So you're trying to figure out what to do.... hmmm....?

Someone asked me recently how did I know I was getting an answer from God. Hmmmm.. well to be honest, sometimes I have no clue myself. Normally for me, it's one of those answers that I don't want to have to do. I tend to be kinda hard headed and want my way, and when I start asking for things from God, He pretty much tells me "ahhhhhh no, you need to do it this way". And of course it works out. But the answers are not always clear, rarely ever when I want them, there is no bright light that forms around my head and sometimes, well, some of the answers I still have not gotten. But I keep on talking and asking and I figure soon enough, it will happen, one way or the other.

But since they asked and we had that conversation, I figured out some things. We think we are capable of making some decisions (you know, the SMALL ONES) on our own. How foolish is that? We were all given brains for a reason and that is to use them. God is not there just for the BIG issues that come up in our lives and if you have not been asking for help and guidance the entire way, then don't expect things to just automatically flow your way. God knows us better than we know ourselves and there is nothing that we will ever need that He cannot supply, if only we will ask in ALL situations.

Also, I think that God does reveal things to us, through His Word and the Holy Spirit but in order to get to that, we need to "Pray without ceasing". God knows that life is going to get hard for us at times and that we will have no clue as to what we need to do next. In James it said "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I think that it's okay to get help from others. Sometimes a listening ear and some sound advice is good because they have been through some of the same things. But these poeple need to be people who really are in tune to doing what God wants them to do. The advice need not be their own, but some that can be backed up by what God says. After all, they are not the ones that will have to del with the end results of your situation. You need to be able to listen to what God is telling you and make that decision for yourself.

But what if you DO know what you need to do and then don't do it? Some things are really plain and we ignore every sign thinking that maybe it really WASN'T a sign after all and I need to wait and just see.. again. Ahhh listen, let me tell you from experience, if the answer is plain as the nose on your face and you ignore it... it will NOT go away. You are only prolonging the inevitable. Sorry. Say it however you want to, but God will have His way in the end. Period.

It would be foolish to ask God to help you figure out major life changes in your life if you are ignoring all of the other things in your life that you THINK you control. God needs to be a part of all areas in your life. From the time you wake up in the morning, you need to be thanking and praising Him. When you make it to work, you should realize what a blessing it is to be there. When you are able to go grocery shopping, put gas in the car, talk to friends throughout the day, all praises should go to Him.

I pray you all have a wonder, blessed day. My week started out kind UGHHH but its shaping up into somethingso much better, thanks to God! I love you all very much and until next time, Lord willing...

Are you there God, it's me, Danette?

Are you there God, it's me, Danette and I am a bit overwhelmed right now. First of all, I have this ex husband who seems to want to make my life on earth a living hell. As long as things are flowing his way, life is good. But when they aren't, boy does he know how to push my buttons. Problem is, I have yet to figure out how to stay calm when he does. I'll admit,I am alot better than I use to be, but I still have some major work to do. Anything to disrupte my life seems to be his goal so God, I just want you to keep me calm and make him the person you want him to be ..... and SOON!

Then God, there's the whole teenage thing. Now, you seem to have thought I would do okay as a mom since you blessed me with three of them, but I am a tad bit lost on this whole teenage thing. See, I remember growing up and my momma and daddy telling me how things should and would be. By no means was I perfect and yep, I made a mistakes along the way, but there was a fine line in my house and yep, we knew not to cross it or else. I keep hearing God, that we parents today are not as firm as those of the past, but I would like to think that I do what I can. But God, I just want you to make things better with us. And I know I know not all days will be 100% OK, but if you could just make things a little less stressful for the both of us, well I think BOTH of us would really like that.

And you know what God, I really like, nope, I love my job but ohhhh this morning was not good for me. You know me God, I don't handle stress really well so when it seems that everything in the office this morning was NOT working for me to get this really big job out...well you already know what happened. Sigh... seemed that my day was about to be set, and it was not good. I really need you this morning.

