life: the great adventure

Progression

2013-01-16T17:06:00.001-08:00

Think of what the garden would have looked like. NOW think about what it would have looked like from a spiritual perspective. If you could SEE the garden and what it would have looked like spiritually I picture it as WHITE! PURE WHITE! No spot, no blemish, sin had not entered the world, it was pure!

yet, there in the middle of the garden, was that one tree. It looked good, and the food was so pleasing to the eye that it was hard to resist. It was bright and drew attention, but told not to touch, until the tempter came. I see this as temptation in our lives as well.

One bite and sin entered the world. The spotless world that we knew had just had sin enter it. Sin starts to slowly take over. The temptation that you just thought looked so good has now become poison to your world! Everything seems upside down, and you cannot take it back; what was done, is done.

Your hands are now stained and you are guilty. I think that this picture below really shows, I feel, what adam and eve would have felt: guilt. Their hands are dirty and now they feel the weight of that sin. They feel ashamed and dirty and needed to hide!

The things that had worth and beauty once are tanted. I feel the picture below really shows me maybe what God was feeling. That beautiful creation that God made, had become dirty and sinful. The creation that He created perfectly was now tainted by a reality of sin.

It flows and covers that creation. Spiritually I think that when sin entered the world that the above picture is what would have been seen. The pure creation, the pure heart that did not know sin, was slowly being tainted and colored by this black, dark paint. It was like an explosion to the soul, the pureness was tainted. sin had entered.

sin slowly invades and then can blow up in an instant and we are left with the peices. Shattered peices of our hearts. I am sure that Adam and Eve's whole world knocked over and was turned upside down, especially when they were banned from the beautiful garden they once knew and once called home.

Sin can leave anyone feeling alone, and broken and dirty! The pureness that once was known is now a foreign thing. The fellowship that once was had with the almighty God has now been broken. Now what? That is the question....

Our sin should have left us here.... broken, alone, death.... BUT!!!

Jesus came! He took our place! IT IS FINISHED! He saved us from our own sin! His love was greater than our sin! Our filth became His and HE bore it on the cross for US! PRAISE THE LORD!!! He erased all the filth and sin! and reset our hearts! Now when God sees us He sees that white room because of what Jesus did! When God sees our hearts it isn't black with sin, but it is covered and is pure white again!

Pictures from the music video "bombs away" by jonathan thulin and rachel lampa!

Amazing video it touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you. Here is where you can watch it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JngYQFVoVk

I hope it touches you as well! Be blessed today!

what are you searching for?

2013-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

We are all traveling through life searching for something. For some, its the meaning of life; why are we here?? Some are searching for themselves, and where they belong in this life. Some are searching for fame, and the need for others to know who they are. Some are searching for money and the "stuff" of life. Some are searching for something, but truly are not sure what they are really searching for! Our focus and what our hearts desire, will determine what we are searching for. What is your focus on? I have had my focus wrong before, and so I was searching for things in life that didn't matter or that would keep my eyes off God. This is a dangerous place to be. at times we don't know that our focus is off, since we are focusing on "good" things in life like family, love, kids, husbands, job, etc. These things are not bad things, but if they take our focus off God, they can be wrong. Our main focus in life is GOD! Our relationship with HIM! If you look at the story of babel we can see that their focus was wrong. They were searching for power, they were searching for things that you see with your eyes. They thought they could get as high as God by making this tower. We get caught up in ourselves and forget about what the TRUTH is about this life!!! we need to keep our focus on HIM! we need to keep the walls that can easily be built up, down! Things of this life can easily start building up a wall around our hearts till we are so off focus that its hard to remember what we are here for, and what GOD's will is for our life! We need to let God soften our hearts so that the Holy Spirit can tear those walls down and make them crumble!

