselves, but did they ask for their heritage or their upbringing? No.

Did those children ask for their mother to push them into the river or drown them in the bathtub? HEAVENS NO!

So, what's the answer? Why am I so blessed when there's so many others suffering?

An even bigger question is what do we do?

Who am I to look upon another whose life is different than mine and consider myself any better or worse? Their life is a gift just as mine is. The trouble is, if others don't fit into our mold - enough money, nice enough clothes, properly proportioned facial features, skin color, height, weight, abilities - many of us consider their life less of a gift. Maybe even to the extreme of a mistake or burden. God forbid!

But no matter our circumstances, we are given the life we have to glorify God. I can't explain it. I don't know why God allows an innocent baby to be put in the hands of a perverted father or demented mother, but He's God. I KNOW that's not pleasing to Him. And "'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,'says the Lord." Romans 12:19b (NKJV) You can be sure that man/woman will regret what (s)he did...

One of our sons has special needs. Nothing extreme, but enough to cause some severe learning disabilities - only noticeable to those closest to him, usually. We drifted out upon this tumultuous water Thursday in our discussion. Tears fell as we discussed his "disorder." Personally, I hate the word "disorder." I believe God purposefully made my son fearfully and wonderfully - ordered him to be exactly as he is for HIS glory. His struggle may be just what it takes to minister to folks others can't reach. We talked about God never making mistakes, and our son is no exception. Dustin's purpose in life is to do the best he can and leave the rest up to God. With Dustin's obedience and his trust in God, he will make a difference in this world for Jesus, no doubt about it.

We have friends whose daughter is close to 30 years old. She's never matured beyond about 6-8 months of age. Why would God allow that? I can't believe He made a mistake. That mom and dad have made HUGE sacrifices in their lives to care for this child. Who knows where they might be or who they may have missed ministering to had they not experienced life with their daughter in such a way.

It all boils down to a matter of trust. Do we REALLY trust God enough to not think highly of ourselves? When my focus is on HIM, not on others and their "differences" or on myself, whew! I get blessed, but HE gets the glory. Others see HIM in me and things happen I could NEVER do without Him!

"Oh what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen." Romans 11:33-36 (NLT)

Let me highlight "For everything ... is intended for his glory." We live in this rotten, sin-infested world where satan (I REFUSE to give him the honor of a capital letter!) is the prince of the power of the air. But his day's coming and it ain't gonna be pretty! Everything is INTENDED for His glory, but it doesn't always work that way.

I want to be different. I want my GIFTS to give Him glory. I want my family to give Him glory! I want my children to understand that because one has a 120 IQ while another has a 65 IQ, that wasn't a choice. One is no better or worse than the other.

The important thing is to understand that life is a gift from HIM intended for His glory.

He designed it, He can do with it as He pleases....

Who asked you (or me)?

We ask You, Father...

Father, we come to You today thanking You for Your grace, Your peace, and Your mercy that's available to all who ask. Just this morning in Your Word, You reminded me that you will generously pour out Your riches upon all who ask... We're asking for that generous outpouring, Father. Not necessarily monetarily, but riches that money can't buy -- peace, mercy, grace, true heart-penetrating joy, wisdom, strength, your anointing.

We think of families who are grieving the loss of loved ones in the attacks those years ago. Comfort them today, Father as only You can. Protect our troops (I call Jack out by name, Father), and especially those on foreign soil; guide and direct our government; send Your Spirit to abide in their midst. We put them, our country, our lives - our children's lives, the future generations - all in Your hands... Your trustworthy hands.

Thank you for being GOD! Omnipotent, omniscient, the Alpha and Omega, the Everlasting Father, THE PRINCE OF PEACE!

As we write today and go about our daily activities, Father, we ask you to guide our thoughts. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord, our strength and our REDEEMER... In Jesus' precious, holy, name above all names...

He's always there...

