Friday, August 31, 2012

August 31, 2012

Well, where has the time gone?  Today is the end of August.  I remember last year during this time, Kansas had just gotten out of the heat, fall was coming, people were outside rejoicing and my dad was still here.  He was leaving for New York again.  It would be his last trip and he was filled with so much excitement.  We should yearn for each day to come.  I know there are troubles but within each day their are blessings.  Like today, the flood waters in Louisiana and Mississippi are very bad.  People have already been reported dead and homes have been destroyed.  Nature can do a lot of damage.  Things change and we change with them.

Today is a day that the Lord hath made!  I don't know what you're facing today but I know that the Lord is with you.  You might be a victim of the hurricane or you might be having marital problems, either way the Lord is with you and is before you.  I'm not saying that today will not hold challenges, every day does but let's look at the blessings bestowed on us before we look at the loss.  It's easier to look at the loss and not see the blessing.  I've done it myself and I bet you have too.  But like the seasons changing, we can find something new in each day to praise the Lord.

Last year, I became very close to one of my neighbors.  I have talked about her several times on this blog.  She has been losing hair for over a year and a half.  The doctors made her feel as if she was a lunatic, they falsified records and basically put her down so bad that she had nowhere to go.  She found a wonderful, Christian doctor but he was stumped with her disease and told her so.  At least he was honest!  In February of this year, she made an appointment at the Mayo clinic.  Her appointment time is today.  Months and months she has sought answers and today could be the day she finds the cure.  This woman has been up, down and all around.  She has felt blessed and an hour later felt like Job.  It has been a tremendous struggle, all of it spiritual, and none of it, could I or any doctor in Kansas fix.  So, as I sit here and write, I can think of the many blessings God has bestowed on her.  She, however, just started seeing them and of course, depending on what these doctors say, she may need to look up once again.

When she left this week, I told her that her hope had to be on Jesus and not man.  Man has failed her so many times that she honestly thought they might think she was crazy.  She can tell you how many hair strands she's lost in a day, how long this trial has lasted, down to the hour and how many times she has weeped for God to heal her.  And every day, I encourage her to look at one blessing, one act of kindness, on thing that made her smile.  Trials are not easy, especially when Christ is stretching you.  It takes perseverance, prayer and a will that aligns with His to get through.  She has moments when she wishes she could die and moments that she knows He's with her.  Have you struggled like that?  If you have then you know exactly where she is.

I hope today is the day God reveals and heals.  It's up to Him!  I have faith that He will restore her and that in the stretching, she has found Him deeply.  I believe that when we are stretched to our max, God will use us to bring His people to Him and I know that this trial was for His glory.  Hard to tell your friend that, though.  She wants it to be over and I want it to be over for her too.  But like everything in this life, we must wait on the Lord.

So, if you're like my friend or perhaps a victim of the hurricane, you know what it's like to be on an island hoping for Christ to save you.  I'm not a profit so I can't predict when that will occur but I believe  in Jesus and when He decides to change your circumstances they will change.  How do I know?  Well, I've been there more times than I can count and every time my faith has grown and my relationship has gotten stronger.  At the time, I was stressed, stretched, and often, depressed but every time I looked up, I saw Jesus and that's what we must always do.  Look up and see the glory of our Lord!

My last note of today is this, don't give up!  Don't let the evil of this world take your joy and if you are in a challenging time, pray for friends that will support you and lift you up.  God will provide for you just like He did for the Israelites.  He knows what your needs are before you do and He will lift you on eagles wings.  To all those hurting out there, I know life seems like it's not worth living, but choose to live anyway.  You have a purpose and Christ has chosen you today!  He's with you and He's surrounding you with love, seek Him first and you will see the kingdom!  May God bless you today wherever you are and comfort you in your hour of need.

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV:

      For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Psalm 118:24 NKJV:

      This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, Your people need You today!  Please protect and keep them.  Show them Your love and guide them through the changes they are facing.  We know that our will must align with Your will, so we call upon You today and surrender all to You.  Open our hearts to You and make us Yours.  We don't always understand what You're doing or why the healing takes so long, but You know what's best for us.  So, we come before You asking for our manna today!  Help us to see the blessings You have bestowed on our lives and give us clarity in our journey.  I know that our thoughts are not Your thoughts but help us to align ours with Yours.  There is nothing on earth more precious than You!  We bow down before You, women that proclaim their Savior!  Raise us up and show us our way, guide us through the waters of life and show us Your glory.  We desire to see You in all things.  Grant us mercy and please Lord, don't leave us.  We are Yours to hold, Yours to mold, and Yours to bless.  Go before us Lord and be with us always.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, August 30, 2012

August 29, 2012

Last night I sat down to write this and I just couldn't.  The words were not flowing, I was all choked up and I just needed some time to think about what I wanted to say.  The contemplation of heaven is near to my heart.  Without heaven, I have no hope.  And if there is no hope, why are we here?  Luckily, I know there is a heaven and that I do have hope but as I was trying to write, I thought of the millions that don't have hope and it made me tremendously sad.  Are we doing enough?  That's what I asked God last night.  Am I enough, are any of us enough to get this job done.  I don't want anyone to not know the hand of Jesus Christ and yet, many will be left behind. It's not my place to save the world but as I have been walking closer to God, I see His sadness.  John saw it too.  There was no one worthy, not one human being was worthy and then, it was revealed to John that Jesus is!  I bet John felt a tremendous amount of relief.   I don't have to carry the burdens of this world on my shoulders but I do need to talk about what Christ has done in my life.  I need to set the stage of what He did for this world and I need to participate daily.

Part of our participation is to know that heaven is a beautiful place.  Before you were a Christian did you believe in heaven?  I really believed that everyone believed in heaven.  From the time I was little, I knew that heaven existed. But as I got older, I found out that not everyone believes in heaven or in Jesus.

It was a surprise to me and still is.  Where do are loved ones go?  What if this was it?  I don't even want to think about it.  I can envision heaven because of what the Bible says.  It describes heaven and what will happen when Jesus comes again.  Not everyone will go to heaven, only those that believe in Jesus will enter the gates. Do you think that's unfair?  If you follow our culture you will or if you stay stagnate you will.  So don't stay stagnate!  Read your Bible, know the truth so that you can follow it.  Church is there to teach us but we have eyes to read and no matter where you are in the Bible God will give you wisdom if you ask.  There is no greater time than now.  Millions don't believe in Christ, they believe this is it, please join me in prayer for the unsaved, the destitute and the thoroughly lost.  I want them to go to heaven and see our Savior, don't you?

Revelation 21:21 revealed to us the opening of heaven and the streets many will walk on.  But as I read further into the chapter, I realized we needed to look at the entire chapter.  Today, I am going to quote what happens after Revelation 21:21.

Revelation 22: 22-27 NKJV:

     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 nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.  Its gates shall not be shut at all by day(there shall be no night there).  And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.  But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

I will not be able to save one person, only Jesus can but I can spread the word and let people know about Him.  It's our duty to tell the story, please unite with me and spread the miracle of Jesus Christ!  Heaven is waiting and when I sit at the foot of Christ I want to say I did everything I could.  I'm not perfect believe me but I love God and I love people and at the end of the day my only hope resides on the streets of gold.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, reveal to us who You are and where You reside.  Help us envision the wonder of heaven and the beauty You have placed there.  Grow us up and make us women that have courage and strength to spread Your word.  Take the division of countries from our mind and make us one tribe, Yours!  Thank You for having John write about the beauty of heaven.  There are so many distractions in this world that I think we forget about the place You have prepared for Your people.  For those that are in Your book, please do not let them parish without knowing the love You have for them.  There are millions of people that need a Savior, help us Lord be bold and bright for You.  Illuminate our paths and give us purpose, not just in this world but for Your kingdom.  We love and honor You today!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

August 29, 2012

I will be writing tonight more about heaven.  My job takes me to western kansas a lot so I'm off, but in the meantime, please pray for those that are sick and in need of healing.  Several people are suffering from west nile virus right now and need our prayers.  If you know someone that is ill, please contact me by email or comment on this blog.  I want to pray for them.  May God bless you today and may he reveal Himself in a mighty way!

Talk to you soon.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

August 28,2012

Yesterday, I talked about heaven and why its so important to understanding our purpose here on earth.  The goal of this life is to reside on the streets of gold worshipping our God.  He is one, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  There are millions of people that need to hear the message and be brought to Christ but there are few to fulfill the commission.

