Once Upon a Time....

Today, I begin our story. If you didn’t read my post from yesterday this makes no sense to you. Ha! But if you are just joining, in honor of my upcoming 24th wedding anniversary, I am going to share our story. A love story that spans a quarter of a century and shares all the growing and learning in our marriage. Some things will be boring for you, some things will sound vaguely familiar, and some things, I pray, will inspire you to know that marriage is a huge blessing in spite of our human selves. Lol! This is our journey of 24 years of walking this blessing, making mistakes along the way, but praising God that we get to walk it together.

So, if you’re ready, grab your cup of coffee and join me for a walk down memory lane!

Once upon a time.......JUST KIDDING!

Seriously, here is how it all began....

From the time I was a young girl I couldn't wait to grow up, meet Prince Charming, get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. I guess I wasn't a whole lot different from other girls my age. That was the dream! My friends and I used to play wedding on the playground in elementary school and would find some poor little boys in our class to stand in as our grooms. Oh, those crazy elementary years and poor unsuspecting souls. Haha!

Well, my dream did come true and I am happy to say that I am still living my dream with my Prince Charming! Though things weren't always a storybook tale, they were indeed part of our story so I guess I will start at the beginning. That hot summer day at Independence Mall when I met my Prince!

Soon after I turned 16, it was time to find my first job. So the summer after my sophomore year I got a job at a wonderful Christian company that was very good to young people by working around school and sports schedules and just so happened to be closed on Sunday. It was a perfect job! On July 21, 1989, I began working for a little company you may have heard of....Chick-fil-A. Lol! Two of my sisters had previously worked there and it just became a family thing. (We are so proud that our 19-year-old son is walking in our footsteps at his first job at Chick-fil-A!) I remember walking in that first day nervous that I was entering the workforce. The owner, Mr. Skelton, introduced me to the other employees and I remember, like it was yesterday, my handsome prince standing over the fryer putting in a fresh batch of chicken nuggets. As romantic as this all sounds, I hate to bust the "Cupid bubble" and admit that it was not love at first sight. Lol! He was just a nice guy cooking chicken who so happened to be my new crew manager.

I loved working at Chick-fil-A! The majority of the staff were teens or college students and a couple of them went to school with me. We had a great time working! Even those long open to close Saturdays were a lot of fun in spite of the crazy lunch hour mall crowd. After working a couple of weeks, Matt and I became pretty good friends. But dating did not really enter our minds because, well, he was six years older than me. Yes, that's correct! I was 16 and he was 22. Now, once you pick your chin up off the floor, I will finish this beautiful story. Haha!

One of my close friends (Shelly) noticed the spark Matt and I had for each other and decided to take matters into her own hands by convincing Matt to ask me out. He, of course, was concerned about our age difference but she, so slyly, reminded him that when he was old and gray, I would still be young and beautiful. Hahaha! I guess that did the trick because he did ask me out! Lol! I had only dated a couple of guys before Matt but I had a standard that I always stuck to. I would never date a guy that I couldn't see myself married to one day. By that, what I mean is, I looked for certain qualities in a guy before I would date him. Qualities such as, is he a born again believer in Jesus Christ? Is he active in his church? Does he respect and honor his parents? Does he respect authority? Does he drink or smoke? Is he respectful of other people? I know it is a long list but those things were important to me and the more I got to know Matt, the more it became evident that he possessed all those qualities.

So now came the tough part.....asking my dad if this 22-year-old man could take his 16-year-old daughter out on a date. If any of you reading this know my dad, you are probably wondering how we ever got together, or better yet, how Matt is still alive today. ;) But I did what any girl scared of her daddy would do…. I asked my mom first. Haha! I came home from work all excited to tell my mom about this guy at work who asked me out and she was sharing in my excitement. I told her that he was so nice, funny, good looking, a Christian, with godly parents, and that he even went to a Baptist church. She was smiling cheerily and then I lowered the BOOM. I said,

"Oh, by the way, he is 22 and will you ask dad for me?"

