A Gentle Rebuke

     God is so good! He is sweet and loving! I was in prayer this morning. I prayed and was ready to jump up because I have a busy day today and I needed to get ready. I was then reminded of nightly conversations with my Mother. I can call her and not get a word IN! ( I love you mommy! See my smile?  LOL) She sometimes will totally dominate the "conversation" and I have to literally interrupt her to get a word in! After about 5 minutes of this, she is done and then will abruptly say "Well, I'm getting ready to get off this phone. You have a good night!" LOL! I'm left holding the phone like HUH?  I couldn't help but chuckle thinking about this. She doesn't do it all the time but when she does, of course I notice it. I didn't get to really TALK to her. I'll hang up shaking my head and still loving her all the same. The Lord bought to my attention that this is how I was being with Him! Forgive me Lord! We are to learn to TARRY in prayer. It is a CONVERSATION. We talk to God and He talks to us. We have to listen too. Instead, we go to pray, say what we think we need to say and OFF WE GO! We immediately shift our minds to our day instead of remaining meditative and focused on Him.  Imagine two chairs. You are sitting in one and The Lord in another. You "pray" or ask all these things of Him and then, you just get up and leave. How many times have we left Him "holding the phone"? He is a gentleman so He's not going to jump in and interrupt and make us listen to Him like I have to do with my mom sometimes..(again, love you mommy! See my smile? My teeth? I look like you! LOL! The Lord used you as an example so you can't hurt me when you see me.) We can't get so busy thinking about our day that we don't take time to get instructions from the one who made the day possible! He holds the instructions that are vital to our day! Let's take time to LISTEN.

BE BLESSED!

Sometimes we just have to tell on them!!!

     Do you remember when you were a child, minding your own business, doing what you are supposed to do when all of a sudden out of no where some one would hit you, bother you, bully you and sometimes make your life miserable? Sometimes make you cry? It can get so intense that you want to quit or just hide?   Do you remember how you used to run and tell your parents about what they did to you knowing that justice would come? Even if the bullies called you a tattle tale, it didn't matter because you knew once you told your mom or dad what was up, that mean behavior against you would come to an end...
    Now, fast forward 10, 20, 30 years?....(eh hem! clearing my throat...) Did you stop telling on folk?  If you are a child of God, I hope not! You might not can tell your earthly parents but you can tell Him! I had to tattle on somebody today! Enough is enough... I went right into the throne room and told God just what was up!  Then, For some reason, I began to wonder if I should've done that/? LOL. Immediately Nehemiah popped in my spirit. (Nehemiah 4:1-9, 15) Boy....when they got to messing with him and the work that he and the people were doing for the Lord, he SANG like a canary to the Lord His God. Well, guess what? I sang like one today and then worshiped His Holy Name and heard "This Battle is not yours but the Lords!!" ( 2 Chronicles 20:1-29) Whoa! I did a praise dance then!  See, when we run to Him and tell Him, HE got it!  Ain't no need to fight back, get all stressed and bothered (even though sometimes... we do. I admit, I did.)  and get distracted by all the dirt they kicking up! Just get it together, run tell God, listen to His instructions and begin to worship because just like our parents would handle that bully that was picking on us. God is going to handle that situation. (Just a disclaimer: Most likely He won't just let us run away like we want to but He assures us that HE is going to be right there with us to face whatever we have to face. Remember how your parents would come out to the school, playground or even backyard on your behalf to set things straight? When the kids saw the parents had your back, the bullies ran so fast you thought they grown another set of legs! Made you feel more confident didn't it? You had backup! You still had to go back to school the next day but they remembered who had your back and stood DOWN! )
      Just trust and believe that God is going to handle those bullies that are trying to stop your progress in Him....So, next time you are getting picked on....GO TELL IT!!! He'll work it out!

It's Not Too Small!

     Have you ever felt like your "little" was insignificant? Would never be noticed or did not matter?  I think we've all felt that way at one time or another and man doesn't make it better because they seem to always look at how much people have and how much they are doing with it and judge based on that.( I think we've all probably been on both sides of that coin!)  I'm so glad that we have a God that looks at our heart and I'm here to encourage you that HE sees what you do when others don't and will reward accordingly.
    Several weeks ago I was in a meeting. I felt a little of what I mentioned earlier. That my "little" did not make a difference. Anyway, as the meeting went on a great accomplishment was announced and immediately it dropped in my spirit that "I" was a part of that accomplishment.....See, the "little" in my eyes was joined together with somebody else's "little" along with somebody's else's "little" 'and together all those "little" efforts added up to be a blessing to somebody else! I felt "proud" and "happy" that it was done and that my little contributed and was a part of making something big happen. I smiled. It was as if someone said to me "See! YOU help do that!" (smile..that was so encouraging. Thank you Lord)  And, to make it sweeter, God opened my eyes to the fact that HE has blessed accordingly because of it. I literally felt that while sitting there.  See, that's how He does it. A lot of us look at the "big thing" or other people and think what we have or what we do does not matter and only THEY can do it so, we don't do anything. That's not the case at all! The Lord wants us to know that He sees each individual's heart and the spirit and the motive behind what we do and what we give no matter how small it seems in our eyes or man's eyes, IT MATTERS TO HIM AND HE will bless us accordingly. That makes me SMILE. We have to stop listening to the devil's lies that our "little" does not matter!
   I immediately thought of the Widow's mite. (Luke 21:1-4) If she had looked around at all the rich folk and decided that her small amount wouldn't count, she would not have been blessed. We have to stop allowing the enemy to cheat us out of our blessings because of what we "feel". We are simply focusing on the wrong thing. We have to stop looking at others and focus on our personal relationship with Christ and, if you don't have one, I encourage you to begin a daily quiet time with Him. One on one. Just you and Him. It's worth every minute and a life changer!

