Did you want to be famous?

Talking with my son, Stephen last night, he ask me, what did you want growing up as a little girl, "Did you want to be famous?" I don't recall fully...I know I wanted peace, I wanted a home that wasn't hostile, a place to feel safe and loved. As a little girl, I longed for it to be just my mother and I-- as the men in her life often hurt her and brought out the worst in her. I saw myself being in a better state. I recall the beautiful woman I saw at church and how she was loved by her husband, each Sunday I would watch her. I watched the beautiful teacher that use to park in front of our home everyday, dressed nice, a professional woman, I saw myself in her...drawn to healthy families, hanging with friends who were from homes where I felt love was there. So, my response to Stephen was that I desired a family and a home. A husband that loved me, and children that I could give "childhood" a place for them to grow up in love. That's what I wanted and still desire, these are the things my heart guards, a place of refuge from lives storms, a place of health and hope. As for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!

The media wasn't as strong in my day, superstars and professional athletes and their lives weren't broadcast all over the place. No tweeting and in-stagram of someone's perceived great life. There were TV shows that I would lose myself in: I was drawn to Shirley Temple, she was often an orphan only to be adopted by a wealthy loving family/father. Often losing myself in imagination with the Disney stories. When the Cosby's began that painted a picture model I could see for myself. It was never lights, action, camera, never a desire to be on someone's red carpet or live my life under media scrutiny. My profession was not the thing that motivated me, I found joy in everything I did. Every job for the most part, I enjoyed doing it! I loved the many people I met and the life long relationships that were built. I was blessed with good friends throughout my life, I have been blessed to be a good friend. I have been loved...I AM LOVED!

you know me...

Oh Come to the Altar, one of my favorite worship songs by Elevation Worship. Each morning that's exactly where I long too come. Thankful for the invitation. I desire quiet time with my Father and like He came to Jacob's well to meet the Samaritan woman, each morning He comes to the well to meet with me. The Samaritan woman proclaimed "come meet a man that told me everything about myself, come meet a man that know's all about me" John 4:29

Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT) 
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 
2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 
3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 
4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. 
5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! 


Simply basking in the presence of my Father this morning. One writer today revealed how our values determine our priorities. My Father is my priority, I cannot image a life or even a morning without time with Him. This remains the best part of my day. The truth that the Father places His hand of blessing on my head, going before and following me. David said this knowledge was too wonderful for him, my sentiments exactly. Way too wonderful and great for me to understand, I rest in what I can wrap my heart and mind around, daily this truth becomes more and more real to me.

Ready...set..go!

Matthew 24:45-47 (NKJV)
⁴⁵ "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
⁴⁷ Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

The parable here is about being ready when Jesus comes. We don't know when that day will be, but we are to be ready nevertheless. What will He find when He comes? May He find faithfulness. May He find us faithful. May we be found doing, obeying, living, serving, giving, forgiving, believing. May we be found in action...FOUND DOING! Many will be found knowing, but knowing is not enough. What have we done with what we know to be good, praise worthy and true. What have we done with our salvation, what have we done with the power of the Holy Spirit, what have we believed for, hoped for, trusted for. The word is a living, breathing word of action. Its so alive that there is nothing void that can come from it. The word of God will accomplish all that IT is sent to do. Which means this word is life, real, touchable, attainable, believable. Oh that we would all be found DOING! Ready...set...go

Optimism...

Optimism is in the air.  The ways of the Lord are always best, the best made plans are ordered by Him.

Something incredible is happening. The Lord, is ordering the steps of  His people. We cannot see around the corner, behind us, or over us. But like the eagle, there is nothing unseen or unknown by the Lord. There is such comfort in this truth, yet the wisdom of not throwing off restraint when clearly the Lord is saying "no" to certain areas of our life. He too is saying "yes" to other areas. Helping us to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. If something does not sit right in us, let us trust it, let us trust God. To wait or not be too anxious if need be. Yet, "READY" Whatever is good, pure, praise worthy. If it builds us up and if it builds others. The answer is YES! Get ready...set...Great Things for 2016!

#Pro-Love!

What if we were PRO-LOVE?

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

1John4:7-12

Recycled Giver!

I love reading "Chicken Soup" Books. The stories are always heart felt.

This is my Chicken Soup Story about a dear friend...

Sister Nette. Recycled Giver! Her spiritual gift is most certainly Generosity and Mercy. She seeks after those who are suffering and hurting. You will see her surrounded by people she can help. Which is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus. Today, she will attempt to visit a sister she heard is suffering from cancer. As her friend, I see her downcast so often, I am amazed that she is drawn to suffering to such a degree when her own heart is so often overwhelmed. She gives what she lacks. She hasn't worked or brought income for years and yet she always has something to give. I suppose its because she is a giver. Everything she receives she gives it away and since all she gives...even more comes back to her, she just keeps the cycle going. With that said. Thank you for my Sister Nette..."Recycled Giver!"

There is a "Golden Rule" here. Do you see it?

 

Are you listening?

For the record: you will see many entries addressed to the Father/Lord... What he does through me, he does to me first:) I don't know the number of my days but I know I want to LIVE them ALL.

It's summer time, I see many young people sitting around, watching TV, playing video games, Texting, Tweeting, following someone or something. To a parent these acts seem like a waste of time and life. And yet, historically many have past time in similar ways. Sometimes families just sat around a fire, sat on a porch, read the paper, listen to the radio, took a walk...simple pleasures. There is so much pressure to be doing something, doing nothing is consider unproductive. We put pressure on our children and we put pressure on ourselves and we wonder why we are so stressed out. Many of the dis-eases that affect our body can be traced to our busyness.

After all, we are to be producing, building, engaging...doing something...THERE MUST BE A BALANCE! We cannot get so busy that the GIVER OF LIFE is hidden from our view. Because when we see Him, when we know that all that we are is found in Him, when we know that everything good and perfect comes from Him. There is a stillness, a quietness within our heart that makes us anxious for nothing. To be still for many is to think on things that torment, many cannot be alone with their own thoughts they run to and fro busy hiding from the inner lies within. What if we listen for the Lord's voice and replace the lies with the truth and know that we can TRUST HIM AND TRULY LIVE!

ARE YOU LISTENING?

John 10:27