GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

While the year 2008 comes to an end and we celebrated the Christmas Holiday I became sad this Christmas Eve. It became very real to me that on Christmas morning it would be just Bill and I alone again. Just as things had been in all our past Christmases, no children to shower gifts with. I had told Bill a few days earlier that it had SUDDNELY dawned on me that Jerin would not be home for Christmas this year!!!
He found his love of a lifetime earlier this year and would be spending Christmas with Valerie and her family!!!

Last year was the first time we had ever had someone (Jerin) to consider as a child and shower them with gifts just as other parents all over the world do every Christmas morning… It was so precious to love a “child” in this way.
Jerin really made it fun for us.. He gets so excited over the smallest things…especially food and candy!!!
We call this our “PRETEND” Family. Bill, myself, Jerin and Robin ( Jerin is the only one that lives with us)
In reality Jerin is Bill best buddy and Jerin is my friend. Robin is my disciple/spiritual daughter.

I just want to express how the Lord has blessed my life with experiencing what it must be like to have a son!
Bill and I have been a part of Jerin’s life for about 4 years now. He came into our lives during a terrible heartbreaking separation/divorce. We took Jerin under our wing. He would hang out with us, eat with us and after a while he even was doing his laundry at our house. He was part of our family!
We had much in common with Jerin as he was the Jr High leader at one church and we were youth workers at another church. Our hearts were knit from the start.
Jerin’s divorce became final after about a year, against his wishes. He sold their house and moved into a lonely apartment. About the time his year lease was up Jerin and Bill had decided it would be great for all of us if Jerin moved into our house. He could pay some rent and that would help us out financially and Jerin wouldn’t be lonely!!! I of course had adopted Jerin as a son long before this point…!! This was so exciting though…it was kind of real….
I remember spending much time in prayer for his ministry decisions and especially about a wife!
Jerin and I had many long nights of talking about ministry, his heart and about relationships….and then about THE ONE!!! Sweet Val… All these talks felt so much like I would have wanted a mother son relationship to be if I did have one…

I said all that to say this!!! Jerin is moving out soon and my heart is heavy!! I will miss him simply just being around, although he has been gone a lot since the Engagement in September…That has been good in a way…. It will make it somewhat easier when the day does come for him to really go.
I will miss hearing the garage door go up in the middle of the night and knowing he is home safe. This is so funny.. I remember the first time he was out with Val LATE and we were worried about him and if he was ok… I did not go to sleep until I heard him come home. It was then that I knew I had a real motherly love for Jerin… I do recall other women talking about how they don’t go to sleep when their children are out…!!! Ha ha… I got to experience that!!!
I COUNT IT ALL A BLESSING!!! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!!!
Christmas Eve this year I talked to Jerin on the phone and was telling him how I realized he was not going to be home for Christmas morning and that it made me sad…as I hung up the phone I cried that day for the first time over losing my son!
It is a joyous occasion though…. He is getting married to a wonderful young lady and so I am gaining a daughter!
I am so thankful to get to experience these things even though I have born no physical children.

I can be joyful with children and be barren!

Psalm.113
1. [9] He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

There Was No Room in the Inn

On the night of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ Joseph and Mary sought lodging but there was not room.

Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because (he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

During Christmas time we always practice the giving and receiving of gifts. This practice is a perfect picture or representation of the scripture in the Bible:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

JESUS IS SEEKING ROOM IN THE INN OF YOUR HEART, IS THERE ROOM FOR ONE MORE GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS?
Our Lord has wrapped up Eternal life for you in the Lord Jesus Christ and is just waiting or you to ACCEPT it.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

WILL YOU RECEIVE THE GIFT OF GOD THIS CHRISTMAS?

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

First Snow of the Winter!

Ahhhh as we made our early morning drive to church this past Sunday the seasons first snow was gently falling as it had been all evening! What a beautiful sight to see everything being slowly covered in PURE WHITE SNOW!!!!!
This event brought to my memory that we, the Bride of Christ, if you know Jesus as your saviour... We will be clothed in white on that great Marriage day when we meet our Jesus as one Body!
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

As I looked up some scriptures on this I also found that as we daily wash our minds in the Word of God, the Lord is slowly purifying us from the inside out!!!! Making the inside white, and the whiter the inside becomes with His Righteousness...the more our eyes shine the light that resides on the inside...Beautiful...just like the slowly falling white snow!!!!

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

As the snow will continue to fall this winter and every winter in the years to come... let us be reminded that we need to be preparing for that day we see Jesus sweet and Beautiful face for the VERY FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! Let us be clean and prepared, like the scripture says!

Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow

His Yoke is Easy and His Burden is Light

11-27-2008


Thought at the moment:
WHY ARE WE DEFEATED
WHEN WE DON’T RECEIVE THE DESIRED OR EXPECTED RESPONSE WHEN WE FEEL THAT WE HAVE BLESSED SOMEONE’S LIFE IN A PARTICULAR WAY?????????
HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THIS?????????????????????????????????????????

WHEN WE REALIZE IT IS THE LORD THAT HAS BEEN THE ONE BLESSING OTHERS….THROUGH HIS VESSEL….HIS YOKE IS EASY AND HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT! Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Psa 31:21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
Psa 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psa 98:1 A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
Psa 109:31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Isa 12:5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Mar 3:10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

(When we let Him shine,It is THE HEALER that lives in us that others are drawn to)

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It is all about the GLORY OF THE LORD, I think if we really understood that….we could be free from our emotions that so many times trap us in bondage!
It is the Lord in us who moves us to do good works, there is no wrong in being joyful in obeying the Lord, it is when we start believing the lie that we have done a good work…and become prideful in that. There is where the trouble starts.

It is the Lord that is good! There are seven verses that clearly state that fact:

(Psa 34:8) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

(Psa 100:5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

(Psa 135:3) Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

(Psa 145:9) The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

(Jer 33:11) The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth forever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

(Lam 3:25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

(Nah 1:7) The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

WE MUST GIVE THE LORD THE PRAISE FOR HE IS THE ONE THAT BLESSES, EVEN WHEN WE DO NICE THINGS FOR OTHERS…AND IT FEELS GOOD….GIVE IT ALL TO JESUS….IT IS HIS…EVERYTHING IS HIS….WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT NOTHING IS OURS…NOT EVEN OUR WORKS AND THAT THEY ARE HIS…..OH WHAT A BURDEN IT LIFTS….WE MUST SURRENDER TO BE OBEDIENT TO HIS VOICE TO BRING FORTH HIS BLESSING TO TURN IT BACK INTO PRAISE…
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.


I don’t really know exactly why this is on my heart…
It is so freeing to realize that even my works are the Lords! My first thought every day should be how can I possibly serve my Lord in all that comes into my life today…
I pray this upcoming year is packed with right choices and fruitfulness….

If we find ourselves felling EMPTY it is because we are doing the work of the Lord in Vein-
Greek definition:
G1500
εἰκῆ
eikē
i-kay'
Probably from G1502 (through the idea of failure); idly, that is, without reason (or effect): - without a cause, (in) vain (-ly.)

Let us learn to be Full

Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This Thanksgiving

This year has been one of GREAT THANKS in my heart. I have found myself being so thankful for simply being free! Free to worship my God with out persecution, free to walk the streets at any time of day or night, in all things being free.
Lately I have came across some films, one called, "THE HIDING PLACE" a story about a family named the Tenbooms, the other film "ANN FRANK" this particular film on Ann Frank was one not only about her diary but included a few years before their captivity and went through until her fathers return home.

There is so much I could say about these films and how they have greatly impacted my life right now. The biggest thing that I want to share is the fact that in both of these films it really stood out to me that these families were just like me! They had stable homes, good jobs, they were FREE! These people were simply surviving in the world, taking care of the day to day and for no good reason that I can see...they were made into slaves, thrown out of their homes and sent to concentration camps in obscene surroundings. It became aware to me that this very thing could happen to me at any time....any one of us....or many of us...
I pray my Lord I never have to face that fate...it hurts my heart to think of all those who have and are suffering this fate now simply for their worship to Jesus Christ. I pray if I do...I may be counted as faithful as those Tenboom's who kept their faith, found the good in the most HORRIBLE circumstances.

I leave you with this challenge...if you find yourself unable to be Thankful this year because our economy is lacking right now...or any other circumstances surrounding you right now.....checkout anything on the Holocaust....
It will cause you to reflect on simply being free...and that will make you Thankful... I pray..
http://history1900s.about.com/cs/rescuers/

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,

In my reading tonight I see that as David poors his heart out to God. David understands the need for mankind to PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS TO US.
So today as we walk through life may we be mindful that the things we see, hear, taste, touch, feel, smell and every single thing we expereince; our Lord is just waiting for us to Praise Him for His goodness to us...

Read this Psalm and notice how many times it says to praise God for his goodness to man!



Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.

Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Psa 107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Psa 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Psa 107:6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psa 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Psa 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

Psa 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Psa 107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands in sunder.

Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Psa 107:17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

Psa 107:18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

Psa 107:19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psa 107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

Psa 107:24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

Psa 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Psa 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

Psa 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

Psa 107:28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Psa 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Psa 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Psa 107:33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

Psa 107:34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

Psa 107:35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

Psa 107:36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

Psa 107:37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

Psa 107:38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Psa 107:39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

Psa 107:40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

Psa 107:41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.