Love Letter from Abba Father

Inspired by the Holy Spirit

My daughter be not quick to judge a thing or person for you know not what they have gone through to be where they are at now. My daughter listen closely to all that is said before you speak and you will stay out of much trouble. Let go of the past hurts and bruises, for to hang on to them will keep you from growing in Me. To let go will release my anointing to launch you forward and upward to know heights you have never known before. O My Beloved one hold tight to My truths and My mercy will cover you every time. Believe not everyone who says lord lord for some who appear righteous or not even Mine. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the discernment on every person you meet. I love you deeply My daughter of so much joy and laughter. Keep quiet when trouble comes knocking at your door. Cling to My word of truth and you will always be at the right place at the right time. Rest and be not weary for I Am on the inside of your heart. Love Eternally, Abba Father

Copyright 9-5-07 Sue Steen Nickel

Look What I Found!!

I flipped though a little doodle pad our boys have and found this:



Now, if you have children, you understand my delight, my fluttering heart, my teary eyes, my joy!!!!

Then my heart fluttered faster, my teary eyes flooded when I realized my FATHER, my Redeemer, my King must feel this same joy, probably more so, when His children tell Him, SHOW Him they love Him.

Have you told Him lately?

Have you shown Him lately?

Can YOU Impact Future Generations?

Our week has been rather bittersweet. We've visited funeral homes three times this week. Three dear friends have passed from this life. I wrapped my arms around family members while their loved one lay cold and lifeless in the casket, beautiful flowers bright and cheerful surrounding them. The scent of roses tickling my nose now and again.

Questions flooded my mind.

What kind of loneliness would this widow / widower face? How many nights in that big, empty bed will he/she cry himself/herself to sleep? How often will she look for him to pull in the driveway? And for those children... what's it like to have had a Daddy or Momma all your life and now ...

Then, my heart broke when it got personal... What if that were me standing there by the casket? What if Mark, my very best friend and favorite person in the world wouldn't be coming home tonight?

All of these friends were saved. Accomplished the goal, ran the race. All have entered that perfect Home! The land of no temptation, no sin, no pain, no funeral homes... Praise the LORD for that hope! (Actually makes me a tad jealous!)

So, as I ponder life -- the meaning of it, how quickly it passes, I'm reminded again of a message I heard. Do you realize the impact YOU have on future generations?

One of the friends who passed away was only 55 years old. Her death, by man's standards, was an accident. Of course, it was no surprise to God; accidents don't happen in HIS world. I've known this precious lady over 25 years. I've never known her not to jump at life... smile and LOVE to live. Her life had an impact on me, but not nearly as much as it did on her own two children who had children, who, if time lasts, will most likely have children.

Another friend had been a neighbor to my parents for over 30 years. His daughter is a very very dear friend of mine. His life has impacted the community in ways he probably never knew, then what about his two children? Their children?

The other friend was 81 years old. A church friend. He and his wife were best friends. They laughed together, sang together, loved and ministered together. Their marriage relationship inspired me. What about their children, and their grandchildren.?

That message I heard was about a couple who married and were blessed with 8 children. They raised them in a godly home, and those eight children had children who had children, etc. After many years had passed, a college student in NY was assigned a project for a class, and he chose this family to research. From this married couple, there were some 10,000 descendants, I believe he said. Of those multiple thousands it could be counted on one hand the number who weren't successful and ministering for the Kingdom.

This intrigued the college student, so the opposite scenario was researched. A couple married to partner in crime. Thousands of descendants followed. In these thousands, most died early deaths, many served long, even life-long, prison terms, and it could be counted on one hand the successful or Christian.

You are just one person -- obviously we all are. BUT our life WILL impact future generations.

The question is what kind of impact are YOU making?

Quick Question

Whose will do you want for your life?

Yeah, I know; no brainer, right? The all-knowing, all-seeing God of all creation?

Humm.

So, as we walk along in our daily lives, do we really want the all-knowing, all-seeing God of all creation to do whatever it takes for His will to shine in our lives?

I got to thinking about this. (My grandmother used to say, "I've been a-studyin' on it.") What about those verses in God's Word -- our life's Instruction Manual.

• Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thess. 5:22 KJV)

Think about that - all appearance. If if looks evil, we're to abstain or stay away. I could dive in right here with all sorts of stuff, but I'll save it for another day. Just consider what looks evil...

