Wow! I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted anything. I guess that just shows you how time can get away from you when you get busy. BUSY! I despise that word (Being Under Satan's Yoke) ugh!

I could start telling you some of the things I've learned and the experiences I've had lately, but that would take wwwaaayyy too long :) I have joined a group of women at Jamokas on Thursday night. I have been learning about the believer's authority. I have totally enjoyed learning this with this group of women. They are so smart! I never even thought about have authority over the enemy. Man, I do now! I have used my authority lately for sure. The enemy is trying to use my weakness to bring me down. I am not going to let him. He has no authority over me. I am in the world, but I am not of the world. The Bible said we must just believe. Jesus gave us authority to do great things. I must admit I'm not doing anything great for Jesus. I am going to be His vessel that he can use.

I was also challenged today to notice who I hang out with. Am I hanging out with people like Jesus would have? I know I have lots of friends that are believers. But, who do I need to start investing in that I would be able to share the gospel with? That was a tough question that Q threw out there at me this morning. I am still seeking God's guidance on that. I do know that when God lays something on your heart to share with someone else, you need to do it. There are so many hurting people in this world, so many at our back door. I pray that God will use me to share with them. Open my eyes, Father, that I may truly see and give me the courage and boldness to actually speak to them about your love and mercy. I pray that you, too, will allow God to use you. He loves you so much! He died for you, cares for you...he cares for every little part of you. Oh, what a glorious Savior, friend, lover of my soul. To him be the glory and honor forever amen!

New Year, new me!

I have vowed over the past few years that I would not make a new year's resolution. What's the point? Every one I have ever made I have broken usually within the first two days after. I went to church last week, took communion with my church family and decided to fully give myself to to my GOD. And, during the past week I broke every vow I made. I have been a lazy believer in Christ this week. Doesn't satan love a lazy Christian? Aren't we the best...doing nothing for our Savior?

Then this morning Matt preached on regrets. Man, do I have them. So I asked for forgiveness again this morning. I counted the homes of the neighbors I do not know that live close to me. I decided that I will pray to find a way to reach out to them during the next year. I am also praying that God will reveal His purpose in my life this year. A friend told me this morning that while we want to do big things for God, sometimes He only wants us to do little things. I urge you to pray and seek God's will for your life this year. Seek Him above all others. I, too, am going to do the same. I love my Savior. I want to be peculiar, strange, different in this world because this world is not my home. I want to take as many as I can to my eternal home.

Who me?

Tonight someone told me I was a warrior. I don't feel like a warrior. I heard someone say we trust God with our eternity, but not with everyday things. I know that's me...ugh! I heard it preached that God already knows what we are going to pray for and he has already answered. WOW! God is speaking to me. He is using people around me to speak his words. I am going to listen!

Right now I am praising God because of what HE told me tonight. He is going to change the dynamics of my family and PRAISE GOD I cannot wait!!!! I am going to BELIEVE IT, and CLAIM IT! God has promised it to ME! HALLELUJAH!

Our GOD is an awesome GOD. He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love, our GOD is an awesome GOD!

What's good enough?

Who decided that just being a good person is enough? Someone recently told me, " I know that you want to do a lot at that church, but you are doing a lot by just being who you are." While people seeing God's light in me is an example to the lost world, I believe it is soooo not enough. I have learned over the past year that just existing isn't enough, just being a good Christian isn't enough. Jesus commands us to go out into the world make disciples. I can't do that by JUST being an example. I have learned that it is my job to WORK, to be about my Father's business.....every day. I love my GOD. I know it is my job to share HIM with the world.

I know what God is calling me to do. I am praying that I listen to His voice and wait for His perfect timing. It IS NOT ok just to be a good Christian. Please get mission-minded....listen for God's calling...He has a plan and a purpose for your life! I love you!!!

Happy Birthday, Dylan!

Today is my son's birthday. Eight years ago I became a mother. This morning Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been on my mind. She was such a strong woman, in my opinion. I look into the eyes of my son and my heart just wants to burst with love. I love my husband, but the love between a mother and her child is so different. I truly believe that the love of a mother and son is unique. I am thinking of Mary and I wonder what her thoughts would be today of her experiences. I cannot imagine the agony of watching your child in horrific pain and suffering...to know that he did it all willingly, to know that his love for mankind went exceedingly beyond anything we could ever imagine or ever, ever deserve. I am sure that as she stands in his holy presence today, she knows it was well worth every agonizing moment. Praise God!

Mary...the mother who held that baby in her arms, looked into his eyes, smelled those baby smells. Mary...mother of our Holy God. Mary, I thank you.

Praise God this morning for my salvation. He is my rock, my ever present help in trouble. He is my all in all. I praise him this morning for my son. Thank you, God, for blessing me beyond my wildest expectations, more than I ever deserved. Lord, help me to be like Mary. I give you my son. Use him Father for your honor and glory. May he grow in your grace and knowledge, may he follow your perfect will. Use him, Lord Jesus, to share your salvation with the nations. All I have and all I am I give to you. AMEN.

Miracles

Do we as 21st century believers believe in miracles? That's my burning question. I wonder if we expect to see a man walking on water or water turned to wine before we think of a miracle. Do we just believe in miracles when we have a loved one sick or dying? We take so many things for granted that just living and breathing no longer seems like a miracle in itself. I look into the eyes of my children and I wonder....how do I explain miracles to them?

A miracle.....
the fact Jesus loved me enough to die for me.
four healthy, wonderful children that love me no matter what.
a church family that opens their arms for anyone and everyone, never judging, just loving
friends that listen to my constant yapping
a husband that I love beyond belief that is slowly coming to the realization that he needs
my Savior, too.


Miracles.....they happen everyday in many different ways. Will you be able to recognize your miracle today?

"My Savior lives. My Savior loves. My Savior's always there for me. My God he was. My God he is. My God is always gonna be."

Voices in my head

This week as been a particularly trying week for me. I have been "off my game" so to speak. I have been struggling to pray, struggling to get up to spend my time with my Savior, and struggling to have a postive attitude about my life. I guess we all have "down" weeks. My struggle really began on Sunday when I had to miss worship. We all have reasons why we have to miss church. I don't like missing and I feel lost when I do.

Finally, it hit me. Light bulb!! The devil will fight us in many different ways. I have seen his power in the big battles of my life. Battles that I know, with God's power, I have been victorious. I have felt like a warrior. A warrior with God's power, that is ready for battle and is strong. This week, however, satan has worked against me in a quiet manner. The voice saying, "sleep a little longer, you can read your Bible later." The voice telling me to feel sorry for myself. The voice saying "you deserve this or that." This week I have chosen to listen to that voice instead of the voice of my GOD. My GOD who has been on my side in thick and thin. My GOD that loves me above all. Why do we choose to listen to satan's voice???

"Choose ye this day whom ye will follow..." Sometimes it's easy to know who we are following. Other days it's a struggle. We quietly follow the easy road and don't realize it. Wake up!! Listen to GOD's voice. His is the only one we need to follow. Make your choice today. Follow GOD.