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My family

I have been blessed from my youth with a fantastic husband! I am so grateful for who he is, what he stands for, how he loves me :-) You know that song...Wind Beneath my Wings? ( I don't know if that truly is the title) That is My Gregory. I could never thank him enough for making my life complete. More so even than that though, I cannot thank God enough for his providence in my life by placing Greg at my side. We were married young (18 and 22) most marriages that begin like that don't last... Add having two children in the first three years of marriage, and your odds are doubled against you. There was something different about us though. There always has been since we first met. Soul mates, is how I have heard it described. I think that sounds perfect for how I feel about Greg.

Everyday hasn't been a bed of roses, but with a little pruning here and there, more on my side than his.... we have developed this totally awesome relationship that is thriving more than ever. Amazing how beautiful something can become when you take care of it, nourish it, and allow it room to grow.

The 15th of this month our beautiful and talented daughter turned 25! So we have been married 27 years now and have a superfragalistic 26 year old son as well. Bittersweet to reflect upon it all. My heart overflows with love and joy..and yet some sadness that time has flown like it has. It is so difficult to believe when you are young, that "this too will pass" but you blink your eyes and it does ~ passes by, and you have to shake your head sometimes and wonder how it all happened. I love the place I am in my life right now. On occasion though, I would love to return to 20 years ago or so. I would like to take a little more time to have my children sit on my lap, tell me goofy jokes, and whisper in my ear. I would like to take a peek in their room and watch their chest rise and fall. I would like to go out camping and see the wonder in their eyes as they take in the new sights and sounds. I would like to sled down the big hill again screaming and laughing and then race to the top. I would like to be seeing how many more kitchen containers we could turn into frog or lightening bug homes.

Life is full of so many wonderful things. Don't waste it by hurrying the day along. Really do take time to take it in, to hug a little longer, to smile and enjoy the craziness. Be thankful you have had the opportunities you have. Be gracious for God's creation and his mercy. Show that mercy to others. Don't be afraid of the unknown. Have faith.

Just like Jesus!! yippppeeeee

I am reading a book titled, "Christianity Isn't For Whimps" by Mike Nappa. (very good reading thus far!)

He tells a story in it about this young man that worked and worked to have the same moves as a certain pro football player. The kid would work himself silly to be just like like this player. After an awesome catch one day he shouted out "did you see that? It was just like (insert name)! it was perfect!!" He was so excited and full of joy. The author then says how he wonders what it would be like if we all practiced Jesus' moves ...studied how he did things, practiced in all of our free time to be like him~ and then when we did some great marvelous thing jump for joy and shout out "did you see that?? It was just like Jesus! It was perfect!"

I had to smile as I read that. It is pretty amazing how we worship the things we do, how we want to emulate a person... and yell and scream for our favorite teams. How we jump up and down when they score a point or throw our arms in the air! How can it be alright for our population to do this in worship for a sport, but not for the King of kings?

Craziness.

Apathy

How easy it is to become apathetic...all you have to do is quit studying the word of God. Then boom! You find yourself not really caring anymore. You have to continue to grow in your faith each and everyday! Satan will do everything possible to oppress your walk, so be aware of that. Don't let the daily task in your life take importance over the task of your life. We are told in the book of Judges how Israel fell into chaos when they stopped seeking God. Lack of discipline in our lives can cause us to fall away. Amazing when you fall from something how quickly the distance is put between you and where you were standing. You have to make the choice to make God and his word your authority. Every single day when you put your feet on the floor that morning....be determined. Lead others by your own lifestyle. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, fresh and new that day. Ask to be clothed in Christ. Take out the armour you have been given. Open it up and put it to use...fill your mind with his word.

Show your faith..don't shove it.

Am I brainwashed by thinking that something that began less than 100 years ago cannot hold more weight than something that has history from the beginning of time?

What makes people believe what they believe? I got to thinking~ why do we spend more time defending our faith than showing our faith?

I want my relationship with my creator to reflect in my everyday life...I don't want to have to be all legalistic. I do not believe the Bible calls for us to be so. I think that it calls for us to love. More than anything else we can do for one another and to spread the word of Christ is to love.

There is so much division among people...people who have the same goal, uniting each other and bringing more love to the world.

I believe in one true God, the creator of the world. I believe he gave us free will. I believe that God gave us all a choice of how we would live our lives. It is not up to me to convince someone to believe what I believe. It is up to me however to share the good news of God's love. To have that love be unconditional, and pray for others. However, I have to leave it at that, and trust that the seed has been sown. Water as I am able and trust the harvest to God himself.