So, today, I wanted to find the Scripture that describes heaven, at least the streets of gold.  Many are scared of revelation because it talks of disaster, famine, and death.  We are in the end times now.  Plagues have come and gone, war is around us and always threatening our inhabitants, and this world has become more evil.  The Internet allows more and more people to be reached and missionaries are going all over the world.  The Bible is being preached and people are simply walking away but there is hope.  Our Lord has not left this sinful world.  He has not turned His back on people.  He is watching and reminding all of us that there is hope in His word, Hope in Him and Hope in heaven.  There is a heaven and we need to be shouting it to the rooftops.

Those that don't know Christ think this is all they have.  What a shame?  I hope that God brings me many people so that I can share my vision of heaven.  I haven't been there but I've pictured it a thousand times, with tables everywhere, children running, people signing and streets of gold.  I want to dance on them one day and I'm sure you do too.  We don't have to be scared in this life because we know where we're going.  Just in case you don't, I wanted to put down a small picture of what heaven will look like and why we need to be telling people there's a place beyond this earth!

I hope you're having a splendid morning.  I get to go wake up my teenager so we'll see.  But until tomorrow I wish you a very blessed day.

Revelation 21:21 NKJV:

     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.

I tried to explain this once to my dad.  He always turned away when I talked about the beauty of heaven.  Please take time this week to read this chapter and contemplate how to share the grace of Jesus Christ.  Heaven is our reward.  We are sinners.  But once upon a time a boy was born to save the world, His name is Jesus.  Spread the word today and remember someday we will meet on the streets of gold.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, my prayer today is that every woman reading this blog will look upon this Scripture and think about heaven.  That we will seek You, not just this morning, but every morning.  That we will begin to be bold in the word and fight for righteousness.  We are on our knees worshipping and loving You.  Continue to grow us in your word so when the time comes we can go to Scripture and paint the picture of a Savior.  You have not left us here to defend for ourselves; You are in the word and in the Spirit and we are blessed.  Help women everywhere know You more and give us a dose of You.  The thought of heaven is beautiful to me and I don't want anyone dying without the hope of it.  Help us lift our sisters in prayer and to fulfill Your purpose in our lives.  Light our paths and help us love the unloveable and please Lord fill us with Your grace so that we might send that grace others way.  We are in need of You daily and we thank You for being our Father.  And someday, I hope to be rejoicing on the streets of gold and worshipping my Father.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Monday, August 27, 2012

August 27, 2012

It's a new day and change is coming!  The season is changing and with it comes a new day.  As I was walking with my husband last night, I happened to look up and notice the moon.  It looked so far away but within the next couple of weeks it will be closer and we will see it shine.  The stars weren't out yet but those are going to become more vivid and hopefully, we will spend more time outside looking at them.

What must it be like to sail into those stars, to be one with the universe?  Only a few know.  Neil Armstrong knew and now he's gone.  We just landed on mars and the rover is taking pictures, so far no life forms but it is wonderful to look at God's creation.  The planets, the moon, the stars and the sun were all made, not by the big bang theory but by our creator.  Every star was aligned, every season created, every tree, every animal and yes, us, were created not by a cosmic collaboration but by a Father who knew what He was creating.

So when I look at all that is around me and I think, who  made all this?  I am confident that it's God.  I know that all the beauty around me has never been created again and that it must come from God.  I can only imagine what heaven looks like.  Do you know that people that don't know God aren't sure about a heaven?  They don't believe there is anything after this life.  Can you imagine facing death and not knowing where you're going or who will greet you?  That's what each person faces that doesn't know Him.  It was strange to talk to my sister-in-law and have her tell me that she would like to think there was a heaven.  I know that during my numerous talks with  my dad, he wanted to believe my mother and brother were in heaven.  Doesn't that make you sad?  Of course, there is a heaven and Christ has prepared a table for us.  Those of us that know Him will see Him again and in a place more beautiful than here.  If you know someone that isn't saved, ask them where they think they'll go when they die and prepare to tell them of the table Jesus has set for them.  Explain the beauty and the streets of gold.  They need to know and the only way they get to sit at that table is to know Jesus!

I remember thinking as I shared with my dad how sad it was that he wasn't sure but before he died; I told him to call out to Jesus so that he could sit at that table.  I told him that if he wanted to see my mom and brother again he must believe that Jesus was the way.  That was at 8pm in the evening and he slowly began to slip away.  He was lifeless but he heard me.  God is great and His creation is greater.  Ask someone where they think they'll go when they die?  If we're lucky, we'll be here 80 years, that really isn't very long when you think about.  Once you hit 30, the years seem to pass by like a hurricane.  The love of Christ resides in the truth that heaven exists and we will see Jesus again.  Hold onto that and share it with someone else today.

Matthew 10:7 NKJV:

     And as you go, preach saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

Psalm 115:15 NKJV:

     May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.



My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You, thanking You for Your creation.  Every morning I wake to a beautiful sun and every evening, I see the moon.  Sometimes when I look closely, I can even see the craters on the moon, it's tremendously beautiful.  I love to look in the trees and see the birds singing and playing.  I love to watch the rabbits come out of their holes and scamper across the yard.   I love to see Your creatures enjoying the rain and rejoicing as much as we are.  I love to sit on my porch and contemplate heaven.  Whenever I think of You, I think about heaven.  What are You doing?  Where are You sitting?  Who is worshipping You and where do the children go?  So many vivid pictures come into my mind of a place that is peaceful and full of joy.  A place where pain can not come too.  I've never been there but someday I will reside on the streets of gold and then this life will have meant something because I will have sought my maker and will be rewarded by His presence.  I pray for all of the people in the world that don't think about heaven and that don't understand what it takes to get there.  I pray that You will enlighten them and bring them to You.  I pray that we will speak of  a place of wonder where the angels sing, "HOLY, HOLY IS THE LAMB!"  But mostly, I desire for people to understand that the world they live in was perfectly designed by God.   There are no circumstances in this life, everything fits like a perfect tapestry and someday we will all see the creator.  Bring forth Your people and help us to be bold in our faith.  Give us a vision of You and of the world beyond this one.  Help us speak of Your mighty hand and make us followers of You all our days.  For this is a race we all want to finish and You are at the finish line. Thank You for being there, waiting on us and loving us!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, August 26, 2012

August 26, 2012

When was the last time your heart burned to be in the presence of God?  I'm not just talking about you opening your Bible and reading.  I'm talking about missing Him so much that on every corner and in every situation, you're looking for Him.

I know that I've experienced dry spells and when I do there is such a lack of satisfaction in my life.  It's like I'm standing in the middle of my life but not participating.  Have you ever felt that way?  I'm sure you have, everyone does at some point in their lives.  They feel dry, they don't see God and they wonder what's the purpose.  I don't have all the answers and I'm not quite sure I'm right about this but I think we must go through the dry spells to see His hand.  If everything was always given to us, would we appreciate Jesus more?  Probably not.   We would simply take Him for granted but when we have walked in the desert, wandering, thirsty and in need, we see Jesus so much more clearly.

Of course, I love to be where every time I move, I see Jesus.  Actually, in my life today, I do try to look for Him in every circumstance.  I know He's there but sometimes, when things get tough, we lose sight of His presence in our lives and in others.  World events, murder, child molestation and numerous other things can make us wonder, where is Jesus?  He's here, orchestrating from Heaven, waiting and watching.  He is our Shepherd but we live on earth and evil roams like a thief within the night.  We just don't think about it much.  Can you imagine watching over billions of people?  I'm exhausted just thinking about it, but Jesus knows that He must and is so willing to do it for us.  The cross is not some Biblical story made up so people can believe in something.  It's full of historical facts, accounts that hold true today.  We must believe whether we are in the desert or in the promise land that Jesus is watching and one day He will have full victory.

I guess I'm contemplating this today because for the last couple of days I have experienced some very weird and emotional dreams.  I have seen my dad, my mom and just strange and bizarre things.  From the time I was a small child, I dreamed in color.  I have watched horrible things in my dreams, things no one would want to see.  I learned later how important it was for me to pray Psalm 91.  It has been my saving grace.  I guess the only good thing that ever comes out of these bizarre and reckless dreams is Jesus.  He's the very first thing I think about when I wake.  I have even been known to call out for Him in my sleep.   Why?  Because I know He's with me, whether I'm walking down a street or dreaming. I can call upon Him and He hears my cry.

If you truly want to be close to Jesus, you must do the things that will get you near to Him.  First, you must know Him.  The best way to understand God is to read the Bible.  I like to have people read the new testament and then the old.  The old testament is full of judgement but when Jesus took the cross, judgement was severed and grace appeared.  Both are vital to understanding God but in the end I want people to know what Jesus sacrificed for them.  We are a sinful people, He was white as snow.  His love is what carries us and no matter how many people let us down, there's always someone to pick us up, His name is Jesus!

