Last night while I was surfing the Internet doing some reading, I came across a devotional that really touched me. I would imagine so because it seemed so parallel to my own life. As I read it, I just inserted my name where he was talking about himself and it was me. So I decided to share it with you:


http://www.simpledevotions.org/2007/10/26/stuck-in-my-own-hole.html

You know, I had a conversation with someone yesterday and I thought about it alot last night. I don't have all the answers, I would never want anyone to think that I am telling them what to do although I know I am one of those people who like to "fix" things. I mean, its advice, take it or leave it. I have my own issues so I surely can't help you make your life perfect if mine isn't, and never will be. But what I do know is this, like he said in the article, no matter how bad things get, how much we think there really is no end in sight, and even if we get mad at God, He's still there. And for every issues we have, for every situation we can't figure out and those things that just don't make sense to us, He uses it for HIS good. I was in life group this past week and the subject came up about not all bad things work out for good. I have thought about that this week too and I mean I guess in a way, they were right.. it doesn't work out all the time for OUR good but I do believe that it works out the way God wants it too for HIS good for those that love Him. We might as well forget trying to figure God out.. it ain't happening. But we can still trust that He knows exactly what He is doing. He loves us.

I hope and pray you are all having a really good week. It's been kind of long and I am smiling thinking about the weekend coming up. Relax, release.......

Until next time, Lord willing, "be blessed and be a blessing"!!

This past weekend in Blakely, Georgia a man committed a double murder and then killed himself. His victims, his wife and son. He also shot his daughter, I assume in an attempt to kill her but she survived. The man and his wife were school teachers there and just from what I have been reading, were well liked by all, things seemed to be going fine, as far as everyone else was concerned so everyone, as I would be and am, are in shock. Why would someone take another person's life, especially his own wife and child? It makes no sense at all and for as much as the police will soon question the girl to see what she knows, I really don't think they will ever find out the truth. It died along with the man.

I don't know that anyone could have done anything to prevent what happened in that house. Not sure if there were some signs maybe that people around them missed, but I do know that as I have been saying for the past few weeks and for me, this confirms some things for me personally... we HAVE to be involved in people's lives. I am not saying dip all in the business down to every single dirty detail, but if you are not sharing God's message, helping when people need it, being there for someone to talk to, we are seriously missing the boat. Sometimes, its not what people say, it's what they don't say. Start paying attention. Start WANTING to be involved in something other than yourself.

We sang one of my favorite songs again this past Sunday, I Belong to Jesus, and my favorite verse in that song will always be

"Satan goes around like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour, but he has been defeated so I'm testifying' by the blood of Jesus he's lost his pow'r"

Don't let Satan catch us off guard. That is what he lives for. To make those little things in life get us so off track, that they turn into big things and we get so far in them, so caught up that sometimes, there is no turning back.

I really pray you all have a wonderful day. Do something good today, something out of your normal routine and watch God work! Love you all and Lord willing, we will talk again soon...

I really feel that God sends us messages daily and that it is up to us to be still enough to listen, hear, understand and do what it is He is calling us to do. This past weekend was no exception for me. We went to church on Sunday morning and if I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times, God was talking to me again. Greg preached a sermon on temptation and sin and as I listened, I thought about the thing that tempts me most and how Satan tries to find any way to get to me. Honestly, it's a daily battle for me, something I have to talk to myself about and stay away from. Then after the sermon, a letter was read from someone in the church. Long story short, a friend of theirs had passed away and they felt a sadness and guilt because they did not feel like they had done all they could do to ensure that this person knew who Jesus was and was not sure if they would go to heaven or not. Needless to say, it was an emotional Sunday morning for alot of people. And of course, it got me to thinking...

There is so much going on right now. Not just with people you work with or see on occasion, but the ones you see everyday, your own family. As Christians we have the great responsibility of spreading God's message of truth and love. Just because people don't want to hear it, just because they may not be the "kind of people" we like to hang around or just because we don't feel like it, we still are commanded by God to go and teach everyone. There is no picking and choosing who WE think should be allowed to go to heaven. We are still here on this earth for a reason. I mean seriously, think about it. With all the mess, drama and discord we cause on this earth, God really could have wiped us all out a long time ago. But He hasn't because He wants as many of His children to be with Him as possible and it's up to us to do that.

