Sun, Jun 18th - 8:43AM

When my parents got me, I was very sick and not expected to live long. I was only 6 months old but already the turmoils of life had taken their toll. I came from a family that was in constant distress. There was a lot of fighting and arguing, alot of commotion, and no stability. I was born with nervous problems and was unable to keep food down, therefore I was starving to death.

My parents were very loving, nurturing, and persistent in their care for me. My surroundings were quiet and calm. They saved my life!

When my Heavenly Father got me, I was in the same shape. I was not expected to live. My life was in constant upheavel and there was no stability. His enduring love throughout my life has kept me, even when I didn't recognize Him. He saved my soul!

Thank you Daddy for saving my life......

Thank you Abba for saving my soul.....

I shall ever be your loving daughter!

Mon, Jun 12th - 6:49AM

Saturday, I began the day by cleaning in my room. I have a beautiful room but it was a tiny bit cluttered and dusty. Some people think I am a little obsesive when it comes to neatness and cleanliness but I just like things to be very orderly. (maybe I am a bit obsesive). My room has a sort of Island motif going. I have rattan furniture with black framework, bamboo roman shades, a palm ceiling fan, and even the wall color is wild bamboo. I have also accessorized accordingly. The problem was that I had a box in my closet that didn't allow enough room for my shoes so they were sitting out in boxes, the dust had formed a frost-like coating, and my file cabinet (also rattan) had gotten a little trashy with things stacked on it. I spent time going through the box and then taking it downstairs out of the way. I got out the furniture oil and got rid of the dust, cleaned off my cabinet, put my shoes away. Now the room looked good.

Next, I decided to go to work on my car, which had a winters worth of funk inside and out. After a while, I came back into my house and found a basket of laundry sitting in my room. My room-mate had washed it for me, it was clean, but it threw off the look of my room. The next morning as I sat at my desk, I looked around to find the basket still sitting there, an un-made bed, and a new coat of dust quickly replacing the old coat. Less than 24 hours ago, my room was pristeen! Now, the business of life had taken it's toll.

Each morning I get up and at some point I study God's word, sometimes I pray at home, sometimes I pray on the way to work ( it's about a 45 minute drive), I listen to praise music. I get my self in spiritual shape for the day. I'm feeling great, I'm feeling clean. However, shortly after I get to work, things begin to get cluttered again. The day often starts with complaints from the previous shift, ( I am a lead person along with my other duties). Soon, there are problems that need solved, questions that need answered, directions that need given. Then there are sales people coming to me with questions and /or complaints about the work I've done on colors. Then, of course, there are all the attitudes and moods to deal with. By the end of the day, I feel cluttered and dusty all over again. Again, the bussiness of life takes it's toll.

John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet, Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. V. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head. 

We are familiar with the reason for feet washing. The daily travels of a person back then caused thier feet to become dirty from the dusty roads that they walked. We start off the day with the best intentions, we are spiritually prepared, clean and neat. By days end, alot of the dirt and clutter from the business of life seems to accumulate. I come to God in the evening and I ask, Jesus wash me. Not just my feet, but also my hands, my heart, my spirit, and my soul and I am clean again!

Sat, Jun 10th - 9:07AM

A year and a half ago, I bought my first home. Shortly after moving in, my brother and his wife were over for a visit. In our conversation, I expressed the need for bedroom furniture. Without a blink, my brother nudged his wife and told her to write a check and ask how much I needed. Of course, I told him that I did not wish to accept this gift, it was too costly, that I planned to buy it for myself (piece by piece). Still, she wrote the check.

Throughout my life, my brother's love for me has never waivered. I had been the worst of the worst in my past, so why would he continue to look out for me? I had taken advantage of him and his generosity, borrowing money and not paying it back, etc. I had treated him with dis-respect and unconcern. Others had treated him badly, stoled from him, treated him with disregard and he closed the door on them. So why, I asked, did he continue to care for me? His reply....because you're my sister. No matter what I do or have ever done, he will watch out for me....because I am his sister. I have a special place with him, in his heart, that will always connect us. A place of favor that no one but his family has access to. I suppose that I could shut him out of my life completely, refuse his gifts, never speak to him again. But why? Why would I turn my back on someone who loves me so unconditionally?

Why does God continue to put up with me, when I fail him, fall short, mess up, etc.? Because I am His! I can never do anything to cause Him to turn away. He continues to give good gifts, to watch out for me, to love, guide, and protect me. His goodness is never withdrawn from those that are His. So why do people walk away from Him? Why do people break His heart?

I cannot begin to put into words, my gratitude for His gift of salvation. I cannot express the joy of knowing Him so intimately. I will never be able to convey the feeling within that sometimes causes me to tremble. My heart is His, my life is His, my very breath is His. He is the very best that this life has to offer.

Be strong and be encouraged.....You are His!

Mon, Jun 5th - 5:45AM

This is a simple message but one that is very important. Our church has undergone some serious changes in the past few months and is yet again feeling the pains of growth. I am asking for prayer for this church that has been my home since my youth. I know that the devil is trying desperately to divide, upset, and conqueor. I also know that the changes that have come about have been needed for the growth. Life-long members (elders) left us a while back and I was actually surprised at how well my church stayed together. I don't think that there were any ill feelings except towards me, (one of the ladies in our church asked me to pray that they would return and I refused her but said that I would pray for God's will) that was not the right answer and she has held ill feelings toward me ever since. Now...there has been another change. The youth leader and his wife have been released of their duties. It was a right move, as their allegience has been divided for quite some time, but the way that this was handled could have been a little more tactful. Anyway, there's a little background for you.

In the midst of all this, however, there has been a wonderful move of God going on. There are alot of young adults coming in. These are people with alot of problems and baggage, having been involved in alot of the things that the world has offered. There truley is an awesome thing going on and it is my belief that the growth and changes will continue and we, as a body, are going to become stronger.

All of that said, I ask for your prayers for my church, for all those involved in these changes, for the continual revival Spirit, and for GOD'S will to prevail in every aspect.

Thank you and may God bless as you lift this small body of belivers in prayer.

Sat, Jun 3rd - 8:41AM

Your tears become a bitter pool, swirling around my feet.  You cry out for mercy, you beg for compassion....but I will show you none!  You are worn and beaten and still you continue to rise up.  Why won't you just stay down?  Why must I raise my fists to you time and time again?  Why must this battle continue? 

You were once my best friend and now you have become one of my worst enemies.  In times past, we agreed on everything. Now.... we can agree on nothing.

You took me to places that I never should have gone, you showed me things that I never should have seen.  I narrowly escaped with just my life and even now, you would kill me if I gave you the chance. 

Cry, if you will....Scream if you must....but I will stand my ground!  I will win this battle and every battle that you bring against me.  For it is only by your defeat that I gain life.

I Corinthians 9:26-27  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that my any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Victory, my brethren and glorious life....even through the pain.