~ A Reflection On God's Faithfulness ~

"I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

 Psalm 40:8

I went one last time this morning to my little outdoor chapel to spend some quiet time with my Lord. I sure will miss this outdoor sanctuary where I can be alone  with God in the beauty of his creation. It has become a special place to me that I can't really describe. Of course, wherever I am, God will always be so, in that comfort, anywhere I spend time with him will be a sanctuary for worship!

This morning my heart is so full of praise! It has been a wonderful week with my family. He truly has given me the best family and I am humbled every time I look at their sweet faces. A loving husband, who could not be more perfect for me, and three amazing children that bless my heart. I am blessed beyond measure!

As I sat in worship this morning, this was by no means my traditional Sunday morning worship at SHBC, but a place to reflect and give praise to God for his faithfulness and healing. I glanced at my journal one year ago today and I just have to give him ALL praise! He is the sustainer of my life. What was the cry of my heart one year ago is now the praise on my lips! I could not see where I would be today as I wrote in my journal on September 30, 2011, but looking back now, I see a woman who was walking in complete faith that God would see her through the challenges and struggles, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And all glory to God, I am here to testify that GOD IS FAITHFUL!  He saw me through the most difficult time in my life only to strengthen my faith, grow my trust, increase my wisdom, and fall so deeply in love with him that I never want to be anywhere else but in his loving arms and his perfect will. Yes, I am living proof that God does what he says he will do! His timing is perfect and his plan never fails. Take those difficulties in your life and hold on to Jesus and his Word. Walk in complete faith and trust because he will carry you through!

Today, I will leave the mountains of Virginia and return to the coast of North Carolina ready to continue on the path that God has already started. Where exactly does it lead? I don't know! lol! I just know that as he reveals it to me I follow and where He continues to lead, I will go! In faith and trust I follow because I know His ways are perfect!

This passage of scripture is my testimony of waiting on The Lord. I hope and pray that wherever you are today, you can find hope that He will see you through!

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."

Psalm 40:1-5 

~ In Awe of You, LORD ~

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created."

Psalm 148:5

We just got back to our cabin and had dinner after the most amazing day in the Shenandoah mountains of Virginia. I have so many thoughts going through my head and heart tonight as I reflect on my time enjoying the majesty of God's creation. I stand in awe of our great Creator! 

We hiked some trails, we took some pictures, and we ate a great lunch, but standing on top of the mountain was the most exhilarating experience of all. When God spoke those mountains into existence, he knew that today, I would stand on top of that mountain and see his glory in a way I had never seen before, He  knew that today, I would appreciate his majesty and give him total praise, and He knew that today, I would stand in his presence as a woman so in love with him! 

It was a day that I will always remember! A day that will continue speak to me for years to come.  I hope to be able to share with you my heart as I somehow find words to put it all together.  I am humbled at his love for me and I am humbled at his beautiful creation. This creation that I have the honor to enjoy but so often take for granted. This creation that gives him praise! 

HIS love, HIS beauty, HIS splendor, HIS creation.....I STAND IN AWE OF HIM! 

~ A Quiet Spot With Jesus ~

I couldn't wait to get up this morning and go to a quiet spot here in the mountain to spend time with my Jesus! Three years ago when we were here, we discovered a little outdoor theatre with log benches and a little covered stage. But to me it was an outdoor chapel where I could imagine myself in solitude sitting at Jesus feet as He speaks to me, surrounded only by God's beautiful creation. It is nestled in thick trees with a little walking path to it. I remember the first time seeing it just imagining my quiet time here with God. So,  needless to say, when we arrived the other night, I couldn't wait to attend my little chapel.

On any given night at this wooded mountain resort, this would be a place of entertainment as people gather to enjoy a show, but today it was my place of worship. Attended only by me in the presence of my God!  Many times in scripture, Jesus,  after he ministered to others, left the multitudes of crowds and even his disciples and went to a place of solitude to pray. Mountains and gardens were places he frequented to just be still in the presence of his Father and seek his will.  Jesus set the example for us. He knew the importance of escaping the busyness of life to spend time alone with the Father. 