So I am going to stop defending my faith in a defensive way.... and instead show my faith in my actions and my words. I pray that God's will is done and all can see the peace and joy he gives so freely by how I live my life. I pray that they too will want the relationship with this God of mine. The one true God Almighty!

Team Lisa

Life just keeps flying by...nothing we can do to make time stand still. Seems like sometimes things should just STOP and let us catch up. It is hard sometimes to realize that even though you may have been thrown a curve ball, not everyone was tossed that same ball. We aren't all on the same field...and that is a good thing.

So I am in Florida right now. I am not sure how many of you know that my brother's wife, Lisa, had a huge curve ball thrown at her in early December 09.......... What began as a simple ear infection soon became a battle for life. Over two months later and going through a couple brain surgeries, dependent upon machines breathing for her, being in a medically induced coma, having a stroke, the inability to walk or even hold her head up, losing her sight...her independence~

I came to visit and perhaps help out a bit in the daily activities of what this new life presented to them. I planned to bring encouragement and hope... lighten their load. I wasn't sure of what to expect exactly. I was so excited and yet a little apprehensive of being there. This was a different environment for me, unfamiliar. Not my regular comfort zone. As soon as I walked in the door, any fear or anxiety I may have had was gone!

Right away Lisa was making sure I was okay...did I need anything how was my flight, etc. She thanked me for being there and we hugged. I wasn't sure how to approach her blindness...what to say or anything like that. I had told myself to NOT say things like, "look at this! OR " did you see that?" "check that out"~~ I have never been around anyone that is blind. ...So what do I do..first thing? I say OH! I have to SHOW you something I brought! (didn't phase me a bit) Lisa immediately pipes in with this grin on her face..."well that is going to be a little hard, since I can't see!" She giggled, and the tone was set!

Later as we talked and caught up a bit she went on to tell me how she almost didn't live through this....she told me more than once how blessed she is. It just makes my heart smile to see her so animated and full of life. She has not complained once...instead she finds the benefits in life as a blind person~ one that she is pretty excited about is getting a parking space right up front!

My brother has amazed me not only with his love and compassion, but his dedication and drive. He has thought of everything and truly is her right hand man!

I planned to bring hope to them, instead they are showing me how to hit a curve ball and not only get on base, but make a home run! TEAM LISA all the way.

My theology Paragraph

We are doing some awesome studing in Sunday School! Our assignment this week is to write a paragraph on our Christian Worldviws of Theology. This is designed to be a work in progress. As I grow and learn and discern! So far...

I believe in Theism. I believe that God exist and created the universe and all that the universe contains. I base this belief on not only what the bible tells me, through special revelation… but what scientific evidence shows revealing that the Bible is true through general revelation. I believe that the intricate design of a human being could not be left to mere chance and by all means points to a designer who is intelligent, powerful, and loving. I believe in morality and that there is absolute right and absolute wrong. I believe that in order for this to be true, there has to be one who began the “law” of morality in the first place. I believe that we did not just “become” one day from a bunch of unknown matter…I believe that we were thought out and planned and created. I know that God desires a relationship with me and wants me to live eternally with Him. For this reason He sent His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the incarnate of God in human flesh. By His blood we are redeemed. God also exist as the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us freely. The Holy Spirit helps to guide us, convict us, and give us insight into God’s word. I believe in the Trinity, the Godhead in three…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each are separate and yet all are God. I believe God judges our actions and yet is loving and full of mercy. I believe that the blood of Christ covers our sins if we ask for it, believe in it, and repent. I believe that I am fully forgiven and have life anew through Jesus Christ. I believe that the work of the Holy Spirit helps me to grow daily through prayer, study, and reading the Word. I believe that I must fill my mind, my thoughts, my mouth daily with the word of God, and let my actions reveal my motive.

2 Corinthians 13:14 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Thankful!

I am so thankful that our God is a God of second chances...of forgivness....a God of love! I am so blessed and so privliged. I am so happy that God has just kept on pursuing me throughout my lifetime, even when I thought HE was the last thing I needed. I keep running into things lately that bring back memories for me of crucial events in my Christian walk. It is amazing to me when I stop to realize events that have happened and been placed before me AND the fact that God saw past those, and saw what lay around the corner. He knew what was to come, and what had to come...what had to happen to make what he wanted to happen. God has blessed me greatly. I pray to live life as would please him.

gossip in disguise

Not a whole lot of things bug me more than someone disguising gossip as a prayer request. I have had it happen to me, and I really didn't appreciate the person having such a need to tell someone something I had going on...that they had to disguise it as a prayer request. It was a personal medical issue, that they ran to tell others about so they could be first to tell. They will have to answer about their own motive... and they lost my trust in the process.

