Tuesday, October 13, 2015

In having my quiet time this morning with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our savior, the only One that loves Unconditionally and has unending Mercy and Grace to give...  I was enlightened and touched to read the following.

"the beautiful thing about mercy is that it is demonstrated to the offender as well as to the victim. When the offender realizes his or her wrong, God brings mercy, when the victim needs help to go on, God gives mercy."

At this point in my life, I don't know, nor will I ever know if my offenders have realized their actions were wrong,These offenders were people I was supposed to trust, obey, love unconditionally... I can only look to God as a victim that needs help to go on in life with peace in my heart and I do believe He is giving me that mercy and grace! Thank you Lord, for your unconditional love for me and the ongoing giving of your mercy and love! Touch my heart so that I can continue to forgive those that harm me, knowingly or unknowingly.

I continued to be touched by God's word as I continued my very well needed "quiet time" with Him... and I feel so led to share.

About Marriage

1 Corinthians 7

Now I will discuss the things you wrote me about. It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman. But because sexual sin is a danger, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should give his wife all that he owes her as a wife. And the wife should give her husband all that she owes him as her husband. The wife does not have full rights over her own body; her husband shares them. And the husband does not have full rights over his own body; his wife shares them. Do not refuse to give your bodies to each other, unless you both agree to stay away from sexual relations for a time so you can give your time to prayer. Then come together again so Satan cannot tempt you because of a lack of self-control. I say this to give you permission to stay away from sexual relations for a time. It is not a command to do so. I wish that everyone were like me, but each person has his own gift from God. One has one gift, another has another gift. Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: It is good for them to stay unmarried as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry. It is better to  marry than to burn with sexual desire. 

Now I give this command for the married people. (The command is not from me; it is from the Lord.) A wife should not leave her husband, But if she does leave, she must not marry again, or she should make up with her husband. Also the husband should not divorce his wife. 

For all the others I say this (I am saying this, not the Lord): If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer, and she is happy to live with him he must not divorce her. And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer, and he is happy to live with her, she must not divorce him. The husband who is not a believer is made holy through his believing wife. And the wife who is not a believer is made holy through her believing husband. If this were not true, your children would not be clean, but now your children are holy. 

But if those who are not believers decide to leave, let them leave. When this happens, the Christian man or woman is free. But God called us to live in peace. Wife, you don't know; maybe you will save your husband. and husband, you don't know; maybe you will save your wife. 

Questions About Getting Married

Now I write about people who are not married. I have no command from the Lord about this; I give my opinion. But I can be trusted, because the Lord has shown my mercy. The present time is a time of trouble, so I think it is good for you to stay the way you are. If you have a wife, do not try to become free from her. If you are not married, do not try to find a wife. but if you decide to marry, you have not sinned. and if a girl who has never married decides to marry, she has not sinned. But hose who marry will have trouble in this life, and I want you to be free from trouble. 

Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean; We do not have much time left. So starting now, those who have wives should live as if they had no wives. those who are crying should live as if they were not crying. Those who are happy should live as if they were not happy. Those who buy things should live as if they own nothing. Those who use the things of the world should live as if they were not using them, because this world in it's present form will soon be gone. 

I want you to be free from worry. A man who is not married is busy with the Lord's work., trying to please the Lord. But a man who is married is busy with things of the world, trying to please his wife. He must think about two things - pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord. A woman who is not married or a girl who has never married is busy with the Lord's work. She wants to be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is busy with things of the world, as to how she can please her husband. I am saying this to help you, not to limit you. But I want you to live in the right way to give yourselves fully to the Lord without concern for other things. 

If a man thinks he is not doing the right thing with the girl he is engaged to, if she is almost past the best age to marry and he feels he should marry her, he should do what he wants. They should get married. It is no sin. But if a man is sure in his mind that there is no need for marriage, and has his own desires under control, and has decided not to marry the one to whom he is engaged, he is doing the right thing. So the man who marries his girl does right, but the man who does not marry will do better. 

A woman must stay with her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry any man she wants, but she must marry in the Lord. the woman is happier if she does not marry again. This is my opinion, but I believe i also have God's Spirit. 




