Created 2 Bless You

The Simple Gospel in a Nutshell

2011-09-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

If you don’t yet have a personal relationship with the living God, today is the day of salvation. Invite Jesus into your life, give Him your heart and surrender yourself to His will. It will be the best decision you will ever make entire life.

If you believe in God and that He sent His only begotten Son to die for you, (John 3:16), that you may have eternal life, say this simple prayer- “God, I admit I am a sinner and am in need of a Savior. I believe in You Lord and that You sent Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for my sins through the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross. I receive this free gift of salvation and ask you to come into my life and make it new. You said old things have passed away and new things have come. I want this new life in You, Lord. Cleanse my heart, forgive me for my sins, those in the past, present and future. Thank you for saving me. I am now a new creation and ask for your guidance in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen”

If you prayed the prayer of salvation, congratulations! You now have eternal life with Jesus. No longer do you need to fear death, no longer do you have to persevere extreme trials and tribulations alone. God promises you in Hebrews 13:5, “He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is your advocate now and with God on your side who could possibly be against you?

There's Purpose in the Pain

2011-08-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

The past few months have been hard for my family and I. Two deaths of family members that were loved and now missed deeply have captured our attention and seared our hearts. We have shed tears when we thought we had run dry, were surprised that our bodies could operate with such little sleep and that we finally had no more words to speak and strength to comfort as we had previously.

Death has a way of doing this to anyone. It stops you in your tracks, takes your breath away and causes you to stop and think, re-evaluate, remember and sometimes shed regrets you had not idea would exist. You wonder what purpose could there possibly be in this pain?

So what do you do with these thoughts, emotions, heartache and pain? In I Peter 5:7, we are told to "Cast our burdens on the Lord for He cares for us." Just think for a moment, the Creator of this world is interested in YOU and all that concerns YOU. God is aware of what you are going through and does not want YOU to endure it alone. Jesus Christ can give you the strength you need, the comfort you seek and the peace that passes all understanding.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world (You, His creation), that He sent His only begotten Son (God came into the world as Jesus Christ), so that whosoever would believe (you and me) in Him (Jesus Christ, God's Son), would not perish (die spiritually as well as physically) but have everlasting life (to be in the presence of God forever). This scripture offers the FREE gift of salvation that all of mankind need. Everyone needs a Savior and Jesus Christ came that you might have life and have it it abundantly!

Know this...there is purpose in your pain. God does not miss a single tear or is unaware of the pain you are going through. You are the apple of God's eye and He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you, and Jesus willingly gave up His life for sinners like you and me. Nothing we ever do will be good enough to earn our way into heaven. There is no fire insurance beyond believing that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you and that Jesus did spill his blood that you would not have to. We are not saved by good works, but by believing in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Give yourself to the Lord, surrender your life, believe and be saved. Allow the purpose of your pain to lead you into a lasting relationship Jesus Christ. It will be the best decision you ever make in your entire life. Find a non-denominational church that will disciple you, teach you God's word and read it for yourself. Meet with other believers and hear the wonderful testimony's of what awesome things God does in the lives of those who believe in Him, love Him and follow Him.

The Cornerstone of Life

2011-06-25T11:11:00.006-07:00

"All other ground is sinking sand. A doubting maze of desert land" are the words in a song sung by the group Day of Fire that speaks of God being our Cornerstone. I pondered this while listening to this song and realized if we put our trust in anything less than the awesome deity if Jesus Christ; if we have faith in anyone other than the Creator of this entire world we become one of the weakest links in humanity.

What exactly is a weak link? It's simply the person-hood of someone without strength, power, self control, ability to love unconditionally, forgive graciously and give continuously. A weak link looks to himself as their Cornerstone.

With that said, how do you measure up? I know I certainly have not arrived when I assessed what I put my trust in, who my faith was in and who actually was my chief Cornerstone. Although I devoutly believe in God, have my my faith in Jesus Christ and daily attempt to surrender my life, will, emotion and heart to the Lord, there are areas I have found to be very lacking.

Crises seems to prove who your cornerstone truly is. When things are going good it seems easier to forget who our very existence belongs to. We forget what we believe to be the keeper of our precious lives, our very breath, our sheer destiny in the life thereafter.

What is the foundation of everything we do? What motivates us, drives us, encourages us and even tears us down? If the living God is our Cornerstone, darkness never need to rule the heart of man, as we have been taken from darkness into the light. We are no longer slaves to sin but free to choose for ourselves whom our Cornerstone will be. If it is not Jesus, than who? If it is not the Creator of the world, than who? Is it you? Are you your own cornerstone? Do you place your trust in yourself having faith in no one else?

The most widely read book of all time says No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. In Matthew and Luke this verse is referring to loving God and money, but in reference to who our cornerstone is, we cannot idolize ourselves and choose God as our Cornerstone.

Ask yourself this, who better to build our lives than God Himself, the One Who sees our pasts as well as our futures? Can you build our lives in a away that withstands turbulence beyond your imaginations? Can you successfully resist every fierce storm that attempts to drown your existence and leave you for dead? Can you rebuild that which has been torn down to smitherings? Look at Rome, look at the USA, look at your own life.

Truly all other ground is sinking sand beneath our feet leaving life to be a doubting maze of desert land. Choose God to be your Cornerstone, choose Jesus to be your saving grace and choose life abundantly. It's yours today for the taking!

John 3:16 offers us the life offered nowhere else. "For God loved YOU so much He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, Who willingly suffered and died for YOU so that YOU would have everlasting life."

Peace to you our sweet Puppe.... finally you are truly home

2011-01-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 18, 2011, My husband and I had to put our sweet family Lab to sleep, Puppe. She was thirteen in March of 2010 and loved rolling in the grass, taking herself on walks to the nearby park and around the neighborhood, loved car rides and laying next to me. She was Branden's dog since he was 13 years old, so this is a very hard day for him as well.

Please keep us in your prayers. She has been struggling with cancer for the last couple of years, and could not beat it. Her hips were getting worse, she'd injured her back left thigh going on a walk-about with Boomer in the winter of 2009, and had a hard time getting up. She still managed to trot when she was told to head home after sneakily taking off, loved salami treats, soft food and basking in the sun. Puppe was not real close to any of our dogs but Cookie, and they laid around together often.

Now, Puppe is at peace. She is no longer hurting, suffering, uncomfortable or agitated over licking her wound that would never heal and had quadrupled in size in the past month. We got to have her here in Arizona, and enjoyed her for Christmas. It was time to think of Puppe and help her go onto heaven. Now she is healed, no doubt rolling in the grass like she loved, and her spirit is peaceful and body well.

Thank you Jesus for being with us in the room. Thank you for such a loving and caring vet and staff at our veterinarian's office. They were so peaceful themselves, loving, understanding, oh my gosh, and stroked Puppe like she was one of their own. They gave us time with her first, then came in and explained things to us, gave us more time with her, then sedated her, and after about ten minutes came in and I went to the car. Ken stayed with her as he and my daughter Chrissy felt it would be too hard on me to be with her when she drew her last breath, (I'm sure they were right) and then at 8:47 am she went home, peacefully like I and so many family and friends had been praying.

Today, as I got in the car to come home, without Puppe, my heart sank. Today, as I walked in my front door with leash in hand and Puppe not by my side, my spirit cried deeply. Today, as I sit and try to write this eulogy for Puppe, everything in me wishes her life had been longer, she had been healed and she were sitting at my feet. But it did not happen that way. And today, I am realizing, more than ever, God was with us even though our plans were into carried out. Jesus comforted us and still does. The Holy Spirit was with Puppe and kept her calm even going into the doctor's office. I believe Jesus told Puppe what today was. Because as I was getting things together to leave, Puppe went to the front door, which she seldom does. She walked with us, we helped her in the backseat where I sat beside her, and she didn't fight going in, nor did she act fearful. I think Puppe knew it was time to go home, to run in the pastures of heaven and finally be made whole in the presence of Jesus.

Jamuary 18, 2011 at 8:47 am, Puppe met Jesus... and before me. How blessed Puppe truly is. We miss you Puppe, so very much, but we will see you and love on you again.

During this horrible event, God was with us and with Puppe. What comfort this has brought us. Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you or forsake you."

Salvation amongst the Chaos

2011-01-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

There’s a certain chaos in the air these days, that of hatred, and ridicule, judgment and murder. Sometimes I ponder the condition of the world we live in and wonder how our next door neighbor can be the next serial rapist, child molester or deranged stalker. How with so much love one can share with others, why hate, anger, hostility and deception has seemed to dominate this planet. I have come to a sad conclusion, sin.

We live in a sin-filled world full of ill-minded people living unhealthy lifestyles and expecting succession, victory, acceptance and reward. It’s just not going to happen; plain and simple. It’s just not.

When we were created we were made to bring pleasure to our Creator, God Himself. We were chosen for a higher purpose than we could ever give ourselves and for richness no man could ever fathom. But humans comes sin, and so Jesus came to make things right with our Creator. To justify us if you will, so that we would not be punished eternally for our mistakes but instead be pardoned from them. This is where Jesus comes into the picture.

Without Jesus unconditional love for you and me, his shedding of blood on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, our eternal destination would be that of bloodshed, hatred, anguish and a violent punishment we could never imagine. Still there are so many that refuse to receive the free gift of salvation that Jesus humbly offers. Why?

Is it perhaps some do not believe they have done anything wrong to earn them a lifetime in hell? In the book of Romans, chapter and verse 3:23 of the Bible God tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is righteous, no, not one.”

Perhaps it is because we do not think we need saving? Luke 19:10 states, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” If we were not lost why do we need saved?

Maybe it is because we feel if we make good decisions, help the poor, give money to organizations, go to church twice a year or refrain from killing anyone we are a good person. Good enough to get into heaven, so we think.

Because we were born into sin through Adam’s decision to eat of the tree of good and evil, we became damned to an eternal life in hell. But in Romans it clearly tells us everyone has sinned and we fall short of the requirements to make it into heaven. In Luke we are told that Jesus, the Son of God, came to save us, the lost.

So now that we know we are sinners, lost and on the road to eternal damnation, are in need of a Savior to bridge the gap between us and our Creator, God, why not simply express this to God, ask for His forgiveness and accept His free gift of salvation?

It just doesn’t get any easier than this. If you realize you were born into sin, understand your life will end in eternal damnation in hell, see how you truly need a Savior and want to spend eternity in heaven and beyond, say this simple prayer.

Lord God, I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins so that I may spend eternity with You. I ask your forgiveness and accept your free gift of salvation. Change me Lord, help me make the most of my life. Create in me a clean heart willing to please You. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. Thank you Jesus, for choosing to take the punishment for my sins, for hanging on the cross and being resurrected back to life. Thank you for loving me, for choosing me, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Now, share the best decision you could ever make in your life, the decision you just made to give your life to Lord who promises never to leave you, forsake you or forget you (Hebrews 13:5). Find one other person who has made this decision and go church shopping. Look for a non-denominational church that you feel welcomed to, accepted and loved. Attend atleast three church services in a row at the same church in order to gain a rounded view of what the body of believers (the church) believes, has to offer to help you grow in your new-found faith.

May God bless you richly in your eternal relationship with the Creator of this world.

Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

A New Committment for a New Year

2011-01-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

As I welcome in 2011, a year of urgency and great expectation for better things to come, I have decided to sell myself out to Jesus, in every way. Those areas I thought I had surrendered I'm laying at the feet of Jesus, praying I can give my worries, cares and burdens to the Lord once and for all.

I have dedicated myself to live for God, to love others as he has loved me, to serve Jesus Christ wholeheartedly and completely living for Him. Now, I am committing to be a woman of prayer, every day. I want my life to reflect Jesus' love, His compassion, His patience, and strength, His will and His choices not only in the parts of my life that are easy to give up, but especially in those I have hung onto, knowingly or not.

As I pour myself out for His glory, His causes, His work, I know He will fill me with Himself so fully, an abundance of Him is what will flow out of me, and that is truly my heart's desire this year... to be completely surrendered to allowing Christ to live in me, through me, consuming every part of me. This is it, the life I once lived I lived for myself, but now, I live 100% for Jesus Christ. Loving others, caring for others, serving others to a greater capacity than I ever imagined.

Won't you commit to a higher cause, a more noble ideal, a lifestyle that glorifies God in every way, every single day? Become a woman, man, young adult, teen, adolescent, child of prayer. Re-commit today, or commit for the first time and watch what God makes of your life and those He puts in your path. Make a new commitment for the new year. Trust God to hold your life in His hands, so that He may mold and make you into a treasure of worth beyond compare. Place your faith in an everlasting God Who loves YOU unconditionally. (John 3:16-17) Prayer changes things, transforms people and blesses others. Pray like your life depends on it...because it truly does.

The Challenge of a Lifetime

2010-12-24T08:16:00.005-08:00

In reading my dear friend and fellow writer, Steve Wallace's blogpost today, I was touched and challenged. He speaks on active evangelism, going out and truly being God's hands, feet and voice. Utilizing ministries already set in place, we as God's kids have an army behind us, strategies have proven success rates and tools to easily share the love of Jesus in whatever way or to whatever capacity God offers us. God has ordained and anointed people and programs, ministries and groups for His children to grow but if we only use these devices for our own pleasure, growth or care, what good do they do us in helping the lost, the blind, the broken and shamed?

If our whole hearts are not in evangelizing the lost, what sad, pathetic, useless individuals we become. God's gift to us was His Son Jesus. Jesus' gift to us was His very life. Our gift to them is what we do with our lives.

No more excuses, no more lies, no more ignoring the pain in others eyes. Search deep within, reach out unconditionally, love so much more and do something. Just a week or so before my husband, son and I left Oregon to move to Arizona, my daughter and I had had the opportunity to visit with a homeless man. We invited him to have breakfast with us at McDonald's but upon meeting him there he decided to just take his breakfast and eat outside alone. Buying him food was of little concern, it was just the tool God used to connect our hearts for a brief time. It was relationship that was the needed ingredient here. One in which this man felt unworthy to have with us. I tried to talk him into sitting at a table with us but he refused only saying why would nice ladies like us want to be with a man who's wasted his life? My heart sank for him and broke as he spoke of such hard times as he was growing up that never got better as he aged. I blessed him and said I would pray for him, and to this day I still do.

We may never know the impact or influence our very presence, Jesus' presence, may have on an individual. But we do know God's words will NEVER return void, so if we don't look for the appointments God gives us, so many will remain broken, shamed and hurting. So many lives will remain the same, and so many will die without ever meeting Jesus.

It's not a choice people, it's a calling. And an honorable and mighty one at that. Using ministries already in place empowers you to do the single most simple act in the world, share the gospel with the lost. You are called to share the love of Christ in whatever way God leads you to as He opens doors of hope and opportunities to share. Will you be that link, that connection to Jesus? If not you . . .than who?

Make a difference in a disadvantaged child's life this holiday season!

2010-12-02T13:19:00.005-08:00

This is great for those who want to give to a child in need, a most worthy cause, yet don't have the time to shop for the gift. If you want to be a part of putting a smile on a disadvantaged child's face and to bless his/her heart this holiday season go to this site and give a gift of love Christmas. It is the least we can do as God has blessed us so much with His unconditional love for us through the tiny babe of the nativity (Jesus Christ) and His unselfish death for all mankind's sins. Jesus truly is the reason for the season!

Had to share this w/ all my family, friends and anyone else that feels led to be a part of this great opportunity to bless a child in need. It breaks my son and daughter-n-law's heart's knowing there are children who won't receive a gift of love this holiday season, so they're going to make it happen for as many children as they can with our help through this tax deductible charitable event. Check out this site and make a difference in a child's life!

Thank you Doug and Jessica for organizing this wonderful event!

Whispers of Hope - week 3

2010-11-01T11:11:00.001-07:00

Last week we learned about why we need hope. When life comes crashing down on you and you are taken by surprise or aggressively shaken beyond description hope carries you on when you want to give up. You can be filled with hope, rejoice in hope and live fearless lives trusting in an almighty God who wants to give us a reason to be hopeful.

During this journey towards hope, you have read in Psalm 139 how important you are to the living God. He adores you, knew you before you were even born and places such value on your very life. You have purpose and a reason to go on. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, your plans for a bright future begin the day you give your life to the Lord. As you surrender every area of your life, Jesus begins to formulate a plan for good, to give you a hopeful future. Enter into that plan today if you have not already, and taste and see that the Lord is good and can remove the pain in your life that has stolen your hope, squashed your joy and left you wanting to end your journey.

Everyone needs hope
Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, famous or unknown, you need hope. Hope imparts strength at times when you are weak and ready to throw the towel in. Putting on a face of joy when your very soul is aching and bleeding does you no good. Allowing God to heal and renew areas of your life that have been so broken and bruised, battered creates new life within you. Life worth living, worth waking up for, worth carrying on. Jesus died because people needed a Savior. Placing your trust in Jesus gives you hope. God fills you with hope so you can rest on eagles wings and soar to new heights. You do not need to remain hopeless, no matter what your situation looks like. God is in the business of making miracles happen.

Blessed beyond Hope
To be blessed by God is one of the most endearing things you can have happen in your life. Knowing God has placed His hand on you, you specifically, and sent His love and care your way, can instill a hope that cannot be shaken. When situations are disturbing, devastating or sorrowful, who do you put your trust in? Is it yourself, friends, family? Perhaps you don't trust anyone because so many you have trusted in the past have let you down. God is worthy of your trust. People are mere humans trying to do the best with whatever gifts, talents, wisdom and education they have been born with or acquired. Jesus is the only One Who always has it together. He can take care of you in ways you will never be able to care for yourself. Let Jesus be the lifter of your head, the encourager of your soul, the very reason you have hope. He won't let you down.

Shifting your focus
Keeping eternal benefits in the forefront of your mind will do much to alleviate the anxiety, worry and fear that so often overwhelms you and paralyzes your plans. In the storms is where our very characters are built up, tested and made stronger. These storms are temporary and will pass. Having faith enables you to see past your circumstances to better days. Seeing that which is not visible requires attention, focus and diligence. Through faith you can view any circumstance, no matter how shameful or intense, although it feels so unforgiving as the waves of doubt and fear wash over your body and rock your spirit. God will bless you in the midst of your suffering. As your eyes turn to Him for protection, for comfort, for answers, He will lift you out of the mire and the clay and place you upon a foundation that is built on rock rather than shifting sand. Real hope and blessings comes from God who has an eternal plan for your life. With Jesus as your guide and your focus becomes eternal, day to day trials and tribulations will seem less intense, less devastating and more manageable. Peace can flood your soul, if you will only ask for it to.

Today, take a moment to bring your cares and lay them at the feet of Jesus. Box them up as you learned during week 1 of this study, and leave them with Jesus, don't take them back. Ask God to show you how to think eternally and focus on things that last more than a lifetime. Ask Him to give you a thankful heart for whatever situation you are in. God has good plans for you, plans to prosper you and give you hope. Let's be mindful of Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in Him always, again I say rejoice!"