2013-01-15T20:16:00.001-08:00

Time and time again I am just reminded of God's pure love and grace! Sin, just one little thing that creeps in, can take hold and be like a bomb to your heart! It can explode from something little to something that destroys! It longs to take a hold of your heart and rip it apart! BUT God is there to love you, show His grace and mercy! He takes that mess and cleans it up and makes something clean and new and beautiful out of it! God is love! and He desires to love you and for you to let Him love you! he wants to clean up your mess, and turn it into a great message of HOPE! Love! Forgiveness! Tonight God has just been loving on me! Showing me that nothing that is in my past and nothing that is in my future can take away His love that He wants to give me! It is nothing that we have done that would make us eligible of such a great love! But it is ALL about what HE did for us!!!!! I cannot earn this love, but I can accept it with open arms and arms of submission raised to HIM! I am so grateful for the love that God has always showed me, even when I felt so undeserving, HE LOVED ME! Thank you Lord for that love!!!!
I have this longing and desire in me to do all what God wants! I want my whole life to revolve around HIM! This life is all about HIM! and I want that to show in my life, and through my words and actions! I am ready for ALL God has!

new video

2013-01-15T12:21:00.000-08:00

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/videodetail.php?video_id=5067

This was a great new song/video that is out! "dont bite the apple of sin". Sin can compromise our lives, but Jesus can wash it all away! Great new video!

reflections......Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

2013-01-02T15:07:00.001-08:00

As I reflect about the past few years, I have to say that at times I have gotten off track. Have I totally strayed away from God and totally denied Him or who He is? NO!!! But There were times where I should have guarded my walk with God so much more! The Bible says to "guard your heart". I look back and see why this is such an important aspect of our walk with God. It is just like guarding our hearts in any other relationship that we are in. We need to keep check on it so that we are not straying from our first love: Jesus! The past couple years I just feel like I slid through or slid by. I read here and there, I prayed often though. I was in constant contact with God this past year. I really felt that getting a good prayer life this year was something I needed to do! I have to say that I could have been more disciplined in other areas though. 2012 I slid though, but in 2013 I want to THRIVE! I want my relationship with God to be my main focus! I want to never give up and I want to run forward with all I have in me to do all that God has for me to do!!

I have to say that there were a couple of things that stand out to me as a couple great things that God did this year. The first thing that happened this past year that really stood out was our church LWMC merged with Christian Center. This was such a GOD thing! Just seeing how God lined up our churches and really merged us as one body was an amazing thing to see. Sometimes churches merging isn't taken as a good thing, but when God is in the middle of it and directing the entire thing it is an amazing thing! The two church became one on fathers day in 2012 and it has been the most wonderful thing! I love our "old"church people (people from LWMC), and we LOVE the new church people (people from Christian Center). AND we love the unity and the "oneness" that God has made! God is amazing!

The second thing that happened in 2012 that was amazing was God bringing spiritual parents into our lives! You know, we always knew that we wanted spiritual parents, and we always knew that it was good to have but we never really found true spiritual parents to help us along, pour into us, or gain wisdom from.... It wasn't till we met Pastor and Jane and that changed! The love that they have! The passion to see people who are called used and grow... I have never seen more invested people. I have to say that I am so blessed to have them! I have learned so much from them this past year and I continue to gain wisdom and knowledge from them as we are connected and as we spend time with them! They are led by God and they have 50 years of experience behind them, and that is an amazing thing to be able to pass on! I pray that God would just bless them this year in such a great way for all they have given and done for so many including us! God knows what we need, He knows the desires and He provides! God knew we needed these two amazing people, and He knew that we desired wonderful spiritual parents and He provided the best! I love these two people and know that God has a reason and a plan that we cannot even imagine! I am excited for a new year. I am excited for all that God has, and I am excited to focus on God this year!
This year I resolve that I am going to live a more disciplined life in every area, that I am going to not give up but run toward what God has for me, I am going to guard my heart and my relationship with God closely so that I wont let it become mundane or average... that I will live a life on purpose and not happenstance. That everyday I will wake and want to know how I can serve God TODAY!

2012-12-29T15:19:00.002-08:00

Christmas was a great time. We have not been able to have too much family time since we are working, and just busy with everything. This Christmas was so nice just because we were able to get some much needed family time in! The kids enjoyed the gifts and had a nice Christmas, but it was so nice for me because we were just a family and enjoyed the time together. My husband and I barely get to see each other through the week sometimes. With both of us working opposite shifts, We only get a bit of time during the week. I had off a few days and so did my hunny. It was great seeing him for some quality time. We were even able to relax and watch a movie. It truly is the little things in life that really make it worthwhile. It isnt fancy gifts or huge presents, I didn't need anything this year other than time! Time with my family, and time with my love. It was a perfect Christmas.
But now that Christmas is over, we have some sickly kids. SO please keep us in prayer. 6 Little ones isn't too fun. They are cranky and miserable. They don't know what to do with themselves at times. Plus its hard since they ALL want to be held and loved and comforted, and there is 6 of them, and one of me. So praying this sickness leaves the house fast!

IN the midst of a tragic event.....

2012-12-14T15:36:00.003-08:00

With news of the horrific tragedy that occurred today in CT, I really felt I needed to share my thoughts. I cannot share about why this happened... All I know is that we all make our own choices and then we have to live with the consequences of our choices. This young man made a choice, and he paid a huge price, but along with that, many others felt the wake of his choice. God is still there in the midst of this tragic event, and He is mourning the loss of His children today as well, that I believe.... Our God loves us and mourns and weeps when we are hurting and loose those we love way to early. He mourns and has a holy anger when someone chooses to hurt and take a life of His beloved! Today we mourn and cry with those who have lost sons, daughters, grand-kids teachers, mother/father, and friends.... It was an event that hits close to home. Many have kids, and couldn't even put into words what these people must be feeling! I know that I am greatly saddened and my heart breaks for them in CT. There is something that warms my heart though and I really want to point it out and I really pray that those who have lost a loved one today sees this as well! We are with you! We are praying for you! and even though we don't fully know what you are going through, we stand with you through this very very tough time! I see so many posts of people who don't even know the victims or the families and they are PRAYING! They are thinking of them, and they are saddened and mourn with you today! There are so many posts and tweets filled with love and support and I pray that those who lost someone sees them, and really feels the love, the support and the prayers!!!!

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble."

Pray for those who are facing such a hard time right now, and as we are getting closer to Christmas! Be there for them in prayer, and if you are close enough maybe reach out in person! Reach out, be the church, pray for your neighbor who is hurting this day!

2012-11-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

Everything we do, everything we say, who we are... should reflect HIM!!!
This has been my thoughts lately and my prayer! In this life, we see many good things happen in our lives, and we all have those struggles and trials that we go through! It isn't always easy. But something I learned is that no matter what happens in our lives, it will never change God and who He is! He will always be our loving savior! He will always be our gracious king! God doesn't change! He is always faithful! He is always there! And though we go through some hard things, we need to keep in faith and keep trusting the one who knows better than we do, who sees farther than today, and who will always want good for us no matter how much we mess up! I have learned that no matter what happens in this life, there is more to this life than what we see! God is there, and when we stay faithful to Him and trust Him through all the hard times, we will see victory and breakthrough come, even when it looked so far off! Keep on trusting, keep remembering that there is more to this life than what we see with our eyes. Everything we do, everything we say, who we are through the good and the bad, should always reflect God and His love, and His faithfulness, and His forgiveness,....etc! Stay close to HIM!!!

never ever ever give up!