Have You Seen The Movie Avatar?

     If you haven't seen the movie, you might not be able to relate. Usually, I'm not fond of a movie that lasts over 2 hours unless its Transformers (smile) but I really enjoyed this movie when I watched it several years ago. It popped in my mind earlier this week. I didn't do a "total recall" of the whole movie but Jake Sully's character stuck out. Nothing else from the movie, just his character. There was a reason. I hope I can explain it like I saw it.
      If you remember Jake is a paraplegic and a former marine.. He cannot walk and is now confined to a wheelchair. He cannot afford the operation that may help him to walk again. He is given an opportunity that he couldn't refuse. After all, I"m sure he felt as if he didn't have much to lose. He had just suffered another blow, he lost his only living family, a twin brother.
     Now, What came to me was Jake and his Avatar. He had the awesome opportunity to dwell in a new world. In order to survive and be successful on this "mission", Jake had to take on the body of an Avatar. His Avatar had his memories, emotions, personality, knowledge. The Avatar was all him except he stood over 10 feet tall and in a different form.
     When Sully takes on this new form and travels to the other world, he finds that he can walk again, he is stronger than he's ever been, taller than he's ever been. He is excited, full of zeal. He is in a new world and, it's beautiful. He has hope.  But, he has to get used to his new body and learn about this new world and how to operate. Then, he finds that he has to go to war to protect himself as well as others. It becomes a matter of life and death and all of Sully's training of being a marine and a warrior is needed and used in his avatar.

    See where I'm headed?

     We, whether saved or not can relate to Sully in different ways. He has lost his only living family, the use of his legs. I'm sure he was ready to give up on life when he was suddenly given the opportunity to "live in a different world". You know in my mind, I went to salvation. Coming to the only one who can really give us access to this "new world" and set us free. Jesus. He can give us His Spirit so that we can have the ability to overcome our circumstances. As he accepted this challenge, he was introduced to a new life where he now had strength in his legs to walk, run, fight! He looked at the world through new eyes. The sun was brighter. The grass and trees were greener.  It was all open and accessible to him now that he had accepted the invitation. For those not saved, are you ready to accept this invitation?
     Now that he had accepted it, he had to learn to walk in it. He still existed in his other body. He was not dead. His situation while operating in his avatar, was still the same. But, he also existed in this new world that was opened up to him where he was powerful. Get it? We, as children of God still live here in the earthly realm, but, we have a spiritual realm as well that we operate in and we have to learn how to simultaneously operate in both worlds. Unlike Sully, we can use the spiritual things to CHANGE our natural circumstances! Growing in our relationship with the Lord, prayer, studying His word, hearing His voice and learning how to operate in Him.
     Before Sully's accident, he was in the military. He had a warrior's mind. He was trained in strategy. He knew how to fight and it served him well as he operated in the new world. What is it that we excelled in before we came to Christ that He can now use for His glory? To assist others?   Nothing is too small.
     Another point to make is...In his flesh, he had some bad blows in life. In his Avatar, he stood over 10 feet tall and powerful. How do we look in the spirit? How do we see ourselves? Still in the wheelchair of our circumstances with no power or are we standing over 10 feet tall in the spirit fighting like warriors?  I encourage you to think on this... No matter what kind of "unfair" thing that life has dealt you, if you know Christ, you still have power that can overcome all things.You have ACCESS to the Father and the spiritual realm that He wants you to walk in! Since we live in a natural and spiritual existence at the same time, we have the power to speak change into our lives from the spiritual realm into the natural realm-even if it's just changing a negative way of thinking!  What are we speaking?  We don't have to be bitter and victims or bow to negative circumstances! We have a whole new world we have access to! We are 10 FEET TALL IN THE SPIRIT! LET'S GO! NOTHING is impossible with God!
 
   
   

HOLD YOUR GROUND!