APPLICATION

1. Begin a thankful journal. You can purchase a journal from the store or one you can make yourself. A notebook with paper will work as well. Label it, "I am thankful for..." Each day, jot down atleast one thing you are thankful for. It can be an event, a person or something you were given, etc.

2. Write a short note or make a phone call to someone you have been meaning to thank. Tell the person what you are grateful for.

3. Ask the Lord to give you a new perspective on how you see things, people, your situation. Be ready to receive a new game plan or strategy for tackling a trial you are going through.

4. Wake each morning rejoicing in who you are.Remember, if you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are a child of almighty God. If you have not yet asked Jesus into your heart, consider asking Him today. Today is the day of salvation as no one is promised tomorrow.

5. Find 3 scriptures speaking of faith or trust in God. You can use your Bible, online resources such as Biblegateway or a book you have read in the past. Write them down on a 3 X 5 card and place them on your refrigerator or mirror in your bathroom. Read them daily.

Whispers of Hope ~ Week 2

2010-10-25T11:11:00.005-07:00

Last week we learned what is the purpose of hope. Looking forward to and believing in something, hope keeps us going when we want to give up, give in and call it quits. Because God reminds us in Jeremiah 29:11, He knows the plans He has for us and they are not for harm but for our good. These plans are meant to give us hope and a bright future. Looking forward to what the Lord wants to share with us and believing what He says to be truth and for our good, let's look into the life of a man who experienced his share of trials yet remained hopeful in His God.

David was a man of much joy and many sorrows. His heart was said to be close to God's and the Lord's hand rested heavy upon David in victory and in defeat. Psalm 42:5 tells of when David's soul was downcast and disturbed. Can you relate? Are you depressed, feel defeated or restless within your body and mind? David puts his hope in God and praises Him. Can you do that when the world around you is falling apart? I know when I am depressed, feel defeated and my soul is restless, praising God has not always been my first response, but I am learning to make it my first response. It seems peace floods my spirit when I begin to put my hope in Jesus to calm the fierce waves that are smashing my dreams and drowning my desire to persevere.

When Hope is Needed

Hope is needed when you feel you can't goon, don't want to live another day nor care to see a new tomorrow. If you are engulfed in depression, despair, feel any kind of improvement in your situation is utterly impossible and are desperately wanting to just stop breathing...do not fear, have hope.

Often small troubles turn into massive trials that seem to last forever. I have family and friends right now battling for their very lives against the evil disease of cancer.I can feel their helplessness in a fight that does not belong to them, but to the Lord of heaven and earth. The despair in their voices yanks at my spirit and I shake my fist at satan and tell him he has no authority over these precious ones that belong to almighty God. As I pray diligently for them, my hope lies in our God to comfort those I am battling for. I pray for them to be filled with hope that only God can give them. I pray they have joy in the midst of the sorrow and peace during their storm. The Lord tells us in Romans 12:12, to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and earnestly pray. We have hope if we place our trust in Jesus. He can put joy in our hearts, patience in our souls and give us the strength and the desire to pray earnestly over our present circumstances.

Hopeful for Joy

Although not one of my favorite verses in the Bible, James 1:2 gives the gentle reminder, “Count it pure joy when you face trials of many kids, because the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Oh my how we need perseverance when being tested, especially when everything seems so hopeless. How in the world might we be joyful during our trials when we lack hope? That's a very good question, but I believe the answer lies in Who we put our hope in rather than what we put our hope in. I Timothy tells us to put our hope in the living God Who is the Savior of all humans, especially those who believe. Do you believe in God? Do you believe in His Son Jesus Christ? Do you believe that God sent the Holy Spirit to give us peace, to comfort us and to teach us?

John 3:16 & 17 says, “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. God did not come into this world to condemn the world but to save the world through Jesus' death on the cross.” We have hope that we can be assured we will have eternal life if we truly believe that God loves us and Jesus Christ died for our sins, taking all our sins upon Himself, paying the price of punishment with His own blood, so that we could be washed clean. God sees us no more as sinful people, but righteous through Jesus' death on the cross. Accepting this free gift of salvation buys you the right to have eternal life once you leave this world.

Your Journey Towards Hope

As you place your hope in Jesus, begin giving Him the areas of your life that seem hopeless. Imagine placing them in a box, wrapping them up as a gift and laying them at the feet of Jesus. Go ahead, take each area and wrap up your multitude of tears and your basketful of sorrows, the intense pain and deep anguish you feel, and one by one, place each one in the box. Beautifully wrap them and hand them to Jesus. Let them go, and walk away. God sincerely cares for you and wants you to give him all your burdens.

The ways you did things in the past are over with. Don't look back except to ensure you don't repeat past mistakes or useless attempts on your own to remain hopeful for seemingly impossible situations, relationships or outcomes in your life or in others lives. Ask God to forgive you for trying to handle life on your own, without His help, His Spirit and presence in your life. Thank Him for His wonderful gift of eternal salvation if you have believed in God and in His Son Jesus Christ. Tell someone you gave your life to the Lord and surrender your life to the leading and control of your God, the Creator of all life.

I pray you accept God's peace and joy that He so faithfully pours out onto His sons and daughters. In the midst of your storms, you can have peace, the peace that passes understanding. You can have joy and have it flood your soul. You can be so filled with hope from God that it overflows onto others. In Jesus' precious name, amen. Your journey towards hope continues today!

~ Application ~

Read Psalm 139:1-24. Read it aloud as if God Himself were reading to you. Soak it all in, know that you are valuable, were created for a purpose and are priceless to Jesus. Choose a scripture out of this passage that directly speaks to your heart, or a favorite that brought a tear to your eyes. Write it on 3 index cards and place them in different places of your home where you spend a few minutes a day. Re-read them daily and memorize this scripture.

If you believe in God and in His Son Jesus Christ, tell someone today that you accepted Jesus as you Lord and Savior! Today is a day to celebrate for you made the single most important decision you will ever make your entire life. Share it with someone, seek out a non-denominational church to attend and get plugged in with a body of fellow believers so that you may grow in your knowledge of God, and in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Make a list of all the areas of your life you have given to the Lord today. Then, as they come to mind, list any specific things in the areas you have surrendered. Write each one down on a piece of paper, put them in a cardboard box, and throw the box away. Do not take the box back, leave it in the garbage where it belongs.

Look in a Bible or online at Biblegateway.com for a scripture concerning hope, joy and peace. Mark these in your Bible and reflect on them throughout this next week.

As you accept your importance to God and begin to see yourself as a person of worth, thank God for giving you life, for loving you so unconditionally and giving you the freedom to read your Bible, study His word and have hope in a living God Who cares so deeply about you.

Whispers of Hope - Week 1

2010-10-17T11:11:00.016-07:00

For all those going through various trials and tribulations, you know what it is like to feel hopeless. It's that deep, down feeling that nothing is going to get better. You are gripped with the fear that things will only get worse. There is no light at the end of the tunnel nor is there is any reason to believe there should be. Hopelessness paralyzes you where you are and living becomes a chore you'd prefer avoiding altogether.

Webster describes hopelessness this way. It is having no expectation of good or success - despairing; not susceptible to remedy or cure; incapable of redemption or improvement; giving no ground for hope- desperation; incapable of a solution, management or accomplishment - impossible. Despairing, you bet you are, desperate most definitely, impossible, that is exactly how you feel about your situation, that's how you feel about your life.

The Purpose of Hope

The purpose of hope is to give us something to look forward to, something to believe in, something to keep us going when we just want to give up. I love the scripture in Jeremiah 29:11, it reads, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Each and every person alive has a purpose, provided by almighty God to give them hope for a brighter future.

Our expectations when we are hopeless are those of despair, pain, sorrow, anguish, disgust, desiring to give up completely, aimlessly existing with nothing to look forward to beyond our present circumstances. God wants so much more for His people. He wants us to expect the best even when trials come our way. He wants us to realize He can use our pain, sorrow and suffering for better purposes when we hope in Him. Psalms 42:5 reminds us to put our hope in God when we are in despair, downcast and disturbed.

What Hope Can Do for You

Hope can make you stronger, allowing you to rise about your current circumstances and look to a higher power for answers. Hope can sustain you when all seems futile. Because we live in a fallen world, sin-filled and corrupt, we will encounter pain and sorrow, suffering and our share of problems. But hope gives you the perseverance you need to go on, to wake in the morning, to get out of bed and be thankful you are alive. Hope inspires endurance that can take you farther than any other experience in life. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, "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 grow faint."

What Hopelessness Does for You

Hopelessness steals your joy and brings you sorrow. It can make you upset and feel frustrated enough to just stop trying. Hopelessness is debilitating and makes room for fear, anxiety, and depression to control your life. When you are hopeless, life seems unbearable. Without hope we feel insecure, lacking confidence and are unsteady in all our ways. Low self-esteem surrounds us and the spiritual battle begins.

Where Do You Turn for Hope?

When trials come and you are engulfed in the waves of panic, where do you turn and who do you turn to? The Bible tells us in Proverbs 13:12 that "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." We all need hope, the essence of greater things in life. The purpose of hope is to bring us joy in troubled times, strengthen us when we are weak, give us endurance to run the race and finish successfully and to give us something to believe in, to look forward to.

I pray that God fills you with the hope of joy and peace as you look to Him, so you may overflow with this hope by the power of the Holy Spirit that instills life, love and liberty to your very soul. Your journey towards hope begins today!

1. What areas of your life seem hopeless right now?

2. What have you done in the past to remain hopeful that has not worked?

3. Who can you put your hope in that can give you joy and peace despite the storms you face today?

4. What advantages are there to feeling hopeful rather than feeling hopeless in any situation?

5. What step can you take today to feel hopeful about the areas in your life that seem hopeless?

Whispers of Hope

2010-10-15T11:11:00.004-07:00

Today I begin a new journey, one in which I hope will bless and inspire you along the way. I will be sharing on the topic of hope, a four letter word that can throw someone into a tailspin without it, or lift one to new heights with it.

Catherine Marshall says, "God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope." I must completely agree, and by the end of this interactive course, I trust you will too.

Because God cares about what you go through in life, He also cares about the most intricate things that shake you, rock you and sometimes cause you to fall. Your faith may be tested in ways you never thought possible. Your beliefs though strong and sure, may be questioned in ways that could cause you to doubt them. Your very life could be threatened because of your belief in God and faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, with hope, no matter how dark the journey gets, how fatal the threats seem or how hard you fall, hope can carry you on the wings of an eagle flying high above the clouds.

Living in the valley of the sun in beautiful Phoenix Arizona, I am reminded that as long as we stay connected to the Son, Jesus, however cold, wet, dreary and dark the skies get when it rains, the sunshine will always reappear to warm our freezing body, dry our drenched hair and brighten the heavens above us chasing out all signs of despair, hopelessness, disappointment or sorrow. Because Jesus is our hope, with Him, all things are possible, Philippians 4:13.

Whispers of hope radiate from the mouth of God and Jesus lovingly picks us up out of the mire and carries us to safety once again. He is our night and shining armor, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our rescuer, our guide, the One in Whom we can always trust.

Are you in a valley of trouble where you so desperately seek a door of hope? Join me for the next several weeks in rebuilding your faith, deepening your trust and being filled with the hope that can take you from the valley of trouble through the door of hope on an exciting new journey.

The Road Least Traveled

2010-09-23T16:34:00.015-07:00

In the kingdom there are many different roads we can choose as we navigate through the paths of life. One thing is for sure, if we take any other road other than the one in which God has destined us to journey upon, surely our road will be rockier, more dangerous and take more time to get where we are going. God has given us the perfect road map if we will but only read the directions and follow His lead.

Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way which seems right to man, but its end is the way of death."

I am reminded of so many times I have taken what I thought were short cuts that turned out to be long maneuvers that lengthened the distance to get to my destination and caused my trip to be uncomfortable and wasteful. Paths that lead me away from temptations and struggles are meant to protect me, guide me and enrich my journey. Those which are there to deter me onto paths that are dark, sinful and painstaking I would do best to avoid and ignore.

Proverbs 3:5-6 states, "Trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge the Lord and He will direct my paths." Simply stated, if I choose on my own to take an alternate route and stray away from the ultimate map, I can only expect to encounter harsh road conditions, a lengthy journey and trials along the way.

When I embark upon troubles I had not planned for, I can't blame anyone but myself for strolling off the path meant to lead me safely to my destination. When I create my own road map of life and navigate myself, it is then I need to realize taking the wrong turns along my trip could lead me off the side of a mountain, against an immovable wall of rock or worse, out of the will of my heavenly Father. Trusting in my own feeble abilities is as useful as being dropped off at night in the middle of the wilderness without a compass to lead me to safety.

Taking the road least traveled and following Jesus' lead will allow the one who created the path to give me the revelation I need to travel the path best chosen for me and avoid certain eternal death. What will you do? Follow the path that safely leads you to your destination or make your own road map and discover dangerous corners at every turn, ultimately leading to an untimely death. The choice is yours...

Living a Victorious Life

2010-08-02T10:56:00.003-07:00

I attend one of the most on fire, radical life-changing, uplifting the spirit and soothing the soul churches anyone could ever hope to go to and yesterday was one of the MOST endearing services I have been to.

The topic was a prayer model to follow, the chosen lead scripture was Matthew 11:28, ironically the same exact one that a sweet adopted daughter of mine gave me just this past week. The concept, A.C.T.S.

Pastor Dan was explaining how we all find ways to escape our greatest struggles, failures and obsessions. God instructs us to come to Him because only He can give us rest, true rest. And what do we do, we go to everything else for a fake calm before the next storm of life blindsides us. We turn to other people to make us happy, shopping to anesthetize us to the realization we don't have it all, to substances for numbing against the pain, to busy-ness so that we don't have to face rejection, to job security so we don't have to trust a Being we cannot grasp a hold of with our human hands, and even to denial so we won't believe we need God.

What's up with us frail humans? We think we have it altogether when our lives are falling apart. When we become desperate, it is then we might finally turn to our loving Father and beg for His help. Pastor Dan likened this to his daughter who calls out to Him for a hug and eventual popsicle, being perfectly content with the popsicle. I liken it to partying our lives away and when we get caught up in our troubles it is then we need bailed out; now God is there to help us with open arms and a smile on His face. In a way this may be true as He says He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), but what God desires of His children and those who have not yet accepted Him, is for us to come to Him anytime, every time, all the time. With whatever spoils we have to lay at his feet, He can turn them into precious gems of infinite value, if we will only come....as we are.

The model of A.C.T.S. is a wonderful foundation we should all adopt on a daily basis. One in which will bring glory to God, support for our overburdened souls, strength in our spirits and rest for our weary bodies and minds. God expanded on this concept with me and made it quite simple.

A- adoration; adoration for our God, adoring Him above everything and everyone else in our life

C- confession; confession to our Lord; confessing those things we say, do and think that are displeasing to God

T- thanksgiving; thanksgiving for Jesus Christ; always being thankful for the One Who gave us eternal life

S- supplication; supplication from on high; receiving our daily supply of what we need from almighty God, precious Jesus and the ever comforting Holy Spirit

Wow! Concepts to change my life, give me strength, draw me closer to Jesus, provide rest for my body, mind and soul, help me grow in the ways of the Lord, give me hope, support others, pray with power, share the love of Jesus with all who cross my path, be humble before my Lord, loosen all power the enemy could have over me, and to give me abundant life on this earth.

Okay, am I missing something here. Hmmmm, turn to imperfect people for help or trust a most perfect God; spend money on things that will perish one day or savor time with someone Who can provide me with what I truly need not want; use and abuse substances that will alter my thought processes or remember God says I have a sound mind and He can heal my pain; remain too busy to hear from God or seek His plans and purposes for me to further His kingdom and glorify Him; find my security in a job that I can lose at any given moment or have my security in the Creator of all heaven and earth; believe in myself and deny I even have issues at all or know Jesus is worth believing in and trusting for every detail of my life, let's see which do I chose to live by?

HA! Who are we actually kidding?! When the world says, "Look to yourself", know that God says He is always near and waiting with open arms for you to rest in His care, His love, His peace, His salvation, His support, His protection, His comfort, His knowledge, His grace and mercy.

* Supporting scriptures are listed below to look up and concentrate on, contemplate their meanings and apply to your life. Believe and be blessed!

Adoration: I Chronicles 29:10-13, 29:20
Confession: I John 1:9, Psalm 32:1-5, James 5:16
Thanksgiving: Psalm 13:5-6, 69:30, 95:2, Philippians 4:6-7
Supplication: Philippians 4:6, Matthew 6:8, 7:7-11, I John 5:14-15, Ephesians 3:20-21

* To take part online in the wonderful service I commented on, go to
www.pureheart.org and listen to Sunday August 1st service under the column Items of Interest, Sermon downloads and sit back with a cup of coffee, tea or bottled water and enter into rest, rest that will change your life.

Restoration and Wholeness

2010-05-13T14:13:00.057-07:00

Today, I am finishing my article for The Christian Journal in Oregon. The topic is Restoration. Contemplating this topic makes me think of how God restores a hundred fold to those whom satan has taken from. What great love is that? Yet, how much of our time do we really give the Lord? When do we stop to hear His voice? Why is it we are often too busy to slow down for Him? What must we change today that will lead us closer to Him; closer to the One Who misses His time with us? What will it take? Will it take our losing those we love, things we have worked for, friendships we have cultivated or our own self dignity?

The definition of restoration is the act of restoring or state of being restored, as to a former or original condition, place, etc.; the replacement or giving back of something lost, stolen.

Have you experienced being stolen from, ripped off, been deceived or lied to? Then you know the importance of being restored. Health can be restored, relationships healed, items returned and our character brought to light in the presence of God. Restoration is as important as is justice and fairness. Restoration is the whole reason God sent His son, Jesus to die for us. We need restored back unto our God. Someone needed to bridge the gap and Jesus chose to take our place in a sin-filled world with consequences beyond our greatest imaginations awaiting us.

We are living in a world where spiritual acceleration is at every corner. Everywhere we turn is evidence that our time on earth is very limited. There is no more time to choose where we want God to have a place in our lives. Jesus is in the business of restoring lives back to Himself, between ourselves and amongst those who are lost and in need of Christ to save them from themselves. John 10:10 tells us that satan came to steal, kill and destroy, while Jesus came to give us life. Jesus is the restorer of our souls whereas satan harms our conditions, removes us from our positions, and steals our material goods and even our joy God blesses us with. What better way to respond than to thank God for being in the business of restoration and to extend grace and mercy when we have been slighted. Being confident God is turning things around for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes is part of being made whole and being restored.

So many of us welcome restoration with open arms; we seek after it like its substance is that of gold, yet how often do we sit in the presence of the One Whom we seek restoration from, and wait, listen and obey when He does speak to us? It's like seeking the gift but forgetting to recognize Whom the giver of that gift is. We can't have it all our way, heaven is not Burger King. We can't make the rules for they were ordained at the beginning of time by the One Who set the game of life in motion. We surely can't control every circumstance of our lives. Our Father in heaven knows what is best and loves us too much to leave us to our own destruction. Restoration and being made whole is achieved by means of a loving father, an unconditionally loving Son, Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Being restored unto a loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ is at the core of every human's deepest need whether known or not.

