"Wish I Had Never Been Born" That Famous Line

Watching "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie" was a real treat for me this season. There were things that were said that got me thinking. One line was about the meaning of Christmas. It's about letting people know how much they are worth but not through material things. 

Next scene was about how much one person (Kermit the frog) makes a great impact in other's lives.  Kermit got to a point where he wished he had never been born (same as "It's a Wonderful Life). His friends were affected by the tragedy that he, Kermit, was not in their lives. Kermit was transported back in time and it was as if he was never born. He witnessed how his absent in their lives affected them.  

I then thought about our "Christmas Wish" outreach we have done two years. I have seen people be transformed from being lost in this dark to pressing into a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the celebration of this season, right? It's not all about the material things, right?  Yet, I have seen God use the "things" of the world to reach those who need him most. I then thought about friends I have made through this outreach and what may have happened without it. Sure, there are other outreach programs, toy giveaways, and more, but not like Jesus' outreach program. 

Last, I imagined what life would've have been like if I had not been born. I am overwhelmed thinking how my children wouldn't exist today, nor my grandchild. I can't say that I've saved anyone from suicide. I haven't made a huge impact in my community or personal life that is as great as our Presidents. 

What would a world without Marjorie be like?  I don't know and I no longer want to find out. 

I want to live life to its fullest. So, if you hear or have heard me say something crazy, just remember it and laugh. If I do something odd, then cherish it because I may never do it again. 

If I have opened your life have a small piece of heaven, then I am the blessed one and it's because you are special to me. 

One person alone cannot change the world, but one person can make life good. I think that is what Kermit and George Bailey were attempting to share. It's okay that we are not perfect and it's okay to just be me. 

~Be encouraged, you help to make someone’s life a little better even if they haven't told you.

"While You Were Sleeping"

I was listening to 91.3 Hope FM this morning. I heard the song "While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns. The line in the song "Save the trees, kill the children" really made me think about how people value one thing over another. 

Have you looked back and asked "where was I?" when someone has talked about something that took place in history? I know I have.  That song really spoke to me about that.  People may remember the killings at the schools, but they may never remember all the names of the students. We place our focus on gun control instead of looking at the value of life.  

One day we are going to wake up and ask "what happened and why wasn't I informed!" It's really time to pay attention to the things that are taking place around us.  It's time to really look at where values are placed from the Washington down to our cities. What do we value more, saving trees or killing babies? 

If God would give me "one more" I will use every breath I have to tell them that they are loved beyond the trees, beyond the world, beyond the galaxy. I'd tell them about how they can live life and be relieved from all the stress of the world. I would tell them about how they can trust in what they cannot see. I love seeing the veil lift off of people's eyes because of who God is~love. 

So, while you were sleeping what took place that you missed? Do you want to miss the good news like Bethlehem did while they were sleeping? Check the manger, I am sure you will find love there.  Make room at your Inn for Him today. 

We all become so complacent that we allow for things to pass right by us. 

Maybe today, you won't.  

 

They Took Their Eyes Off of the Maker

Genesis 3:17 says, "Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of  your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying 'You shall not eat of it':"
Reading this passage I had the thought; on this day Adam took his eyes off God and onto his relationship with Eve which changed their way of life and brought a curse upon them.
Next, we see how Aaron also took his eyes off God also and it caused a problem for him.
Moses was gone for a long time up the mountain to talk with God and the people confronted Aaron. The people demanded  that Aaron build them a god. So Aaron took all the people's gold and built a golden calf.
This angered the LORD and he was ready to cast fire down on His people.

I've had the pleasure of meeting people along my journey who have taken their eyes off God and all that He has in store for them.  It saddens my heart to know that history repeats itself so often. People place their trust in what they can physically see and it is then that their lives becomes unmanageable.
I have asked people where they put their trust. Some don't respond and others say they trust in certain people in their lives. God tells us to put our trust in Him.

Most of us would agree that when life is good, we take our eyes off of the maker. When things go wrong, it is then we press into God. Our money, stuff, and things do not help us. It didn't help Adam when he took his eyes off God. God knew Adam was clothed with fig leaves before he said anything to Adam.

So what makes you different from Adam and Aaron? I know I am no different. I sin just like they did. I take my eyes off of God and suffer for it when I do. Life gets better when we remember who God is and what He can do and that we can do all things through Him. Apart from God we cannot do anything.