     First of all, I would like to thank God for confirmation! Whew! He is wonderful. Sweet. Awesome. Holy. How could a God so big love someone so small? But, He does. He loves you and me too! (smile)
     Last week was an interesting week for me. Honestly, I could have skipped last week, thank you very much! LOL. But, I thank God for bringing me through and teaching me.  I have to stop here to let people know that my blog posts are to encourage those that can relate to the message I'm trying to get across.They will not resonate with everyone. I don't use all the correct grammar. Here, I like to type like I talk(when in relax mode.) I see my blogs as open journal entries of my experiences that might encourage someone else. Now, back to our regularly scheduled blogging, already in progress....)
     Ok. The week of New Years I was out of town on vacation. I had 4 nights of peace, quiet, communion with God. Mental Rest. It was amazing. On our last day there my daughter became ill. It came out of nowhere.  She was diagnosed with the flu. I was up and down several times during the nights. My question was, "How can I get so much rest only to come back to this?" I even asked... " Can I please get a REPRIEVE? LOL. (I'm being real. I knew I was in war but just wanted to call a TIME OUT. SHOOT! I WAS TIRED!) Her fevers were extremely high. I had taken time off work to go on vacation so my work was piling up but due to her illness I had to be in and out all week so, not a lot was getting done and this is the month that we are preparing for auditing. UGH. Between going back and forth to the doctor, paying copays, filling prescriptions, going to grocery store, ,my finances were taking a hit as well. ( not complaining. giving facts.) To make matters a little more complicated, her high fevers were continuing to rage. I had to take her back to the doctor only to find out she had a sinus infection. She was prescribed an antibiotic in which she had a bad reaction to... SO, see why I could have skipped last week? There were a few other things that happened that I choose not to blog but in a nutshell, I began to get weary, too much going on. WHO WOULDN'T?  The enemy is relentless and is out to kill, steal and destroy and after all of this, he attempted to completely nail me with a situation that literally made me question myself spiritually.  Yes, I staggered. This ain't for the Super Christian. This is for those that are growing and pressing. When this happened, I heard HOLD YOUR GROUND. Immediately I saw two opposing groups about to go to war. It was a large open field and the 2 groups were "facing off". I realized what "hold your ground" meant.  I was to stand FIRM and FIGHT with the Word of God and faith. I was not to retreat. Not back up. Not surrender. Not believe the lies of the enemy or how things might have appeared to be. I might have been wearied at this point but I was to HOLD FAST and not give the enemy any ground. See, God has bought me a LONG WAY and I realized that the enemy of my soul was trying to regain ground and the Lord was telling me to STAND. (Eph.6:10-18)  As I'm sitting here typing, I decided to look up "hold your ground" and TheFreeDictionary.com states "TO REFUSE TO CHANGE YOUR POSITION OR BEHAVIOR". " TO REFUSE TO MOVE BACKWARDS, ESPECIALLY WHILE BEING ATTACKED."  WHOAAAAA GOD!! We are in a war and are called to withstand the enemy's attacks with the Word of God and have our armour on. The enemy is not happy when he sees we are "gaining ground" spiritually. He does not like it when we are growing in God, being delivered, shedding off old thinking and ways and striving to live a life of surrender to the Lord. He will do anything in his power to stop us and to gain back that ground.  We might as well look for the attack, because it's coming. BUT, WE MUST stand firm and recall to mind all that God has done for us in the past. All He has set us free from. We have to stand firm in the Word and in our faith in Him that He has never left us and regardless of what is happening in our lives even now, He never will. He is faithful. We must put this thing in perspective. The enemy is powerful, we are not to underestimate him BUT GOD is all powerful and if we are in Him,, we have the victory and the enemy is already defeated!
HOLD YOUR GROUND.

It's A Process.....

      I was messaging with someone on face book recently and the person typed 3 words that sent my mind running. My ears perked up, revelation began to kick in and I was like "whoa". The Words were simply "It's a Process". How many times have we heard those words? How many times have we read them? Sometimes, we can hear something and it will simply go in one ear and out the other. Words can pass us by like the wind. But, there are times when words can come and hit us right in the face. Stop us in our tracks and burn our hearts. They come alive and make us pay attention to them. This is exactly what happened to me when I read those words.  I literally had revelation dawn so fast on me that my thoughts could not keep up! If you can imagine something moving at the speed of light, you will get a visual of how I received these words!
    Basically, what DOESN'T have a process? We live in a World of process. Nothing just materializes out of nothing into something. They go through a process.  I LOVE how the Lord designed this physical world as a big parable to the Spiritual word and how He gives us revelation so we can get a better understanding of things. (Make sense?) We can "know" something and "hear" something but when God gives a revelation status to it, it gets SUPER POWERS. (smile!)  My mind was thinking on every process it could process! (smile) I marveled at the word! (Dictionary.com defines it as "continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definitive manner.) WOW. Can you SEE my hunger and excitement just by reading the definition? Keep in mind, I had heard those words countless times but it was THIS time that revelation flowed like a sentence on steroids.
     The Lord began to deal with me about seasons. For example: Summer into Fall. We don't lay down one hot Summer night and the next morning it is Fall. It doesn't work that way. The calendar may mark a day where it states "Fall begins" but in actuality, Summer was processing into Fall a long time before the calendar declared it. It gradually becomes cooler, the days gradually get shorter and shorter and the leaves gradually turn from a lush green to beautiful fall colors. To take it even further the trees move through a process all through fall, preparing themselves to go into a dormant, winter season. There are processes all around us! Process of growth, crawling to walking, Freshman status to Senior status, graduation. processed hair to natural hair. Whoa. (Had to add that!)
    I can go on and on but, I think you get it. So, the question is why do we get anxious and discouraged when things don't happen for us in the time we feel that it should or the way we want it to? We feel like we are being faithful and moving forward. We are examining ourselves. We feel like we're being led by God but, what's taking so long? Why during these times we begin to feel like we've "missed it"? We get frustrated and try to make things happen in our own strength? Why do we want to just give up? I think it's because we don't understand the process or get weary during it.  At least, that's what my deal was. A while back,  I had some things planned out. In my mind, I had steps set up like dominoes and I was going to knock them down one by one and keep it moving. Let's GO.  I was mentally checking off a list. What I didn't factor in was GOD'S TIMING and PREPARATION for the things I had planned! Sometimes we don't factor in those things He has to FIX in us or around us before we can move forward. (Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directs his steps.")   He takes us through a process. There was healing that needed to take place, deliverance, understanding. acceptance. We are moving through the process as long as we are moving forward and cooperating with Him and following His plan.  Physically, I might not be at MY goal yet but spiritually, HIS GOALS are being met in me! We don't need to rush it, fight it and we certainly don't need to give up on it! We need to rest in Him knowing that He is taking us through this process in His timing for our own good and for His Glory. The tree is not telling God to hurry up and change it's leaves from lush green to beautiful fall colors....it just stays planted and allows it's leaves to blow in the wind while trusting God to change it's seasons.  Get this... even when ALL it's leaves fall off in winter and it goes completely dormant, looking dead, it still stays planted. Why? Because I believe that the tree, even in the dormant state with no leaves is being and doing exactly what God would have it do in that season. That's beautiful isn't it? I hear ya' God! I got it. You get it? Stay planted and commune with Him. Enjoy Him. Trust Him without leaning on your own understanding. Move in what He will have you to move in and trust HIM to change your season!