2012-11-29T19:38:00.001-08:00

My advice to you today is this: Never allow your self to give up, not in any area of your life.... When you allow your self to give up or quit in an area of your life, it gives satan a foothold to try and pry his way in and convince you that giving up is ok! you will find a new thing, you will find a new job, you will find a new ... whatever! I want to tell you that it is when we PUSH THROUGH the hard times and when we don't allow ourselves to give up when it gets hard that the victory is even more amazing than what you could have even dreamed!
I have to say in sadness, that I was there. I was at the point of giving up in a few different areas, and it is such a defeated feeling. It is a feeling that I never want to feel again. It is not a feeling of trust or faith in God, but a feeling of fear! A feeling of wanting to run and just ignore what is really going on and actually trying to push through whatever hard time that has come. It is a fear driven response that satan tries to bring us down! But there is hope! There is a savior who wants to help you through the hard. There is a loving God who wants you to know that you will get through and that it will be a victory that you will remember forever! Giving up is not an option, and I have learned that I never want to give up because it can be a snowball effect! Follow hard after God! Trust Him and His will for your life! and Trust that God wont let you down, and wont drop you when it seems like you are in midair! He's got you!

I don't like bad dreams!!

2012-09-17T07:03:00.001-07:00

I hate dreams that you have that wake you up startled or nervous or any other bad feeling or emotion that you may experience. You want to wake up and feel refreshed not worried or concerned already! It seems to want to set off your entire day! That is how I woke this morning. And I have not been feeling the greatest during the days either. But I know that the dreams I have or the feelings I have do not define me. God defines who I am and what he has for me in this life! I wish we could live without any cares but we are fallen creatures. We live in a fallen world, there are trials that come. There are concerns of this life but we have a god we can trust and who loves us! We have a hope!!! Thank the lord for that hope. There were days I had no idea how to get through but there was always a hope back in my head that got me through the hard times! The bad dreams or the cares of this works and those bad feelings we get are things we need to hand over to God and let him take control of our minds and our thoughts. Lord be the center of my life my thoughts my dreams and all that we do!!!

2012-09-04T04:44:00.001-07:00

So lately, I have been feeling very inadequacy. I have been feeling like I can't. There is so much more piled up on our plates right now. At times, its hard to think that I actually can. I feel stupid, dumb, and all those negative feelings start to flood in about how I have nothing to offer.... It has been a struggle these past few days to actually think that I can. So I try and just keep those verses like "think on what is lovely, pure, true...." and The stories how God used anyone and it isnt what they could do, but just in them being obedient and willing. That is where my thoughts must be right now. I trust God for not making a mistake when He made me. I trust that God has a plan through all this stuff.... I pray that I will show to be willing to be used, even though I feel so inadequate. I pray that God will give me everything I need as I am feeling like this. I pray for some encouraging people in my life to help bring me up. And when my body feels like it cannot go on, I pray for added, supernatural strength to get me through!!!

busy busy busy

2012-09-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy.... that is my reason. I have missed getting on here and blogging daily. I would love to but... Life has been busy. I started homeschooling our three school aged kids last week. They seem to be enjoying it, but only one week done, and many more to go. So we shall see what the year brings. You can pray with me about good attitudes, and fun for all! I have also been working in the evenings, and lately had a good amount of hours. I actually gave some away. I have been craving some family time, which has been few and far between. Work has been busy for both of us. I do enjoy my job, and it is fun, but I miss being with my family at night, and cuddling up with my husband just to watch a quick show, or going to bed with him at the same time. So it has its ups and downs..... Praying for things right now! God knows and sees. I just pray for something to happen soon! ministry has been busy and good! God is moving and doing great things. So life is busy!

2012-08-16T11:01:00.001-07:00

2 Chronicles 7:14

¹⁴and if my people who are called by my name become humble and pray, and look for me, and turn away from their evil ways, then I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This is a great verse and one that I think is very timely! I think that we as Christians need to get on our knees. We need to get humble, and put away all pride. I think we as a nation is very prideful and selfish. I really feel that we need to take a step back and really realize that we are all human and it is only by God’s grace and love that we are here. We are all sinners and no one is greater than the other. We need to thank God for His love and grace and start praying for HIM to change things and to lead us into the direction that we should go, and then listen and move! God does have a plan for us all, and it is time for us to follow fully after HIM and what HE has for our lives.