Then God, I realized something. Yesterday in church we talked about that Friday.. you know, the one before Easter and what happened. And I hear the verses and I can see in my head so clear that movie and the images it depicted. I realized that maybe my issues are not so bad. So I decided to just sit, talk a really big gulp of coffee and a deep breath and just pray. "God, you ask that I cast my cares on you, so I'm throwing all these burdens to you. Please carry them for me. Please worry for them for me. I'm too tired to carry them today. You do it."

Hey God, I know you're there, it's me Danette. No, I can't control the people in my life. They are all responsible for their own actions, allI can do is pray and ask God to help me deal with me and how I react to situations. My day will get better now God. I will do my best to reamain positive and keep my focus on what needs to be done. And if not, I am SURE you will redirect me .. : )


I hope you all have a really blessed Monday!

I really am sick of hearing about healthcare. I have this group of friend who are all for it and another group who isn't. A few of us (me included) would be somewhere in the middle. I see and there is good and bad in it depending on where you fit in the society. The one thing I am very sick of though is blaming one man on what has been going on for years. Now I am no political whiz by any means but it doesn't really take a scientist to know that our nation has been going down hill for a whole lot longer than the past year. The thing is, and this is just me, I think we are all focusing on the wrong thing. Whatever the government is going to to, is going to be done. We can post comments, send letters and fuss til the cows come home, but we are not going to change their minds. Now yes, yes, I agree that we our voices need to be heard, but why not focus on something, or rather someone who can make the positive changes that no matter what side you're on, everyone wants.

I read something this morning and it said "You will never know that God is all you need until God is all you've got."

Seems to me that everyone is all upset over the way the world as a whole is going, so why not take all of our energy, and give it to God. I mean just think, if we all prayed and talked to God as much as we post on Facebook,send out e-mails or make phone calls about what is going on... I cannot see Him mot listening and helping our government do what is right for all. Just my opinion of course. And that may mean some people will not be happy because we don't always get what we want but we sure get what we need. God makes sure of that.

I think God is trying to tell us all something. Maybe some of us have lost sight of whats really important you know. We are concentrating so hard on things that will not matter in the end, trust me. This is the time I think that we all need to be pulling together and making sure God is the one we call on first in all things, good and bad. I'm not a fan of higher property taxes, higher insurance and more taxes on my part, and if I ever lost my house, my car, or really anything I have because " the government" is making changes, it really shouldn't matter anyway (even though I know we don't see it like that) because God promised to take care of His children.

Like our leaders or not, ultimately they are not the ones who you need. God is, and seems to me, the way things are now, we all need to start realizing it and acting like it.

Love you all bunches, and Lord willing, we will talk again soon!

I talked to my aunt a few days ago. Everyone is back home after the funeral and she just wanted to "talk". So we just shot the breeze about a few things, nothing, anything. It was really hard on her burying her sister and I think although she never said it, she just needed someone to listen to her. There were over 150 people packed in the small church for my aunt's funeral. As we walked out, people were hugging, offering their condolences and saying that if we needed anything, to let them know.

At some point grief and sorrow will happen to us all. And normally during those times, everyone is around you wanting to help. As the days and weeks and months roll on though, people tend to forget (and not on purpose) about what happened but its still with you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (from the Message) "All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it."

God commands us to be there for each other in times of need. You don't have to say anything. Most of the time, people understand that you don't know the answers anyway, they just want you there to listen to them talk for a while and sometimes even just to sit and neither of you say a word. We find so much time in our days to do the things we THINK are important, when will we find time to make the things God says are important a priority? I think we seriously need to start keeping a watchful eye on things God puts in our paths as ways to carry out His will.

I pray you all have had a wonderful week so far. Lord willing, we will talk again soon!


and just an update... they found my cousin yesterday and he is doing ok. Thanks for the prayers!!

I posted this on my Facebook page last night and I just thought I would put it here too..sorry for the ones who already saw it.

People everywhere just want to be happy. people look for success, money or a good relationship to make them happy, but these things usually only provide a temporary happiness. It never lasts very long." The " happiness" that people feel is a great motivation for the things that they do each day. I was told this weekend that happiness, the happiness I feel right now has always been inside me, I just had not let it out. I honestly believe that God is the only one that can bring true happiness.. the kind that will never go away, it's always there, never changing. I do think though that God allows certain people on our lives to help bring that happiness to the surface. Not that the person (or people) have total control over the happiness, but they simply know how to bring the best out in us when we can't seem to find it ourselves. And I think that's ok. I'm just really blessed that God has seen fit to bring the people in my life that are here.

