Why do people try so hard to be picture perfect? Like they want you to see them as something we all know they are not. Maybe it looks good from the driveway, but go inside and it's anything but perfect. I have no shame in telling you that I have issues. (No jokes, please) I have battled depression, anxiety and fear and with God, we won. I have to remind myself that the devil wants me to be afraid all the time, and when I feel him creeping his way in, I call on my almighty God and he hears my crys and saves me from my fears. God rescues me daily and I am so grateful to serve. Now I also know how easy it is to dwell in sadness, anxiety and fear because I have done that! Man it was a long road that I will not ever revisit. If you will just let him, God has a way of touching your heart like no one else can. I put God FIRST always, before my husband, parents, kids and friends. My husband knows he does not come first, as I do not come first to him and I am thankfully okay with this set-up. Now I am no expert, but here's what I do know: God is mighty, God is merciful, God is forgiving, God is everlasting and the great I AM. Be of great faith friends, test him and see what he can do. Whatever it is in your life that feels like defeat, give it ALL to God. God can't take care of it if you keep holding onto it!
My mom is such an inspiration to me, she has such great faith and I think that is such an awesome gift. I look at the trials and hardships she has endured in her life and it makes me sad to know the things she has gone through. BUT she holds her head high and moves on, sometimes I just don't know how but she reminds me that God doesn't want us to dwell there, but to dwell in him and he gives us peace. Life gives us circumstances that we as humans don't understand, but know this, NOTHING gets to you without going through God first. His plans are perfect, all of them. The best prayer I have ever prayed was this:
"God, Change me..." Man that little prayer had such a huge effect on my life, my marriage and my lifestyle. Things I didn't understand came into focus. You see, it's not always others that bring us down, but ourselves. Ask God to change you so you may see the real issue. I think it's kinda cool to have issues, just so I can see God work on people, because the truth is if we were perfect, we wouldn't need Jesus.................so imperfections are awesome because I love to need Jesus! Here's what is perfect though, Jesus and the love he has for his children. Amen to that! So if you ever happen to stand in my driveway and it looks good, come inside and if things aren't perfect, well we will have lots of coffee and pray about it!
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you
by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and
through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you
shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord you
God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1b-3a)
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Selfless
Today we went and looked at our dream house, It is beautiful and out of our price range. BUT, I serve a mighty God who promised me that If I ask and believe it will be done, it will. AMEN to HIS promises :)
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:21-22
Thank you Jesus!
This is where faith steps in and you have to remove all doubt. I know God hears me and he wants great things for us, even the ones that may seem impossible. I mean he made a donkey talk so need I say more? So as we walked around our new house, we stood together as a family and humbly prayed that God would make a way for our family to have this house. This house is just a speck on this earth to God, but he knows how big it is to us. My momma always told me to pray about everything, even the impossible and have faith that God will handle it. My Jasmine prays daily sometimes more than once, and she always thanks God for everyone she knows, people who are sick, the dog, and our new house, she has such a sweet spirit and I am so thankful that Our heavenly Father blessed us with her.
Let's move on to say that this year My family will begin a new chapter and we will call it "Selfless." Sounds good, huh? Well let's put "Selfless" into action! We will be helping where there is a need, no matter what or how great the need we will do our best to get it done. We will feed the homeless, and not just dropping off canned goods, we will feed them, serve them and be a friend to them. Afterall, these are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you think Jesus would drop off a can of beans and leave or do you think he would serve them, sit with them and talk with them? Aren't we supposed to be Christlike? God has blessed each of us in so many ways, and it is our responsibility to care for those in need. We are not here to judge them, but to love them, care for them and give them hope. I always try to imagine myself in their situation or someone I know. For instance, The elderly man sitting in the median with a sign that says "Disabled Veteran, will work for food." What if that was your Father, grandfather or your heavenly father? (Whoa) And if you gave him $10 would it break you? Really it wouldn't. We waste so much money on stuff, but that $10 made a huge impact on the homeless gentleman. If you're worried about them buying achohol or drugs, pray over that money before you give it to them. Always cover yourself and others with prayer.