The look on my mom's face was priceless! Lol! She, in her “always-calm manner”, said that she would ask him.

After work that Friday night, my dad agreed to meet Matt and invited him over to the house. So, we enter my home in our greasy uniforms reeking of fried chicken and the house is full of people. My sisters, my brother and their spouses just so happened to be there that night. Huh! Big coincidence? NOT! My mom and dad introduced themselves and then take us into the living room. The LIVING ROOM! We never went in there! That place was formal with fancy furniture and just shouted "INTIMIDATION". Anyway, for an hour my dad asked Matt questions as my mom and I sat quietly listening to Matt answer with perfect ease. He was well spoken and confident about what he was going to do with his life and assured my dad that he would be a perfect gentleman to his daughter. Okay, it was finally over and I was waiting for my dad to say "no", but my dad shook Matt's hand and told us to have a good time on our date.

What?!?!?!? He said, "YES"?

I think I heard thumps coming from the other room that occupied all my siblings with their ears, I'm sure, stuck to the walls as they eavesdropped. Lol! We were all in shock that my dad was allowing this date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(As a side note....my dad told me years later (after we were married) that he never intended to allow me to go out with Matt. He said he invited him over that night so he could see what kind of pervert 22-year-old man wanted to date his 16-year-old daughter. Lol! Yikes!

But after he spent time with Matt, he could tell that Matt's intentions were pure and he was so impressed with him and his character! I am so thankful my parents had trust in my judgment!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, the next Saturday, on August 26, 1989, was our big date! I was so excited! I bought a new outfit (my favorite color…purple) and made sure that my hair was done just right. Now, remember, this was the 80s so “just right” hair was big and full of hairspray. Don’t judge! Ha! Now that you have that visual in your mind let me continue….

I was so nervous as I waited for Matt's little red Ford Festiva to pull into the driveway. I think my heart was beating through my brand new purple and black polka dotted shirt. He arrived right on time and escorted me to his car. He opened the car door for me and was such the perfect gentleman. We had a wonderful time over dinner at Rock-ola Café. He was so easy to talk to and always carried the conversation.  After dinner, we went back to my house to play a game of pool on our family pool table. It was the perfect date! We laughed, talked, and enjoyed a fun evening. Of course, I could hardly go to sleep that night. I was totally smitten and knew deep in my heart that he was the one for me.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a second date anytime soon after. Though we remained close friends, it was a few months of Matt soul searching and me patiently waiting. You see, Matt was about to graduate from college and I was still a junior high school. Everything about our situation seemed as though we should go separate ways and we almost headed that way but both of us knew deep down that God had plans for us beyond what we expected. It was New Year's Eve 1989 (after the big snow storm of ’89), as Matt returned from a scuba diving trip down in the Florida Keys with a friend, that we realized that we were meant to be together. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was heading to the mall to do a little retail therapy since I had not heard anything from Matt returning from his trip. As I got out of my car I spotted Matt and his friend coming toward me through the parking lot. (Key the beautiful music and picture in slow motion as we walked towards each other…just kidding!) Matt walked right up to me, hugged me tightly, and told me he had missed me and that he couldn’t wait to see me. He invited me over to his house after church that Sunday night for New Year’s Eve and from that point on, we were inseparable. We knew that God had plans for us and we decided to give this relationship a try. He told me that during that trip away, he felt as though God was doing a work in his heart about us.

Saying "yes" to our relationship when it didn't make a lot of sense to others was the beginning of a lifetime together of saying "yes" to God in whatever he called us to do. Over our 26 years together, we have boldly said, "yes" to God's calling many times, yet feeling alone in our endeavor of obedience to Him. From the outside, things didn't always make sense and we didn't have all the answers but, together, we trusted the ONE who did and had faith that He would direct our path. We have had our share of ups and downs. We have weathered many storms and celebrated many victories. We have experienced the struggle of being disobedient to God and we have enjoyed the peace of being in the center of his will. Through it all, we have grown closer together and closer to our God. We have recognized that challenges are inevitable but that joy can remain. A relationship with God at the center is so much sweeter and not a day goes by that I don't praise my Heavenly Father for navigating our paths and granting us this most beautiful blessing of marriage! Though our marriage is not perfect, as we are not, our marriage is a continual work-in-progress that is grounded in faith, trust, forgiveness, grace, and lots of love. Every day is an adventure through God's will and I am so incredibly blessed to be able to journey on with my love!