I went to my aunt's funeral in Jacksonville this weekend. Not the easiest thing in the world, but I got through it. My aunt was a godly woman, that's for sure and that was shown by all the wonderful words that were spoken about her. She was blessed and happy.. because God was the focus of her entire life.I spent the rest of my weekend in Palm Coast, seeing a really good friend of mine. And although the weekend had some sadness in it, it was really really good. I got to do alot of talking and thinking and once again, God reminded me of how blessed I really am. Thanks for all the prayers and calls! And if I could, let me ask again for some more prayers. I have a cousin, he's about 24 or 25 who no one has seen since yesterday. Just say a prayer that they find him safe and sound!

Until next time, Lord willing...

Sigh.....

Khaaliq's teacher is one of the finalist in the DOCO School System's Teacher of the Year thing. For the past 3 weeks, she has e-mailed parents DAILY and talked to the kids daily reminding them to be on their best behavior when the news people come in the room for pictures and interviews. So yesterday she said they would be in today.

So I started last night telling Khaaliq.. " PLEASE do not talk, be on your best behavior." He was like OK momma, she tells us everyday. Well when he woke up this morning, and got in trouble before we hit the door, I should have KNOWN to keep him home from school then. His dad calls me when he picks them up and said " Guess what your som did when the news people were in the room?"

My heart just fell to the floor... did he talk out, did he get up out of his seat too many times.. did he say something he didn't need to say??

HE, my son, the youngest, decided that TODAY would be the day he taught the call how the "donkey butt dance" was done. IN FRONT of the camera.....I cannot TELL you how embarrassed I was and am and that was just over the phone. I don't think I can look that woman in the eye. Her comment to my ex was.." I don't think they actually recorded it, but if that's the last impression of me that got.. I won't win"

There is no inspirational message today, no food for thought, just I REALLY LOVE MY CHILDREN.

I pray you all are having a blessed day and pray for my son.. he's gonna need it!!! Lord willing, we will talk again soon!

It's been a rough past week. This past Tuesday, my great aunt Gladys Walls passed away. She was my grandma's younger sister and well into her 90's when she died. It was expected, she had been sick a long time and she had lived a long life. But hearing the news still, was sad. Her funeral was this past Saturday. Friday night they were having a wake, and my aunt Viola (my dad's sister)in Jacksonville was suppose to come. She called one of my aunt's here and said she didn't feel well and that she would not make it to the wake, but she would be here Saturday for the funeral. 45 mins later, I get a call. She had a heart attack and passed away Friday morning. This Saturday, I have to go to Jacksonville for her funeral.

I left work Friday and I had so many things going through my head.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die ..". (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

"You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

I cannot tell you how great my aunt was. A real woman of God. Her son, my cousin is a minister in Florida. I can't think of a time when she came here or I went there that she was not a positive light that always, always looked for good in everyone. My cousin said the other day that God picked another two flowers from our garden to go home with him and she was right. Not perfect by any means, but always striving to do right. And although tears have been and will continue to be shed for her, I honestly have no doubts in my mind where she is. I was truly blessed to have my Aunt Viola in my life and my family and it makes me smile to know that I will see her again one day.

Death, although NOT my favorite topic, is something that happens, that we all will experience one day whether expected or not. And let me tell you know, if you haven't already, it's really nothing you can prepare yourself for, but I take comfort (and you can too) in knowing that God, is still there. That we should not be afraid of it, but if we have luived the life that God wants and tell us too, that it will be and is just the beginning of something more beautiful than we can ever imagine.

I really would like for you all to say a prayer for my family. As much as my uncle an cousins know that God is in control and that He is there to comfort them, it still is really hard.

I hope you all have a blessed and great week. Until next time, Lord willing...

So I was looking on the internet and I came across this verse...

