What's Up With That Finger, SJ?

Well, it seems that I've had a string of bad luck lately. Just before I left work Friday, I caught my wedding band on the door handle. My body went one way as I was walking off, but my hand stayed attached to the door.

Thankfully, my finger was neither dislocated nor broken. My wedding band didn't weather this incident too well though. It will need to be replaced once I can wear rings again on that finger.

Guardian Angels Working Overtime

We have many things to be thankful for. Part of my prayer lately has been "Thank you God for your blessings seen and unseen."

It is by the grace of God that I'm not a widow today. Timmy's guardian angel was working overtime this last Saturday.

As he was traveling on the interstate and a race car transport traveling the opposite side, one of the extra tires came loose from the trailer, flew over the barrier, and slammed into Timmy's truck. Had he not seen the tire nor been able to slow down, it would have made a direct hit into the side of his window. Also, after the tire hit, it flew over the truck back over the barrier to the other side of the interstate instead of hitting his windshield.

All the praise and glory goes to God for keeping his protecting hand over Timmy. I am so thankful for the seen and unseen blessings in life.

A Sweet Send Off

Friday before I left work, I was surprised by my staff with a sweet send off.

Thanks everyone! You're the best!

Has The Spirit Left You?

A statement was made at our regional convention..."If the Spirit of God left us, some wouldn't know for 25 years because they know how to have church."

My questions are..."Do you know if the Spirit has left you? Is he moving in your personal life and in your church? Or are you just going through the motions to check off a list to feel good about yourself so you can say that you're a Christian or that you went to church?"

I am not condemning anyone. These are some very serious questions to think about while searching and examining your heart and life. I've done the same as well. As God has brought to light some areas of my heart and life that were not totally in line with his principles and truth I've had to repent and ask him to fix it in me.

I want to have my life's cup overflowing with the Holy Spirit. I want to be all I can be for God. I want to be totally in his will and to be prepared to do his work at any moment. I want to know that I know that I have nothing between me and God.

My heart burns with the desire to know more of him, to seek a deeper relationship with him on a daily basis. I don't want yesterday's knowledge and blessings. I want to grow in him daily and to receive new blessings. I desire to be engulfed by his Spirit daily...a new, fresh annointing. But the only way this can happen is through my desire and willingness to seek him. It isn't always easy. Life throws curve balls at me, but I love God and still find that time to talk with him and seek him so that I can hide his word in my heart.

I encourage you to find that alone time with God each day. It will be the peace in the middle of life's storm.

A New Chapter

Today marks a new chapter in my life.  It's a bittersweet moment.  I have been offered a promotion and new position within the company at a bigger facility.  I have sought God and prayed for his will in this situation and am at peace with this move in my life.  I know that God is directing my steps and that I walk in his grace and favor.

However, it is a sad moment because I have spent the last three years creating relationships with some now very dear friends.  It is never easy to make a change that involves leaving friends behind as your life's journey takes you into a different direction than theirs.  But I do know that no matter the distance or time, we will still have that special bond.  I know that they're just a phone call away to listen, talk, give advice, or pray.  I am a blessed woman to have made such friends, and I thank God for these special people that he allowed to cross paths with me.

Some days you wonder if the energy you put into people is worth it or not. Thankfully God let me see some of the fruits of my labor and for that I'm truly grateful. As I was saying my final goodbyes, I was showered with love, appreciation, best wishes, and stories of how I've made a positive impact in their lives. To God I give all the glory and praise for using this vessel to further his kingdom.

I am looking forward to the next part of the journey God is taking me on. I pray that God continues to guide me, teach me, and use me to make a difference in someone's life...someone who needs God's love and the message of Jesus Christ.

Continue to pray for this sister in Christ.

Grace

Some food for thought...

"Grace is not an excuse to sin but the power not to sin...It is not the great cover up!"

Ain't No Grave

Praise the Lord!  When I hear the trumpet sound, there's no grave that can hold me down!  My name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  I am a child of God saved by grace who is going home to live with my Lord and Savior and to hurt no more!  Hallelujah!

Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:1-5
I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire. 


I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. ²I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. ^{3 -5}I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate." 

God Is Faithful

I love how God continually shows himself true and faithful to me.  He said that he would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  Just when the storms of life seem to get out of control and I'm being knocked around, he's there to say 'Peace be still' and calms all my storms.  His peace floods my soul and all fear leaves.  My mind becomes clear.  


I can stand on his promises.  His Word is true - the only and absolute truth.  


I know that my steps are ordered (Psalm 37:23) and that my path is guarded and protected by him (Proverbs 2:8).  I know that as I gain more wisdom I will be filled with joy, wise choices will watch over me, and understanding will keep me safe (Proverbs 2:10-11).


I also know that he has a plan for me, a future, and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and as I seek him above all everything else, he will hear me and I will find him.  


I know that he has begun something new within me and in my life and will make a path for me where there seems to be none (Isaiah 43:19) to which I am very excited.  


I'm enjoying the journey God has me on.  God lead me and I will follow!





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Fall To Pieces?

Proverbs 24:10 TNIV:  If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength?
Proverbs 24:10 NCV:  If you give up when trouble comes, it shows that you are weak.
Proverbs 24:10 MSG:  If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place.


How strong are you?  Well, in and of ourselves, we aren't strong.  You say that you have faith in God and stand on his promises.  But how strong are you really?  Do you just give up?  Do you fall to pieces?  Do you whine and whimper?  Do you crumble at the slightest bit of trials and temptations?


Or...


Do you stand firm in God and stand on His promises?  Do you ignore the emotions that overwhelm at times and just stand on his Truth...His Word?  Do you pray the scriptures into your life?  


Lord, I know that the storms of life come and go.  I know that sometimes I must go through the valley and other times I get the privilege of being on the mountain top.  Forgive me of the times that I so quickly let the storms of life overtake me and let my emotions take over.  Help me to not be tossed to and fro by life.  Help me to learn more of you, walk in your wisdom, have my feet set firmly on your Truth, and have your Word hidden in my heart.  Lord, help me to come through the trials of life stronger in you.  Holy Spirit, keep me in line and bring to my remembrance the Truth on which I stand.  God, continue to remove me and fill me with more of you.  Continue to guide me and direct my path.  Thank you, Lord, taking care of me even when I may not be able to clearly see the bigger picture.  Continue to let me see with your eyes and love with your love.  I love you, my friend, my Savior!