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,"

Matthew 14:23

This morning, as I read through his Word, the scripture that kept coming to my heart was John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

So many times we miss the full and abundant life that God promises us because we are to busy to accept it.  We fall to the thief's schemes and put activities, people, work, ministries, and chores all before our time with God and never fully experience that full life in Christ.  I am totally speaking of myself here.  So many times, I put everything; family, ministry, work, etc.,  before my time with God that I missed my time with God. Were these things bad thing? Absolutely not! But when they come before my Heavenly Father, then I am missing out on his promise to me.  When I came to a place of full abandon and began to put things in the right priority, I realized that I had been falling deeper and deeper into the schemes of the devil by spending less time with Christ. What a slap in the face! That is exactly what Satan wants us to do. He wants us to spend less time with God so that we don't live that full, abundant life in Christ.  He is a liar, deceiver, and destroyer.

My life is committed to Christ! Experiencing each day as a new day to welcome his glory, spread his Word, and worship him fully! Now, that my friend, is a full and beautiful life! It is available to us all! But it's time to start putting things in the right priority. Time with the Father will never be time wasted. It is time that nourishes the soul and equips us to fulfill his purpose for our life! An amazing, abundant life in him!

Thank you, Father, for our sweet fellowship this morning! Time in your Word and and praising your name was is absolutely the BEST part of my day! Your presence is full of glory and nourishes my soul. In the beauty of your creation, I thank you for the magnificent splendor of an abundant life in YOU!

~ Family Road Trip ~

Taking a family road trip can be a challenge. In our family, we don't usually travel long distances by car because, well, it's just too long to be sitting and takes up too much of the vacation. This particular trip was only five hours away so we loaded up the car (first time without a minivan) and headed up to the mountains of Virginia. Let me just say how much I love the mountains of Virginia. I was born in Roanoke, VA, and spent the first nine years of my life there so every time I go back that way, it just feels great! Even my daughter, who, was born at the beach, says she feels at home in the mountains. She is so much like her mother (poor child, haha)!

So we packed up, squished everyone and our stuff in the car,  and headed north. We even did something that is almost unspeakable for any parent traveling a long distance with their children......we didn't take a DVD player! Yes, yes, it's true. We've never attempted it before so I was a little nervous myself. Lol! I was driving, since Matt still had some work to finish, Ben and Callie were in the middle seat and Caleb was in one of the third row seats nestled between all our luggage and fishing poles, etc. Since we don't have the van anymore this was a challenge to fit it all in but my husband, relished the challenged and shoved, I mean, packed it all in nice and neat!

Five hours later, I can honestly say that we still love each other and actually had a great time! The kids napped a little which gave me and my sweetie time to talk,  laugh, and sing together and then we stopped for an early dinner, to go, at Chick-fil-A (we love some Chick-fil-A) and everyone was refueled for the last 2 1/2 hours. We sang, laughed and of course they all fussed at me to keep both hands on the wheel while I sing. I've been through this before. I can multitask very well. I can sing and dance while driving with one hand on the wheel and still maintain everyone's safety! Lol! My family is the absolute BEST! They are thoughtful,  fun loving, unique, and most of all....goofy (yes, I guess I lead the way on goofy, HaHa!) I love them so much! 

Through it all, I praise God for the family I have. He took each one of us, unique and specially made, and wove us together into a beautiful tapestry that is the Jordan family, all for HIS glory! Matt and I could have never orchestrated the weaving together of our family. But God, in his divine providence, put together a magnificent unit that seeks to honor and glorify him in all we do.

Thank you sweet Lord for the blessing of my family and family time! 

"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

 Psalm 106:1

~ Beautiful In His Time ~

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Over the weekend we experienced one of four changes we go through every year....the changing of seasons. Oh, the beautiful season of autumn has arrived and it is one of my favorite seasons of the year. The leaves changing, cool crisp mornings and evenings, and pumpkins everywhere. (Yes, I love pumpkin coffee, candles, breads, etc. I love it all!)  One thing we can count on is that the seasons will change. We can look up the dates of the seasonal changes for years to come. It is already set. We may want summer to come on back, but its not going to happen until the time appointed. It is what it is and we have to accept that. We get to embrace all four special seasons that God gives us to enjoy.

The same is true with our lives.  God's timing is perfect! No matter how we think our lives should be, God knows what is best for us.  The difficulties we have, the hardships we endure, the waiting that we are not so patient with anymore, well, yes, it's not easy, but God has it all under control. We can become angry and bitter at our circumstances or we can sink head first into God's divine Word for comfort and direction through it all.  We need to accept that God's timing is perfect and grow in our walk with him.

There was a point in my life, just a year and a half ago, that I didn't quite understand God's timing in my life. The things I was going through, the struggles and difficulties, well, to be honest, I was just done with it. I was over it and becoming a little impatient with God through it but he quickly showed me through his Word that his timing was perfect. He was refining me for the road ahead. He was drawing me closer to him. He was directing my life and when I finally surrendered to HIS perfect timing, the journey became more purposeful to me. 

What are you going through right now? What challenges and struggles are you facing and ready to be done with? Well, my friend, let me assure you that God IS in control and his timing is perfect. Through this passage in Ecclesiastes, Solomon shares with us his observations of God's perfect timing for everything. There is an appointed season for everything in our lives but the treasure in verse 11 is so incredible.

"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."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Though we go through different seasons, we have the promise that our God will make everything beautiful in its time. Through all the challenges we face, we can cling to God for his guidance and have peace that He is at work. Earthly struggles will continue but God will make everything beautiful in his time! Today, may we all rest in the comfort that this refining process is all part of his plan to grow us closer to him and make us beautiful! Whatever you face today, know that you are an amazing creation that God is refining into something so beautiful for all eternity! Hallelujah!

~ Introducing "Ocean Blend" ~

So, here I sit on my front porch, reading the Word, drinking a cup of coffee, and watching the sun go down and all I can do is praise my Jesus for his magnificent presence all around me. He is at work and moving in mighty ways! Praise God!

For the last couple of months I have had the privilege to meet with some wonderful women on many different occasions for a time of prayer and encouragement over a cup of coffee. These are moments that I do not take lightly. Being a woman who says "yes" to God takes a lot of prayer and also encouragement in the Word so I count it high honor to pray over these precious women. I began to ask God how I could encourage more women. How could I take the healing and encouragement that He gave me in his Word to others? 

I praise Him for being so faithful in showing me scriptures to press on in this amazing walk with him. I praise him for understanding my heart to be an encouragement to other women in the daily struggles of being a wife, mother, employee, friend, and laborer for Christ.  I praise him for guiding my steps and giving me comfort to pursue the call on my life.

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ"

Colossians 2:2 

With my Jesus as my guide, I am going to begin a monthly time of  encouragement, coffee, and prayer, called "Ocean Blend", with other women who desire the same.  Beginning in October, one Saturday morning a month, I ask women to join me for a time of encouragement in the scripture and prayer while enjoying a hot cup of coffee (or tea, hot chocolate, etc. lol). This is going to be an amazing time as we seek to be the women God called us to be. This will not be a gossip session, or a time to complain about our families and jobs. This is a time to encourage one another in our daily walk with Christ!

I am so excited to see what God is going to do through the ministry of "Ocean Blend"! I will be posting more details of our first time of fellowship soon but if you have any questions please contact me! I serve an INCREDIBLE God and all I do is for HIS glory alone!  Please be in prayer as I continue to seek His will that my life will be a reflection of his great love!

~ Praise The Lord in His Sanctuary ~

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord."

Psalm 134:2

What a beautiful morning! The air is cool and the sun is just waking up. I rise up and go to my quiet place to praise my God whom I am totally in love with! I praise him for who he is. I praise him for his presence in my life. I praise him for his sacrifice for me. I praise him because he never leaves me nor forsakes me. I praise him because HE IS GOD! Hallelujah!

Today, we have the honor and freedom to go to our places of worship and praise the One, True God; the place to nourish our souls for the week ahead to spread his Word. May we all go with a humble heart full of gratitude. Go freely into the house of the Lord and sing his praises, grab hold of the teachings in his Word, and prepare your heart for a new week to serve him. This life is ALL about HIM and he deserves all that we have!

What a blessing to praise you God!

~ Teaching the Word to our Kids ~

I love our times of family devotions! In our house, the kids come in our room and all pile on our bed for a time in the Word. We all take turns reading verses of scripture and share what God is showing us. With the ages of our kids, 8, 11, & 16, I find it so special to hear what each one has gotten out of the devotion.  The innocence of Caleb, the mature beyond her years wisdom of Callie, and the evident spiritual growth of what is now the boy turned man in our home, Ben. They all amaze and inspire me! It truly blesses my heart to see their relationships growing with their Lord.

Early in our marriage, Matt and I made the decision to teach the Bible to our children as soon as we knew we were expecting.  I will never forget the eye opening experience of knowing that we would be responsible for the lives of other human beings. Responsible to make sure they were fed and cared for, to make sure they received a good education and stability in the home, but most importantly, and most humbling, was the responsibility that we were to instill godly principles in them. That was huge! God's Word was clear on our responsibility right here in Deuteronomy. 

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Every moment is an opportunity to show them Christ. As we ride down I-40, sit in the the doctor's waiting room, gather around the dinner table. So many opportunities to engage in conversation about the God of our lives. Parents, don't miss it! These incredible children that God has entrusted to us deserve the daily guidance in his Word. We are not to rely on the church, Sunday School teachers, or any other person to instill godly principles onto our children. It is our responsibility. It is our blessing!

Today, as you begin your day packing lunches and preparing for the final school day of the week, take the opportunity to share with your kids something that God has taught you from his Word. Share a blessing you had, a teachable moment from God, or even a mistake you made and how God used it in your life. Sit as a family and open His Word and watch the transformation and confidence in your kids that comes from a book like no other they will ever read. A book that is alive and active, useful for teaching and training, and equips them them for the road ahead.

"All Scripture is God‑breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

What an honor those three precious blessings are to Matt and me. Knowing that God entrusted them to us is so mind-boggling sometimes because they are absolutely amazing. Ben, Callie, and Caleb are beautiful gifts from a loving God that deserve to be taught and directed in His ways and we count it an honor to share the love of Christ with them every day!

~ What is the Answer? ~

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 

Isaiah 40:8

We are definitely in an information age. It is unbelievable how much information is at our fingertips every day.  Whatever question happens to pop into your brain, you can find about a trillion answers in a matter of seconds just by "googling" it.  Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that all the information is correct, but you will get a plethora of answers to choose from.

Right now we are in the midst of a political election. Covering the TV commercials are political ads aimed at either bashing the other opponent or trying in some way to tell us why that person would be the best choice.  Facebook has turned into grand central for political sarcasm and mud-slinging as well. So, in all that "information", how do you come up with the best choice for candidate?

Well, in just a couple of months we will get to exercise our right to choose a man that will run our country. An opportunity to choose the leader of the free world. Wow! That's a big responsibility! Now, I am in no way writing this to be political. Oh my stars, that is definitely not my "cup of tea". But what is on my heart is the huge responsibility we have to turn to God as the source for our decision making. God's Word clearly tells us in this passage that things around us will wither and fade but HIS Word will stand forever! Hallelujah! 

When we find ourselves overloaded with information, how do we make sense of it all? Well, my friend, I can tell you how I make sense out of a senseless world.  I go to THE BOOK! Will God give us the answer to who we should vote for? Will God give us the answer to every question we put into the biblical google search engine? Not always exactly as we perceive as the answer, written in big bold letters. But what He will do is guide our hearts to make godly decisions. His Word will show us his heart on issues we face every day. The  greatest guidebook that will ever be,  his Word,  will be standing when all else around us fails.  His Word will provide peace and comfort to our troubled souls. His Word WILL stand forever! All we have to do is read and immerse ourselves in this precious Book!  Search His heart when questions loom over your mind. I love this passage in Jeremiah,

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:13

It doesn't say we will find him when we take a glance. No, it says we will find him when we seek him with all our heart"! 

Today, when questions arise in any situation, whether it is personal, political or critical, remember that God's Word is the ONLY source that will stand forever. God promises us that when we seek him wholeheartedly, we WILL find him! He is waiting to give you guidance and direction in this trouble-filled life.

~ A Beautiful Fragrance ~

"Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." 

John 12:3

Over the last month or so, I have been studying the accounts of Mary of Betheny. This was the sister of Martha and Lazarus, not to be confused with Mary Magdalene or the mother of Jesus.  Out of the four gospels in the Bible, Mary is spoken of three times and each one of those she is at the feet of Jesus! That,  right there, grabbed  my attention! Of her entire life, what was recorded in these gospels was the three accounts of her at the feet of her Jesus. Pretty significant wouldn't you say? 

In this particular instance her love and devotion is shown at such a great price that she is ridiculed by one that walked with Jesus during his ministry.  As Jesus was preparing for his death, Mary took her beautiful alabaster jar (Matt. 26:7) of expensive nard, broke it, and poured over it Jesus.  Now, this was not any perfume that you would buy at the counter of Belk's or Dillard's. No, this was a special ointment that was worth at least a year of wages.  As the perfume anointed her dear Jesus,  she then let her hair down and began to wipe his precious feet all while the beautiful fragrance filled the house.  She seized the moment before his death and burial and, out of pure love,  gave all she had to her Lord. 

What a beautiful example Mary set for us. Though her actions were misunderstood and criticized, she gave her best to the Lord and he knew the intentions of her heart. 

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “ It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 

John 12:7-8

That passage has really struck my heart. Will I give my BEST  to the Lord at all times or will I hold back my acts of worship because of the risk of being misunderstood or criticized? Believe it or not, that happens today even among my Christian friends. My acts of love and devotion have already, at times, been laughed at or mocked because of misunderstanding. But do I stop because people don't understand the intentions of my heart or do I continue, keeping my focus ONLY on the One who is the most worthy of all that I have to offer? You are absolutely right! Devotion and love for our Lord may come at a price. But that price cannot compare to the blessings of giving our all to the One who paid the ultimate price for me and you!

Today, go against the unpopular and give your best to Jesus! Express to him how much you love him and let your beautiful fragrance fill the room!

~ The Choice Is Yours ~

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

Joshua 24:15

It's a beautiful Monday morning! Well, it's still dark outside right now, but I'm awake and in the Word so, Hallelujah!, it is a beautiful day!

I just love this passage in Joshua! What a bold leader! Here Joshua is making his final speech to the Israelite people and he urges them to always make the choice to serve God. They did have a choice. They could serve the gods of their ancestors or they could make the conscious choice to serve God, who had proven his love and faithfulness to them. But Joshua makes a bold statement right there at the end of verse 15. He proclaimed, "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Today, we are given the same choice. We can serve the gods of today (ourselves, our jobs, our material possessions, our activities, etc.) or we can choose to boldly stand and serve our God! Our God, who has proven his faithfulness to us over and over again! Joshua set the example to the Israelite people by committing to follow God. What example will you set for your family and friends? Will you boldly stand and serve the Lord even when it is not the popular choice, or will you succumb to the pressure of this world and serve the gods of today?

This choice is tougher than you think. Everyday, the choice is ours. What will you do today?

As for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!

~ A Day in Your Courts ~

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere"

Psalm 84:10a

I'm sitting here on my front porch this morning enjoying the wonderful temperature, a cup of coffee, and my most treasured possession....the Word of God! My Saturday's usually consist of getting the house cleaned and laundry done and all the other chores that fall behind because of a busy week. But today I'm steering away from the norm. Thanks to my awesome husband for understanding my desire to grow in the Lord and spend time in his Word, today, I'm setting aside chores to do just that. The chores will still be done by my family and the world won't stop if they aren't done at the usual time or the usual way. Today I long to spend time with my Lord! 

After my own quiet moment with him this morning on my porch, I will join thousands of other women in Pennsylvania via simulcast. In the comfort of my own home I will join in worship with these women and listen intently as Beth Moore brings the Word of God!  What a blessing we have in technology! During a week when technology and the media show us all the wickedness of the world, today I will use technology to join other women around the world in hearing the Word of God! Hallelujah!

Oh precious Lord, what do you want me to grasp today? What part of your Word do I need to take hold of today to grow in you? There's no other place I want to be than at your feet soaking in your Word! It's all about you, my Abba Father!

~ Finding Rest For Weary Souls ~

“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 11:28-30

Ending an emotionally draining week is hard.  Usually by Friday people are making plans for the weekend and doing the happy dance.  But after a week when we relived traumatic events as 9/11, experienced deep sadness as more terror strikes in the world, and already have the weariness from daily life,  how do we begin a weekend to rejuvenate our souls?

Jesus' words here in Matthew 11 are very familiar to most of us. We quote verse 28 many times, but when you continue on,  Jesus is telling us here to take His yoke because it is easy and that His burden is light. A yoke, that he is referring to is a heavy wooden harness that is attached to a large piece of equipment that oxen would pull.  Jesus is telling us that the yoke that we carry; demands of life, sorrow, sin, etc., is extremely heavy, as this harness, but He is offering, to us, his yoke that is easy. His yoke provides peace, healing, and rest for our weary souls and is available to ALL!

As we begin our weekend, find comfort in the words of Christ here and go to him. He promises to give you rest as you turn toward him.  Give him your burdens. You've carried them for too long. He is offering you his yoke, which is easy, and his burden is so much lighter than the heavy burdens you carry around day after day. End this week in the precious arms of Christ and find rest!

~ Strength For The Battle ~

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 

I spent the last couple of months praying and preparing to share Christ with a group of ladies in Georgia. This was something out of my comfort zone but God truly impressed on my heart to follow his will and share his message. I got home Tuesday night thankful to have had that time and continuing to pray that I honored Christ in all I said. When I awoke yesterday morning, I immediately felt as though I had a huge target on myself.  You know those days when every negative thing comes your way and even believers are attacking you in some way.

It was a day of struggle as I felt the evilness in this world fighting against the the message of everything that Christ had laid on my heart. I was reminded in scripture as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that the evil one is active against the work of Christ. He encourages them to stand firm in Christ and His message and that the Lord will protect us from the evil one.  What a comfort to know that God doesn't leave me alone to fight the battle.  My Lord is faithful! He will see me through every attack and every discouragement that comes my way. How do I survive these attacks? First, I pray for strength and help from God. Secondly, I study and memorize scripture to fill my heart and head for the battle. Lastly, I surround myself with those that will pray and encourage me to continue to share the message of Christ! 

So whether the target remains on me, my God will sustain me through the battle! HIS will be done!

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

2 Thessalonians 2:15-3:3

~ Press On ~

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:13-14

Many times we become paralyzed by our past.  We feel that because of things we have done that God could not use us.  We let shame and guilt overtake us and hinder the work that God has for us now.

Paul is telling us, here in this passage, to forget those things that we have done and push on toward the prize. A prize which is like no other we could ever attain on this earth. There is work to be done for the Kingdom and we can take part in it no matter what is in our past. We have such great hope in our God that we can know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he will forgive us. God will show us the way when we put our confidence and trust in him. A life of obedience to Christ is a life of joy and peace! When we put our focus on him and forget what is behind then we can live a full and abundant life in him! 

So today, don't dwell on your past. Press on toward the prize and reap a harvest of heavenly gain! 

9-11-01....A Day We Will Never Forget

9-11-12,  Atlanta, Georgia, 4:00 p.m.

So here I sit at the busiest airport in the world on the day that marks the greatest tragedy in our country's history. I'm waiting to board a plane to go home and my mind goes back to that day 11 years ago. Where I was, the pain we all felt, our questions to our God. Walking through the airport today, you can definitely feel a sense of reverence even though the crowds are thick, it is eerily quiet. We waited in line 45 minutes to get checked through the extremely heightened security and bomb sniffing dogs but no one complained. Everyone has a sense of unity today. I watch as people walk by and many have concerned looks on their faces and others just go on as normal as possible...the new normal. 

My heart breaks for all the loss on that dreadful day. Not just loss of life, but also loss of security in a country that seemed to be invincible. So today, our country hurts a deep, deep wound that will live on for centuries.  We will relive it all and remember the fallen and honor the heroes. 

I'm grateful to still live in this great country! She's not perfect but she's ours! I praise my God that he is in control and it is through his Son's blood on Calvary that I am eternally free. Free from the hurt, free from the pain & sin, and free from eternity separated from my Savior! He paid it ALL! And today, I live my life to honor him and share with others that are hurting that it is available to them as well! 

Well, its time to board and I go with great faith and trust in the One who holds the world in his hands and I praise him only!

~ Praising My Lord ~

"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Psalm 146:1-2

Waking up extremely early is not on my "favorite things" list but sitting at the feet of my Jesus in the quietness of the house definitely tops the chart! This morning my time was sweet as I praised him for who He is! Looking back where I was one year ago brings tear to me eyes of his love and faithfulness to me. It has been a beautiful year with my Lord and I cannot help but give him praise. 

"The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."

Psalm 145:14

Today, I will board a plane to go and tell other women what an AMAZING God I serve and how his promises are true! My heart is humbled by this opportunity and great honor to speak about my Lord! My life is to give him praise! Dear friends, there is no greater honor than to tell others about this magnificent God we have! He is everything we need and so much more! He is Life, Joy, Peace, Comfort, Protector, Provider, Sustainer, Healer, Redeemer......HE IS GOD! 

Today, find a way to share with someone what God is to you and give him praise!

~ Prepare for Worship ~

"I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells."

Psalm 26:8 

Oh, a beautiful Sunday morning! It is very early right  now and though the sun hasn't come up yet, the SON is up and ready to be worshipped!

What a privilege we have to go to our places of worship each Sunday and sing praises to the ONE who died for us! Don't take this honor for granted! Grab your Bible and head out to worship and grow to feed your soul! Soak in the Word and prepare for the week ahead to spread the good news to all you encounter! Our God is worthy to be praised today and evermore! 

~ Call, Pray, & Seek ~

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” 

Jeremiah 29:12-14a

These verses follow a very popular passage of scripture. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This is a verse that you see and hear quite often.  It is a favorite of mine as I see the beautiful hope that I have in my God. But if you continue reading you will find this treasure that should not be missed. God had just promised his people that he had great plans for them. He had hope and a future for them!  What they needed to do was to seek him and pray with all their heart. He promised to listen and be found and to bring them out of their captivity. That was not a possibility that was a promise!

So many times, when we are suffering through troubles, we feel as though God doesn't care, that we have no way out. But God has not forgotten you. He may be preparing you for a new beginning with a new purpose just as he did for the people of Judah! His desire is not for you to be in captivity forever. His desire is for you to have a new beginning with him at the center of your life! A life full of purpose and hope! All you need to do is call, pray, seek, and be prepared to exit captivity!

Make a commitment today to seek him with ALL your heart and prepare for that abundant life with God front and center!