A Funny Thing Happened to Me Today.....

     This morning when I got up, I realized I didn't have any bread to make my sandwich for lunch....Well, ok. I already knew I didn't have bread. I was just too lazy to stop by the store on my way home yesterday. (and the day before)  Anyway, I went to a fast food restaurant.   I decided to get a small burger, fry and a sweet tea. I got down the road and the sandwich was hot but didn't have any taste, the fries were hot, but bland and kinda hard. And, get this all you southern folks...THE ICED TEA WAS NOT SWEET. I could kinda deal with the blandness of the food because to be honest, I really didn't have a taste for it anyway. But, the tea was a deal breaker. UNACCEPTABLE.  I realized that I had gotten unsweet tea by mistake. I hadn't driven far and I literally said out loud to myself..."Now, this whole meal CAN'T be bad. I gotta change something!" I turned around, drove back to the restaurant and poured the unsweet out and got the sweet tea. When I got back in the car, I decided to put a little salt on my fries and on my burger. As I was doing all these things, it was as if my actions were "speaking" to me. I was like...wow. I started eating again and, my meal was MUCH improved. The salt bought out the flavor of the food and the tea was now sweet. It was like that whole meal had "come to life".
     Life can be hard. Sometimes we are dealt some hard blows. We get "unsweet tea" by mistake.  We make a bad decision. As a result, life can seem bland and bitter and we can end up being hard from it all. We're living, warm blooded creatures..but, inside we could just be "blah". And, somehow, we just accept the "blah". But, it doesn't have to stay that way. That's good news! We can make it better! What's that "deal breaker" that will make you turn around and say "Somethings got to change!"  What is that unacceptable thing that you know you need to change?  It starts with a decision and changing our perception of how we see where we are, what we are going through or have been through. We must decide to make some positive decisions that will change our lives for the better and make a conscious decision not to stay in the "pit". The fact that I changed a tasteless burger and fries to a good lunch with a small pack of salt and the fact that I decided to turn around and get the sweet tea instead of deciding to keep the unsweet tea spoke volumes. Just doing those small things bought about a positive change.
    I know, you're thinking..."How she get all that out of a burger?" My answer to you would be.. ."Read the title of my blog again...I did say A funny thing happened to me today".
     Back to my story. :)
     What started out as bland and hard didn't stay that way. It doesn't matter how long you've been in a pit! If you're breathing, a change is a decision away!  I encourage you to get a pack of salt. Meaning, give your life flavor.  If you feel stuck and in a rut, depressed, down, go be a blessing to someone else.  Be thankful.  Begin a hobby. What is it you like to do? Find out the things that make you happy and DO THEM! I give you permission! (As long as they are positive and healthy) Pour out the negative thoughts, bitterness and hardness of life and put in the sweet things. Choose to smile more, love more and above all things, forgive. Let go of every weight. It's not worth it because, you're meant to soar and you can't do that weighted down!  You were meant to FLYYYYYYYY.  ( I see you lighter already!)  Life is too short to accept the bland in life when only a decision to turn, add a little salt, replace the unsweet with sweet can make it better...
     You can't see me right now. But, trust me. I'm smiling.
 

"Smitten"

 Webster defines "smitten" as "affected by something overwhelming". "awestruck". I am smitten for Jesus. I'm awestruck by His Love. I am wonderfully ship wrecked and ruined for all else. I simply must have Him.

I must breathe Him.
I must have His Mind.
I must have His Spirit.
I must please Him.
I must chase Him.
I must dwell in Him.
I must know Him.
I must take refuge in Him.

All of Him.

I may not be perfect but there is nothing. Absolutely nothing like dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. There is no safer place than being covered by His feathers. There is no greater peace than running into that "place" when all around you life is raging. His peace covers you. His love envelopes you. It is REAL. It is Liberating. It is a place that your problems become small and He becomes HUGE. Your issues seem mediocre and insignificant when you stand in the presence of His Glory because it is THERE that you know.....HE CAN HANDLE IT. Not matter how big or how small. Even in light of what becomes small...it matters to Him because it matters to you.  HE has the power over ALL things. Why worry when you have HIM? It is a place that you want to dwell and never come back but, you know you must...if only to share with others that this place is real. It is true and it is accessible for anyone that calls upon and believes on His Name.

I dare you to try Him. I dare you to become "smitten".

Difficult Day....

     Today was a difficult day for me. We all know that all days will not be filled with sunshine and goodness but when a "rough" day comes along, it is still unexpected and it seems as if we have to travail our way through. God is faithful and His Arms are always open to us when we have our difficult days. He just wants us to run into them.

    This morning I left my home a few minutes later for work than I usually do. When I got on the main highway which is 30 seconds from my door, I noticed traffic backup. An accident had just happened across the street. I suddenly felt overwhelmed with sadness and I began to cry and pray and cry out to God in words only He would understand, not sure what was going on within me. I felt His presence all around me and I ended in worship. 

