Thursday, October 31, 2013

Easy as ABC


This week has been like many others for me.   God talks and I listen…then I usually write.  But this week He talked…I listened…but I didn’t write.  I know what He is telling me and I get it, but I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to do with it.  So I did nothing.  Well, as you can guess, it was the wrong thing to do!  I have been getting this same verse over and over and over!  At one point I actually said, “OK God!  I get it.  I know this and I do it…but apparently He wants me to share what I already know!

John 1:1

In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.

That, we all know! It’s pretty straight forward.  But here is where things start to get tricky.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This is the verse that I have seen constantly this week.  And I know that is the only way I am going to Heaven.  I already have my ticket; I asked for it, Jesus paid for it.  There is nothing we-us-me-I-you-can do to get there.  Jesus died on the cross for our sins and it’s so simple- our part!  Ask him into our hearts and have faith.

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

John 3:16

God loved us so much that He gave His only so that by believing in Him we could have everlasting life

There are a lot of good people in the world!  They do all the right things; give to charity, help the homeless, take in kids from shelters, and some may even go to church, but without Christ in your heart-and He is just waiting to be invited in-you are still going to Hell!

Acts 16:31

And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

It’s so easy, and trust me, there are so many benefits; the greatest being able to live with Jesus eternally.  The love and joy you experience while here on earth is so good and when you have Jesus in your heart you always have a best friend.  He is never too busy, never over commits himself, always knows just what to say and never judges you!  No matter how dark your path He is always there to go with you lighting the way.  My path has been very dark and scary.  Often times I couldn’t see to put one foot in front of the other, that’s how dark it was.  But Praise God I had a glow stick that when bent it glowed even more!  That light was Jesus!  And He can shine for you too!

 

John 8:12

Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

After receiving that verse numerous times this week and just kind of “ignoring” it, God started putting the story of Jonah upon me.  Not just once but several times.  So this morning I just asked Him, “God, what am I running from, what am I not doing that you want me to do?” That’s when I got that verse one more time and I finally got it!  So I implore you, if you are reading this and don’t know Jesus, this is for you!  He cares enough for you to burden my heart so much that I write these bible verses so that you know He cares for you!  Don’t wait until it’s too late!  Ask him into your heart today!

Ask…Believe…Confess… Easy as ABC!

Blessings


I have dwelled on my problems all week to the point they are making me physically sick.  It’s so easy for me to tell others they need to turn over their problems to Jesus and let him handle them but when it comes to me taking my own advice…I don’t.  I remember my Mom telling me, when I was old enough to understand about the Holy Spirit, that when she prayed about something she could tell what the answer was according to her spirit.  Well my spirit has been “uneasy”.  That’s the term she used.  I just don’t know what to do with an uneasy spirit!  I can hear my Heavenly Father saying “Come and cast all your cares at my feet and find your rest in ME!  Under my mercy come and wait until we are standing face to face!  You’re beautiful to me!  I will hide you in the shadow of my strength.”

Psalm 36:7

God your love is so precious; you protect people in the shadow of your wings.

Nehemiah 8:10

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

He is such a loving God!  How can we not go to Him?  It matters not to Him what we are.  Only that we love Him and include Him in our life.  He wants to be with our every breath, every tear, and every step we take.

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience that race that is set before us.

When we make bad choices He wants us to know He will forgive, forget and move on.  He even helps us up!  We learn from our mistakes.  We aren’t perfect, but we are made in His image so there is always hope for us.  Hope in Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:57

But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Corrie ten Boom said: “This is what the past is for!  Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see”

He knows what it’s all about; our struggles, our fears, our failures.  “Wait upon the Lord” is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but while I am waiting; I am growing, learning, listening and yes-hearing.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength-always ready to help in times of trouble.

He does help me!

I can’t imagine life without Him in it.  How do people that don’t have Him to lean on get out of bed every morning?  If you are reading this and don’t know Jesus I would really like to know how you do it.  Our life after death is going to be one of two things; heaven or hell!  How is that a hard decision?  People can be scared “to Jesus” by all of the horrific facts of what Hell is going to be like.  But the treasure of Jesus is so great and you don’t have to wait til you die to enjoy Him and all of His goodness!  We have that showered upon us every day.  All we have to do is lift our head and speak from our heart.  We pour out our troubles to Him and He gets right on it because He wants to give us the desires of our heart. 

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

All we have to do is ASK!

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. 

I have the luxury of great friends who are eager to help me, listen to me, cry with me, laugh with me and most importantly, pray with me!  No matter what I need they are there!

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

I was reminded to count my blessings, even name them one by one!  Sometimes I forget until I start looking for them!  So if you haven’t counted your blessings lately do that today!  Take a minute out of your day to just say thanks and get lost in worship with your creator!  You won’t be disappointed!