I read this article today, and thought I should share it.
From: http://www.teens-4-christ.org/various-bible-articles

As a sin, gossip is a dangerous one. Gossip is one of Satan’s best tools. If you have a church that is genuinely on fire for God, how else could Satan effectively destroy the church from the inside out? Like Satan himself, a gossip is subtle, sly, ambiguous and bent toward the destruction of another. Gossip is often concealed behind the mask of “concern” for someone else. Listening to gossip is far more palatable if you are sharing in someone’s concern for another. A conversation may begin with one person saying, “I really hate to bring this up, but I am worried about…” Perhaps the gossip will turn to a confidant saying, “I just don’t know who else I can talk to about this…” If you are a gossip, you can always talk to the Lord about it. After all, the Lord is the one who can ultimately fix the problem. If you are prayed up, you could even consider going directly to the person you are concerned about! Perhaps your concern will be the motivation they need to fix the problem (if there is one at all).

Romans chapter one shows us some very dire consequences for certain actions. The Lord’s view on these sins is dire - the wrath of God is revealed. It is never good to be the object of the wrath of God!

Some gossip is due to a desire to be popular. They wants the attention of other people, other gossips, who are looking for the dirt! In order to be popular she has to spread the dirt, or gossip, around, but she also has to accumulate the dirt. In her slyness, she may come to people seeming concerned, asking, “Are you OK? Is everything alright?” seeking those nuggets to build upon. In her false concern, she reveals her true colors. If she is concerned about someone, wouldn’t it be best to pray about it?

Watch out if there is there anything that needs to be said in a whisper. Gossip flourishes on secrecy and rides on the wheels of a whisper. A gossip is cowardly. If she hears of a problem, she does not consider going to the source of a potential problem. Instead, the gossip will work in the shadows.

Finally, from Romans 1, we see that the gossip is a backbiter, or one who slanders, falsely accuses or speaks ill of the absent. The gossip does not have the courage to confront someone to their face. The gossip can only speak of another behind their back. True, the gossip is a coward, but the gossip is likely only afraid of the truth.

Where there is a talebearer, or gossip, there is strife. We have already looked at the traits and some of the goals of the gossip. Another goal of the gossip is strife. Yes, the gossip is interested in building herself up, in making herself look better, but one of her methods for doing this is not by making herself better, but by making others look worse. The strife she causes is destructive and when the gossip is silenced, the strife ceases.

Jesus gave us a firm warning: we will give an account for every idle word. Will that be a time of pleasure for you or a time of pain?

From:http://www.teens-4-christ.org/various-bible-articles

Servant Evangelism

There is a book out by Steve Sjogren titled, Conspiracy of Kindness. My nephew had told me about it, and it is a winner!! It is all about sharing the love of Christ with others, but doing it in a practical way. Not all of us are meant to be street evangelist, not all of us are bold and to the point... Not all people who need the evangelism respond to one type of it. This book is a very good read on practical ways to show the love of God, and to do it outside the four walls of your church. Doing something out of love and not for cost, shows a picture of God's grace.

A few things form the introduction: "God is looking for people who are willing to participate in acts of love and kindness to those outside of their present circle." "We want to show you God's love in a practical way." "The goal in servant evangelism it to shine the spotlight on God's kingdom by coming in the spirit of Jesus." " People who have been served to in this way come away with a positive impression of Christianity" "Deeds of kindness get people's attention and cause them to ask questions of why"

Some ideas he gives are, free gift wrapping at a shopping center during the holidays, a group offering to rake leaves at no cost, handing out cups of coffee at a bus stop, bottles of water, rainy day escorts at grocery stores, giving out carbon monoxide detectors, shopping assistance for shut-ins, washing cars... the list goes on and on.

Sometimes we scare people when we try to only tell them, but fail to show them the love of Jesus. Allow them to experiecne the love. Gotta go read some more!

Jesus was Homeless Too!

Last night I learned alot. Maybe more than I have ever learned in such a short amount of time. Even though the sights were depressing, the spirits were uplifting and the love was true.