Times are tough in today's society and it is going to keep getting tougher. We will need one another in the darkest of days to come. It is going to be worse than waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain. It is going to be worse than eating an apple and blaming it on a woman or a serpent.

For those who do not know who God is, I pray for them. I can only talk to who God wants me to. I can only share my story with those who will listen. I can't save the whole world and neither would Jesus. If He would have, the world would not have condemned him to death. He gave us free will to choose.

Be encouraged today to keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, the maker. Take an inventory of yourself and figure out who or what you put your trust in. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, the world is going to end. It is not going to be as you know it today. No one knows the hour or day when it is going to happen.

Be encouraged ~ Adam and Moses took their eyes off the maker too.

Too Busy or Distracted?

Do you have someone who really listens to you? If so, you are blessed!
How about those that you become too busy to listen to?
This time of the year can get us so busy doing the right things that we miss making the right choices. It happened to me the other day.
Two ladies walked in to write out a letter for our Christmas Wish program. It was while I was in the middle of juggling three other tasks on my "to do" list.  After they finished writing their letter, I scanned over it to ensure we had all their information. This was the right thing to do. I explained the next step in the process and sent them on their way. I missed making the right choice to pray with them.  I was too busy and/or distracted to take the time and really listen to them. They may have had a hurt in their life. They may have needed some Godly direction. I did not allow myself to slow down long enough to make a true difference in their life.
I recognize that we all get busy and miss opportunities like this. However, there is Someone who does not miss anything. There are many places in the Book of Psalms that declare God is never too busy or distracted to hear from you or others.

Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.

Psalms 66:19

But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Psalms 116:1-2

I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
² Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

So, know you are very blessed because Jesus is always ready and willing to listen even when no one else is. 

He is your friend who will listen no matter what the rest of your friends are busy doing or distracted. 

Expectations are Premeditated Resentments, Enjoy Life A Little!

It's the most wonderful time of the year and it can also be the most emotional, stressful, and argumentative time of the year.  Most of the time this happens because we expect higher things of ourselves and others.
Often times, we expect to have the house cleaned up perfectly. We expect the decorations to be thoroughly set and the food to be completely delicious to everyone.  Yet, we get frustrated when these things don't get done to our expectations.  We overlook the possibility that we set our standards too high for people. Why?  We become down right disappointed, frustrated, or even angry when it doesn't turn out the way think it should.
I'm not saying that setting our standards high is a bad thing; on the contrary it is good. However, we cannot expect too much at all times.

Sometimes settling for good is better than settling for the best. It will help us appreciate the things that get done. We will appreciate the people around us that assist us in completing our task list. We give our peace away.  This time of of the year is suppose to be about peace, not stress, not anger, and not over achieving.

Settle for what can be done, accept the things you can change, change the things you are able to, and ask for wisdom to know the difference. Sure, it is going to take time to set up the lights, cook the meals, and clean the house. However, do it with an attitude of gratitude. Don't expect everything to get done in one day. Remember? Rome wasn't built in one hour or one day.

So, feeling overwhelmed with your to do list? Take some time, step back, take a deep breathe and then set your priorities. As you get to the bottom of the list, make sure they are items that can wait until after the party, after the guest leave, or can wait for another month.  Enjoy the celebration is about remembering what God through His Son has done for us.

Jesus was on earth for 33 years. He went to Martha's home to eat. She was so worried about getting her to do list done that she became resentful of Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to everything he had to say.  Martha expected Mary to get up and help her. When Mary didn't she got frustrated and said to Jesus. "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

Don't you get this way?  You've asked your husband to help you fix something in the house and he says half hearing you "sure, in a moment."  You've told the kids to clean their rooms and they respond, "Sure, mom, give me a moment." Then when they don't do it in your time, you get upset.

"Martha, Martha,," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."  (Luke 10:38-42).

Spend time this season reflecting, remembering, and enjoying what cannot be taken away, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason you are hustling and bustling to get things done. That is why you have guest over. To enjoy the moment you have with one another. So, do what you need to do and leave everything else for another day.

~Be encouraged to stop and enjoy the things that cannot be taken away from you.