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. "

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 (NLT)

So, if you’re not totally bored, join me tomorrow morning for more of the story! 

Our Love Story...A Walk Down Memory Lane!

On Monday, Matt and I will celebrate 24 years of marriage! Praise the Lord! I can truly say that every day is sweeter than the last and we treasure growing old together! Though no one wants to grow old, that is part of this life here on earth and I have the honor of doing just that with the love of my life!

Anyone that knows us very well understands how important our marriage is to us. It is something we cherish and we work hard at. So, in honor of our 24 years towards "happily ever after", I am going to post blogs this week based on our marriage. Last year I took a walk down memory lane and shared our love story with you and apparently there were a few of you that enjoyed it so much and asked me if I was going to share it again. Haha! So, for those few of you…I hope you enjoy! ;)

God has given me a strong desire to encourage other marriages. Though ours is definitely not perfect, we do take it seriously and enjoy the beautiful covenant we took in the presence of our God. I have been married to Matt for over half of my life and it would be fitting to say that God has given me some pretty incredible "teachable moments" during these last 24 years. It has not always been romance and roses (although the majority has) and at some points has been down right hard. But God has been so faithful and, through Him, our marriage has endured some pretty rough terrain. Terrain that has tested us and our commitment to each other but brought us to the place in which the covenant we took before God on February 8, 1992, has become even more special...more treasured...more sacred!

I look forward to sharing with you our marital journey this week. Taking a walk down memory lane can be so exciting! Being reminded of how we met, how we fell in love, and how we continue to do "life" everyday with 2 busy jobs, 3 active kiddos, homeschooling, ministries and many other things thrown in the mix, can only make us stronger and I look forward to sharing that with you. I often share these memories with our kids and, believe it or not, they seem to enjoy hearing them. Marriage is a blessing! In a day and age where marriage is seen as a easily dissolvable contract between two people instead of a covenant before Almighty God, I count it an honor to share with the world the secret to a long and lasting marriage. That secret........is God front and center!

I hope you will join me this week as I count down the days to my 24th wedding anniversary by sharing our memories. My purpose is to reflect on where we’ve been so we can continue moving forward and hopefully encourage some of you in the process. We haven't always gotten it right in our 24 years but our mistakes have been used to learn and grow so that our marriage can remain strong. We will make more mistakes through our years together, of this I'm sure, but we will use them to better ourselves and let God work in us.


I'm excited to take you on our journey again this year! My friend, grab a cup of coffee in the morning and join me for my walk down memory lane!

"But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Mark 10:6-9 (NKJV)

Be Strong and Courageous!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua 1:9 (NIV84)

This passage of scripture jumps off the pages into my core this morning! You see, when you get to that place of total abandon in your life to do the will of the Father, every day is a walk of faith (sometimes a huge leap of faith) and requires strength and courage. That is where I am, that is where I've been for some time now. Walking with God can sometimes take us to places that are out of our comfort zones, places that go against what our flesh wants to do and many times that call us to go alone. But He promises to be with us every step of the way. It is a time to be strong and courageous.

I woke up this morning feeling as though God was drawing me to this passage. A little history, Moses has just passed away and now God is calling Joshua to take over and lead the Israelites on to the Promised Land. First up, crossing the Jordan River. Now, I have to just ponder here for a minute on what Joshua was probably mulling around in his head. I mean, these were pretty big shoes to fill. I imagine there was some fear he was battling and probably some feelings of unworthiness, but I love what God says to him here in verse 5,

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 1:5 (NIV84)

What assurance from our Lord! He called Joshua to this huge task but also promised that He would never leave him and also protect him. That is just like our God! No matter what the task He calls us to, He will be there every step of the way and protect us through it all. The next four verses really grabbed my attention this morning.