    A few hours later my daughter I received a text telling me that the entire school was in grief because in that very accident a much loved classmate had gotten killed and several other students were taken to the hospital. A few minutes later she sent another text that a boy from another school that she knew had passed away from a freak accident that happened last week. She was overwhelmed and I was. Praying and texting her words of comfort I felt as if I understood why The Lord had me pray as I did earlier this morning. But, Just before lunch, I received a text from my sister that a very good friend of ours who had been dealing with illness was in critical condition and the family had been called in. How much more Lord? We all went to college together. It was the 6 of us. We had some awesome, wonderful times. We rode with each other to our hometowns. We laughed together, cried together, hung out together, had slumber parties. But, in recent years, had drifted apart only speaking every now and then or liking posts. I prayed, I cried, but I knew. My prayers then changed to comfort for the family, friends, loved ones. Even though I knew that THIS day, she would be in the presence of the Lord, it still did not stop my tears. The call of confirmation came on my way home from work. Still tears. Yes. Today was a difficult day. As I reached home and my daughters and I sat around the dinner table to discuss our day, I was mentally and emotionally drained BUT, STILL trusting in the one who knows what is best. I had no clue how much pain she was in. The agony she experienced. The sleepless nights. But, her Savior did and He called His baby home. To Peace. To a painless awesomeness with Him. So, I share that experience to anyone whose had their world rattled by death or grief that God is a comforter. He is our strength and His Words are true. He just wants us to come to Him with our pain. He is ready and waiting.  Even as I type and fill my ears and my heart with Words and songs of worship, I feel my strength or better yet, His strength come to me again and I pray the same for the family.

Lamentations 3:22-23King James Version (KJV)

22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

I THESSALONIANS 4: 13-18

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so will God bring with Him those also who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord: that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who are asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

17 then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

     

Don't You Care That We Perish?!

 I seem to remember writing a blog about this before or hearing a sermon about this or, it could just be a revelation that is resounding so LOUDLY with me that is just seems so familiar!  Read this scripture: (Mark 4:35-41)
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Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”[d] 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”  

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    Most of the time, we focus on the wind and the sea and Jesus saying "Peace Be Still" but have you noticed what the disciples said to him when they found the Savior sleeping when they were going through a storm? Lord! Don't you care that we perish? Sounds like they even had an attitude!  Doesn't that sound like us when we are in the midst of the storm and the Lord seems to be chilling? "Lord, Where are you?" "Lord, do you hear me?" "Are you there Lord?" "How much longer I have to go through this Lord!".."Don't you see that I'm dying here.....UGH!!!!" (yes, we can get that dramatic..well..I know I can). We even get offended and sometimes angry because it seems that Jesus is in the stern fast asleep while the waves of life are beating us down. But, TAKE HEART! Jesus wants us to just trust Him. There was a reason why He was asleep. Notice in this version of scripture, they called him "Teacher".  Even with Him sleeping during the storm I believe He was teaching them and us that you can still have peace and be at rest in your spirit when everything seems to be going wrong.  Additionally, He wanted them to use their faith. To stand up in the power and authority that He had given them and learn to rebuke the wind and rain themselves! if you look closer, not only did Jesus rebuke the storm, he seemed to rebuke the disciples! The tone of this scripture sounded like a teacher who passionately wanted His pupils to GET IT.  Basically saying "I'm on board. I got you but I want you to learn to use the power and authority that I've put within you. Why is it that you are still afraid?" I believe that during those times in over lives when Jesus "seems" far away, He really is right there waiting for us to stand up in Him and to take command of our situation with the power He has given to us. It is a lesson to help us to grow stronger in our faith and trust in Him.  So, the next time you feel like the wind and the rain of this life is beating you up...remember that Jesus is still on the ship with you...He just wants you to exercise your faith. 

A New Direction

    I was debating on whether to post this "vision" on my blog but...hey...why not. I guess I will because I seem to be getting so many confirmations. I was in church on Sunday and we were in praise and worship. I had my eyes closed. All of a sudden I saw a person walking down a road/ path and then make a right turn. I kept seeing this over and over and hearing "course change", "redirection".  I pondered on this.

I am on facebook and no..I don't believe everything everyone posts but I've seen so much confirmation to this one "vision" that I had that I know that God is up to something. My prayer for this and for you is that we don't miss ANYTHING God has for us in this season! PRAISE THE LORD!

Everything about you is getting ready to change. It's a new season and a new era and God is taking you in a different direction. Prepare to shift out of the old and into the new to possess what He has for you. It's your time and it's coming quickly. Isaiah 43:18-19

HIT THE RESET BUTTON!!