Job 37:23

He is excellent in power.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Psalm 18:46

The Lord liveth and blessed be my rock and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Trooper gives God credit for help in solving cold-case murder
Her body was discovered on Sept. 26, 2002, at Greenbrier State Forest.

A man had taken an early morning walk on that gray autumn day and paused, alone, at “a wide spot in the road.”

When he looked over a hillside, he glimpsed the bottoms of her feet.

Her body offered initial responders no clues to her identity, not even to her race or ethnicity. Barely 100 pounds, she was dark-haired with olive skin. She appeared to be Asian or Hispanic, possibly one of the many Mexican migrant workers who were building a new golf course at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs.

She was fully dressed, wearing shorts and a summer top.

Investigator Lt. Vince Deeds of the West Virginia State Police Lewisburg Detachment (now at the Beckley detachment) still remembers the day the woman’s body appeared, it would seem, out of nowhere.

Whoever had placed her at the park hadn’t taken any undue time, leaving her body to the elements.

“She hadn’t been buried, at all,” recalled Deeds. “She was just tossed out.”

For a decade, she would be listed in West Viriginia as a “Jane Doe,” a mysterious victim of an unknown murderer who was possibly still free.

Deeds, an officer who thrives on solving “cold cases,” would work long hours with Sgt. Drew Pendleton of the Lewisburg detachment to determine the woman’s name and bring her killer to justice.

Their first breakthrough would come in 2011, with the report of a Virginia girl who thought her mother had abandoned her.

- - -

Deeds, now the commander of the Beckley detachment, sometimes drives his wife crazy by talking about cold cases — unsolved murders that languish in police files like heartbreaking puzzles with missing pieces.

“These types of cases are frustrating, and you think you’re not going to get any headway on it ’til it comes through, and then what you’re talking about, really, is beyond words,” said Deeds. “It’s the feeling that you’re being used for something special.”

Immediately after finding Jane Doe’s body in 2002, Deeds enlisted the help of the only Hispanic officer in the Lewisburg detachment. Together, the two men canvassed the transient community of Mexican workers in the area, hoping to find a killer or someone who had been too distrustful of the local police to file a missing persons report.

Nobody knew her.

Weeks passed, then months. Still, nobody came forward to report a missing daughter, girlfriend or sister.

Deeds didn’t give up on identifying the body. He sent DNA samples to police agencies around the region to compare Jane Doe’s DNA to that of missing women in other states.

He and Pendleton kept up-to-date on new missing persons cases that could fit Jane Doe’s profile.

And their reward was: Nothing.

After two years, he got state officials to send her dental records to the Smithsonian museum and research center in Washington, and a researcher there identified her race.

“He said she was probably Asian,” reported Deeds.

For several frustrating years, that’s all West Virginia investigators would know about Jane Doe, but they kept hope alive.

They entered her DNA records into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and waited.

“We knew that something would eventually happen that would break everything loose,” said Deeds. “And that’s what happened.”

- - -

Deeds, who is also a Christian pastor, said he sees God at work in the legal system constantly.

“We try to figure out why bad things happen,” said Deeds. “Well, bad things happen because, literally, there’s evil in this world.

“But God works through the policeman, the paramedics, the people who do the crime scene, the county coroners, and me.”

In Waynesboro, Va., a two-hour drive east of Lewisburg, an elementary school girl attended an abuse seminar called “Hugs and Kisses” at her local school in March 2011.

After the seminar, she told a teacher she was being abused at home.

Waynesboro Police Department Cpl. Alyssa Campbell showed up at the home of 52-year-old Thomas Tait, a Waynseboro man, to investigate the report.

She noticed “reams of computers” in Tait’s house. Suspicious, police obtained a search warrant and discovered more than 80,000 images of child pornography.

“He built computers,” said Sgt. R.B. Luzader, Campbell’s commanding officer. “Some of these images of child pornography were with infants.”

Campbell noticed Tait appeared nervous when she brought up the girl’s mother, said Luzader.

Tait told police that the girl’s mother was from Legazpi City in the Philippines, but he couldn’t give a solid answer about when she’d left or where she was staying.

The girl, around age 11, told investigators that she thought her mom was living in the Philippines, but she wasn’t sure, according to Deeds.

She was taken out of Tait’s home and placed in a safe environment, said Luzader.

“Campbell continued trying to contact the mother, went to great lengths,” he said, adding that state and federal authorities eventually got involved in the search.

Campbell was able to gain DNA profiles from the mother’s family in the Philippines, with help from Interpol and the FBI. She immediately entered the DNA into the national Combined DNA Index System, along with the name of the missing woman.