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:6-9 (NIV84)

In these four verses, God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. The first time, "be strong and courageous", then he says "be strong and VERY courageous", and finally, "have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous."

Ok, it's just my opinion here, but I have found that if God repeats something in scripture, He REALLY wants us to get it. Here, He repeats himself three times. Joshua, are you getting this? He is commanding you to be strong and courageous!

Now, here is where I come in.

When God is calling me to go, wherever it is He leads, He commands me to do the same thing.

"Be strong and courageous, Allison." Wow!

You know, He doesn't just leave Joshua there. He tells him to follow his guide map that He has given to him. Verses 7 & 8 He tells Joshua to obey the Law and not turn from it. Do not let it depart from his mouth. Meditate on it day and night. If he does that, then he will be prosperous and successful.

He has given me the same guide map. Do I just go blindly? No! He has given me His Book and I am to obey it, meditate on it day and night, and not turn from it. That is the only way I will be prosperous and successful. If I follow the "gospel according to Allison Jordan", I am going to fall flat on my face. But if I go with strength and courage armed with God's Word that I have immersed myself in, then I can be successful for the glory of God!

Oh, what I need today.... strength and courage for the journey!

Am I still willing to go where He calls me to go? I have to stay in the Word and trust my God, even when that journey is alone...me and God. I have to daily remember that if He calls me to it, He will see me through it. And, YES, I will go where He wants me to go!

So, I grab hold of His hand and go...wherever He leads! The journey with my God...

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua 3:5 (NIV)

This journey is yours, Lord. Wherever you lead, I will follow. I will meditate on your Word. I will be strong and courageous and I will find comfort that you will never leave me nor forsake me! I am ready, Lord! It's all about YOU!

Cleaning Our Messy Pots!

One of the things I treasure as a busy mom is my crock-pot. Many of you moms out there probably shouted, “Amen” on that and we high-five each other every time we share a new crock-pot recipe. I mean, does it really need explaining? You put your ingredients in this big pot in the morning and set it for 6-8 hours on low and later that evening when you’re ready to eat dinner, it is done! All in one pot! The recipes are endless. Some are 5 ingredient, some are several more and, one of my favorites is just 2 ingredients…yes you read that correctly…just TWO ingredients and then throw some rice on later and you have a quite satisfying meal. It really is an essential appliance in a kitchen.

Okay, if you’re wondering, No, I am not selling crock-pots or getting commission for advertising for the crock-pot people or anything like that. Lol! I just tend to get very excited when I speak about something I am passionate about.

But here is the draw back (if there is one!)

When you’re finished with your meal there is the one headache that is left…. cleaning the crock-pot. Now in our home, our kids all have their designated chores aside from the usual cleaning their room and bathroom. Ben is on trash and lawn, Callie is on kitchen and Caleb is on all laundry folding and distributing. There are the other chores like dusting, vacuuming, mopping and such but they are equally distributed when the need arises. Mom and dad help out too but these are their designated chores.

After a crock-pot meal, my sweet daughter likes to soak the pot. Good idea, right? Well, sometimes this pot can soak for a few days before it gets tended too. Otherwise known as…”I procrastinated as long as I can but now I have to face it.” She says it is heavy and all that stuff you have to scrape off that stuck to the sides is just nasty. Well, I have to agree with her on that! I’ve had to jump in there and help her at times and when it’s all done, you have a squeaky-clean pot ready for its next use!

(Yes, they make crock-pot liners and we have used them but more than not, we don’t. Old fashioned, I guess.)

I thought about our crock-pot scenario as I was praying over a situation I needed to deal with. I had been in soaking mode for several days not wanting to deal with it. After a few days of praying over it, I knew what I needed to do but still just let it sit there and soak. You know, hoping it would magically clean itself like the crock-pot?