After Jesus died the disciples were really lost.  Can you imagine walking with Jesus daily and then one day, He's gone.  They were depleted, exhausted, confused and destroyed.  Their Savior was gone.  They missed Him, not just spiritually, but as a friend.  They were in the desert but Jesus wanted them to know that the prophesy was fulfilled and that someday they would see Him again.  He came to them but blinded them, not until He broke bread with them did they see Him and then He was gone.  As I read this Scripture today, I found myself burning to be in His presence.  My heart yearns for Him and I hope as I meditate on His word today, I experience Him in a whole new light.  He is beautiful and I am His.  May you go about your day asking Christ to make your heart burn for Him.  He desires it and so should we!

Be of good cheer today ladies!  I'm off to get ready for church.

Luke 24:29-31 NKJV:

     But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent."  And He went in to stay with them.  Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.  And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

Hosea 7:6 NKJV:

     They prepare their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait;
     Their baker sleeps all night; 
     In the morning it burns like a flaming fire.


My prayer today:

My prayer is simple today Lord.  Bring forth Your word into the hearts of Your people.  Make in us a new heart that burns for You.  Help us through the desert and into the promise land, where we will be able to see Your hand.  Our lives are Yours but like so much on this earth we get confused.  We need our Savior to guide us and love us through this journey.  We are women that desire to yearn for You.  Show us our way, guide us today and keep our feet on Your path.  I pray that You would open the eyes of women, men and children all over the world.  Reveal Yourself today, keep nothing from us and show us Your love.  Grant us Your favor and help us grant it to others.  We seek You today and every day.  You are mighty and worthy!  We fall down and thank You for Your continued guidance all our days.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Friday, August 24, 2012

August 23, 2012

Well I'm back from my trip to Western Kansas and luckily I have lots on my mind.  This week I have been contemplating memories.  Do you ever look back?  It's hard not too, especially when you have such good memories of the past.  I'm grateful that my memory is good and that I can hold onto the blessings that have come and gone in my life.

If you would have asked me how I was doing last year at this time, I would have said fine.  But really, I was worried about my dad.  I had been watching him slip slowly away.  And then, out of the blue he decides to go back to New York.  He had just gotten back and was going again.  I thought he might finally be pulling through his grief but by the second week of September his health began to slip and by December, he was gone.

As I was driving yesterday, memories kept flooding back, back to the day I took him to the hospital.  He had asked me to go get a lottery ticket and out of the blue, I found it yesterday.  It was a big $5.00 winner.  I don't like gambling but it was his secret joy and in my glove box lies the last one I bought for him.  Odd that I should find it now.  My memories of last year came flooding back and then reality hit once more, I'm parentless but I have my memories and that's more than some people ever get.

My point is that we must hold onto the memories, especially when God has blessed us.  Those memories are the lifeline we need to move forward.  They take us out of ourselves and back to Him.  I'm glad I have kept my journal pages, they are a written record of my dad's last days.  They hold my prayers, my petitions and my deepest thoughts.  They are my record of my last moments with him.  Like my journal, the Bible is Jesus's record.  It holds His story and personal accounts of Jesus's life and death.  It always amazes me that people don't believe that the Bible is true.  We believe everything else we read, why not believe the Bible?  And yet, there are people all over the world that don't.

If we want to know Him more, we must read and re-read the words that have been written.  They tell a story and many times they can paint a vivid picture in our minds.  We will need those pictures during our lives and you may just find yourself clinging to them.  I know that I have and I have friends that are clinging now.  The words are to be treasured, meditated upon and cherished.  We treasure our memories,  don't we?  Then we should treasure the words left for us by the people that knew Jesus best.

I love to read Scripture, especially in the morning.  I hope that this morning you find yourself reading something that blessed you.  There's nothing better than hearing from God.  He gives us just enough to get through today.  It's our manna.  So if you haven't opened your Bible today, open it up and read the first thing you come to, it may just give you inspiration for the day.  Life happens moment by moment, take the time to put God in it first!

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV:

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Luke 24:6 NKJV:

He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"  And they remembered His words.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank You for the written word.  Without your words of wisdom, encouragement, and hope, we would be wandering with no purpose at all.  We need Your word in the morning and in the evening.  We should be surrounding ourselves with You.  Often life gets busy, You know where we are, help us to take time out everyday, so that we have just enough manna to get through the day.  You don't place manna on the earth like You did for the Israelites but You still provide everything we need to get through today.  All we have to do is look for You and You are there.  I realize there are times You must be silent from us but please Lord help us see You in everything we do today.  We need You and are always lost when we don't have You.  Continue to feed us through Your word and take us to Scripture that is pertinent and that will help us grow.  We are students that love their teacher.  Bring forth Your wisdom and help us delight in what You delight in.  We are one step away from chaos, so please keep us under Your wing today.  Bless this earth, Lord, and it's inhabitants.  Call Your children to You and help all of us be Your hands, Your feet and Your ears.  People need love and the only true love comes through and by You.  Thank You for loving us and for sacrificing Yourself for us.  The world needs a Savior and Your the only one that can fulfill that request.  Holy, Holy is the Lamb of God who was and is to come!  Save us Lord and save Your children!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

August 21, 2012

This morning I woke to a television on and a dog that needed to go outside.  My alarm went off and all I wanted to do is turn it off, put my head back under the pillow and go back to sleep.  And then, when I had to get up my husband turns off the television and is going back to sleep.  Of course, He is!  Do I sound a little agitated.  I'm not really.  It's just that for that hour I wanted so desperately to go back to sleep and he had the t.v. on so all I could do was think.  That's really dangerous at 5 am.

In the last couple of days, I've been thinking about the concept of running away.  Have you ever thought, "If I could runaway everything would be better?"  Of course you have.  I think every adult in the world has but we don't get too.  Did Jesus run away from the cross?  Did Moses run away from the Red Sea?  Did David run from Goliath?  No. They stayed, they waited and they glorified God.

I know what it's like to want to run from life.  The challenges can be difficult sometimes and often they look like brick walls.  But even a brick wall can be crumbled.  Look at the ruins all over the world.  They didn't stand the test of time and either will your brick wall.  Jesus has the solution.  It might not be readily available right now, but He has one and is waiting for you to come to Him.  Our strength doesn't lie in how strong we believe we are, it lies in how strong Jesus is.  When you're a child you believe that Jesus can do anything but when you get older life wears you down and you begin to be cynical.  That's why whenever I'm really wanting to run, I go to Jesus.  For that moment, I am a little child sitting on His lap.  I'm coming to Him asking Him to help me and for the most part He does.  My prayer and my thought life must always be Your will, not mine.  That's just fact.  But why run when I have Jesus?  Besides, don't you think He can find you anyway?

So if you're out there today wanting to run away from life.  Please don't.  Stand still, go to God and ask Him for your direction.  You must realize that His direction may vary from yours but it will be the right direction so don't question it.  There is nothing He can't do if it's in His will.  Nothing.  I know that sounds foreign but it's so true.  Running away will only make you  more frustrated, full of fear and sorrow.  Standing still will give you the fortitude to run the race before you.  It will give you the courage and the strength to bust up that brick wall and it will allow you to see the hand of God on your life and others.  If you always run, you may never see Jesus!

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV:

     But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Luke 1:37 NKJV:

    For with God nothing will be impossible."

My prayer today:

O, Lord, how many times have I wanted to turn and run?  How many times have I cried out to you that I hate my life?  How many times have you had to sit there and wait for me to be still?  I don't have the number but you do.  I always repent when I want to run because I know that if you wanted me to run, you would tell me where to go.  So for today, I'm calling for my sisters to stand still, wait on you, and align their wills with Yours.  The battle sometimes is within and we must win that battle to be Your soldiers.  Life comes but You are always near.  I ask You today to clear a path for Your women.  Give them strength in their hour of need.  Provide courage where there is cowardliness and help them to see that nothing is impossible for You.  It may be for us, but You have all the power and someday, we will see it.  Thank You for giving us people we can read about that struggled, wanted to run away but stood still waiting on You.  It gives us hope in the dark and provides shelter from our circumstances.  I believe with all my heart that You still crumble brick walls.  You choose the time and the events but You are still mighty!  Thank You for reminding us that we are no longer children, able to run from here to there, but in the end we can still run to You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Monday, August 20, 2012

August 20,2012

Good morning all!  It's 6:11 this morning and I'm up, dressed, straightener on drinking my first cup of coffee.  Isn't life wonderful!  It would be if that's all we had to worry about, don't you think?  Unfortunately, life's pleasures don't always equate to a smoothe and easy day.  If you're like me, what started off as a beautiful, peaceful day can erupt into chaos by 6:35 am, especially during the school session when everyone is flying around trying to get ready.  Isn't life great!