  This is to all my "busy" people out there.....! (imagine music playing in the background as I say this...) Have you ever been so busy that you can't keep up with yourself? Have you ever put your purse in the refrigerator? Put the eggs in the pantry? Put the salt and pepper shaker in the microwave? Put the ham or turkey you just made your sandwich with in the oven? LOL! These questions might sound crazy..but it's real! For a period in my life I was doing crazy stuff like that. We would find stuff in the strangest places. The kids would laugh at me. Matter of fact when they couldn't find something, they knew where to look! In the kitchen cabinets or the microwave! Funny but not funny!  My mind was all over the place, I was wide open and so busy( and at that time, stressed)  I could barely think straight. Are you walking around snapping at the kids, kicking the dog and find yourself absent minded as all outdoors?  Can't remember stuff. Matter of fact...where are the kids? LOL. TIME TO HIT THE RESET BUTTON. You TOO busy! Get somewhere and SIT DOWN.  Matter of fact....HAVE SEVERAL SEATS.
     I remembered that period of my life this week. It was NOTHING like it used to be ( I wasn't doing all that stuff in the 1st paragraph) but just enough to remind me that it's just time to get it together. It was time to reset.  I'm sure we all have this happen at one time or another. It seemed like the whole month of August was just BUSY. On the heels of that, the kids went back to school. There are orientations, paperwork and I was also dealing with some other personal issues that seemed to come one issue after the next. I had a wonderful labor day weekend but it was also BUSY. It was in the AM before I went to bed for several nights. WHEW. Wonderful for all you that hang like this, but I can't. Not anymore. I wasn't so much as stressed as TIRED. The stress I have learned to leave with God but my behind was TIRED. (the stress part is another blog post)
     Well, earlier this week I had senior night at my daughter's school. Work has been extremely busy and stressful and I was pooped.  As I sat in the auditorium listening to information about senior pictures, rings, classes, financial aid, colleges, meetings, MONEY, I just began to get really agitated. I was already tired and irritable and it felt as if my mind could not absorb anything else. I was shutting down and I knew it.  Ever been there? I wanted to get up and leave but that wouldn't have been right. I pressed to come. This meeting was so important so I just silently sat there and prayed.I  was fighting against snapping on my daughter b/c in my head, she was being irritating. It won't her. It was me. The only thing I heard was "You're tired. You need to SLEEP." Just shut it down. I had been running and I knew I had not had the proper rest and it was catching up with me. For days, all I kept hearing was "sleep". Simple, right? Some people find it hard. As I sat there in that auditorium, all I could think of was sleep and I determined when I got home, that would be "what's up". I wasn't doing ANYTHING but going to bed. I even shut my thoughts down.  It was time to hit the reset button. When I got home, I prepared for bed early and blissfully slept all night long. I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and had a wonderful day. Things did not seem as "hard" to get accomplished and my mind was sharp.
     So, I said all that to say this. If you have a computer and that computer starts tripping, getting hung up, start acting "slow" or just stopped working all together, what do you do? We reboot, We reset, we SHUT IT DOWN. 95% of the time when we bring it back up, it's back to normal.  When God spoke the earth into existence, He even rested on the 7th day!  What makes us think we are any different? What are we pushing toward? What are we trying to do? What are we striving for?  What are we sacrificing in our lives for the sake of a goal? Yes. We are to work toward our goals but God gave us balance and  when we neglect our families, our bodies, our spiritual lives just to
" work" (whether it be at our jobs, our businesses, CHURCH, or anything we've made an idol), we are out of balance. I know about this because I did it for a long period in my life so, I knew the warning signs. Do you know the warning signs that it's time to hit your reset button? A fuse is no good BURNT OUT.

Sometimes You Gotta Dance!

     One day about two weeks ago...I had a pretty exhausting day at work. I remember coming home, putting my purse down, taking my shoes off and just started to dance. The girls had something on tv they were looking at and looked at me. (smile) Without hesitation, they turned to a Music Choice channel on cable and joined me. (well, it took some convincing for one of them ) We just let go. It was a fun moment. I was tired! What a workout! But, it was something about that dance and laughing with them that shook the day off. We did it again last week. These episodes are never planned...they just happen..LOL. It's really quite fun. Sometimes, we have to just DANCE. And, if we have kids, what better time or way to do it than with them? Sometimes we can be on the grind so much. So stiff. So tense. Work, home and all that stuff in between. We can be so serious and so busy that we just don't take time out to just BREATHE. Our kids see us. What are they learning? How to be a robot? How to be stressed? How to be overly serious all the time? When I began to dance, it was unexpected for me to do so but not strange to them. They know the serious mom but they also know the playful mom. (but, some of you will see me and judge me...(SMH)) LOL. But, seriously...when was the last time you just let go?  Children or not? I personally believe that our minds and bodies get programmed to act a certain way when certain situations come about..Next time...fake the devil out and just......

DANCE!!!

A Team Player - A Soaring Eagle

      This is another transparent moment...not many will understand what I'm saying but, I'm sure some will. Years ago it was told to me that I was a great cheerleader, but God wants me to "get in the game". Recently, those words came back to me with a mighty force. She commented on how I was always standing on the sidelines cheering everyone else on. How many of us do that? It's good to be the one that is always encouraging, motivating and pushing but....what are you doing? At some point, its your turn to "get in game", right? What else are you called to do? What else is required of you? I was told recently in spirit of love that if I was left to my own devices, I would be content to sit in the back and clear tables-not being seen or heard. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that unless YOU HAVE A VOICE THAT IS MEANT TO BE HEARD. I was told not to keep doing that..I'm not made for the background.  I might not know exactly what to say...BUT, SAY SOMETHING! LOL!! These words hit home and also bought back a memory of a sermon I heard years ago about Eagles & Chickens. Why in the world would an EAGLE with an 6 foot wing span be clucking on the ground with chickens when he was meant to SOAR in the clouds, above storms?  As I drove home from that conversation with a new fire in my soul, I realized that at some point, I had not only stopped "cheering". I had left the field! When did that happen?  I was literally sitting in the bleachers with the jersey on. How ODD is that?? The fact that you are on the team is obvious. Whose side you are on is obvious...everyone around you KNOWS you are on the team..but, why are you sitting up on the bleachers with everyone else watching the game? Trying to blend into the background when in reality, it's impossible. GOD WANTS YOU TO GET IN THE GAME. For some reason, this scripture came to me..14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  
      So, I pose a question...what's holding you back? What's keeping you out of the game?  Why are you trying to dim your light? With me, it was issues of life. Sometimes we can go through really tough things that sidetrack us or knock us down for a season...but, you can't stay there. Really, its impossible.. God will send people, situations and things to get you up and back on track..to stir your fire again. To begin your restoration process.  He wants to restore us and build us up, but we have to be willing to get out of our "self made" comfort zones that we may have built up around ourselves when times got hard.  Those shields and guards that were erected to protect yourself from further hurt and pain can't go back up into the air with you, eagle. You can't soar with weights. So, I challenge you through the power of God to shake them off. Don't let the trials and tribulations of this life hold you down eagle. Instead, let them become the wind beneath your wings and go higher....