Well, I finally decided to grab my scrub brush and deal with it. What beauty it produced! Not only did the situation get resolved but afterwards my “pot” was clean and grime-free. All that stuff stuck to the sides was removed as I allowed God to clean away all the messiness through obedience to His Word and trusting His plan.

So many times in life we will face situations that leave mess and grime stuck all over the sides of our pot; the mess that only obedience to the Word of God and trusting His plan can scrape off. Sure we can soak it a few days as we spend time in prayer and many times we need to do that. But we eventually have to face the situation and allow God to scrub away the unpleasantries as we submit to His will. What beauty results in that process! A pot cleansed and ready to produce another satisfying product. All for the glory of God!

So, today, on this wintery cold day, as you reach for your crock-pot, remember the beauty that God can bring out of cleansing the messy, sticky places of our lives. We don’t want to soak in the mess; we want to shine for HIM!

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

Psalm 51:7 (NIV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

aPsalms 51:10 (NKJV)

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday! Yes, it's freezing cold outside and we'd all rather stay in our cozies in our nice warm houses BUT today stands before us with opportunities that are endless!

Today, maybe you're just not feeling it. You're tired and don't want to face the day. The bills are piling up, you have an appointment that brings fear or dread, too many things on your to-do list and not enough of you to go around, the never-ending problem that you just can't seem to break through.

I get it! I really do!

But today, let's choose to rise above our "now" and trust the One who can handle even our "no one can handle this" problem. Let's walk in faith, laying down our worries to God, and see our perspective change. When we take the monstrosity of our current situation, release it to Almighty God and render Him in control, we can be at complete peace. After all, the same God who placed each star in the sky... who put the galaxies in their place... who spoke the world into existence... can more than handle our burdens.

It takes trust.

It takes faith.

It takes realizing that HE is God and we are not.

Simple right?

It truly is! Let's do it!

Once we lay it down, we can be ready for the endless opportunities before us today to walk in His fullness and shine His light in this dark world!

I'm ready! All for YOU this day, precious Lord!

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NIV)

Fitted by the Master Cobbler

I have this pair of shoes, my favorite pair of fall/winter shoes. These were my “old faithfuls”. You girls know, the ones you grab to wear that will go with pants or jeans and you can throw them on when you want to be comfortable and still look decent. I actually bought these faithful companions over 10 years ago in Florida where our family resided for almost a year. They were a bargain at the Tommy Hilfiger outlet. I won’t buy something unless it is a bargain and I won’t buy Tommy Hilfiger unless it is a REAL bargain! Lol! Yes, I’m cheap like that, well, I prefer “thrifty” instead of cheap but anyway…I digress.

Well, I knew last fall/winter that these faithful companions were nearing their death when they were getting faded and were showing signs of old age. But nonetheless, I put them on this year, spiffing them up a little, hoping to keep them alive. As I walked out of my office the other day in the pouring rain, I noticed my socks became wet.

What??? Not good! I didn’t see any visible holes but when I got home and took them off, the bottom of them had actually split all the way through the thick sole of the shoe. Yes, you guessed it. It was time. It was time after more than 10 faithful years. These shoes had come to their demise. They were beyond repair and in need of replacing. It was a sad day! Lol! My husband, great man that he is, comforted me over the phone,

“Honey, I think you got your money’s worth so please go get a new pair.”

He understands my pain of buying comfortable, reliable, yet still fashionable shoes…that could get pricey.

So, I will go on a quest of finding a new faithful companion that will comfort my feet but still provide fashion and on a meager budget. Yes, my work is cut out for me but I'm ready for the task. Haha!