How To Use Christian Freedom

"We are allowed to do all things," but all things are not good for us to do. "We are allowed to do all things," but not all things help others grow stronger. Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also. 

Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Do not ask questions to see if it is meat you think is wrong to eat. You may eat it, "because the earth belongs to the lord, and everything in it." 


Those who are not believers may invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, eat anything that is put before you. Do not ask questions to see if you think it might be wrong to eat. But if anyone says to you, "That food was offered to idols," do not eat it. Do not eat it because of that person who told you and because eating it might be thought to be wrong. I don't mean you think it is wrong, but the other person might. But why, you ask, should my freedom be judged by someone else's  conscience? If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I think God? 

The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God. Never do anything that might hurt other - Jews, Greeks, or God's church -- just as I, also, try to please everybody in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 

Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. 
~ 1 Corinthians 13:5 

Don't Keep a List of Wrongs 

Do you remember the story about the man who was bitten by the dog? When he learned the dog had rabies, he began making a list. The doctor told him there was no need to make a will, that the rabies could be cured. "Oh, I'm not making a will," he replied. "I'm making a list of all the people I want to bite." 

Couldn't we all make such a list? You've already learned, haven't you, that friends aren't always friendly? Neighbors aren't always neighborly? Some workers never work, and some bosses are always bossy? 

You've already learned, havent' you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? Just because someone is called your dad, that doesn't mean we will act like your dad. Even though Even though they said "yes" on the altar, they may say "no" in the marriage. 

You've already learned, haven't you, that we tend to fight back? To bite back? To keep lists and snarl lips and growl at people we don't like? 

God wants your list. He inspired one servant to write, "love does not count up wrongs that have been done" (1 Corinthians 13:5). He wants us to leave the list at the cross. 

Not easy. 

"Just look what they did to me!" we defy and point to our hurts. 

"Just look what I did for you," he reminds and points to the cross. 

Paul said is this way: "If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you" ~ Corinthians 3:13). 

You and I are commanded--not urged, commanded--to keep no list of wrongs. 

Besides, do you really want to keep one? Do you really want to catalog all your mistreatment's? Do you really want to growl and snap your way through life? God doesn't want you to either. Give up your sins before they infect you and your bitterness before it incites you, and give God your anxiety before it inhibits you. Give God your anxious moments. 

QUESTION: Who do you need to forgive before bitterness consumes you? 


The passages that I have entered here on this day, have touched my heart very deeply. These are all things that have plagued me since 2013 and before. Many times I have wondered and tortured myself to the point of hospital stays from stress and grief. It took me years to learn how to give my worries, my lists over to God, but I finally came to that point in my life, that only God could handle all my grief, worries and stress on much better level than I ever could alone. He can do all things, better than I ever could in my lifetime. God can do more in a second than we can do for ourselves in a lifetime. I believe that, with all my heart and soul. I am witness of those words.

I have fought with the whole concept of marriage due to my three divorces. I was not perfect in all of them, but for the things that I did wrong, I have repented and asked for forgiveness, for the times that I was wronged, I have asked God to help me forgive. It's all I can keep doing...  pray and continue to ask God for His grace and mercy. All marriages ended because Satan fought hard to bring temptation to the marriages, drugs, alcohol, womanizing, affairs, secrets...  the list can go on and on, but I won't dwell anymore. All of this has been given to God. Now what I must focus on, is His guidance about my current relationship. I know that God brings people in to our lives for a reason, be it for me to help them grow or me to grow more than what I've come to grow. Either way, I have come to the conclusion that I am to carry my cross, whatever it is, from my past. I will not complain, I have cried enough to fill an ocean in my years since high school. But had it not been for my experiences, I would not be who I am today. I praise God through all of my journeys, my experiences. I am a stronger child of God, a better mother now than I have ever been and I pray that I can continue to live as such. Never to waiver from my path ever again. I remain strong, even at my weakest moments, I will stay focused, I will remain humble, and I will NEVER waiver from my path to God's presence. I can only pray for the same for my children and their children, my grandchildren. My beliefs have been "Spot On" in regards to marriage, but I was not blessed to keep the most important marriage, that with my children's father. I tried to work things out, but God led me away for a reason, he allowed the marriage to dissipate, as well as the remaining two. For the time that I prayed for a marriage to be saved, God was saving me from that specific marriage, I know that now and am blessed all more for it, you see... I survived domestic violence. No matter how you look at it, "I am a Survivor" and it was all through God's Grace and Mercy. For now and my future, I will live my life to serve others. Thank you Lord!