I for one have never ever see in real life how it is to be homeless. We went to a couple of bridges that are "homeless communities". As we pulled up, my heart dropped. There were makeshift beds everywhere. Some of the beds were simply wooden crates with a thin blanket over the top. A great number of garbage bags, many containing their only possessions, were lying everywhere. There were end tables sitting around, broken chairs, blankets, bags and bags and bags of stuff. Each person or couple seemed to have a distinct area that was "theirs". Almost like it was their own little home. Everything that they owned in the world packed up beside where they had prepared a place to sleep. Men, women, young, old, black, white...

We all got out and walked into to the areas. We just sort of mingled about, asked them if they would like a backpack....took a few minutes to ask about them, their life. How long they had been there, what had happened, family? We offered to pray with them and share the word. They were so appreciate of the conversation, I think perhaps even more than they were of the backpacks! They did love the packs, were so excited to get them and see what was inside!! They said thanks a thousand times. They smiled and talked about how they had been blessed, how kind we had been. They were eager to talk, eager to receive a hug. A few had made the choice to be there, others had some bad life circumstances, others had issues they were working on to go back home. Several have no family at all. Some were very recent to be there.

One girl, Allie, seemed somewhat embarrassed to accept the pack, and yet desperately wanted it. She took it and smiled and thanked the person that handed it to her. She wanted to talk and yet was a little shy to look you in the face. She was pretty excited that one of the agencies may be able to get her "inside" by November. Another lady, Laura asked for prayer for her two daughters. They are 11 and 16. I am unsure of when she last saw them. Her eyes just lit up when she spoke of them. There was a guy we met named Ricky. Very animated and just happy with life. Great smile and shining eyes. Telling us about how important God is to him, he readily accepted the opportunity for someone to pray for him. I also met a gentleman by the name of Larry. He looked so familiar to me. He lost his job about 3 months ago. First time he has ever been homeless. He has no family at all. NONE. We talked for a really long time. He cried some, we prayed some, we laughed some.... He has some heart issues and has not been able to afford his medications. He asked specifically for prayer for his health and finding a new job. Also met a man named Danny. Real nice guy, jokester. Caring and watchful. On a list to get "inside" as well. I believe he is 4th on the list??
One of the most hurtful things that happens to these people is that they get treated like no one. Like they are no one at all. From what I heard and observed, that bothers them more than being homeless. They just want to be acknowledged. They want a smile, a hello, a nod.
One of the gentleman, that wasn't real sure that we were just Christian people there to do good for no reason other than that we cared....... he was telling me how some of the homeless are drunk every night, pan-handling constantly, sleeping on the sidewalk, peeing on the walls.... He said that they give the rest of the homeless a bad name. That really hit home with me. I told him, "sounds like some Christians I know. They give us all a bad name by being hypocrites, and mean, and uncaring" I told him, you can't judge all of them by the few that have offended you either. He just smiled at me and nodded his head. He said, "your right" and he kept on smiling.

It was a blessed night.

We had 28 people with us on this journey, and not one of them were not used by God to touch another soul. Thank God that Patti's church heard the call. There were many out there under the bridges, and in the lot. From what I understand, the numbers were actually down at the lot that evening.

oh yeah, the lot!! We also went to a "feeding lot" right behind Lucas Oil Stadium.
WOW, there is a ministry called Manna Ministries of Indianapolis, the website is http://www.mannaministriesofindy.org/ GO the the site and DONATE to them!! They are awesome!! This is just a private family that has a great desire to serve God by reaching out to those less fortunate. They have a bus they drive and every single Thursday come rain or shine, at 7:00 p.m. they serve dinner to however many come to the parking lot they set up in. Inside the bus they have socks, hats, gloves, hygiene products, coats, clothing, you name it. Each person that arrives at the lot gets a number. After a short message, each person takes his number up to the food line and gets a meal served to them. Then one by one they call out the numbers and that person gets to go and get on the bus. They have prayer and tell what they need for that week. Then it is given to them as they are able. It is amazing! They so have their heart in the right place. I cannot encourage you enough to go and donate to this family. I am unsure of how they fund the food, or anything else. They have built a relationship with these homeless people and it is inspiring.

so yeah, I went with my cousin Patti last night to an outreach she helped to put together for the homeless. This is something very near and dear to her. She was homeless herself. She was only a small child........alone....in the cold........ on the streets of Indianapolis. Some people have things like this happen in their lives, and they only complain about it. Or perhaps they get out of a situation and then they never look back. NOT Patti, she goes to action and does something to make it better. She is living her life to serve her Lord and his creation to the best of her ability. She is inspiring and uplifting to be around. I greatly appreciate her willingness to serve so freely.

oh I could go on and on and on....... the visions will be forever in my mind. I certainly plan to make this a part of my own outreach. I pray that you might join me. God Bless!! Don't forget to go and donate, you wil lbe blessed and so will they!