Restoration is being restored back to an original position or place. It is being given back something that was stolen or lost. Although gaining our original position or being brought to our previous place is what restoration can be about, often it is the journey to restoration that puts less emphasis on what was stolen or lost and more importance on our relationship with our ultimate Restorers, almighty God and His Son Jesus Christ. Enter into restoration today and receive the wholeness God has for you.

Easter!!! A Time to Remember - A Time to Reflect - A Time to Be So Thankful

2010-04-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

What do we think of when we let the words of 'Easter'gently roll off our lips?
Decorating eggs? Family reunions? The Easter bunny? Perhaps it's just another over-commercialized holiday like so many others.

What should it be?
A day to remember. The day Jesus rose from death after 3 days of a journey like no other man has ever or will ever experience.

A time to reflect. Jesus chose to take upon Himself your sin, my sin, and our children's sin's of the past, the present and the future.

A time to be so thankful. Had Jesus Christ, (the Son of almighty God and Creator of everything) decided not to be punished and whipped for our sins, wearing a crown of thorns and carrying our burdens amongst His entire body, being nailed to the cross and scorned, ridiculed and beaten, what hope would there would have been no hope for you, me, our children or our future generations to receive eternal life.

So what does this mean to you?
I don't know, but it means the world to me.

Today, take a moment to remember...to reflect...the be so thankful for the blood Jesus shed for YOU, to know that God loves YOU so much He gave up His one and only Son Jesus for YOU so that if you believe on Jesus Christ died for YOUR sins, you can be saved and have eternal life.

If you realize you are a sinful being in need of a Savior, pray these words from your heart.
"Lord Jesus, I confess my sins to you and ask for Your forgiveness. I repent, turn away from desiring the things in my life not pleasing to You. I believe You sent Your Son Jesus to die for me. I accept Your forgiveness and free gift of salvation. Come into my life and make me new. Give me the strength to let go of past sins, the wisdom to walk in Your path now, hope for a better future and change my heart as I grow closer to You each day. Thank You for saving me. I am now Yours and surrender my life to Your will. Guide me in Your ways and truth, from this day forward.In Jesus name, Amen."

Congratulations! You've just made the most decision of your life!

Wait! It doesn't doesn't stop there!
To help you learn about your new life in Jesus you need to begin reading the Bible. If you don't already have one, email me at created2blessothers@yahoo.com and I will send you one, FREE of charge.
To help you grow as a new believer, begin attending a church that supports your belief in Jesus Christ ans Lord and Savior. If you need help finding a church family in your area, email me and I can help get you connected with those on the same journey as you.
To get prayer, receive words of wisdom from those going through similar events as you perhaps, and to deepen your relationship with others in the faith look into home groups that may be offered through your church.

Most of all, enjoy your new found journey of purpose, hope and peace!
Some of my favorite scriptures in the Bible - John 3:16, Philippians 4:13, John 1:9, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4, Psalms 150:6, Romans 8:28.

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength - Nehemiah 8:10

2010-02-07T10:07:00.002-08:00

Nehemiah penned these exact words long ago and we would be wise to embed these words into every crevice of our hearts. God's joy is what makes us strong when we are so spent and weak. It is He in us Who is greater than he that us in the world.

As we look upon the Lord to fill us with His strength to make it through the day, to encourage others in their own ways, to serve our families, uplift our friends, pray for relatives and give what we have to the poor, keep in mind our own strength in this life is just not enough. If you haven't already figured that out, you will soon enough.

We believe our strength can be multiplies, extended, built up and exercised without limits, but even Jesus had times He knelt before His Father in weariness to get refueled, energized and recharged Himself. Now if the Son of God had times He plugged into God's strength to continue what was called of Him, do we not think ourselves to be in need of almighty God's strength as well?

Living this life on our own, without tapping into the awesome strength provided by God and through Jesus, is like running a marathon on one leg, dehydrated to the hilt, weak and without hope. Jesus equips us to do all we are called to accomplish, He is our living water, strengthens us beyond good measure and fills us with hope when the finish line has not yet appeared.

Take a moment today to kneel before Father God, humbling ourselves at His feet as we come boldly to the throne of grace. God is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever imagine, Ephesians 3:20, if we let Him. What are you waiting for? Be strengthened today!

Psalm 16 - Trusting God

2010-01-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Preserve me, oh God, for in You I put my trust. Oh my soul you have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You." As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Their sorrow shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take up their names upon my lips.

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord Who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night season. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Trusting God in Uncertainty

2009-12-01T22:52:00.003-08:00

This morning my hubby told me he had an interview with an employer in Arizona. It went well and he was offered a job with good pay, good insurance, nice place to work and a pleasant boss at that. I was excited but heard a sense of hesitancy in my husband's voice. He was not so sure we could find a place to live after having been through this year's trials. The outcome has not been pretty.

Uncertainty visits us all, especially in these times of economic trouble.
God reminds us to "Trust in the Lord always and lean not on our own understanding", Proverbs 3:5 Gods ways are so much higher than mine so why should I lean on whatever understanding I have of any situation? Trusting in God leads to peace, God's will, assurance and security. Leaning on my own understanding usually gets me nowhere.

My family has had to trust God so much this past year and I must admit it has stretched us in so many different directions, but always closer to Him. We have not understand why my husband lost his job in January, our home at this present time, and our grown children have been scattered throughout three different states. We still don't know what His plans are for us, but we have chosen to lean not on our understanding because it is vain. Trusting God is the most logical, obedient and safest thing to do right now.

His plans for us are good, not to harm us but to give us a hope and a future, Jeremiah 29:11. Why should we worry when God is for us? Who then could possibly be against us? Trusting God is the right thing to d;, it's the only thing to do.

The Marriage Code Part III

2009-11-22T16:17:00.003-08:00

Unlocking the code to your marriage will take work, dedication, patience,you'll need enthusiasm, intelligence, creativity and most of all, God's help. Moving into the dynamics and living above the line are the backbone of a successful marriage. Because we live in fallen world, sin abounds and temptations are everywhere. Remember though, Jesus has overcome the world and since He crucified our flesh for us, we no longer have to yield to sin's power and control. The victory is ours if we'll just reach out and take it for all its worth.

At the end of chapter 1, Bill and Pam list some questions meant for dialogue over dinner or a cup of coffee. Take these to heart, spend time thinking about them, learn to truly appreciate your spouse for who he is. Make your love last a lifetime.

Attempts to live below the line creates distrust, insecurity and will always be unsuccessful. A husband and wife do themselves a world of good to find out what makes eachother feel secure and successful, loved and respected, and most importantly, accepted by one another just as God has accepted each spouse.

To order Bill and Pam's book The Marriage Code, go to http://www.farrelcommunications.com/

The Marriage Code Part II

2009-11-22T16:12:00.002-08:00

Knowing the marriage code sure makes a world of difference. Bill and Pam Farrel tell us in their book, The Marriage Code, the username for wives is wife and the password is success which gives her access into a workable relationship with her husband. A woman's greatest desire is to connect with her husband emotionally, spiritually and financially. She wants her husband to experience the same emotional fullness she does. I have to agree with Bill and Pam. Come on ladies, think about it. Do we not want our hubbies to feel the same things we feel, understand how we understand and love us like we want to be loved. Let's be honest now. I know I am guilty of this. What happened to the giving part of the relationship? All of a sudden somehow, somewhere, as wives we begin to get caught up in the selfishness of being a spouse and the next thing you know, life is all about us. Not good....

Bill and Pam also say that the username for husband is husband and the password is security. Using these gives husband's access into workable relationships with their wives. His greatest desire is to help his wife succeed at what she wants to do in life. Meeting a wife's security need first in all things. This goes against a man's most basic instincts, but if a husband accomplishes this task, he draws his wife towards him and the relationship becomes relaxed. All simply because of the marriage code that can radically change a marriage.

Knowing issues within our marriage can make a world of difference once we know how to access the marriage codes that provide succession our husband's and security for us wives.

To purchase their book go to: http://www.farrelcommunications.com/

A Tribute to Dusty - a Fine Buddy Indeed

2009-11-21T16:18:00.003-08:00

Today, Dusty went home to heaven. It was sudden, so sad and sorrowful. Tiffany is heartbroken. She had Dustbucket since she was nine years old. He was bleeding some on Thursday, Tiffy called the vet and he was going to come at the beginning of the week. Bad call indeed, Dusty never made it.

He came to us out of a pasture, calm and gentle and full of life. As a youngster, Dusty would follow us everywhere we went when we were outside with him. One time, he even stepped inside the door from the backyard ready to come inside our home. He was so humanized. We loved him so very much. He was definitely a part of our family and it was not hard for him to weasel his way into our lives the way he did.

He grew to became a stunning boy, showing nicely in 4-H, the arena and trail. Dusty became Tiffy’s buddy; comforting her, loving her and staying by her side. She’d spend hours brushing him, bathing and just hugging his big, strong neck, sharing her dreams and sorrows with him. He would nudge Kenny's side as Ken was building a pen for the sheep when Dusty was about nine years young. Tahlya and Nathen loved riding him and what a love he was to anyone on his back. This past spring Chrissy got to show him and then this summer Tiffany enjoyed her last showing with Dusty. He did wonderful. What a pair Tiffany and Dusty made.

When Jeff Murray, Dusty's farrier, would trim his feet, Dusty would turn around and take off Jeff's hat with his lips. Dusty loved water and would play with the hose when we filled up the water trough. He'd grab the hose with his teeth and throw his head all over, getting Jesse all wet while she was standing by for her own drink.
Dusty was gentle with all creatures beneath his feet whether it was Tahlya as a toddler or a puppy that had escaped its mommy's reach. He was like a person when he touched you with his muzzle. He was always so curious and would come up to you, in your bubble and sniff your breath as if to say, "Hello." Dusty so carefully would take an apple from Nathen's hand without ever touching Nathen's hand or fingers.

Just about one month ago I was with Tiffy while she was working Dusty and Jesse. While I was standing on the outside of the round pen, I felt something push me gently on my back. I turned around and Dusty's gigantic rear end was against my back and his head turned towards me, eyes staring at mine letting me know he wanted his rump scratched. It was hilarious. He'd actually backed himself against me while I was leaning against the chain link fence. He didn't want me to forget him while i was watching Tiffy work Jesse. I just laughed, squeezed out of the way of the fence and gave his rump a nice long scratching.

We learned so much from you Dusty, like how to enjoy life, be silly, curious and relax. How everything is worth exploring and nothing should be taken for granted. Thank you Dusty, for your many lessons in life.

We truly miss you Dusty. Rest in peace, run free in heaven, graze and lie in the warmth of God’s love. Life will truly not be the same without you in it.

The Marriage Code

2009-11-02T09:08:00.003-08:00

My husband and I have been reading The Marriage Code by Bill and Pam Farrel and wanted to share a few things we thought might interest all who are married, and those who might be one day.

Discovering our own secret love languages has imperical value these days. We can find this language through understanding the secret code in marriages. Living in a world that uses codes has its advantages. We have usernames and passwords that get us into our email, facebook, twitter, eBay, blogspot, myspace, craigs list, amazon accounts, why would we not think there might be a code to delve inside the best parts of our relationships? Well there is. Taken right from Bill and Pam's book are a few tidbits to get yo thinking.

* It is obvious when the code is in place because your relationship works well.

* It is just as obvious when the code is not in place because almost everything is out of sync.

* Entering the marriage code into your relationship is a daily exercise. In the same way that you need to enter a username and password into your computer each time you start it up, your love relationship needs an access code every day.

* The marriage code is based on the most common needs that men and women have.

Relationships are not as simplistic as you may have well found out by now. Men and women have different needs at the core of their very beings. These core needs shape how life is approached and how relationships are interacted within. Bill and Pam believe every person has these two core needs within them; the need for security and success. Security being the belief it is safe to be who we are. Success being the belief that our lives are workable.

Read more each day to find out what makes The Marriage Code such a life changing book every married couple should be reading!Whether you have figured out the marriage code in your own relationship or not, this book will give you keen insight to help other married couples. It can also be a valuable tool used in premarital counseling to give engaged couples an edge on their lifetime commitment of marriage.

Choosing to Blossom Along the Journey

2009-10-21T00:40:00.006-07:00

The other day I was thinking about how a seed is rooted in the ground, nurtured with water to sprout, emerges either strong or weak, is pumped full of vitamin D from the sun and grows useful or dies pitifully. Kind of like the human life, wouldn't you say?

From before we were born, God knew us (Psalm 139:13-16) and had plans for us; plans for good and not for harm, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He knew us as a seed yet formed, rooted, nurtured and growing. WOW! How awesome is that?!
But, because of His great love for us, He gave us a choice. A choice to choose Him, to choose life through His Son Jesus, or to choose the world and all it has to offer, to choose death and eternity in hell (John 3:16).

When we choose life, just as with the seed rooted firmly in the soil, we can choose to be rooted firmly in Christ. God is a gentlemen, He will not force us to choose to love Him and accept His Son Jesus Christ. It just isn't going to happen. God created us with our own wills, (remember Adam and eve in the garden of Eden?), ya. We become firmly rooted when we spend time with God, reading His words to us in the Bible, filling our minds with heavenly things and being obedient to all He says. Sure, we are human and make mistakes. That was the whole reason we needed Jesus to be our Savior, but what little effort it takes to confess our wrong doings and receive Jesus' forgiveness, go on and become better because of God's unconditional love for us.

Our nurturing takes place when we love Jesus will all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, are daily spending time in God's word, memorizing scripture so that we don't sin against our Lord (Psalm 119:11), praise Him (Psalm 100:4) and allow the Holy Spirit to wash our lives with His word, empower us to lives well pleasing to our Lord and to be blessings to those God puts in our paths.

Time spent in the sun adds vitamin D to our bodies thereby enriching our very beings. So it is with time spent with the Son of God. Our lives are enriched beyond measure and as we grow in the knowledge of Him (II Peter 3:18) our lives are transformed into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29).

Our lives are a journey of blossoming into what God has called us to become. We can either radiate the fragrance of lavander or emminate the vile stench of a corpse flower.
We can choose to grow or choose to shrivel up and die. It is all about choice; and it is a matter of life and death.

For further reflection I highly recommend-
(http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=3206)

Trusting God in Discouragement

2009-09-30T21:59:00.003-07:00

Today was a very hard day for me. I found out that hours I thought would be able to be used as part of my internship cannot be used so I have roughly 100 hours of interns to complete by December 11th. This is so disappointing to me as I am already committed to Lay Counseling training, co-facilitating Divorce Care for Kids, my daily blog here, have a suicide prevention and awareness training weekend in October, my monthly article for the journal as well as delivering the Journal, am taking emergency first aid and CPR next month and November and now I will be putting in about 10-12 hours per week at the Y.M.C.A. working with the kids in order to complete my internship and learn more about caring for kids, not to mention sorting through things at home and packing to move.

To top it off, Doug, my oldest son, called today and let me know all the work he and his wife have done for the past 5 months of paying off $17,000 of credit card bills and saving money to put down on a home for my husband I to move to Phoenix, is not enough. Doug and Jessica will not be ready to purchase a home until next April or so now. I was so looking forward to finally moving closer to my grandchildren, living in the valley of the sun with warmth and sunshine almost every day of the year, getting insurance through a job for Ken that we've been praying for months to get so that Kenny could be seen regarding a prolonged injury from the accident a couple of years ago and for me to be seen for my health and dental issues, as well as being able to live in a home we can call our own once again. Ken was suppose to go in two weeks to find work and then I was going to join him by the beginning of December after my interns were completed. We are just waiting to get our 30 day notice from our mortgage company to move out of our home so life could definitely be better right now.

I must admit I am extremely discouraged right now. Depression seems to loom over my head and my heart is heavy with sadness. I feel all is falling apart and hope is buried deep within my bones. I know God says in Hebrews he will never leave me or forsake me and that He has good plans for me, plans to give me a future and a hope but tonight, I just feel like the world is caving in and God is watching even though I know He is carefully holding me in His arms. Our exciting plans have been dropped just like that and while my hope is in Jesus, my excitement of a new start in Phoenix soon vanished with this most discouraging news.

Trusting Jesus at this very moment seems so hard, but I know because I can do all things with Jesus' help, I can get through this sorrowful moment knowing these things shall pass and God's grace is sufficient for me; whether I feel like it or not.

Hearing God's Call

2009-09-03T01:26:00.002-07:00

Lord, it is 1:30 a.m. and I hear you speaking to me and clear Lord. You have put the desires within my heart to seek and save the lost in a joint effort with You almighty God. It is by Your Holy Spirit that they are called, comforted, encouraged, found and saved. It is by Your hand I have such a drive for prevention and being used as a tool; Your tool to bring unbelievers to You.

Cause me to be worthy of this calling; I feel so inadequate. I know You are with me just as Your were with David when facing Goliath, the giant of all giants. I know Your go before me and cover me on all sides when I face the giants in these young people’s hearts. When I rise up against the powers of hell, the demons within that battle for their very souls. I could do nothing without You, without Your guidance, Your strength and power. Thank you that You have promised to never leave me or forsake me, especially in my time of need.

These kids need You. They must know they have a purpose, that they are special and loved by the Creator of this universe. How awesome is that! Help me to relay to them Your love, Your purpose for their lives, that they have worth and are valuable. Give me the words they need to hear. Because it is not Your will for even one of them to perish eternally, I thank You God for saving their souls, enriching their lives and giving them hope in a world lacking a reason to exist.

Direct me as I step out in faith and heal me that I may be whole and strong to help heal others. Drive out the darkness and selfishness, evil and apathy within my own heart that I may do Your will and be obedient to anything You call me to do. Fill me with Your strength , peace and perseverance…even unto death if it be Your will for me. Thank you for calling me to serve You, to love others and for giving me your simple gospel to share with a hurting and destructive world. I go in Your name, in Your power, for Your glory.

God's Grace Is Sufficient

2009-08-16T18:49:00.004-07:00

God's calling in our lives changes often from moment to moment. We know we are in His hands and He won't let anything happen to us that is not in His will. That's why we pray for His will and the necessary preparations that may come with accepting His will if it not be our own. Hearing God's calling in our lives is vital to our very breath.

It has been hard since last summer when my husband and I helped my son and his wife and my two grandbabies, Tahlya 10 and Nathen 12, moved away and out of our lives. I have never felt such a ripping of my flesh before. We had them every weekend and sometimes through the week during the summer months, from the time they were about 6 months old. We were more like a second set of parents to them rather than their grandparents. Our worlds revolved around them as well as those of my own older children. They were all like siblings. God was trying to help us get our priorities right with Him being in the center. Then, this year, my oldest daughter and her husband moved to Corning in northern California, one week ago tomorrow night. Again, my heart feels torn, but God reminds me if I have given Him my heart, it is not my heart that is tearing my life, and He's got it under control for me; I need to let go. Today, my sweet spiritual daughter who our whole family was so convinced was going to be my daughter-in-law to my youngest son now 22, moved to Portland. She came over for my hubby to look her truck over before she drove to Portland and her, my youngest daughter and I walked around the corner from my house yesterday to a garage sale, for the last time. This morning around 10, she left and yet again a piece of m life, is gone........... for good. Right now, I am not sure what God is trying to teach me. Right now, my heart hurts and grieves for the happy times of family altogether. Besides God, family has been everything to me; maybe they weren't always in the right order... I am not sure.