Friday, October 2, 2015

Morning Verse

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

To receive from God you must first become meek. Meekness is humility. It is a willingness to listen and a trust to act upon that which God tells you to do. God has promised to guide us in judgment when we are meek. He has promised to teach us HIS way.

Psalm 25:9


Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Sustaining the Weary

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. 
~Isaiah 50:4 

Lately, every day seems to get busier and busier than normal. I feel my day go rushing past me... I wake up, Praise God for another day, get ready for work, drive past all of God's many other children going through their daily routine(s). Get to work, put in my full day of assisting others, and if by chance being a witness, a light for someone else. I then rush home and begin my evening routine to make our house, "a home". I know I'll be ready to hit that pillow again, knowing that it will all start again the next day... but...  I go to sleep knowing this: 

I will go to sleep renewed and blessed. 
He brings me hope, healing and rest. 

Lord, make me an instrument and help me learn how I can instruct others in the ways of God. 

"Dear God, may we serve you by empowering others to persist in faith." 
Amen 

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Regret - Today's Reading

Regret is such a small word that packs such huge consequences.
If we're all honest with ourselves, there are some decisions we made at some point...knowingly or unknowingly at the time...that we can look back on and wish we had chosen differently.
If someone is going through a preventable illness, it's likely they wish they would've taken better care of their health.
If they've experienced a bad divorce or a broken relationship with their children, it's likely there are many "if I had only..." regrets.
There are many situations in life we can wish we had taken a different...a better...path.
No matter what regrets you are facing today, please do not allow your regrets to define you. You are not a failure, a reject, or a loser. No, you are simply a human being who made a poor decision...or maybe you are having to live with the consequences of another person's regretful actions or decisions.
We each are made in the image of God.
Think about that incredible truth!
Since we are each made in God's image, we are all incredibly special, loved, and valuable...God still has a purpose and plan for each person's life that only they can do.
God has the power to make EVERYTHING work together for our good if we love Him.
Something a friend shared with me awhile back really put this in perspective. I hope it encourages you:
"God can turn your mess into a message, your test into a testimony, He can turn you from being a victim into a victor, and He can give you great triumph from your trials. He can turn your scars into stars and your pain into a pulpit"
It's true! No matter what has happened so far in your life, God is not finished with you yet! Nothing you have done...or anything someone has done to you...has made him love you any less. He genuinely loves you so very much!
Take time today to have an intimate conversation with God about your deepest guilts and regrets. Pour your heart out to Him and ask Him to help you to truly put your life back together.
Good things are to come. You can't do anything about the past but God can do everything with your future.
YOUVERSION

Saturday, August 29, 2015

SHAKE IT OFF

Shake It Off

Today's reading from YouVersion

One of my favorite stories is about a farmer's donkey that fell into a dry well. The animal cried pitifully for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do for his poor donkey. Finally, he concluded that the well was too deep, and it really needed to be covered up anyway. Besides, the donkey was old, and it would be a lot of trouble to get him out of the pit. The farmer decided that it was not worth trying to retrieve the animal, so he asked his neighbors to help him fill in the well and bury the donkey.

They all grabbed shovels and began to toss dirt into the well. The donkey immediately realized what was happening, and he began to bray horribly. Crying would be our normal response if somebody was mistreating us this badly, so this donkey was responding the same way we would at first, but then he got real quiet. A few shovel loads of dirt later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit the donkey's back, the donkey would shake it off and step on top of it.

As the neighbors and the farmer continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon the donkey shook off the last shovel full of dirt, took a step up, and walked right out of the well. We can learn so much from this story. When trouble comes, if we will get still and listen, God will tell us what to do.

