Stupid Button....

I run for dear life to God, I'll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Put your ear to the ground and listen, give me space for salvation. Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open! You're my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.

My God, free me from the grip of Wicked, from the clutch of Bad and Bully. You keep me going when times are tough—my bedrock, God, since my childhood. I've hung on you from the day of my birth, the day you took me from the cradle; I'll never run out of praise. Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.

Just as each day brims with your beauty, my mouth brims with praise. But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight. My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me. The gossip is: "God has abandoned him. Pounce on him now; no one will help him."

God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side! My accusers—make them lose face. Those out to get me—make them look like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you, and daily add praise to praise. I'll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation the livelong day, never run out of good things to write or say. I come in the power of the Lord God, I post signs marking his right-of-way.

You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you? You, who made me stare trouble in the face, turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I've been to the bottom; bring me up, streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me, and I'll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. I'll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel. When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song. All day long I'm chanting about you and your righteous ways, while those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.

~Psalm 71 (MSG)


I've been thinking a lot about this passage...you know I never do regret running to Him. He is such a safe haven...my most peaceful refuge...MY ROCK! It seems some weeks like He's constantly at work to get me out of messes. It just seems that sometimes I know how hit the stupid button every single time. It might seem like I'm trying to do the best in a situation, but it ends up doing the very opposite.

I'm sick and getting sicker by the minute. Tomorrow's filled with doctor's appointments and hopefully it will prove to some relief in the future. I'm tired...but it'll all pass in the timing that it's supposed to...

Stand Beside

The bad thing about having an artistic bend is that I tend to be a little disorganized when it comes to my writing. I remembered that I had wrote something a while back, but couldn't find it. See, this often happens because I've written it on a card envelope, a piece of paper that I found by the wayside or on another paper which got filed away because of the purpose it was serving.

I came across this poem...I wrote it about at LEAST a month ago on a piece of scrap paper along with a whole smack of scriptures ;D! I thought I would share...this is definitely an interesting journey without a lot of predictability most weeks and even day-to-day, but you know, that's an okay thing. I'm gonna end off with one of the scriptures that was written on the page...you can always seemingly tie things together, even though they might not have been intended that way.


And I'll never quit this trek with you,
Even though I go astray.
I always know you're by my side,
No matter what may pass my way.

But does that mean no bumps in sight?
Does that mean no heartache or demise?
All it truly means is never being alone,
Always having You there beside me.

Is it a lack of trust or shortness of sight?
Do I lack the faith to truly do this fight?
Is there ever a blue print for how things play out?
Or simply knowing that you know and that's all that ever matters.

You give me the strength to carry on when I don't want to,
You stay by my side even though I say to go.
You never give up on me, even when I've given up on myself,
Always there to love and draw me near.

A Father's love is what you offer,
To all who want it and call out to you to have it.
A simple promise to always stand beside,
Until the day that journey to You is complete.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Life in His Way

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.

Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of them.

Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.

Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.

Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.

~ Colossians 3:12-25 (The Message)

Mottos of Life

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

~Jeremiah 29:11-14(a)

It's no secret to anyone who reads this blog that this is my motto verse in life...for myself, our family, our marriage and life in general. I'm clinging SO very hard to this verse today. I've been blessed to volunteer for a position this past year. It's been an awesome experience that words won't ever adequately describe. There's been a lot of growth in my walk, my work experience and simply in me as a person. I attribute this volunteer position to a good portion of that...it's very humbling as I think where I was, where I am and where He'll continue to take me.

Another motto I live by in my life is this...that God would place job opportunities in my life that are such a blessing, that I would love them enough to do the job for free...with my whole heart and soul, giving it my all and letting Him shine through it all. Today, I am having an interview...to possibly be able to call this volunteer position my job. It's my first interview in 11 years...yes, I worked a job for two years in my old stomping grounds, but I didn't have a formal interview for it. So, yesterday and today have so far, been full of prayer and preparation.