• Do not lie to one another. (Colossians 3:9a NKJV)

Oh goodness.... there it is. Right there in plain letters, black and white, in the Holy Book. Surely he doesn't mean even little white lies, does he? I mean if Mrs. Abernathy asks me if I like her new dress - the pea green one, that's about 3 sizes too big - am I really supposed to be honest?

Uhm -- there's a way out. You don't have to lie with an "Oh, yes. It's beautiful" or something. How about, "Do you like it?" or "Is is comfortable" or "Did you just get that this week?" or something tactful. If you're asked point blank, in a situation like this, you still must obey the Word. Don't lie, but...

• Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Eph. 4:29 NKJV)

Then, there's this one:

• Do all things without complaining and disputing. (Phil. 2:14 NKJV)

Is that really in there? I mean, does He really think we can do that?

Yep. And here's why:

• that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Phil. 2: 15-16 NKJV)

Whew! What a promise! Think about that -- blameless! harmless! children of God without fault!

How can we ever do this you ask? Yeah, me too! Then I found this:

• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)
  

So, there it is. We can't live in the center of God's will without renewing our minds daily; without daily presenting our bodies as a LIVING sacrifice made holy through the blood of the Lamb... daily.

Any more doubts?

Well, just in case you're thinking, "that writer has it all together" or "it may be easy for her or some preacher, but me?" I looked, and sure enough, it's still there:

• I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

You can do it. WE can do it, but only through Christ.

Trust Him and allow Him to work His will out in your life. Trust Him in good times, in disastrous time. Live a life separate, unconformed to this world. Renew your mind by digging in the Word. And remember, through His strength and by His grace, you can live a life that shines for Jesus -- a light in this dark world (Phil 2:15).

Now, whose will do you want in your life?

What's Up With Your Scene?

Gotta start by saying:

Happy Birthday, Kathy!!! I love you!!

(If you don't know Kathy and her family, aahh, you just don't know what you're missing... what a wonderful family.)

Okay...

Scenes. We all make 'em.

If you have a child that's older than a toddler, you've experienced the stares of others watching how you're going to handle your "scene."

The pressure! You're in Wal-Mart. Your toddler wants that unimaginable toy -- I don't know, some little electronic remote something or other that looks like it should cost a couple bucks, but really costs fifty because of the computer chip that makes the thing look, act, feel real! So, you say, "We can't get that, honey," in your nice parental controlled tone.

"Why?"

"Well, because it's too much money and we have to eat. We can't eat toys, sweetheart."

"But I want it!" The pout starts. Vocal volume increases.

"Oh, I know, but you know we can't always get what we want." And in your mind you add if we did I'd not be driving a ten-year-old minivan, that's for sure! I'd have a cool shiny SUV with --

"BUT I WANT IT!" The cart starts rocking as that sweet little toddler has a death grip on the handle jerking himself back and forth in the front child seat. The child's sweet little eyes aren't so sweet anymore!

What happened to my baby? He's transformed into this... this... small person that, before I had children I swore my children would never be!!!

Then you feel them -- eyes. Millions of eyes all in your direction. The pressure. Heart palpitations begin.

So, biting your lip, you wonder which of these millions of eyes might be a social service worker waiting for your loss of control in the situation. You keep control -- on the outside. You ignore the screams, empty the cart, grip the handle with your hands over those little pudgy ones and practically sprint to the doors to escape.... praying the alarm at the doors don't go off for the magnetic whatever you have somewhere.

No, I've never been there. :o)

Okay, in my dreams. But raising children is a challenge, kind of like a roller coaster ride. They embarrass you, they make you proud, they make you look like a liar in front of your friends -- and even those people you don't know very well, but want to impress! They steal gum from the store, they drop to their knees and pray the sweetest prayer -- and you KNOW God's gonna answer it, I mean who could deny that? :o) They bring you beautiful bouquets of dandelions, golden rods and Queen Anne's lace... that make you sneeze for two days, but you wouldn't dream of not keeping them displayed!