By the grace and mercy of God, I was able to shake off a lot of things in my life, a lot of hurt feelings, a lot of mistreatment, a lot of abuse, a lot of unfair, unjust, unkind things. Just like the donkey, in order to keep pressing on and have victory in our lives, we are going to have to learn to shake off the troubles that come our way.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Verse of the day


But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 
2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV 

We will always run into unfaithfulness in our lives, people with little to no faith, but the ONE and ONLY, our Lord, remains faithful ALWAYS. I know I can continue to look to Him for strength and protection as the bible tells us, He will protect us and strengthen uf from the evil one.

 

So many times, I let fear take over my faith...  that's when I open my bible, my YouVersion Bible App and any other bilbe study guidw I have at hand, to put me back on track. God has saved me from many wolve's in sheeps clothing, He IS Faithful to keep us from ALL evil. 

I praise You and Thank You Lord

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Masks

I have learned and continue to learn, just how many "FALSE" people are walking around me daily. It saddens me to see this, and I am at the point that I would rather live my life alone, without these people in my life. I prefer to surround myself with genuine people, not afraid to show their true self, with flaws and all....  because God loves us, for who we are, not for who we think we should be. I use to be such a person... wearing a mask just to please others, to hide the flaws, the saddness, the demons within.

I came upon an enlightenment back in 2011 and this is what I learned about "me"....

I am single, newly single...but I am who I am...just me. I'm not a wife, I'm not just a mother, I'm not just a daughter or a sister or a friend. There's more to me than meets the eye. There is a heart, with wishes and dreams of what life should be. I'm loving and caring and don't wish to be taken for granted because of it. I'm not a pushover, I'm not naive, I have a mind of my own and will express myself when driven to it. I love people in general and have come to learn that I can not trus everyone like I use to. I don't like being manipulated, used or told how to think, or dress, or act. I may be childish at times, but that's the kid in me, I'll never grow up! That's a good thing. I know when it's the right time to act proper, silly, serious...I am me... 

Those words came from a small voice within... and to this day, I live by them. I may fail, I may stumble. In fact... I DO FAIL and STUMBLE... but God picks me up, and strengthens me through each fall. I AM ME...  So, today's reading fits perfect ...

False Self  
Do the people you rub shoulders with every day know you? I mean the real you? Or are you hiding behind a mask? 

As I stated before, there have been many times when I hid behind a mask...  no longer will I hide, i  I hid behind a mask between 1998 to 2005. NO MORE...  The day I found myself driving on 225 headed who knows where, I asked Jesus in to my life and asked him to take control of my life. I am out to correct my mistakes, make ammends where needed. I will start with God first and then my family.

Masks are fun at parties, but in everyday life, they're unhealthy. We don't roam our neighborhood in clever disguises, of course. But many people hide behind a different kind of facade, one counselors call "the false self." The false self is a way of portraying ourselves to others in a way we think they'll like more than the person we truly are. 
I no longer wish to live my life to win over anyone that can not accept me for "me". I am no longer out to live my life to please those that realy have no validity in my life. ONLY GOD....

These tasks take many forms. Some people act happy and positive in social gatherings but privately they struggle with depression, substance abuse, or marital problems. Others may wear odd clothes or makeup. Some may even use anger or humor to keep their relationships on a superficial level.
I have been exposed to the worse kind of "False Self" anyone can live through and have fallen to live as such as well.... and from these exposures, and becasue of my past, I ask God for guidance, strength and humility... I want to live my life without the masks.