I have really been bothered lately by some things that have been going on. I even went so far as to talk to a few people about it and basically it's still an issue. The sermon this past week, that letter, really hit home for me and I know that now is not the time to be holding back because as we discussed last night in life group, living til we are 70 or 80 is not promised to ANY of us. You could leave work today and never see your family again. We hate to think about things like that, it's kinda morbid to be honest, but it is still very true. And knowing that today, this very moment could be your last, how are you gonna live it? MY personal prayer has ALWAYS been that God let me live long enough to see my last child graduate from high school and go one to have some kind of career. So that I won't have to worry. But for as much as I pray it, it just may not be in God's plan.. and I know that. So for the time I have right now, I try to instill what I need to in my children so that they will know and lean on God in every single situation that have. I know He will take care of the rest.

I hate to be such a downer on Monday morning (Mondays are rough enough as it is) but I think we seriously need to think about how we live our daily lives. Are we doing what God wants us to do, live how He wants us to live or are we just going through some motions until we figure out some thing better? There really is no time like right now to make some changes ya know....

I had a WONDERFUL weekend with my nephew. He is the greatest, let me tell you. I pray you all had good, safe weekends and that your week is starting out wonderful. Until next time, Lord willing....

I think God turned His back on me. I have been asking and praying for this thing. I am really sure it's what I need and it will be a great help to me, so I really don't understand why He has not given it to me yet?"

Okay, these were not the exact words I heard, I paraphrased, but this was the gist of it. And as I listened to this person talk, kinda wanting me to agree with them I think, my brain (as usual) started working. Now I realize from my own selfishness, that I ask for things that I think I need in my life. I mean like I have said before,. I know me better than anyone right? So it makes sense that if I ask for it, that God should oblige me and let me have it.

But something I have learned and I told this person this is that what we THINK we need is not always in God's plan for us. Maybe it's more of a want than a need. Now God DOES answer prayer, there is no doubt about that, but when we ask for selfish gain or just plain wrong motives, I seriously doubt we are going to get the answer we like. But that does not mean we won't get an answer. Maybe God has something else in mind. May not look like what we wanted, may cause us to have to work a little harder (something we do NOT like) and it may end up taking longer, but He still can give you something else that works out so much better.

Our pride gets in the way of alot of things. For some reason we think people OWE us and we DESERVE so much more than most of us actually give. And even if you are the type of person who rally does give alot, always the first one to offer help, so what? I mean really! God commanded us to serve others anyway and if your only reason is that you are doing it to get some kind of reward from God or pat on the back or have your name mentioned, well, I think you may need to seriously re-think some things.

God wants us talking to Him. He wants to be the first person we think about when things are going not so good AND when things are going good. He doesn't want us giving up when things get rough, He just wants us to know that He is the one and only way out. Once we realize it, things will probably become much easier for us.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. My brother left yesterday but my nephew is still here w/ me until Sunday so we are gonna have a fun filled weekend. Maybe I will send a few pics next week. Until then, keep praying, keep trusting, keep being a blessing and be safe...

Yesterday I had a conversation with a really good friend. We decided that between the two of us, with so many things that we had seen, done and been through, we probably could write some kind of self help book. There are days when I can talk to her and she understands just where I am coming from because she has been through similar things and her with me. Not that I can't talk to other people, but there is something about talking to someone who had been through the same kind of things and them offering advice because they have come out on the other side of it.

You know that no matter how hard our problems are, God can use all of that for some wonderful things. When other people are in need, you will be able to listen, offer advice and help them in ways that not everyone can do. I guess in an odd kind of way, your problems can also turn into your spiritual gifts.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (Msg) "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."

I would imagine, like in my own life, that it is really not fun going through bad times and the last thing we may want to think about is someone else. But even though things may not work out the way you would like them for you, God will still use you to help someone else. I don't profess to have all the answers by any means, but I know that through all the things I have gone through in my short life on Earth, that maybe others can see and learn from some of it.

