New Years Resolutions

You know each year we resolve to
do things better, lose weight,
quit smoking, get a better job.
The New Year brings a renewing,
another chance, a fresh start
to change things in our lives
for the better.
Christ gives us that opportunity
each day of the year. All we have
to do is ask...Forgive me and help
me to be better in all things.
Let my life bring honor to your name.

That is my resolution this year, let my
life honor the Father. Let me not waste
opportunities to share His goodness and
love with others who may not know Him.
I want to sing of His Glory and Praise
Him with all that I am in the coming year.

If you don't know Him, your missing an
amazing journey, seek Him and you will find Him.
Happy New Year Everyone.

Christmas Time

I love this time of year,
autumn leaves have fallen.
The trees are bare and beautiful.
Frost covers the ground each morning like
a handmade homespun quilt. Squirrels
and birds scamper to do last minute
"winter shopping" from trees and bushes
as the cold sets in.

I love the winter night sky, it seems
to glow with the same sense of
anticipation today that it must have
those many years ago as the world and the
heavens awaited our dear Saviour's birth.

This Christmas I want to appreciate more,
the real reason for the season. I want
that to be my main gift to those I love
and care about. I am so blessed, I have
so much more than I deserve. I want to never
forget the sacrifice God made in order for
me to have all that I have, for me to be all
that I am.
Let my gift to Him in return be to sing of His
Glory and Goodness, His Mercy and Kindness.
He fills my life with peace and joy and those are
exclusive gifts found only thru Him.

I wish a Happy Christmas to everyone and hope
we truly all remember that HE is the reason
for the season.

Merry Christmas

How Far I've Come

I read something yesterday that reminded me of
just how important it is to keep my focus on
Jesus. We can easily say and look
like we are leading a Christian life.

But, if we are being motivated daily by revenge and
the need to hurt others, we might want to give ourselves
a reality check. Praying and reading God's Word can
help us in all area's of our daily walk as Christians
and can help to prevent these feelings.

If we have been through trials and life lessons and have
come from these and not used the knowledge the Holy Spirit
has inplanted in our lives and we turn right around and allow
satan to use us again, maybe we need to ask ourselves if we
are truly inquiring of God and being led by His Spirit and not
depending on our own knowledge.

Truthfully if we are seeking God in all that we do, there will
be no anxiety or turmoil or fear in any decisions we make.
Our thoughts and actions will be Holy Spirit led,our thoughts
will be clear to move and follow with true confidence.
Spending time on yesterdays mistakes and harboring grudges and planning
revenge can only fester into an uncurable wound.

I am amazed at how far I've come, that trusting in the Lord has
brought meto a place in my life where I no longer feel the need to
avenge myself when I have been hurt, that I no longer need to waste time
on plotting revenge. I can just turn it all over to the Lord.
It is hard when we are hurting to say

here's my mess Lord, can you fix it
for me?

but, this is just another way to put our faith into action
and allow God to be in control of our life.

So Much to be Thankful For!

Thanksgving Day

My turkley is in the freezer with the
dressing I made Saturday, along wtih
two pies. All of our plans are set with
family and friends. We can just anticipate
the day and all the fun and fellowship we
will have.
We have so much to be thankful for..

Most of us have a roof over our heads and
food for the table and clothes on our back.
We have no shortage of love and companionship.
We can walk, and talk, smell, hear, and feel.
We are so blessed!
Ps. 95:2
Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto Him with Psalms.

Have a Happy Thanksgving...

Frost on the Pumpkin

There was frost on the pumpkin this morning...Jack Frost was here to remind us that winter is just around the corner.

There is a huge tree across the street from where I work and it ushers me into each season, in early spring the lush green leaves start to sprout and with summer the canopy cools with each passing breeze.

It's autumn coat was ablaze with red, then gold, then hues of oranges and browns.
Today as the first frost has left it's mark, there is nothing left but bare and beautiful limbs swaying and dancing in the cool morning air.

A mere tree and it's seasons remind me of the majesty and beauty of creation.
I try to imagine heaven and know a day is coming - as sure as the sunrise - when we will be transported into the Lord's presence and surrounded by all of His
glory and beauty.
Free from temptation, sin, and sadness, from fear, and doubt and despair.

