Missions

Somethings have been on my heart...I am not a missionary, and I can't say I missions are my passion but I have a deep concern for Christians on the other side of the world.

It seems our culture is one of impatience and ingratitude. We want what we want when we want it and we feel "cheated" by God when we don't get what we think we deserve.  I think we have forgotten we have received MUCH more than we deserve.

I think about how blessed we are in the US...it almost seems unfair how God is so gracious with us after the way we treat Him  yet our brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries deal with a much, much harsher reality.  They love the Lord, deeply love the Lord and yet suffer...I know we are to suffer as Jesus suffered (1 Peter 4:1, 1 Peter 2:21)...are we doing something wrong here?

I am not praying to suffer or saying we are less than because we really don't know what true suffering is. We think persecution is not getting the job we fasted and prayed for, or if someone talks about us at work....we are not true martyrs.

We get away with so much but yet act like we are entitled to any and everything under the sun because we make a few faith confessions and praise a little longer...seems like manipulation at it's best. God is moved by His Word, His angels do hearken to His Word (Psalm 103:20) Faith does please Him (Heb. 11:6) BUT  we need to check our motives, because it seems that when we walk, talk and act in faith but still don't receive; we shake our fist at God in anger. It's natural, we are human. David did it many times but we forget after David let his anger out, he worshiped God even harder. Not to gain approval but because he knew God was still God, He was still great and he couldn't forget all the past victories.

I used to think when I prayed and made my confessions that the people on the other side must not be doing something right. Surely they must not know they don't have to live that way. They wouldn't be in that state if they knew right?? Maybe if they confessed the Word things would be better...right?

How wrong I was...They have a love and hunger for God we only scratch the surface at. Our worship has become superficial...we worship God but we expect something for our good deed.  Let's worship Him just because of Who He is....

Well I am rambling but prayerfully you get my drift.

Let God be God and let's worship Him in spirit and truth. Let's pray for those that are persecuted because of their faith!!

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Facebook

Facebook.....Facebook.  It can be good, but it can be bad. Just like anything else in life.  I love FB, I really do.  Like most people I find myself spending way too much time on there.  Sometimes I think "What did we do before FB???"  I admit I would feel disconnected without it; when I hear that some people don't have a FB page all I think is "they must feel so left out!"  Uh probably not! They probably have so much more peace. We know FB can be draining and it's so easy to get sucked in. Just like anything else, there is too much of a "good" thing.  FB has been a blessing to me in so many ways; it helped me reconnect with my father, helped me find other family members that I probably never would have found.  I have made so many friends that love the Lord just as much as I do and more!! But I also read people's problems, their complaints, their bad days.  That can drain you and it can become a burden. I would love to say I use those opportunities to pray for that person, that is my goal but it doesn't always happen. I try to use my page to post about the things of God, but not everyone likes that.  I think most people prefer to read about your mess, your struggles, your arguments with family; you know......all the "juicy" stuff.  Be careful you don't get trapped into that either!!

Awhile back I didn't get on FB because I was too busy spending time with my family!! (who does that anymore??,lol  j/k)  I LOVED it!! I felt so peaceful. I didn't feel like I was taking on all the problems of my friends. It's not their fault, they just need to vent!  I noticed a difference in my own personality.  It may be time to do that again.  I advise everyone to take a day, a few days or a few hours away from FB.  When it becomes hard not to log in.....there's a problem.  It used to be email...now we can go days without checking email...if they don't inbox you they may not get you!! 

I just wrote this to suggest we all take a few hours to get in our Word, fellowship with the Father, just be quiet, go outside, spend time with family and let FB be FB, believe me it will be there when you get back!!

Love Yourself!! God doesn't make junk..... :-)

Feels like it has been forever since I posted!  Not much has happened since the last post. Kids are still doing great and growing! Husband is still fine ;-)  Well one thing did change, I cut off all my hair at the beginning of the year to "go natural".  Seems like that is the new thing now, lol. I love it though. I will post some pics at the end.  It was quite and eye opener for me. It was one way to accept myself the way God made me.  It hasn't been easy but I am enjoying it more and more.  Thankfully I had the support of my family.  I know alot of ladies don't get that. My husband has been great and can't wait until I have a big fro! LOL  I admired some friends that did it and they encouraged me to try it, not push or anything. What harm could it do! So far so good. I didn't write about it sooner because I didn't want this to become a natural hair blog. Those are great but that's not my purpose. And it's certainly not to look down on anyone that isn't natural.  Some ladies take this natural thing too far! For me it was a good change. It makes me realize how much we try to change the things that God has intentionally given us; whether it's hair, our other features, our personalities. We try to fit into a mold to conform, to not make waves, but the Word tells us not to conform! Romans 12:2.  We don't want to be uncomfortable and we don't want to make other people uncomfortable around us! Not good! Now that doesn't mean we don't try to better ourselves and grow; but hey if your nose looks like whatever then know God doesn't make mistakes!! You may not like your eyes, your stature, or the way your hair falls to that one side, BUT He knew what He was doing when He created you! That got me through many bad hair days, lol. He says He knows the number of hairs on my head....Luke 12:7....whether they be straight or curly.  This applies to everyone, no matter what the situation. Does it have to be as drastic as a hairstyle choice?....No. Just love yourself knowing that God loves you, He created you for a purpose, He created you for Himself! He is not mad at you , nor does He regret creating you. I have dealt and do at times deal with low self esteem so I know how that feels but FOR ME doing this hair thing was a great way to break out of that! I have to accept myself before anyone else can and the same goes for you! Ask the Lord to help you strengthen your image in Him. It's not about pleasing people but about pleasing the Father. When we don't accept ourselves we are telling Him He made a mistake. God doesn't take kindly to that! He is the author of the universe and knows what He is doing and what He wants!