Ultimately the masks we wear are for self-protection. They hide our emotional wounds from further injury. But they also prevent us from experiencing intimacy in our closest relationships. When w ehide who we really are, we distance ourselves from our family and friends and, yes, even from God. Intimacy requires transparency and vulnerability, and you can't eperience that pretending to be something you're not. So take a risk with a safe person you trust, whether that's a fmaily member, a friend, or a professional counselor. Strip away the masks of your false self and let the real you come shining through. 
Check out: Jim Daly's blog, Daly Focus, JimDalyBlog
(Thank you Mr. Daly for my daily reading)
Today's Bible Verse:
but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1  



Saturday, August 22, 2015

Wait For The Lord

Verse for the day

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. 
Psalm 130 


 Even though, we all have free will, the verse laid out above is how I live my life to this day. Since 2005, I have committed my life to the Lord, doing everything that I am led to do, as I pray over my life, my choices and my decisions. I have made the wrong choices in life, I will not deny that and I will own those choices and decisions. I can proudly say, that every new day, I thank Him for giving me another day, another chance to live my life as he calls me. So....  every day....  "I wait for the Lord..." 

More reading: 
the the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of this calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. 
 Ephesians 1
I found the following verses highlighted in my bible and a date notated in pencil (2/9/13) Bear with me as this fits so perfectly, even today in my life...

I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I alwys do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead. I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. 
Philippians 3:12-14


Thursday, August 20, 2015

Treasurers in Hardships

Today's Devotional Reading from YouVersion...

Grief Bites: Finding Treasure In Hardships 

"This Bible plan shows how we can find great treasure through the hardships we face in life." 

I read this today in my YouVersion Plans... and it hits home on many levels... and made me think of the many trials, storms and losses I have endured. 

We all experience some form of tragedy, heart ache, loss, devastation and disaster, and I always try to remember that someone else out there, one of God's children, may be experiencing something much harsher than I....  and I stop to Praise Him through my storm, my loss, my struggle and heartaches... BUT I have never found myself questioning Him as to "Why?". I have experienced much strife and heartaches, stress and worry through my years... I have found myself so caught up through the shifting ground and winds of these storms, and I know that much of them came from the free will we have, but there's those events in our lives, such as the one expressed in this plan that we have no power or knowledge of what's coming ahead.

"We liv e in a world of utter loss. There are no easy answers. But we do serve a God who does not willingly bring grief to anyone. It is not God who is the source of devastation, it is always the enemy who casues horrendous heartache, devastation, and disasters."

"Cry out to God today and ask Him to help you repair the broken pieces of your heart and life."

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 New International Version (NIV)

Readings:
Psalms 130:1-2, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 130:5, Lamentations 3:33, John 10:10, Psalms 121:1-2


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Peace in Safety

Peace in Safety

I have found that talking to God is a day to day necessity for me, He loves to hear from His children. He is what keeps me feeling safe in this chaotic world. 
God gives us an even better kind of peace that helps us feel safe all the time. Jesus said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 
I cherish the peace that God gives me...  every day, I ask for his peace to come within, at night, as I lay me down for a good nights sleep. When things of this world consume my mind...

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: 
for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. 

Psalm 4:8 


Friday, May 15, 2015

Relationships

Here I am...  54 years old and still learning about relationships. Sad... but true...  at my age though and since my last, unexpected and unwanted divorce. I have put up walls. I use to love so freely, unconditionally and passionately. I find that hard to do now.

One thing I have learned though, is my relationship with our Loving God, will never change. In fact... it will only grow more deeply with each passing moment and day.

I was reading a devotional today and found myself agreeing with the fact that "Relationships can cause us heartache and pain. They can be difficult and messy." When friendships cause us heartache, we often choose to retreat. When family lets us down, we eventually learn to keep those closest to us at arm's length. We will retreat to our safe corners, we set ourselves in a defensive stance, we harden our hearts because of the pain..."

The truth is, IT HURTS...!

I'm learning though... It's all a process and I pray that God will strengthen me to learn to love again.

More later...  

Many blessings to all...  


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Render your time to Him

We must open our bible, and as we do, we will find Him waiting for us there in the pages.

He will speak to us through those pages, so we must quiet ourselves and carefully listen to Him.

We must not just read it, but study it faithfully.

"Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."
Psalm 29:2

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Thank you Lord for my family


"Reflection As I gaze in the mirror of my own reality I find myself confused and uncertain Confused because I don't recognize the person I see and uncertain of my destination. As I gaze into my own eyes I search for unseen answers of questions asked yesterday, and I find my reflection and "I" yet at another stand still with no peace, and no contentment with careful eyes I search for unwanted characteristic hoping to change the reflection in the mirror. Hoping to see the person I knew before the reflection changed. Where had she gone? When will she return? More unanswered questions for my reflection... Are you happy with your reflection?

