Go Tell It On The Mountain

Before I post about my Christmas, I thought I would brag a little bit on my little nephew, Barrett. He was Joseph in the Christmas play that the little kids put on at church Sunday night. His cousin, Rendi played Mary. We were worried that it would turn into a WWE (WWF?) cage match with the two of them brawling over baby Jesus.

Thankfully, all was calm and they both (and all of the kids) did beautifully.

Here's my little Joseph and Mary:

Adorable, right? Rendi wanted her little brother Rawlins (who just turned 1 yesterday) to be baby Jesus. Yeah, umm...no. You can use a baby doll.

Barrett's favorite song was Go Tell It on the Mountain and boy did he sing his little heart out. He had to get the word out that Jesus "Price" was born. We may need to work on his speech skills. Although the day he stops saying "I Lub You" might break my heart a little.

Seeing the birth of Christ through the eyes of children really is something special. I'm glad that I was able to be there to watch Barrett and Rendi and all of the other children sing and tell the story of the birth of Jesus.

And on a side note~ after the play was finished Rendi comes up to me and says "hey Sissy, where's Stacey? Why she not come with you?" Guess Rendi is so used to Stacey being with me when she sees me that she figures we come in a set, kinda like salt and pepper. You never see one without the other. I of course answered Rendi and told her that Stacey didn't like her and refused to watch her play. I kid.

See any children's programs over the holidays? Hope you did because they are something special to behold!

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Mark 10:13-16

Thankful

These days the most overwhelming feeling that I have is being thankful. Thankful for the wonderful blessings that I have. Thankful for my family. Thankful for my friends. But most importantly, thankful for a loving God who has watched over me and protected me when I wasn't smart enough to do it myself.

I spent so much time surviving. Where making it through the day was a struggle. It's hard when your peace has gone. Step by step, little by little- that peace has returned. And where there was once no peace, no understanding, heartache and grief, there is now peace, understanding, gratitude, love, and joy. God will give you double for your trouble, if you remain faithful.

Now, I am no longer focused on surviving, but thriving. It's such a great feeling to be able to enjoy your life. Maybe you have never been in the position where life was unbearable, so you may not know what I am talking about. Maybe you know full well what it's like and know exactly where I am coming from.

Sometimes life takes you on an unexpected journey. Little did I know last Thanksgiving when I sent a text message to a dear, dear friend over the holidays to catch up, that I would find a relationship with one of the best people I know. I wasn't in the market for a boyfriend. Wasn't interested in going down that road anytime soon. However, I believe God had bigger plans for me and David. He placed in my life again a man I have known virtually since birth. A man who I have loved for ages. A man who has been a great and close friend throughout our lives. A man I was so smitten with in kindergarten that I bestowed a kiss upon for winning a game of colors on the computer.A man I am still smitten with today. A man that I am truly grateful for.

This weekend, I got to spend time with people that are near and dear to my heart. My brother Brad and his wife Nicole came up to stay with us on Friday night. Stacey has a friend that plays in a local band and they were playing at a local restaurant in Thomasville. I am so glad that Brad and Nicole were able to come and hang out with us.

I was also glad that my sweet, sweet friend Lorraine was able to join us as well.

I was happy that I could introduce her to my brother and sister-in-law and to David. We had a wonderful evening and a great Saturday doing nothing but lounging around the house watching movies and hanging out. It truly made my heart happy.

Blessings come in many shapes and forms. They come in the form of family and friends who love and support you. They come from prayers- both answered and unanswered. They can come from situations. A new job when you need it. That $20 you found in an old pair of jeans. A word of encouragement from a stranger when you really need one.

I have been truly blessed. I have two wonderful parents who love me and more importantly who love each other. To have two great role models to guide and teach me and to raise me in a Christian home is a great blessing. I have a brother who I know would bend over backwards for me and who I can claim as my best friend. I have my beautiful cousin Stacey in my life. I would die for that girl, I love her so much. I have two wonderful grandmothers that I deeply cherish. I also have a wonderful boyfriend that was raised by two amazing parents. They truly raised a man who is a gentleman. Who is full of integrity, honor, and strength. I have a wonderful job and an employer who cares about me and appreciates all that I do. I have countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and a nephew who I can't imagine my life without. I also have a church family who has loved and supported me. I am truly a blessed girl.

Sorry if this post is too mushy this morning. I am just feeling extremely thankful today. One of my favorite hymns is Count Your Blessings, so this morning I felt that I needed to name them one by one.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Counting your blessings is a good way to start the week. What are you thankful for? Time to name them one by one!

Beauty Out of Ashes

This wasn't the post that I was planning on this morning, but sometimes you gotta go with the flow. I got to work early this morning, and like most mornings when I come in early, I grab a cup of coffee and read a few blogs before I start my day. Of course, my favorite one to read is my cousin's blog. So I was pumped when I saw that she had a new post up. Fast forward to me reduced to tears at my desk, but in a good way, of course!  Her post touched my heart. You can read her post here (His Plans for Us). I find it funny that she posted this because last night, I was reading my Bible and I came across this:

I had dated it 5/17/2011. It's Psalm 56:8 and says "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." When I came across that, I shuddered to think about where I was a year ago and thanked God that I was no longer in that place. I remember being comforted by this verse because it reminded me that even if my husband didn't care that he hurt me or was upset over the tears that I cried and the pain he placed upon me, God did. God cared about my pain. He knows exactly how many tears I have cried over my divorce. And I have a feeling it is a lot. Stacey spoke about God having a plan for each of our lives, and she hit the nail on the head. I know that God brought her to Thomasville because He knew that I would need her. She may be my cousin, but she really is more like a sister to me. We may fight like sisters, but we love like sisters as well. I am so blessed to have her. She has been so patient with me this past year. I can't imagine where I would be today without her. She was the perfect person for me to heal with. She would allow me to cry, but at times, she would also tell me to dry it up, because he wasn't worth my tears. She gave me a reality check when I needed one. One of the funnier things she said to me was when we were at the Florida/Auburn game this past fall. We were sitting around watching the football game and I was behind a couple and it made me sad because I missed my husband. So of course, I was crying like an idiot right there in front of everyone. She looked at me and said "you came here to have fun, not to cry. so quit being retarded and have fun." Granted at the time, it made me cry harder, but looking back on it, it was actually pretty comical. Actually, I'm surprised she didn't just leave me right there and make me hitchhike back to Montgomery :) I was pretty ridiculous. I'm just thankful that she would force me to have strength when I had none myself. With all that being said, I hope one day I am able to repay her for all that she has done for me (hopefully, not in the same capacity, I wouldn't wish that on anyone). But until that day comes, all I can do is say thank you and that I love you, Stacey Suzanne. You are definitely the bomb.com. When I count my blessings, I count you twice.