What would happen?

I wonder what our world or even our town or even our church would be like...........if.......... we all did seriously ask the question, "What would Jesus do?" In every situation. Every decision. Every choice. Every everything. What if we disciplined ourselves to that degree?

What if we each prayed every single morning for a minimum of 15 minutes? What if we truly summoned God to be in control. Gave him our burdens, our worries, our fears?

What if we did ask for protection of our minds, our hearts, our mouths? What if we everyday prior to going out asked to be clothed in Christ?

What if we quit putting ourselves first and instead put ourselves last? What if we all lived how Jesus instructed us to live... what would the world be like today?

Each of us can start this right now. It only takes one person to begin a revolution.

whoops

Once again, I let my attention to this blog go by the wayside....

We have begun a new Sunday School series, well more than a series. Basically, a whole new Sunday School for our entire church! So far it has been really cool. The focus is on Christian Worldview. It has been such an eye opener for me. It is amazing our desensitized we have come to so many things, that even as a Christian we just tolerate what is put in front of us without another thought.

I don't want to be like that anymore. I #1 want to be loving and kind, and #2 want to stand up for what is true. NO more what makes me/us feel good. Feelings get you no where. Feelings cannot be relied upon. Feelings don't save your soul. I want to have what I do and say be based upon truth and facts and evidence.

Looking forward to digging into this and sharing with others.

Standing on the promises of God.

In the light

I have had time to absorb God's word over the last couple of weeks. It has been pleasant.

Sometimes we get so caught up, we just throw a few minutes here and there..but don't truly take the time to read, study, and absorb His word. It is sorta funny to me sometimes how I might have read something many many times over a vast number of years, and then BOOM. I understand what it says. God's word has this effect on me. I know that His word never changes...so it must be me!

I am so thankful that God has given that opportunity, to change. Not everyone allows it. Some people hold onto things that have happened, words said, wrong actions taken....... and they just keep on holding on. They can't see past the incident, and everything just stops for them there. I have been guilty of it myself. There was a person that I was like this with for years. YEARS, even after becoming a Christian. I heard her name and would cringe. The thought of her just made my blood get hot. It is so crazy. She has no idea the amount of time I have spent allowing a particular event to define her for me. She has no idea, and I seriously doubt that she cares at all. I however, kept it alive and updated. Refreshing my mind with continual bad thoughts and hurt feelings.

I can only imagine how horrible my life would be right now, if God were like that to me. If He never gave me another chance. If He didn't care to give me the opportunity to change. If He didn't even try to move past my failures, my sins.We should be following the example that was given us. We cannot be the same person we once were. We cannot assume other people are the same as they once were. It is like the Bible talks about in 1st John, the outside of the cup being clean, but the inside never touched. God looks to the inside, He looks to the heart. He knows your heart.

Do you need to give someone another chance? Do you maybe need to not give another chance, but let go of the hurt and anger and pain it caused you? Do it. Don't allow someone else to steal your JOY in Christ. You can't be in the dark and in the light.

Here comes Sunday!

Sunday~ I love Sunday because I love going to church! We were talking last week at our woman's bible study about sacrifice. Our study prompted us to reflect and discuss the sacrifices we make as a Christian. I was blank.

Then I sort of had to laugh inside, four or five years ago... I could have given you an unending list of sacrifices I would need to make to be a Christian. Actually I already considered myself a Christian, so I guess they would have been sacrifices made to attend church. Even getting up early would have been a huge sacrifice for me.

The amazing thing is, none of these things even matter anymore. The "sacrifices" are things I want to do, I desire to do. It is so true that allowing God into your life, establishing a personal relationship...changes your heart, your mind, your thoughts. It does not even take effort for the change. I never understood this before. I can't explain it now. It all has to do with GRACE.

I am not doing anything different in my life due to requirements... I am doing things different in my life due to a changed heart, changed desires. Then to top it all off, my life is so full of joy and peace and love~ more than it ever has been. It is like once I quit trying to find all of that on my own, it was just handed me to me. It is funny to me now, I seriously laugh out loud....