Yesterday at the pool, we witnessed a "scene." And it wasn't pretty. The daddy was not a happy camper with his screaming toddler. He screamed, too! He didn't heed his wife's advice to "Shut up!" The child didn't heed his dad's advice to "Shut up!"

However we, the other pool guests, all heeded their advice -- we all shut up! It was a horrible scene. I don't know if the child needed a good spanking or if that daddy did, but I know as they carried that baby away, I had tears in my eyes. My heart ached.

Scripture came to mind:

• Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath...


• Children, obey your parents in the Lord...

The pressure on that family knowing that most every eye at the pool- children and adults alike - was on them could have been overriding their normal reactions.

Prayers for that family cried out from my heart.

You see, I found myself, because of my past wondering what if this is that child's last day on earth. What if God's designated time for that child to come Home to be with Him is today... That's one way my suffering has affected my life.

I don't know how I would've handled that situation. I heard other parents/grandparents at the pool share how they'd handle it... I'm not with that child everyday, so that certainly would have an impact. Maybe the child has a learning disability. Maybe the dad does. I don't know...

BUT -- I do know that we are often spoiled little brats when we come to God.

"I want that."

"It's not right for you, my child."

"I don't care! I want it!"

"It will damage you and your walk with Me."

"No it won't! I promise! I can handle it..."

If we could ever come to the place where our lives really -- I mean really lived out Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding," Isn't that what we expect from our children? To trust us with all their heart realizing that we understand things that they usually don't.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him" Yep, that says ALL. "And He shall direct your paths."

Shall, that's a promise. No maybe or only in certain situations; if we meet the condition of trusting Him, leaning on His understanding, acknowledge Him - he's got our paths under His control. He will direct us.

Whew! Talk about taking the pressure off.

We don't have to understand.

It doesn't have to make sense.

And you know, if we live our lives trusting, leaning, and acknowledging Him -- our children will see that -- we'll be making a scene! Will life be perfect? Heaven's no -- we're still here, on earth, perfect lives are only in Heaven. But we lean on the Perfecter, the Creator, the All-knowing, All-seeing, Everlasting Father. HE directs us, helps us... forgives us!

So, what's up with your scene? Let me challenge you today to make a scene! Make your scene contagious! Praise the Lord for directing your path! Shout it out! Let the world know, you don't have to understand, but HE does and He's got the plan in action. We're just strolling down His path....

note: clip art provided by Clipart from Clipartheaven.com.

Already There...

August 4th will never be just another day for me as long as God gives me breath. August 4, 1990 changed my view of that date forever. Isn't it amazing how that happens? You go through life never noticing a particular date, but then a baby is born, you begin your life with your soul-mate, God chooses to take a loved one Home... and that date is forever changed.

August 4, 1990 could be viewed several ways for me, and it has been. It was on that day at 3:30 in the afternoon that fire claimed my one-year old daughter's life. I wasn't home. A neighbor came to where I worked and drove me home with barely any explanation as to what the emergency was. Approaching my home, I saw flashing lights from ambulances and fire trucks. And then a lady in white wrapped her arm over my shoulders and explained that the firefighters did all they could, but my daughter didn't make it. Her little lungs couldn't withstand smoke inhalation.

It was horrible-- beyond horrible. A day that is forever engraved in the memories of my soul.

Of course I grieved my loss; I still grieve at times. But then I found an unexpected emotion, jealousy. My baby, Mindi, was in heaven! My ultimate goal-- my ultimate reward. She didn't lose her life, she received it!! I wanted to be there, too! Then, only by the miraculous grace of our God Almighty, JOY flooded my soul. What more could I want for my precious baby girl than a life of perfect peace, joy unspeakable, in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit hearing blissful angelic voices singing, "Holy, holy, holy". And then to know that this life is nothing but a vapor (James 4:14), but ETERNITY is the time I'll have with Mindi.

If you have lost a child, whether you made the choice to abort an unborn child or God, in His perfect wisdom that is so much higher than we can ever comprehend, chose for your child to live with Him early in his/her life, please know that there is a peace that passes all understanding. It comes only from above. Surrender your life, your grief, your anger, your resentment to God. I can't say it will be easy, most likely it won't. It took me eight years to fully surrender my grieving heart to Him. And I still weep, I still long for time I've missed, I still wonder what Mindi would look like as an eighteen year old young woman... BUT I know God's grace is sufficient... (2 Cor. 12:9) He's proven it time and time again.