I know that God has a plan for my life. I pray all the time that He will use what I have been through for something for His glory. Genesis 50:20 sums it up nicely, "What you intended for evil, God intended it for good." Satan won the battle over my marriage. However, Satan will never be victorious over me. He may win a battle here and there, but he will never win the war. I know that God will use what I have been through for the good. The Bible tells us that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)." God created me for a specific purpose on this Earth that only I can accomplish. He chose me. I am important to Him. I am His creation. It is my obligation and duty to be obedient to Him, obey His commandments, and seek His will for my life. I have complete faith and trust in God that He will take care of me and see me through until He calls me home. Are there things I wish I didn't have to endure to grow more fully in Him? Sure! If I had my way, I would still be married and I would be rocking a baby at this very moment. But God has different plans for my life. Proverbs states that we may make our plans, but God determines our steps. I put my plans ahead of God's concerning moving ahead with IVF to have a child and I know that was probably what cost me my marriage. I should have waited for God's timing and not my own. When Joseph was ready. Instead, I pressured him and forced him to embarrass himself going through that process and allowed Satan to come in and plant that seed of discontentment in my husband. I'm not excusing his actions, but I can understand the part that I played. At the end of the day, hurting people hurt people. My husband was hurting and found comfort elsewhere. I know he didn't go out to seek it. The opportunity presented itself and he was weak and fell into a trap. Satan has had a long time to figure out how to deceive God's children. That's why I never saw it coming. For all I knew, my husband was happy and that he loved and cherished me. He prayed for me each night, asked God to strengthen our marriage daily, we were even in a Sunday School class that was devoted specifically to the marriage relationship.  Why would I think we were at risk for divorce? That's how it happens. Like a thief in the night, Satan comes in to devour God's sheep. To feed off of our insecurities and doubts and to lead us off of God's path to our own path of destruction. Like that first deception in the Garden of Eden with Eve and the fruit. It was dangled in her face, too irresistible to resist not taking a bite. And of course the famous line "did God really say...?" was uttered and caused mankind to fall into sin. We all have our own brand of fruit that Satan tempts us with. I know that when we are tempted and we know that it's not right, instead of making justifications and rationalizations, we should take the same attack plan that Jesus did when he was tempted by Satan and state - "it is written..." and go to the Bible for our answers. In the end, we could all save ourselves a lot of trouble and heartache if we only had the discernment and the fortitude to do that. It is because "it is written" that I have to forgive my husband and to pray for him (which I do). I don't think he is some awful, horrible person. I think he is someone who has been greatly deceived and truly believes that what he did was justified for him to be happy. God will work it all out in the end. He loves Joseph, too and has a plan for his life as well. I can't sit here forever and whine and complain about what all happened. I could stay bitter and hurt but that's not fruit of the spirit. A spirit of defeat does not come from God. There comes a time to heal, forgive, and move on. To forgive, because Christ first forgave us. It is written. You can enjoy fruits of the spirit- joy, love, peace, happiness- even in the midst of trials and tribulations. With God there is always hope for your future. There is always healing of your past. I tried my hardest to salvage my marriage and I was willing to keep my vows. Sadly, it didn't work out that way where this story has a happy ending. It will forever be a part of my life and it has helped shaped me into the person I am today. Like I said in the beginning of this post, that I didn't intend to address this topic today. It just sort of came about. These are just a few things that I have learned through this process. I haven't always acted and said things that I should have. I wish I had had a better grasp on my emotions and didn't let them run my actions. I did and said things that I am not proud of. I am ashamed of them. But thankfully with God comes forgiveness. I have learned so much and grown so very much. I have been showered with much love by my family and friends. They have been such a great support and I am so thankful that God placed me in my family. I can also say that I am thankful for the years that I had with my husband. He has made me a stronger person (whether he intended to or not ha!) and I am better off for it. I can also say that I am thankful for this past year. It has brought me closer in my relationship with the Lord and that, my friends,  is priceless. I will end this post with one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Isaiah 40:27-31. It reminds me to always wait for the Lord. He will always renew your strength. He can always make beauty out of ashes and mourning into dancing. Always.

Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Plant Within Me a New Heart

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

 Remain in me, as I also remain in you.

No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches.

If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:1-17

Beauty and Books

I got a special delivery in the mail yesterday. My December BirchBox arrived! I had forgotten about it, so it was a surprise when Gracie brought it to my office yesterday. So let's see what all I got this month.

I got some face primer to minimize pores, a sample of Harvey Prince perfume, Jouer lip gloss, some L'Oreal Mythic Oil treatment for your hair, some fashion tape, and an energy booster drink packet.

So, that's December's goody box.

Moving on. I just started reading John Piper's God is the Gospel. I haven't finished it yet, but so far what I've read is great.

This book was given to me as a gift for us to study in January for Bible study and I can't wait to discuss it. I didn't realize that this was the same author that wrote probably my favorite book on marriage. This Momentary Marriage was also written by John Piper.

I have read lots of books on marriage, especially in the early stages of our divorce. Some are good, some are not so good, some give good advice, hope, encouragement, etc. but this book was just awesome. I will have to talk about this book more in depth one day. It really is a book everyone should read. Married or single. Until I can get the time to blog about this book and do it justice, go check it out here. You can also download the PDF version from this website. It's not really about how to "fix" your marriage or anything like that. It breaks down what marriage really is- in God's eyes, since He is the one who created it. Not what man has made marriage out to be. That its not so much about "being in love" but about keeping covenant and displaying Christ to the world through your marriage. So please check it out. I think it would be an awesome wedding gift (or preferably engagement gift before someone actually gets married).