I Corinthians 7:17 (from the Message)- " And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life."

Now, I realize that this verse is talking about marriage and married people. I rememebr a time that I wished my then husband was someone else. That he would change and do this and that, but it was what it was. I had to deal with what I had. I think the verse, however, also can be applied to everyday life and how we deal with certain issues.

Okay, there was a point in my life when I wished I lived n a certain place like everyone else did, I wished I made as much money as the next guy so I could buy all they stuff I saw them with. I wanted my kids to be "perfect" like I thought theirs were and I really just needed my life to be a whole lot better than it was. I mean it was so much so that it consumed me. Every conversation I had somehow always got back to that, no matter what we were talking about. It got to the point too that I actually did not like being around those people that I thought had what I wanted becasue they literally made me mad by just speaking. Sad huh? I was focused on everything but what I needed to be focused on and that was what God has already given me and what He wanted for my life.

Now, I have said this many many MANY times... I am not perfect nor do I profess to have all the answers. And you know what worked for me, will not work for everyone. I remember the day I went to sign the paperwork for my house. I was scared to death. I mean I was about to tie up the next 30 years of my life with a really big purchase. A friend of mine gave me a pen (that I have in a box at home still now) to sign my paperwork with. After I had signed on all the lines and shook hands w/ everyone in the room, I got my brand new keys and went over to the house. It was empty and everything echoed and as I walked in I got chills. What in the world had I done?? There was no way I would eve be able to do this, but I did. I walked out to the back patio and just stood there and cried. Now, I did NOT buy my house b/c everyone else had one and I wanted one too. But I honestly think for me, that was the start of me realizing that even though I had moaned and complained about not having this and that, God made a way for me to start living and doing what it was He has planned for me to do all along and the blessings had always been there, I just chose not to see them.

Our culture is so today that materials things are waht seems to matter. But you know what, people let you see what they want you to see. There is no way you can know what people have or do unless you are with them all the time and honestly, why would we want to bother anyway? God has put us all in certain places, at certain times for a reason. And guess what, it may not be meant for us to understand or know why all the time. Instead of spending out time trying to "read God's mind", we probably need to just let His blessing flow and work in our lives. I had to learn the hard way (as usual) that my job or what amout of money I make or how many friends I have or don't have does not define the person I am. I still have a moment or two that I start to "wish I coulda, woulda shoulda or wish I can do" certain things, but now i can actually stop and think and say to myslfe how lucky I am. Now of course, this may take a few DAYS but its better than the weeks and months it use to take!! I honestly don't care anymore if your house is bigger than mine (means you have to clean more, haha) , that you have a new car (mine is paid for, old but working) or that you make a zillion dollars a year (I LOVE my job)..God doesn't love me any less.

I hope you are all have a wonderful week. BTW--- Beth Moore has a new book out and I am ALMOST done.. thanks Teresa for letting me know. And of course as usual... she is ON point!!! Love it! Lord willing, we will all talk again soon!

What a wonderful weekend! Albany celebrated their version of Mardi Gras. We had a marathon, bike races, downtown events, we had opening season of baseball this weekend and the weather was absolutely beautiful. I sat on Sunday night after a full weekend with my children and boyfriend and just thanked God for being as blessed as I am. I have those days, sometimes weeks where things are not going so well and all I can see is gloom and doom, but this weekend reminded me about all the blessings that God has really given me that I sometimes take for granted. Both my sons' witty humor and personalities, my daughter's smile and ability to really have fun with her mom and just the simple feeling of happiness I get from watching them. I think maybe we all need to stop on most days and remember all that we have.. it kinda makes the hustle and bustle of life seem so minor.

I pray you all had just as much fun as I do. Lord willing, we will talk again soon!

I watched the news last night as they said they found the body of Chelsea King, the 17 year old student from San Diego, CA. I watched as they flashed pictures of her on the screen and yep, I got all chocked up. I thought to myself what a beautiful girl, she was an honor student, seemed to be really well liked by her friends and peers, very active, and as her father put it.. " an angel". Then they flashed the picture of her alledged killer, John Gardner and I couldn't help but notice the smile on the mug shot of the already convicted child molester from 10 years ago. It made me sick.