"His will, not mine" is what my motto is today. That He'll formulate the words to answer questions posed to me. That His love will shine through me as I have this interview. That in the end, what He wants will transpire, and that it'll be accepted with a loving and humble heart, no matter what that reply might be.

Guided Ways...

"Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make! ... Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.

~ Psalm 16:1-3,11

Chosen...

Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Those blessings come from the heavenly world. They belong to us because we belong to Christ.

God chose us to belong to Christ before the world was created. He chose us to be holy and without blame in his eyes. He loved us. So he decided long ago to adopt us as his children. He did it because of what Jesus Christ has done. It pleased God to do it. All those things bring praise to his glorious grace. God freely gave us his grace because of the One he loves.

We have been set free because of what Christ has done. Through his blood our sins have been forgiven. We have been set free because God's grace is so rich. He poured his grace on us by giving us great wisdom and understanding.

He showed us the mystery of his plan. It was in keeping with what he wanted to do. It was what he had planned through Christ. It will all come about when history has been completed. God will then bring together all things in heaven and on earth under one ruler. The ruler is Christ.

We were also chosen to belong to him. God decided to choose us long ago in keeping with his plan. He works out everything to fit his plan and purpose. We were the first to put our hope in Christ. We were chosen to bring praise to his glory.

You also became believers in Christ. That happened when you heard the message of truth. It was the good news about how you could be saved. When you believed, he marked you with a seal. The seal is the Holy Spirit that he promised.

The Spirit marks us as God's own. We can now be sure that someday we will receive all that God has promised. That will happen after God sets all of his people completely free. All of those things will bring praise to his glory.

~Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIRV)

Surrounded

Cry Out To Jesus
Words by Mac Powell / Music by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight


This is another favorite which I've started listening to this week. It speaks volumes every time I play it, because it talks about how life is and what the answer is. It doesn't say that things will always be okay or you'll never have problems. What it does say, is that despite that, He's always there with you and you simply need to cry, whisper or just think the words...He'll hear them...He already knows what's being thought.


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Directions

Have you ever felt like you're simply being pulled in a million different directions?

You see, right now that's where I am on many different levels. My family is continuing to battle illness...you know we've gotten really used to having me sick, but lately I've been sicker than usual and right now it seems we're guaranteed to have at least one, if not more of us sick all at once. This has went on for a month now...it's getting really exhausting. There are days where I am angry and frustrated, yet trying hard to find what I'm supposed to find in this.

I know some would say, you don't need to find something in everything. But my thought is that when something lasts as long as it's lasted, there's something to be found, taken and learned from. Whether that be to slow down and rest or to simply start surrendering and quit relying so much on your own power...I don't know, but I'm feebly attempting to do what I can...whether it's enough or not is yet to be seen.

I guess the other thing is that I've been feeling a pull ministry-wise for so long, yet I've balked it for a variety of reasons. If I'm being completely honest, I'd have to say that my pride and some fear have played a part and also what those around me have been thinking about it. Yet as much as I want to jump into something, I then think about whether or not, while I'm sick, am I clearly discerning anything...especially the voice of God. Right now I think I'd have to say no. And for that reason I will continue to wait and attend to the most important ministry I have...my family.

They are my most important ministry. I think sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life or in the despairing times, I tend to forget that sometimes. So this weekend, as our plans have been placed on hold yet again, due to illness and all that, I will attend to my family in the best way I can. I may not be who I normally am or do all I normally do, but I'll simply be there for them how I can and I know that'll be enough, because they simply want me and I simply want them.

You know, I'm up right now because I can't sleep, but yet I'm so tired! So that's why I was typing, but now I think it's time to stop and go to Him and cry out yet again. And this week, it's literally been 'crying out', but I don't think that's a bad thing either, 'cause at times it feels like the frustration, pain and anger are pouring out...at least they're pouring out and allowing me to heal spiritually, if nothing else.