Back to the other book. Here is what John Piper's website has to say about the book :

"Gospel" means good news—but what makes the good news good? What is the goal of the gospel, without which it is no longer good? It is that Christ’s death brings sinners to God! Were it to bring us anywhere else we would be left hopeless. But the gospel is that God gives us himself—Christ died to give us Christ—, and this self-giving is his highest mercy to us and the best news for us! The most profound, most exceedingly gracious, final and decisive good of the good news is Christ himself as the glorious image of God revealed for our endless satisfaction.

You can also download the PDF version of this book here. What I've read of this book so far has really spoken to me. God IS the Gospel. God IS the ultimate gift of the Gospel. Not heaven and getting to be at peace and be happy. But spending eternity praising and worshipping our Creator. I guess I should have saved writing this book until I actually finished reading it, so I could talk about it a little better. But I wanted to go ahead and share it because in the few chapters that I have read, it has really made me stop and think about things.

That's what I'm reading these days. I haven't really read that much in the past few months, which is odd for me. I'm always reading something. Guess I will have to step up my game. And speaking of books, if your local Goodwill has a bookstore, go check it out. They just opened another Goodwill bookstore here in Tallahassee right up the road from me. So I am pumped that I don't have to drive downtown anymore to go. They have lots of books, super cheap. The one here in Tallahassee usually has fairly new titles/best sellers so it is a great way to save a few bucks, if you like to read as much as I do. (well, I guess there still is the library...) One day I may get into the whole Kindle/eBook thing, but for now I'm a purist. I like actual physical books. But never say never, right?

Compassion International

I am so excited! After reading the wonderful stories about the Compassion International organization on Kelly's blog for several weeks, I decided that it was something that I wanted to do. This is their mission statement:

Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name

In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.

I just signed up to sponsor a child. You can pick which child you sponsor, but I couldn't decide, so I said a prayer and let them pick a child for me according to who has been on the waiting list for a sponsor the longest. I should be receiving my sponsor info packet in the next few weeks with pictures and information on the child that I will be sponsoring. We are so spoiled here and we take so much for granted. These children have basically nothing and just a measly $38 a month will help them out so very much. So I am more than happy to do that. Plus I get to build a relationship with a child and encourage them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Nothing better.

On another note, I just looked at the Employment Opportunities with the company, out of curiosity. I love that the #1 thing listed under job qualifications was "has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." I did see a job or two that I might be interested in. I know I was wanting to move and start my life fresh, but I doubt that my parents would be happy if I moved to Colorado Springs and traveled all over the world to developing countries...but I guess they would get over it :-)

I am looking forward to seeing what God can bring out of this sponsorship. I'm excited! Go check Compassion out and see if it's right for you.

Happy Friday, ya'll!

Wisdom Wednesday

"When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth." ~Genesis 9:16

Driving home from work yesterday, I got to see this beautiful rainbow. You can't see it as well in this picture, but it was actually a double rainbow. I love seeing rainbows. They always get my attention and remind me that God is always present in our lives and He displays his presence in the sky. So I thought I would share this glorious token that testifies to God's everlasting promise with us. When I look at a rainbow I see God's mercy and grace that was extended to mankind and was ultimately fulfilled through His Son, Jesus Christ. It always amazes me when studying the Old Testament, that everything ultimately points to Jesus and the rainbow is one of those things. The rainbow is also mentioned in Revelation, which I find very interesting.


" And He who was sitting was like a Jasper stone and a sardius in appearance, and there was a rainbow around the throne like an emerald in appearance." ~Revelation 4:3

This book of Revelation shows that God will judge the earth with all its inhabitants. The rainbow around His throne signifies that God is a covenanting God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant while executing His judgement upon the Earth. He will not judge mankind again with a flood nor destroy all mankind but will keep a part of mankind to be the nations on the new earth for His glory.

There is another interesting verse that has its reference to the rainbow.
" And I saw another strong Angel coming down out of heaven clothed with a cloud and the rainbow was upon His head and His face was like the sun and His feet like pillars of Fire." ~Rev. 10:1

The rainbow here indicates that Christ in His judgement upon the earth will keep the covenant that God made with Noah concerning the Earth. It also indicates that Christ will execute judgement according to the God who sits on the throne with the rainbow around it. This God is a faithful and a covenant keeping God.

So the rainbow is truly a promise. Not just as it relates to the earth but also as it relates to HOW God executes and carries out His judgement.

I found this picture that shows what the colors that make up the rainbow represent most often in the Bible. Thought it was pretty interesting.

Image from here

Anyways, I know that I deviated from Proverbs this week and all that, but after seeing the rainbow, I wanted to learn a little bit more about it. Plus, I was fresh out of offering up any wisdom today!

Courageous

I just wanted to post up really quickly about the 4th movie installment from Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany. You may know them from the movies Fireproof and Facing the Giants. Both previous movies were great, btw. I have never watched their first movie, Flywheel, but I'm sure its just as good as the other two movies I have seen of theirs. Facing the Giants  was about a football coach who wasn't winning on the field or at home. It was a really inspirational movie! Fireproof was a great success and had to do with a struggling marriage and divorce and how God can ultimately be the glue to restore and redeem a marriage. This go around, Courageous is focusing on families, namely being a good father and parent. I am excited to see. Here is the synopsis of what its about:

Honor Begins at Home

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.
While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.
When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a new found urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the movie making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.
Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.
In Theaters Now

Courageous: The Movie



Anyways, just wanted to throw that out there because the movie comes out today. It looks like the movie has a full release, so it should be playing all across the country.

Wisdom Wednesday

I thought it might be nice to do a post every Wednesday titled, what else? Wisdom Wednesday!! If you are like me, you struggle with daily decisions, well daily. What better way to gain insight than to seek the one who can grant that wisdom. So I will be posting up scriptures from Proverbs on Wednesdays. I have learned to not depend on my own understanding because leaning on myself, I can be led astray very quickly. If I had spent a little more time on my knees and not being arrogant enough to think I could handle my own life myself, then I wouldn't be in the situation I am in now. You feel me? So, let's get started. No better place to start than chapter one.