My best friend and I

August 1,2009 Creation Museum

Yesterday we went to the Creation Museum with Bill and Teresa. It was VERY crowded. It was exciting though to see how many people wanted to spend their weekend learning more about God's word. There were a huge variety of people and that made it even cooler.
LOTS of exhibits. The surroundings of each exhibit were so life-like that sometimes you had to really think about if it was real or fake. There was a lot of information. For the amount of people that were there and the amount of information, it was a little bit overwhelming to absorb everything as we followed the crowds through. I did learn several interesting things that were new to me. I loved having science and religion on such a united front. I also felt amazed at how much faith it must take to not believe that there is a God. They made some very good points about that. Another of the things that I really appreciated was having the facts presented to me on both fronts.
I would highly recommend going, but not on a weekend if you can help it. Or, if you go on the weekend.. have an early lunch prior to going and then arrive around noon. You'll miss the craziness of eating there and I think miss alot of the crowds in the exhibits. I would also suggest going to their website and getting a listing of shows that are playing and special exhibits..so you can plan your day accordingly. The lines to see the shows/videos were pretty long waits. Average wait time was about 30 minutes sometimes longer. I am sure this had some to do with it being on the weekend.

Mt Lemmon

Mt Lemmon was AWESOME !

Thank God, that he will never let me go!

I keep thinking of reason why I haven't written on here, and yet..i think the truth is that I am at a roadblock. Perhaps self imposed?? Sometimes I feel so very close to God, like I can feel his touch. Other times, I feel so far away.... like there is no way I could even fathom him speaking to me. I do not understand why I cannot stay on a steady path. Why do I allow myself to waver, when it makes me feel miserable?
I do know the difference of having God in my life or not having God in my life, and I know FOR SURE the difference it makes. I know how much happier how much more at peace I am..how I see the joy all around me. And yet, I allow myself to become distanced. I don't do it on purpose. It starts as one small slip, and then leads into this huge gap in my life.
I find myself wondering what happened? How did I get from there to here? I think it is the same with alot of things in our lives, but of things that truly make our life complete.. it is the one and only. Why would I not continually nourish that which makes me complete?
I'm still working on figuring it all out. I never want to go back to where I used to be though, so I know I have to remove the roadblock. Whatever means are necessary, and discipline myself to keep the road open and working in both directions. Thank you God for never leaving me or forsaking me, even when I place things in the way of my reaching you. Thanks to you for leading me back into your arms, and just holding me until I am ready to get back on my feet again.

Prevenient Grace

I mentioned earlier about Prevenient Grace. That was a new term to me not so long ago. The basic definition of Prevenient Grace is that God is present with us throughout our lives.

Even when we have no plan, God does. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knew us even before he formed us in the womb.

He pursues us throughout our life. He prepares us for circumstances that we will endure. As you go through life doing your "own thing" you will more than likely will feel this yearning for something more... That is God pursuing you.

Someone once told me, "No one can limit you, when the grace of God goes before you." I believe that. Now that I know about Prevenient Grace, I see it all over my life. In my parents, my friends, the Wednesday night church van that came through my neighborhood, small encounters with strangers, a job change, my husband, a place I had no plans of going....

There is only one thing in my life that I do not see the hand of God. I know He had to of been there. I know He certainly carried me through. But I am still struggling to have a clear picture of why. I realize that all things are not revealed to us. I have accepted it (still working on accepting it), and continue to move through it. I pray for the knowledge to comprehend. I believe that God will reveal it to me at the proper time. I have to patient, and know that I am surrounded by Prevenient Grace.

power in prayer

As I mentioned below, I have been going through some old keepsakes. I used to keep a prayer journal. I only do it on occasion now, but finding this, makes me want to get back into the daily habit of journaling prayer. Sometimes it is easy to forget how much God does answer our prayers. Perhaps with a yes, perhaps with a no...or maybe a "just wait."

I wrote the prayer below in my journal, after possible 8 or 9 years of not "belonging" to a church and just a few months shy of attending one. I had forgotten that I had even made these request.

10/2005
Lord, Please give me the guidance in finding a family of believers where I should become a part. Weather that be a place I have been or or somewhere else. I need the contact with other believers. I need to focus on you and share my faith. Help me Lord to be who you desire... Help me to treat everyone with love and respect. Continue to watch over me and guide me on my journey to eternity. Convict me lord through your Spirit of what is unpleasing to you and help me to have a heart of worship and be a faithful servant. Amen! Michelle

That is the prayer I wrote in October of 2005. Shortly after that I began attending Maple Grove Christian Church. I believe in March or April of 2006, I became a member of that congregation. In the fall of 2006 I quit smoking after 20 years (and 20 attempts). I LOVE to worship, and am feeling led by the Spirit more everyday! I am still happy to call MGCC my home, I have met many other believers...and God continues to show me where He wants me to make changes in my life to serve Him. Who would think such a simple and short prayer would make such huge impacts on my life? Praise God!

old studies.. same wisdom

I have been going through some old keepsakes and such..trying to get organized. I came across some notes from previous bible studies. Several things really stood out to me.