Psa 107:42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Psa 107:43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

There is a Cost

THE BATTLE IS SPIRITUAL

Eph.6
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Last night a student and I sat at my kitchen table over dinner and we were discussing the risks that we take in this life when we open our selves up to others in relationships. The conversation put me in mind of a question I have been pondering in my heart for a while. " WHAT IS MY PASSION?" That made me think about sports....specifically football...and we were talking about how those players that play with the most PASSION are the ones who get the worst injuries...she said because they are the biggest threat!!!!
I thought WOW...now that gives me perspective....
I had been reading in Ephesians 4 and in this chapter verses 11-12
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
This scripture, as do many others in the Bible talk about the body of Christ..and how we that are in the Body are to edify each other....just like the defensive line on a football team... Edification is so important to the survival of the Body of Christ....
1Thes.5
[11] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
It is so clear that there are risks involved in being a minister of the Gospel of Christ. WE MUST COUNT THE COST...AND EDIFY ONE ANOTHER...
If we are going to fight this spiritual battle with PASSION then we MUST realize, understand and accept there will be wounds....
Jesus knew He was going to suffer the Cross....He still fought with PASSION because He loves the Father because the Father SO loves us. John 3:16
Christians let's allow the Love of God and committment of Jesus flow through us as we fight...because when we fight this battle in our own strength is when we are most voulnerable.... Jesus said
Matt.11
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

GOD Speaks through the Rain

Gen 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

There is no need for God to bring the rain with out a prepared man!

Today is September 12/13, it just so happens to be 12:30 in the morning…and I just got home from a powerful time of prayer with some magnificent women of faith.
On my journey home it began to rain AGAIN….it has been raining all day, as a matter of fact…..it has really rained A LOT all summer….which is very unusual for this geographical location of the state of Missouri!...
God has been working on my heart about this rain thing for probably 6 months now and I have been preparing for His rain to come into my life…spiritually speaking….
God gave me this mental picture as I traveled through this rain tonight….
At first it was just a light sprinkle, very nice a relaxing for a midnight drive…
AND THEN here came the down poor!!!! I get really nervous driving in the rain at night because I can’t see well AT ALL at night when driving and the rain totally doesn’t help the situation…
I thought to myself, “SELF turn the radio up and just meditate on what the group just did and let the music speak to me..!” Self said MMMMMMM that idea sounds delicious!!!
Then the Holy Spirit said, “You have been talking to me for over an hour with your friends, let me speak to you through the rain!”
Well, how could I say NO to that!!!! I LOVE the sound of nature!! I turned off the radio and just sat back slowed my speed down and started listening…..and God had something to say…!!!!
He said that sometimes the rain is slow and light making it easy to get around in and through…and sometimes it comes down fast and hard making it difficult to see the path that your are on. To be safe not to drift off the safe path you have to slow down and keep your eyes on the lights to see where you are going! I tried looking AHEAD of the light that my head lights were making but that only distorted my view, making the path cloudy…God said that I need to keep my eyes in front of me ON the light and that would keep my FOCUS clear and on the safe path.
That means don’t get ahead of God…there is safety in the light.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I was like WOW…all this time in the last few months I have been trying to get as much of God’s Word as I can every way I can to get ready for what ever it is He is getting ready to do in mine and Bill’s lives. We have slowed down in everything.
I remember realizing how much clearer God’s voice has become the more we have slowed down and just got into His presence!!!! God is totally showing me the picture of that in this rain tonight!!!
Gen 19:27 And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:

God also said that sometimes the rain comes so hard that it washes out part of the path that I am on and I have to take an alternate route to my destination…!!!!!
That is EXACTLY…. where we are right now in our lives! The rain is coming hard and fast and part of our path has been flooded and we have been directed to an alternate route for God to bring forth the fruit He has planted the seeds for in our lives in His season!
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
CHRISTIAN: YOU MUST PREPARE YOUR GROUND FOR GOD’S RAIN!!!! YOU CAN HEAR HIS VOICE IF YOU JUST GET IN HIS PRESENCE, STAND STILL AND LISTEN.