We need to look for God. The Bible says that when we search for Him we will find Him!! We need to always be searching for more of God in our lives and how we can be more like Him. We need to turn from our ways of the past. We need to turn away from anything that separates us from God. We need to turn away from the sins that so easily get us caught! When we do this, God Himself will hear us from heaven! He will forgive all our sins, and it says above that He will heal our land. We need to walk the straight and narrow! We need to take the path that is less traveled on!

One thing that I see about this country is that there are a lot of “Christians”. If you ask most people they will say “yes I am christian”. Or they identify their religion as “christian”. But are we really TRUE followers of Christ. That is what that term means, we are a follower of Christ. We want and try to be like Christ. Do we try and be like Christ everyday, or do we just do our “christian duty” and go to church for show on Sundays. Being a true follower of Christ means being more than just a “Sunday Christian”. It means to devote your life to Him. To try daily to make the choices that will reflect Christ and not ourselves. We need to really examine our relationship with the God we love and really see where we need some changes made in our lives. I have been trying to do this. I have been trying to pray more and especially when I tell someone I will pray, that I actually do. I have been examining my life, and asking God to really point out where I need some things fixed, and He has been. It takes time and work to fix stuff in our lives, but it is easier when we actually know what needs fixing. I want God to heal my land. I think this verse goes as a nation, and we can take this to this country and in that light, but I also think that it also speaks of our personal lives too. We as a nation need to turn back to God, but it takes each and every one of us to do that. We all need to personally repent, we all need to personally turn back to God’s way of living and not the world’s, and after that He says He will heal our land. I see my land as my home, my emotions, my heart, my family, etc. I take this verse on a nation level, but also on a personal level because we all need to personally do this in our lives! I encourage you to really search your heart, your motives and really work on your relationship with the God who loves you, the God who gave you grace when you did not deserve it. He loves us so much to have His only son die a brutal death, how much do you love Him in return?

2012-08-14T06:23:00.001-07:00

It has been pretty busy here for us. I have been working for a couple weeks now. Done training so now I am working and it is going well. I am relearning all the wonderful starbucks stuff and am enjoying it. I love my coffee. Then ministry is going really great. God is doing some great things. We are learning from an amazing pastor and meeting some wonderful people from all over the world! life is great.

influence

2012-08-03T07:53:00.001-07:00

Influence! We all have some kind of influence in life. We all have some kind of influence on those around us and closest to us. My question is this... is that influence that you have a positive or negative influence! We all hope and pray that we are a positive influence, but sometimes, it just isn't the case. I encourage you today to think about your influence, on your family, on your friends, on your spouse, on your kids, on your church, etc. Think if you are making a positive influence in their lives. How can you tell? they are happy, thriving, they are acting the same etc. By the fruit we will know! How you act and what you say can influence people. Be an encouraging positive influence on those around you. The kingdom of God is counting on you!

2012-08-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

⁵Trust the LORD completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. ⁶With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.