1. Practice being in the presence of God.
2. God is present throughout our lives = prevenient grace...can you pinpoint a time in your life that you know that God was with you, guiding you~ even though you had no relationship with Him..maybe you had never heard of Him.
3. God's love and grace are greater than all of our wrong choices.
4. God's love and forgiveness become our motivation for Holy living, not vice versa. Just accept His grace! You cannot do anything to earn favor with God. It is through the grace of Jesus' death that you have favor.
Learn to be happy with who God made you to be.
5. You can receive daily deliverance from the power of sin by calling on the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 "So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of sinful nature." The authority of Satan has been broken, it cannot touch us, unless we allow it.
6. Focus on the Problem Solver, not the problem.
7. James 4:8 "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
8.What would others say is the driving force in my life? What do I want others to say is the driving force in my life? What do I need to change to make these match?
9. Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1John 4:4
10. NO matter who you are or what you have done, if your faith is strong enough, He will heal you. He was the last choice for the woman in the bible who had a bleeding issue, yet He helped her. He will do the same for you, when you reach through the masses, He knows. He will hold your hand.
11. James 4:7 Resist the devil and he will flee from you.(memorize this verse)
12. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1Peter 5:8
13. Have something that you want to do, and you just can't? Jesus can, and will. He lives in you. Call on His power and stand firm.
Luke 5: 1_11 It is not too late.

Blessings

Beautiful weekend, other than all of the rain...

I got a fabulous surprise Sunday when my son and his girlfriend showed up at our church. What a joy to see his face! I love that kid like crazy!! While we were sitting there during the service, it kept coming to mind how God must feel when we come to him. I was so overjoyed at seeing my firstborn, I just kept thinking...wow, imagine the rejoicing God does when we submit ourselves to him. When we quit running and we ask him to be a part of our lives. I know for me, having Allen there Sunday made the whole day alot brighter. I can't even fathom what God experiences when we choose to be a follower of his.

I am blessed and want nothing more than those blessings to be Allen's to stake claim of as well. If we want the best for our children, if we suffer when they do, and rejoice when they do....... How much more so does God do this for us? Indescribable indeed! You are amazing God.........you placed the stars in the sky~~

WOW, THANKS

Thanks, thanks, and THANKS for the prayers! The test came back showing the tissue to benign! PTL !!
I have tell you I have never felt so wrapped up in my life! It was so amazing to be so completely free from worry and fear and all that jazz! I seriously felt like I could handle anything at all that was thrown my way. I know the reason behind that is the prayers of God's people..intercessing for me specifically! WOW, how totally awesome! I have just basically floated through the last several days.

To God be the Glory forever and ever and ever, Amen!

God is Good!

God is good........all the time !

Thanks for all the prayers yesterday! I did feel His hand upon me (perhaps under me, holding me up) yesterday! I felt great peace and was amazed at how totally calm I have felt all the way around.

The procedure was basically painless....quick, and the people were caring and friendly. I came home, went to bed and the rest is history.

I will get the results of the biopsy on Wednesday afternoon, so I do appreciate your continued prayers. The doctor doing the procedure said that upon actually seeing the area that he believes the percentage of it being cancerous is low. I go in at 3:00 on Wednesday, and will let you know what I find out! Either way, I KNOW who is in control and all things happen for a purpose far greater than we can comprehend.

God Bless!

Open House

Tonight is our open house at the new church grounds!! It is from 6 until 7, come if you can!! Be in prayer over our move and our steadfastness to do God's work.

I did find out yesterday that I have to have a biopsy done on Monday for a solid mass that an ultrasound showed in my left breast. Please be in prayer for me to stay calm and be at peace until I know the results..well even after I know them! :-) I get the results on Wednesday.