My youngest son is talking about moving to Phoenix with a long time friend he's known since they were about nine years old. Thought Branden was moving over with my husband and me, now, it may not work that way. I am happy for him, but asking God to prepare my heart for yet another hard adjustment in my life. I feel they are coming more often yet there is less of me to hurt each time. Not sure if that is good, or bad. When my husband and I leave in a month or so, we will wave goodbye to my youngest daughter and her husband. My heart feels like it will break and never mend. But as God reminds me, He owns my heart... so that won't happen, but it sure feels like it will.

Today, Pastor Mark Goens, whom I also will miss terribly, spoke about II Corinthians 12. God's grace is sufficient for me. It says so much more, but right now, today, I can only hang onto those 6 words. I think that is what God is calling me to do at this moment in my life.

Contemplating Contentment

2009-06-14T18:56:00.003-07:00

My husband's 45th birthday is but a memory now. As I was cleaning up the leftover food and covering his chocolate cake, I realized something. Sometimes the road to contentment is long and windy, sometimes it's short and choppy. Often times, the earth beneath our feet can seem to tremble upon every step we take. Skies can appear as blue as the sea or as deep as the ocean yet the peace that leads to true contentment comes not from the heaven's above nor from the waters below but from the Holy Spirit within.

As I contemplate being content with the new journey my family is about to embark upon, God began speaking to me about simplenenes. I'm not even sure if that is a word out of the Webster's dictionary or God just made it up, but I am certain of one thing, I must simplify for my own sanity. Reminds me of an article I wrote one time entitled just that, "Simplify for Your Sanity". Apparently I need to go examine this mindboggling concept another time.

I close my eyes, sit back and take a deep breath just imagining what might this mean. More time with God in the mornings, de-cluttering my bedroom, being able to say 'yes' when my girlfriend calls me to grab a hot chocolate with her or quite possibly when one of my grown children sit on the couch across from me and actually look me eye to eye rather than at the top of my head or back of my book. As I let out my breath slowly, a smile creeps upon my face and I realize, this simpleness, is what I have been longing for.

I can't imagine waking and sitting up against my pillow, stretching my arms and leaning over to gab my Bible, opening it to a new book with great anticipation of what God may want to speak to my heart that morning. To walk to my closet without meandering through a path of boxes or books to choose my wardrobe for the day is an almost incomprehensible task. Packing a lunch and heading to the river with my kids for a picnic and skipping stones along the river's surface has been a long-awaited activity I have pondered so many times while in class. Contentment would definitely have its place in my heart amongst these most serene conditions.

Knowing the day I was born not a single item did I possess, it should be my goal to leave this world in the same fashion since everything belongs to God anyway. Whether we keep our home or lose it, whether a better job is replaced with the job Ken lost, whether this new journey my family is about to embark on leads to anything better than what we have now, is not the question, but the answer.

Our contentment with what things we have now will determine the state of our futures. Simplifying is an art, one in which I am determined to master. If we are commanded to preach the simple gospel than why let anything else in our lives become anything but simple? This is something we all must truly contemplate.

1 Timothy 6:6-7 (New King James Version)
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[a] we can carry nothing out."

Turbulent Times for Testing

2009-06-01T23:44:00.006-07:00

None of us like to be tested, let me tell you. I have spent the last two years in college and every exam deadline I had caused me intense anxiety. As the date came closer and closer, I seemed to pace more, bite my lip, breath harder, shoulders lifting higher and higher with each passing day. Testing was not my cup of tea. I think I would have even done better had they called these exams another other than a test.

In I Peter 1:6 & 7, God reminds us, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the geuineness of your faith, being much more than precious gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I most definitely could understand the testing by fire as I have encountered more hot flashes and heart palpitations during school than all my life. But God reminds me it is but for a little white, true, I graduate in Criminal Justice minoring in Juvenile Corrections on June 13th in which I greatly rejoice! The trials I have encountered this year so far have definitely been grievous to me. My husband lost his job, we are losing our home due to foreclosure the end of August and we must declare bankruptcy before moving from Oregon back to Arizona...and worse yet, without all my grown children we brought here to Oregon fourteen years ago.
I must remember though, far more is being tested than just my knowledge of criminal law. My genuineness is more precious to God than gold. I do praise God through these trials and testing, that I bring God honor and glory, and that Jesus Christ is revealed through me.

Turbulent Times for Testing; I want an A, how about you?

A Change of Heart

2009-03-20T23:35:00.003-07:00

Alright, so a 2002 Subaru WRX pimped to the max with high performance everything and far from stock, is not the kind of vehicle I should be cruisin’ around in on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon in the small town of Grants Pass in the beautiful state of Oregon. Here's why....

Today coming home for church, mind you after I sat through a wonderful hour long sermon, that was truly fabulous, I found an open lane across from my hubby that beckoned my name. I briefly looked at him, and he at me. I scanned the rear horizon for any noticeable blue and red lights and then I couldn’t help myself. I really couldn’t. It was like an adrenalin rush before the adrenalin rush, you know what I mean? Maybe not, but you should have. It was awesome!

Just coming off a red light I gunned it in first, swiftly shifted to second and enjoyed being plastered to the back of my seat, noticing everything around me quickly whizzing by just wasn’t enough. Yes, into third I shifted and was quickly off again, my husband, well, he was but a speck in my rear view mirror, I am sure shaking his head at me, envisioning our insurance escalating and worrisome over how he will spend the next year getting me to my classes at the local college and him to work on time during the week, not if, but when I am caught.

I down shifted while turning into the right lane getting onto Redwood Highway and lo and behold a trooper coasts by with his stern grin and hot looking Charger with a complete black rack in the front of his bumper perfectly suited as a radical ramming device. Of course I innocently cruise along going no more than the posted speed limit and become restless by the second. As myself and a little black Honda, late model 90’s with a kid in the driver’s seat that looked not a day over 19 pulled up next to me, we glanced at the trooper, back at eachother and as he waved within my eyesight range I knew we were immediately on the same page; or were we?

I’ve been a Christian for over twenty-five years. My husband and I met cruising in our early model Mustang’s, and drag racing in Phoenix, Arizona. This combination together has led me to a happy marriage and speed still running through my blood. Just look at the vehicles my two son’s drive. My oldest, a Honda he’d gutted to race at the drag strip, and a very quick 2002 Subaru WRX, in which I joyfully drive throughout the streets of Grants Pass. My youngest son, an early 90’s model Honda CRX with a turbo that has seen its share of 22 pounds of boost, and a late 90’s model Chevy Camaro (he bought off my hubby and I a couple of years ago) with an LT1 Corvette motor that literally screams. It is awesome. Anyway, racing is still alive and well in my household and yet when the young man in his Honda, and I in the WRX, glanced at one another while stopped at a light while the state trooper idled just a few feet in front of us, something hit me. Would we have raced had the trooper been trooping somewhere else? All notions say yes, and I realized what a bad mentor I would have been, adrenalin and all. Had we gone for it, I would have been encouraging this young man to drag on the street, quite the opposite of what I tell young people to do in this town. What do I say, “Save it for the track.” Yet this was farthest from my mind in the middle of those glances which spoke volumes.

I came home thinking about blaming the little race car I was driving, my resisting to grow up, racing in my blood, anything that made sense. What I did not immediately blame, was the hidden rebellion in my heart. As hard as it was to admit, this was it. I couldn’t believe it. I, who spend a great deal of time mentoring students in this crime laden town with a justice system that needs quite a bit of tweaking when it comes to traffic crimes, was all fired up and ready to disobey at my heart’s will by an adrenalin rush like no other (yes, even better than drugs). What am I doing? What am I thinking? Who do I want to become to these young people? These questions began flooding my mind and I started to take inventory. This is it. I am enrolled in criminal justice classes and must maintain an attitude of obedience, not only to God but to authority. I must initiate this attitude because I know the power of the mind. As a mentor entering into the world of justice, I am not only obligated to follow the rules of the land that do not contradict the will of God, but I must walk the walk and not only talk the talk.

Wow, what a valuable lesson to learn on a bright Sunday afternoon cruising around in a sporty little WRX through a town in desperate need of mentors who can change lives, save lives and make a difference. This is the kind of mentor I want to be. Lord willing, I will make a difference in the lives of these young people, Lord knows I struggle with some of their same struggles, (grin).

In The Midst of Unwanted Change

2008-11-29T10:17:00.004-08:00

Recently I experienced change in a most dramatic way. My husband and I helped my son, daughter-in-law and two precious grandchildren move to Phoenix, Arizona. 1,200 miles away, to a land full of warm sunshine, beautiful lightening shows, friendliness amongst the people, and order within the cities walls is where they now call home. How my heart sank as we drove south through California and then west into Arizona. Life had taken a sharp turn and I felt left behind and immobile.
I know God promises He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. But somehow this did not comfort my soul at first. I wrestled with what I wanted, thought best for everyone and needed. I gave little regard to where God’s hand may have been leading my sweet family to a brighter place; a place with new opportunities that would help them grow closer to Him. I felt my heart breaking as I pondered on the day I would have to hug my grandbabies, Nathen and Tahlya goodbye. I felt my knees shake as I knew I would not see Doug, my son and Jessica, my daughter-n-law, much longer. The pangs were almost too much to bear, yet I knew God was near.

Change did come. I wrote a memoir of the sadness I felt, the effects of this change I saw as nothing but distance between my dear family and me, and the relentless hope I experienced during this time of change. God gently took my hand over the next few days and was there when I woke as I text the kids a prayer for a good day. God was there when I walked through an empty heart of despair that took my breath away with every step. God held me when I gathered the kids’ things together to put in a care package to send to them. He comforted me in the midst of my tears when I realized Sundays from now on, I would no longer have my grandchildren by my side at church, we would not have lunch together afterward and I wouldn’t chat with Doug and Jess before they took the kids home. When I felt my heart being pulled apart at each end, God reminded me He was there.

I titled this memoir, Half a Heart, and realized this was just not so. I gave my heart to Jesus at nineteen and never took it back, so how could half of it be gone? God was lovingly teaching me something here. Who have I pledged my life to? Was I living for my family or for God Himself? This thought floored me as I sat deeply contemplating whom I had allowed my affections to belong to. I give affection to my grandchildren, my son and daughter-in-law; I cannot give them my heart. As long as God is the keeper of my heart, neither myself nor Satan, should have such a hold on me I can’t exist another day. What was I thinking? God was moving part of my family, part of me, to a better place and this choice of God’s led me to shaky knees, a wounded heart, relentless hope and emptiness to the point of despair? Something was out of place. 2008 is a year of new beginnings. Was I hindering this work of the Lord in my family through my own selfish desires?

I repented for allowing my family to own what was rightfully God’s, my heart. Although my emotions were pounded like raging waters against shores of infinite sand, I had allowed myself to be overtaken by feelings God could tame if I let Him. The pain that once stabbed so deeply finally lessened to a dulling numbness in my body. I realized I cannot live for my family; I must live for my God. The relationship I have with my family is one God has so richly blessed me with. It is a gift and one to be appreciated but not idolized. The benefit of sharing love so deep, so vast and wide is an overflow of the love God has for me and those whom I love so dearly. His love quickly covered me in a blanket of peace and calm. Being engulfed in His love and comfort caused me to embrace these changes in my life right now, as opposed to resenting them. Faith made its way into the depths of my heart. God, who is so deserving of my trust, surely has earned my dependence upon Him even when I don’t understand things. Oswald Chambers put it this way. “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.”

God changes not. I depended on Him yesterday, I can depend on Him today, and I will depend on Him for tomorrow. Change may be inevitable, but my God can see me through any and all changes that may be gravely unwanted but desperately needed. Can you depend on God to be there through changes in your life?

Denise’s memoir visit www.created2bless.gather.com

Branden's Turning 21 Today!!!

2008-06-16T10:17:00.005-07:00

I can't believe it! My baby is turning 21 today. At 4:15 pm he I will have given birth to him 21 years ago. Where in the world has the time gone?

I feel like it was just last night I was walking the culdesac we lived on in Phoenix, AZ trying to increase the contractions. I was so excited about finally having him, what he would look like, and how he would serve God with his life.

Branden was an unexpected baby but so wanted and loved when I found out he was to be. I had a great pregnancy and felt healthy yet I was a bit unsure whether or not I could raise four children these days, but God knew what he was doing, so in Him I put my trust. God had given me so many verses reminding me to trust Him, to not be afraid and that this baby would bring peace to our family. Something we needed desperately. At four months along, a pastor prophesied over my belly and told me this son born to us would be a prophet, a peaceful child and one which leads quietly. During this pregnancy I encountered a miracle of healing for several of my teeth, and knew God was with me and this child. This could have never been more truth in the years to come.

The birth was as easy as could be. 3 1/2 hours of hard labor and he was out and exploring the world. Alert and calm, he nursed peacefully and the peace within his soul drew others to him. Satan saw the mark on this child and immediately began his appointments to take him. From illness to injury, Branden roughed it through them all. God's protection was hard at work and He never let Branden slip too far from His grasp of help. Stitches here and there, a concussion and double pneumonia, croup and bent bones, God was faithful to limit satan on what was allowed and what was not. Many times we almost lost Branden, but never was he out of God's reach.

One night when he had double pneumonia and croup, the doctors told us to take him home and stay with him, for he was weak and may not live. The elders and friends of the church we attended at the time, came at the midnight hour and prayed over Branden. When they left, I spent the night rocking my dear little boy, so frail and sickly, breathing so shallow he closed his eyes with his mom's tears resting gently upon his cheeks form time to time. I battled before God not to take my baby boy, and He set me upon a rock, upon a mountain with an alter a foot in front of me. I labored to think what He was going to ask of me, yet through hours of intense turmoil and shattered hope, God met me where I was and gently asked me to let him go. To give him back, reluctantly I did and laid him in his crib, fully expecting to see a lifeless little body in that crib when I woke in the next few hours.

I had cried to the point there were no more tears, and I quietly slipped myself into bed and heard God simply say, fear not. But I did, yet I knew whether He took my baby boy or not, the will of God was most important and that if it meant for Branden to go home with Him, so be it. I fell off to sleep weary and worn but a God had placed a glimpse of hope within my heart.

Upon waking just hours later, I slowly headed down the hallway, the same hallway to Branden's room that normally I would hear him talking to someone, playing quietly awaiting his mom's presence and smile yet I heard nothing but stillness. I took a deep breath and swallowed hard, yet dropped not a tear as I turned the corner and peered towards his bed. As I moved closer, I saw he was not moving from the looks of his little leg, but when I got to the edge of the crib, his face was beaming, the biggest smile I had ever seen and he quickly raised his hands to me and said, "Mama."
I reached down and grabbed him, held him to my chest and cried sweet tears of thankfulness. Not only had God spared his life, God has completely healed my little boy of all infirmity! He was as healthy as the day he was born.

God spoke to me and said, because I gave up his life, God gave him back to me....for a time....to raise Branden as the man God intended him to be, and this I have wholeheartedly and joyfully done. What a blessing to know God provided the perfect sacrifice for my sins, my son's sins and the world's sins. Jesus took Branden's place so that Branden might live and have everlasting life. That Branden could have abundant life while on this earth, doing the work of His heavenly Father.

What a wonderful son Branden has grown to be. Thank you God for giving us another chance with this prophet of yours. Thank you for giving Branden life as He chooses to follow after You with his whole heart and soul. Thank you God, for this precious son you allowed me to carry, birth, raise and take part in his life with You.

Matthew 16:25 Whoever desires to save his life (or in this case, Branden's), will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake (or give's up as in Branden's life), will find it.

What a wonderful God we serve!

7 Steps to a Healthy Marriage

2008-05-03T02:05:00.004-07:00

Marriage seems to have become a living contract rather than an eternal covenant. It is proven that half of all marriages within the US end in divorce. (AACAP 2004) These statistics are alarming and escalating at incredible rates. What went wrong? What should have gone right? What can be done about it and does anyone still care? Through many years of working in marriage ministry and mentoring couples young and old, I have discovered seven key components to building a healthy marriage that can last a lifetime.

Be Committed
Commitment is the foremost decision to make before you are wed, beginning with, “from this day forward...” It has been proven that couples with a mind set of believing they are marrying “until death do us part” have a fifty percent greater chance of weathering storms that come their way during their marriage than those who marry believing if the relationship becomes too turbulent, divorce is always an option.
Going into marriage with the attitude that you are committed for life with the one you have married, will make a drastic impact on how every conflict is handled therefore reducing the chances of divorce.
When we marry, we are deeply in love, wishing only the best for our spouses and expecting only the best from them. When we dated our spouses, we always put them first, giving 100% of ourselves, our time and our attention. Their needs, wants and desires became ours. We thought alike, laughed over the same things, and enjoyed believing in one another. Every day was new and fresh with the excitement of what it may have held. Selfishness was not in either spouse’s vocabulary, for each one did everything they could to please the other.
After the wedding, it is easy to get comfortable and think about our relationships as being planted firmly and unshakable. All too soon, the other spouse is no longer top priority. Other things come into play, such as a new job, hobby or interest. One spouse slacks off with responsibilities, and the other feels they are carrying more than half the weight in the relationship. If this is you, a check and balance system should be adopted and both spouses need to comply. Giving 100% at all times means there are no gaps. Both spouses are cared for completely. One spouse may have to change jobs and more hours at work are involved. The spouse with the same routine may need to pick up some of the slack of the other for a time. Giving 100% allows there to be an overlap when one spouse cannot give as much as the other for a time. This system allows needs to be met, responsibilities to be covered providing a peaceful home and joyful relationship that can remain even when tides shift and waters are turbulent. If either spouse neglects more than their fair share, burdens are felt by both spouses and patience grows thin between the couple. If the weight of one spouse is carried for too long, the other will crumble while animosity and grudges can form. Just as a jackhammer is destructive in breaking up good soil, so it can be if spouses do not cover one another in hard times and soften the blows of change. Marriages are give and take relationships. There is always giving, but once in a while, one may need to give more than the other for the time being. This sacrifice of giving makes up for slack, holds things together for a time, and maintains balance long enough for the couple to return to their routines or make the necessary adjustments while depositing richly into their reserves once again. This is what helps weather storms that would ordinarily sink a marriage temporarily treading on shaky ground. Giving 100% never sees gaps, always covers for bumps in the road of life and ensures there is always enough to sustain the marriage.