Purpose and Theme (Proverbs 1:1-7)

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The first 7 verses lay the foundation about what the book of Proverbs is all about. To help gain wisdom and insight, receiving instruction about prudent behavior, and doing what is right, just, and fair. I love, love, love verse 7. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Sometimes I don't think that we have a healthy fear of God. I think we get a false sense of security in the grace extended to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God does discipline His children. There will always be consequences for our actions, especially if we claim to be a child of God. God, like any father, wants His children to be a reflection of Him and when they act up, it is His duty as a father to put them back in line. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be a fool, especially when it comes to matters of God.

I have been struggling with some stuff and that's why I have been in the book of Proverbs. I don't want to make any missteps in my life or any decisions that I make, so I have been prayerfully seeking God's word and letting that wisdom speak to me. Because sometimes we don't know the right way to go especially when every way seems like the wrong way no matter what direction you take, but God knows and He will help lead and guide you.

Wisdom’s Rebuke (Proverbs 1:20-33)

20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the LORD.
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Can I just say "ouch" to those verses? I think those verses speak for themselves. I don't think I want to be the one who disregards God's wisdom. Do you?


Let me make something perfectly clear. I don't claim to be some righteous person. I am a sinner who can sin with the best of them. I need Christ's grace each and everyday. I don't have all the answers and I don't live righteously every moment of every day. I mess up. I make bad choices. I make mistakes. I'm not perfect. I am an imperfect person living in a fallen world, who needs God's guidance each and every day. I struggle with living in the flesh every single day. That's basically what this post is about. It's about me not having all the answers. I don't always know what is the right decision to make. Sometimes I am so very clueless over what to do that it is overwhelming. That's why I have been in the book of Proverbs, reading, studying, and praying over the scriptures. Its something that I should have been doing my whole life, but then again, I didn't really have that healthy fear of the Lord. It wasn't until calamity came into my life that I made the realization that I am nothing apart from Christ. When left to our own devices, we make horrible decisions. So I am just trying to change that now. No better time to start than the present. Who's with me?

CD Release Party

I want to give a quick heads up to anyone who is reading this from the Albany, GA area. If you are looking for something great to be apart of, you can head over to the CD release party for the TJ Mauldin Band tomorrow, September 9. It starts at 6:30 pm and lasts until 9:30 at the State Theater in Albany. Admission is $10 and that includes a copy of the band's CD that they are releasing "Here and Now." The CD will be available on iTunes on Friday I believe. You can check the band out at http://www.tjmauldinband.com/ or check out YouTube, or TJ's personal website http://www.tjmauldin.com/. This guy rocks. Literally. He has a great heart for Jesus and he and his wife are just good, salt of the Earth people. So head out and support him if you are in the area! Here is what TJ said about his album release on his website (http://www.tjmauldin.com/).

I know if you live in or around the Albany area you may have seen a poster or heard someone speak about the CD Release event. I want to quickly (yea right) unpack the heart behind the night and what we believe God is going to do in, around, and through the event. This is why I want you to get your ticket and join us.

I have been carrying a four point mission statement for months about what I desire the night to be so I’ll just list and expound: Glorify God, Magnify Christ, Spotlight the Cross, and Unite a City.
Glorify God-
We realize as a band/ministry that everything we say and do should be and hopefully is for the glory of God( 1 Corinthians 10:31). Every song is about Him, for Him and given by Him so we want to give honor where it is due and it is surely His. He is the Greatest of all time and we will make it the aim of the night to make much of that. We are trusting and desiring that everyone leaves the release event with the desire to honor God in every area of their life.
Magnify Christ-
John 3:30 says, “He must increase and I must decrease”. We firmly believe for God to be glorified then we must make Jesus the ultimate treasure in our life. He must be the goal and prize that we are pursuing with everything that we have. Jesus is the only eternal answer and refuge so He will be magnified above all. He will be lifted above the music, the “show”, the volunteers, the venue, the cd, the… well you get the picture. He’s the point!
Spotlight the Cross-
I totally understand that preaching the cross is foolishness to some and to want to spotlight it may seem odd so I want to be very clear. The cross was a place of brutality, torture, and death. It was the place where Jesus hung and was nailed for the forgiveness of our sin. He willingly gave his life so that you and I could go free. Why spotlight the cross? Because we need to drink deep from the reminder well that, that was our cross, our judgment, our sin that fixed Jesus securely on it and to abandon any conversation of the cross would be to abandon the dynamic gift given to us by a perfect God. Beyond the cross being the tool in which God crushed Jesus in our place it’s beautiful because Jesus is no longer on it! He is alive…MAN! I AM EXCITED!! EXCLAIMING WITH EXCITEMENT EVEN!!!!
Unite a City-
How incredible is it going to be to have Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentacostal, Non- Denominational… and on and on in attendance in the same building lifting up Jesus. I see this event as an opportunity to bring the body of Christ together to worship God and then share. This isn’t about a certain church or at a certain church. This is about Jesus and his name being championed through our city. I firmly believe that God can change a campus, a church, a family and a community. My desire for this event is to see the body of Christ come together for the sake of the kingdom and the advancement of the gospel only to leave encouraged and empowered to share their faith, live their faith and see their faith impact Albany, Ga and ultimately the world.
I want you to know I am crazy excited about releasing this album because this was written from, about and to serve scripture. Therefore, this album is slammed packed with the beautiful gospel of Jesus Christ. I know this is going to be a tool God uses to change lives, to bring the lost home, restore broken relationship, deliver those in spiritual, emotional and mental bondage. The only reason this album is going to be powerful is because it is for and about Jesus. Can’t wait for you to hear it!
So, I would love for you to come. Every last one of you… You can get tickets here
http://www.eventbrite.com/org/1368491853
www.facebook.com/tjmauldinband

And I will post up another one of TJ's posts from his website, because it really spoke to my heart this morning and it may speak to a few other people's hearts as well.