"There is a time for everything. There's a time for everything that is done on earth. There is a time to be born. And there's a time to die. There is a time to plant. And there's a time to pull up what is planted. There is a time to kill. And there's a time to heal. There is a time to tear down. And there's a time to build up. There is a time to cry. And there's a time to laugh. There is a time to be sad. And there's a time to dance. There is a time to scatter stones. And there's a time to gather them. There is a time to hug. And there's a time not to hug. There is a time to search. And there's a time to stop searching. There is a time to keep. And there's a time to throw away. There is a time to tear. And there's a time to mend. There is a time to be silent. And there's a time to speak. There is a time to love. And there's a time to hate. There is a time for war. And there's a time for peace."

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

My Rock of Clinging...

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. "

~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message)

Focusing...

"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God."

~ Philippians 1:3-11


This is pretty much all I can muster up for blogging this week. I'll be back to comment to those of you who have left comments, but that'll have to be later in the week. This passage is hopefully where I will find myself reading and reflecting today. Despite all which is going on, I am living with thankfulness for all whom He's brought into my life. Trying hard to place my focus on the positive, in order to place a shadow on the negative. Isn't easy and isn't always accomplished, but that's where I am and it'll have to be good enough for now.

The extent of my writing are the words below...they might not make much sense, but right now I honestly don't make a lot of sense. Oh well, we live with what we have!

As the dawn begins to rise
I slowly open up my eyes.
What will today hold?
What will I need?

God, please let me be real!
No games, no walls or masks.
To live my life without attempts for super heroics.
Help me know that I show you through both the bad and the good.

No matter what comes,
Joy or saddness, peace or chaos,
Health or illness, life or death.
Instead of me,
I pray you'll somehow shine through.

Masks and Bungee Jumping

"And now, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her. I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. She'll respond like she did as a young girl, those days when she was fresh out of Egypt.

"At that time"—this is God's Message still— "you'll address me, 'Dear husband!' Never again will you address me, 'My slave-master!' I'll wash your mouth out with soap, get rid of all the dirty false-god names, not so much as a whisper of those names again. At the same time I'll make a peace treaty between you and wild animals and birds and reptiles, And get rid of all weapons of war. Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies! And then I'll marry you for good—forever! I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness. Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go. You'll know me, God, for who I really am.

"On the very same day, I'll answer"—this is God's Message— "I'll answer the sky, sky will answer earth, Earth will answer grain and wine and olive oil, and they'll all answer Jezreel. I'll plant her in the good earth. I'll have mercy on No-Mercy.I'll say to Nobody, 'You're my dear Somebody,' and he'll say 'You're my God!'"

Then God ordered me, "Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who's in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy."


I did it. I paid good money to get her back. It cost me the price of a slave. Then I told her, "From now on you're living with me. No more whoring, no more sleeping around. You're living with me and I'm living with you."

The people of Israel are going to live a long time stripped of security and protection,without religion and comfort, godless and prayerless. But in time they'll come back, these Israelites, come back looking for their God and their David-King. They'll come back chastened to reverence before God and his good gifts, ready for the End of the story of his love.


(Hosea 2:14-23; 3:1-5)


Okay, so I'm blogging twice in one day...in one morning. Big Mister and Little Miss have a day off of school, so Little Mister and I are taking one as well...at least the morning...we're all going to do some work this afternoon!

But anyhow, I read this scripture passage on Friday. It brought me to many places...a place where I just wept, truly let everything drain out of me through my tears. It brought me to a place of realizing how hard I am on myself so many days. I realized a little bit, the danger I play by being so hard on myself. I think this often causes me to not truly realize the extent of potential God does have in my life.

I sat on Friday and was truly honest with myself...about everything...my fears, disappointments, short-comings, pain, frustrations. I came to a place of realizing that I can't live my life with walls up and expect that I'll get anything substantial out of it...relationships, friendships, my walk with Christ, my potential in all my roles...they will never reach their full potential and people will never truly see ME, until I break the walls down.