Let me encourage you today, friend. Dig into the Word and see where your child is, what your child sees daily!! It's not the horrendous newscasts we see and hear. It's not hopeless devastation. It's tearless eyes, painless bodies, cemetery-less fields, no hospitals, no cancer, no glasses, no crutches, no hearing aids, no tangles in her hair, no war... no migraines!!!

Check out these Scriptures:

• Isaiah 25:8 -- "He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces."


• Isaiah 57:1-2 -- "The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; Merciful men are taken away, while no one considers That the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, Each one walking in his uprightness."


• 2 Corinthians 5:1&8 -- "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens... We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."


• Revelation 21:21-25 -- "The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it The Lamb is its light... Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).

Remember that peace, no matter the trial, can only come from the Lord. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever... the Lord is everlasting strength." (Isaiah 26:3-4)

So, this brings me to prompt you to check your soul's condition. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Will your children see you enter the gates of Heaven? Oh, my friend, grieving the loss of a child is nothing compared to losing your soul forever-- never making Heaven your eternal home.

Surrender to Him. Here's how:

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6)

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation... For 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" (Romans 10:9-13)

Finally, we need to remember that we'll never understand why. It's all right to ask, but don't expect to understand. We just have to trust in God's infinite wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Let me leave you with a verse I quote often; it was in my Blogger Debut post, it's taped to my computer monitor... a promise I lean on. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:2-3)

You see, this promise comforts me -- There's nothing too big for God. AND He made sure that my baby didn't feel the fire... She was already There.

Going to Battle with IF ONLY's

Do you ever battle with if only's?

I do. They creep into my thoughts totally uninvited and steal my peace way too often. There's a wide range of if only's, too -- If only I had started the dishwasher sooner, If only I hadn't salted those potatoes so much, ... If only I had taken my daughter with me that August day...

Little if only's. BIG if only's.

Decisions are certainly a part of our lives... some major, some minor. But there's no avoiding decisions -- no matter your age. My cute little two year old great nephew makes decisions. "Do I obey, or try my luck at..." His big blue eyes look up (with eyelashes about a MILE long!), that little slobber covered chin tilts toward his chest, his chubby hand reaching for ... His mind obviously swirling with "Are they gonna stop me?"

What it takes some of us a bit too long to learn is that our decisions bring consequences. Now, if my great nephew reaches for the ... whatever ... it could result in giggles, a mess, a tongue lashing... However, what if he's reaching up toward the stove for a pot of boiling water. The consequences could be devastating! And we as his caregivers would do everything in our power to prevent that from happening.

Do you see where I'm going with this? God, our omniscient, omnipotent Father, is watching our every move. We are reaching toward something. God sees the consequences. Maybe it's a pot of boiling water and we don't realize the danger. He does. He tries to stop us, provides a way out. "...but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13(b)

However -- the if only's come into play when we don't take the "way out" God has provided. Somehow we think we know better. Other times we rush into decisions. What about those decisions we make out of sheer obligation, backed by guilt? Then there's our stubborn pride... BUT sometimes decisions are forced upon us. We had no choice. ... If only those little children in third world countries weren't born with AIDS... they didn't ask to be conceived, and yet their entire life will most likely be filled with suffering. If only...

Plaguing if only's... But here comes the good part. You see, none of our decisions, none of the happenings in this world takes God by surprise. HE knew our decisions before we were ever born. Even better than that -- His will will be carried out in spite of our decisions... though our decisions will have personal consequences. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is written and it won't change.

Though God already knows our decisions, we don't. We are in training. We must learn to make better decisions... He can help: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting..." James 1:5-6 So, let us begin afresh by asking God for wisdom and having faith that He will give it to us. Then, let us have the courage to make wise decisions limiting future restless nights filled with if only's.