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:21-22
Thank you Jesus!
This is where faith steps in and you have to remove all doubt. I know God hears me and he wants great things for us, even the ones that may seem impossible. I mean he made a donkey talk so need I say more? So as we walked around our new house, we stood together as a family and humbly prayed that God would make a way for our family to have this house. This house is just a speck on this earth to God, but he knows how big it is to us. My momma always told me to pray about everything, even the impossible and have faith that God will handle it. My Jasmine prays daily sometimes more than once, and she always thanks God for everyone she knows, people who are sick, the dog, and our new house, she has such a sweet spirit and I am so thankful that Our heavenly Father blessed us with her.
Let's move on to say that this year My family will begin a new chapter and we will call it "Selfless." Sounds good, huh? Well let's put "Selfless" into action! We will be helping where there is a need, no matter what or how great the need we will do our best to get it done. We will feed the homeless, and not just dropping off canned goods, we will feed them, serve them and be a friend to them. Afterall, these are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you think Jesus would drop off a can of beans and leave or do you think he would serve them, sit with them and talk with them? Aren't we supposed to be Christlike? God has blessed each of us in so many ways, and it is our responsibility to care for those in need. We are not here to judge them, but to love them, care for them and give them hope. I always try to imagine myself in their situation or someone I know. For instance, The elderly man sitting in the median with a sign that says "Disabled Veteran, will work for food." What if that was your Father, grandfather or your heavenly father? (Whoa) And if you gave him $10 would it break you? Really it wouldn't. We waste so much money on stuff, but that $10 made a huge impact on the homeless gentleman. If you're worried about them buying achohol or drugs, pray over that money before you give it to them. Always cover yourself and others with prayer.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Divine appointment
Let me jump right into yesterday, I am a firm believer in divine appointments and God saw fit to give me one yesterday. As I was locking up at work and just about to walk out, a van pulls in. My first thought was "never fails." So I put down my purse and keys and waited...........out of this very old van emerges a very tiny elderly woman with some sort of homemade portfolio. As soon as she entered the door I was overcome with joy and could not help but smile. She wanted so humbly to show me her paintings and I couldn't wait to see them. But the entire time she was in the shop she praised God, every word seemed to give praise to our Father. As she showed me every picture, she spoke bible verses and closed her eyes most of the time, constantly giving all honor and glory to God. She tells me that she sells them for $10 or whatever someone sees fit to pay. So after about 10 minutes, she says "do you see anything you like?" I already knew the one I wanted, it had lillies on it and a bilble verse:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
My friends, let me tell you that this was an awesome lady. First thing I thought of when I saw her, Christlike, humble, sweet spirited and I knew I was in the presence of God. So when I read that verse, I had chills. "The Lord your God is with you where ever you go" No doubt he was with us yesterday.
Needless to say I felt led to give her $20 dollars and when I handed it to her, she wept and was so stunned, like I handed her a million dollars. Man it was moving......and I told her thank you for coming in, it was a joy to see her. On her way out she kneeled and gave thanks to God. When she left it was all I could do to keep from crying tears of joy. It is so awesome to see such a love of our Father! As I drove home I thanked God for this moment, for this lesson, and the opportunity to help and be helped. Isn't it funny how God works on us........
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
My friends, let me tell you that this was an awesome lady. First thing I thought of when I saw her, Christlike, humble, sweet spirited and I knew I was in the presence of God. So when I read that verse, I had chills. "The Lord your God is with you where ever you go" No doubt he was with us yesterday.
Needless to say I felt led to give her $20 dollars and when I handed it to her, she wept and was so stunned, like I handed her a million dollars. Man it was moving......and I told her thank you for coming in, it was a joy to see her. On her way out she kneeled and gave thanks to God. When she left it was all I could do to keep from crying tears of joy. It is so awesome to see such a love of our Father! As I drove home I thanked God for this moment, for this lesson, and the opportunity to help and be helped. Isn't it funny how God works on us........
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