2012-08-02T08:05:00.003-07:00

Thinking about all that is going on in the world, how these people or that group or whoever, is so intollerent.... Everyone can say that about everyone who does not hold to the beliefs that you hold to.... It is that "Catch phrase" that everyone is using right now. Everyone is mad at everyone about something.... It is frustrating! Everyone is getting in on the action. I have to say, that there is so much going on you don't know what to think about the whole thing. With everything that has been going on, it makes me ask the question "where does our identity come from?" Where is our worth found?
Identity! What a word. What does this word make you think of? As a follower of Christ what does this word make you think of? This word meas many things to many people. People find their identity in their job and what they DO. Some find their identity in the friends they have. Some find their identity in their beliefs or what they think and how they live day to day. Some find their identity in what their race is. Some find their identity in what their sexual orientation might be. The thing is... WE cannot find our identity in and of our selves. Our identity and who we are comes from God. Only God sees deep down, past the "I want to do this" or "I want to be this" and through the I want to do or be this.... He sees deeper, He and He alone sees the real you! The you who He wants to shine through that mask that we put on daily! We try to be someone else, and someone who God did not make us to be. He wants YOU to come through. The YOU that HE created! He created YOU for a certain purpose and to find that purpose we need to find our identity IN HIM!!! Many people say I AM _____. And get so firm in that statement that they dont even try to search God to find themselves. That is the only way that the true YOU will come out. Search God and KNOW HIM and you will start shining through. I have been there and done that. I probably still do that, but I am learning! I am trying to forget about the who i want to be in life, and focus on who God wants me to be! I know that God has the plan all laid out and His plan is SOOO much better than I could even imagine. I want to be who God has made me to be, not what I think I should do or be....

Lamentations 3:25

2012-08-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

^"25 The Lord is good to those who put their hope in him.
He is good to those who look to him."

I wanted to share this verse today. I read it this morning and thought it was a great verse, and then something happened, and I knew that this was a verse I need to remember and hide in my heart as a reminder! It is so easy to get distracted. You get distracted by work, life, kids, school, people, the wrongs done by people to you, etc. There is so much that wants to peal your eyes off of God. Always remember this verse. Never take your eyes off of God and what He wants you to do, or His plans that He wants to do through you. Always put your hope in Him! Always look to Him when you dont know what to do, or where to go. He wants to do great things through your willingness. It makes God happy when we are obedient to Him. God is soo good to those who put their hope in Him and not the world or things around them. He is sooo good to those who look to Him and not to others or the things of this world. Always put God first, and always look to Him first!

who or what is #1?

2012-07-31T10:16:00.001-07:00

What do you value in your life?
I want to write this post because I think that at times our priorities can get out of whack. I think that we need to stop every now and then and really look at our lives and see where our priorities lie, and where they should be and then adjust. I have to say that my priorities have not always been where they need to be. I have put many things above things that should be first. I have to say that some of the things that I have put first in my life are not bad or wrong... but nothing should take top priority over God in our lives. At times I have pushed God and my relationship with Him down. There was a time where he was probably last, and that was my lowest point in life. I had pushed Him so far out of the picture that I was drowning and going deeper into a pit and saw no way out... that is how far I had pushed my relationship with Him down and last. I did realize what I did and put God back on top in my life, but when God was not first, I felt alone, and lost, and in despair. Things happened that keep pushing me down, and then I was stuck all on my own to try and climb back up out of this pit of despair. But when God was number one again, I leaned on Him and reached my hand to Him, and asked Him for help, and He pulled me out. I have not been in that place and I never want to get back to that place. I know that God is in control and that He can make things work out for good, but there was a time that I had forgotten that this life is not my own, and He does love us and care for us to help us through all the hard times. When I fixed my priorities and put God first, I had a peace, again. I was happy again, and I knew that whatever happened to me is fine as long as I serve Him and am obedient to Him, I am fine and everything will turn out fine in the end. Putting God back to the top of my life was the best thing I did again. I always believed, but at times satan likes to take the circumstances of life to cloud what this life really is about. It isn't about you, it isn't about me, it isn't about that relationship that seems to be falling apart, it isn't about that bad test that you failed and don't know what college will take you, it isn't about the kids driving you crazy and you don't know what to do, its all about HIM and what HE wants you to do, and about Him forgiving and loving and showing grace. Its about telling people about Him and His love and showing it through our everyday lives! Life may seem crazy and out of whack at times, but God's got your back, it will turn out fine, just keep HIM number one in your life and you will get through even stronger, and even better on the other side! Keep on keeping on!! and keep him FIRST! Everything else falls into place when God is #1!