I pray you are all having a wonderful week. I really am. My nephew has been with me and let me just say, I love him to pieces. He's cute, he's funny and it just amazes me how God is working in his life. I can see it Mollie, I really can. I think I might wanna keep him here forever : ))

Until next time, Lord willing...

Everywhere you look today, the world is promises that "stuff" will make us happy, will fulfill us. That if we have it, people will love us more. Whether it be some big house on the hill, traveling all over, making a six figure salary and basically just having what we want when we want it. The world AND Satan tell us to grab all of it and life will be great. In reality though, there is only one way to experience true love and that is through Christ Jesus. I was reading a book the other day on Paul and you know it really amazes me. Paul went through alot of trials and turmoil in his life but never once swayed from the notion that no matter what was going on, God was the only one to turn to in those times. and for the most part, Paul did alot of his teaching IN prison. I have to think, how would I act if I was locked up in prison for my beliefs and would I still be as faithful as Paul was??

We should be encouraged knowing that God loves us SO much, that HE was willing to give up the one thing that most of us would not even think about giving up.. His one and only Son so that we would get the chance to spend eternity with him. An eternity where the house, cars, jobs and money won't matter.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I did. I got to spend it with the family and it was great. So much so that I had some separation anxiety this morning and really had to do some serious praying to get this far in the day. :)

Until next time, Lord willing...

Things happen, but I guess the question is, who do we turn to when they do?

Yesterday my son was diagnosed with Amblyopia. In simple terms, he has a developmental disorder (lazy eye) where his brain decided to like one eye over both eyes and although not blind in one eye, his vision is blurred to the point of not seeing in it. Had it been caught sooner, he could have worn a patch over the good eye to "trick" the bad one into working. Because of his age, we were told that we could try it, but at this point he would not get the vision back in it totally if at all. So he will have to wear glasses to protect his good eye and if you see him for the next few weeks, well, he is a little self conscience about the patch so try to make him feel good for me.

My son does not have AIDS, no cancer, he doesn't have high blood pressure or diabetes, nothing life threatening or serious, he only has amblyopia. But he's my son and to me, it's serious. I told you all about my friend who is pregnant and has been put on bed rest for high blood pressure and she is worried about her baby's health. I told her last week that God has it all under control and to try and enjoy her pregnancy as much as possible. Her daughter is going to be my god-daughter and Lord knows that I want her happy and healthy. But you know what, no matter what our imperfections may be (and we ALL have them, physical defects or not) God still loves us and can use us for His purpose.

There is NO situation we come across that God cannot help us through. I read this quote "If God brings it to you, He will bring you through it. God will either lighten you load or strengthen your back." And I believe that. Does that mean I am not upset about my baby... NOPE because I am, humans tend to be like that. Praise the Lord though for His goodness and grace and the fact that I can go to Him and tell Him I am upset and can't handle it and He promises to help me through it. Just because our paths are unknown to us, does not mean God is not leading us. I remember when my parents died how everyone was quoting that verse " weeping endures a night, but joy comes in the morning".. well, those night may have been long, our trials and problems may seem to keep coming and the end looks far off, but the truth of the matter is that joy really DOES come in the morning, through Christ Jesus and there will be a day that we can all look back and realize that God's grace covered, protected, calmed and comforted us.

I am a person who is happy one day and can be a basket case the next. I change like the wind. But God, is always the same, never changing and ALWAYS there for us.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Please keep us in your prayers. I think I am more freaking than my son is because as far as he is concerned, there is nothing wrong with him, it's all he knows anyway. : )

Until next time, be safe, love ya!

Memories

This past weekend, I went to a block party. A block party in the neighborhood I grew up in, with music, food and old friends. They had been planning the party for months and I actually was helping with it some, but my intent was not to even go to the party. Rarely do I ever go back and just see the old neighborhood, mainly because I hate looking at my old house. It just brings back alot of memories. I remember riding over there a few years ago and just broke down because it was obvious to me that they didn't care about my house as much and my mom and dad did.