I thought about the shoe fiasco this morning as I was trying to sleep in (I just can’t sleep in). Not distraught about my shoes, but how life is a lot like those shoes. We find ourselves comfortable going about our life. Everything seems to fit and it is just the way we like it. But then our comfortable starts to show wear and small cracks give way to larger ones and cause discomfort and wet soles. It is in those times where God calls us out of our “comfort zones” and to take giant leaps of faith that He has something else for us. When it goes beyond repair and in to something new. That can be exciting but can also be scary. No one likes to leave their comfort zone. It is familiar and comfortable but with God leading the way, we have to place all faith and trust that He knows what is better. He will never call us away from something without replacing it with what is better for us…in this season…for HIS work.

So, if you’re facing the move from your comfort zone and following God in His leading, rest assured that He has already gone before you paving the way. Yes, there will be growing pains and times of “breaking in the new shoes” but where HE guides, HE provides and where HE calls you, HE will equip you with everything you need to do HIS work.

Let’s never get so comfortable that we miss the leading of HIS will. May we walk uprightly and confidently in these new shoes and on our new path. Sure, rainy days may come but with new shoes fitted and designed by the Master Cobbler, we will stay dry and be ready to face the puddles.

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”

Psalms 23:3 (NLT)

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV)

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)

New Year's Eve Ponderings...

My prayers and ponderings on this New Year's Eve-

Change is part of life....

• Days change with each new sunrise...
•  Our age changes each year as we grow older...
•  Friends change as we gain new or lose old...
•  Family dynamics change with new life, old life and growing life...
•  Jobs change as we strive to provide for our families...
•  Realities change as death, illness or hardships occur...
•  Seasons change four times a year as God ordains...
•  Years change as the old turns to new... and this is where we are today! 

Some changes are the result of our choices, some changes are the natural part of life and some changes happen because we live in a dark and fallen world. But through all the change of life, there is ONE constant that will never change and that is JESUS! He was, and is, and is to come!

As we embark on the change of a new year, I, like many of you, have been contemplating and praying over much needed changes in my own life. Changes that bring me closer to the heart of God. Changes that lead me further away from worldly desires and from ungodly chaos. Changes that keep me away from mundane living and lead to more passionate faith. Changes that lead solely to God-honoring, soul-satisfying, Christ-following moments of running this race of life for the glory of my God! It's all about HIM!

Maybe you're doing the same....

Yes, it's going to take more praying and submitting to the Word of God. It's going to take some uncomfortable moves on my part. It's going to take putting feet to my faith. It's going to take total surrender in all areas of my life. It's going to take understanding that full obedience comes with great cost. And it's going to take understanding that it won't happen overnight.

Am I ready for that?

To be honest, I'm a little scared...but hopeful. Scared of what that change may look like but hopeful that Christ will be glorified in me. If I desire to live fully submitted to Jesus Christ, then I have to be all in for HIM...no matter the cost! And because of HIS great love for me, I have tremendous hope!

So, I'm a work in progress. Daily laying down my own desires so that I can be all that God wants me to be. I'm grateful for God's grace and mercy. When I stumble, He forgives me of my sin and accepts me right where I am. He picks me up, brushes me off and sets me on the right path. I'm thankful that He continues to mold me in His hands as He continues His masterpiece because He is the Potter and I am the clay. I'm thankful for His love and discipline over my life. O, how I desperately need it. And lastly, I'm thankful for the opportunities to give Him praise on every mountaintop and through every valley! In HIM there is joy evermore! Hallelujah!

What about you?

What changes need to take place in your own life to bring you closer to the heart of God?

Maybe it's changes in your relationships, your priorities, your attitude, your health. Or maybe the change you need it to just surrender it all on the altar of God and allow Him to maneuver and direct your life... that's right, a new manager over your life.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

~ Corrie Ten Boom

As we close out this day, this year, let's commit to letting God change us so completely in Him! Let's surrender it all and let Him have His way in us!

Change...

2016....

Here we go.......

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

Psalms 16:11 NKJV)

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

"Yet Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hands."

Isaiah 64:8 (HCSB)

"Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand."

Psalms 37:24 (NLT)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)

"You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance."

Psalm 65:11 (NIV)