Leftover Turkey Ideas

Don't know what to do with the left over turkey in your refrigerator?  You can always substitute chicken in recipes for the turkey.
I came across this Southwestern Chili recipe on My Daily Moments Recipe of the Day.
It looks yummy and I like a little cha cha in my dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Pure Wesson® Vegetable Oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 2-1/2 cups chopped cooked turkey
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) Hunt's® Diced Tomatoes with Roasted Garlic, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce
• 1 can (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 can (4 oz each) diced green chilies
• 1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn
• 1 tablespoon Gebhardt® Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Nutrition Information

215

CALORIES

6g

TOTAL FAT

18g

PROTEIN

Serving Size: 8 servings (1-1/4 cups each)

View Complete Nutrition Information >

Directions

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add onion and bell peppers. Cook 4 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
2. Stir in turkey, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, chilies, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Wassail

I enjoy Christmas goodies, but the most wonderful treat of all on a cold day is Wassail!
You can put some in a thermos to keep it hot and warm not only the body but the spirit too!

2 Cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 quarts apple cider
1 orange, sliced


Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice in a double thickness cheesecloth; bring up corners and tie with a string from a bag.
Place cider and brown sugar in a slow cooker, and stir until sugar dissolves.  Add spice bag.  Place orange slices on top. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Remove spice bag when ready to serve.

YUMMY!

Out of This World!

My husband, Rodney, would talk about heaven with excitement. He would use his child like imagination to describe what he envisions it will be like. No matter how much joy he showed or words he used to describe heaven, I just could not arrive there. Until recently.
The other day at a friend's memorial service the pastor began to talk about how heaven will not have any pain, tears, worries, fears, and most importantly; Satan will not be there. Oh, how the string hanging from the ceiling turned the light on! It was a turning point for me. I began to get excited. The pastor began using scripture to back up what he was saying. I thought "of course, it's in the Bible, why couldn't I see it before?"
I know that I've heard Charles Stanley, Dr. David Jeremiah, and other pastors talk about heaven, but the understanding did not show up until I was ready to really listen. So, here I was crying because I was missing a friend, empathy for the family, and then tears of joy. Wow!
I couldn't wait to tell my husband how I've arrived with him in his joy for going home to heaven. It was so exciting! I called my daughter, who worries, and told her. I wanted to go tell it on the mountain that Satan will not be in heaven!  I don't know about you, however, I get tired of being accused that I have said or done the wrong thing when I didn't.  I don't enjoy being tormented in my dreams.  I'm sick of the devil and his evil schemes to get me upset. I'm looking forward to going to a place where He can't and won't go!
I look forward to not being hungry or thirsty, having no more pain, sorrow, or tears after I die.
 No more torment! Doesn't that just make you want to shout?  Yes, you will leave loved ones behind, but they have to go on. There is a torment and fear right there if that was your concern.
It's not about you, honey. It's about what you will experience after you are out of this world!
There is a flip side to the experience you may face after you are out of this world. Perhaps you are someone reading this that has not thought about where you will go after your death. Perhaps you do not realize that there is a place where there is joy and freedom. Perhaps you are not aware there is place of eternal torment either. God created the Universe and all its vastness. He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to save us from that eternal torment. It is a choice we make to believe this truth and receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
I encourage you today to search your heart and ask yourself where you want to go when you are out of this world. Talk with a friend, call a pastor, visit this website: www.needhim.org, just call up and your questions will be answered.

~ Be encouraged

The teacher appears when the student is  ready

Dips and treats for the holidays!

This is not my own recipe, in fact, it is one that I am looking into fixing. You can find these and other recipes at My Daily Moments

Ingredients

8 oz. cream cheese, softened 
1 pound lump crab meat 
1/4 cup cooking sherry 
1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning 
1/4 small red onion, fine dice 
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
1/2 cup carrots, thin cut 
1 tomato, cored and diced 
2 scallion stems, chopped paprika

Methods/steps

Place softened cream cheese in mixing bowl and whip. Fold in crabmeat, sherry, Old Bay and onion until well-blended. Fold in cheddar cheese. Use tomatoes, carrots, scallions and paprika for garnish. Serve with crackers.

Why Me and NOT Her?

The other day I was greeted with the saying "it's good to see you." Other days I wouldn't respond with "it's good to be seen." However, this particular day I honestly meant it.

Every nine seconds a woman in the US is assaulted or beaten. Around the world one in every three women are beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in her lifetime (www.domesticviolence.com).

My daughter's close friend, Karen, was killed due to domestic violence, but the main protest on the day of her funeral was her military honor.  It was as if the destruction of her life and her children's life was of no matter to some. Yet, I can say it affected me deeply.