The Problem With Self-love

Unless self-love is abandoned the believer shall forever shrink back when called actually to take up the cross for Christ. - Watchman Nee


I always write from a place of, well, weightiness. I am not trying to be some deep thinker or well worded theologian. In fact, if you know me you know that I am neither. I am simply following Christ, loving his church and occasionally glancing in the mirror at myself as his reflector. I write when something strikes my joy. I write when I want to communicate my heart and point people to Jesus. I write when I don’t like what I see, when I stumble and more often then not when some of my own deficiencies are exposed. I write. Tonight I want to write on self-love. I love myself way too much. I love my wants, my opinions, and things way too much and you know what? That communicates to Christ that my love for him is more like, like and to my wife that my love for her is based on my wants alone. I am not writing from a place of self-pity or condemnation. I am writing from a place of great hope because in all of my selfishness I can hear Jesus speaking, convicting, and prodding me to die to myself. So, am simply sharing with you what I am walking through internally. Self seems to be the subtlest idol we as believers bow down to on a daily basis and I believe it does three things to cripple, chain, and sometimes kill our walk with Christ.


First, self-love keeps us in a place where “we” matter most and when we live in that place we will not forsake it all or even most of it for the sake of the gospel. I am reminded of 1st Corinthians 16:9 that says, “a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” The greatest adversary you and I will ever face as Christians in America are our selves. The fear for our life, persecution, and famine are not the things that keep us from serving Christ from a place of self-less ambition. It’s our self and us thinking that we are owed grace. The bottom line is that we love our things and ourselves and when that love is threatened we retreat into a place of casual Christianity. As if there was such a thing.


Second, self-love keeps us in a place where we can’t love others fully. A sure sign that you are in love with yourself is when you enter relationships thinking, “what am I going to get out of this”, when the attitude should be, “how can I serve, support and surrender to this person for the glory of God”. I am the worlds worst and especially with my wife. I like to do what I want to do too often and that doesn’t glorify God, give security to my wife nor sanctify me as a man who is following Christ. The bottom line is that we love ourselves and our things and when they are number one we neglect Jesus and those he has called us to love.


The last problem with self-love is that it keeps us from taking the gospel where it needs to go. When we are in love with self we will neglect the call on our lives to go, even if it is just across the street or with a colleague at work. Listen, when we fall in love with Jesus and divorce our stinking flesh and it’s desires we will find that Jesus was no respecter of person and that he loved everybody, including us. When we look into the undeserved and powerful love of Jesus our response should be to love everyone with selfless ambition. The bottom line is that if we are in love with ourselves then we haven’t or haven’t often enough looked at the wretchedness of our sin and rebellion towards God and his tender mercy towards us. He loved us when we were and sometimes still are unlovely. Oh, and he said we are suppose to “be like him”.


Love you
tj

Ok, now that I have put you on TJ overload, I will just remind you to check him out on your own. It's always a good thing to support a brother or sister in Christ and lift them up. So if you can't make it or don't live in the area, send up a prayer that TJ's ministry through his music can reach the lost and just glorify Christ.

 

A Lesson in Forgiveness

Howdy folks! Hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend. Ours was pretty much a rainy holiday, but that's ok. It was a good excuse to stay in and watch movies. :-) I'm thankful to be working at a job that now allows for holidays. At the museum, we were always opened on holidays = you have to work! So it was a nice change of pace to actually enjoy being off. However, I am more than paying for it today. A holiday at the first of the month is never a good idea, especially in the accounting world. So I am super busy closing out books for the month. So I am typing this post very quickly in between wolfing down my pitiful Lean Cuisine I brought for lunch. But I wanted to be sure to post this while it was on my mind and getting distracted by other things. {EDITORS NOTE: It took me 3 hours to write this post! Told you I was busy today...}

The video at the end of this post really spoke to my heart last night. This certain gentleman was brought to my attention by my Sunday School teacher. Apparently all the girls in my Sunday School class have taken it upon themselves to make me the new class project--as in to find me a man. It's super embarrassing and not really something I am interested in doing at the moment, but they are sweet to want to do this for me and you just never know ;) I'm telling you, its like a scene from Fiddler on the Roof. Will Yentil please stand up? Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match. Find me a find. Catch me a catch.....I'm hardcore into musicals, FYI.  Back to my story, this was a guy that my teacher, Robyn really wanted me to meet. He is the pastor at a local, newly-formed church that has really taken off, especially with the younger crowd. Robyn sent me a link to this video for me to watch regardless of if I ever wanted to meet this guy or not. His testimony is just that good. If you watch it, be prepared for a few tears and to be in awe of the power of Jesus and of forgiveness that comes about through Christ.
 


A Story | Big Picture Faith from Adam Kring on Vimeo.

How awesome is that story? Talk about beauty out of ashes! Praise the Lord. It just got me really thinking about stuff and how forgiveness is forgiveness is forgiveness. Its the same, regardless of what offense you are forgiving for. Big or small. Sure, it seems to be harder to forgive someone who intentionally does something that they know is wrong and that they know will hurt you as opposed to forgiving someone who, like Matthew, did something that was a complete accident. But at the end of the day its forgiveness. We forgive because HE forgave us first. Really makes you want to take account and look at your life to see if there is someone you need to forgive (or ask for someone's forgiveness) and to make peace with. To let Erik be an shining example of Christ and what it truly means to love one another. To be thankful for the valleys and the mountain tops in life because they are all ordained by God for a greater picture.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ~Colossians 3:12-14

Seasons

Have you ever gone to church and think that the Pastor's message was just for you? This past Sunday, I promise you that God was speaking directly to me through Bro. Dan's message. This past week I had really been thinking about seasons of life. I know that I haven't really talked much about my and Joseph's divorce on here, because frankly, it's depressing and not something that I really like to talk about. But it is a fact of my life right now and something that I am trying to work through, so I might as well talk about it. Back to my topic.... I was thinking about seasons of life this past week or so. I have been reminding myself over and over that this period is just a season in my life. A season full of sadness and grieving over my husband, our marriage, and all the comes with that. I keep reminding myself that I will only be in this season for a while. One day, my season will change. I have no idea how long God needs to keep me in this season, it is really in His hands. I know there is something He needs to show me and for me to learn during this season. The funny thing is that while I have been thinking about all of this stuff this week, Sunday morning's sermon was on what else? Ecclesiastes 3. "Yes, Lord...You have my attention, I am listening!"