Well I didn't want this to turn into a blog about hair...so I will let that go. :-)   Just remember God loves you!!!

6 months natural 7/3/2012

A few pics:

The day after my BC 1/3/12

God's Love

God's Love

Good morning! I’ve been meaning to write this post for weeks now.  God has put something on my heart, but I haven't been obedient. Please forgive me.

This is a simple, short post.  Nothing revolutionary, but very important.  God wants you to know He loves you!! Yes, you, reading this right now!  It doesn't matter if you are a regular reader, if I sent this to you, or if you just found this. This message is for you. 

He loves you.

Let that sink in. 

He loves you regardless of what you did 20 yrs ago, 20 mins ago, 20 seconds ago, or what you will do later.  He loves you! He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you. I know you have probably heard that since you were young, but now it’s time to really, really know it. Let it get deep down in your spirit.  He loves you.

Do you know what else?  He needs you!  Yes, you.  I don't care if you are all pierced, tatted up, pregnant and alone, divorced, angry, whatever. He needs you.. 

As long as there is breath in your body, He has a plan for you; a divine plan. There is someone out there waiting on you to come to them.  Someone that God needs you to touch.  Someone that only you can reach in the way they need to be reached. They may not know they need you, but He knows.

What's holding you back? 

Sin?

Anger?

The opinions of others? 

Unforgiveness?

Fear?

Whatever it is, it's not worth your life. 

If you hold on to those things, they can eventually take your life.  Maybe not in a dramatic sudden way, but sooner or later, they will become so strong you will find it hard to break free.  Maybe you are there now.  These feelings and emotions have become so strong in your life you feel there is no way out. You feel boxed in.  Well, don't allow condemnation to hold you any longer.  You can break free.

The first step is to accept Jesus into your heart as your Savior and Lord.

Okay.  You've already done that, but you still don't "feel" different. Give Him everything!  He wants all of you, not just the pieces you think He can handle.  He wants your fears, bitterness, and wrong thoughts. He wants it all.

He is not surprised by you. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed. He loves you and wants you to be free even more than you want to be free. 

Trust Him. That's the next thing I need to tell you.  He says, “Trust me! I am able.  I am mighty. I hold the stars in the sky.  I hold the ocean back from the shore. I tell it how far to go. I tell the moon to shine, the sun to shine, and the rain to fall.  I can handle your bills. I can handle that cancer scare.  I can handle your grief, your troubled marriage, and child. I can handle it all because I AM! I AM all that you need.  I AM your relief. I AM trustworthy.”

Well, that's what He wants you to know today. He loves you and He wants you to trust Him. He sees you this very minute wrestling with this, and He says, “It's okay.  I AM is right there!”

I personally know how you feel.  I have been there and still go there at times.  Yet, we all need to know this. We all need a reminder.

This post is simple, yet mind boggling to some. How can God love me so much?  I don't know and I don't care, I am just grateful He does!

Matthew 11:29 (NLT)

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Romans 8:31-40 (NLT)

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hey There!!

Well look who is back to the blogging world.....  :-)   It feels like it has been FOREVER.  I have missed writing but it just felt like there was no time.  My FB friends would probably disagree as I am on there during the day, but I can tip in and tip out, when I blog I like to go full steam ahead.  I know I can write a little and save it but I just like to go with my thoughts....I guess my thoughts will still be there when I come back, probably will have better thoughts...that's just my little "thing" I have to deal with.

Wow!!  :-)  What a blessing!!

I have so much catching up to do.  I really can't remember the last thing I wrote about, it's been that long, lol.  Did I tell yall about my dad coming for Christmas??? Probably not.....Well he came.  Rode the bus from Wisconsin to Texas and arrived at 12:30 am Christmas morning.  This was by far one of the best Christmas's ever. He was blessed to meet his grand-babies, and they now know him as G-Pa, lol.  We hadn't seen each other in over 12 yrs....I thought I would cry when we saw each other but we held it together, and picked up like we never parted.  It was such a blessing.  My whole family accepted him and loved him.  He had a great time, and the babies wore him out.  I did cry when he left.  Not right away though....it took a while.  My husband called to check on me after I drove him to the bus stop and of course he asked if I cried....I told him yes, because if felt like a part of me left when he got on that bus, a part that I never knew existed.... I miss him, and he misses me and the kids.  G-pa.....what a blessing.

Blessings

Twins, lol

G-Pa and his babies!

Had to get one where Kalena was looking, lol.

I pray you all had a wonderful holiday season as well.

Other than that it's been pretty quiet around here. Kids are doing great! Kalena is finally getting her 3rd tooth and talking up a storm.  God has just been AWESOME as usual.  

I have been blessed to meet so many new friends on FB lately. I call them family!! Lots of new brothers and sisters in Christ.  It's been amazing to meet people from all over the U.S. with the same passion for Jesus. It's been like a big family reunion!! LOL

Well I will end this post for now, gotta let my brain get back in the habit of thinking and writing again, LOL.

I do want to leave you with this scripture though. Seems like a lot of my friends have been going through various tests and trials.  I believe God is pruning us and getting us ready for the return of His Son. We must be ready. I want you to be encouraged in your trial and remember that God is working it out for your good.  Just let Him work. Leave the progress and process to Him. He knows what He is doing. It may feel like He's silent, but He never leaves us!  It may feel like hell has come to your home, but stand still and KNOW. God's got you!! You are covered and protected, just trust Him.  Well I love you all. I pray for you all.....Pray for me as well.

 
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  
Matthew 11:28  NKJV

 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers-most of which are never even seen-don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes" 
Matthew 6:30-34, MSG