Power of Apology
The simple word, “I’m Sorry”, is quite powerful actually. Saying you’re sorry can be healing and opens the door to restoration. What could take years to overcome when ignored can be forgiven and forgotten in a moment’s time if only a few words are sincerely spoken. When an apology is left unsaid, bitterness can easily grow in the heart leaving little room for love and kindness to emerge.
Simply say you’re sorry and be willing to make the needed changes to prove your sincerity. The event may or may not have been your fault. Either way, whatever touches our spouse touches us as well. If we are to maintain a healthy relationship with those we love, particularly our spouses, sorry should not only roll naturally but immediately off of our tongues. In marriages, a spouse normally does not want to hurt their beloved partner, but desires to help heal and restore them when they have been wronged. Apologizing does not allow buried offenses to harden and corrode the very walls of the heart. Saying sorry cuts through the pain and opens the wound to heal. A soft answer turns away wrath (Prov. 15:1). When you are approached with a gentle, caring apology, it makes it difficult to remain angry and cold to the one offering reconciliation. Saying you’re sorry begins the necessary process of healing and forgiveness. Saying you’re sorry for offenses you’ve committed makes good relationships better and great relationships outstanding.

Agreement
Being in agreement with one another is very important. Without this vital key in a marriage, boiling arguments are inevitable. Disagreements can create conflict, strife and unnecessary anxiety. Stress will literally rot your bones therefore why not prevent excessive stress from getting the best of you by setting some guidelines for agreement right from the beginning?
Important areas to agree on in the relationship are spending limits whether you are together or apart, individual roles of one another in the home, who the main provider will be and how much supplemental income may be needed from the other spouse. Other things to consider agreeing upon early on the marriage are whether to make major purchases individually or not, who is responsible for balancing the checkbook as well as paying bills, whether education will play a role in either spouse’s life after the wedding or how many children to have and when to begin having them. Discipline of the children, life and death decisions involving insurance, retirement funds and inheritance issues, friendships after marriage, television and music influences in the home are all issues that will arise after the wedding. If an agreement has not been made over these issues prior to encountering them, friction can lead to misunderstanding, quarreling and finally dysfunction. Being in agreement with your spouse creates stability in the relationship, happiness in the home and peace within the soul. Agreeing to disagree on notable topics can make a marriage strong and pliable.

Common Interests
What normally bring two people together are common interests. Where you met, what you were doing and who you were with all have a bearing on whether you want to get to know someone better or not. If the chemistry is not there, chances are you cannot create it later on. Laws of attraction are powerful. As people grow older, changes occur; not just physically but quite often emotionally and socially. It is important to remain involved in some way with some of your spouse’s interests and hobbies. While you both may not have everything in common, enjoying some things together will create harmony and a sense of togetherness into your marriage. When one spouse wants to do something the other does not, often it is a sacrifice of love for the spouse who would rather be fishing than scrapbooking or vice versa to willingly engage in the sometimes dreadful event. Couples still need time alone to enjoy activities apart from their spouses. The blending of two lives in to one does not mean the individual spouse loses them self altogether in their mate. It just means a new life for the both of them takes place and they are joined as one with their own personalities, likes, dislikes and lifestyles blending to complete each other more fully. Taking the time to share in your spouse’s joys and sorrows, fun and sometimes boring events can cause the relationship to grow deeper and closer than ever before.

Forgiving Forever
This is probably one of the hardest tasks to accomplish in one’s life let alone in a marriage. Forgiveness breaks through barriers, speaks in a multitude of languages and is an extremely important factor in a marriage.
Whether you’ve been wronged through an offense on purpose or accidentally, offenses hurt and sometimes they cut to the deepest core of your inner being. Time does heal, but often, time is not enough. Forgiveness does not condone an offense; it only wipes it away, puts it in the past and keeps it there. This is what makes forgiveness such a vital component in a marriage. While married, there will be offenses dealt as well as unfortunate misunderstandings that can lead to feelings of deep pain and trust being tested. Without forgiveness, offenses can be held in the heart, dangled over heads, and used as a weapon against the other spouse causing further complications. Forgiveness paves the way for healing and restoration. Without this essential ingredient, it is just a matter of time before the marriage becomes too burdened down by past offenses that prevent spouses from living in the present or hoping for a future together. Eventually the relationship may dissolve and each spouse goes their own way. Forgiveness is tough usually needs a supernatural element from God to ensure it is final. Both spouses must be willing to seek forgiveness at any cost. Just as love can last a lifetime, forgiveness needs to be forever with no looking back, bringing up old offenses, or holding grudges.
Throughout marriage there can be many reasons forgiveness will be needed. Broken trust is a common occurrence in most marriages. When forgiveness is genuinely offered and accepted, and wayward actions confessed and turned from, the marriage can become stronger and spouses can become closer than they had been before trust was broken between them. Forgiveness is refreshing and may not always be deserved but is truly a treasured gift shared within the marriage.

Communication
Communication is transmission of information and can make or break a marriage. Spouses hold their own opinions to things, have fresh ideas, can encourage, strengthen, comfort, provide insightful thoughts, as well as share deep issues of their hearts. Good communication promotes a healthy marriage in which the couple can grow and succeed in their relationship. Bad communication can rip apart the bond between husband and wife leaving both spouses feeling empty and looking for an escape route.
Many things can break down communication in a marriage such as lack of good listening skills, unclear messages, gender differences and preconceived ideas. Good listening skills are of utmost importance requiring and include eye to eye contact, feedback (asking if what the listener heard was what the speaker was actually saying), timing of the chosen topic to communicate is considered, transparency on the part of both speaker and listener, careful thought in the way the subject matter is presented as well as gesturing by a nod or similar action you are hearing what the speaker is saying. With these steps in mind, decisions can be made harmoniously and conflicts resolved immediately. Issues of major concern might be how many children you want and when to begin having them, where you will live and what careers you both want to purse with each other’s blessing and support, a decision involving the health of a spouse, a change in employment or if an in law should move in, require communication that is both clear and concise. When poor communication takes place there are misunderstandings and fault seeking which commonly leads to blame-shifting. Frustration and high anxiety as well as a distance between the couple that develops and further bridges the gap over time naturally occurs. Communication is like the glue that provides a solid binding material to permanently support indifferences and accomplishments within a marriage. Just as glue hardens and becomes inseparable, so it should be with the covenants made within a marriage.

Being Thankful
Last, but not least, is thankfulness. Gratitude goes far and is remembered long after it is offered. There are so many things in life to be thankful for, and our spouse should be at the top of the list. When we are thankful, it gives us a sense of appreciation we can get from nothing else in life. Through good times and in bad, thankfulness for having met our spouse and committing our lives to them through marriage deepens the relationship.
Think of the times you were thankful and those you were not. Times of thankfulness were far more fulfilling than those times we sulked in our self-pity. Why not choose to be thankful rather than ungrateful? Being thankful humbles and reminds us to look around and be content with such things that we have (Phil. 4:11). Making thankfulness a high priority in our lives not only makes us feel good, but it also makes our spouse feel appreciated which in turn reaps a harvest of gratitude in return. This concept is a wonderful, endless cycle to get caught up in. It seems when we are not thankful, everything in life looks bitter. Skies are darker, flowers lose their scents, people irritate us more and life just seems depressing. Thankfulness in a marriage makes life sweeter and the rewards are bountiful.

Seven Steps to a Healthy Marriage was written with all marriages in mind. Maybe you are newlyweds just setting out on this great adventure with the one you love. Or possibly you are celebrating your twenty-fifth anniversary and want to make changes that would allow you to grow closer to the one you have spent so much of your life with. Perhaps you have less time with your spouse ahead of you than what is left behind you and the richness in your relationship has been thinned to immeasurable amounts. The success of your marriage relies heavily upon the weight of its benefactors. Marriage is not only sacred but is a covenant between you, your spouse and God; the original designer of marriage. If when committing to marriage you are vowing to truly remain married in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, ‘til death do you part - than the health of your marriage is just a matter of exercising these profound steps that will ensure the best chance possible of a rich and loving life together.

The Power of God In Our Midst

2008-03-04T01:14:00.002-08:00

Ephesians 6:10-13

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities , against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand. Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

I can recall a time in my life when this verse was never more real to me. I had gotten a call from my oldest son the night before going on a family vacation to California. Doug told me of a dream he had that left his dad, three siblings and myself dead. There had been a terrible accident and we were killed instantly. Funny thing, that same night, I had the same dream. We shared our thoughts of hesitation to continue the vacation, but decided to pray for divine protection instead and to leave as planned. The next morning, I helped everyone get packed. and After we loaded things into our Datsun 510, we gathered around and prayed for safety and divine protection. As we began our journey south, peace flooded our vehicle as well as our hearts and we put the anxiousness of the dreams behind us.

The vacation was wonderful and we were bringing an abundance of memories and play toys home. My husband's parents had given the kids Odysseys that were in need of some repair but nothing beyond what we could tackle. Attached behind our 2,200 pound vehicle was a 2,500 pound trailer full to the brim with tools, garage sale items and two large Odyssey's homebound for Oregon. Before leaving my parents-in-laws' driveway, we put on our spiritual armour said another prayer for safe traveling and divine mercy on the road ahead of us.

Most of the trip was behind us and I wondered what had been the meaning behind the dreams since it appeared their was no apparent threat to our safety on this vacation were falsely interpreted. Shortly thereafter, the kids noticed a helicopter overhead. Surprisingly, we watched in amazement as this aircraft hovered almost directly over our vehicle. It was slightly moving ahead along the winding Interstate 5 between the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California and Oregon. A car approaching rather hastily from behind immediately shown in my husband's rear view mirror and I turned to look behind us after I noticed the confusion in my husband's eyes. As I twisted my body around to scan what was happening, I quickly assessed the car racing upon us and realized this vehicle was only a few feet from our car. Suddenly, the dreams my son and I had encompassed my every thought, and all I had time to do was to gaze lovingly at my three children in the back seat. Within seconds, this vehicle on the run became invisible as it began to enter our car from the rear, passing the children, my husband and myself and then finally exiting the front of our car as it continued in our lane. What we all had noticed, was an unrestrained infant lying on a woman's lap in the front passenger seat as the car moved effortlessly through the middle of ours. Everything was moving in slow motion and we had no time to contemplate what to do or make any decisions on how to avoid this catastrophe. As we gazed in astonishment and tears came to my eyes, we watched the vehicle flee rapidly ahead of us while closing the distance between our car and theirs. In a semi-frightened yet bewildered state, we were left trying to make some sense of the event that should have claimed all of our lives, but didn't. We settled down, thanked God for hearing our prayers and for His divine protection on our lives.

So this was the disaster that Satan had planned for our family, but God had intervened and said, “No, I don't 'think so.” This is the power of God seen in our lives today. Power that is equal to no other. It is by this same power we have salvation (I Cor. 1:18), the ability to forgive sins (Matt. 9:6), are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), have power to heal the sick (Mark 3:15), to cast out demons (Luke 1:9) and to resist the devil (James 4:7). Through this power God has delivered us from darkness (Col 1:13), His power works within us (Eph. 3:20) and we have been given a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (II Tim. 2:12). Finally, “Blessing, and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and the Lamb, forever and ever!”. May God's power be with you today!

by Denise Spooner
copyright 2008

Wisdom Comes From God

2008-01-16T01:54:00.000-08:00

I can remember in days gone by being a teacher for Vacation Bible school. I had an entire class of third graders for one week and one week only. With eyes to see and ears to hear, these dear children I was entrusted with sang songs of joy and words of wisdom as they shouted gleefully to the Lord. I gazed at each innocent expression with a tender smile on my face, remembering how my childhood also had been so innocent and full of splendor. WOW! How adulthood sure seems to redesign our thinking and leave us empty and often dissatisfied.

My class sang, “Wisdom comes from God”, (Proverbs 2:6) and sang it with full assurance that what we spoke was plain ‘ol truth. Listening to our songs and words we sang made me realize, as we proceed along life’s hidden highway, how quaint of us to think for a moment, that we could ever do anything worthwhile on our own. We are so very limited in the capacity our brain’s have to rationalize or ignore, create or design. What ever makes us think as mere humans, we don’t need the wisdom from our Creator?

Wisdom is defined in many concordances, as the understanding that comes from God. Men such as Luke, James, and Solomon knew the benefits of wisdom. Luke 2:52 tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God.” James encourages us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to them”, James 1:5. Solomon shares several thoughts of having wisdom. He begins to tell us in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” In Proverbs 2:10 he says, “Wisdom will enter our hearts, and knowledge will be pleasant to our souls.” Wisdom and knowledge are coupled together quite often and with great results. Proverbs 3:13 reminds us, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding”, and in Proverbs 3:19 & 20, Solomon says, “By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding He set the heaven’s in place; by His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.” And we believe at any given time we can accomplish what tasks are set before us without the divine help of a being Who created the entire earth and all that is in it? What foolish minds we truly can have.

Proverbs 4:7 tells us that, “Wisdom is the principle thing and to get it.” It leads you in the right path (Prov. 4:11), it is better than rubies (prov. 8:11), and best of all, Prov. 9:10, says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Wisdom comes from God, that is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If we are to have knowledge and understanding ,we must get wisdom.

I think of wisdom as being words of wealth, initiating the knowledge of God, sound advice, deliverer of understanding, opening the gates of heaven, and manifesting in our daily walk.
Wisdom cries out amongst the city gates, she raises her voice in the open squares, (Prov. 1:20). We must listen, we must ask, and get it now! Wisdom is what we need, understanding is what we receive, and knowledge is our reward. The choice is yours.

By Denise Spooner Copyright 2008

Pieces Worthy of Tweeking

2007-11-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

I wonder when the online publishing market changed from
seeking out great pieces of writing full of quality and
character, to publishing anything they thought might be read
and produce a stream of income.
I wrote a piece on steps to a better marriage and it was
immediately published online to the first place I presented it
to. Now, I had written this for a writing class I had taken during
the summer and it did not get stupendous marks from my
teacher, but she did like it. I had some tweeking to do but
rather take this piece further and make it more of a quality
piece rather than just a great reading piece, I sent it in. After
going online and reading this myself from the view point of
any other reader, I discovered how very unhappy I was with the
piece. I was mad I had sent it in and others were reading a
piece lacking quality and character. Reader’s deserve the best
by the time it gets in front of their eyes, and what I had
produced, at best, was a work in progress. I was quite
frustrated at the publishing company that had chosen to
publish it and realized, the piece has made money, but was
not ready to be read by anyone else’s eyes but mine.
I guess I assumed the publisher would know whether it was
really ready to go online or not. I was very wrong. Mind you, it
was good and one could glean a great deal of Godly wisdom
from it, but what tweeking I had yet to do with it. I was
disappointed at the very least.
So, I decided to work with it quite a bit more. Removing a
category I had created for a topic, and move the finest points
of that topic to a different category already created. The
Imaginative Writing and English classes I was currently taking
at the local college were helping me a great deal in seeing
what is truly a quality writing piece, and that which needs quite
a bit of tweeking.
I am not done tweeking yet, but when I am, I know it will be a
piece I can be proud to have published. Because God is a first
rate God, why should I take His words and make them
anything less?
I am thankful God gave me the gift of writing that I might
impart His words to others in ways that soothe their souls,
calm their spirits and help them grow to become more like
Jesus. My ultimate goal for all who read anything I write in the
first place. But I must do a lot more tweeking before touching
other’s lives.

7 Ways to Overcome Depression

2007-10-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

1. Fight it! Fight the urge to feel depressed. Hit it with everything you've got!

Don’t allow yourself to indulge in thoughts of sadness, sorrow, regret, hate, misfortune, anxiety, confusion or defeat. Stand tall, head up, shoulders back, and declare you were made for a purpose, others are looking up to you, victory is in your blood and new opportunities are in your hands.

2. Get involved! Get involved in helping someone else, and do it now!

Do look for opportunities to help someone less fortunate who has realistic needs. Reach out to them with open arms and lend them a hand or two. Smile and be thankful you are alive and able to lend a hand. It will make an enormous difference to that someone you thought didn’t even know you existed.

3. Count your blessings! Begin counting all the blessings bestowed upon you!

Don’t concentrate on what you don’t have, who you don’t know or why you are in the place you are in right now. Fix your eyes on those things that are of good report. Remember the simple joys in life and be thankful you have had them. Spend time reminiscing the past victories and realize you are blessed!

4. Look forward not backward! Look to the future and what it can hold for you!

Do see new possibilities and shoot for them. Tell yourself you can do anything you put your mind and heart to. Never give up, keep pressing on and do everything to the best of your abilities. Stop doubting yourself and see yourself as others see you. You are successful at whatever you put your hands to.

5. Be confident! See yourself as confident and carry yourself like a winner!

Don’t ever associate yourself again with the term, “loser”. Throw that word out of your vocabulary. You are a winner! Refuse to listen to anyone, including yourself, speak negative words to you. Speak and listen to only positive things and communicate words of victory and not defeat. Meditate on the unquestionable fact that you were born to win.

6. Take risks! Try new and risky things on for size and watch how great they fit!

Do experiment with new ideas, create new challenges, expect more from yourself and get ready for the results that will change your life. Believe in yourself like no one else ever has before. Rise to the expectations of your most wildest dreams! Go for it, and never look back!

7. Enjoy the ride! Life is an adventure and only gets better as the ride gets longer!

Sit back for a moment and laugh ‘til you can’t anymore. Delight yourself in the aspirations that drive you. Allow motivation to take you for the ride of your life. Hang on and let life inspire, fulfill and reward you with its passions, contentment and joyful surprises!

BRANDEN'S CALLING

2007-09-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Today is Branden's first day of working at Merlin Airport.

At fourteen, Branden came home from being at a Bible camp for a week with his youth group. He was excited beyond measure. He told my husband and I he felt God was calling to be a pilot. I must admit I was at first, alittle worried. But when I began to think back in Branden's life the things he was most interested in. I began to see how this calling seemed to mimic Branden's interests and passions. He was always interested in other's lives, enjoyed sharing Jesus with strangers and never had a problem talking to adults, even when he was only five years old. He loved missions and at very young ages he was able to leave Mom and Dad without any problems. When he was two years old, I caught his arm as he was attempting to run across the street to get his skateboard that flew out between his legs and landed in the middle of the street. I told him he could get hit by a car and die. He replied, "Then I would go home to be with Jesus in heaven, Mommy". All I could do was hold him and thank God for this little boy with a heart so close to Jesus. As he got older, he became a bit more daring in the way he played. We had a trampoline, and one day I looked out my kitchen window to see the trampoline mysteriously moving toward the middle of our house across the lawn. I saw no one pushing it, or pulling it. I put the dishes down I was washing, and went to the door to see this small boy yanking on the legs of the trampoline, inching it near the side of the house and almost directly under the overhand on our roof. Not understanding why he has carefully placed the trampoline in this spot, I went back in but watched eagerly out the window. The next thing I knew, I saw this little body free falling from nowhere. It was like Branden had catapulted himself off the highest point of our roof above the attic and was in a full front flip as he sped past my window. I didn't have time to even get outside before I saw this same body happily bouncing up high above my window, only to come falling down and bouncing up again a few more times. I briskly went outside and let him know this was not going to happen again. Well, it didn't off the house onto the trampoline, but he is twenty years old now, and I marvel at the days I look up on the sky with a smile on my face, peace in my heart usually, and joy in my soul knowing he is where he is suppose to be. He is only ten hours away from getting his private license, and then onto bigger and better things.