Well there is a purpose to my madness this morning.  It begins with ending my day with Jesus and beginning my day with Him too.  I don't think there is a better time for me to contemplate God's righteousness and mercy than in the quiet.  When we're busy, there is stimulating things to take our focus off of Him.  It's easy to get distracted, agitated, angry, basically, it's easy to sin.  I was asked yesterday how do you get over anger when someone doesn't say their sorry?That's a hard question
indeed.  My answer to her, although not well thought out, was really true.  Letting ourselves always go to anger is never the answer.  God is slow to anger and great on mercy.  I asked her if she would want God to react to her the way she sometimes reacts to others?  She's a sweet person and is often quiet when we talk, or rather when I'm talking.  What I wanted her to realize is that she has the ability to control agitation, which leads straight to anger.  I have never known anger, hurt or resentment to solve anything.  Only when I have sat down and prayed, Lord convict me of what I have done and help the other person be convicted as well, have I witnessed healing.  The healing didn't just occur in me, it occurred in the other person as well.  Anger leads to you being hurt.  It rarely will hurt the other person.     If you live with an angry person, you learn quickly to ignore it.  Why?  Because anger is just raw emotion, it doesn't solve anything, ever!

I don't live by anger.  I don't really like to be angry.  I am a rare woman because I do let the past be the past.  Ever since my husband and I got back together, I let the past rest and I work on my future.  The future is what matters.  If you're married I hope you already have learned this lesson and if you desire to be married, learn it now.  Men don't like the past coming up every time you're in an argument and if you think about it, either does Jesus.  That's why He gave His life so our sins would be washed as we repented them to Him.  We will never be blameless but we can show mercy just like Jesus does.  I'm really glad He doesn't bring up my old garbage and that when I'm in front of Him, the past will be the past.  I know that I will be judged but I hope along the road I learned to have grace and mercy.  Nothing is perfect but if I continue to grow in the Lord my heart and my attitude should reflect my Lord.

If you find yourself saying, "He should say sorry, they should be more repentant, what's wrong with their attitude, don't they see they're hurting others?"  Please repent and look at your own heart, your own sins and ask Jesus what you need to work on today.

I don't look at everyone now and say I have to fix them.  No ma'am they have to fix themselves.  And like everything in this world, only Jesus can help them do that.  I wish I could save every woman from being hurt, every child from witnessing horrible things, and every marriage from the pitfall of divorce, but I can't.  I don't have that kind of power.  That's why whenever I see destructive behavior, with myself or someone else, I pray.  I pray for my heart and their heart.  I cry out to God and ask Him to change my heart and to make it new.  I don't want to be the one judging; I want to be the one praying.

You may have read this today and thought to yourself, that's not me.  I hope you don't deal with anger or agitation but you deal with something.  We all do.  It might be envy, worry, fear, or something only you know.  I would ask you today to go to Jesus and say, "Search my heart, O, Lord and reveal to me where I need to change."  He'll show you and then instead of trying to change everyone else, ask Him to change you.  You are the only one that can change you!

Proverbs 15:18 NKJV:

     A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.

Psalm 145:8 NKJV:

      The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank You for being a merciful and just God, slow to anger and abundant in grace.  As I come before You this morning, I realize that I have sin in my life.  I realize that I must confess it to You and once confessed continue to ask You for direction.  If I fall back into it, please reveal it to me so that I can confess it once more.  Habits are hard to break and often, I find myself back in Your presence asking for forgiveness one more time.  I'm so glad that You are not a God that judges me harshly.  That You give me time to figure out my sins and come before You.  Thank You for washing away the dirt and bringing forth the light.  Without You, I would be a hideous creature but with You I am made pure by Your presence in my life.  Anger is a raw and harsh emotion.  It reacts and destroys.  It leaves no prisoners and it's so hard to get over.  I'm asking Lord, for those that deal with anger, please help reveal to them the cause and lead them to repentance.  The only way they will ever be truly healed of their hurt and anger is if they're before You.  So we come before You today, each woman with their own sins, their own pasts and their own feelings, reveal to us what's on our hearts and make us new this morning.  Guide us toward the light and away from the darkness and instill in us a clean heart.  We desire to be women that worship and love You.  In order for us to love You, we must also learn to love ourselves and others.  We ask that You would show us Your love and that You would spread it through us as we repent before You.  There is no other King we would rather worship, there is no other God for us.  Lead us by the still waters and comfort our minds and our hearts.  We desire to be one with You today. Thank You for being a Lord that is slow to anger, for we know that your sheep are lost.   Take care of my sisters and their families today and show me where I need to be for Your people.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Sunday, August 19, 2012

August 19, 2012

I woke up today with nothing on my mind.  I can't believe it.  So I had to go back and read some of the things my family and friends were posting. I hope this doesn't mean I have writers block or that God's done using me because that would make me really sad.  So, I thought I would go to the people I love and gain inspiration for today.  And luckily, my niece Maddy, a very godly woman in her own right put a Scripture on her Facebook page that reminded me of a song I heard this week and a Scripture that came to me.

I am so grateful that God plants His seed in so many of our young women today.  I am so grateful that their confidence is not coming from a boy but it's coming from knowing and loving Christ.  I am in awe of the way God is molding our young girls and giving them confidence to put Scripture on their Facebook page and I'm so glad that He's raising a new generation of warriors.  It's taken me a long time to have the faith I see in my niece.  I'm praying that as she grows into a woman that she will carry that faith all her days.  That with every step, she will be able to look up and that she will see the hand of Christ in everything she does.  I didn't truly find God until I was 20 and then it's been a series of trials and errors before I came to a faith that has given me boldness to proclaim Him.  If you knew me, you knew where my heart was but if you didn't, you would have thought that I was just a nice person.

Today, I walk on a different path.  Today, I'm as bold as my niece.  I have to be because the Lord has laid it on my heart that women need Him.  They need to know that He is near in every situation.  He has also laid on my heart women everywhere.  It's always so great when I see women from the US, Russia, Germany, UK, Malaysia, Latvia, Ireland, and others coming on and reading just one day of the many blogs I have written.  It gives me inspiration to continue and to do God's work because I know that you're not getting here on your own, God is leading you.  I was asked why my blog has such a long name, I said, "God put it on my heart."  That's it.  Maybe a shorter name would get more women directed to it but this is God's page and everything I write is for His glory.  And someday, I hope many women read it and come to His door.  For He is my master and I desire to be in His house, don't you?

So that leads me to our Scripture today and what I have been meditating on all week.  Picture entering into heaven and Christ meeting you at the gate and as you walk through, He invites you into His home. You are standing at His feet in His court.  Angels are singing all around you, there is a series of beautiful lights blinking like stars and all around you there is peace.  You look around in wonder and see all the colors of the rainbow and at that moment you realize that your Lord and Savior has invited you into His home.  You are no longer separated from Him.  You are with Him and the jubilation that you feel knowing that you are home.  Can you imagine?  I can.  The picture to me is the one I've pictured after I lost my brother, my mother and my dad.  They are in His house at His feet in His court. They are signing and worshipping the God I love and they are happy, not happy like what we feel here because they are whole and we are not.  They are no longer separated, they are with Him and if there is anything good about loss, it's that the people that leave us, if they know Christ, get to be in His house, under His roof, praising His name.  Take a moment to think about being in His court, being part of the angels that sing to Him, praising Him for His mightiness and being in the presence of the Holy Trinity! God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit in Heaven!  There is no greater picture I can think of can you?

Psalm 100: 4 NKJV:

     Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 84:10 NKJV:

     For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Be bold my sisters!  Be like the children and believe that the Lord Your God is near.  Let's be bold like my sweet niece and shout that being in His courts is better than being anywhere!  He doesn't need us too but how great would it be if that one bold move saved a thousand.  You never know.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, my God, how awesome is it to be in Your presence this morning.  Every day is like a new day with You.  As I wake, I find myself contemplating the day and wondering what's in store.  You are mighty and You are mine.  I am so grateful that You take a child and make her a woman that seeks You.  I'm so grateful You take a woman that sins and save Her.  I am so thankful that at every corner You are saving women, men and children and that someday we will unite and be in Your courts.  For me, I just ask that I would keep these Scriptures close and remember that one day in Your courts is worth more than a thousand days here on earth.  I can hear the angels singing this morning, Holy, Holy is the Lamb of God!  I can hear them singing and praising You and glorifying Your name.  I pray today that the voices all over the world would unite and You would hear Your people sing, Glory, Glory to our King!  We love You Lord and although we mess up, we are so grateful that someday we will be in Your courts praising You.  Thank You always for giving us Your word and for giving us a heart for Your people.  We love You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Saturday, August 18, 2012

August 18, 2012

Last night my husband and I went for a walk.  It was a wonderful night in Kansas.  We had a slight breeze coming from the North, the birds were singing and the animals were scampering.  It was just great.  The air is lighter and the people are much happier.  It's like a huge weight came off of everyone's shoulders the minute the temperatures dropped.  You know when a huge burden falls off your shoulders, there's just a relief in you that's hard to describe.  That's what I'm seeing in Kansas, relief.