It will be wonderful and beautiful and best of all Forever!

Job 37:10
By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened

Church Night

We are so fortunate to live in a country
where we have the freedom and privilege
to go to church. I love Wednesday's
and Sunday's and am always excited
over the prospect of
being able to go to services.

The thought of studying God's Word and
praising His name with song and in fellowship
causes an excitement in my soul.

I pray for those who do not know God and pray
for those who do and may not have the same
privileges that we do in this country
to worship freely.
Our missionaries around the world are always
in my prayers for the wonderful work they do.

Let us boast in the LORD and the mighty and
amazing things he does for us. Pray for America,
and that we as Americans will always put God first
in all that we do.

Wings

Dear Father,
I pray you give my heart wings today
that it may flee from anger, jealousy,
prejudice, hate. Allow me to soar above
the lines that are drawn between borders
that cause our lack of love and concern
for one another.

Let me look upon on all things today through
your eyes and glimpse the amazing love that
you hold in your heart for all of us.
May your royal law guide my thoughts and
actions.
I want to express with a tender
assurance to those I may encounter, who may
think they are less than they should be. That
we are all loved the same by you, no matter
the baggage, disabilities, or shortcomings. Our
differences and weakness are the very cords that
bind us to You.
Instruct me as I search your Word for answers that
help me to improve on my love and understanding
for my fellow man. For there is so much I do not
understand.

Road Map

Those who know me well, know that
I love a good old "road trip". Nothing
makes me happier than packing an ice
chest full of Mr. Dew's and cokes and
a few sandwiches and we take off early
on a Saturday morning.
We have travelled and searched so many
roads all through out East Texas.
We've had more fun and discovered so
many beautiful places we didn't even know
existed.
But, there have been times when we
have had to pull over and consult our trusty
worn-out road map. It has seen so many journeys
and it's pages are frayed and marked and
highlighted with directions from previous trips
and stops.
Looking at my Bible this morning I couldn't help
but think about it being just like that trusty
road map. The pages feel good and familiar to
me as I read them. The words are roads that
I've travelled and where I've discovered many
beautiful places that I didn't even know existed.
When I've been lost and not sure of what
direction to take, it has led me down the straight
road and gotten me back on track.
God mapped it all out for us, we just need to go
there everyday and become familiar with the roads
that His son Jesus has already travelled for us....

Thankful Heart

Last night it was so beautiful outside.
The air was crisp and clear with the
smell of fall.
The sky was brillant with its blanket
of stars. It almost took my breath away.
God was so good in creating this wonderful,
amazing world for us. My heart hurts for
those who do not know of the "wonder" of Him.
That they miss the love he has for us.

His love surrounds us, it is evident in all that
we encounter and take so for granted. The wind,
and the stars, the rain and the sun. The rythym
of the world speaks of His Power and Majesty.
More than anything this world has to offer, I am
most thankful that I know of His love.

Salvation

Galatians 6:14
As for me I will never boast about
anything except the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, through whom the world
has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

For as long as we live, our greatest struggle
will be to let this salvation take hold in our
lives, to submit our wills so completely to God
that He has full control of our hearts.
For me it has been the most freeing experience,
to hand over the reins of my life to the One who
really knows how to use them.

Growing in Grace

When we choose to honor God at all times,yes
even in the midst of trials and testing.
It allows us to exhibit our faith
in the Cross.
As responsible believers this faith allows
us to add virtue to our "christian resume" and
I believe the virtue,Peter spoke about was full
of energy and power that also allowed us an ever
expanding knowledge into just what Christ did at
the Cross on our behalf.

We must always anchor our faith in Christ and the
Cross. Only then do we realize the benefits afforded
to us by the Sacrifice of Christ.

Influence

As Christians our goal in
loving other people should
be that they see the love
of Christ in us.

We are all different and God
uses us each in our own individual
way. He has equipped us all with
our own special gifts, abilities,
interests and talents.
He then uses that to make our
service to Him exactly what the
people around us need.

Rebellion

It has rained here for the past 5 days.
I am so thankful, we needed it. As I came
home yesterday I noticed that my husband
had cut the grass in between showers.
The yard looked so good, everything is still
so green, fall hasn't taken over yet...