Words from the Heart of the UN innocent
by Horace D. McLain

I love this book, review it on Amazon
"This book contains 50 poems which are based on 10 second thoughts. Since it is dedicated to change and hope, the author is donating some of the proceeds from book sales to the American Cancer Society in hopes to aid in the fight against such a deadly disease."

My sister and niece were diagnosed with cancer, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, it is a genetic disease, and no one ever imagines that their family would be affected. My niece was diagnosed first, we were so lost, trying to figure out what side of the family she inherited the "one" gene from. Her father had passed away, as well as her grandparents from her father's side, my sister at the time had not been diagnosed with the cancer. It wasn't until three years later that she was diagnosed with the "one" gene that passed on to my niece. We were crushed even more. Words were not available for us, a beautiful mother and daughter team that have been so strong, standing by one another and supporting each other day in and day out. My nieces cancer was caught before becoming cancerous, but my sister's was caught to late. She lost her right kidney and since has had 1/4  of it removed. My sister was placed on experimental chemo drugs to help stabilize the cancer. There is no cure for Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. My niece, although they did diagnose her early in her younger years, she has had many fights with the cancer, all affected organs were attacked. She's had several surgeries to remove the cysts, from her spine, one eye (which has left her partially blind) and her spine.

We are blessed, MD Anderson has been such a blessing to our family, God has carried us through this journey. We don't question why. We just praise Him for his Grace.

What is Von Hippel-Lindau?
"Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by the formation of tumors and fluid-filled sacs (cysts) in many different parts of the body. Tumors may be either noncancerous or cancerous and most frequently appear during young adulthood; however, the signs and symptoms of Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome can occur throughout life."

More information can be found here:
Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
MD Anderson Cancer Center






Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Storms in our Lives

I saw this about two years ago...  and I just ran in to it again...  so...  I just had to share. I really don't know if anyone runs across my blog, but I hope that, for that "one" person that is reaching out for some sort of comfort and does run across my page, can find some comfort, a shed of light in that dark storm.

Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain) 
Gary Allan 

Oh so your standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning. 
I know you're feeling like you 
Just can't win, but your trying. 
It's hard to keep on keepin' on, 
When you're being pushed around 
Don't even know which way is up, 
You just keep spinning down, 'round, down... 

Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day 
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain... 

So hold your head up and tell yourself that there's something more
And walk out that door, 
Go find a new rose, don't be afraid of the thorns
'Cause we all have thorns
Just put your feet up to the edge, put your face in the wind
And when you fall back down, keep on rememberin' 

Every storm runs, runs out of rain 
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain

It's gonna run out of pain
It's gonna run out of sting
It's gonna leave you alone
It's gonna set you free 
Set you free 

Every storm runs, runs out of rain 
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away 
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain 

It's gonna set you free, 
It's gonna run out of pain, 
And set you free 



Tuesday, April 7, 2015

I received this motivational text this morning...  Thank You dear friend. 

Dear God, I need You everyday. Every moment. Every second that I breathe. I need You. I am not strong enough on my own. 
Amen 

Laugh your heart out. Dance in the rain. 
Cherish the moment. Ignore the pain. 
Live, Laugh, Love, Forgive and Forget. 
Life is too short to be living with regrets. 


Thursday, March 12, 2015

The Busyness of Life

Work has been hectic, but I can only praise God for the busyness of this. He is definitely answering my prayers.  

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. 
~ Psalms: 34:4 

I have been feeling much lighter in my walk lately. Thank you Jesus...  I AM BLESSED! 


Friday, February 27, 2015

Overwhelmed and Lost

"An God I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You" 



Here lately, I have found myself very lost, confused and overwhelmed... I'm striving so hard to hear His voice. Trying hard to quiet my thoughts to feel his guidance... I'm afraid to make a bad choice when it comes to my direction in life. I feel a strong pull to live my life for Him and Him only and live it alone. 