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

Granted, there have been many times that I have felt like Solomon and decided that everything in life is meaningless. He was right, everything in life is meaningless apart from God. I love verse 11 where it states that He has made everything beautiful in its time. I keep reminding myself of that fact. God will make everything beautiful in His time, even if we can't see the beauty in the midst of the storm. No one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. All I can see at the moment is a little piece of the puzzle. God can see the whole picture and how that piece of the puzzle fits into the bigger scheme of His plans for my life and what that picture will ultimately turn out to be. I have learned a lot from the experience. I have experienced God's love, grace, and mercy more fully unlike any other time in my life. I have also experienced how I can be when I allow myself to take my focus off God and let my fleshly, sinful side rule my thoughts and actions. I have decided that I prefer myself taking the lead from the good Lord instead. Apart from God its easy to become full of bitterness and resentment. To throw yourself a pity party and to question God and ask why would He allow something like this to happen. But when you live in the truth and believe that God does love you and He does care, it helps keep things in perspective. Who am I to question anything? Romans 8:28 states: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God can work any circumstance for His glory, for the good- if we allow Him to do so. I believe that God has protected me and kept me from an even more painful experience down the road. It may not seem like the best scenario to me right now, but in the end I know that God is faithful.

There is a time for everything under the sun. One day my mourning will turn into dancing. One day this season will be over and I will find myself in a season even better than any other season I have ever experienced. I can say that with confidence, because I know that unlike man, God never breaks a promise. So I am very thankful that the Lord spoke to me and reinforced what I was already thinking. He is an awesome God, is all I can say. Right now you may find yourself in a good season. If so, give thanks for God's blessing. Or you may find yourself in a bad season. If so, give thanks to God anyway. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful to God for. There is always hope through Christ. Remember, God makes all things beautiful in His own time.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. ~Romans 15:4

Be Kinder than Necessary

I recently posted this quote on my Facebook page: "Be kinder than necessary, everyone you know is fighting some kind of battle." I like this saying because it is so very true. You never know what someone is dealing with. It just got me thinking about how if I truly lived by this motto, how different I would interact with people. Instead of getting aggravated at a rude drive thru window cashier, I should always remember that I never know what she is going through at home and the circumstances she has to deal with on a daily basis. Instead of getting mad, I should pray for these people who make me mad or get on my nerves. More importantly, I should ask these people who seem to be having a bad day, if they are ok and if I can pray for them. Sometimes people just need to feel like someone cares to help give them the strength to carry on and lift their spirits.

A friend of mine revealed to me yesterday after me telling her what was going on with me and Joseph about how she was having to deal with the infidelity of her husband. I was shocked and heartbroken for her. On the outside, everything seems just perfect. It seemed like they were living the American dream: three kids, nice house, etc. but things aren't as perfect as they appear. I would have never guess that she was going through all that, in the same way, many people I see on a daily basis don't know what I am going through. But through the two of us sharing our heartaches and pains, I realized that there are people out there who genuinely care. People who are empathetic and truly want to help and be there for you. People who will pray with you and for you. People who will just listen. People who understand. If we take the time to actually see people and look beyond the mask they wear, we are all fighting something. Our problems may be different, but they are troubles just the same. And it is amazing what just a few words of encouragement can do for people who are struggling. Pray without ceasing. Always be an encouragement. Just simply love one another.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ~ James 5:16

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Called Out

I love reading the Called Out series of guest bloggers on the Preacher's Wife blog. I saw this particular post and thought I would just pass it along. I think it is a beautiful message about God and how He works.


Called Out: Behind the Scenes of Silence

via The Preacher's Wife by RachelH on 5/26/11

Behind the Scenes of Silence

By Jennifer Walker

Wherever we are…
Here we are, at this very moment…
On this specific day, in this exact place…
During this particular season of life, we must rest in this truth:

God knows, God remembers, God ordains and God orchestrates the milliseconds of our moments.
I was thinking about Zachariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1) today: the YEARS they served the Lord and walked righteously before Him, the YEARS they had prayed for a child, the 400 YEARS of silence from the Lord to His chosen people who for centuries were awaiting the promised Messiah, and that very moment on that specific day in that exact place during that particular season of life when humanly speaking, hope was gone.
God had woven every detail of their lives to bring them to that very day when the 400 years of silence was broken and Zachariah (whose name means “God remembers”) was told that God had heard his prayers. They would have a son and their son would prepare the way for the Savior of the World!

God’s timing was perfect.

Who but God knows what would have been different had Zachariah and Elizabeth had a child earlier. Who but God knows what would have changed had Zachariah been chosen years earlier to serve in the temple. The outcome would have been the same, but the story would have been different.
Aside from their trust in God, Zachariah and Elizabeth had no idea that the “years of silence” were not dormant. God was working behind the scenes, building, preparing, and making the way for His answer to their immediate prayers for a son, and their lifelong prayers for a Savior.
In that period of silence, God was setting the stage for Jesus, who would save us all from our sins and give to each of us real life. Our lives are changed and blessed because of the work God was doing in the “years of silence.”
This is a beautiful truth to me today. Right where we are at this very moment, on this specific day, in this exact place, during this particular season of life, God is not dormant. He is working, building, preparing, and making the way for His answer to our immediate prayers and to our lifelong ones.
In this period of “silence” God is working behind the scenes, setting the stage for Jesus, who will make Himself known and glorified as He changes and blesses our lives and the lives of others, through the work He is doing this very moment – that might seem silent to us.
The same is true for you today. Wherever you are, here you are, at this very moment, on this specific day, in this exact place, during this particular season of your life… God knows, God remembers, God ordains and God orchestrates the milliseconds of your moments.
And God is working, building, preparing, and making the way for His answer to your immediate prayers and to your lifelong ones. He is stetting the stage for Jesus, who will Glorify Himself and bless you and those around you through the work He is doing this very moment, even if it seems like a lot of silence to you.
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you in your times of “silence” my friends. Because one of these days, the curtain will rise, the silence will be broken and you and I will have some awesome stories to tell of all of God’s works. He will be honored by us and honored through our testimonies.

Hang in and hang on… God is working behind the scenes of silence!