I hope he had a great day at the airport. I hope he was reminded of the calling Jesus put on his heart so many years ago. But most of all, I hope and pray he is at peace knowing he is right where God wants him to be.

Revelation at Last!

2007-09-18T16:14:00.001-07:00

This afternoon, I was driving in town while listening to a CD of a friend of mine. She had spoke at a conference in Washington about bitter root judgments and had the conference recorded. Since I am editing her book on bitter root judgments, she thought if I listened to her CD I would thoroughly understand about the topic at hand. As I was going through the prayers and asking the Lord to show me where some of my bitter root judgments had been, He reminded me of my prayer for my youngest son, Branden. I had begged God to show me why, in times past, was I not aggressive in protecting Branden and coming to his aid? I have many deep rooted regrets for not being there as I should have for him but I could not understand why, when I love him with my life, did I often come to his rescue as I should have. God brought me back some thirty years earlier when my Mother and Father both had failed to protect me from very serious conditions. I was mad at God and my parents, and felt it was so unfair and could not understand why my Mother would deny the sexual abuse that I had endured and why my Father chose to leave my Mother, sister and I and remain distant in our lives. I was angry with God for giving me parents that would not do whatever it took to make their marriage work. I was frustrated to no end at my parents for not protecting me and standing up for me. I felt so betrayed by God, wondering where was he was in all of this. I immediately confessed my bitter root judgments towards them, asked God to forgive me for having these bitter root judgments, though they may have been true and valid. Then I cut, severed and broke the reaping of these brj's (bitter root judgments), and because what is bound on earth is bound in heaven, I loosed God in heaven to deal with them and the situations of the reaping in my son that came from my judging. I asked God for a divine reversal and thanked Him for it. I felt God's peace swarm over me and knew heaven had heard. I spoke protection where there was none, healing where there had been a breech, and knew God begin working to reverse things at that very moment.

I challenge you today. Take a look in the past at where you might have done the same as me. You can rewrite your future, and it can begin today! Phil. 4:13

7 Steps to a Healthy Marriage

2007-08-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Commitment

Commitment is the foremost important decision to make before you are wed, beginning with, “ from this day forward..” Statistics show, those with a mind set of believing they are marrying ‘until do us part’ have a 50% greater chance of weathering storms that come their way during their marriages. With over half of all marriages ending in divorce within the first three years, that doubles your chances of marriage survival.
Going into marriage knowing you are basically stuck for life with the one you have chosen, will make a drastic impact on decisions you make together with your spouse, how you handle conflict, how many children you both want if any, where you want to spend your lives together, career choices and much more.
Be committed from day one, make the choice to stick it out no matter what. With this in mind, all decision will be made together, all conflicts will be resolved, you will agree on how many children you want, where you want to live together and what careers you both want to purse with each other’s blessing and support.

Agreement

Being in agreement with one another is very important as well. Without this vital key in a marriage, boiling arguments are inevitable. Decisions will be made without the other knowing, and often will conflict with one another causing strife and undue anxiety. Stress will rot your bones as is mentioned in the Bible, therefore why not prevent excessive stress from getting the best of you by setting some guidelines right form the beginning.
Areas of most importance to agree on are spending limits when you are together or apart, what is expected of one another in the home, who the main supporter will be and how much supplemental income may be needed by the other spouse, major purchases, who is responsible for balancing checkbooks and sending payments, if education will play a role in either spouse’s life after the wedding, how many children and when to begin having them, discipline of the children, life and death decisions involving insurance, retirement funds and inheritance issues, friendships after marriage, television and music influences in the home, etc. These are all issues that will arise after the wedding and if an agreement has not been made, there is not unity and balance which will surely lead to dysfunction, quarreling and misjudgments. Having agreement brings about stability in the couple, happiness and peace. Things that make a marriage strong and last a lifetime.

Common Interests

What normally brings two people together are common interests. Where you met, what you were doing and who you were with all have a bearing on whether you want to get to know someone better or not. If the ‘click’ is not there, chances are you cannot create it later on.Laws of attraction kick in immediately and whatever you were doing when you met your spouse, however serious or fun it may have been, will likely be the glue that holds you together through thick and thin.
As people grow older changes occur. Not just physically but emotionally and socially. It is important to know what your spouse likes to do and not do. While you both may not like everything the same, enjoying several things together will bring harmony, closeness and a sense of togetherness into your marriage. While there must be things you both like to do or places you both like to go, when one spouse wants to do something the other does not, often it is a sacrifice of love for the spouse who would rather be fishing than scrapbooking or visa versa. Couples still need time alone as well, to enjoy activities apart from their spouses. The blending of two lives in to one, does not mean the individual spouse loses themself altogether in their mate. It just means a new life for the both of them takes place and they are joined as one with their own personalities, likes, dislikes and lifestyles blending to complete eachother more fully. Taking the time to share in your spouse’s joys and sorrows, fun and sometimes boring events of life grows a relationship deeper and closer than ever before. It solidifies the marriage and a sense of oneness just happens naturally. This oneness cannot easily be broken and therefore brings security and stability to a marriage.

Forgiving Forever

This is probably one of the hardest things to do in one’s life let alone in a marriage. Trust is a very important factor in a marriage and once it is broke, it is hard to earn it back, but it is not impossible with forgiveness.
Whether you’ve been wronged on purpose or an accident, offenses hurt, and sometimes they hurt deeply. Time does heal, but often, time is not enough. Forgiveness does not say the offense was okay, it only wipes it away, puts it in the past and keeps it there. This is what makes forgiveness such a necessary component in a marriage. In the time you are wed, there will be wrongs experienced, offenses dealt and unfortunate misunderstandings happen that lead to feelings being hurt and trust being tested. Without forgiveness, offenses can be held in the heart, dangled over heads, and used as a weapon against the other spouse and further offenses can take place. Forgiveness paves the way for healing and restoration. Two things every marriage must have actively working in it or it is just a matter of time for the marriage to dissolve and each go his/her own way. Forgiveness is tough, usually needing a supernatural touch from God to ensure forgiveness is forever. It must be reciprocated, all the time. Both spouses must be willing to seek forgiveness before closing the issues and moving on. Just as love can last a lifetime, forgiveness needs to be forever. No looking back, bringing up old offenses, or holding grudges. Trust can be rebuilt when forgiveness is genuinely offered and accepted. The marriage can become stronger and spouses can feel closer than ever, when forgiveness is present in the relationship.

Giving 110%

When we marry, we are deeply in love, wishing only the best for our spouses, and expecting only the best from them. When we dated our spouses, we always put them first, giving 100% of ourselves, our time and attention. Their needs, wants and desires became ours. We thought alike, laughed over the same things, and enjoyed believing in one another. Every day was new and fresh with excitement of what it may hold. Selfishness was not in either spouses vocabulary, for each spouse did everything they could to please the other. After the wedding, it is easy to get comfortable and think about our relationship as being planted firmly and unshakable. All too soon, the other spouse is no longer top priority. Other things come into play, such as a new job, hobby or interest. One spouse slacks off with responsibilities, and the other feels they are carrying more than half the weight in the relationship. If this is you, a check and balance system needs to be adopted and both spouses need to comply.
Giving 100% at all times means there are no gaps. Both spouses are cared for completely. Not all the time will one spouse be able to give 100%. This is where the spouse will need to give 110% and actually make up for the lack of the other spouse. Maybe one spouse is having to change jobs and more hours at work are involved. The spouse with the same routine may need to pick up some of the slack of the other spouse for a time. Agreeing on how long and knowing what extra duties must rest on the spouse without the job change for instance is extremely important. At this time, one spouse may be giving 110% while the other can only give 90%, Thus having the overlap where needs can still be met, responsibilities are taken care of and peace and joy can remain between the couple. If either spouse slacks off more than their fair share, burdens are felt by both spouses, patience falls and if the weight of one spouse is carried for too long, the one will crumble and animosity and grudges can form and be very hard to break through. Marriages are give and take relationships. Both are always giving, but once in a while, one may need to give more than the other for a time. This 110% makes up for slack, holds things together for a time, and keeps things in balance long enough for couples to return to routines and deposit into their reserves once again. This is what helps whether storms that would ordinarily shake a marriage and set it on the rocks. Giving 110% never sees gaps, it is always covering for bumps and being sure there is always enough to sustain the marriage.

Power of Apology

The simple word is quite powerful actually. Saying your sorry covers a multitude of sins and can lead to immediate healing and restoration. What could take years to overcome, can happen in a matter of a few words, I’m truly sorry. These are words to live by, to love by and to die by.
When an apology is left unsaid, bitterness can easily grow in the heart leaving little room for love and kindness.
Simply say your sorry. The event may not have been your fault, or it may have been. Either way, whatever touches our spouse touches us as well. If we are to maintain a healthy relationship with those we love, particularly our spouses, sorry should not only roll naturally out of our mouths, but immediately. In a marriage, a spouse normally does not want to hurt their beloved partner, but to help heal and restore them. Apologizing right away leaves little room for hurt to bury itself within the walls of the heart. Saying sorry cuts through the pain and opens wounds to heal while helping to avoid any festering. A soft answer does turn away wrath, and if troubled by anger, you are approached with a gentle, caring apology, it make sit very hard to remain hard and cold. Saying you’re sorry, begins the necessary healing and forgiveness process, that makes good relationships better and great relationships outstanding.

Being Thankful

Last, but not least, is thankfulness. Gratitude goes far and is remembered long after it is offered. There are so many things in life to be thankful for, and our spouse should be at the top of the list. When we are thankful, it gives us a sense of appreciation we can get from nothing else in life. Through good times and in bad times, thankfulness for having met our spouse, marrying and committing our lives to them deepens our walk with them. The world is viewed as a better place just because of thankfulness.
Think of the times you were thankful and those you were not. Were not the times of thankfulness far more fulfilling than those times we sulked in our self-pity? So why not choose to be thankful rather than ungrateful? Being thankful humbles and reminds us to look around and be content with such things that we have. Putting thankfulness at the top of our list not only makes us feel good, but it also makes your spouse feel that you are putting them first.. Which in return makes them want to put you above them. It is a wonderful, endless cycle to get caught up in. It seems when we are not thankful, everything in life looks bitter. Skies are darker, flowers lose their sweet scents, people irritate us more and life just seems depressing. Being thankful truly is a wonderful way of life, of looking at things and experiencing life’s greatest rewards, no matter how small or how large. Being thankful is always worth it.

Where Are You Lord?

2007-07-20T03:14:00.000-07:00

I don't understand. You can move mountains, separate and walk on water, even raise a dead man. I know You have cured illnesses and provided comfort in times of distress. Your love has encompassed in stressful times of trials, and You have sent peace in the midst of great storms. Why , Oh why are you not sparing my sweet Tiffany of her horrid ailments? Where are You Lord?

She kneels in great distress with aching stomach, throwing up acid and shaking uncontrollably. You hear her cries, we both know this. You see her pain and truly care. How I ache along with her, as I kneel behind her and look up to You for comfort. My eyes fill with tears silently, not knowing what You are doing in her life right now. Are You testing her faith or building it up?

You see her deep devotion to You Lord. You are her God, the lifter of her head. She seeks You and only You in times of tribulation and uncertainty. She is not shaken by the pangs and weakness in her body. Patiently, she waits for an answer. Are You coming to her rescue?

Her mind wanders off in between the gut wrenching heaves, to her bosses who need her desperately in less than three hours time. All she can think of is the work set before her. She needs Your strength just to make it through this night. Her breathing becomes labored like a woman giving birth. But she has no hope for a child from this adversity, only feelings of great anguish and torment. Is this truly of You?

We take authority over the strong man and bind him in his steps. Releasing peace, and comfort, wellness and hope. My eyes shift to her frailness and back to You, Oh Lord. We will sit at Your feet and wait on Your presence to take her away from this place. Where You want her to be, fully whole and complete. Is she there yet?

Time lapses into early morning light. Still, she waits on You for healing, comfort and calm. Finally, she rests in Your everlasting peace and gentle stillness. Her eyes close as she slowly falls off to sleep. Our hearts are so thankful that this trial is through. We're trusting she will have strength, needed strength to please those she must go to shortly, believing You have multiplied the hours of her rest. Graciously You have shown up and once again; she has trusted in One so worthy of this expectation. Might You come again Lord?

TRIBUTE TO KIMRON~

2007-07-05T12:00:00.001-07:00

This is a tribute to one of my most favorite Lhasa's in the world .... Kimron.
Today, my precious Kimron, has gone onto heaven.

Less than an hour ago, Kimie was looking up at me, with painstricken eyes yet full of peace and contentment. She was so thin, would not eat for me, and was scarcely drinking her water. I had given her an immodium for the runs, and she was still thowing up white foam. I was there when she was born, and there when she died. She never made a sound although she was only 5 five feet from me.

Let me tell you a little about my Kimron~

She was a beautiful white coated Lhasa with carmel on her ears. Such a sweet girl. Kimron was lengthy, tall and a fabulous mommy. Her babies were always so healthy and beautiful. She loved her baths, as she always fell asleep in the sink. I would put warm water all over her and massage her back. To rinse her off, I would need to wake her up. She would slowly open her eyes and give me a look of true appreciation. I would have to rub her more because she loved it so much. She was a Lhasa with a tender spirit, enjoyed playing with the other doggies, so gentle with any puppy, loved my grandchildren and was a comfort to me as I was to her.

Recently, she was diagnosed with kidney stones. I found it hard to believe as none of my Lhasa's had ever had this problem. Atleast not four generations back. And then I thought, "NO! Not our Kimie!".
Well, we had her tested and taken to a Veterinary specialist who did not give us the success prognosis we wanted to hear. We kept her on antibiotics for a time until she seemed much better. The pain meds allowed her to play, run and enjoy life still, so we waited. I dreaded the day we would have to take her in and put her to sleep so she would no longer be in pain and discomfort. I guess God had other plans. I am thankful that plan was to peacefully bring Kimron home to Him.

Today, is a very sad, sad day for me. Please keep our family in your prayers. Today is not an ordinary day for us here at the Spooner's home. There is much grief and deep sorrow, but for Kimie, lets celebrate! She is home, finally. Running, lying at the feet of Jesus, where we all long to be. And one day, soon, we will meet her there. I am sure, she will then run swiftly to me and jump up to be loved in my arms once again. But until then, her love and peacefulness, her joyful heart and love for us, will be remembered, each and every day.

John 3:16

Conversations With God

2007-05-10T10:29:00.001-07:00

I have had many this past week or so. Wondering if He has been listening or even cares. It has been tough, and I have definitely been challenged.

A couple weekends ago, my husband and I went on a four day trip to the coast. It was wonderful. The drive was half the trip as my youngest son, Branden puts it, and boy was it beautiful....and fun. We shot pictures of bridges, the sky, mountains, trees and rivers flowing heavily with fresh rainwater from the north. We traveled in our newer Honda Accord that gave us a most enjoyable and smooth ride around sharp corners and distant highways.

We spent two days relaxing in the quiet beach house of a friend we know, waking to the calming sound of rushing waves splashing against the sun beaten shore. Hearing the sea gulls singing their songs and conversing with one another soaring high in the sky and then anxiously descending just above the waters searching for their own meals. It was wonderful.

We headed south into California along 101 and so enjoyed the views and conversation with one another. Life at home had gotten a bit hectic with members of our family moving back home so my days seemed to be filled with a bit of chaos. The peaceful drive across Highway 299 towards Shasta was as gorgeous as my friend had told me about. I was so happy we had taken this route. The trees were as green as I had ever seen. The mountains were wide and tall and lush with majestic trees and thick brush everywhere. It reminded me of a great big head of broccoli.

The third day we reached Redding, the place we were going to finally visit a highly respected church that even those in Oregon had often heard about. We were excited and decided to find it before services in the morning so we would now when to arrive. It was big and set upon a hill. A stately woman warmly welcomed me in the foyer and informed me of the service times and that there was an auction/dinner going on that very night to help raise funds for the Christian school that operated out of the church. Oh gee, our weakness most definitely. An auction and food to boot. So we said we'd return in an hour or so and that we did.

The auction was fun, food was great and we ended up loading our goods in our car and headed off to find a hotel nearby. We were exhausted and yet excited with great anticipation for our next days events. The trip was almost over and I wanted it to go on for weeks longer. this was the first time my husband and I truly enjoyed our alone time with one another in twenty four years.

That night while turning into bed, we got a phone call from my oldest daughter, saying that one of my pregnant Lhasa Apso mama's was needing to be seen at the vet's office immediately. Cheyanne, my Lhasa mama, was in partial labor and would not proceed to pushing the baby along that she had in her birth canal. An emergency C section was inevitable but she was very sickly and the vet said she would surely die. After hours of bring her vitals up, eight tiny babies emerged from her womb and entered the world for the first time.

They did not come in the usual fashion, kicking and making alot of noise. They were quiet, still and in need of intensive care. Only one was born still born and one other just was not strong enough to survive the first few moments. I called my daughter in the morning and heard the news, but also knew we had to head home early. My oldest daughter and her brother-in-law had been up all night helping the vet and tech stabilize the puppies while my youngest daughter slept in the car. We were needed at home asap and it was still another three hours before we could walk in the door to our house. So with only an hour and a half left before Bethel Church services began. we packed up, and started our anxiety filled trek home.

We listened to a few wonderful Christian CD's by John Eldredge and passed out time in God's word and presence. We prayed and tried to stay in the calm of the storm, atleast until we arrived back home. It seemed the most logical thing to do at the time. We wanted to end our trip as nice as we began it. t seemed so short lived, but we were both so thankful we had this enriching time together. The Lord knew we were going to need it to get through the stress-filled weeks ahead.

Concludes chapter one of several in my new book~
Check back for more soon!

The Strong Will Survive

2007-04-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

Today, as I was traveling home from Eugene, Oregon, I noticed several ewes walking along a dirt laden path fenced off beside the highway. Towards the end were a couple of tiny, almost hairless baby lambs running for their lives to catch up to their parents far ahead of them. I noticed the adults were carelessly moving in the direction of the dinner bell I am presuming, yet the lambs seemed to have a mission in mind.It is like they knew they had to keep up or lose out. They were driven by a fierce sense of surviving.
How tiny their legs were yet some of them steamed ahead as if running in a marathon. A couple tragically lagged far behind and would stop once in a while to rest. As I watched the strong steam ahead with careful strides quickly narrowing the vast distance between themselves and their parents, the slackers left behind, seemed to almost give up and confusingly searched wearily for another path to take.
This so clearly reminds me of how only the strong will survive in this world. Be it fighting for our physical lives due to illness or disease, emotionally arguing with our dysfunction and the woundings of our pasts, or wrestling vicariously against the powers of hell itself in the here and now.
The Lord said for us to be strong and of good courage, and not to be afraid, for He is with us, Deut. 31:6. And if He is with us, who could ever be against us? Our strength comes from the Lord on high, and it is His strength which will be sufficient in our times of weakness.
The strong will certainly survive, if we remain grounded in Him, putting Him first above all else Matt. 6:33and trusting only in Him. We cannot lean on our own understanding because God Himself is the only One worthy of our trust. People will fail us and betray us, but God will never leave us or forsake us. What reassuring words we can stand on, and keep standing.
Because the strong lambs wholeheartedly run the race without giving up, victory is theirs because and the unmistakable driving force behind them keeps them moving forward, closer and closer to Jesus.
The strong will survive .... and great shall be their reward in heaven.