In Lewisburg, Deeds and Pendleton were ecstatic when CODIS registered a “hit” on their “Jane Doe.”

- - -

Her name was Karen Santillan Tait, age 23.

She’d grown up in an extremely poor village outside of Legazpi City in the Philippines and had never traveled far from the area when she’d met Tait in Legazpi City in 1997. She was then 19.

“Tait would raise up enough money to go to the Philippines for six months, then come back, back and forth,” reported Deeds, adding that there is a thriving sex trade in the parts of the country Tait visited.

“He brought Karen back with him (in 2000), and she was pregnant,” Deeds said. “She thought that she had met her American dream and married him and came back as a U.S. citizen.”

He said Tait was a “control freak” and that while he took Santillan to state parks in the area, he never allowed her to go to more public places.

Investigators believe Tait killed Santillan because he had wanted a child to sexually abuse.

When agents were finally able to reach Santillan’s parents to get DNA swabs, family members said they’d thought, for nearly 11 years, that Santillan was living happily in the United States.

They were devastated to learn that she had been killed, according to reports by the local Waynesboro NBC affiliate.

Tait was arrested on child pornography charges in Virginia in July 2012. Then Deeds had him transferred to West Virginia to face murder charges.

Investigators in both states said Tait hated his time in Southern Regional Jail and did not want to serve a sentence for his wife’s murder in the West Virginia penal system.

Tait pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was transferred back to Virginia to face charges on the child pornography charges.

At his sentencing, Deeds said, the judge remarked that images from Tait’s computers were the most “disturbing” he’d seen in 35 years on the bench, sentencing Tait to what amounted to a life sentence.

- - -

Neighbors rarely saw Santillan, but a few remembered her as a “timid” but friendly woman, according to reports by the Waynesboro media.

Earlier this month, the Waynesboro and Greenbrier communities raised $6,000 to send her body to her family for proper burial.

Deeds said that “Karen’s little girl” is now in a safe environment, and the family has answers.

“This is where you feel like you change people’s lives,” he said. “Nobody could stand up for Karen or her little girl until Waynesboro PD got involved, then our agency and both prosecutor’s offices.

“You just can’t line all this stuff up,” said Deeds. “We truly can’t, without having God involved in it.”

- - -

Pacita Salon, a local piano teacher and a member of the Beckley Filipino community, said she was sorry to learn of Santillan’s death.

Many of the Filipina women who marry Americans come to the country with plans of working and sending money home to their families, she said.

“If Filipinas get married here, we give them statements to say that domestic violence is against the law,” she added.

She said many established members of the local Filipino community reach out to Filipinas through an annual Christmas party at Tamarack, through Couples for Christ at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, and through friendly community connections.

Salon urged any Filipinas who are facing domestic abuse or feeling isolated to reach out to her at 304-763-4444, to Rose Romero of the Raleigh County Medical Society at 304-255-6341, to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church at 304-253-3695 or to the Women’s Resource Center at 304-255-4066.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Biscuits and Gravy


Biscuits and Gravy

This morning on my way to work I was listening to SpiritFM and the question for the day was “What is the smell that takes you back to your childhood?”  Well that was easy for me!  Biscuits and gravy!  I shared my memory of biscuits and gravy.

When I think of biscuits and gravy or when I smell it, I think of how mommy must’ve prayed over that pot every time she made it.  Prayed there would be enough to feed all the youngins’ around her table.  No matter how many times that spoon was dipped in the pot…there was always enough. Biscuits and gravy remind me how much they loved each other.  You can’t be married for 69 years and go through all the mountains and valleys they went through and not have love.  Then I think of the love they had for God and how they passed that on to us.  And now we pass that on to our children and I see them passing it on to their children!  Wow!  I know Mommy is rejoicing in Heaven at how the lessons she taught us are still being passed on from generation to generation.  When I smell that, I just feel like Mommy is wrapping me up in a big hug.  Now that’s what I call comfort food.  So when I smell biscuits and gravy or even think about it, it goes way beyond a pleasant smell that starts as an aroma floating in the air.  It’s a smell that conjures up images of Mommy in her apron with her hair net on standing in the kitchen at the stove.  Images of Daddy at the table with his biscuit and gravy with his pickled beans or other weird side dish proclaiming “it’s good- just try it!”  I really miss those two!

I encourage you all to find that smell that takes you back.  I have enjoyed my walk down memory lane today.  God has blessed the broken road I have traveled with many loved ones and friends.  For that I am thankful!

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Rest


My heart is heavy.  I know I am no different than most of you at one time or another.  We don’t go through anything here on earth without a purpose.  There is purpose in the bad just as there is purpose in the good.

Job 13:14-16

Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.  Indeed this will turn out for my deliverance; for no godless man would dare come before him!