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28

Jennifer is a Full-time Christ Follower, Minister’s Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Homemaker, Bible student/teacher, Speaker, Writer, Blogger, Math tutor, Coffee drinker, and Truster of the Lord who has recently relocated from Nashville to the MS Delta. You can visit with Jennifer on her blog Smelling Coffee, where she shares “Faith, Family, Food, Fun, Life, Love and Living it all through Jesus Christ” and connect with her at SmellingCoffee on Twitter.

Heaven is for Real

After hearing several people talk about the book Heaven is for Real  by Todd Burpo, I had to go read it. It is a book about a 4 year old who goes to heaven during surgery for a ruptured appendix. I admit, anytime I read any personal account of people who have claimed to go to heaven (or hell, for that matter) I tend to take it with a grain of salt and skepticism. I don't need people's accounts of heaven to convince me that it exists. However, I am not God and I am not going to claim that these accounts didn't happen either. We know through Scripture that children are very precious to God and that we are to have a child-like faith in him, so who is to say that God didn't use little 4 year-old Colton to reveal to us on Earth what awaits us when we die and that Jesus is truly the only way to get to heaven? God can do whatever he wants to do. And there are several accounts in the Bible of people going to heaven and coming back to Earth: John in the book of Revelation, and the man that Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses."

And on a different note I have to add one of my favorite passages in Scripture that comes right after this account in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 that I couldn't help but put in here because it makes you appreciate the Lord and His strength in times of struggle and hardships.
"I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Ok, back to the book. There were some moments in the book that I just sobbed and sobbed. And I'm sure I'm not the only woman who did when reading it. One of the things that Colton revealed to his mother a few months after his experience was that he told his mom that he had two sisters. His mother corrected him and told him that he only had one sister, Cassie. And he corrected his mother and said, no I have two sisters. He preceded to ask his mother about the baby that died in her womb. His mother was shocked because they had never mentioned the fact that they had a miscarriage in between having their oldest, Cassie and Colton. Colton told his mom that he had met his sister in heaven and that she was so excited to see him. That the girl had been adopted by God and didn't have a name because her parents never named her. Colton told his parents that the girl was waiting patiently until the day that her parents would join her in heaven. Any woman who has experienced the painful, heart wrenching experience of losing a baby would appreciate Colton's testimony that he indeed had met his unborn sister. After reading that, I hit my knees and just prayed to God about it through sobs.  I talked to God about the fact that I never got to hold that precious child here on Earth, but that I may get the opportunity to spend eternity with that child was something that just blew my mind. That our baby could be in heaven right now waiting for Joseph and I to get there to hold her. (I always thought the baby was a girl) The Bible tells us that God knows us in the womb. Jeremiah 1:5 speaks to that fact.

 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God creates everyone and knows everything about that person when he creates them in the womb. Would it be that far of a stretch to imagine that if He calls that child home before they are born, that He takes care of them and that they are called into Heaven to be with Him? He created them, so why not? It does give me something to hope for and look forward to one day when I am called home. That our precious child has been anxiously awaiting for me to come to her. It brings tears to my eyes right now just thinking about it.

Colton says that Jesus was just wonderful. The first thing he described about Jesus was His "markers" which is how Colton described the nail holes in His palms and feet. How significant? Because it was Christ's sacrifice and His love for us that is permanently etched on His body in the form of scars. It just gives me chill bumps. Colton goes on to describe angels, talking with his great-grandfather, the Holy Spirit (that shoots down power to believers, no less. and I could use a good dose right about now!), the wonderful colors he saw, the animals, John the Baptist, Satan, and other things. It was a good book. Like I said, nothing to put all your faith in, but something that may bring the fact that our life here on Earth is but momentary. We were all created for God's purpose, for God's glory, and for His pleasure. I'm sure there are many times when I disappoint God, don't live my life in pursuit of the purpose He has for me, or do things that don't glorify Him. But it is times like now, just reading a simple book about a child's faith, that really puts life into perspective. I have been going through a very difficult season in my life the last few months, but through those struggles and heartache, I have had my eyes open to just who God is and what He can do. I have fallen more and more in love with Him each and every day. I just hate that it took something like a divorce to bring me to that point in my life to fully depend on Him and live a life for Him, on His terms and not my own. A child-like belief is all that is needed, which is good, because there are lots of things in this life that I truly don't understand, and probably won't understand this side of heaven. Why I had a miscarriage. Why my husband divorced me. Why several young, vibrant friends were taken at a young age. The beauty is that I don't have to know. God works all things for His purpose and He always works things to the good for those that are faithful to Him. That's a promise. And if you don't believe me, here is the proof:

Romans 8:28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Philippians 2:13
"for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

It just helps to put things in perspective. What are we living for? Are we living for this life or the next? Because we will spend a whole lot more time in the next than in this one! It has helped me realize that I want to fulfill God's purpose He has for my life. I don't want to get to heaven and tell Him "sorry, I did what I wanted to do. I didn't fulfill my task you assigned me to do while on Earth." I want to hear, "well done, my good and faithful servant." Can I get an amen?

Oh and one more thing, a little girl, Akiane Kramarik claims that she has had visions of Heaven and Jesus. She started painting when she was about three. She painted a picture of Jesus. Colton for years would see pictures and paintings of Jesus that he always said were wrong and didn't look like Jesus. But this girl's painting looked more like Jesus than anyone he had ever seen. So question, is this what Christ sorta looks like, for real?

Can't wait until I find out for real with my own eyes!

Birth Pains

"Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come." Matthew 24:7-8


I have to admit with all the May 21st rapture talk, tornadoes, floods, wars, tsunamis, and earthquakes going on, it's hard not to see these things as birth pains getting ready for the second coming of Christ. Just this morning waking up to see the tornadoes rip through Joplin, MO is enough to break your heart so soon after the destruction in Alabama. All you have to do is look around at this depraved world and see that Jesus is desperately needed. We are told to keep watch and to do what is right and what is good until the day that we are either taken from this earth or the Lord returns. We never know when either of those scenarios will take place. "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven of the Son himself. Only the Father knows." Matthew 24:.36 So, don't get too caught up in the hype like the guy from California and all of his 5-21-11 rapture stuff or the 2012 doomsday predictions. Just keep being obedient to the Lord and like the parable of the two servants later in Matthew 24, you will be rewarded, not assigned to the place with the hypocrites where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do what you can to witness for the Lord and help those who have been touched by all these disasters.  Pray for these people and remember that these things have to take place because it is written in the good book itself. My prayers are with everyone who has been touched by these destructions.