That leaves me with the question, what about all those past if only's? I, along family and friends, have been affected ... One particular decision I made as a teenager haunts me to this day. I feel I led a friend down a wrong path... a very destructive path. Of course I didn't realize it at the time, but nevertheless it has had lifelong consequences -negatively- for my friend... I'm tempted, when I travel down that particular If Only Avenue, to consider her eternal destiny has be thwarted because of me. Yet God reminds me that He is bigger than me and my influence... PRAISE HIM FOR THAT!!

If Only's can be tormenting, but they are done. If you have too many, like I do, we must rely on God's Word and His promise of GRACE. Oh, His sweet amazing grace... "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" Ephesians 2:4-5

You see, Satan wants our if only's to eat us alive -- to devour us, if you will. That's his plan. BUT GOD wants us to understand that His grace covers all those past mistakes -- big and small; "But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21) We may have to deal with consequences and that's not always easy, but somehow, His grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9) The important thing is to understand that if we're in sin, we don't have to stay there. God will offer a way out -- search for it, then TAKE IT!! Surrender your life to Him -- but you'll then have another if only -- If only I had done this sooner!! :)

I promise you'll never regret living for Christ, though. Through HIM we have the victory over the If Only Battle!!

My brother gave me a plaque once that said: The past cannot be changed, but the future is all you want it to be.

Search for ways to make Jesus smile today.....

What do you do with suffering?

Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes, and we all handle it differently. Some can simply "shake it off" and go on with their positive attitude while others, well, others just can't.

I'm one of the ones who just can't "shake it off." I don't know why I'm that way. I don't want to be that way. I would love to just "shake it off" and have a happy day no matter what my heart is saying to me. Is there anyone else out there like me?

I read the Word of God and see (thankfully) in Hebrews 13:5(b) that God will never leave me nor forsake me... but the (a) part of that verse says not to covet and to be content. *sigh* That causes me more suffering. :) How can I be content in my suffering? I count my blessings -- well, I try; there's just too many! I look at the "good things" in life, and I dig into the Word. I listen to praise and worship music, I watch the beauty of my children as they grow and learn... I see that my suffering is NOTHING compared to so many others -- and let's not even talk about comparing our suffering to that of Jesus.

So, what's wrong with me? Why do I feel as though I'm suffering?

A few weeks ago I went on a walk with our children. The boys were running a bit ahead jogging, racing, etc. Our youngest tripped over something in the gravels. He didn't stop, just hopped up and continued the journey. Our middle son, following close behind, tripped over whatever was in the gravels. He hopped up, dusted off his knees, turned to me and said with a smile, "I'm okay!" And continued the journey.

Immediately I thought of life. Is that how we're supposed to be? There are all sorts of obstacles that trip us up on this journey. A biggie in my life this week is my daughter's 18th birthday -- one that she's spending with Jesus as she has for the last 17 birthdays. How do you handle that sort of suffering? What do you do with it?

Pretend it's not there?
Hide it?
Dust off your knees and continue the journey?

Well, all of the above, in some respects. I've learned people don't want to deal with your suffering. They get tired of hearing your heart's cries. They want only the happy side of life, so with those folks, I hide it, pretend it's not there.

I carry on somehow with life's daily tasks relishing in the blessings of the Lord, relying on His promises. I dust off my knees, look up to the Father and say, "You know what? I'm NOT okay. I NEED YOU!!!" And He's always faithful...

Even today He led me to His Word:

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" Deut. 33:27

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14

"For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody." Isaiah 51:3

(and always THE most encouraging to me...)

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another
with these words." 1 Thess. 4:13-18

(NKJV, emphasis mine)

So, what do you do with suffering? Let me suggest that you bring it before the throne -- boldly. Be honest with God. He already knows your heart anyway, but it sure does feel good to know HE's the one you can be 100% totally honest and open with. And He loves you anyway!!! :o) He doesn't tire of hearing your heartaches when your heart is shattered. And the surprising thing is -- HE GIVES YOU STRENGTH TO CARRY ON. And His strength is made perfect in our weakness... (2 Cor. 12:9)

Allow Him to perfect His strength in You -- take your suffering to Him... daily, hourly, how ever often you need to -- He's Listening...... always.