Relief comes in many different forms, imagine the children and mothers in Africa when food arrives or a water well is dug.  Imagine the faces of children dancing in the street for a cracker.  Imagine the smile on a mother's face because today she can feed her child.  Imagine people praising God for the food they were given which is probably what we throw out in a day.  For a morsel, a mother in Africa would praise God because that means her baby can eat today.  For her, the burden of hunger is gone for just one day.  Can you imagine it?

Who shoulders our burdens?  Do you let circumstances pile up on you so that the burden is too great?  Do you step back and look at the situation and ask God to intervene or do you continue to burden yourself until your shoulders are heavy?  Some burdens are great.  For instance, the hunger in Africa, child trafficking, abuse, neglect, homelessness and helplessness.  These burdens are great but there's a solution.  First of all, God gave us hands and feet.  Second, for some he gave an abundance of money and thirdly, we have Him.  I'm not saying God will eliminate every burden on this earth, actually, He won't.  We know that because it talks about the end times, of war, famine, and devastation.  It speaks to a world in chaos and it tells the story of great hope.  The hope that our Savior will return.

We will always have things in our lives that we believe to be burdens or great challenges. I doubt any parent on this earth hasn't faced the challenge of teenagers, worrying about the rent, or how to put food on the table.  We have a childhood so that when problems like these occur we can deal with the issues.  No one skates by and if you think someone does, look around, you'll see that people are worse off than you, that's a promise.  I know that I'm blessed and I thank God everyday.  I know what it's like to wonder how I'm going to feed my baby, where the next rent check will come from, or if I will have enough money to pay a doctor bill for my child to be seen.  I lived it and I know.  I scraped pennies together just to get formula and I worked nights so that I could help contribute to our household.  It wasn't easy but it taught me that some of my burdens have solutions and all of my burdens go to Jesus!

There isn't one thing that I have that's mine, including my husband, children or  my possessions.  All things belong to Jesus.  There isn't a problem He couldn't solve for me and that's a fact.  However, like all things in this world, I must believe He can change them, seek Him for answers and give it to Him to solve.  Of course, I have a part in it.  It could be that He wants me to change jobs, stay home, travel the world, or stand still.  I never know what Jesus will do but I do know one thing, Jesus has a purpose in my life and in all my circumstances.  I grow when I acknowledge that I don't have all the answers but He does.

If you feel like the burden of the world is on your shoulders, Google Africa.  That's a huge burden right now.  So far away but so close to home.  Every country in the world is facing the challenge of feeding starving people, even in Kansas there is a growing population of starving people.  I'm not saying your burden isn't great.  I'm just asking you to look at how God is taking care of countries like Africa.  He knows the burdens of this world and He knows yours.  Give them to Him, let Him lead the way and if you're struggling with purpose, I suggest you get out of yourself and find someone that needs encouragement, service, or just an ear.  We all need someone to care about us and the best way I know to get out of my own way is to care for one of God's people.

I pray today that you find your purpose, that your burden is light and that on every corner, you see Jesus.  He's near, I promise you that.  He loves you, that's a fact and for today, He will help you one step at a time.  Your problems may not be solved today but I guarantee someday you will look back and say, "Jesus took my burdens and I am so grateful He did!"  May God bless you and keep you today and as always I'm praying for you.

Psalm 55:22 NKJV:

    Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; 
    He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I pray for those that have great burdens today.  You know who they are.  They are scattered from the East to the West and You call them by name.  They are Your children and You love them.  So today, I call upon You, Lord, to help those individuals in need.  Give them a purpose to move forward, grant them serenity and peace.  Give them someone that will encourage them and comfort them and help them to see that when they come before You, You're there.  I know that not everyone gets all the food they need, or the possessions they want.  To each child there is a different journey.  My prayer is that the women that read this blog would know what it's like to have relief in their life.  Your power is what I seek, Your presence is all I need, Your love is my reward.  Please put women on my heart that need You, Lord, bring them forth, from every nation so that they can hear what You've done for my life.  You are my God, You are theres, and together we are Your bride.  Help us to be women that cast our burdens to You.  I know in my heart that You can take the burdens off our shoulders.  But I realize that it must be Your will and not ours, so for today, I pray that our will aligns with Yours and that we see You in everything we do today.  You are the air we breath.  Be with us today as we forge through this life.  Give us purpose and a passion for You.  In Jesus name, AMEN


Friday, August 17, 2012

August 17, 2012

It's a new day and we're hear to proclaim that Jesus lives!  Do you wake up every morning and think, "Wow, God, I'm still here?"  I do.  I'm in wonder when the new day unfolds and I'm a character in its first act.  I'm definitely not a puppet but I have a part to play and if I play it well, Jesus will be glorified today.

I don't always think like this but today it's definitely on my mind.  Especially, when I open the doors and its 64 degrees outside, what a difference a few weeks makes.  Everything is changing from the weather to the kids going back to school.  Nothing stays the same, except for Jesus and when I think about it, I smile.  It reminds me of my phone call yesterday.  I called a former co-worker to let him know an opportunity he was trying to get called me for a reference.  He was laid off since January and still hasn't found another job.  That's not the kicker though.  He lost his father two weeks after I lost mine and he's only 27 years old.  It was good to talk to him and to hear the promise in his voice.  It was good to once again tell him that I would be praying for him and it was good to be reminded that nothing stays the same.

Right now, there are people in the world that are having the most beautiful day of their lives and their are others wishing today would be done and hoping that tomorrow will be better.  Unfortunately, I've been on both sides.  I would rather choose to have a beautiful day.  I try to do that everyday now.  Time is precious and we only have so much of it.  Each moment that is given to us, we should treasure.  Why?  Because there is something God wants us to do with the time we have on earth and we should praise Him for it.  Remember, this is not our life, but His.  We are here for His glory and if He gives us rainbows to look at, days of joy and a lifetime of love then we should be on our knees, for He is a God that loves us, in the happy times and in the darkest times.

I have hope that no matter what you're facing today the hand of God is on You.  I have hope that You will see Him in something that you're doing, or in your child's laugh, or maybe just in the beautiful scenery around you.  Treasure today and ask Christ what He wants you to do.  He is our maker and He is who we should always treasure.  Our hope and our faith reside in Him.  Be blessed today my sisters and know that I am praying for you.  May today bring you a rainbow and a sliver of hope for tomorrow.

Proverbs 7:1 NKJV:

     My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you.

2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV:

     But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, our treasure is You.  Our hope resides in You.  We walk praying that we can hold onto your commandments and to love You more dearly.  We come before you thanking You for the time You have given us, for the changes around us and for the company You provide us.  We are Your servants, we give You everything so that we can look upon Your beauty.  You are our master, our Father, our friend.  Help us today to see You in all things.  Please give us a heart to treasure You and to treasure those around us.  There are no words to say except, Thank You for being there for us and giving us hope, when life takes it away.  You are our King.  We want to glorify You today with our thoughts and our tongues.  Help us treasure one thing today that You treasure.  Keep us on the right path and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others.  I'm praising You Jesus, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, send Your mighty power to earth and heal the land.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow....

Thursday, August 16, 2012

August 16, 2012

Well, I didn't quite make it online last night.  Both computers were taken up and since neither are mine, I had to wait.  Yesterday, like most Wednesdays, I was driving for at least 6 hours.  My territory is huge but manageable.  All kinds of things were on my mind, like will my son do well at this new school, will my oldest have a better time this year in college and will my husband get his diabetes under control?

As you can see, there was a lot on my mind.  And of course, during the drive, my friend who is losing all of her hair called, needing encouragement.  Then, my friend that's separated didn't get a job she wanted and oh, yes, the bank called and said my house didn't appraise as high as they had anticipated, so we have a higher loan payment.  Nothing crucial but enough to keep a mind going.