I am one of those people who like to start
off the week-end if possible with everything done.
Since the yard was looking so good I decided that
a thorough housecleaning was necessary too.
Saturday would then be free for other things..

I worked until almost ten o'clock getting everything
done. When I finally sat down, I said to my self: Self,
I don't want to go to bed yet...self said "you'll
be so tired tomorrow!" I chose to stay up I felt I
deserved it, I had worked so hard and the night had
zoomed by. I also knew that I was going to be tired.

Needless to say...I'm dragging today.

In the Bible, almost every chapter has some discussion
about rebellion. Why do we fight against the very things
that we know are good and right for us? It is just our
sinful nature to rebel.
My prayer today is that God will not give up on me....that
He will continue to rein in this rebellious child and
guide and teach me. That the spirited side of me can be
used in such a way as to bring Him glory and honor.

In the Valley

I love the 23rd Psalm, it never grows old
to me. I've returned to the comfort of it's words
so many times in my life and each time it speaks
to my heart and consoles me.

I think for most readers of this Psalm we think of
the valleys we walk through. What of Jesus and the
dark valley of His earthly life.
How alone He must have felt, like us He
must have felt like a lost sheep. How wonderful to
know that Jehovah was His Shepherd and comforter
through all of His trials here on this earth.

I think this Psalm helps to remind us that as lambs
we must let the Shepherd fight for us. That His rod
and staff will always beat back the powers that try
to come against us in our daily walk.
Our fight should be the "good fight of faith". As
long as we keep the Lord as our Shepherd we can
expect the same goodness, comfort and mercy
this Psalm speaks of "all the days of our lives".

Turning Faith into Action

How many times I have wondered, Why God?
Why are things changing, why don't I understand.
Am I out of your will?
Isn't it amazing when we get to see the results
of His individual caring,when we experience and
feel His love for us.
To know without a shadow of a doubt that He
is in total control of your life and you are
following His lead. In trusting in Him, and
staying focused on Him we are turning our faith
into action.
When troubles come we need to remember Abraham,
Romans 4; reminds us,"He staggered not
at the Promise of God through unbelief".
He was strong in his Faith and gave the Glory to God.
I love that ! I want to be that !

That is what we must do too. When troubles wash over
us like the waves of the ocean. When times, and
circumstances , and yes even people come against us
we musn't waiver.
We cannot allow difficulties to deter us from our
intended conclusion.

A Right Spirit

A right spirit, should be a spirit that
is controlled by the Holy Spirit. I can't
help but believe that when led by the
Holy Spirit we will always be producers of
Peace, Righteousness, and Joy. Romans 14
tells us that these things are acceptable to
God.

We will cease to want to argue our case, or
prove our ground with arguments. Our actions
should be motivated by the fact that Jesus died
for those who wronged us, just as he died for
us and that person belongs to Christ just as we do.

All that we do should be done with a gracious spirit
always considering others.
Love should always be our ruling guide.

Labor Day

Labor Day normally marks the end of summer
and the start of another school year.
This holiday also reminds us that Thanksgiving
and Christmas are just around the corner. Where
does the time go...

Most people are aware that Labor Day is a national
holiday, but not many realize it was once observed
as Labor Sunday, dedicated to the spiritual and
educational aspects of the labor movement? How's
that for a little trivia?

The sad thing is so much has changed in the way this
great country of ours now believes and lives.

Back in 1882 when president Grover Cleveland passed
legislation marking Labor Day a National holiday, we
hadn't taken prayer out of the workplace, or out
of school. We still believed In God We Trust. We
still believed in one Nation Under God.

I pray that each of us has a wonderful three day
holiday this week-end and that each of us reflect
on the bounty of goodness God has shed on America.

Oh, Solomon

Solomon had it all, yet....it was
all empty nothings..hearts have to be
in tune and right with the Lord...

As Christians one little inconsistency
in our character can totally destroy our
testimony..
As Christians we need to learn to yield even
when we face great offenses, unless of course
it is in direct violation of the Word of God
then we can't back down.....

As Christians we need to learn that only God can
make life what it ought to be.
Without God life seems to just be a series of
wasted opportunities.
Without God we can never find the satisfaction and
contentement that we are all looking for.