What Makes My Heart Melt

This saturday Bill and I had the opprotunity to go from no children to two teenage boys for the weekend... !!! Chris and Phillip Alred got to our house about 1230 on saturday and we got them settled into their room and took them off to lunch...we took them to Monglian BBQ!!! We met Amy there too...The boys thought it was cool...
It mad me so happy to share something with them they had never done before...
They want to go there again when they get home from camp...
It was saturday night and Phil started calling me Mom...I know I can never replace his MOM and I don't want to...but it was so sweet!!!! It just made my heart melt...He said I am his mom for this week....and so all day sunday and monday til they left for camp he called me mom...!!!!
Now it is wednesday and I find myself missing them so so so much...I keep watching the clock trying to imagine what they might be doing right now at camp and missing Phillip saying, MOM....MOM....
every time I go to the store I see oatmeal cream pies and that makes me think of Phillip then I see chocolate donuts and fruit snacks and think of Chris...
These boys are so awesome..they just talk talk talk talk talk...I love it...
I don't know what I am going to do when they go back to Mexico!!!! Right now I get to look forward to seeing them again on saturday....
And I can't leave out my girls.... Val and Robin they are my kids that I have here all the time and Jerin anf Micah...they are my fulltim pretend kids...I just love it when they call me Mom....I just melt every time...except when Robin and Jerin are pretend fighting for too long...!!! LOL...

I said all that to say this:
Yesterday as I sat at the Lake looking through my Bible and my old notes sitting in the quiet...I wanted so much to know everything that was happening at camp...this was the first time in 6 years that I have not been able to go to camp and my heart achs to be there....I was thinking of how much I miss Phillip running around here saying MOM...MOM....and God said to me how much He misses me when He doesen't hear from me and I don't spend time with Him every day...He achs for me...He wants me to call Him Father...it will make his heart melt...just to hear me call Him Father....
I can't imagine how much these Boys' parents must be missing them...I thank God my Father to have had them long enough to experience what it may be like to have children and to miss them so much....
I love my Kids!

Hold on to your Spoon!

Well, so much has been happening in my life recently... My last entry was about the Grace of God and how He has promised me spiritual fruit.
I have just recently returned to work after recovering from a complete abdominal Hysterectomy at the age of 34. It was some what of a difficult decision for me to make to follow through with this procedure. I have been asking for one about 10 years now. After my first miscarriage at 6 weeks I wanted it that day...I never wanted to experience that again...that was in 2002. In 2004 the Lord granted us the courage to get pregnant for a second time. That also ended at 12 weeks. Some how the second one was so different...it was very painful emotionally but I still wanted to have a child....but the more time went by the more I wanted spiritual fruit.
Over the last 4 years...WOW... I can't believe it has been 4 years...in August actually...
Anyway in the last 4 years The Lord has helped me understand and accept that I will not bear children of my own. He has in His way turned my focus to His will not mine..I often think of Jesus in the garden before He was taken to be crucified. Jesus prayed to God the Father and asked if there be any other way...BUT...not my will but thine be done...
I AM SO CONTENT!!!!!
I had asked my doctor what would be best for me. I said I want to be as healthy as I can for as long as I can. That was when she said it was time to take it all out...!!!!
I was so amazed at my emotion to that response...I knew it was what I had wanted for YEARS....and I knew it was best for my overall health....why was I sad...
I spoke with several women that had children and had the same reaction...so I guess that's normal...
OK I said all of that to say this.....
On Sunday the preacher was talking about dinner at Grandma's house...and how she always said "HOLD ON TO YOUR SPOON" because desert was coming...the best part of the meal.....
The Lord is telling me to "HOLD ON TO MY SPOON" because the best of my life is yet to come.....
PRAISE THE LORD...HE IS FAITHFUL.

God's Grace

Today I got this quote in an e-mail from a friend and I never want to forget it!

'When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but
merely opening your hands to receive something better.'

Concentrate on this sentence.....

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not
protect you'
It makes me think of my self in the way that I will not bear any children, BUT, God gave me these verses in Isaiah 54:1-3 a few years agao:
Sing O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the married wife , saith the Lord.
Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations:spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes:
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Now I am married and am not a widow, but have had two misscarriages and have so many other reproductive issues that I will not be bearing any children and as I have dealt with this in my life over many years God has reminded me that he saved me to reproduce spiritual children. I will live if I don't bear children.
In these verses I find promise that He can use the love in my heart to minister to all those around me, and I will have so many children some day that my house will not be able to contain them all!
I am so blessed!

Preparing for rain

The movie Facing the Giants has caused me to look deeper into this "PREPARING FOR RAIN" quote.
The Word of God in the book of James talks about a man named Elijah who believed God would do something if he asked it according to His will. Elijah was a man of great faith:

Jas 5:17 Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Jas 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Do you think that he prepared for the drought??? Did he prepare for the rain???
He didn't ask for rain until three years and six months later.....and it was for God to be glorified...(see IKings Ch 17-18)
"Things that make you go HMMMMMM..... "
OK that's a line from the 80's but it fits!!

I purpose this challenge to my brothers and sisters in Christ....please log on to the link below and watch the clip from the movie.... Ask God to show you what kind of rain is He going to bring into your life and show you how to PREPARE for it!!!! Ask believing!!
https://youtu.be/WAxwS8KyMQQ