He Never Knew Me

2007-01-24T12:50:00.000-08:00

I was born to a man who had not chosen me,
And became a source of great joy, you see.
Seldom did I see him, for his work kept him busy.
My mother was my friend so in her I took refuge.

We had our special times of fun that I remember.
Short but special moments brought smiles to my face.
Enough moments to count on one hand were plenty.
I held each one tightly, my heart wasn’t empty. .

Then one day he approached me, sullen and quiet.
A brown bath towel he held in his shaking right hand.
My eyes grew with wonder what was about to be shared.
And out of his mouth came astonishing words of despair.

He left soon thereafter, took all his stuff,
Loaded them into his car, drove away looking tough.
I begged him to stay, and told him I loved him,
Not a difference it made, he never looked back.

To this day I still love him, with all of my heart.
But what had I done or said I often thought.
I was his daughter, his baby, then one day he was gone.
No answer or reason, just like that, what had gone wrong?.

I realize now that he never knew who I was.
If he had, he’d of stayed, no matter the cost.
For the love in my heart could never be taken.
I understand why my world was so heavily shaken.

Compromising Christians

2006-12-28T02:12:00.000-08:00

It seems today the world is filled with compromising Christians. I was one for a time myself. I chose the shots, kept myself within a comfortable little bubble I scarcely left, and narrowed my mind enough to believe God could easily send someone else in my place if I felt unqualified for the job or request He had given me.

God mentions how he detests being neither hot nor cold, and would rather spit those of us that fit this mold, out of his mouth. WOW!
Alright, He has my attention now.

The God that loves me, adores me, sent His only Son for me, would rather spit me out of His mouth. And understandably so.

God tells us if we love Him, we will obey His commandments, But then why is it so easy for us to proclaim how much we love Him, yet it is so hard for us to obey the commands He has given us for our benefit?

As God desires a deep relationship with us, and has laid His most prized possession on the line for my sins, past, present and future, why can I not willingly and solely give my life over to Him to be used by Him in ways He sees best? That would mean complete surrender, oh no! It would mean breaking up my comfortable bubble and possibly changing seats to sit near someone new in church, or reaching out to the cashier in line at the grocery store when I see they have had a bad day, or worse yet, it might mean giving more to my church so that more needs could be met.
Compromise, that is why. We get to a complacent state in our walk with the Lord, and we forget Who it is we serve. Who we rely upon for our very existence, Who is our ultimate provider, precious sacrifice for our sins and deliverer when we are wronged or in trouble.

I believe that is why God told Moses to have the people erect a monument to remind His children of the great and awesome things He had done for them. And we too, need to be reminded so often, of just how big a God we can look to, trust in and rely upon.

God gives such simple commands, and yet we stoop to compromise when the going gets tough. Had Jesus taken this approach, we would all be lost to our sins and destined for the Lake of fire. Praise God He did not choose to compromise and He stayed true to His promises. He obeyed even Himself to the point of giving up His only Son. His Son that would be mocked by many, spit upon and ridiculed by crowds of people, and denied by those that even call upon His name.

God says obedience is better than sacrifice, and obedience is surely not for the compromising Christian.

Let the monuments in your mind and the love in your heart motivate you to be faithful and true to your God. Compromise no more because who wants to be spit out of God's mouth anyway?

Making Love Last

2006-12-18T01:18:00.000-08:00

When I think of love lasting a lifetime, I think of what first had to happen to ensure a lifetime of love. It was commitment. It was making the decision that no matter what, literally through thick or thin, for rich or poor, in sickness and in health, until death, my husband and I will stay committed to one another, no matter what.

If you know us, you would know of the many trials we have weathered and came out smelling like roses. Well, maybe not roses, but definitely not sour milk. Even in the toughest of times, we stuck things out because we had made the decision to do this, 'til death do us part, literally, before we ever said the big, "I do".

Going into our marriage, we knew we were different, through the years we have learned we are more different than we realized, or took the time to find out. But we are married for life and we will continue to work at this relationship until one of us breaths our last breath. Knowing this, I believe we work at things from a different perspective than most married couples when the storms of life begin to come our way. Although we were not together for very long before we got married, we knew once married, this was it!

It seems when we are not working for our marriage, we are ever so quietly working against our marriage. Just like with the God we serve. We cannot serve both man and God. We either hate the one and love the other, or celebrate the one and despise the other. Marriage takes a lot of work, more than anyone tells you about before you enter into this holy union of teamwork and inevitable struggles. Making the decision to marry is quite a serious one and a decision that requires much prayer, thought, and consideration as to the mass changes that it will bring about in one's life whether they expect it or not.

With God always on your side as a married couple, there is assurance in knowing He is only a whisper away. I can't count the times in my earlier marriage, when there was much discord between my husband and myself, that I would sincerely cry out to God to come to me, and to comfort and calm my spirit and soul until He put me to sleep for the night. God always came through, and whether I needed this night after night, or once in a great blue moon, He was always there to help me hang in there, or to convict me of my wrongs and help me get them right with my hubby.

Marriage without the Lord at the center is truly no marriage at all. God's power is what makes you grow closer to one another as well as to the Lord Himself. He can supply understanding when there is only confusion. He can comfort and heal like no other Holy Spirit can, He is so crazy about you, He loves spending time with you. What better friend to spend your entire life with?

So I will continue to stay committed to my one and only. Through blizzard or sunshine, our marriage will grow stronger and we will become more like Jesus in the meantime. We will have a marriage for a lifetime that weathers any storm. We will have a strong legacy of marriage to pass down to out grandchildren and we will learn to enjoy the simplest of things, like loving one another for a lifetime.

Silent Sanctuary

2006-11-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

In the coolness of the night, the stars shown brightly as a magnificent show in the heavenlies. The crackling of the embers from a fire not yet burned out, reminds me of more solemn days of old. I did not shiver from the low temperatures all around me as the warmth from the fire kept me cozy. I stood with warm vanilla tea in hand, staring at the marvelous scenery all around me. Though the skies were surely dark and the air lightly crisp, I drew a smile amongst tall Evergreens and beautiful Aspens that beheld even the quietest arrangement of this autumn season. A beautiful light danced across the star-filled sky and I watched with wonder as it gracefully fell from one part of the universe to the other. Peace and quiet filled the air as I thought about how this time of rest so fulfilled me and brought joy to my restless heart. Appreciation filled my deepest being and the longing of my heart at that very moment was to be nowhere else but where I was. Contentment was my best friend in the stillness of the silent night. "How thankful I am to be alive this moment", I said to myself. To enjoy the time of solitude beneath the skies that show forth my Maker's sheer brilliance. What a night to remember, to ponder and reflect upon.
Here and now, was all that mattered.

Tiffany's Wedding Day - An event To Remember

2006-10-12T09:56:00.001-07:00

Well, October 7th came and went and now my daughter Tiffany is a Fuller. It was beautiful. God was most definitely glorified and so many told me how they were touched by the ceremony.

Tiffany felt the peace of God that she so needed before her wedding. We prayed for her nervousness to subside and God showed up mightily. As she, in sheer radiance and her Father in subdued excitement, stood at the door before entering the outside courts filled with family and friends, a blanket of peace fell upon her like oil of annionting. All nervousness left, she felt peace like a river and proudly walked down the aisle with her arm in her loving Father's clutch. I watched from the front and cried, looked away, cried again as I tried to watch this blessed event unfolding right before my eyes as I continually dried my tears. They flowed like a river for happiness in seeing Tiffany so beautifully adorned with Jesus all over her face, with sadness of losing a little girl whom I'd grown so fond of, with excitement for the plans ahead God has for her, and for relief of a special day that began in the making the day she was born.

Realizing I did not get the alone moment I so wanted before she wed and regretted deeply not getting to pray for her once more and bless her right before we parted, I looked around at the beautiful skies of blue God blessed us with on this special day. I listened to the birds sing their song of joy as they flew round about the evergreens. I glanced at my husband's face filled with sheer anticipation of what lies ahead for his precious daughter. The maid of honor and bride's maids were beautifully arranged beside one another joyfully looking on with great approval. The best man, (my youngest son), and groomsmen (one of which was my oldest son), stood so handsome and together as they watched this blending of two lives take place. The boldness in Jeff's face, yet shivering a bit from inevitable anxiety, was a gift to see knowing the deep love he has for my daughter and the genuine love he has for their Lord.

Truly it was a blessed event I believe many will never forget. A salvation message was given from our Pastor, with emphasis on how Jeff and Tiffany want nothing more than for all watching them that day join in holy matrimony, to know, truly know, the Jesus they gladly serve and accept His love for themselves. The scripture they put on the bottom layer of their cake was Psalm 31:3. It read, For You are our rock and our fortress; for Your name's sake, You will lead us and guide us. Their scripture they had put on bookmarks was I Corinthian's 13, the love chapter. They wanted all to know what true love really is. The worship leader from our church played wonderful worship music and lead all to ponder on God's existence, His love for us and the need we have to accept Him.

Things have settled down. I helped her unpack things in her own house as we had anticipated doing for so long. She chose a beautiful plaque with the scripture in Joshua regarding her and her house being saved to adorn a wall in which all would see when they enter her and Jeff's home. She carefully thought out where every item should go as to keep her home in order. My husband and I are going over this week to anoint and bless their home as one where God fills the walls and every nook and cranny with His very presence, where He is searched for, considered and lived out in their lives daily, and where others may come and be blessed as much as they have been by a God Who loves them so very much and wishes that none would perish but all would understand God's gracious gift of acceptance of His Son, Jesus so that all would have everlasting life!

Being a Mother of a bride is a blessed, yet stressful event that jars your soul, pricks your spirit and creates a joy within your body that not only forever embraces you, but can transform your very being into one more like Jesus. Remembering His faithfulness to find the mate you prayed for all your daughter's life. Thanking Him for His goodness in surrounding her with His love, forgiveness, patience, grace and mercy as she grew waiting for this moment in time. And finally pouring yourself out to Him that He might fill you up with all that your daughter will need to help her be the bride of your son-in-law's dreams, the Godly woman that will teach others to fear her God in a healthy way, the blessed Mother who will in turn teach her children the ways of the Lord and diligently pray for their future spouses the way you earnestly prayed for her. As she seeks God first in all she does, her heart's desires will come to pass. As she trusts fully in Him, in good times and in bad, He will carry her the distance and promises to never leave her of forsake her. As she grows in her Lord her character will reflect more of God's and in turn attract others to her to learn of her awesome God and Savior.

As I pray for her 'til my last breath, I can know I leave her in the best care possible for her, for her husband and her offspring. I can close my eyes and join all of heaven realizing my little girl is in almighty God's hand, and nothing and no one can pluck her out. What a feeling of assurance to one day leave this world with. What more could a Mother of a precious daughter ask for.

Anticipated Changes

2006-09-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been some time since I was able to come and blog. Alot has taken place in my life and I cannot believe I missed all of August. But finally, here I am.

In less than a month, my youngest daughter, Tiffany Renee', born over 20 years ago, is getting married. She will no longer be a Spooner, but a Fuller. She is not so sure about this, but I reassured her she will always be a Spooner in one way or another.

The anticipation of this blessed yet sad event in my life has pulled and stretched me to new limits. I first was happy for her and her fiance', Jeffy, whom we love dearly. Then I thought about it and realized no more movies together at midnight. I won't see her sleeping in her bed anymore first thing in the morning. We can't just walk out the door together in a split second and grab an ice cream cone. Yes, things are changing and the anticipation of such is quite disturbing.

She mentioned today how she is so excited to decorate her own house for Halloween. She loves lights, baskets, spider webs, stuffed animals and buying candy for children and giving them tracts telling of Jesus'love for them. How she wants Thanksgiving dinner at her and Jeff's house this year, oh my, and we are looking for Christmas lights, decorations and bulbs for her own tree in her own home. WOW! I am overwhelmed now. October 7th is going to come all too quickly for me.

I still remember her carryong around her kitty cat like a babydoll. Strolling it down the street and trying to give it a bottle of milk. I see her dancing in the living room with her older sister and falling on the floor laughing. I remember how her older brother would carry her all over the house as an infant and she settled down while in his arms. Her younger brother would share his cars with her and all she wanted was to play Barbies, in which he obliged her for a time. I still see her going to the movie theater with her dad on a date night and her and I strolling around Walmart; wishing, dreaming and of course shopping for everything from jewelry and paint, to food and clothing.

The other day she tried on her wedding dress, shoes, jewelry and tiara. She looked so beautiful. I wanted to cry but knew there was more time for that another day. I stood so proud as she smiled and sheer excitement radiated from her eyes. She was a now a precious woman of God. Not a little girl, not a teenager, but a stunning woman who loves the Lord with all her heart.

Although she waits with an anticipation that only a bride to be can have, with tears steaming down my face I realize I, too, wait with great anticipation for the day I proudly watch her walk down the aisle made for her with colorful navy and white flower petals on a gorgeous green bed of grass in the crisp season of fall, her favorite time of year I might add. With great anticipation, as I look in her eyes through netted veil, I will smile with tears of joy and hold her in my arms, close to me, one more time, just as when she was first born, and look up to heaven and graciously thank God for this sweet blessing from above He allowed me to enjoy that will be my daughter 'til the end of time, my friend for as long as we have breath, and my sister in the Lord for eternity.

Yes, there are many changes ahead for me, and for her, but the anticipation is one which I know God can be glorified in, His joy can strengthen me, and my daughter and I can have a deeper friendship with one another we never thought possible.

A Dog In The Hand - Proverbs 139:9 &10

2006-07-09T00:18:00.000-07:00

Shortly after I adopted Morgan, he became deathly sick. His next days were spent in "doggie ICU". Thankfully, he healed. Thrilled to have him back, I brought him home and let him out to do his business.
The next thing I knew, he'd gone AWOL.
I live in a hilly area. My south-side neighbor's yard is lower than mine. Wire fencing separates our properties. Morgan found a gap in that fence and slipped through, doubtlessly lured by some bird or squirrel. He was having a ball!
I was having a fit!
Who knew if the next yard was gated? What if Morgan got out of that one too? He hadn't had time to learn the neighborhood. Suppose he took off? Would he vanish forever? Never mind my investment in vet bills-I had lost my heart to this dog. I feared in the time it took to run through my house and around to my neighbor's house my little guy might be gone. Heart in mouth, I squeezed through the same gap in the fence and jumped down after him.
Somehow, I landed without breaking a limb and gathered the little runaway into my arms. Sighing with relief, I carried him out to the street. Only then did I realize I had locked myself out.
Though the back door was open, my front door wasn't. The gate to my yard was locked too. I couldn't hoist Morgan over the top of the gate or squeeze him underneath. I had no leash to tie him up. In my panic, I didn't think to leave him with a neighbor. I seized on the only option I saw; to climb over the gate with my dog in my arms.
Folks, do not try this at home, but by God's grace, I made it. I hadn't lost Morgan. He had been at risk-like the time I nearly got myself and several others killed.
I had just finished college, I was still a young Christian, and I wanted to grow in my faith. I seized a chance to work on a training program at a Christian ministry. Before I left home, I took driving lessons and my parents bought me a car.
Since few on the program had wheels, the car got plenty of use. As a brand-new driver, I was still a bit tentative and nervous. At times I let someone else take the wheel and played passenger instead. That would have ben a good idea one particular day.
I didn't realize the cold medication I'd taken could affect my driving. I was leaving the ministry with a carload of people. I had to turn left onto a busy mountain highway. Thinking I had checked both ways, I hit the gas. I never noticed the car on my right, speeding toward me down the mountain.
The other driver swerved to avoid us, spinning his car toward the mountain's edge. They could have been killed. We all could have been killed if the cars had collided. But none of us were even scratched. God surely held us fast that day-it was a miracle!
My Master kept holding me fast in the days and weeks that followed. He knew I was still in trouble. Though I was physically unharmed, my psyche was chopped liver. Guilt and horror flooded me as I thought of the carnage I had nearly caused. I sank into depression. Our mountainous setting had some drops, and I still recall gazing over the edge of one, wishing I had the guts to jump. Deep down, I knew I wouldn't go that far, but I longed to be out from under the smothering blanket of gloom that seemed as though it would never lift.
During all of this, God held me close...this time, through His people.
Caring Christians enfolded me with their prayers, encouragement, and counsel. They knew when to give me space and when to talk turkey. When the time was right, they urged me to learn from my mishap and move forward. A friend kept my car for awhile, and then slowly got me back in to driving-which I'd thought would never happen. Christ's body became the arms of His love. In time, I healed because, though I'd lost my grip, God hadn't. He grips me still.
I kept Morgan close because I loved him. Years later, I still hold him fast. But one day death will take him from me. I am powerless to stop it. Not so my Master. He gave His Son to break death's hold on me. His word assures me that nothing can ever separate me from His love. I am safe in His hand, and He will hold me close forever.

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given then to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my father's hand. I and the Father are one. John 10:27-30

CONSIDER THIS ~ Have there been times when you were at risk and God held you fast? What did you learn about His love? His power? His faithfulness? How might God use you as His hand to lift up someone else?

Credits do not belong to me, this was written by those authoring the book "Four Paws from Heaven", M.R. Wells, Kris Young & Connie Fleishauer

BUT WHY

2006-07-03T01:11:00.000-07:00

I was thirteen years old,
so innocent and free.
My father and I
What a pair we would be.

Hanging Christimas lights,
Painting houses at his side.
Spending time together
Next to him I would abide.

One spring day things took a turn
As my father sat by me.
He apologized for his actions
In which I had yet to see.

He told me of his leaving
Reasons why he could not stay.
None made any sense to me
I had no choice but say okay.

One by one he removed his things
As tears streamed down my face.
I remember asking, "Must you leave?"
And saw a look of true disgrace.>
I tightly clung to his jammies
He'd left on the floor.
And asked God "But why?"
As he walked out the door.

My heart felt a tearing
As my face stung in pain.
I assessed what was happening
And knew I'd nothing to gain.

Without looking back
The door closed behind him.
I gently clutched my sweet sister
While our lives looked so grim.

Our world suddenly shaken
It truly was tough.
But we had eachother
Somehow, that was enough.

'Til this day we are close
My sweet sister and I.
But not many days go by
That I don't ask, "But why?"