As Christians we can know many things but the only
worthwhile thing worth knowing is that our soul is
right with God.

Rely on the True Word

If all you have to go on is your
own experience, you don't have much
more to say about your faith than
anyone who claims to believe anything.

But when your words and thoughts are based
on the true Word of God , you have a real
leg to stand on.

In the book of John Chapter 8; Jesus tells us that
if we continue in His word we are truly His
disciples. That we will know the truth and that it
will set us free.
Free from all the worry, and deciet, and destruction
this world can bring to our life.
We need to engrave the true Word of God upon our
hearts and rely on it to lead us daily.

AWAKE AT THE WHEEL

Thank goodness God is not looking for
perfection in us. Thank goodness he is
not looking for people who are afraid to
make mistakes. Thank goodness he doesn't
mind when we might be made to look foolish
when we show our genuine love and compassion
for His cause.

Our journey with Christ is not just showing
up at church every Sunday and Wednesday, it
sometimes means taking a stand for what you
believe is right, sometimes you just have to
put your passion where your faith is.

I don't want to be "asleep at the wheel",
only going through the motions. I want
to be "Awake" and alive and growing and
moving in the direction that Christ has
in mind for me. I want to be living for
the things that matter in His Kingdom.

His Kingdom is here for me today and it
comes with a promise of eternity with Him.
Regardless of what we face today, the
disappointments, the hardships, the burdens
and grief.
One thing is for certain....His Kingdom will
stand when all others have fallen..

School Day Prayer

Lord we ask you to watch over our
school children as another year
begins. We are such a blessed nation
to have the priveledge of education so
readily available to our children.
God help each and everyone of our
teachers and administators to understand
the impact that they may make on the young
lives that are intrusted to them.
We pray that they will be Godly examples.

We pray for your protection over the lives
of our children and teachers, keep them safe
and secure in the knowledge that you are
a watchful God who protects those that He loves.

Although we battle to keep your name and presence
alive in our school system, they cannot stop us
from loving and prasing you in our hearts.

Prayer for Today and Always

Father,
I ask you to please guide me along paths
that I travel that may be unfamiliar..

Turn the darkness in my life into light..

When I follow my heart and feel I am in
your will help me to rejoice if I should
encounter rejection from others who know
not of your glory..

Do not let me miss one opportunity to
exclaim of your wonder, beauty and love..

Guide me in Your truth and teach me..

Be my refuge from my enemies, keep me
as the apple of Your eye: hide me in the
shadow of Your wings..

Your love never fails, never ends, never
dies, never changes...let me never forget..

FEELING GOOD

I have to tell you for the first time in a long
while I woke up feeling special; I know I have
to be a pretty important person, why? Because
Satan fights for me all the time! This lets me
know that he knows just how much my God loves me!

For the first time in months I feel liberated
and focused, like a huge burden has been lifted.
It is exhilarating to be a child of God and feel
secure that HE has your whole life under control.
Although, I still have a truck-load of troubles in
my life, I do not have to face any of them alone.

All I have to do is keep on keeping on, pray
without ceasing, read and study God’s Word,
exercise my faith, and trust in the incredible
love of the Father.
God’s word makes it clear that He rewards those
who earnestly seek Him.
Father, the Cross was certainly reward enough for me !

FORGIVENESS

God has forgiven me for so much.

As Christians we are presented with many challenges.
The challenges I face may be very different than
those of others. But no matter how different those
challenges may be, every believer will sooner or
later deal with the challenge of forgiving.
God wants us to live in the likeness of
Jesus. And no other word seems to compare His
character in relationship to us like the word
forgiving.
I realize people who have hurt me, might
not have realized that they had hurt me or what
the results of their actions might cause.
I only know that we never look more Christ like when
we simply forgive those who have hurt us.

God's Assurance

There is no safer place in the world
than in the center of God's grace.

My Everything

There are days when I want to go out
and shout to those around me the importance
of Christ in my life.
I want them to understand how good serving
Him can be, and living for Him is worth every
sacrifice you would ever have to make......
Unfortunately, somethings can only be known by having the
Holy Spirit living inside of you, teaching you, showing you.

Casual Religion

The following is simply my view and opinions and
is not meant to be critical or judgemental..

