My little faith, My big storm, & My Bigger God!

Lord, today I come as I always do, completely unworthy, just a beggar of grace. Today You've come as you often do, and completely amazed me. Your graciousness to me is overwhelming. You've healed, sustained, delivered…my circumstances tested You and once again You've proven Yourself faithful. Giver of joy, Father of hope, Creator of Life…You have not forgotten me. You owe me nothing, yet I owe you everything. How many times Lord, have I approached Your throne about this very subject, knowing that you hear me, but not really ready to receive your response, in case it's not what I want to hear. I should have trusted Your heart for me, and remembered that Your promises are Yes and Amen. So many times I've stood in this very place with no words for You, only groans and sobs, and I trust that you not only heard, but felt each one with me. Today I stand in this refuge, but today I have words, oodles of them actually, and a song…because You have restored hope to me. How do I thank you enough, how do I show you the gratitude of my heart, yes Lord, even my very soul? Yet here in the midst of great joy, and great gratitude, great fear attempts to overtake me. I'm refusing it Lord, but it's a daily, sometimes hourly struggle. Truth calms me, but then memories assault me and remind me that the very worst can and does happen. But truth says that You carried me, and that You will carry me again. Speak Your perfect peace over me. I am yours, Your miracle, Your project from beginning to end. I didn't initiate it, I didn't manipulate it, Lord I wasn't even asking you for your grace when You decided to give it. You knew I would be afraid just as You know the rivers of fear You are now asking me to cross. Just help us to make it safely Father, all of us. Oh God, show us Your favor. We are praying and believing. So are others. Not just for our faith, but for theirs Lord, show Yourself in power and glory. They need to see it, a fresh work, a new move, and I know that You who delights in the impossible, to You, this is but a small thing. Please Lord, for those who need it so desperately, Do this! Father finish what You started in me, and do what You do best, bringing this to perfect completion. I don't know how successful we've been, but we have tried desperately to give you honor and glory in the midst one of my darkest valleys. Now Lord, give us this blessing and watch how we will dance on the mountain top!

You are Beautiful!

The following for me was inspired by Robbin, beautiful friend I have. I want to be like her. Beautiful inside and out. Even though she is beautiful on the outside, Her inner beauty is more than I can put into words.....

Be Beautiful

There is no beauty in makeup. Expensive clothes will not make you beautiful. The secret lies in being an alive, awake woman with something to offer the world. Namely, yourself. Beauty is less about your face and more about your smile. Less about the shape of your eyebrows, more about the light in your eyes. Less about the length of your legs, more about the bounce in your step. Real beauty is being a viable, vital human being. As you participate in your life with a warm smile and a generous spirit, you are beautiful.

Living your life will bring out the beauty in you because it is uncovering you. It is revealing more of the authentic you that is beautiful. Because life is a living, breathing work of art, you are a painting as you go. Be a masterpiece. Drink in life. Laugh too loud. Compliment others constantly.

Cultivate beauty all around you. Plant a garden. Embrace beauty wherever you find it—in the fall leaves, in the spring flowers. This will help you embrace it in yourself. When you appreciate a sunset or your child’s clay candlestick or a beautiful piece of music, you are saying yes to beauty. You are saying yes to God.

Thank you to my friend, Robbin, for being beautiful! I am so thankful that God allowed me to meet and have such a beautiful friend!

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” –Proverbs 31:30 NIV

So what you think about that?

It has been a long time since I have blogged. Life seems to roll on by.
Tonight I was talking with a friend and I was listening as she shared her hurt and I being the "fixer" I am was processing. I began to pray Lord don't let me rattle.... Give me words to speak.... Go figure He did just that. Here was what I said.....
"Turn your hurt into determination"----"Hurt does nothing for you but hurt you.. Determination will be the driving force for you to accomplish what HE has set out for you to do".....

That is good stuff.... It is when we turn to God and listen to what He has to say when we get true healing. When we forgive others for hurting us, it isn't for them... IT is for US... When we forgive, healing takes place, hurts disappear and we move on with what God has for us....

Just a thought....... Enjoy!!!!!

He is my shepard I shal not want!

VERSE:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
-- Psalm 23:1

THOUGHT:
A sheep is only as good as its shepherd. We are incredibly
blessed!

PRAYER:
O Great Shepherd, carry me like a lamb, tenderly in your arms
and close to your heart. My life, my future, and my strength depend
upon you. Please help me hear your voice above the confusing
distractions around me. Under your care I have no fears. Thank you
for being my Shepherd. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My mommy moment!

Today there is so much to be done and so little time. You se eI am giving a party for my oldest tomorrow night.
Here it is 11:40, and I haven't left yet!!! Well, I have had a morning already and about to head out and run some errands. I had to say a few things.
I am so proud to be called "MOM"! God has blessed me with some of the sweetest little girls. Maddison, Hannah Jane, and Mikel Ann are the most important people in my life. I stop to think of how much I love them. How I would lay down my very life for each of them. Remember what your father did for you?
Today I am blessed by each of them. I choose at this moment to continue living as if today were the last. Making memories and spending time with them.

**So today- Go out, Make the memories- Love the ones you got and hold on to life with all you have!!**

Our Promise!!!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
-- Romans 8:28

Bad stuff happens in life. Satan has a part to play in the bad
stuff. Our own sins and their consequences also play a part. The
rebellion against God and the spiritual weakness in those we love
bring hurtful things into our life. Sometimes, God even disciplines
us to awaken us out of lethargy or to correct some sinful problem
in our lives. Yet in all these things, we have an incredible
promise: If we love God and are seeking to honor his call in our
lives, our Father in heaven will work out all of the things going
on in our life for our good.

Isn't it awesome to know that God is still in control in this very out of control world. I sit here in awe just thinking of my very own situations. And even then HE has it all under control. WOW! I see no control in all of the chaos spinning in my head but I have to remember if I love HIM, HE will keep it all together. He said that He would work ALL things out, GOOD & BAD to the good for those who love HIM.
**Lord teach me to stay focused on the prize- of one day seeing you face to face. **

I will Rise

I came across a song that really has spoken to my heart. I have heard it a million times but today it just means a little more than the last time I heard it!

Verse 1:
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, It is well

Pre-Chorus:
Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

Chorus:
And I will rise
When He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise

Verse 2:
There's a day that's drawing near
when this darkness breaks to light
and the shadows disappear
and my faith shall be my eyes

Pre-Chorus:
Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

Chorus 2X:
And I will rise
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb!

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
(background: “Worthy is the Lamb!
You are worthy! You are worthy!
Worthy is the Lamb!

[Brief instrumental interlude]

Final Chorus:
I will rise
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise....