Thank You Father God Day 355

Isaiah 26:4  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal.

The LORD is our Rock, the solid foundation on which we stand, One Nation Under God.  Last week the east coast was stirred, but not shaken from the foundation of our God.  An earthquake, a hurricane and tornadoes, all within a matter of days, while Jesus took the time for a personal visit with Jillian and I by the lilac bush, wow!

The fear, the uncertainty and the unknown ushering in reality of our faith or lack there of; God is my rock, is he yours?  Did you pray as the hurricane threatened our area?  What is really important?   Did you help your neighbors?   Thanks to the lessons that our country learned from Katrina, we prepared for the worst, while hoping ( praying) for the best!   Sadly, there were 35 lives lost, property damaged ,devistation and major inconveniences, but what did learn?  Is our sinful nature controlling our destiny?  Is God pleading for our attention, does He just what us to depend completely on Him?  God is in control and we are not! 

Jeremiah 36:3  Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.

Isaiah 48:17-18  This is what the LORD says---your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;  "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.  If only you had paid attention to my commands your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the the sea.  Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like it numberless grains; their names would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me."

Have you surrendered your will and life to the LORD?  No time like the present!  Father God, I believe that your son, Jesus Christ lived and died on the cross for the forgiveness of  "MY SINS."   Father God, please  forgive my ignorance and arrogant ways.  Heavenly, Father I surrender my life to you, I love you with all my heart, soul and mind.   Father, please remove the burdens that I can no longer carry, I desire to live my life in your perfect will. AMEN.

Matthew 1:21  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sin.

If you prayed this prayer to the LORD and truly meant it from your heart, God will do the necessary work and healing to restore you to the child of God which you were created.  He will direct your steps and actions, expect changes from the inside out!  Stay connected to the LORD your GOD!

Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Did you pray from your heart.... GOD LOVES YOU!   Mandy, Stacey, Laurie everyone reading this, Amen, thank you, LORD!

Mimi, Jesus Is In My Head! Day 354

Tuesday morning as Jillian and Nolan finished their breakfast, I sat at the computer prepared to write.  As usual, I prayed to God, asking him to direct my thoughts, to lead to me to scripture allowing me to compose for His glory, and  meet the needs of the readers!  I started with the title of Promises, however for the first time since writing this blog, I came to a roadblock, it just didn`t flow, as usual!  After a couple of paragraphs I stopped, believing that perhaps what I was to write about, had not even happened yet!  Little did I realize what an eventful day God had planned.

For the first time in over 100 year the east coast experienced a 5.8 magnitude earthquake west of Richmond, Va; with the effects  felt along the coast as far  as Canada.  Just like thousands of people, I have a where were you story.   As Gina and I watched, Jillian, Nolan, Harrison and Hayden frolic at the community beach, we felt tremors of the quake.  The beach has a gigantic cement barrier retaining wall, I`m talking  really big barriers each weighting better than a ton, that Gina and I sat were sitting on.   Suddenly,  to my amazement, I said to Gina this is moving!  Soon the boat anchored at the near by marina began swaying as unexplained waves traveled to the shore.    We joked about an earthquake and a snaumi, as the waves washed to and throw.

  Later we learned the magnitude of the quake, thank you, God that no one was injured!  Judges 5:3-5 Hear this, you kings!  Listen, you rulers!  I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Isreal.  O LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water.   The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Isreal

You`d think that an earthquake would be the ultimate experience for one day, but what happened later that evening blow me a way!  We have an amazing God.   While Rick worked,  Nolan and his parents attended an open-house for school , Jillian and I shared a girl`s-night!  Just Jillian and Mimi, nobody to bother us, time to talk and do whatever our hearts desired.

We decided to sit in the backyard by the lilac bush to chat.  Jillian said she had something that really bothered her and she wasn`t even sure she should talk about it.  I assured her that she could talk to Mimi about anything!  She shared that she has terrible frightening nightmares that scare her. She fears that someone or something will harm her.  The fear and anxiousness were evident in her gestures and expressions, as her voice trembled.

As I listened carefully, I told her that when she wakes up after a nightmare, she should ask Jesus to help her!  I flashed back to my Sozo training and suggested that we pray.  I  prayed while Jillian repeated it word for word, abruptly Jillian said, "Mimi Jesus is in my head!"  He says that he loves me, he`s showing me stuff.  He has on a long white robe, he has long hair, a beard and dark eyes, his teeth are so white they shine when he talks.   He has a husky voice, he says he loves you too Mimi!   Mimi, I see people,  young, old and even babies, they`re really happy and peaceful.  It`s bright and sunny and beautiful yellow!  Jesus is telling me about Sadon(just how she pronounced it) and he`s showing me people that are mean and grumpy, there is fire and dark clouds.  I`m not afraid because Jesus is with me!  Jesus just keep telling me that he loves me!  He loves, me!  Mimi, Jesus loves me!

 I could hardly believe the moment and the reality of what was happening, I gently hugged Jillian and rocked her in my arms, as tears of joy flowed. I love you too, Jesus!  Habakkuk 1:5  "Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed.  For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

I asked Jillian if I could share this story on the blog, explaining that perhaps, it would touch the lives of people that read it.  She gave her consent, her only concern was that her friends might read it!  But it would be OK if people around the world read it!  Together we searched for just the right picture of Jesus. When  she spotted it, with loud screams of delight and joy, she said that`s it, that`s it, only Jesus was looking right at me! 

Acts 4:31  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

I thank Jesus for joining Jillian and I for girl`s night by the lilac bush, a night that I know Jillian and I will cherish as long as we both live!   WE LOVE YOU JESUS...............AMEN

Father God please have mercy on us as we face the threat of hurricane, Irene, this weekend!

Child-Like Day 353

Mark 10:13-16  People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Child-like faith uninhibited desire, willing and eager  to share what we believe, what a blessing!  Wow, did I miss the mark, but 9 year old Hayden was not hesitate about stepping up to the plate for God,.

This week my grandchildren Jillian and Nolan spent a couple of nights with Mimi and Pop before summer vacation comes to an end.  In an effort to discourage television time, we decided to go for a walk, which always ends at the store for ice  cream, adding smiles of delight to our walk!.  The first stop on our journey, was at the Troy household, to jump on the trampoline.  You may recall this trampoline was a gift to the Troys from a church friend;  Rick and I helped move and reassemble it in the Troy yard, a blessing that continues to bless.

As we continued the walk, Hayden declined a library visit with his brother Harrison and Aku(his grandmother) to join us for our walk and visit to the community beach, not to mention the ice cream!  What a joy to listen as the threesome shared vacation stories and enjoyed one an others company.  Walking, wading, collecting and skipping rocks, what a great way to enjoy the day.  In the excitement of the moment, Nolan yelled out, Jillian "oh my God" you have to see this!  Hayden, tuned in  on the conversation, commented to me that the kids should not use God name in vain.  Yes, I heard it but didn`t take the opportunity to minister to my own grandchildren, I wanted to dig a hole in the sand and hide!

After I spit the sand out of my mouth, I agreed with Hayden and encouraged him to share this with Jillian and Nolan. With confidence and authority, Hayden shared, you know one of the commandments is that you shouldn't`t use God`s name like that.  If you`re excited you should say," oh my gosh or scream yeeeak," but don`t use God`s name!  Jillian and Nolan listened to the lesson from their peer.

Kudos, to Hayden and his willingness to share for the glory of God! Do I have the confidence and integrity, as my young neighbor, to do the same with my peers?  Really,  I neglected the chance with my own grandchildren......please forgive me Father God!  I pray that Hayden continues to overflow and minister for your glory.  Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As I shared this tender story with Gina, Hayden`s mom, she gently wept; my entire body was covered with Holy Spirit goosebumps, I imagined a huge smile on the face of God!

Psalm 8:1-2  O LORD, our LORD how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

AMEN......

Shirley`s Favorite Bird Day 352

Job 12:7-10  But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air and they will tell you, or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.  Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this.  In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

I must agree with my dear departed friend Shirley, one of my favorite summer past time pleasures is watching the acrobatic flights of the hummingbirds.  By mid-August our back and front yard is alive with tiny speedy humming creatures. They are capable of flying left, right, backwards and even upside down  with wings flapping at 80 time per second producing that whimsical humming buzz.

 I`m mesmerized by their needle-like bills perched or hovering at our feeders; their tiny feet never used for hopping or walking, I smile from the inside out, at their very presence. Their tiny hearts beating at 1260 beats per minute, with a life span of a short four years, these delicate territorial creatures are not afraid to defend their food supply from much larger predators. Hummingbird are the smallest animal with a backbone and the largest brain in relation to their size, claiming 4.2 percent of their total body weight.

Nearly 10 years ago, my wonderful friend Shirley was in the hospital, slowing loosing her long-time battle with cancer.  After visiting Shirley early in the morning, that evening with heavy hearts, Rick and I escaped to relax and enjoy a peaceful cruise on the Bohemia, suddenly I heard that soothing familiar hum.  Far from shore, how could that be I could hardly believe my eyes, as I extended my arm I thought this delicate tiny creature was going to land on my hand!  After a short attention getting visit, my hummingbird friend vanished; leaving Rick and I in awe of our momentary visit.  To this vary day, I believe that this special hummingbird experience was orchestrated from above.  Thank you, Father God!  Only days later, my lovely friend, Shirley went home to JESUS.

Ecclesiastes 10:20.......because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Shirley, I`m enjoying your hummingbirds, love and miss you!  Thank you for the wonderful memories Father God.....Amen

Freedom Day 351

Freedom who or what holds you in bondage?  Freedom the state of being free, exemption; immunity, or the right to frequent,enjoy or use at will; bondage slavery or involuntary servitude.  Hum, sounds like the hold alcohol addiction used to have on me.  But not any more! Five and a half years ago, I learned  to kick  alcohol addiction to the curb, so long, bye-bye!

As I have mention previous I came from a long line of addiction.  Generations to be exact, paternally and maternally, but God allowed and encouraged me to be born anew, leaving addiction in the dust.  During my time of sobriety, 4 family members and several friends have joined the ranks; oh my, maybe I started a contagious healthy bondage free cult. This is the meaning I like for cult, attracting a small group of devotees, yeps sound good to me!  The Alcohol-Free cult of Earleville, hum anyone interested?

But what does it really take to be freed, so often the sin in us and free-will impedes our success. You have to want to want it and then take steps to attain and maintain it!  Often easier said than done.  This scripture kinda sounds like double talk but it is so true; Romans 7:14-20  We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.  I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 

For years, I not only battled addiction I carried generational iniquities, sins of the father.   The truth will set you free, six words with gigantic purpose and meaning.  Psalms 119:33-37  Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.  Give me understanding, and I will keep your law, and obey it with all my heart.  Direct me in the path the path of your commands, for there I find delight.  Turn my heart toward your statues and not toward selfish gain.  Turn my eyes away from worthless things, preserve my life according to your word. 

Of course God required work on my part too, James 1:22-25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourself.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forget what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it----he will be blessed in what he does.

How many people struggle in bondage or for that matter,sit in church weekly and just don`t get it! Just going through the motions, returning to their way of thinking and reacting to life, once they exit the building . Ezekiel 33:31-32  My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice.  With their mouth they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.  Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love song with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your word but do not put them into practice.

Have we became a broken society living in a sugar-coated watered down reality?  Believing only in ourselves; God must weep over our arrogance and stupidity.  United we stand, one nation under God, really??? 

1 Corinthians 2:9  However, as it is written:  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."

I pray Father God, that you will forgive us and have mercy on our county, and the world!

Ezekiel 22:30  "I looked for a man among them who would build up a wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."

Bucket List! Day 350

What`s on your bucket list, what`s important to you, what do you feel compelled to do before leaving this earthly life? At my top spot....I desire to live my life in the perfect will of GOD! I desire to be restored to the perfect daughter that I was created to be.

 Number two on my list..... I want to dance with my husband, Rick at the wedding of our granddaughter, Jillian.  Since Jillian is only seven, prayerfully I have some time on this one!  Why is this so important, because of my concerns for Rick`s health, and the long-term effects of diabetices on his body.  As the spouse of a diabetic, I have surrendered Rick`s health to God, knowing that a nagging wife gains no ground.  Yes, I can assist but, the desire to control his health must come from Rick!  My job is prayer.

Back to bucket list number one, huge but the true desire of my soul is to live and function in the will of God.  Psalms 138:8  The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love O LORD, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.  Isaiah 30:1  "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.......Wow Linda, been there done that; made a big mess!

1 John 2"15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world---the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does---comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

God has taken my desire very seriously, He started slowing but, the in depth healing has been kicked into high-gear.  I`m holding on tight to His promises and word; receiving the necessary restoration!  Writing His blog has been an astounding healing tool, a direct connection of instruction; opening my soul in obedience.  Numbers 14:24  But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

Most recently, I wrote and entered a Grandparents essay contest, sharing the devastation's that I suffered for decades, because of my poor decision to have an abortion,  many years ago.  Even though I had previously shared this on the blog, now it was different.   I shared it on Facebook, with my "Hometown;" opening my lifetime secret to all! 

Romans 8:1-2  Therefore, these is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.   8:5  Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

As I once heard in a 12 step program, "you have to get really honest"!  John 8:32  THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.   AMEN....Gotta bucket list?

Prayers for Suzi Day 349

Job 16:16-17  My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes; yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure.

I received a text from Gina, requesting prayer for Suzi, she just got fired from her job!  Fired from a job that she needed, fired by a man that she called her friend.  Fired by the father of her young friend Ashely, that was killed 2 years ago in a boating accident.  Fired by the man that she thought she shared a special family bond; so many questions with no explanation, painfully escorted from the property.

2 Corinthians 3:3-4  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

What can you say, my heart breaks because of the pain and discomfort suffered by a God-sent friend!  I`m sorry.....as a friend, is it enough just to listen with love and compassion?  Isaiah 54:10  Though the mountains be shaken and the hill be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

As difficult as this news is for Suzi, no doubt God will use it for His glory; perhaps to teach a difficult lesson in the journey of life.  Perhaps, a break-over, a time for God to mend and repair Suzi`s heart and soul.  Perhaps a time to direct her steps closer to her divine purpose!  Only God knows, only faith in Him will suffice.