For days I was in tears and torment over her death because I am a survivor of domestic violence. I was questioning God with "why did I survive and she didn't?", "why didn't she get away?" "what kind of God are you to allow this to happen?"
My questions then shifted to "What happened that day I was being suffocated with a pillow?" "How did he get off of me? I don't remember, please tell me?"  What was it that snapped inside of me for me to get away when I was told "till death do us part and it's your death?"  "Why did she have to die and not me?"

Deep in my heart I know that God is a sovereign God, but I couldn't see it. I know God's word says "For I know the plans I have for you, not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future."  So what happened to  your plan for her life?" "What about her children's lives?"  It didn't make sense to me at all. I was truly filled with guilt and questions. I began to seek help.  I first spoke to my friend, Terri, who counsel "Grief Share" at First Baptist Church and we discussed my feelings and questions. I remember her telling me that God wasn't finished with me yet. It may have been her time and he was finished with her. Only God knows.
Look at what you've accomplished these past few years because of Him.
I was then on my emotional roller coaster. I was okay for a little while then I was down and crying one moment; and up and smiling the next. This went on for about three days. Then, I was down in the pit again.
My friend, Father John, told me that we all have choices to make. Perhaps she was given many opportunities to leave and she didn't walk through hers. You see God gives us doors of opportunities to walk away and sometimes we choose not to for whatever the reason. God puts people in our lives to help us and walk with us through our stuff, she was not alone. However ultimately it was her choice just as you had to choose.
The light bulb went off again. God wasn't done with me. My choices have landed me on my feet. I have accepted Christ care and control in my life.

I cannot speak on why Karen didn't live another day. I can share how God has saved me physically and spiritually from the destruction of my demise. I can share with you some lives He has changed because of Him through me.  There are days when I am ready to thrown in the towel and God places special people in my path to say "I'm glad you are here for me" or "I needed to see you today."  My tears well up because it is by the grace of God that there goes me. My life is in his hands and no one else's.  I have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe. He was the one that came to my rescue time and time again. He was and is my rock, my fortress, my refuge, and strength. I am alive because he has lived in me since I was fourteen.
I haven't been the best follower of Christ nor did I allow Him turn my life around quickly.  No, it has been a process. Yet, that process has led me to be a better vessel for His working through me.

I didn't have a plan to get away the first time, but I did the second. I went to an advocate for domestic violence and we put a plan together. I was prepared.  People don't plan to fail they fail to plan.
I was ready. The moment came that I had to make a choice and in an instant I made a call and was received with open arms by my friends.  I did exactly what I was told to do and i am alive today because of it.

If you are in a situation that leaves you battered, broken, bruised, and you feel like there is no way out. Take your moment of opportunity to prepare, make a plan, and take that instant to run. Don't stop running until you are in a safe place where you cannot be hurt.  Make a call today and get some help, I did and I am better because of it.

Call the domestic hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or your local women's shelter for help. Do it now!!
It might not just be your own life you are saving.

Thrown Out Like Trash

Recently, I've had the pleasure of working with a group of people  to look into setting up a homeless shelter here in Palatka. I hear the town's people say "we need one," "there is a need for one," and "you're doing a great thing, I want to be involved."   While this is all encouraging and well received, I have some uncertainty stirring. I know that we will face opposition, it's a given. However, when we really take a look at the opposition, it saddens us.
I recently had a pastor tell me "The reality is that no one really wants homeless people around. They are bad for business, they are bad for your local authorities, they are a public nuisance. Though they are humans, they are a sub-section of our sick society. Most people look at them differently than you and I do. They see them as lazy, unintelligent, alcoholics, thieves, and dirty. And in a lot of cases they are right. But not in every case."
I see some of our everyday homeless neighbors (yes, they are our neighbors) and I know one person who cannot handle an everyday normal life because there are hurts that have not been addressed. He does not want to face them. Does this mean we stop caring for him? Do we throw him away because he is different? 
Sometimes we live in our own bubble and we forget there are others that are different from us. Some are more educated, some less educated, some live differently, and some think differently. It is sad that people look at other people as garbage and something to be thrown away because of their differences.
There are some people who say that our town needs a homeless shelter. This is true, but our shelter is going to need our community. Will you, the community, help us? We will need people, our community, to physically help us to get this home open and stay open.
Or, will our community close their doors when the need arrives? I am just not certain. I have read where our community "has a huge heart." Will that heart show up when the center has a need to be met?
Another comment I've heard is that in Putnam County it is assumed  or expected that everyone is a Christian.  I disagree with this statement. I believe we have many unbelievers just as we have many believers. I can only speak from my personal experience and I don't assume anything. When someone walks in my path, I don't assume they know Jesus. I listen for Jesus to show me where they have a need in their life.

That is the purpose of the River Inn Homeless Shelter.  We are now looking at buildings to be donated or to raise funds to purchase. Those who are believers, we call on you to help by praying for us. We want to make the best choice of location for all of our neighbors.

You will be hearing more about this mission, but for now, please pray for and with us.

~Be encouraged


Should you desire to contact the River Inn Homeless Shelter you may email us at riverinnhs12@gmail.com.

You may also leave a comment here and we will be glad to return your call.

Know Who You Are

 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.


I am adopted into the family of Jesus Christ. I am a child of God. I am loved.
I have a hope and a future. I am all that God says that I am and I will do what He says to do. I am loved, faithful, kind, gentle, and restored. 

~ Be encouraged ~ Know who you are!

Giving up

There are two people that have come to the end of their rope. One has lost his family, his home, his work, and all the things that he has worked so hard to establish. He is in ruins and cannot find anything to be joyful about, no not one thing.
The other is a woman. She is in a dark room filled with quietness, turmoil, and just at the edge and ready to take a leap into the unknown.

Both of these people  are saying things like:
“I wish the day I was born would be lost forever and it never happened."

"I wish the darkness had carried away that night, that it was left off the calendar and not included in any of the months."

"I wish that on the day I was born I was kept from seeing all these troubles."

"Why wasn't I a child who died at birth and was put in the ground?"

"I wish I had been buried like a baby who never saw the light of day."
“Why must a suffering person continue to live?"
"Why let anyone live such a bitter life?"

I don't know about you, but I too have felt this way in my lifetime. I definitely was ready to turn out the lights. 

How about you? Have you ever felt this way? Sometimes, we think that what we are going through is never going to end. The hurt we feel is a dark hole and we keep spiraling into the deep abyss.
I have witnessed a man and woman who are in such pain that they cannot express exactly what they are feeling. It is truly indescribable.

The hardest part about being in this dark abyss is  that we feel like there is no one who understands us or  even wants to try to understand us. Other people in our lives want to tell us we have a sin problem or a spiritual problem. But what if it isn't? "What if" isn't going to answer our problem.

I believe in encouraging one another, finding out where our confidence lies, and keeping a victory journal. Yes, a victory journal. It is a list of all the things we have accomplished in our lives. Take it a step further and list what you have accomplished that you could not do in your own strength. I am sure there is at least one or two.

I'll let you in on a secret; the sayings in quotation marks are those of Job right after he lost everything from including his family and his possessions.  He worked his whole life to acquire these things and lost it all in the blink of an eye. The female person was me, but I am an example of many or all of us. God has a plan, a purpose for your life. He has done many great things through you and me and will continue to do so as long as we are willing vessels.

If you or someone you know is at that breaking point to end life as we know it. I encourage you to look up. Truly "LOOK UP!" The creator of this universe has a plan and a purpose for your life.  That plan may be a kind word or a smile that someone needs from you today.  

There are many hurting people in the world and many of us need to know that God has a plan. His plan is good, perfect, and pleasing. Be open to ask Him what your purpose is and then wait for Him to respond.

~Be encouraged. Take one day at a time, one moment at a time, and you will survive!

Behavior and Customs of this World

I woke up this morning with my mind racing with images as though it was a computer searching for a specific photo. Next it was like it found what it was looking for; a scripture from Romans 12:2, which I will share in a moment, then last my mind settled on the Halloween season.
I decided to get up and jot down my thoughts, but then I realized it was something I needed to share with you. I came to my computer desk which has my dad's Bible on it and opened to Romans 12:2 in The Living Bible (TLBPV).  My immediate thought was "wow!"
It reads; "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think.  Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you."
I think about the story of Moses, when he went up to the mountain to meet God and while there, Aaron was coerced by the people to make a golden calf and they worshiped it instead of the living God who had been with them. I picture them with their faces painted, dressed in costumes and partying.
They were worshiping something that is not real, not substantial, and not praise worthy. It definitely was not God's will for them to be worshiping this idol and it was not satisfying because Aaron knew it was wrong.
Why do you participate in Halloween? Do you recognize it for a time of celebrating the fall season's arrival? Do you participate in Halloween because it's what's you've always done?
Let us take it a step further. Is dressing up in costumes wrong? No, I don't believe it is. Is asking for candy that is being given as a gift wrong? No, I don't believe that is either.
But, if you or someone you know is dressing up as a vampire who slurps blood, a mummy that has been dead for years, or a killer with a white shirt covered in blood with a bloody knife in hand, this should raise a flag of concern. It is then I must ask "what are you doing this for and why?"  You say you are a follower of Christ and He lives inside you."  If that is the truth, then you will be as the scriptures say "a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think."
You cannot serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other. Do you hate Jesus? Why would you celebrate something that glorifies Satan's kingdom? Think on the things that are true, right, noble and praiseworthy.
To change the way you celebrate bringing in the new season would be to dress as a biblical character, be funny and witty with your costume. Make your costume a conversation starter for those who don't know Christ. Show the light that lives inside you by what you wear on the outside.

One year I dressed up as a cat at my job. I thought I was cute and far from being sexy or enticing. However, there were a couple of ladies that were offended by my attire. They said it was alluring to their husbands and asked the management to tell me to put some clothes on.  The ladies were right in what they did even if I did get upset and was smart alecky about it.   I walked around professing I was a Christian, but I didn't act like it and my attire didn't match my words. It was then that I realized I WAS in the wrong.

We are not to copy the behavior and customs of this world, we are to be a new and different person with all that we do and think. I hope you will ask yourself;  "why do I do what I do, am I pleasing God, and does it satisfy me?"

~
Be encouraged to be the only Bible that someone may read and courageous enough to let them

Lack in Giving Grace

I find myself lacking in the ability to give grace to others. For example, when my children lived at home, I'd tell them to take the trash out and expected them to have it done right after the question mark left my lips.  Instead of allowing them time to finish their current task before starting on my request. Years later, I still do not give enough grace to others. Just recently I had a situation with the turn signal not being turned off in a timely manner by my beloved Rodney. I would quickly point out that he had to manually turn it off.  He turned to me and said; "Wow, no grace from you." That statement echoed in my head for hours.
Today, most people lack that kind of grace. While standing in a local grocery store check out line, I witnessed a mother scolding her child just as quickly as she told the young boy to stop touching a piece of candy.  She gave no room for grace to wait for the child to do what she told him. Are we living in a fast forward world?  It appears this way as I noticed this mother and took my own inventory on grace.

God is quick to extend grace to me and I am forever slow at extending it others.
Jesus showed His grace to His accusers as He was nailed to the cross at Calvary.
I am ashamed of my behavior.

Just for today, I choose to offer grace more freely so that tomorrow when given the opportunity I will give it again; easily.

~Be encouraged, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

From Regrets to Freedom

Regrets: We all have them and all of us could make a long list to prove it.
God says this about regret:
¹⁰ For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. (NLT).

I have experienced that kind of sorrow . The sorrow God wants us to experience that leads us away from sin and results in salvation.  I have heard it said that God is the only one that is able to go back in our past and make things right; not us. He is omipresent and is able to do more than we can ask or think. I believe it is true.
During my vacation, I have experienced healing from my past. In just a few days here I have made amends with my mother, visited tthe place where my abortions took place and lastly made peace with myself.

Some people have the mentality that Celebrate Recovery is just for addicts of alcohol and drugs. I have been involved with CR for four years and it has helped me to face my past hurts and hang-ups. Other people have the mentality that a Women's Resource Center is just for pregnant under age girls who find themselves with a problem.  Both of these ideas are right on one hand and wrong on the other. These ministries have helped me to overcome and allow God to make some great changes in me that I am about to share with you.

Early one morning, my mother and I talked about why I have stayed in Florida for approximately 25 years. She told me I was "preachy" so I bragged on Jesus for a while. This opened a door for me to share how I had been abused by my ex husband. I had to express to her how all these years she blamed a friend for my wild days, was actually my fault.  I knew I had to ask her to forgive me for the hurt I caused her and my father when I became pregnant for the first time at age fourteen.  I expressed the fears I encountered as a youth, how I had doubt that she would believe me if I told her I was an abused woman and how I had too much pride to come home. I explained how when I didn't have anyone to talk to Jesus was there. I shared how I had to eat the word of God in order to get through one day. So, if I was "preachy" it was because I brag on Jesus not to push him onto anyone. Celebrate Recovery helped me to face my fear and talk to my mother. This conversation brought understanding to my mother and healing to myself.

One night, Rodney and I drove around the Norfolk and Virginia Beach area with Sadie in the back seat. We had a great time walking the beach, eating expensive ice cream, and acting like kids. We experienced a lot of good memories. Then as the night was winding down, I came across the abortion clinic I visited twice. It was then I realized just how much healing I went through at a Women's Resource Center. The clinic is no longer there, but the building was still standing. It is a five story high rise with many office rooms inside.

We parked outside in approximately the same parking space that I remembered parking in at one of the visits. I talked to Rodney about how there were picketers in the front of the building and as I walked out of the back after all was said and done, a picketer was at the back door. This person was yelling "baby killer." I was numb as a child to the comments, but as an adult walking through the trauma all over again in a study "Forgiven and Set  Free," at the resource center, it hurt.
Rodney kept reminding me that I was forgiven and how God loved me enough to walk me through this. I turned to him and said, "I have forgiven myself."

Now I really understand the scripture below. It was through God leading me to both CR and a Women's Resource Center that I was able to go to certain places, talk to people, and have a peaceful drive with my soul mate during which I was able to talk and share my recovery with you.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

You might be struggling with a painful memory, have attitudes towards certain thoughts, cry uncontrollably when you see something happening on a television show or cringe when you drive by a place from your past. These are all triggers in your system telling you that there is a hurt and God is leading you to heal from it. I encourage you ask Jesus to show you where you can get healing from your past, stop going around and around on your emotional merry-go-round, and start moving forward to a peaceful future.

~Be encouraged; it is FREEING!

(Correction: the abortion clinic is still open.I found out a day later by seeing the picketers)

Casting Cares

The first step in recovery is to recognize that you have a hurt, habit or hang-up. I just realized I have a hang-up. I work a lot. I had to laugh when I looked up the meaning of the word vacation and saw the first definition.

va·ca·tion

 [ vay káysh'n ]   

1. Break from work: a period of time devoted to rest, travel, or recreation

The key word in this definition is "devoted."
A person can get so "devoted" to their responsibilities at work that they cannot take a break from work. Prime example. We were traveling to Virginia. On Friday as we were traveling to Virginia, I received an email on my phone about an event on our community calendar, so I began to work. I made a choice to either do it myself or take a break from work. I choose to have my stand-in at work take care of it,  but I kept working. Then she finally let me have it on the other end of the phone. She told me to let go because I was on vacation.  I recognize that I am a person who takes my responsibilities seriously.  I want to make sure I carry my weight and complete my part of the work load. I don't like leaving my work for someone else to do. Therefore, it's very easy for me to get uptight about my responsibilities and make sure I do them right. I didn't mean any harm.
I also recognized that I am not hurting anyone but myself. My body was relaxing, but my mind was still at work.
God tells us to "cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you" and he tells us "do not cast away our confidence which has great reward."
He is telling me to let go and let Him. I don't do enough casting of my cares onto Him. It might be because I think I can get it done better than He can. My timing is better than His timing. I want it done NOW.
However, I have come to realize that I am not God and I am not in control. I am in control of my thinking. So, I am casting my work cares over to the control of God and placing my confidence in Him and the others He has put into place to help me. I am going on "vacation" not just physically but mentally.
I am choosing at this moment to keep my focus on my family and friends. I am going to let go of my anal retentive behavior, cast my cares away, and take this time to be devoted to rest, travel, and recreation.
I know my husband will appreciate it because I will get some complete rest.

God, I thank you for watching over us.
Thank you for knowing what we need when we need it.
Thank you for knowing who we need in our life to help us with all of the task while we are away.
 Thank you for allowing us to recognize when we need to rest and help us keep our
confidence in you, so that we may receive your great reward.


~Be encouraged He cares about your worries and can take care of them too.




 

He Crowns Us With Love

This morning I awoke to some sad, yet peaceful news. A friend of this community is at rest from all the busyness and hurt of this world. Can you imagine being in a position of complete rest and peace with no more sorrow and no more pain?
I praise God for what He has done in my friend's life. I praise Him for her teachings and encouraging words. During a time in my life when I didn't understand or know why God said what He said to me, I followed Him. I went through what my friend revealed to me as "faith by fire." God wants to know if you are going to trust the people in front of you or the God who created you."  We were sitting in her home, face to face and in  the presence of the LORD. Her voice was soft and tender like that of a mother speaking to her small child. Isn't that like God though?  He speaks truth with such a tender and soft voice?
I praise Him for the work He has completed with my friend, Pat Kinney.


 Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewedlike the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,
    his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.
As for mortals, their days are like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—
with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

After reading this passage this morning, the song from Matt Redman came to my thoughts and I began to sing it to the LORD. 

With this season of my life and all the transformations I am going through, this song truly speaks to my heart. 

Psalms 103

You can hear this song on 91.3 Hope FM online or on your radio dial. 

I encourage you to praise in your misery and in your joy.

~Be encouraged today and sing like never before!

Road Trip

I am about to go on a road trip to Virginia and visit the home I felt secure in, the town I was familiar to, and the groups I belonged in.
I really felt like I belonged and then I moved to another state. I was out of my comfort zone, didn't belong to any group and didn't know a soul in this new place. The song "Finally Home" by  Kerrie Roberts, shares that we have a home that we not only will we be comfortable in but we belong to.
The first line of Kerrie Robert's song says "I miss the feeling that I belong." I have a few friends that have recently moved to new cities with young children and they had to move into new schools.  It's tough being the new kids on the block and not knowing anyone. These kids might sit at a table by themselves eating lunch, studying in the library; alone, and feeling completely unattached from anyone. It is difficult to be in this season. Their ache is so deep that they can't believe they are in this place or that anyone even notices them. BUT GOD!
He doesn't leave us, He has a home being preapred for us (John 4:13), and we will belong. We will be so happy to be there that we will want to praise His name all day long.
Iif you are in a season of your life that you feel like you don't belong to your new school, neighborhood, or job know there is a God bigger than your empitness and He wants you to be comfortable in your present and future with Him.
 
Lyrics Finally Home by Kerrie Roberts
I miss the feeling that I belong
Surrounded by the love that I know at home
I never get to stay long
I might stop, but I then I gotta move on
When I'm not there, there's a craving in me
An ache so strong that I can't believe
There's a place that's better
Where I'll spend forever

When I'm finally home
And I finally know
What it really means to praise his name
What it feels like to know amazing grace
And there's no more road
Nowhere else to go
Nothing left to miss
Nothing left for this wandering soul
When I'm finally home

I'm reminded again and again
I live in this world as a stranger and
As good as it's been
Or as bad as it gets, it all will end
I want to stand where hope and faith and love
All meet in one face
Oh, I wanna be where I can see
What I now believe

Ultimate healing
Where hurt can't reach me
I won't need to find every answer
All I need will be found within you

Setting an Example

I love it when God talks to me because I get filled with a joy that is unexplained and my eyes well up with tears.  Don't you enjoy sitting with a friend that you can laugh and talk with about anything?  Jesus and I had a great conversation today.
I was traveling down a four lane highway and just ahead was a Florida Highway Patrol car sitting on the right side of the road. I automatically look down at my speedometer and tapping on my breaks without even noticing the speed I was traveling. It was an instant reaction. Do you ever have one of those moments?
The question  that came to my mind at that moment was "am I setting an example?" On the front doors of my van are magnet signs for 91.3 Hope FM. Within a few moments I was transported back to the night before when a gentleman from our Celebrate Recovery group was leading. I have witnessed this young man change from the inside out and it filled my heart with joy and eyes with tears to see him lead the group last night. Before we adjourned to our cars, he stopped me to ask if he did alright in leading and shared his enjoyment in doing so. I feel like a proud parent. I am truly proud of this young man and the u-turn he has made in his life. He even mentioned how he desires to start his own ministry. I want to share that a young woman has been working hard at getting her children back and did. She went above and beyond what the legal system asked her to do. She knows God loves her children more than she does, but also knows He is as close as a brother. I can't wait to hear how she is doing as she moved out of the area to care for her children in a better environment.
The Lord showed me within those few moments how I have led by example. I was once lost in my ways of the world, partying all the time, dependent on others, and more. Now I am leading others into the fullness of who they are in Christ. WOW!
I give praise and glory to God for pulling me out of my pits, allowing  me the opportunity to help others out of theirs and the courage to pass on the torch.

I want to encourage you today that if you are in a season of change, know that it won't last a lifetime. God has great plans for your life and you just might be going through it in order to help someone else. It is difficult to trust in what you cannot see, but when you push through the unknown everything is brought to light. It is then you look back and say "so that is why I had to go through the mud."

~Be encouraged your praise has meaning at all times