Even as I sit and type, I'm crying, because at some point in my life I bought into Satan's lie that I needed to live a perfect life and that I couldn't just simply be me. You know, I might not be perfect, but I'm beautiful in His eyes, from the inside out.

My friend's sermon yesterday was all about masks and taking them OFF! Beginning to live real and not try to hide behind the masks of life appearing to be perfect, fear, anger, etc. I've been living with multiple masks on, partly because I felt I was doing everyone a favor if I spared them what was truly going on. I didn't want to heap anyone's plate with my problems and have them be over-burdened...but I didn't allow them to make that decision...I made it for them! In the process of making that decision, I essentially put a huge wall between a lot of people and me, by not allowing them all the way in.

I'm working towards the demolition on those walls. Do I think it will come today or overnight? Was Rome built in a day? No...just like it takes time for walls to be erected, it will take time to demolish them. It will take restraint, strength and courage to not fall back into 'old' ways and build those walls back up again. It will take that same restraint, strength and courage to truly be honest and allow my true identity to be seen.

But despite the hardships, I know that I am going to experience a freedom like I've never experienced before. I'm experiencing a small bit of it today, even as I reflect and begin to change course. Does it mean that things will always be peachy? That problems, pain, grief, anger, etc. will never arise? No, but what it does mean, is that I will hopefully begin to handle them very differently! I will allow people into my world. truly into it, to see what's going on and will realize that it's perfectly okay to be there. I will slowly learn to be content with where I am, and not where I think I should be. I will slowly learn to be content with who I am, and not whom I think I should be.

Do I walk a very winding path of life sometimes? A friend once likened it to 'bungee-jumping'. Yeah I do tend to walk that sort of life, but the hugest blessing is the fact of the people who are there to support and guide me when my cord breaks. They love me for me, even when I can't love myself. They see me for who I truly am, especially when I can't see it myself. They often know me much better than I know myself. But for me, that's the truest blessings of this life!

God's Sense of Humor

The post which I talked about below...I'm not going to write it today, very well might not be tomorrow or this week. But being that I'm at my computer while Little Mister works away on his school work, I thought I would post a little tidbit.

The first thing...I think God has a real interesting sense of humor some days...actually many days. So if you were to think about it...what would your view be on this?

The second thing...the reason why I think God has a real interesting sense of humor. I have been attending a Ladies Bible study and even though I can't go tonight, I read through what will be studied. They are looking at Day 25 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I opened the book and this is what I saw...Day 25: Transformed by Trouble.

I laughed out loud and then had to explain to Mr. Cinder what all the laughter was about. It was an awesome thing to read...came at a very good time, on what was a pretty hard day, knowing that today would not be a lot better.

Anyhow, once I get my brain completely wrapped around it, I am planning on writing my reflections in a post. I don't know about you, but sometimes when I read something that hits so close, it takes a while to completely absorb all aspects of what you've taken in. The verse to remember was Romans 8:28, but I really liked Romans 8:26-28 together and all it had to say, so I'll sign off on that note!


"In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don't know what we should pray for. But the Spirit himself prays for us. He prays with groans too deep for words. God, who looks into our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit. And the Spirit prays for God's people just as God wants him to pray.

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose."

~ Romans 8:26-28(NIRV)

Realizations...

I received "Hold on Tight" this morning from a friend from college. We had lost touch, but regained contact a few years ago. Most of our contact is now via the Internet and yearly Christmas cards and greetings, but we have made that conscious effort to keep the contact alive and well.

I simply wanted to post this, because to me it speaks a lot of truth. Life is a precious blessing and so is each second we are blessed to live with. I know I'm guilty of not appearing to not see this, but I do know how precious it truly is. I've been with more than one family member as they took their final breath...one second here, the next second their spirit has left. I've been behind the vehicle of a car, enjoying life with my kids one minute and in the next, I was wondering if life would ever be the same as I knew it.

I've experienced with my mom what it's like to be handed a diagnosis which means your life will never be the same. It is in that instant that you truly realize the frailness of this life and just how precious your loved ones are. You begin to live and view life in a vastly different light. So, that's why this is being posted.