2012-07-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we just need to trust. Trust God that He knows what He is doing. Trust that His ways are greater and higher than ours. Trust that His ways are better. Trust that He loves us. Trust that He will take care of us. Trust that if we follow after Him and His ways that He will make everything beautiful in His time. Trust that as we do His will He will never steer us wrong. Sometimes in life it is hard to lay ourselves and our thoughts aside to focus on God and His will for us. Sometimes it is hard to turn all trust over to Him when we just want to grab a hold of it and take the reins and try OUR hardest to do it OUR way. We are humans and we are far from perfect, and perfection is definitely something that we will never obtain..... Only God is perfect, and only He can line up everything and turn things around and make it good. Even when bad things happen only God can make good come out of it. I remember many times when we have tried to do things on our own and tried and tried, and failed.... And I remember when we turned it over to God and stopped worrying and let God turn it into something good, and it all worked out better than I could have ever planned.... We serve a good God, one who is alive, and loves us. A God who wants to see good things happen and not bad. A God who wants to turn your bad situations into a good outcome! Sometimes we just need to stop worrying and just trust in the God who loves us and knows what is best for His children!

just a thought,,,

2012-07-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

The Bible says "bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2.
I am sure there are other verses that say to help one another, but This one specifically says this. I like how the message puts it. ^1-3 "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived."
I find this a very important verse, but so many times we as brothers and sisters in Christ suffer alone. We feel we cannot tell someone what we are going through. We feel there is no one who will pray without making it a public prayer request. There needs to be a change in this. So many church meetings have become social gatherings and don't help with the true needs of people, and some are disguised as prayer meeting but are actually gossip sessions. When people are going through things there should be people around them to lift them up and encourage them and be able to keep things to themselves and pray rather than gossiping about it behind someone's back. True love and true brotherly Christianity is being there to help bear one another's burdens, so that we can fulfill God's law. I like the way the message puts it because it says "saving the critical comments for yourself." There are too many times that we are too critical on the way someone else is living or doing things, we need to know that what God has and is doing in them is different from what God is doing in us. Also we need to realize that we might be at different stages in our relationship with Christ and sometimes we need an ear to listen and to help guide rather than to judge and condemn. We need to be "slow to speak and quick to listen". There are too many who are suffering alone afraid to say anything to anyone of what they might be going through, because they just don't think that their brother or sister in Christ will keep it confidential! please! I ask you all to take this verse to heart and to start being a trusting Christian friend who will help and be able to keep a confidence between you and your Christian brother or sister.
Now, yes, there are times or instances that you do need to say something because its against the law but most of the times, it is a struggle they are going through or a trial that just needs some prayer, but please lovingly help your brother or sister in Christ. Please, be a trustworthy friend, we need to be there to help one another through the rough patches of life. We need to help them through to the other side of a storm, maybe. Be a confidential and trusting person who they know will be there, will listen, who will offer wise words of hope and peace and who will PRAY!!! Someone they know will be there and wont gossip their business to everyone! We need this for ourselves and we need to be this for others. We are here to encourage and uplift, not to gossip, spread rumors and hurt. Just my thought after seeing this verse posted on facebook!

2012-07-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

I cannot seem to wake today. I am extra tired and don't know why!? But anyways... It will be a good day today! I am excited and looking forward to some good fellowship with some great people! I have been trying to start a book that looked interesting, I am finally a couple pages in and I am sure it will not disappoint! God is doing some great things and I am excited to be starting this next chapter. God has been showing me so much and teaching me a lot. I want my life to always point to Him. No matter what I do, I want it to be a testimony of His love! I don't want to compromise, I want my life to be an example of Him. A life that in the end I will hear my Savior say "well done Good and faithful servant!" When I wake I want my first thoughts to be of Him, and when I go to bed at night, I want to be praising Him for all He has done in that day!
Some times it can be hard to stay focused on what this life is really about, but if you stay in the word, God will show you and teach you the things you need to know, and He will guide you the way you should go!