The little things

I have waited a little while to comment on this, as I have been unsure of what to say.... A lady that I have been working with for the past few months lost her husband just recently. Very tragic accident at his workplace. I never met him, but have heard wonderful things about him. Great wonderful family man /husband/father/brother/son/friend. I went to pay my respects to this fine Christain gentleman, Tim McCammon. I was so uplifted by the many that came to honor him and to support her and their children. It brought tears to my eyes to see the people pouring out of the building..wrapping around it on all sides..just waiting to pay respects to this family. The whole entire day was like that, as well as the evening, and into the night. From what I hear until close to midnight people came from near and far. I believe it was close to three hours before I had the honor to give my support to this family. Though it was overwhelming~ sad and so hard to comprehend~ how amazing to see what a great testimony to God this family continued to give to each and everyone of us who came. How any of them were still standing, was by God's mighty hand..and they were not hesitant to tell you so.
I find myself thinking about Tim and DeAnna all the time. Little things especially make me stop. We take so much for granted each day. Especially the little things we have come to expect. I am thankful that they will all be together again, but I still think about NOW. How do you just go on? What a heaviness on your heart to just have your life turned upside down.
I have prayed countless prayers for this family, and I want to ask you to do the same. Lift them up, pray for their strength, encouragement, tenacity... Pray for God to wrap them tightly and keep them close. Bless them. I pray that through this tragedy, triumph comes. I pray for someone who knew Tim or maybe who didn't even know him, to see the example of his life. To let it make an impact on their own lives, that they too can be a representative of Christ. We know that God does all things for good, for He himself tells us so. He also tells us that it will not all be revealed to us until it is time. He does have a plan. He wants you in it. From what I understand, so did Tim. Let us honor him in this.

Today's Verse

Today's Bible verse hit home with me.

James 3:9-10
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

How very easy it is to see the faults of others and even let their "faults" become our focus. Why is it so easy to see where other people are making major mistakes, saying rude things, and just all around doing a poor job of representing Christ...and yet our own lives could reflect theirs as if it were a mirror? Even though this is the case many times, we see it in their lives, but are totally blind to it in our own. Even if we are not blind to it, we certainly excuse it or defend it. We are no different than our brother.

Luke 6:42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Make Time for Prayer

Make Time for Prayer

"Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (NAS, Matthew 7:7-11)

Prayer is loving communication with God. Prayer may be long or short, alone or in a group, silent or aloud, but should be a true communication with God and not done for public recognition.

God promised to answer our prayers and give us everything we need and more. But a wise parent will not give a child everything he or she wants. Similarly, prayer is not a magical trick to get anything we want or a "quick fix" for problems that we should be solving ourselves. God answers prayer requests in His own way in His own time, and will not grant requests that are against His holy and wise purposes, are selfish in nature, are not in our best long-term interest, or those made with impure motives.

Often, we must be persistent in prayer. The answer, when it comes, may be in a form radically different than we expected, and we must be alert to that possibility. Sometimes, the answer must come from within ourselves and persistent prayer will help us find that answer. We may need a new attitude or a different way of looking at things, or we may need to make amends with somebody.

Jesus spent a lot of time praying. He often went to a solitary place and prayed for hours at a time, especially at difficult times in His ministry. Jesus is the great intercessor. He is the one interceding for us every time we speak to God. Let's follow that example and intercede for those we love!

wow, I love PRAYER

The last couple of days have been so refreshing for me! I love being wrapped up in God, and I think this week...I certainly have been.

I had asked for prayer from various people this week to help me not to worry about some test that I am having done. You know how sometimes your mind goes crazy, and even though you know it is useless to worry~ you just worry anyway?? Well, I had been feeling that way exactly! I went to the doctor late last week. They were able to do a few test that she had ordered, but they could not get me in for one of them for about 10 days after it was ordered. No big deal, still good turn around time... just that I have to NOT WORRY for TEN days. I was automatically worried as the doctor felt this place that shouldn't be there. To wait is very hard for me. I am horrible with patience. This use to be totally impossible for me. Heck by the time the appointment rolled around I would basically have my funeral planned, and be picking out songs.

I didn't want to be that way with this. Sooooooo.. I asked for prayer to not be worried, and guess what?? IT WORKED ! Even sitting here typing this, I can smile and feel confident that whatever God may toss at me, I can handle it. I just feel solid peace.

Thanks to the many of you who have taken the time out to pray especially for me. I am grateful.

Another really "cool" thing is that, I am working on the Emmaus walk this Spring. If any of you have ever worked one, you know that through the months of preparation... each worker is assigned a day that everyone prays for them. This assignment is done months in advance. Guess what? The day people on the team are praying for me is Monday. The test I am not worrying about is on Monday.
Is God totally awesome, or what? I am blessed ! He has a plan for me, and is watching out for me all the time... ALL the time.