On top of that, I have been wondering how I am going to get my teenager home when I'm on the road. He can't drive for 5 more months and I kept thinking, there's got to be a solution.  And there was.  My mother-in-law called and said they would be in town the exact days I would need someone to pick up my son.  Coincidence, I think not.

So really, why did I spend so much time with my mind going from the east to the west?  I really don't know but the Scripture God gave to me yesterday morning said it all and this morning thinking about it makes me smile.  Even when I don't know where I'm going, He does.  Even when I don't see that I am worrying or afraid, He does.  And guess what, when I let Him, He solves my problems and provides a way.  He always has.  It's just that most of the time when I get into my head; I forget Him.  Maybe you're not like that, I hope you're not.  But if you find yourself getting in your head, getting agitated about things you can't control and worrying about things to much, ask Jesus to fill your mind with Him.  I found myself reflecting back on the Scripture all day.  It was my lamp guiding my mind right back to Him.  And yes, I am thankful that He is with me.  For I know, that when He's for me, it doesn't matter whose against me.

The road map to a healthy mind and life is Jesus.  Never doubt that.  He is the only thing that can fill your emptiness, make you fulfilled, and give you a sense of purpose.  You, like me, can find lots of things to worry about.  That's easy, stepping into our minds doesn't take much effort.  However, putting Him at the forefront of your mind takes a lot of effort.  Make sure you are meditating on Scripture.  That's the only way I know how to still my mind.  I'm sure it will work for you too.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV:

     For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I think that says it all, don't you?  I hope your day is filled with wonder and your heart is full of joy.  Keep this Scripture close, I know I'm going too.  I might even tape it to my dashboard, maybe that will still my crazy mind.  Have a beautiful day my sisters.  Keep praising Jesus!

My prayer today:

O, Lord, at every door I find you.  There are so many distractions in the world today and they all take me away from You.  I look, but then something captures my attention, and off I am onto the next thing to think about or worry about.  And then, when I least expect it, You remind me that nothing is in my control but everything is in Yours.  Your word is my lamp.  When I read it, I see You.  I feel Your presence on my life and I know that You are near.  You are guiding all Your children to You.  I can feel You sending Your Spirit and whispering to Your chosen, "Help my people."  I love You Lord and I want to help lift up Your people.  You have done so much for my life and with every step, I see Your face.  I don't deserve a Father as wonderful as You and yet, You are with me.  Keep the dark away and provide Your everlasting light.  We need You Lord, don't leave us in our hour of need and protect us from the dark.  We are Your women, moving forward, loving You and thanking You for our lives and those of Your people.  Help us be strong for You and to keep You on our minds always.  Thank You for being our Father and for loving us and knowing exactly what we need.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

August 15, 2012

I will be writing tonight instead of this morning.  My son is starting school today and although you think it would be easier with a teenager, it's just like getting a kindergartener up and ready for school.  I'm sure I will have something to say by the time I sit down to write tonight.

Have a wonderful morning.  There's plenty to choose from on this blog if you just want to hear from the Lord today.  Many blessings as always.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

August 14, 2012

The earth is being rained on today.  Praise be to the Lord!  At least Kansas is and we haven't seen rain in a long time.  I can't believe how excited I was to hear the pitter patter of rain on the ground or to watch my dogs run in the opposite direction because they don't want to get their feet wet.  Oh the little joys of life.  For some, rain might be a nuisance right now but for Kansas, its a blessing.   When you have cracks in your ground 2 inches wide and at least 5 foot long, you pray for rain.  It's like when you are in a trial and you feel like God's left you and then all of the sudden, He appeared and all  your circumstances changed, that's what the rain is like for me.  I have been praying for weeks that the temperatures would drop and the rain would come and each day I prayed, nothing, but today the temperatures are dropping and the rain has come.  I knew that God would provide; I just didn't know when.

I'm sure you have experienced similar situations in your life, when you knew God would provide but you just didn't know when.  It's the anticipation of knowing He will and that when He does, glory will rise.  Unfortunately if you're like me, I can be impatient and want the results as soon as possible.  But as I look out my window today and watch the rain come onto the land, I realize that the wait was worth it and I am praising Him for it.  I can't remember really praising God for rain before.  I guess its one of those things you really don't pay attention to unless you haven't seen it in months.

That's life.  We go about our daily lives and unless there's something to shake them up, we just keep moving.  I'm not saying God isn't in them, but is He?  How much more do we call to Him when we are in a drought?  How much more do we seek Him when things are in chaos?  How much more do we surround ourselves in Scripture just to get a glimpse of His faithfulness?  If you're like me, a lot more.  You go to Him in times of trial.  You depend upon Him to change the outcome.  You seek Him to understand and to learn and at the end of the day, you grow closer to your Lord!  That was me 6 or 7 years ago.   Life wasn't all that bad.  I gave time to the Lord but not like I do today.  He was a small piece in my daily regimen, now He's the air I breathe.  When I don't seek Him out in a day, I feel it. When I don't go to church, I feel it.  And when I don't say Lord, "Here I am."  I feel it.  I am so grateful for the droughts in my life because in the end, they make me love Him even more.  During my hardest trials, I learned what it was to seek Him for my manna.  I learned that the only way to get out of bed was to go to Him first and I learned that even when I'm not faithful, He is!  Do you know how freeing that is?  To know that in my sin, He loves me.  When I doubt, He knows.  When I am faithless, He carries me.  What a great Lord we serve!

Today, all over the world, women are fighting for their families.  We are fighting for our future generations and we are fighting for ourselves.  There are women in abusive homes, women that are killing their children, women in prison, and women hurting all over the world.  We are one.  It's time that we unite and shout to the world that Jesus reigns.  Personally the best way to find Jesus is to shout to Him.  He hears you and when He does, be ready because He may just call you.  Please pray for the women that need Jesus. Please pray for one another.  Please pray for the world.  And please pray for the future generations, that they will seek the Lord more and love Him forever.

We are just a few, wanting to shout that we have a Savior.  Don't give up the fight.  Talk to your friends, talk to your children, be examples for young women but before you do any of that, get on your knees and let Jesus be fully in your life.  Give Him everything and seek Him daily.  You can't do this in your own strength, you will have to do it in Jesus'.   I'm with you my sisters.  Often like you I have wandered but today, I know where my lifeline comes from, it comes from Jesus.  Be proud that you run to Him, be bold and speak out and tell the world what He has done for you.  Just like the rain, Jesus is watering the earth, seeking the lost and asking them to come to Him.  Let's be the women that help Him.

Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV:

     As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

   John 6:31 NKJV:

     Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

3 John 1: 2 NKJV:

    Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank you for granting my many prayers.  The rain has come and the earth has cooled and You provided it.  Without You, there would be no reason to get up in the morning.  You provide everything we need, water to drink, air to breath, food to eat and rain for the land.  We wake up to sunshine and we go to bed to the moon and stars.  The land is vast and its all Yours.  There are many things we take for granted, especially in the US.  Please help us to see that nothing should be taken for granted.  That every blessing You poor out and give to us, not because we deserve it but because You love us.  The land knows what we often don't.  You control everything!  You are the beginning and the end.  We are Your people and You are seeking the lost, the broken and the confused.  Help us reach out to them and to love them for You.  Please pour out Your wisdom on the land and help us all seek You first.  You are the light in the darkness.  You guide us, You provide for us and You love us.  We never deserved any of it but You are faithful.  Help Your servants to be faithful to You today.  We seek You Lord and thank You for every provision.  We need You Lord and we ask Your forgiveness for the times we thought we were providing.  We aren't, You are.  Be with all of us today, all around the world, and unite Your women in praise.  May our lips proclaim You Jesus, not just today, but always.

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, August 11, 2012

August 11, 2012

Well it's a new day today and as I let my dogs out this morning, I actually encountered 60 degree temperatures.  Considering just a few weeks ago we were in the 111's, I will take every morning like this one.  All we need now is a couple days of rain and everything will be good in my world.  Do you ever stop to wonder what makes a day good for you?  What little thing in your day made you smile?  I do.  Jesus makes me smile, my family makes me smile and obviously 60 degree temperatures make me smile.  Everyone has something that makes them smile, even when they feel like they have nothing to smile about.