A Single Blade of Grass

Every spring, countless people burn off their yards. They light the grass on fire and let the fire go. The purpose of this is to clean the yard of anything that shouldn't be there, especially invasive weeds. Although by doing this, the yard is left a charred, black ugly mess for weeks. However, slowly but surely, tiny blades of a vibrant green grass start to emerge from the ashes. Soon, the yard is a luscious patch of beautiful green pasture. Our lives are like those yards. We can cut the grass, pull up the weeds, and fertilize the soil. No matter how much we try, there are still patches in the yard where grass refuses to grow. And no matter how many times we pull up the weeds, they keep returning. Sometimes those weeds return in more numerous numbers and bigger than before. We can try on our own to make our yards beautiful, but sometimes it takes a more drastic measure. A yard cleaning so thorough that only God can do the weeding. The Bible assures us that we will all be tested by fire, so we can be refined like gold. Right now, your life may be in flames, still burning and destroying everything beautiful in sight. Or your life could be what remains after the fire sweeps through your life- a big, ugly, black, charred wasteland. Or your life could be in the rebirth of growth, with blades of grass springing forth from the ashes making way for a glorious green field of beauty.


Right now, I can honestly say that I have been through the burning flames. Nothing in my world has been left untouched by the scorching fire. My life has been a wasteland of ashes, where everything looked bleak, hopeless, and plain ugly. However, through God's grace and mercy, my life is now springing forth with new growth. A beauty so abundant that it can't be measured. It started with just a blade popping up here and there, but in time, more and more blades continue to grow and now my lawn is beginning to look even more beautiful than before. All I can attest to is that the new growth in my life has been a creation that only God Himself could bring about. He is the only one who can bring forth beauty from ashes.

Sometimes God allows pain and suffering into our lives for a reason. For a greater purpose that only He can see. Rest assured that God will never tempt us, but sometimes like in the story of Job, He will allow Satan to tempt us. He allows this because He wants our faith to grow and to teach us a few lessons along the way. Sometimes it takes a good run-in with the flames of hell to help set our faith on fire! When life is going well and you are happy and things seem to be going your way, God gets pushed aside. Yeah, we may take Him off the shelf on Sunday and for a quick reading of a chapter of Scripture at night and a hurried prayer over the dinner table. But we never fully need to depend on Him, because we are walking around on our own strength. I was that person. I had everything a girl could want. Things were going great. However, all of that changed in an instant and I suddenly found myself thrown into the fiery flames and desperately seeking a way to extinguish them. I prayed to God for Him to put the fire out in my life that was consuming everything that I loved. But He didn’t. God knew that everything in my life needed to be burned to the ground. He needed to remove those things in my life that I thought I needed to exist and be happy; to take away the things that I depended on for security. I seriously believed in the midst of the flames that I would surely be burned and scarred so severely that I wouldn’t get out alive. I’m beginning to realize that I was rescued and made it out with nothing more than maybe smoke inhalation! Praise God!! The only thing that God wants from us is our love. He wants us to depend on Him for everything. To praise Him for our blessings and to seek Him in times of trouble. He wants to be our everything. If we allow Him to be our everything, we can experience a joy and a love so profound, that we realize that love and joy from other sources can’t even compare to the unfailing love of the Father and the Son. In this time of great trial, I have had to lean on Christ as I have never had to lean on Him before in my life. He finally brought me to my knees and broke me of my pride and arrogance thinking that I could take care of myself. I had weeds growing in my heart and in my life that I didn’t even realize had invaded. Thank goodness God is the great Gardener and could pluck those weeds out and then cultivate the soil of my heart to make it ready to receive the seeds that He wanted planted instead. It has been a long learning process and He still has things to teach me that I need to learn. Those seeds He planted are beginning to sprout. I no longer need to wade through the ashes looking for charred remains of my previous life. God has laid the foundation of a promise for a brand new life, one even better than the one I had previously. God has taught me that I am here on this Earth to love Him. To serve Him. To bring glory to Him. God gave us a free will because He wants us to choose Him willingly. He wants us to love him with everything within us. He wants our faith to grow!! Yes, there are times that I am like doubting Thomas, but instead of asking to see the nail scars on His hands or the wound in His side, I have to ask God to help me believe in my faith. To believe that He holds my future in the palm of His hands and that He makes things perfect in His own time. God has had to beat patience into my heart over and over. To trust in Him fully and faithfully. Slowly but surely, my blades of faith are peaking up through those black ashes.

The reason why I am sharing all of this is to shed some light on the truth. God has revealed Himself to me more clearly than I have ever seen Him before. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves when times of trials head our way, we should look at that time to grow some deep roots with God. To see our sufferings as blessings because through suffering our endurance and strength in Him grows! And fires in our life help get us running in His direction for safety and refuge. So if you are in the midst of some kind of trouble in your life-lift it up to God in prayer. Let Him begin to put out those flames in your life. God will supply the all the water you need, if you will hold the hose and point it in the right direction! Let Him remove in your life what needs to be gone. Obediently follow Him and let Him speak to your heart and lead you in the right direction. And once you have sifted through the ashes, let the re-growth begin! I promise you, I have been through the toughest time in my life and it’s still not over; but I have a renewed strength and gladness in my heart that I could never have imagined was possible. God is faithful. Do you feel like something is missing in your life? God can fulfill it. Not feeling loved? God has more love than you can imagine! Not feeling appreciated? God considers you precious in His sight! Not feeling joy? God can turn your weeping into dancing! Trying to fill that void in your heart with people or things? God’s the only thing that will make you feel complete! I just had to share with you some of the things that are happening in my life right now. I want to testify at how great my God is and the miracles he can perform in your life. He is the great I AM. You need a healer? He’s the great physician. You hungry for a fulfilling life? He’s the bread of life. Whatever need you have, he is the great I AM _____ (fill in the blank). Apparently I needed a good yard man, thank goodness God said to me I AM He. My yard needed a good overhaul, one blade of grass at a time. What about yours?