My baby truns 19 today~

2006-06-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

Today is my youngest son's 19th bday, June 16th, 2006. I just wanted to use this time to share how thankful I am for his life, for being his mom and having the opportunities to seed in to his future. The future God has planned for him. Jer. 29:11

Branden, I am your biggest fan. I know you know this. I have prayed for you since before you were born. I pray for you as you become the man God has called you to be. And I will continue to pray for you on my deathbed while breathing my last breath. I love you Branden, never forget this, or how very special you are to God, your ultimate Father.

Lovingly always,
Mom John 3:16

Hard Times in Rough Spots

2006-05-26T01:43:00.000-07:00

I recently had the honor of comforting a dear friend of mine going through some truly hard times. As I listened to her sorrow and heard her pain and grief, I could not help but feel the same and cry just the same. I know God never promised us joy in every situation. Especially those rough spots we get ourselves into.

It seems in our lives, we have our own plans as well as God;s plans. Of course just like the straight and narrow road leads to life everlasting, the winding and broad road to eternal death, so it is with plan A from God or plan B for ourselves.

When my husband and I bought our home five years ago, we never planned on living the heartache we have since the first winter we spent here. Two weeks after the rain came, our toilet in our front bathroom refused to flush, the bathtub would not drain, and our horses were standing in knee deep mud in the pasture. The first year when we went to move furniture around, we found 18 inches of black and green mold heartily growing along three of the inside bedroom walls. We are still fighting this predator to little avail. We tried blaming God, the woman who sold us this house, the real estate agent who helped us purchase this house, eachother, and then finally the true culprit, ourselves. We had to finally take blame for the most part for the havoc we brought upon ourselves and our children for the past five years.

God says in, Matthew 11:30, "His yoke is easy and His burden is light". We carry heavy backpacks because we have filled them ourselves with rocks or because we do not lay them down at the altar for Jesus to carry for us. In I Peter, God tells us to "Cast your burdens on Him, for He cares for you."

Next time you are going through hard times and are in a rough spot, look unto heaven, meet eye to eye with your heavenly Father, and pour out your heart to Him. He says in Hebrews 13:5, "He will never leave you nor forsake you." Often we get ourselves into rough spots that cause us hart times. Let Jesus lift you out of despair through repentance and confession. He says in I John 1:9, " If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you your sins, AND cleanse you from all unrighteousness." Your hard times can become times of victory, and the rough spots can be made smooth and calm with Jesus. Philippians 4:13 reminds you, "All things are possible through Jesus Christ." Be encouraged!

Simplify for Your Sanity

2006-04-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

I have been spending a lot of time around my home trying to simplify things and organize. It seems a neverending task when I look around at all of the stuff I have accumulated. Things from long ago, recently purchased, items given to me by others, special things of great worth and sentiment. It is no wonder I get so overwhelmed with where to put all of these items. It makes me feel insane as I ty to get my mind focused on the enormous job awaiting my devout attention.

I believe God is speaking to my heart about simplifying my life by sorting out the necessary and the unimportant. I have memories, both easily recalled and those that take far more effort to bring to mind. I feel as if one day I will forget everything that meant so very much to me. So I tuck items of any significance away in order to have them at my fingertips when I want to remember and soak up the moment one more time.

I must be thoughtful though, of the quality of my life each day. Looking around at all of this stuff seems to get in the way of my enjoying the moment. Organizing, pictures alone, will take the rest of my life and finding places for everything special to me, puts me in a place of needing a second house just to store everything.

So I am taking my time going through all the special items that I had such great memories for, but sharing many with those that are less fortunate. I am reminded of the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure". So true. I have 1/3 of a garage to prove this to be true. What is stored in all those boxes, I have no idea, and I definitely have not been enjoying those things where they lay.

For my own sanity I must accomplish this task. Stuff has filled my living space and cramped my style long enough. As today is the day of salvation, it is also the day to sort and send off to another place. Who knows, maybe some of my stuff, might become a memory for someone else and serve a better purpose than sitting in a box forgotten.

To simplify, is truly great sanity.

COVENANT OR CONTRACT

2006-03-10T23:25:00.000-08:00

Today, shockingly, I learned two people I know are either getting divorced or already are. An older couple that I have known for over ten years, and a couple that are very good fiends of my oldest son and daughter-in-law. Was it a covenant or a contract that they recognized between them?

It amazes me still, how we so quickly find another significant other, throw in the towel and think the grass is greener on the other side. Years of being together with the one you once were attracted to, heavily in love with and felt you must spend the rest of your life with seem to mean nothing when the going gets rough and tough.

Since God ordained marriage, there is no way of taking Him out of this event. Marriage is between two people, a man and a woman. Not a contract between two business partners, but rather a covenant between husband and wife. Marriage is something far more than a piece of paper between two people. It is actually a covenant between each person and almighty God. The two are united and made 'one flesh'. This is a supernatural act that was not invented by any human, but created and put into existence by God Himself. It is a holy institution between husband and wife. It cannot be easily broken or taken lightly when one or both parties wants to bail out, and it is not taken lightly by God either.

In Malachi, God says He hates divorce. Such a strong word for a man filled with unconditional love and compassion for people. This institution was never meant to be broken. It was meant to last for a lifetime.

Look at the damage divorce causes in both parties. Immediately as well as many years down the road. The effects of this decision are still taking their toll on everyone involved. Not to mention the heartache it brings to children that can't understand how mommy and daddy are no longer together. It even changes these same children's idea of marriage one day. What a toll is takes on the family.

Marriage takes work, a lot of work is what my twenty-six year old son, married for seven years now, told me tonight. The feelings are not the same twenty years down the road. There is security in knowing the same man or woman you have married, has devoted their life to you, and chosen to love you 'until death do you part'. So often, The man goes out of his way to win the woman's heart, until the vows are spoken, and then he has conquered. The woman expends every bit of energy to serve her man, until the vows are spoken and then she grows weary of this medial task. What happened? What changed? Was it possibly the whole idea of marriage they had in the first place?

Marriage must be seen as a covenant between man/woman and God and eachother. A covenant is not like a contract, it was never meant to be broken. The repercussions are endless and exhausting. So many lives, innocent lives are affected. Once happy families are ripped apart, shattered lives take years to be mended, if at all, and hopes and dreams are crushed beneath the feet of those who once dared to hope and dream for themselves.

Think long and hard, before attempting to break this covenant. Especially with almighty God. The law may permit such a thing, but God says from the beginning it was not so. It happens now, because of the hardness of hearts. Coldness sets in and blinds couples from the truth. The enemy comes in like a flood and speaks lies to children and as families try to pick up the pieces, identities are lost, parents go their separate ways, children feel broken and are abandoned, thrown away and forgotten like worn out furniture.

Marriage is honorable by all. When broken, it is a dishonor even to society. Divorce is serious. It is final and requires a lot of energy and work. Why not put this energy and work into restoring the marriage instead of ending it. When a couple divorces, it is not over. A new life has just begun, and that new life will one day have to reconcile with the old life. Involuntarily or not. It will have to happen. Confrontation will occur, pain will rise and not be put out. Regret will set in, and so will the realization that there was a better way.

Marriage is a covenant, a statement of lifelong commitment and devotion. It provides security and stability that a man and woman cannot find anywhere else on earth. Covenant or contract? Will you realize the difference before it's too late?

ATTITUDE of the HEART

2006-02-13T01:54:00.000-08:00

Recently I was in an automobile accident. Nothing very serious, but enough to leave me with headaches, aches and pains in my neck, back and left knee. I not only had to evaluate the condition of my body, but the attitude of my heart.

My husband and I were heading home one night, when an uninsured driver rear-ended us. The driver proceeded to run and my husband chased him down. I think the chase was more exciting than the accident itself. Needless to say, we did get his plate number, only to find out it was a stolen vehicle.

Several times I had to test my attitude towards this man who hit us, then ran, and did not make any attempt to see if we were alright or not. I found myself worrying for the kid on the bike that might be riding next to this man on the way home. I called 911 and unfortunately there were no officers around to apprehend this guy.

When we had calmed down a bit, I kept thinking of the nerve of this man, to hit us and then run. Now our insurance will have to take care of the medical bills and damage to my car I just bought a month ago. I tried to remember that Jesus loves him too, and that he is obviously not just running from the law, but he is running from the Lord and himself as well. I decided to pray for him, not so much to get caught but to get to the end of his rope so that he has nowhere to look but up to God for help. I prayed no one's life would be taken in the meantime, and that this guy would surrender quickly.

This made me think of the times I am sure God is waiting for me to get to the end of my own rope. To look up and stop looking at myself or all around for the help I need. I Peter 5:7 reminds us to "Cast our cares upon Jesus for He cares for us". How often I forget this and walk around for long periods of time, frustrated and feeling so alone. God says His burdens are light and His yoke is easy. How quickly I forget this!

You see, I have been carrying a lot of frustrations and bitterness. I have been filled with defeat and fighting depression for some time now. The attitude of my heart has definitely had a chance to emerge and remind me how frail, lowly and weak I truly am without God. I have realized my attitude definitely dictates my responses to others, as well as influences my relationship with the Lord.

The battle was in my mind, to either get mad at this guy who was on the run, or pray for him. I am sure he needed to know Jesus as much as I had. An attitude adjustment is what I needed. God knows just how to accomplish this through trials and tribulations. Opportunities for the wrong heart attitude to pop up quickly and reveal who I am, where I am going and what my next steps will be.

I am thankful for the test of the attitude of my heart. More often than not I fail, but this time....I passed. I pray I run into this man and have the right words to share with him. Words that will show him the attitude of his heart, and hopefully turn him to a most gracious and merciful God.

TO PRAISE or NOT TO PRAISE

2006-01-30T21:48:00.000-08:00

created2bless
Psalm 150:1 says "Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord."

This is a quote I use often in the signature of my emails I send out each day to family and friends. When I think of everything that has breath, I am reminded of my sweet Lhasa Apso's. I wonder how they praise the Lord. I know the Bible talks about even the rocks praising God. What an awesome concept. Things that do not even have life as we know it praise the Lord. So how much more should we living beings, created by almighty God, His very life breathed into us, praise Him?

I find in days of depression and frustration, it is not easy to praise the Lord. I know He tells us to count it all joy when trials and tribulations come our way, and they do. I try to reflect on scriptures like
Phil. 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice."

I remember how Jesus suffered so much and that we should not be above suffering ourselves when our precious Lord and Savior suffered much.

I will often put on praise and worship music to help me enter into the frame of mind I am to have at all times actually. God says "He inhabits the praises of His people." So what better place to be than in the very presence of God Himself? There is no better place to be.

Whether in good times, or in bad, whether during prosperity or poverty, when it shines or when it rains, I must choose to praise God if only because I have breath.

I can be thankful to Him because I am living this day, have a voice to sing praises with, hands to lift on high in adoration, and a heart that beats to the very rhythm of His calling. I will praise the Lord, with everything within me as long as I have breath!

THE CALLING

2006-01-27T21:49:00.000-08:00

It's the deep feeling of servanthood that forever resides in your heart and intensely stirs your soul. Whether full of strength or unimaginably weak, the task must be accomplished!

The man on the street needing fed and clothed, the lonely child without a father gently searching for love, the single mother found at the grocery store fifty cents short for a loaf of bread, a rejected teenager who's only bed is the backseat of a car, the recently widowed man who's suddenly alone in the cold and distant world, an orphaned infant left tragically alone when a natural disaster claims its parents lives, are all circumstances which cannot be ignored, forgotten, or left uncared for.

There is no choice, only the command. Obedience is not an option but is mandatory just as a heart beats, until inevitable death. It wakes you at night to pray earnestly, produces tears for another one's pain, allows for immense happiness in a time of rejoicing and causes extreme sacrifice at all costs even unto an untimely death.

Instilled by Almighty God, gently spoken by Jesus Himself, and birthed by the Holy Spirit, this calling is a substance both tangibly felt and ferociously driven. It is inevitably accepted and acted upon in a most incredible way, leaving your soul satisfied and your spirit uplifted. It's this calling that owns every part of the one that is chosen, imparting an eternal God-given purpose, unmistabley real and devotedly divine.

This calling is what motivates as it intensifies. There is no escaping it. Nor would you want to. There is nothing quite like it in all the world.

THE POTTER AND THE CLAY

2006-01-26T02:30:00.000-08:00

Tonight, my youngest daughter Tiffany, was sharing with me how God was showing her just how much patience He has with her. She sculpts equine and has been working on a very elaborate piece for over a year now. Needless to say, she has felt exhilerated, frustrated, excited and defeated during the course of this entricate project.

She told me just as she forms the clay figure, it often it resists her slightest touch. She diligently works with it, removing ever so gently edges she no longer desires. Tiffany sometimes has to start all over, and often she has wanted to just give up. God showed her how much patience He has with her. Often she too resists and is on edge from time to time. But never does her heavenly Father want to start all over with her. Never does He want to just give up on her. As a matter of fact, He specifically tells her in His Word, He will never leave her nor forsake her.

This reminded me of how impatient I am with others from time to time. How I often resist God's nudging, miss His voice, resist His molding of me, and sometimes feel like giving up on Him when the world comes crashing around me and I feel He is not near or does not care. I Peter 5:7 tells me to "Cast my cares upon Him for He cares for me." How can He mold me and be the Potter He needs to be, when I , the clay, am rebuking His correction? How can He mold and make me into His own image when I am not compliant, cooperative or content in the trials or tribulations He has allowed for me?

I must realize as my daughter Tiffany has, that because it is God Who is the Potter, and thankfully I am the clay, I know these truths. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I am complete in Him, no one can pluck me out of my Father's hand, I am more than a conqueror through Him Who strengthens me, and I have an inheretance because of Jesus' death for me. WOW!

We truly serve a patient and loving God. One Who will never give up on us!!

SEARCHING for SIGNIFICANCE

2006-01-23T23:57:00.000-08:00

I ask myself from time to time as I look around me at the trials and tribulations I am going through, who I am and why am I even here. I know I am a child of God because I believe in Jesus and have received His gift of salvation. Acts 16:31
I know I have received an inheritance because of Jesus' death on the cross for me and He now lives in me. Eph. 1
I realize God knew me while I was being formed in my mother's womb. Psalms 139

But for some reason, I still wonder about my existence and place in this world.

Jeremiah 29:11 says the Lord has plans for me, plans not of harm or pain, but to give me a hope and a future. I truly must choose to stand on these words, sometimes daily when the storms get so fierce and I am being tossed to and fro by unmerciful waves. I must believe God has great plans for me and cares about the smallest affairs of my life. He feeds the birds and surely I am more to him than fowl of the air.
I am the apple of His eye. I can be secure in His love for me, and I know He will let nothing happen tome outside of His will for my life. With God on my side, what could mere man do to me.

I have all these promises and so many more. Maybe my focus is all wrong. I should be keeping my eyes on the One who created me, not the circumstances I often create for myself. Let me encourage you to do the same. No one compares to Him. Almighty God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

What more significance could we ever need?

RAINING IN MY TEARS

2006-01-21T23:56:00.000-08:00

I heard a song recently from Casting Crowns both that stirred my heart and swept my emotions away to a heavenly place I wished I could remain. Its focus was to praise God in the storm. Something I am not in the habit of doing but have made the decision to start. It mentions of how He holds my tears in His hands like the ocean engulfs the rain as it descends from the sky above.

What a concept one not easily grasps. I think how full His hands must be with my tears as the seas swallow up the rain. How often I have dreaded hearing hte drops, nihgt after night, falling like pebbles from on high.

But now when I think of hte rain that usually depresses me so, I remember my Father's hands. How big and strong they are in holding my every tear. I can see how refreshment comes and new growth is inevitable.

So instead of shaking my head in despair, and hiding until the rain subsides, I can lift my head up to heaven through the rain, thank God for His refreshing hand of strength, comfort and love, even in my tears.

NEW TEETH

2006-01-19T20:56:00.000-08:00

Years ago, when I was carrying my youngest son, now eighteen, I was attending a charasmatic church with my family and the pastor had called me forward to pray for my unborn child. We had known for quite some time this baby was a special little one and the Pastor confirmed this when he spoke of his calling as a Prophet and continued praying for my baby. As soon as he finished, he quietly told me God was also healing my teeth. I was shocked. I had four front teeth that were decayed and disentegrating quickly and knew one day I would unfortunately loose these teeth at a very young age. He prayed for healing and blessed what God was doing. I was a bit embarrassed, but he had never even known I had teeth in need of a touch from God. About a month later, I was brushing my teeth before hopping into bed for the night, and I noticed four beautiful white teeth, NEW TEETH! He had completely healed these four teeth and made them like brand new. I ran into my husband and showed him, and he was filled with joy. I ran around the house showing off these new teeth of mine. I even went to the next door neighbors house and told them about what had happened and showed them my teeth. This was a profound experience for me because I had only been a Christian for a very short time. I had not even thought about asking God for this healing. I am not even sure if I gave much credit to Pastor Dino's prayer, but in my heart I knew God is a God of miracles. He is not a respector of person's, he would have died for me had I been the only one on the face of this earth. I thanked God immensely and still do for showing me I was special, too. Through this event, He not only healed my teeth, but helped me realize he knows my deepest heart cries, even before I utter them. He is in the business of miracles, spoken and unspoken, and I know He longs to do the same for anyone.

MEMORIES

2006-01-18T21:12:00.001-08:00

Memories are what makes us laugh, and cry, smile and hurt. They make us feel warm and fuzzy all over, cringe with anticipation, jump for joy and sometimes quietly bow in sorrow. Memories stay with us, good and bad; they add to our lives and often take from our hearts.

Memories are what we have when we no longer have that special someone around. Our walls are filled with the laughter of our children when their own come for a visit. When looking in the mirror, a mother can see a glimpse of her daughter standing with her, giggling at the craziest hairdo, the outlandish makeup and the wildest outfit. A father can still see he and his son working heartily at cleaning the garage, rebuilding the engine to his son's car for the thrid time, and can reflect on the conversations they had over meals at their favorite Mexican food resturaunt.

Memories allow for excitement and renewal, heartache and great pain. They build us up and sometimes tear us down. You cannot hide them, escape them or remove them. They should be embraced with sensitivity, thankfulness and deep respect. Memories are what make us who we are, and remind us of who we were, what we had and where we've been.

Memories are always with us, in one fashion or another. They are what makes life worth living and give us hope for the future.

First day of blogging...a very special day

2006-01-17T13:32:00.002-08:00

Well, today is my first day blogging and I will make this short. It is my lovely daughter's 22nd birthday and I cannot believe the time that has flown by. I remember so clearly having her, holding her and naming her. She has grown from a precious little girl into a lovely young woman with her whole life ahead of her.
She is gentle, kind hearted and loves animals. The compassion she has for others is unique and refreshing. I have learned much from her.
Today, I dedicate this blog to her,
Christina Anne Spooner, my precious daughter, awesome friend, a blessing from above.
I love you Chrissy, with everything within me!! Jeremiah 29:11-13 is for YOU!! Mama Nana XXOO