I got a call though the day of the party ( I was actually getting dressed to go somewhere else) and basically I was getting encouraged to come. That I needed some "closure" I guess. So after a few hours, I finally broke down and went. As I drove up, my heart began beating really fast. I could hear the music being played at the party, but before I even got that far, I saw the house and once again, those tears swelled up. But I started to remember all the good times, the fun stuff: playing ball in "the circle", getting on the bus at the first bus stop, which was the best one I might add, meeting under the street light in front of my house and hearing my momma yell at me to be in the house before the street light came on. I snapped a few pics with my cell phone for my brother, and went on to the party. It was great seeing my friends and I didn't stay long, but I am really glad I went.

I let go of my past hurts and pain a while ago. I mean I still think about my parents, my friends from East Gate, but it's not as bad. And the day I sold that house, well, it was through being "my house". And further more, before I or anyone else can really start to move forward in doing what Christ wants us to do, we have to let go and fully let go of the past so that God's plan can be fulfilled. As Christians, I think sometimes we are bound up in everything from our pasts and therefore we cannot fully live in the present which is not what God wants. And I don't think God wants us to forget. I mean thinking about the good times is wonderful, and talking about them from time to time is refreshing but it is when we get so consumed in it, that we lose sight of the goal at hand. So the choice becomes ours. We can either let past hurts and pains keep us from moving forward or we can let God be God and heal some of those pains so that we will began to see the plans for our lives.

I pray you all had a safe and happy 4th of July. "Lord willing and the creek don't rise" (my daddy's favorite saying) we will talk again soon..

Love ya!

Not only do I keep a blog page, but I have a folder set up on my yahoo account with my bogs in them. So if people respond to me, I save those, positive and negative, and from time to time go back and read them. It just helps me stay focused I guess.

Yesterday I had a conversation with some very good friends, people I have known since high school, almost 20 years ago and I realized something again. God allows us seasons, I really believe that. I think that people are brought into our lives for reasons, not all of those we will know nor should we know. We may start out with someone, helping them along the way and never get to see the finished outcome. Our season is just over with them, for now. I think that sometimes those people we were extra close to a long time ago may or may not end up in our lives later on down the road. And that's ok. God uses people, some good, some bad, so that we can learn and grow. But then there was something else that hit me yesterday as we were talking:

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" Proverbs 18:24

When I read this verse, I don't just think about one person in particular, but I think how God has truly blessed me with some wonderful friends in my life. And all at the right times. I have learned through trials and hard times, who those people are and I just wanted to say thank you. I write not really to give any kind of advice. As a matter of fact, I probably need more than I can ever give, but when I go back and re read some of the things you send to me for encouragement and support, well I just wanted you to know how much that means to me. I pray you all have a wonderful, safe and blessed 4th of July. I am staying home, no big plans other than hanging out with the kids. Lord willing, we will talk again next week

Time to give it up!

My daughter is very excited about the upcoming school year. She is going to be a sophomore in high school. She has already started picking out what she is wearing the first day, down to the color of the band she is gonna wear in her hair. Softball starts in August too so she is super excited about her first game. I, on the other hand, worry about her reading these books on her summer reading list so she can pass the test the first week of school, I worry about if she is going to be around the right group of friends or if she will make all the right decisions. Worry, worry, worry....

I have been praying for a friend who is pregnant right now and just really stressed out. I was thinking about her yesterday and this verse came to mind:

Philippians 4: 6, 7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It is so easy to stress and worry about things we cannot control. We want things to turn out well, I want my daughter to make the best and right decisions, I pray that my friend's baby is born happy and healthy, I pray that the issues going on in the world right now turn around very quickly, and there is nothing wrong with any of that. But I think we just really have remember where all the power lies. And if this verse is not enough to convince you of how wonderful, great and powerful our God is, he reminds us over and over again in the Bible:

"He will feed you like a bird, adorn you like a flower, and let you deal with life on a day-to-day basis, but if you’ll truly give up control and worry, I’ll throw in Peace, too."

Hey, I know it's not easy giving up control. You are talking the QUEEN CONTROL FREAK here and I honestly don't like not knowing what is going to happen. But God PROMISED us (and He never goes back on His word) that not only will He take care of the situation we are going through, but on top of all of that, He is going to also give us a peace. How can we not wanna give it up?

I pray daily for calm and peace. I really do. and I hope you do too. Have a wonderful day and for those that are going to be off after today for the long holiday weekend, be safe and blessed!! Until next time, Lord willing...