This past week I've been talking to my girlfriend who continues to lose her hair, she will be going to Mayo clinic in a few weeks, which is funny because the appointment was set in February and she still hasn't found healing.  There's not much to make her smile these days.  She finds hope in a new doctor and they get stumped.  The darn ringworm will just not go away.  Her closest friends have been replaced by new ones, her husband has stuck by her like a trooper but often, she tells me she has nothing to smile about.  It's hard to watch a joyous person lose what I think is essential to life.  She tries, believe me, but things just keep getting more difficult and she just would like healing.  I get that.  But this is where God is so good, she is a mother of six children.  So even when she wants to feel sorry for herself, she can't.  But that's not what's funny.  Her youngest is a pistol.  I think she's probably become more of one since this trial began.  I find her hysterical, probably because she's not mine, but nevertheless, she lightens the load with her stubbornness, her sense of I need you right now and her overall comedic relief.  Whenever I hear my friends voice sound down, I ask her what Caris is doing?  Right away, I can hear the smile in her voice.  She makes us all laugh and reminds us to get out of ourselves and take care of the ones we were given.  Nice, right?  Well it is because this kid never wants to wear clothes, has to have her mom come in the bathroom with her, turn around and close her eyes.   She is the essence of childhood and I love her for it.

I love to hear my friend laugh.  It's hard when you aren't funny and she is truly a comedian.  I just want to hear that smile and know that she's okay.  Yesterday, she said, "Do you think I need to repent more?"  I said to her, "Haven't you repented daily during this journey?" I already knew the answer, she had.  I have walked with her since January and know every thought, every word and every prayer that woman has made to her maker.  She has confessed her darkest thoughts, her greatest fears and her love for Christ.  She hasn't really understood this trial but she has become much more familiar with, "I can't go another day without you Lord."  We all think we know God so well, until you have a spiritual battle that knocks you to your knees.  That's when you truly get to experience the power of Jesus Christ.

I've learned a lot in this journey too.  I've learned not to guess what God's going to do next.  I've learned to listen to her and verify her feelings.  I've learned that this is a Spiritual battle and I'm the prayer warrior called.  And at the end of every day, I've learned and so has she that only Jesus can fix her.  That's powerful! I keep coming back to what God wants us to really focus on.  What's he asking of my friend and I over the last 8 months and the only conclusion I have is that we must love Him.  I must constantly remind her that His death was our reward.  I must remind myself that He is the power and that although He uses me to minister to her, His glory will be done.  I know that in my life, the only thing that has powered me through the darkness is loving Him.  We all fall down, it's how we get back up that matters.  If we do it in our own strength, we fail but when we seek Him and love Him with all our hearts, He will be there and we will see His hand.

If you know of someone that is going through a hard time, don't try to fix them.  Get on your knees and pray for them and when they call, answer your phone.  They don't need to hear you say that they need to be happy or how long are you going to be depressed.  Just listen to them and pray for them.  They will reveal their weaknesses to you, just pray.  And if they are holding something too tight, ask them to hold Jesus instead.  God is a jealous God.  We must not hold our fists tight.  We have to open them and say to Him, You're enough.  Don't lose hope if things don't change right away, God has a plan and your a part of it.

Mark 12:30 NKJV:

     And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You and beg of You to read my heart.  If there is sin, please reveal it so that I can repent.  I want to be Your woman full of You.  At the end of every day I want to open my hands and say, "You're enough."  And when I wake, I want You to be the first thing I think about.  You have been  my light in the darkness and I strive to know You more.  Help women, all over the world, to see Your hand in their trials and remind them of Your love for them.  We were chosen for a reason and our lives are Yours.  Grow women that will stand by their friends in their hour of need.  Give us the courage to be bold and to speak of You wherever we are.  Guide us to You, every moment, every second we breathe.  We need You Lord, not just in trials, but always.  You are our peace, our protector and our friend.  Help us to seek You daily and to put You first in our lives.   Every step needs to be toward You and away from our fears, our worries and our doubts.  Lead us by still waters and grant us Your presence today!  You are mighty Lord, we bow down before You and thank You for making us Yours.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Friday, August 10, 2012

August 10, 2012

Whenever I begin to grow weary, I always go to Scripture.  It has been my friend, my peace, my everything for as long as I can remember.  When you experience life's losses, you learn to yearn for the word.  It lifts you up when you're down, provides comfort when there is none, and reminds you that someone besides yourself loves you.  When I am feeling weak, I try to envision the nails going into Jesus's hands and feet.  I try to remember what it must have felt like to hang from that cross.  I try to remember that even though He was betrayed, He gave His life for me and when I've done all that, I've come out of myself and back on my knees.

It's not a simple task to stay humble unto the Lord.  Like you, I get weary.  So weary sometimes that my family wonders why I'm going to bed so early.  I have always been an early riser but in the last 5 years, it's much earlier and more tiring.   The only time I really tell people what's on my mind is when I write this blog.  I keep much inside, not wanting to burden others with my struggles.  I have found though, that this blog has become another way Christ has ministered to me.  I feel blessed and honored to be able to write what He means to me and hopefully, many will come to Him through it.  For me, it's been a journey of wonder.  I wonder about a lot of things and eventually, I give up and say, "Okay Lord, do your will because I don't have a clue?"  To me that's truly peace.  When we can go before our Lord, no matter what is happening in our lives and open our hands wide and say, "It's yours, take it from me."  I realize that sometimes I'm my own worst enemy.  I try to keep everything close, when really I needed to relinquish it all along.  Do you feel that way?  I'm sure you do.  It's easy to feel like you're in control, when you're really not and never will be.  I know believe me.

When we hold on so tight that our fists hurt, we have no peace.  If peace isn't present, you will grow weary.  Why?  Because you have decided to do everything in your own strength.  That's the worst mistake we can ever make.  It's in His strength we can do everything.  If you're feeling weary today and feel like you're falling into the pit of despair, fear not, the Lord is with you.  He knows your situation but you have to give it to Him so that He can work on it for you.  Keeping it close will not solve your problem, release it and soar on His wings for once!

Isaiah 40:30-31 NKJV:

    Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
    They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run but not be weary,

Daniel 10:12 NKJV:

     Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

James 4:10 NKJV:

     Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, in my weariness I come before you.  In my heart, I know you are the only way.  I look upon your face and remember the scars you took for my life.  Your blood, as it dripped from Your body, is my saving grace.  Your sacrifice is my reward.  I don't deserve You and I often find myself holding my problems and my heart too close.  I release both to you now.  When I grow weary, it's because I don't want to let go and yet, You call us to open our hands and give it all to You.  Lord Jesus, I want to wait on You today.  I want to come before You asking for You to renew the strength of your people and help us mount on wings like eagles.  I want us to be in Your presence, fully, worshipping you so that in times of need, we would not grow weary.  We humble ourselves before You and once again ask our Savior to guide us this day.  We know tomorrow will come soon enough, so for today, lead us by still waters, protect those You love and go before us.  Convict us of the things we are holding to dear and give us the strength to place them at Your feet.  Women, men and children are calling out Your name, all across the world, lift us up as we proclaim the name of Jesus!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, August 9, 2012

August 9, 2012

Have you thought about your salvation lately?  Do you remember who spoke to you and invited you to a meeting, a bible study, or church?  Can you remember the day you accepted Jesus as your Savior?  I can, vividly but sometimes when I'm alone and the world is surrounding me, I forget what it means to be His.  Doubt can creep in and steal your hope.  Sin can seep in and steal your joy and anger can be ever present when life isn't exactly as we mapped it out to be.

It's been interesting the last few weeks.  If you read this blog, you know I have several friends going through very hard times.  One is losing all her hair and the other is facing a divorce after 25 years.  There situations are very different, yet the solution is the same.  They must both find Jesus right where they are.  I would love to take their hurt and pain away.  I would love to fix their problems but at the end of the day, only the man that hung on a tree can heal their wounds.  When we look back to the day we found Christ, we remember that.  But as time moves on, slowly we doubt Him and everything He meant.  Of course we love Him but sometimes we just aren't sure there will be an end to our misery.

Ladies, I stand before you now, claiming that there will be healing in both these situations.  I have no idea what that looks like right now but I do know that God will restore in them a new heart and that they will see His hand.  It's impossible for me to read Scripture and not stand on that very fact.  It's impossible for me to remember what my Savior did by hanging on a cross and believe that God isn't in both these situations.  It's impossible for me to believe that in a world full of evil, He is not present.  Why?  Because people are still being healed, men and women all over the world are finding Christ and our children are proclaiming Him as their Savior.

I'm not saying that life isn't confusing and that sometimes situations seem dark; I'm just saying that if our Savior wasn't present, there would be no need for the Bible, churches or people proclaiming His worth.  He exists!  On every corner in the US and all over the world, we just have to look for Him and remember what He did for us so many years ago.