I am so old school.....but I am not blind or
deaf ....

I truly struggle with the contemporary
world we've become. I know in many
instances the changes that have come
are good and some church communities
thrive with their contemporary programs.

For me I liked old time religion when
we didn't have to struggle to "have" church.
People looked forward to going. The whole
congregation meeting together, coming before
the Lord with Praise and Worship in one accord.

I liked when we showed respect for one another and
children showed respect for their elders.

I liked it when our young adults felt they could benefit
from mixing with the older members at church, and didn't
have to meet separate from the body. I am not against
small groups, I think they can play a vital role in church
growth and education...but they should be in
addition too not in replace of church.

I liked it when our whole body came back to
church on Sunday evening for services, not
just the skeleton crew.


I recently read this statement by -Tom Sirotnak-
Christians who begin to treat Jesus casually
often become casualties.

What do you think have we become too casual
with our spiritual lives and views?...I would love to hear....

HE LOVED EVEN ME !

It is amazing that the very people we shun and
try so hard to stay away from because they don't
look just right or sound like our kind of people are
the very people that Jesus sought out and wanted
to interact with...

I have had that thought in my head for almost
two weeks and wondered why...

I recently had a chance to see why and came to
to the realization that as we give ourselves over
to God the people He decides to send our way
might not always fit into our "comfort zones"
of sociably correct.

But loving Him gives us the great gift and privilege
of being able to demonstrate what His love looks like
from our reactions to their needs...

Our main goal in loving others is that they should see
the love of Christ shining in us.
God will always take care of the rest when we're
confident in His love.

DON'T OVER THINK IT !

I think we have turned into a society that
totally "over thinks" everything. We tend to
dissect, and evaluate, ponder and propose.
In some instances I believe that the rule
"better safe than sorry" does apply and we
need to be cautious about our actions.

But, for me and the way I want to worship.
I'm just going to blow caution to the wind,
I'm not going to "over think" it. When I want to
sing, I'm going to sing, when I want to clap and
praise the Lord, I am going to step out and do it.
When I want to raise my hands and glorify the
Lord I'm going to do it....

Our praise and worship should just come natural
to us, but again we stop and worry and wonder
what will people think?
I am so grateful that Jesus didn't stop and ponder
if we were going to be worth all he was about to go
through...he didn't "over think" it...He gave His all...

I Love My Friend

F - forever faithful and fun

R - regards others before herself

I - indescribably important to me

E - enjoys me as much as I do her

N - never minds listening to me whine

D - delights in serving the Lord

Ministry Opportunities

We come in contact with alot
of different people each day.
Some are old friends and others
just acquaintances, some are fun and
happy to be around, while others
present a challenge.

But for whatever the reason God
has placed them in our paths.
Friend or foe, relevant or seemingly
irrelevant, every person who we
connect with in our daily walk
should be a ministry opportunity...

He is Grace and Love

We live for God as His grace enables us.
Not to be saved or to stay saved.

But, because we LOVE the Lord Jesus for
saving us by His own life and death....

Thank You Lord Jesus for loving me....

FINDING GOD AT CHURCH

Do you think churches today get so caught up in
trying to establish this program and that program
that they lose sight of the “why “ we were doing it ?

Do desires for growth in numbers, outweigh the
desire for growth in souls won?
Do we whisk God off to the sidelines in our quest to
be bigger, better, best.
If we lose Him as our center and main objective, can
we thrive, can we survive?
Would you rather attend a spirit -filled, God centered
church with fewer programs or one plump with
programs and activities but lacking spirit?

What is it that you are looking for when
deciding on a church home?

BEING HAPPY

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect.
It just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.---Unknown

Wow, that is so true.

We can spend our days pondering the why's and how comes.
We can spend our lives wishing for more than we have.
We can spend our happiness on not ever being satisfied.
We can spend our precious moments wallowing in self-pity.
We can spend our joy on worthless troubles.
We can spend our inheritance while here on earth.

Or....

We can spend our days pondering on the goodness of the Lord.
We can spend our lives satisfied with all the abundant blessings we have.
We can spend our happiness on others around us,
who may be desperatly in need of some happiness.
We can spend our moments comforting a friend or loved one.
We can be joyous because the Lord knows all about our troubles.
We can rest in the knowledge that our inheritance is waiting for us in heaven.....

Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out everyday to keep her body in shape ...
but a woman of strength kneels in
prayer to keep her soul in shape...

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything ...
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her ...
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids
the same in the future...

A woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can
also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...

A strong woman walks sure footed...
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face ...
but a woman of strength wears grace...

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey ...
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...

Capture the City

In Joshua Chapter 8, Moses has died
and Joshua is now in charge of the
children of Israel. they have been
in the desert for forty years and
God is leading them to the life and
land He has promised them..

What a huge responsibility that
must have been for Joshua, and
let's face it he had great big shoes
to fill after Moses leadership.
But he trusted the voice of the Lord
and victory was his...

God said stretch out the spear in your hand
and I will give you this city..as a symbol of
faith Joshua stretched out the spear in his
hand toward the city..and as the LORD had
promised the city was captured.

When God gives directions..and we follow...
Victory is the guaranteed result....

Do you stretch out your spear and capture the
cities God intends for you to have?
Place your trust and faith in Him today....
Claim and capture all He has for you....

Babies, Battlefields, and Botox

Our lives tend to read like road maps..
When we were young and raising our
babies we were consumed with what
was best for them…and all we had
to give we gave….
As they grew older.. so did we …playpens and
parks and backyard fun were exchanged
for cars, and colleges and life's battlefields…
Futures and finances, friends and foes…
They’re all a part of the road map of my life.

Creases and wrinkles (more than I like)
line my face now and help to
tell the story of my life, and I have to say
at this stage of my life Botox is
sounding better and better…Where do the
years go? Babies grow, battles are fought ,
some won, some lost…tears and smiles, births and deaths.

Yet, through it all God has been a
constant companion. A dynamic force in all of
the moments and memories of my life…and to know I will
spend forever with HIM…worry free, guilt free, (wrinkle free)
and loved beyond measure forever and ever,what a perfect ending.

But for those who love the LORD it is just the beginning !

One Flaw in Women

A friend sent this to me and I thought it
was worth sharing.

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh
when they are nervous. They fight for what
they believe in. They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they
believe there is a better solution. They go
without so their family can have. They go to
the doctor with a frightened friend. They love
unconditionally. They cry when their children
excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth
or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend
dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no
strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can
heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you. The heart of
a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They
bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS
THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

But, never forget girlfriends...GOD KNOWS OUR WORTH....

Surround Me With You

Lord, I love days like today when I feel
such love for you that I find it difficult
to breathe. I find it hard to contain myself.
It seems I can almost reach out and
touch you , you consume my thoughts
and I find it hard to concentrate on any
thing but you.
To just think of you sends a smile cursing
through my total being, you fill me with joy
and encouragement to face another tomorrow.

You are the voice of truth, the source of love,
the devine and Holy King and you love me, me!
I want to be surrounded by you, blanketed beneath
the shelter of your wings...always...

Passion Needs Compassion

Something happened to me recently
that started me thinking about this post.
I think we all have a passion for something.
If you've ever read anything I've wrote
then you know I have a passion for nature and
the Lord.
But, if I said that nature was a passion of mine
and I polluted the waters, or trashed
the highways with litter, or dis-respected
animals in their habitat, what
would that say about my passion for nature.

If my demeanor and actions regarding how I lived
was one that would bring shame and disgrace to
the Lord, what would that say
about my passion and love for God.

If a doctor had a passion for medicine and he had
an exceptional gift that could do miraculous
works but, his manner and attitude
was so abrupt and cold no patients
wanted to visit him, what would
that say about his passion. What miracles
and cures would he ever perform.
Lives could be lost.

I think of the passion Jesus must
have felt for us as he hung on the cross, yet
he asked God His Father to forgive those
who tortured Him and put Him to death.
His last actions on this earth were filled
with compassion, a direct result
of His love and passion for us.

Is your passion Jesus Christ? Do you look at
those around you and think "what's wrong with them"?
Or do you look at those around you and think I wonder
what could be wrong with them, do they need a friend,
are they hurting or in the depths of despair.
Is their a problem I can help with?
Just one simple act of compassion, like a kind word or
smile could change the whole outcome for someone hurting.
A life could be saved ! A soul could be won!