What's Your Heart's Desire?

I'm married to a dreamer. A romantic, sentimental, follow-your-heart dreamer. He wooed me by bringing me a beautiful Tiger Lily to plant and we forever watch it grow and spread bringing more beautiful flowers -- just like our love. He played the guitar and sang John Denver's Annie's Song... "You fill up my senses like a night in the forest..." and My Sweet Lady... "Close your eyes and rest your weary mind, I promise I'll stay right here beside you..." He wrote songs and poetry just for me. Aaahhh - my dreamer.

Sadly, as years passed, dreams seemed to die and reality set in. Evidence of the toll of life's hardships, broken hearts, shattered dreams . The saddest part of all -- I am a realist. I felt I helped shatter my husband's dreams by always pointing out reality. You know, how those dreams simply can't become reality since we don't have enough money, time, etc. After I realized what I had done, in partnership with life's devastation, I realized something had to be done! Well, let me say, the Lord helped me realize something had to be done. The darkness in my husband's eyes broke my heart. His dreams and desires -- well, they were his hope, his joy, his motivation.

What is our lives without dreams, without desires?

My first novel is based upon this very thing, for the Lord led me to Psalm 37:4. The NKJV says it like this: "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Then, a couple months ago I ran across John Eldredge's gift book, Dare to Desire. I bought that for my husband. I began trying to encourage him to dream again -- as much as my pessimistic realism would allow. Light is slowly returning to my husband's eyes. He is playing his guitar again... I had to apologize for my "non-dreamer" attitude set to fulfill the expectations and obligations I thought others had for my life. We are seeking to delight in the Lord. You see, our heart's desire has become united -- just please the Lord. Our dreams and desires don't always fit in with the will of the Lord because we are in the world. However, when we strive to delight in Him, He adjusts our vision, our heart, to His desires! Isn't that AWESOME!

John Eldredge said in his book, Dare to Desire, "The damage of abandoned desire is a life lost unto itself. Millions of souls drift through life without direction. They take their cues from others and live out scripts someone else wrote for them." Life is filled with expectations. The church is filled with expectations. Are you living a life others expect from you? Or are you living the life God expects of you?

The busyness of life can get us drawn into simply survival mode -- dreams lost. But focusing on the Word, communion with the Father, living in His presence, dreams are reborn.


I believe God placed dreams, desires, hope in my husband's heart. And my heart smiles to see those reborn.

Freedom -- only in America?

Happy 4th of July to all our fellow Americans!!

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And to all our brothers and sisters in Christ --

"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21 emphasis mine)

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"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17 emphasis mine)

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"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1 emphasis mine)

(Scriptures from NKJV)

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Everyday is a celebration of freedom...

What is Truth?

It seems this question is plaguing our world. Often people feel truth is whatever you believe. That old bumper sticker says "God said it; I believe it; that settles it." Well, my brother often says, it really doesn't matter if you believe it -- God's Word is settled.

When I taught high school I often used my thermos as an illustration. You see, I could tell anyone there is tea in there. And why would anyone question the fact? I mean, if there's tea in there, there's tea in there, right? Wrong! There's coffee in there. No matter what I convince someone to believe; no matter what they choose to believe; no matter whether they care or not -- the truth remains. Coffee is in my thermos - fully and completely. You can't chop out the middle of my thermos and only have a beginning and ending, it's all coffee.

The same is true with the Word of God. It really doesn't matter what you've been convinced to believe, what you choose to believe, whether you care or not, or whether you choose to accept it or not. It's Truth. And you can't chop out the middle or any part. It's all Truth. It has stood the test of time, prophecies have been and are being fulfilled.

To be honest, what's to gain by not accepting it as Truth? A moral society? A God-fearing culture? A loving people? An intolerant society? Hummm. Intolerance ... I'll save that for another post. But I pray we are all intolerant in many instances... I mean I'm NOT going to tolerate sexual abuse or drugs... We have to draw the line and God's Word has that line clearly drawn for us.