What a blessing and privilege to be used by God in Suzi`s time of need.  I pray that God will bless and wrap his tender loving arms around my friend.  I pray that God will send  friends with love and compassion, from near and far.  Father God, direct her steps and open doors for her future endeavors.  I pray for her friend that fired her, and that Suzi finds answers to the questions of her heart.  Father God, I pray that you have plans for a new job that is for your glory, Suzi loves you!

Mark 11:24-25  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you receive it, and it will be yours.  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Amen. I love you, Suzi, trust GOD!

Need Your Votes, Please! Day 348

Because of the healing, confidence and faith in God I have been empowered by this Blog to write and share part of my life story!  Please Vote for my essay in  Grandparents contest.

 I need your votes to finish in top 100 entries out of  2000 entries. If I make top l00, it will allow me to be judged by contest committee!  I appreciate your votes, you may vote DAILY from now until Wednesday!  All honor and glory to God the Father, Amen

http://www.consumercellular.com/Grandparents/Gallery/1709


Thank you,
Linda             THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  MADE IT TO THE SEMI-FINALS! NOW TO               WAIT AND PRAY!

Friends Day 347

Friends, if your on Facebook you may have hundreds, but in reality how do you count and value your friends? What do they mean to you?  If you have followed this blog you may recall that I`ve written many entries about friends and friendship.  Actually for me, it was a joy to reread some of them; this blog is certainly a great source for journaling, you should try it!

Friends are very important to me and I try diligently to maintain  friendships.  So just what constitutes a friendship?  A mutual caring intimate relationship with shared activities, sounds good!  A distinctive personal relationship with concern for one another's welfare, I buy that!    According to Abraham Lincoln, "The best part of ones`s life consist of his friendship."  I can say that I agree with Honest Abe!

Proverbs 17:17  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  Proverbs 18:24  A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

For the past several weeks my friend and neighbor Janice Poore has joined our morning walking group.  I`ve known Janice for decades, we went to the same high school and both live in the area; guess neither of us ventured far from home!  Janice and I are what I call low maintenance friends, even if  we don`t see one another for years, we just  rekindle right where we are. 

 Twice in the last  weeks Janice has said to me, "God sent you back to me at the perfect time!"  God has allowed both of us to bring joy and peace though walking, talking and sharing with one another, at just the right time!  A friend is one who strengthens you with prayer, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope.

To quote Cher, " I can trust my friends, these people force me to examine myself and encourage me to grow."  This morning as Janice and I walked we ran into another friend and neighbor.  Eighty-seven year old Lil Walker, I met Lil when I owned and operated Curves.  Lil, is a young at heart chipper senior citizen, also enjoying the benefits of walking .  What a delight to visit with Lil, I even joined her for a cup of coffee, as we reminisced.  She is still grieving the loss of her husband and best friend, Robert of 66 years!  With loving tears, Lil shared, "Linda he died here at home and I held his hand,"  I could only sympathize with her as she shared precious memories.   From a German proverb I found, "The death of a friend is equivalent to the loss of a limb," I`m sure Lil would agree!

A few more quotes, Emily Dickinson," My friends are my estate," Robert Louis Stevenson, "A friend is a gift you give to yourself," Henry Ford,"My best friends is the one who brings out the best in me," and Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The only reward of virtue is virtue, and the only way to have a friend is to be a friend!"

Is it evident that God has called attention and provoked me to question the integrity and quality of my friendships?  Father God, I pray that you will correct my faults from with-in, open my heart for correction, love and peace!

 Romans12:9-11  Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the LORD.

AMEN!

HEART Day 346

Psalm 26:2-3  Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.

I desire to walk in God`s perfect will for my life, but what part does my heart play in this desire? Proverbs 4:23-25  Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  Let your eyes look straight ahead.

Father God, but what about the troubled heart, the hard heart, the cold heart, the lonely heart, the broken heart, the heavy heart, the full heart, and the heart on our sleeves?  Are we to ignore the feelings brought to life by the conditions of our heart? 

Ezekiel 36:25-27   I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keeps my laws.

You mean I need a heart-illectomy (I love it when God allows me to make up words and procedures), and you`ll do it for me; all righty then, you`re large and in charge!  Father God, did you start this heart-illectomy once I surrender my life to you?  I thought so!  Ecclesiastes 3:11-12  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  

Lamentations 2:19  Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the LORD.  Lift up your hands to him......Heavenly Father, thank you for our special time together on Saturday morning and  for the tree that so eloquently delivered your message.  I Love you, your daughter, Linda. AMEN.