Do you react to situations , full of passion, ready to be right.
Or do you react with passion filled with compassion, ready to help ?

4th of July, God Bless America!

Happy 4Th of July America!

Isn't it wonderful that we have the
freedom to celebrate.
Not just Independence Day but any day
or occasion we choose.

Unfortunately, freedom comes with
a price. I hope that this week-end we
remember all of those who have sacrificed
and still sacrifice so much for us to remain free.

God has so blessed America!

Have we as a Nation come to
expect those blessings and
seemingly take them for
granted? How long will He
continue to bless when we
so openly turn away from Him.

I truly pray, God continues to
Bless America, Land that I love.....

Personal Gifts

I am so fascinated with nature…I would much rather
be cleaning the yard than cleaning the house.
I always feel so close to God when I am outside.

I am that person who hears there is going
to be a meteorite shower and will sit up all night
outside in the dead of winter or heat of summer just
to glimpse those falling stars. (When my grandkids
were younger they would try and keep that information
from me because I usually solicited one of them
to share the magnificent night sky with me).
A person needs someone to ooooohhhhh and aahhhhhh
with don’t they ?
Every lighting bug that flies through my yard,
every hummingbird that comes for a drink, every
flower that blooms and every fallen star that I glimpse,
with all of my heart I believe, that God does all of these
things just for me…He knows I delight in HIM and HIS
creations.
I view these things as personal gifts, given to me for
my pleasure, each star that falls he created and calls it by
name, every bird that flies, every bloom and green thing on
the earth is His, yet He shares them with me.

Even after creating all of this beauty , He wanted to give
me and you more, He gave us His only Son, Jesus, so that we could
live and enjoy all that He had created for us , free from sin and guilt.
There is no greater sacrifice…If you don’t know Him, seek Him
for there is so much he wants to give you…
Scripture tells us;
“He has you engraved in the palm of His hand.” Isa. 49:16
He wants to bestow all of His love and beauty on your life …

Winds of Change

This week-end we took a trip to West Texas
It was amazing, God's artistry never fails
to capture the beauty of our ever changing
surroundings. His unique hand is upon
all things. We just have to look about to see
His glory.

As we travelled further west we came upon
thousands of windmills. I was so fascinated

with their quiet beauty .

In the distance on top of a mesa
they could be seen from miles
away. They reminded me of
a hill called Calvary , where Jesus in His
own quiet beauty had stood and suffered and
died for my sins.
Like those windmills, he was forging a way
for the winds of change to blow across the
land. We were all given the
opportunity to change and offered everlasting
life with Him and the Father.

Take advantage of the winds of change that may
blow through your life. God loved you enough to
sacrifice His only Son to save you.

Thankful to be able to say Thank You

One of the trademarks of living a Christian life is
to be truly thankful, thankful to God, thankful to others,
thankful for absolutely everything!
Just the privilege to be thankful and to be able to say it
is a gift in itself.
Days can get so busy that we forget the small stuff
like a simple thank-you spoken or a smile of thanks.
Believe it or not a simple gesture like that smile or spoken
word can improve your day as well as another.

Going out of our way to say thank-you to others
helps in growing our own character and
saying thank you to God each and everyday
assures Him of our love and faithfulness.

Ephesians 5:20 says it all....

My Complications /God's Sweet Simplicity

I don't know about you but I can really lose
my focus and life can get complicated. Battles
seem longer, fiercer, unbearable, lonely.

Even when I know to wait, have faith,trust
God, and allow Him to provide the answers, I
steam ahead mucking things up. Then before
you know it, it's complicated.
I say God where are you? I can't see you, I am
trying to listen but, I don't hear you. I feel alone
I cannot feel you. I so need to feel your heart beat
in tune with mine, that I feel afraid when I don't.

Then I see a red bird that lands on a branch above
me and I hear you say "I am here, can you see me"?
A dove coos sweetly nearby and you ask "I am here
can you hear me"? The wind picks up and a breeze
brushes across my face, and you ask "I am here can
you not feel me"?
You are here, I am safe, we are good!