Walk With Me

     Imagine yourself walking along a beach or along a soft, grassy path on a beautiful breezy day and all of a sudden, Jesus walks up beside you and takes your hand and says.....

     "Come. Take my hand. Walk with me. Talk with me. Trust me. Let me lead you on this life's journey. Stay in Step with me. That's it. Right foot..Left foot. No. Don't look down. You don't need to for I will order your steps. Just stay in tune with my heartbeat. If you hold my hand and stay in tune to my heartbeat you won't have to worry about being out of timing with me. Don't try to pull me along because you are rushing things and don't make me have to pull you along because you are lagging behind. And don't let go of my hand because I'll never let go of yours.  Just walk with me. Go with me. Still your heart and flow with me. Let's even swing hands! Let's enjoy each others company.  See, I hold time. I created time. As long as you hold hands with me and stay in tune to my heartbeat, you will never have to worry about getting there too late or too early. I will make sure you get where you need to be in this life at exactly the right time you need to be there. Just trust me and not your own understanding. Don't be distracted about what's going on around you or began to become encumbered with the things of this life. This will cause you to get off focus and your steps will falter and get out of sync with mine. You must trust me no matter what you see. Remember, Peter when he wanted to step out of the boat and come to me? As soon as he became distracted with the wind and the waves around him, he began to sink..but, he cried out to me and I was there.  I didn't leave Him and I won't leave you. I love you. Just hold my hand, walk with me. Trust me...."

Determination

     I have shared that stairs are not my thing. I have tripped/fallen down more steps than I can count. But that shall not be my portion ANY MORE in Jesus name! (LOL! I'm laughing....but, it won't! And I've done well lately!!) One time, I took a serious tumble and was out of work for days because I had a broken/bruised tail bone and I literally could NOT sit down. It hurt to walk. The pain was agonizing and during that same time, I was trying to submit the last editing of my book and I had a deadline. I literally laid on my couch on my stomach and worked on the manuscript because I was determined to get it submitted. I remember crying. My lower back ached as well. I remember shifting from side to side just to keep a semi comfortable position. It was almost impossible!  I remember feeling frustrated and helpless but I pressed on...in tears! The book had been in the making for years and I knew that it had to be done.
     When I look back, I know that it was only the Lord that gave me the endurance that I needed to get that work completed and submitted. It was impossible in my own strength. I had so much other stuff going on... but I had to make my mind up, set my face like flint and press forward. God did the rest. In my flesh, I just wanted to take the pain killers and go to sleep but I knew I couldn't. My spirit just would not let me.
     What is it that God has put in your spirit to do? Now?  What distraction has come to hold you up or to get you off focus?  Or are you just afraid? DELAY NO MORE! GET IT DONE. I had to pay half of the money and had to pay the other half before the copies were printed. I had no idea how I was going to get the balance of what I needed but I kept silent. I asked no one for money. I only prayed and asked God to supply it.
     One day, I was visiting my parents and out of the blue, my dad asked me how the book was going. I was actually surprised he asked. It wasn't like I was going around talking about it. I wasn't. I told him good but didn't go any further. He asked me did I need anything and was everything taken care of? I knew God had opened this door but,  I didn't want to tell my dad what I needed ( a little pride? That's another blog) but I did and without hesitation, he gave it to me.
     I'm passionate when I type this because I had to get the book submitted, it had to be printed and they had to mail a sample copy for my approval and then print the copies. That takes time.  I was not self publishing but was going through a publishing company. My sister in law hosted a book signing event for me in February 2011. I remember at one point being discouraged,  thinking of asking her to cancel it because several of the people that I wanted to be there for my special event were not able to make it but I could never voice the words.  I knew this HAD to happen and it did and it was a beautiful event.
      I said all of that to say this......In February 2011, my dad was at my book signing shining with pride for his daughter. His health was not the best but he was well. No one knew that 3 short months later, he would not be with us anymore.  He sat and he read the book. He told me he was proud of me. He was so excited that he took copies of my book and literally went home and out and about selling copies! He was one proud papa!(smile) I know that it did his heart good to see what had been accomplished. Many of you have seen on face book several times how I refer to him as my biggest fan...I still believe he was!  After everything was said and done and I looked back, I knew that it was meant for me to get that book printed and a copy in his hand for him to treasure at that time. I can't explain it. Would he still know about it in Heaven? yes..I'm sure he would but for purpose beyond me...the timing of that event was orchestrated and not only did it do his heart good but it was a MAJOR blessing for me to have him and my mom there and for them to support me the way they did. Plus, as he sat there and read pages and pages of my book that day...I knew that it was ministering to him. He was very focused that day. Who KNOWS what was happening in the spiritual realm? Could something that was written in that book break something off of him that he had carried for years? Again? Who knows?  In addition, so many people contacted me about how a particular poem or testimony spoke directly to them and encouraged them in some way and spoke to things they were going through. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! None of mine...ALL OF HIS!
     So, in a nutshell...If The Lord is impressing on your heart to do something and its not leaving you alone...DO IT NOW. No matter how small or large it might seem. It IS significant for His purpose! Rest assured that there is special timing involved. There is someone out there that needs you... or God would not have put that urgency in your spirit. Don't worry about the how of it...just step. There will be distractions and things to happen that will try to take you off of your destination but be determined to stay focused and press forward knowing that God has all things in control and is ordering your steps!
   