I feel beaten down right now, unloved by man... I realize that His love is all that really matters, but I also struggle with the fact that we were also made for companionship. In that area of life, my thoughts and dreams were completely shattered in my last marriage and is compounded with the failures of my two previous marriages that failed due to earthly struggles that involved selfishness, human weakness, society pressures and satan's pressures to live life for oneself instead of abiding by God's laws. 

I feel being led to live my life committed to only God. 


This morning's prayer

Father, I pray that You might give me a heart of wisdom. I pray that I will always make wise choices; and when two paths seem to be equal, I pray You will help me to trust You even as I make my decision. Give me a heart that is willing to obey You, to respond in faith to the wisdom You give me. 

I pray that I may have a heart of wisdom. Keep me from ungodly counsel that seems good, but which will, in the end, be destructive. Keep me from following the path of least resistance, and from friends who would lead me astray. Even as you teach me, that the wise path is often the most difficult path, but in the end, it's the most rewarding. Direct my paths, O Lord, for I am like a sheep who is prone to stray. Make me a lover of wisdom. 

In Jesus name, Amen


Like a trampled spring and a polluted well
Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 
It is not good to eat much honey, 
Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. 
Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit. 


Pictures courtesy of Girlfriends Coffee Hour 


Monday, February 16, 2015

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." 
Philippians 4:13 


This is my verse...  it has carried me through many storms. 

Friday, February 13, 2015

Joy Because of Family 

Jesus Christ is God's everything for man's total need. 
~ Richard Halvorsen 

Dear Father, thank You for Christ's victory 
over death. Your plan would not have been 
complete if Jesus had stayed in the grave. 
Thank You for Your power, Your love and the 
promise of eternal life with You! 
Amen 


Joy Because of Family 

Family members are the people who know you best. They know your good points and your bad ones. You can't fool family members with fancy words or bluffs because they know the real you. After all, they live with you. Most people are more completely themselves when they are at home than anywhere else. 

Family members may make you crazy and frustrate you terribly, but when push comes to shove, you would do anything in the world for them and they would do the same for you. You may get angry at them, but you would never let anyone else say negative things about them! Family members love you no matter what and the memories you share with them are priceless. Having a family is a real gift from God. Family is precious because you are connected at the heart and you belong, for better or worse. There's a sense of security in that. 



Lord, thank you for my family!! I am truly blessed!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

With Valentines around the corner, I thought I would share the following today. 

Some reading material
"Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind" Bible Verse"







Happy Valentines Day to everyone 


 


Sunday, February 8, 2015

Morning Prayer 

God, it's so exciting to realize that the hard 
circumstances in my life are subject to change. 
Help me to keep on trusting You as 
You work out Your good purposes in my life. 
In Jesus' Name. 
Amen 

Picture by S.Medina

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Friday, February 6, 2015

Letting go of Hurt 

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." 
Ephesians 4:31 


"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" 
Mathew 6:14 

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Morning Prayer

LORD

Be my Vision, 
my Hope, 
my Light, 
My Way. 


Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Be Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance now and always.
Thou and Thou only, be first in my heart.
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true Word,
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord,
Thou my great Father, and through Thy true Son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all. 

Lisa Leonard - Be Thou My Vision Necklace 

Please check out Day Spring for Christian Cards, Inspirational Gifts, Home Decor and More 

Friday, January 30, 2015

Morning Prayer 

Oh God, enlighten my mind with truth; 
Inflame my heart with love; 
Inspire my will with courage; 
Enrich my life with service. 
Pardon what I have been; 
Sanctify what I am; order what I shall be 
and thine shall be the glory 
and mine the eternal salvation 
through Jesus Christ my Lord. 

Amen 

 Image Courtesy of The Barn Princess
Photo Courtesy of The Barn Princess 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Life's Journey from 1999 to 2014

Life has a way of taking us through journey's that we never imagined, fathomed or believed that we could possibly think we could experience, good, bad, sad, happy, trying, and some that may feel debilitating. I am here to say that I've experienced many... Nothing has been easy, God gives us choices in life, it's up to us to quiet our minds, pray and listen for God's guidance and pray we make the right choices and decisions in life. When it gets tough and the storms seem like they will never end, do we call it quits on life, bail out and find an easy way out or do we pray and "stick it out"? "WWJD" comes to mind, He didn't bail out, He didn't say, "I Quit"... He endured the trials laid before him, the trials that He was thrown in to...