Tell the Truth and Run

Never more than recently have I understood this old proverb:
Tell the truth and run.

I know, I know, “ truth can set us free“, “ truth is rarely pure
and never simple‘, “truth is more important than facts” just to
list a few sayings involving the word “truth”.

Is telling the truth all the time so important?

Lets consider a few truths, is truth important when a friend
might ask “so do you really think it looks good on me”?
Or when you are comforting a friend or family member
through a tough time and they look at you and ask, “do you
really think they are going to be okay”?

Now let’s consider another option, what if you saw sin in
the life of someone you cared about and because you
didn’t want to offend them or rock the waves of
your friendship you just chose to not address it.

Do you think when we have to stand before God and He asks why
didn’t you tell them the truth ? I could have healed them,
cured them, revived them, saved them, made them like new again.

I only hope that we never compromise our principles and truths
so as to not make waves. If a soul can be won from the truth
I hope that we would stand for it even if the waves that
were caused would bring forth a flood.

So what about you , any thoughts on truth?

The Wisdom of God

How we underestimate what God can do, in His time and His way….

I sat in our Esther study last night, amazed at what I was hearing..
Oh, the study as usual was good, great, wonderful…
but what truly amazed me was our instructor. She is married to
one of our pastors and she is just twenty-three years wise…but that
wisdom goes way beyond years.
I remember her saying just a couple of years ago, she didn't want to be
a Pastor's wife, did not want this job.
Now here she is ministering and instructing a group of women twice,
three times her age…and let me say…what sage advice she gives.

She is wise enough (more so than many of us) to consult with God on a
daily basis and she relies on His Wisdom. She has totally allowed God to
have domain over her life, marriage and existence and let me just say
It shows !
God knows who loves Him, seeks Him, and longs to know Him better.

Would you give up all you have or the dreams you had
for your life to follow and love Him?
Are you relying on your own wisdom, instead of HIs?
Are you experiencing His joy and love in your life?
If not just ask Him into your life, He is longing
to give you wisdom, love, joy and freedom.

Praising God

Today I want to say I love you Lord
I am thankful for your faithfulness
Your sweetness and kindness
brings a smile to my heart.
You make everything beautiful
You give life meaning and purpose.

I cry out for those who do not know you,
and what your love can bring to their life.

Let me forever sing a song of praise to
your goodness for you are everything
to me.

Inspiring Love

God is so good,
Isn't it amazing that people should
need inspiration
and motivation to love HIM...

What have we become when we have to
entice people to church and when there
they have to be entertained in order to
worship.
I love music and song and it
does bless our services...but would we
put the same heartfelt emotions into
worship without those things.
Do you need those things in order to
inspire worship?
When searching for a church home what
are you looking for?

Waiting on the Lord

We all from time to time fight our battles
with Satan. As for me I become exhausted and
down-trodden and beg God to rescue me.
My focus is on the battle not the Lord and this allows
Satan to have just that much more control over me....

Recently in our Beth Moore "Esther" study she
showed us that we lose our strength when we wait
on the "event" . When our focus should be on "waiting"
for the Lord. His word tells us that our strength will be
renewed when we wait on HIM.
It is so hard when your in the midst of battle, to keep your
focus and stand firm waiting...we must pray for
discernment and discipline..

What helps you through your battles and how
do you stay strong while "waiting on the Lord"....

Conquering Fear

A group of ladies at my church have been
participating in Beth Moore's study on Esther.
It has had such a profound impact on my life,
God and Beth together...well, it just doesn't get any better..
If any of you have the opportunity to do the study please do.

Last night we talked about fear..

We all deal with it everyday and let it sometimes keep us
from being all that we can be...not only in our Christian life
but everyday life too..
What fears keep you from the freedom God wants us all to
experience ? What are some ways that you deal with your
fears?

What would you ask?

Imagine a beautiful spring morning and you notice
Jesus speaking to a group of people in the portico of the Temple...
If you had an opportunity to have a few words with Him
what would your conversation be about.

As for me I have a million questions,
( I can almost hear Him saying "NEXT" , can someone move
this lady along so I can speak with a few others)..surley not

One question I think everyone has pondered is what did He write in the sand in John chapter 8.
Given the opportunity....

What do you think you would ask?