So, let me challenge you to put the Word to the test. Check it out. There is a level of faith and trust, especially if you don't want to delve into history proving the historical facts in the Bible... and if faith and trust scare you, well, have you eaten fast food lately? That in itself takes a measure of faith, wouldn't you agree?

Where are Your Fingerprints?

Fingerprints fascinate me. How can millions of people be on the earth and no two have the same fingerprint? And to think, everything I touch bears my print -- even when I don't realize it. Walking around in a department store, I often wonder how many fingers have touched the cart I'm pushing. How many fingers have touched this dollar bill? How many prints could be found on the article of clothing I'm considering?

What if a dusting of your fingerprints took place. What would others see? Have you left fingerprints in places you'd be ashamed of? I have. My past -- Whoa! Would I really want my children to know all the places my fingers left prints?

What about their fingerprints? Where are they being left?

My cousin and I were discussing this a while back. She and her family were missionaries in Mexico... consider all the fingerprints they left behind. My husband and I were "missionaries" in a boarding school in KY... we left fingerprints.

Our lives are an accumulation of fingerprints. Hugs leave fingerprints, as will a pat on the back, a handshake... Yet quite the opposite is also true -- molestation leaves fingerprints...

Consider this. What if your heart left "prints"? What if for everyone you encouraged, you left a heartprint. For everyone you shared the love of Jesus with, you left a heartprint.

Of course we know fingerprints won't last forever on an object, but a heartprint can.

What kind of prints are you leaving behind?

Kissed by God

Today I finished the first chapter in "What Every Girl Wants" by Lisa Harper. It's a personal or group Bible Study for us gals... and it's wonderful!

My cousin took me to a Ladies Conference a couple months ago, and Lisa spoke there. This book is a study of the Song of Solomon, or Song of Songs... a pretty touchy book for most, but not Lisa. :o)

So, chapter one ends with a question about the most recent time you've been kissed by God. Hummm... coming from a very conservative background, you just don't talk about God that way, you know? I mean God and kissing in the same sentence? Uh-uh... BUT the book comes with a DVD allowing readers to join in on "book club" convo's. One member of the group shared how she felt alone in a desert, then she looked up to see a magnificent sunset. God's kiss, just for her. Another shared the precious gift of a loving, godly mother and how, at her mother's memorial service, folks she didn't even know spoke of the impact her mother's love had on their lives... a kiss from God at her time of grieving.

Yeah, that works. He loves us so much that he showers us with those sort of kisses... passionate, tender, just-what-we-need kind of kisses.

I feel God's having led my cousin and me to Lisa's table was a kiss from God. I'm basking in His love right now wondering how HE, could really love someone like me - a selfish brat, too often - so much that He could send His most precious Son... just for me! just for you! just for anyone who chooses to believe upon Him...

Now, is that a passionate kiss, or what?

Blogger Debut

Life is full of debuts. Today is one of mine. Blogger world....

It's exciting to think about promoting the writing I do to glorify my Lord and Savior. I pray everything in my life does exactly that.

Now, don't you just love the "easy" way in computer world? Just a click away... well, for some, I guess. :o) Usually SEVERAL clicks away for me. I'm learning, though, so that's the important thing.

Never quit learning.... God's world is so full of amazing creations, and He has so blessed the majority of mankind with an awesome ability to learn. But how many of us really take advantage of that capability? I mean we may learn a friend's phone number or email address, but what about the important stuff -- like Scripture? I'll be the first to admit that, for me, memorizing Scripture isn't as easy as it used to be, but oh, how important that task is... learning, meditating, hiding God's Word in our hearts...

So, will you take the challenge? Will you dig into the precious living Word and find a comforting verse or passage and hide it in your heart? I mean work at really hiding it in your heart for life... Here's one I'm working on:

Isaiah 43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Isn't that a beautiful promise? And it's one that I know I can use to encourage someone who's hurting when I may not have a Bible available - like in the grocery line or while waiting to be seated in a restaurant.

As a writer, obviously I enjoy the written word and believe in the power behind it. I pray that God's power infiltrates through this written challenge today and you realize that His Word is more than just another "classic" it is alive and life changing.

Father, give us a hunger for Your word.