I can't take the pain from anyone's life but I can proclaim that Jesus is our hope.  I can tell my friends to hang on and that I'm praying for them and at the end of the day, I can fortify myself in His word so that I can continue to minister to His people.  I don't have all the answers, only God does but what I do have is a profound faith in Jesus.  That faith has taken me through the tallest mountains, the densest forests and the deepest oceans.  If you need Him, cry out to Him and if you don't know Him, ask Him to reveal Himself today, He will I promise!

So as you go about your day today, please remember that our Savior died on a cross so that we could have hope, joy and eternity.  Without Him, we would be empty but with Him, we are saved!  Take a few moments to reflect on Him today and thank Him for being an intricate part of your life.  He's near and all we have to do is remember He isn't like us, He's the Son of God and He is the healer of our souls!

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV:

     who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.

Matthew 28:5 NKJV:

     But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, we come before You women that need a Savior.  We stumble, we fall, and in the end we come back to the same conclusion, that You are Lord and You are worthy!  Forgive us for not trusting and hoping in You enough.  Change our thoughts and bring them back to You.  We need to remember the day we were saved, the feelings that came with it and the hope for our futures.  We want to walk beside You remembering the cross and realizing that the stripes on Your back were for us.  Lift us up daily and give us courage to speak to Your people.  Help us invite Your people to a meeting, church or a Bible study.  Give us a vision for our future and help us when we are doubting.  Remind us of Your power through the Holy Spirit, we need You Lord and we need to remember what Your sacrifice did for us on that cross.  Lead us like sheep, through the valley of our lives and give us joy and hope along the way.  We are Yours, to do with what You will.  We open our hands wide and release our fears, our sorrows and our worries to You.  Be with us today as we seek You and help us to not be afraid.  We love You Lord, grant us Your presence, not just in the US but all over the world.  For You are our King and we worship You today!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

August 7, 2012

Good morning all!  I can't believe the week has began once again and we are off to a great start.  It makes me nostalgic sometimes because the days fly by and I don't even know where they went.  Summer is almost over in the US, kids are about to go to school and my days are flying by.  I look around and everyone I encounter is 20 years younger, what happened to the time?

I'm thinking about this because in a few short days my oldest son turns 22 years old.  Much has changed in my life in those years.  I became a mother very young.  I was scared and stupid, the way I think we should be to have kids.  Too much knowledge is never good.  Anyway, both my boys stand taller than me, they are growing up and in a few years will leave my home.  I continue to grow older, even though I don't feel old and everywhere I look, there are young people.  If I had a chance, I would do my life over again, at least some parts.  The part I would never change is having children.  Although everything hasn't been smoothe, and I have made mistakes, they are the highlight of my life.  I get up every morning knowing that I have a purpose and that with a lot of prayer and possibly some yelling, my guys will become great men of God.

If you're a mother, you totally understand.  I think that's why my mom liked being a nana.  She didn't have to yell, she just got to love and send them home.  I wonder if that's how God feels about all of us?  He gets to love us and send us home.  We get to choose to love Him back.  I think He calls us to love His people the same way.  We can't fix them but we can be patient and kind to His people. 

Because time is so much part of our lives, I think we focus way too much on it.  When is He going to heal me?  When will He change my circumstances?  When will I feel like going out?  When will He change my heart?  These are all questions we have heard from hurting, lost and broken souls.  People ask me the same thing, when will God change my life?  The answer to that is He already did, on the cross.  But we forget what He did for us when we are leaning on our own understanding and want time to move quickly so things can change.  Patience is part of obedience.  It's not easy but we must learn to call for His peace and be patient that His timing is perfect.  It's kind of like when you are about to have a baby and you want it out right now, do you think that baby cares?  No, they come in their own time and sometimes that's a very long time.  The only thing we can do about time is to be patient on the Lord.  He will change our circumstances when He's ready.  We just have to trust that He has the situation under control and by all means please love the people going through it.  Don't judge them, just walk with them, until Jesus heals their circumstance.

For me, I just wish time would slow down.  I'm not looking forward to the day my son's move out.  I will miss them and I will have to let them go.  I know that God will help me prepare for that day and I will be more than willing to give them to Him.  I savor the moments I still have and hopefully, they will be prepared to be good husbands and fathers.  So, if you're struggling with rushing time and wishing for tomorrow to come sooner, realize that you may just miss out on a blessing.  We are in a world that is moving at warp speed.  The quiet life no longer exists.  We are so used to it so we don't even know that we want time to speed up.  Slow down today and look at the moments.  Don't rush today because tomorrow comes soon enough.  May God bless you today as you go about your day.  I'm praying for you.  Take some time to really be peaceful and experience God in a whole new way.

Hebrews 12:14 NKJV:

     Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Matthew 6:34 NKJV:

     Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

John 7:6 NKJV:

     Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, bring peace and patience on your people.  Let us stand still in our hour of need and know that your timing is perfect.  Give us the fortitude to love your people and stand firm that you will redeem them, not in their time but in Yours.  Help us to stand with our brethern and know that You are God.  We question You and You answer, not in our time but Yours.  Help us to cherish every minute You give to us on earth and to do the works You give us.  Help us complete Your plan, day to day, and keep us from looking toward tomorrow.  Tomorrow will come but there is so much to do today.  We come before You, women that love You and that want to have peace and prosperity in their lives.  We know You are the only key to heavenly things.  Make us aware that we are with You and that You have our every situation under control.  Let us not mourn for what we don't have but give our hearts the peace to understand what we do have.  We are imperfect but You are perfect.  We come before You asking You to put Your hand on our lives.  Please bless us right where we are and give us women that will encourage us and be with us through all of life's challenges.  We couldn't be here without You.  Thank You for Your sacrifice and thank You for showing us our way, even when we can't see it.  You are our Lord!  Be with us always!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Monday, August 6, 2012

August 5,2012

Trust in the lord with all your heart. That's the message we should be shouting. We get in th pitfalls and forget this principle.  Life comes at us and we fall, we are like dominoes, one push and we tumble.  It doesn't have to be like that.  We don't have to fall every time life throws us a curve ball.  How do I know?  Because I have been there, just like you.  I have swayed from East to West.  I have wondered and not found my way.  I have crumbled under pressure and I have forgotten that God's plan is best.

Don't you think if He's taking care of the birds, He will take care of us?  In principle we all know this.  However, really think about what you have chosen to trust God in and what you haven't.  I bet you'll be surprised to discover there's more there than you realize.

Our purpose is to be taught by Christ so that we can fulfill our purpose here on earth.  Timing is everything and as I tell myself on a regular basis, our will must align with His will.  Without that key component, nothing will every come to bear fruit.  We are His people and He will show us our way.  Of course, we will have to be obedient and trust in Him, even when the circumstances look bleak.  I know that I'm not talking to the wind here.  Many of you have experienced it already and many more will.  It's part of the growing up process.  We are not just getting older to be adults; we are maturing through the trials and tribulations of life.  We are His to mold and the sooner we realize it the better we all will be.

When I write, I have experienced much of what I talk about.  I know what it's like to stand still and wait patiently and I know what it's like to fall hard and barely have the energy to get up.  We must stand still in order to receive the full glory of our Lord.  He is patient, we are not.  But in patience, we will find Him and He will meet us right where we are.

Accountability is the key to success.  If you are floundering and don't really trust that Jesus is as big as He really is.  Get together with a friend that is spiritually sound.  Someone that will pray with you, encourage you and find Scripture to minister to you.  Ask Jesus to help you see beyond yourself.   And of course, you can always send me a message, I'm right here, waiting to pray for you.  I hope today finds you well and I hope that you take some time and spend it with Jesus today.  Every morning is a blessing to our souls.  Don't start your day out until you thank our Lord.  It makes the day so much better.

Psalm 32:8 NKJV:


     I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Psalm 56:3 NKJV:

     Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Psalm 33:21 NKJV:


     For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, help the women all over the world trust in You.  The ground is shaking and the winds are blowing but You are near.  Everywhere we look there is destruction, pain and loss.  Please take our hands, our hearts and our minds and make them Yours.  Bring forth patience so that we can be still and trust in You.  We know that You are God but often, when things get rough, we revert to worry, depression and helplessness.  You are our hope and our Savior.  We come before You asking that You would help us trust You in every circumstance.  Give us the ability to stand strong against evil and protect our families as we spread Your name.  We are one with You, from every country and every nation, being called to serve a purpose, Yours.  Guide us today with Your eye and teach and instruct us in Your ways.  You are mighty and powerful and we want to stand with You all our days.  Continue to mold us as we seek You and grow us up so that when life's pitfalls hit, we will stand and wait upon You.  You are the reason we get up every morning, be with us today and every day.  We love You Lord.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...