Since moving to Houston, I hoped for new beginnings, a new life, and then society pressures were allowed to seep in to my marriage and life. The year 2000 was when my thoughts of a life as a wife and mother completely changed... I made some bad choices in 2000, so much so that they not only affected my life, but the lives of all those that I love dearly. My family, my children and anyone that shared their lives with me in one way or another.The choices I made, led me down a dark road, through out those dark times, I was still able to feel that tug at my heart... that tug at my arm... The soft whisper in my ear... "This way my child" but I kept on walking in what I was so fooled to believe was the way to live life. But you see... the timing had already caused so much damage to my children and loved ones. I finally learned to quiet myself and listen closely for His Whispers... The one thing I learned though, is that, God does not want us living with shame or regrets.

"The Bible teaches us that once we confess our sins, accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins on the cross on our behalf, and become children of God, we are cleansed from all our unrighteousness"(Colossians 1:15-22)

Read more: "What does the Bible say about shame and regret?"

I finally crawled out of that darkness and came to see the light, brighter than I could ever imagine. Everything was so clear and beautiful, Here With Me by MercyMe fits that moment so well, but yet, I still felt shattered from all those years of living my life for "me". I listened closely, made sure to ask Him for forgiveness and worked diligently to make amends and make peace with those lives that all my choices affected.

I still remember driving down the road one day, I was in tears... so lost, so confused, but still holding on with all the knowledge and faith, that God was taking very good care of me. I had made the right choice, but I was scared. I couldn't breath, the tears kept streaming down. This is where I cried out the words... "Jesus Take The Wheel" I remember that day so vividly, driving down the streets of Houston, Tx, listening to KSBJ. Wondering "What now Lord? You are in control, I can't do this anymore by myself. Forgive me!!"

He had me at that point... my life turned around for the better. 2005 and on had brighter days ahead, it was going to be an uphill battle, but I knew that God was with me and He would be carrying me. I was devoting more of my time to prayer, I was new to bible studies, back in church. Three years go by and I remarried... things were looking so bright, trials were still experienced, but they were nothing God couldn't handle, besides... I was out of the darkness that I had been crawling through previously and I was living a life that God was calling me to live. I was saved, in more ways than one... I can not fix some of the damages that occurred during those years prior, but I knew that through God alone, He could bring peace to me and all who were affected by my choices. Little did I know that my bright days would come again to a stormy end... I was shattered because I was living my life according to God's will. God was there though, He told me, I survived worse, I knew that this time, I could walk away with more confidence and less fear, because God was still with me. He had made me a stronger woman, prepared me for the upcoming storm that I did not even foresee in 2013.

It will be two years in March since moving out on my own... I have learned many things since then and continue to learn. God is continuing to work in my life... He is polishing this rock in to a GEM. I believe it... He has brought people in to my life that I never would imagine and taken others that I never thought would have been taken, but in the process of all these new people in my life and those removed from my life, I'm still learning more and more about myself. One thing I can say is that because of my relationships and how they ended, I no longer trust anyone in my life for the exception of God and my family. I do not allow anyone else to come in to my life or heart like I use to. I don't love like I use to either... I am a work in progress, but I refuse to allow a person to shatter my life completely because of their wrong doings, their flaws, their indiscretions... I no longer depend on anyone on this earth to make my life complete, I only depend on God now. I lean only on HIM... I do believe that, THIS was the lesson for me. No one but God alone can make me happy, then the love of my family. I am a work in progress! Praise God!!

So to those people that were in my life, that were trusted with my whole life and things failed, THANK YOU... for making me who I am today. May God work in you as He has worked continuously in me... To those in my life now, all I ask is for patience while God continues to work on me.

I AM GOD'S CHILD...