I cannot even imagine nor do I ever want to imagine what her parents are going through right now. Death, for sure, is going to come to all of us, but no one wants to see anyone suffer, especially a child and even though we know we probably shouldn't, we can't help but to ask why.

And I wish I knew that answer to why Chelsea had to die, but I do know that even through this tragedy, God could make something great happen. I have seen it happen over and over. I don't know if her family knew who God really was before but maybe this will bring them to Him. Maybe it will cause others to start seeking Christ and as hard as it is to hear or even immagine, and I for one have a hard time with this, but maybe even John Gardner will one day come to know Christ.....

Another thing death makes us realize is how time is not promised to any of us. There is no scripture in the bIble that says " You will live to see you children's children children do this and that", so we have to make the most of every minute given to us. I remember a while ago we were talking about death in my life group and someone said something about how people always show up for the funeral and talk about how wonderful you were. I said it then, and I will say it now, as nice and sweet as that is, and I DO want people to show up for mine, but how about letting me know NOW. I mean seriously... if someone needs encouraging, motivation, or even praise, why not tell them now how much you appreciate them and love them.

I take comfort in knowing (and I hope the King family does too) that God said "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" - John 14:1-3.

Make sure you say a prayer for them today and also for my friend Kim and her son Jordan, who is having some medical issues right now.

I hope you all have a really really good weekend!! It is going to be beautiful in Albany and I cannot wait to get out in it! Be blessed my friend and until next time Lord willing....

You know, being a Christian is not always easy. You make up in your mind at whatever age that you want to serve God. You were taught all the good things that go along with that too: Life is going to be great in Heaven (and it is), you will have a great Christian family on earth (and you will), God will love you forever (and HE will) and being a child of God is the most wonderful thing in the world (it SURE is). But here is where we get a little side tracked..... they don't always tell you how you will have to endure all kinds of ridicule and troubles before some of those things come into play.

I was baptized December 6, 1986. I remember leaving school with my mom and dad and us going over to the church building. I was so excited. I had been talking with Mr. Cook (our preacher then) before hand and I knew everything I needed to (or so I thought anyway) and I was ready. He baptized me and we went out to dinner afterwards. I can rememebr thinking " wow, good stuff is gonna happen now". And it did.. but I also got alot of stuff I didn't bargain for and the older I got, I wondered if maybe I really wasn't as ready as I thought I was and maybe I didn't know as much as I thought I should know.

But as I have gotten older, I know now that being a Christian does not make you immune to troubles. As a matter of fact, I think that it actually brings some of them on. Hear me out... God wants us to become stronger, rely on Him for everything and as Christians, that is what we are suppose to do. I don't think that God causes bad things to happen, but I DO think He uses those things to make us grow more in His word. I think that our faith sometimes is going to be tested and the way we handle it is going to either " make us, or unfortunately break us".

Just like my kids, when they are wrong, I will not condone it. I try to help them make better decisions and learn from their mistakes. And next time, maybe they will see just what I am talking about. God is the same way. Sometimes we just have to go through stuff in order to learn do better next time. If by chance we want to do it OUR way and not listen, well like any parent, their are consequences to deal with. But the simple truth of the matter is that God is on our side even when no one else is.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

I hope you all have a blessed day! Until next time, Lord willing...

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

God tells us in the Bible over and over to rejoice, whether we feel like it or not, we should rejoice in the Lord of our salvation. Things may not be going your way. Work is a pain in the rear, kids are all over the place, school is stressful, the spouse is not in the best of moods, there is sickness and life in general is just not working out like you had hoped or planned. God tells us to rely solely on Him because He is the one in control anyway and rejoice.

The Lord has seen fit to give us all another day to wake up and have the opportunity to make a difference. Don't lose or abuse it, make it count!

This weekend was really beautiful. Thanks for all the well wishes on the basketball game.. we lost by 7 points but the girls (including mine) played the best I have seen them all year long. They were sad they lost, but were given a great opportunity and they did not disappoint us at all!! Just wait until next year!! Until next time, Lord willing... love ya!