Keep hold of the faith!

2012-07-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

"Faith is letting go of everything in us and trusting everything in Jesus". This quote has been something that we have had to do for a while now in one area. Sometimes in life, you know what you should and need to do and do it! We need to work, and we know that, so that we can live and pay our bills. So that is what we have been doing. With my husband starting a business and doing ministry, our faith that God will provide and we will get through has been something that we have needed to do! Stretching our faith and letting God work it out isn't always easy, but when things start coming through because you kept going and you stayed in faith, is the biggest reward. I praise the Lord for all He is doing right now!! He is working and making things happen. We will make it! God has an amazing future for us and I know and stand in faith that we are seeing a turnaround in areas! We will have faith that God will bring the jobs that are needed. Ministry is going great and being faithful to the end is what is important. Staying in faith and staying obedient! Giving up is not an option and we will trust our God in all things! Praise the Lord!

disturbing truths

2012-07-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I read a really good and disturbing article today. It was good because I didn't know this was happening in this area. I knew that the attendance of church has been at a low, but in this one particular denomination the churches are running to get out. Why is that?? I have to say that at times, maybe I have not had that huge faith that at times, I have messed up, but my core beliefs have never been shook! I know and believe what I know and believe. I may not have everyone agree with me on certain issues, but I don't waver on the core doctrines and I hope and pray that people respect me and what I believe and that I am not willing to give up my beliefs just because they are not "in". I follow after God and believe the Bible to be true. That has always been where I stood! Now, I am not just talking about those "taboo" issues that are so hot to be discussed and argued in today's society, I am also talking about those issues that are the MAIN building blocks of the Christian faith!
As Christians we need to know what we believe and never let go of that. God will continue to bless us for our faithfulness even though the world around us is changing and allowing more. God's word is truth! We need to stand on it and have faith that our God is who He says He is and know that God will never leave us nor forsake us! We need to always remember what HE came to this earth to accomplish so long ago! He came to give us life! He came to show us His unending love! We need to know what we believe and stand on the truth. There are denominations that are melting before our eyes. WHY?? They have forgotten their first love. They have forgotten the truth which they were built upon. They are allowing things to go on and different things to be taught and believed than what the Bible says and teaches.
I know as a minister (my husband and I are both ordained ministers) this is hard to watch happen. There are some who want to stand in the truth when there is so much going on around which does not point to the truth.
There has been something that has been on my heart and that is the idea of holiness. The word says to "be ye holy as I am holy". Those are pretty big shoes to fill! We in and of ourselves cannot be holy. We are holy because of what God did for us on the cross, but we also have to try and change the way we live and not keep doing the same things that kept us bondage and in sin. We need to also make the neccissary changes to follow hard after God and do the best that we can to be "blameless in His sight". How can we ever do this if we are changing our doctrines left and right to fit our needs and the needs of this world. The world doesn't need another flip floppy church. The world needs the truth! As a minister you are held with very HIGH and GREAT responsibility! We are responsible to preaching the truth and we will be judged by how many we caused to fall away and for what we teach and if it was TRUTH!!! The word says "but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea". Matthew 18:6.

WOW those are tough words! but it is truth! We need to be careful what we teach and preach and part of that comes from people watching and how we live out our lives as well! We need to practice what we preach! We need to keep ourselves in the word which is the truth! The word is life to all who read it! We need to also practice what we preach and not just say it and then live a different way. We need to uphold to standards of holiness and not just pick and choose the verses we want to live by!!!
You know.... we sing those nice songs about "holiness, holiness, is what I long for, holiness is what I need" but do we really know what we are singing??

2012-07-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

going to be helping the hubby today with work. Its a hot one and I am glad to help, but I am going to sweat a lot I am sure, hopefully burn off some weight in the process! it will be good to be able to help him and work next to him today. He is a tough one to work for so wish me luck haha jk ;)