I can’t see the good, but I know it will come.  Because that’s how God is.  Life is a cycle we are up then we are down.  Likewise it is the same with God.  We are up on the mountain but we can’t stay there- so we go through the valleys, but God is there holding our hand and our heart.  Whispering to us “Be still and know that I am God” Ex 14:13 and He is always working for our good.

Romans 8:28

God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves Him!

My faith has brought me through many things in my life.  Even when I couldn’t see what was on the other side or down the road I know for He tells us in II Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.  So many times I just pray Lord get me to the other side already!  But I know in his infinite wisdom He is doing what’s best for me.  I am ready to take the coward’s way out-the easy route.  When we get to Heaven none of the trials of this life are going to matter.  We have to look at the long term plan of things.  We are going to live forever.  We are just trying to live like He wants us to, help people, spread His word and the Love of God, and obey His commandments.  If we do all this with love, we can’t go wrong.  But if we do go wrong-and we will because we are human-He is waiting with open arms to forgive us.  All we have to do is ask!  Say I’m sorry- so simple!  And if He can forgive us, surely we can forgive each other.  Again with the cycle- we sin, we forgive- But one thing remains; His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me!

1 Corinthians 13:7

Love never gives up and its faith, hope, and patience never fail!

There is an old saying you don’t get something for nothing.  And in life everybody always needs something.  Or at least they think they do.  People are going after the wrong things.  They think they need to feel good through drugs, sex, food; they always want a quick fix to their problems or they want to cover them up.  No matter what we think we need, if we examine our life, our situation, we find the true answer.  We need peace, rest, joy, hope, and love.  Just a little of these is all it takes to turn your life around.  When your life is getting you down and you find yourself in your darkest hour sing that song of hope in Jesus Christ and His redemption.  Yesterday all I could say all day is nothing is impossible for God.  So why do we limit Him with our prayers.  He is the Almighty, Great I AM, Our Creator.  He can fix any of our little problems.  And I had to remind myself of this yesterday.  These things here on earth are bumps in the road.  Things God uses as building blocks for us just as we use wooden blocks for toddlers.

Of course these things matter and we want our kids to be healthy, relationships to be strong and everyone to be warm and fuzzy all the time, but it’s not gonna happen!  Kids are going to be sick, relationships are going to fail, loved ones are going to die, and people are going to be depressed but Praise God if you have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior this “stuff” is going to pass away and we will dwell with Him and all that He has for us in Heaven.  We will have so much peace, joy, hope and love!  More than our minds can even wrap a thought around.  We just have to fix our eyes and hearts on that.  We are just passing through this old world.  I am headed home to be with Jesus and my family.  Everyday trials and heartaches is just one day closer to my reunion in Heaven!

My prayer for you all today is forgiveness.  Ask Him for that then the rest is easy.  I ask Him every day! And He hasn’t failed me yet!  This song spoke to me this morning at 4am.  It is so simple yet it speaks volumes!

Everyone Needs a Little (Kari Jobe)

Come all ye weary and ye broken come to the table of the Lord

 Come sing the song of the forgiven Come lay your burden on the word

 

Come and find peace everyone needs a little rest

 Everyone needs a little joy and a song to sing in the darkest night

 

And life even when it gets you down Hope will turn it all around

 But love is the greatest of these Everyone needs a little

 

Sing all ye saints and ye sinners Call upon the mercy of the Lord

 Come sing the song of redemption Sing about the hope that is to come

 

Matthew 11:28

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

God knows my heart, and that’s where I rest.

Love

When I was a child my Mom sang this song:

Heaven Happy home above

Heaven sweet peace and love

Oh it makes me feel like traveling on

Heaven supernal, Heaven eternal

Oh I know I’m going home

I met a man last week that actually went home!  Yeah you heard me!  He went home but he came back.  He looked upon the face of Jesus and saw love-Jesus sent him back to earth to continue to do what we all are here to do.  Spread the word-Jesus is real-He’s coming back and He wants you to live with Him forever!  And all you have to do is ask.  It’s not hard people!  Us to tell it-others to receive it!  We as Christians are to love one another, again not a hard job.  Yet we make it difficult by getting in the way.  Our pride, our ego, we sometimes let it come before Christ and his command to love one another.  Church should be the happiest place on earth for us to go because for the most part we are all Christians.  We read the instruction manual called the Bible.  We know how we are supposed to act.  Yet sometimes we treat others the worse.  We are all human, we are all broken, and we all need Jesus!  We all need love!  When I think of the love Jesus showed on the cross- it just humbles me.    Even in his suffering with his arms stretched out, He thought of me!  And  you and you and you!  In

John 4:19:

We love because He first loved us

Think about the price He paid to do that.  He wasn’t picky or choosy when He was on the cross.  He didn’t say for some I will die but for all!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son…

It doesn’t say for God so loved WV, the USA, me but not you.  He loved us all!  So who are we to pick and choose who we are going to love?  My heart is heavy burdened for the human race in general but Christians and their back of love for each other really just saddens my soul.  When you accept Christ as your savior that’s your ticket in!  You are going to Heaven.  So you can sit on your couch, hide away in your home, stick your head out like a turtle and that won’t change.  But because God loved us so much He wants us to have a full life.  And to do that His Holy Spirit is in me and you just nudging us to love someone!  Anyone!  Everyone!  And sometimes it may be someone we don’t even want to love!  But when we learn to love from the Master, the love we receive from Him and the love we give others begins to transform; it becomes Him!

 

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others.  It is not self seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres! 

So I have a challenge for you!  When God puts someone on your heart to share His love with, do it!  Listen to that still small voice!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Cloudy with a HOPE of SHINY!


As I drove to work Wednesday morning the sky was filled with such splendor I know I won’t be able to describe it.  I started to stop and take a picture but I knew it wouldn’t do it justice.  The colors were so poignant.  The pinks were scattered across the sky as if God had taken a brush and wiped it dry.  The blues in the background were a perfect blend of the colors in the ocean.  The clouds rolled back like ocean waves.  Every now and then I felt I caught a glimpse into Heaven’s gate.  Every morning I pass a sign on my way to work on Route 60 by a church that says Keep Your Eye on the Eastern Sky.  I have passed it dozens of times but not until that day did I actually think about it in reference to the sky I was looking at.  As I was driving, the sky was only that beautiful directly ahead of me- which was east.  When I turned off to go to work I was headed south and man was it dreary and rainy looking.  The northern sky was pretty. The clouds were fluffy and colorful but not the brilliant hues of that Eastern sky.  I asked God to give me words to be able to describe it.  Well when I got to work I sat down with a pen because I just knew He was going to give me words!  That verse about anticipation came to mind:

Galatians 5:5

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

I was eager!  But nothing happened.  I kept thinking about the sky and how beautiful it was but like with everything, it began to fade throughout the day.  The colors in my mind weren’t as bright as when I saw them.  So I thought, well I am going to scrap this note. That sky will just be etched in my mind.

 Last night I went to church to hear Dean Braxton tell his account and his testimony of dying, going to heaven, and then coming back.  And I admit, I was going for purely selfish reasons.  I was half afraid to hear what he was going to say.  I wanted to know what Danny was feelling and seeing at the instand he died.  I wasn’t disappointed!  As he described it, in the blink of an eye he went from his earthly body to his Heavenly body and he was with Christ.  Looked upon His face and felt all the love of God.  The one word that stuck with me throughout his account was shiny.  He described Jesus as shiny! His grandmother as shiny!  And that “shininess” was the love of Christ shining through them.  I was filled with such peace after being there knowing what I already knew- that “the love of God is greater far then any pen or tongue can tell” That love reached down and took Danny home.  And not only Danny, but my mom and dad, my brother and sister, many aunts, uncles, church family; just as that same love has taken many of your loved ones home as well.  To know the place he is in now is filled with such love that shines so bright it even reaches down to Earth that the Heavens are so beautiful that we can’t even describe them- gives me peace!  That same peace that is described in Philippians 4:7.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So when I think of describing how the heavens looked on Wednesday morning, all I can say is they were filled with the love of Jesus.  And that is indescribable, immeasurable and SHINY!

Thank you Dean Braxton for helping me describe the Heavens that I see from my earthly point of view with your Heavenly point of view.  You are doing just what Jesus told you to do, even though it took you three times to get it!  I will take my blessing from your re-run any day!

God Bless You!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV)