In The Meantime....

Today, I am sharing something I wrote back in 2011. WOW. 3 years ago.. As I was going through some of my work, this came to mind and as I read it, I was encouraged...why? Because even though I'm not where "I" want to be, (I don't think any of us with ambition or desire to always grow are--but, it's not about us anyway, right? It's about the Creator and HIS desire for us. His preparation in us to do HIS will.) I was able to reflect on how FAR the Lord has bought me! This was over 3 years ago but I TRUST Him more. I LEAN on Him more. I LOVE Him more. It was of no coincidence that I ran across this poem today. The Lord knows what I need. He knows what anyone that reads this needs.  It confirms EVERYTHING that was preached in the sermon today and from what I have been hearing for weeks. (Especially about PATIENCE...whew! that's another blog post)  It further encourages me and pushes me onward and upward. Sometimes, God just has to REMIND us that HE is EVER PRESENT WITH US and HE has US on HIS mind even when we can't see Him or when He doesn't move in "our" timing.  We have to rest in Him. He has not forgotten about us. He can work in the smallest of details that we don't even notice because we are looking for this "BIG" thing... 

Be encouraged friends. We are being MADE and praise God, that work will continue until we breathe no more. We need to learn how to just rest in Him. Breathe. Share His heartbeat which is never beating with anxiety or fear because He knows the plans He has for us.  In the meantime, lets TRUST, SEEK, PRAISE AND THANK the MASTER CRAFTSMAN OF OUR SOULS.

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IN THE MEANTIME

There is a place of ‘in between’.

“Not where I used to be” verses “not where I want to be”

This is an uncomfortable place!

Ready to get on with what I need to get on with.

Ready to fulfill my destiny,

Ready to find my place.

But, knowing that I still have much to learn.

The Lord will not take me too fast but

At the pace where it does me the most good.

Not pleasing to me, but

He knows my end.

He knows what’s best for me.

So I pray and praise and trust.

All along knowing that Christ will perfect that which concerns me.

Trying not to lean to my own understanding.

Praying that I learn all that He wants to teach me.

Knowing My Timing is not His.

He has me right where He wants me.

So, instead of being impatient or frustrated,

In the mean time, I’ll learn more of Him.

Praise Him More

Thank Him more

Worship Him More

And

Learn to wait on Him.

COMMUNION

Joy leaps in my soul
My mouth bursts forth into praise
I smile so wide it's painful
I raise my hands and look toward Heaven.

I feel your smile....

Your love envelopes me
I feel as light as a feather
Almost as if I could take off
And soar with you.

My mind and thoughts are transported
To a place beyond the natural realm
I begin to commune with you
On another level. Wow.

I seek you. I long for you.
There's no better feeling in the world
Than to be in communion with you.....

WEIGHT

Why u still playing that tug of war with God?
Just let it GO!
He said His burden is easy and His yoke is light.
What u still carrying that weight FO'?

Could it be you just might not trust Him
As much as you thought you did?
Could it be you are afraid things might not turn out the way you want them to
So instead of trusting Him, you try to keep it hid?

Your bones waxing old
Your soul down cast
He's telling you to give the burden to Him..
Is that too much to ask?

He sees you know. The heaviness.
The worry, the weight, the stress.
He sees all the stuff you're carrying
That you are not ready or willing to address.

We give it up, we pick it back up
Back and forth we go!
Even the angels getting dizzy
From all that to and fro'!

We can't be double minded expecting to receive from the Lord.
We just have to trust Him and doubt... aggressively avoid.

It grieves Him to see us so burdened
When it needn't be.
He's already paid that expensive cost
Just so we could be free.

But, still He loves us
More than we know
And He stands by waiting for us to come to Him as babes,
Release it, talk to Him, let it go,
So an overflow of that love, He can show.

PEACE

I've heard the quote "wherever you go..there you are..."
It was funny to me at first,
Until I actually lived it
and experienced it at it's worse!

Thinking, thinking....questioning all the time..
Oh! If I had wings like a dove, I'd fly away..
Thoughts, DON'T come back another day...
But, they go with me..wherever I go...there they are...

One thing about them...from them you cannot run..
"wherever you go...there you are"
Until you silence them, you'll be under the gun..
Cast them down, shake them off..go to Jesus..RUN.

I pictured myself sitting on the side of a well,
seeking,
waiting for Jesus to appear.
Instead what I saw were doves flying in the air
landing on my shoulders, lovingly playing in my hair.

What I heard was "PEACE".
That was it, nothing more.
He was giving me peace..
Lord, my word for you today is ADORE..

I love you...

"He has delivered my soul in PEACE from the battle which was against me.."