Hold on Tight
To realize the value of a sister:
Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of ten years:
Ask a newly divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one-second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.


I thought about all of those things. I realized that those who are wise and do what is right are under God's control. What they do is also under his control. But a man doesn't know whether God will show favor to him. Everyone will die someday. Death comes to godly and sinful people alike. It comes to good and bad people alike. It comes to "clean" and "unclean" people alike. Those who offer sacrifices and those who don't offer them also die. A good person dies, and so does a sinner. Those who take oaths die. So do those who are afraid to take them.

Here's what is so bad about everything that happens on this earth. Death catches up with all of us. Also, the hearts of people are full of evil. They live in foolish pleasure. After that, they join those who have already died.

Anyone who is living still has hope. Even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! People who are still alive know they'll die. But those who have died don't know anything. They don't receive any more rewards. And they are soon forgotten. Their love, hate and jealousy disappear. They will never share again in anything that happens on earth.

Go and enjoy your food. Be joyful as you drink your wine. Now is the time God favors what you do. Always wear white clothes to show you are happy. Anoint your head with olive oil. You love your wife. So enjoy life with her. Do it all the days of this meaningless life God has given you on earth. That's what he made you for. That's what you get for all of your hard work on earth.

No matter what you do, work at it with all your might. Remember, you are going to your grave. And there isn't any work or planning or knowledge or wisdom there.

Here's something else I've seen on this earth. Races aren't always won by those who run fast. Battles aren't always won by those who are strong. Wise people don't always have plenty of food. Clever people aren't always wealthy. Those who have learned a lot aren't always favored. God controls the timing of every event. He also controls how things turn out.

A man doesn't know when trouble will come to him. Fish are caught in nets. Birds are taken in traps. And people are trapped by hard times that come when they don't expect them.

~ Ecclesiastes 9 (NIRV)

Drink

"It was the last and most important day of the Feast. Jesus stood up and spoke in a loud voice. He said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Does anyone believe in me? Then, just as Scripture says, streams of living water will flow from inside him."

~ John 7:37-38

Some Food Feeding Me Today...

"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it? (Acts 17:26-28, MSG)


"So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching."
(Hebrews 10:24-25, MSG)


"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."
( Matthew 18:19-20, MSG)


You can give without loving, But you cannot love without giving.
~ Amy Carmichael

Blessings of Refuge

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..."Be still, and know that I am God;"

~ Psalm 46:1-2(a), 10(a)


This verse was sent to me by a friend. Speaks huge amounts of truth and comfort! I find it interesting, how when you are battling something such as a really persistent illness, or whatever it might be in life, how huge it can become. The result for me of things becoming so huge...I become grumpy, tired, down, clouded in terms of my thinking and really, forget to rely on the one thing I should be...GOD and HIS WORD.

It's a definite blessing, that I have people who pass scripture and encouragement my way, during these times. It brings me back to reality, takes my mind off all that's happening and helps me to refocus. Huge blessings which, often times, seemingly get overlooked.

Love...

Well, I guess I should probably say something, instead of simply posting a huge thing of scripture. I've been thinking a lot about how loved I am and about those around me I love so much. I don't live it enough...but it's there, deep within, even when I'm not sharing it.

This is one of my favorites in the scripture passages department...especially when I need a boost. Yeah, I a lot of times, find direction through this one and a lot of peace. I guess that's all the speaking I'm going to do today. Back to the couch to rest a while longer!

You know, does anyone out there have any good leads on pain relievers? 'Cause, I'm not having success in this department right now, and that really might go a long way in helping my overall 'mood' to improve.


If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (MSG)

Continual Mediation = All You Need

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

~ Joshua 1:7-9

Where Do You Go For Help?

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
~Psalm 121:1-2

Come and Drink

"Come!" say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, "Come!" Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink, drink freely of the Water of Life!
~Revelation 22:17