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Peace


Philippians 4:7
The Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   
Peace, Peace, Sweet Peace….That’s a five letter word that reaches down to the depth of my soul.  There was a time I couldn’t even say that word much less feel it or have it in my soul.  But God being so gracious and merciful has provided me with that peace that passes all understanding…and for that I just have to give Him all the glory and praise.
Psalm 68:4
Sing to God, sing praises to His name. Extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name Yah, and rejoice before Him!
That peace didn’t come without a price though.  I have always heard about “peace” and thought I had it, but not until I was in my deepest darkest place did I realize I had no real knowledge of the peace of God.
Psalm 25:4-7
Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths.  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation.  On you I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, your tender mercies and your loving kindnesses, for they are from of old.  Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to your mercy remember me. For your goodness sake, O Lord
The paths you set before me were like a road map for me to find my way out of the darkness.  The road I traveled was not pleasant but it was so necessary for me to grow.  Sometimes when I think of where I was and where I am…..I am amazed!  Only God can do that! We- alone- can do nothing!
II Corinthians 12:9
And He said to me “my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”
I was the weakest I have ever been during Danny’s illness, because I could no nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  So I prayed and I asked for strength and peace.  And as He was making me strong, He gave me a peace that I have never known.
Ephesians 4:23 and 25
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
As I prayed to Him for the big things I also prayed for the small things.  I was at a point I couldn’t even decide what was for supper. As I began to relinquish all things to Him I began to feel peace.  It was a calmness that almost resembles indifference.  Things that I used to worry about before, I just don’t any more.  I know God has it under control and no matter how much I fret and worry-it doesn’t change anything.  So I hope I don’t come across as indifferent or apathetic, because I do care.  I just don’t worry about it.  That kind of PEACE can only come from God. 
Tonight we started an open prayer service at my church- nothing but prayer.  Your time, your prayer- Just you and God.  What a glorious time it was.  I have no idea how many were there because I was first there and last to leave, but Jesus was there and He prayed with me so I count that a success.  I have been very burdened for a prayer time because I don’t think we pray enough.  On Sunday our prayers are just so structured and we are always worried about time!  Tonight when I knelt I didn’t worry about anything.  Just me and Jesus working things out, and what I couldn’t work out I left for Him to do!
II Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of sound mind.
As I knelt to pray for so many people who are affected by illnesses, heartaches, depression, hurting marriages; I could feel Jesus in that room with me!
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
All I had to do was to be still and listen…and He was there.  He took all of my burdens and filled me with that wonderful peace.
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
Isaiah 26:3
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You

-- 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Kari Jobe - Here


Prayer for my Friends

Lord I come to you, Just As I Am, but today I am bringing my hurting friends with me.  They ache and hurt from lifes disappointments, failures, regrets, illnesses, losses!  I want to bring them to your throne where you can wash over them and give them peace. How do I pray?  How do I help them with their loneliness, their sadness, their sickness?  What are your words to comfort and heal my friends?
 
Jeremiah 31:25
25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (NIV)
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 63:1
You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water. 


Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom 


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

 You have made it so clear as our Lord and Savior, that we should come to you when it hurts, when its hard, even when it all falls apart.  We should just run to you; our healer, our comforter, our portion, more than enough, all we need!  And I know you hold us-ME- in the palm of your hand. 

Isaiah 49:16
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

"God is still on the throne and nothing can snatch us from His hand"-Joel Osteen

My friends, my prayer for you today, even as I lift you up in prayer, is to go before God-take it to the throne- and leave it there for Him to work out.  No matter what the pain you are going through, no matter how broken you are- God is there and is waiting on you to bring it to him!  HE IS FOR YOU!

Matthew 11:28 
Come Unto Me! 

1 Peter 5:7 
Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you He will never let the righteous be shaken 

"Everytime I obey, absolute Deity is on my side, so that the grace of God and natural obedience coincide" Oswald Chambers

Phillippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus

"Here"  Kari Jobe

Come and rest here
Come and lay your burdens down
Come and rest here
There is refuge for you now

You'll find His peace
And know you're not alone anymore
He is near
You'll find His healing
You're heart isn't shattered anymore
He is here 
 
Jesus Christ is giving you a place to rest.  He is your refuge center.  Lay your burdens down and get out of there!  You will find peace, healing and you won't be alone!  He will give you healing for your heart! 
 
 Just let Him....let Him. 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Love and Marriage

 John 15:17  Love one another.
Such an easy task He has put before us.  It is easy for us to say "I Love You"  three words we utter without even giving them thought.  Often at the end of a phone call "Love ya, bye"  How often have we heard that?!  It becomes a little harder when we are asked to put some action with those words!  When I am loved, I want to feel it!  Even if I never hear those words, I want to feel them!  I want to feel them in my every day tasks.  Maybe that note left for me just to say I love you or to say have a happy blessed day.  I want to feel love because someone packed my lunch, or let me have the remote to the TV during their favorite showtime, or did an extra load of laundry when they were so tired but knew I was too. Love is when for no reason you give someone flowers, a kind word- an encouraging word, a foot rub, do the dishes, pick up the living room or even tuck you in at night with a cozy blanket and your favorite drink.  Love is when every morning and every night you lift someone up in prayer!  When you are burdened for someone that you cry their tears- thats LOVE!  the love of God.  Thats the kind of love I want.  And I won't settle!  God puts forth specific instructions for his people to follow.  Instructions for leaders of countries to battle one another.  Instructions such as the Ten Commandments for us to follow.  Love is no different!  He tells us how to love!  He tells us marriage is sacred.  It is special and as hard as it is for us to love our enemy, our neighbor- our marriage partner should be easy, RIGHT!?  But you can't say I love you with your mouth and not "love" with your heart.  God has burdened my heart with hurting marriages!  And I surely don't know why because Danny and I never had a "bad" time in our marriage.  But when I see a marriage that is not all that it can be with Christ as the center and the husband and wife sharing their everything with each other- it makes me cry.
We were blessed for 28 years- we were blessed.  And I am here to tell you if you are in a marriage that isn't inspired by God- you are settling for 2nd best.  All I can say is pray and pray hard!  A friend told me this week that Christ is #1 but after that its family and if the marriage is not up to snuff- the family suffers.  You suffer!  God has given you a most precious gift in your mate!  Please don't treat them like an after thought.  Next to serving God, you should want to serve your mate.  God actually commands it!
Ephesians 5:22
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord
1 Timothy 2:11
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission
1 Corinthians 11:3
3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God.
1 Corinthians 7:33
33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
Ecclesiastes 9:9
9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.
Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Corinthians 7:14
14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral
1 Corinthians 7:3
3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband

The most important and loving thing you can do for your mate in life is pray for them.  Pray they will have a heart like God.  And don't stop!  Pray everyday ALL day!  As if your life depends on it.  Because in this life we walk side by side with our mate, and that walk will be cold, lonely, and often painful and loveless without Christ walking in your midst!  I can honestly say when I walked that walk with Danny that Christ was always with us.  Even that last year and the last mile- He was there.  And when Danny went on to Heaven, Christ has stepped in and taken his place right by my side.  I no longer hold Dannys hand, but I have his heart, and I so want to share that with you.  So take Christ by the hand and pray for your mate, invite him to your marriage.  You will be surprised at the chalnges you see.  Let Christ fight for your marriage!  He wants to be on your side!

Ephesians 3:16
I pray that from his glorious unlimited resourses he will empower you with inner strength through his spirit.

Don't put your focus on "fixing" your marriage, focus on "fixing" yourself, serving your spouse, and fix that relationship with God!  He wants so much to be there with you!  Invite Him in!  I can't wait to see the results!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Love

  
Love- Extraordinary Women’s Conference 2013
 
10,000 women in one room-most men would say “what a nightmare!”  After standing in line for the bathroom, the shuttle to park, the lunch line…even the women were saying that!  Even worse that 10,000 women in one room, think about it as 10,000 children in one room.  That’s what we had yesterday-all weekend.  We were in Gods Day Care,  All of his children in one place.  We were told basically when to sit, when to stand, when to eat, when to go to the bathroom-and we did it!  And it was a miraculous event.  And we did this all in the name of Love!  One little 4 letter word.  First of all we came because we love God. And we love our girlfriends, sisters, mothers, daughters- so we took them with us.  To get away from the obvious- men, husbands, brothers, sons.  All in the name of love.  Our theme verse was:
 
1 Corinthians 13:13 for the weekend
 
And now these three remain; faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love
 
It was on big screens, t-shirts, bookmarkers, coffee mugs…everywhere!  But it was also at the civic center, on the shuttle bus, in our car ride, at our hotel, at our restaurants, even with us as we crossed the street.  We banded together all weekend as a group for everything.  You know us women- we can’t even go to the bathroom alone.  And trust me this weekend that was not a problem. We stood in lines that wrapped around buildings to wait…and wait…and then wait some more.  But do you think God didn’t use even that!  Absolutely not!  We saw friends we haven’t seen in years- our own neighbors living in the same community- but God takes an event where there are 10,000 women- to a different state and puts us in the same hotels, on the same bus ride, in the same line!
 
We of course went in the name of love because we love God. And as we were there that first night we start to hear how God loves other people.  Our speakers tell of experiences of how Gods love has transformed their lives.  In 1 John 4:8 the Bible says “God is Love” and John 15:12 &13 This is my commandment love each other in the same way I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this.  That one lay down his life for his friends.  Out of the whole weekend this one sentence spoken that first night by speaker Kasey Van Norman is what I will remember and carry with me.  “I don’t know how to not love you” And that is so like God.  He just loves us.  There is no other way.
 
In Ephesians 5:1&2 Follow Gods example, therefore, as dearly loved children.  And walk in the way of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  
 
Her parting words for us were “God’s love is gracious, sometimes painful and always redeeming” Everyone has a “story” of how Gods love has been gracious.  For some their “story” may be painful, but God always gets the last word.  You will be redeemed!  1 John 4:11 Beloved, If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
 
If I didn’t learn anything else from this weekend, I learned we need to love our fellow man- our neighbor, our classroom buddy, the person sitting next to us on the bus, the person sitting beside you on the church pew!  Not just tolerate that person-but just as God loves us- we also have to love one another.  As you go about your work, school, home- As you go about life- this week- this year!  Remember this one verse:
 
John 15:17
 
Love One Another!
 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Burdens

 When grief is ours to bear the only way to unburden ourselves is to share.  When our hearts are heavy laden and it feels as though we have no where to turn, gaze upon the One whose Amazing Grace is plentiful, His mercy is bountiful.  His love captures our heart when we open it and let the tiniest of holes fill up with Christ Jesus.  He is the healer of my heart.  He lifts my burdens when I am in despair.  O Lord Jesus the many tears I've cried seem enough to fill rivers.  But I know deep in my heart as well as I know my name that Jesus, My Redeemer, will dry my tears and bring comfort to my soul.  He will take our burdens.  He will pick up the broken pieces if we bring them to Him.
 
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.

Oftentimes our brokenness is our fears.  We can't move forward because we are afraid.  Afraid of whats around the corner.  Afraid of whats down the road.  Afraid to get up in the mornings.  Afraid to go to bed at night.  Just AFRAID! ...
But like Psalm 27:1 says, we have the Lord on our side.  He is our light and our salvation we don't have to be afraid of anything.  I am the biggest "scaredy cat" there is but when I think of Jesus Christ being in my corner, I am so "strong" "empowered" "unafraid" Whom shall I fear?  No one! Nada! Nothing!  Not Happening!

Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
It says ALL my fears, not just the ones I pick, and then try to hold on to all the rest.  I want to be alive for Christ and with these fears and burdens holding me back, I can't!

In the words of Chris Tomlin and LaCrae:

Awake, awake, awake my soul,
God resurrect these bones
From death to life, for you alone
Awake my soul
Lecrae:
Yeah, Im not alone, I realize
I breathe out, I come alive
Your word gives life to my dry bones
Your breath tells death it can ride on
Awake me, make me a living stone,
A testament to your throne, I
Im nothing without you, Im on my own
The only one who satisfies my soul
 
Psalm 27: 13 and 14
13 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

God Speaks...Even on Facebook

John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
I have never really thought of myself as sheep.  First off I always thought they were pretty stupid-as animals go. But you have to give them credit, they know their shepherd.  They follow blindly because the shepherd says to.  I wish sometimes I could hear my shepherd just as easily as these sheep.  God speaks and I listen but I don't always hear.  I am getting better at it or else He is getting louder.  I try and ask him things during the day- regular mundane things that actually have an effect on my life but its not the important stuff.  So when the important stuff comes along I don't feel so bad about going straight to Him and asking what I want and what I think I need.
Matthew 7: 7&8
Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Praise Him in all things.  Thank him no matter what.  What we think we need is not necessarily the case.  He gives us what we need.  As I am learning to listen to His voice, He is telling me all these things, but I don't understand them.  So I have to remind Him, "God I am a slow learner, not too bright at times!"  He simplifies them for me!  Sometimes His voice comes in a breeze, sometimes through another person, often and mostly- scripture.  And YES even Facebook!  He knows how you navigate your day and if you do so via Smartphone and FAcebook-by cracky He will speak to you there!  After all He is God-Omnipotent-The Great I Am- I think He can get around Facebook and take all that negative and turn it into good!  Isn't that what Romans 8:28 says?  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose!
I have received much inspiration and support from my facebook friends.  God speaks to us all!  All of his children-not just pastors, deacons, teachers-He talks to all of us!  And what we do with that is up to us.  sometimes He tells me to post it on Facebook-He knows who it is for and He knows it is going to be just right for someone at an appointed time!  I hope I always obey Him and do what He tells me.  If I can just be like that stupid sheep and follow my shepherd.  Surely if they can do it I can.  Right!?  I don't want to miss out on receiving a blessing because I didn't hear Him, then didn't obey Him!  My prayer today is for you, my friends, to listen and hear the voice of God.  But after you listen and hear...DO!  Do whatever he tells you, even if it seems silly or it doesn't make sense to you.  It makes sense to God and He has a plan- You are a part of His plan.  Let Him use you!  Just like the parable of the Four Soils in Luke 8.  As the farmer sows the seeds on various soils-the seed is the word of God and the soil represents the four different kinds of responses you can have when God is trying to talk to you.  If you want to hear God speak you have to be eager, open and willing to hear what he has to say.  The hard soil- you already have your mind made up-not listening-hard hearted-unwilling to listen.  Thorny soil-choked out!  Wayside-down trodden-devoured!  The seed that fell on good ground sprang up and bare fruit.  So when God speaks to you I hope you are "good soil" so that what He tells you can go on! Its ripe and you are ready to bare fruit!
Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience