Don't Steal My Joy

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 NIV

Church shootings, people intentionally running their vehicle into crowds of people, unsolved murders in my community...joy stealers.

Family with cancer, injuries, illnesses, stress about finances, worry about what the future may bring...happiness busters.

These joy stealers like to sneak in and try to take away the joy. We can become fearful and worried and want to stop doing what we know we are called to do. We may want to set up metal detectors at our places of worship or lock all the doors to the church, we become frightened about the "What ifs?" We may even feel unsafe walking around outside at night.

We need to remind ourselves that God is our strength, our shield, our protector. When we trust in Him, He will help us and guide us. We shouldn't be afraid to continue to serve God and to live our lives because let's face it one day we are all going to die. Our souls though will live on, and when you have accepted Jesus' gift of salvation you are guaranteed a place in heaven. Now isn't that a joyful thought!

One of my current favorite songs, "Old Church Choir." In the lyrics, Zach Williams says, "There ain't nothing going to steal my joy, no there ain't nothing going to steal my joy." In fact, I've enjoyed this song so much it is now set as my text tone. So every time I get a text this part of the song plays. I like the reminder before I look at what message my text brings. This way no matter what happens during my day,  I am reminded that nothing, ain't nothing is going to steal my joy. Don't let the joy stealer come in; instead let the Lord strengthen you and be your shield.

Bitter or Better

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 NIV

Funny how bitterness can sweep in and consume you without you even noticing it.

One of the boys in my day care was very bitter this week. His brother got something he didn't and it made him very angry. He would try to sneakingly hurt his brother when I wasn't looking. This jealousy was consuming him.

I understand the hurt he was going through even though my hurt was different and has gone much deeper and longer. Part of my problem was I ignored the warnings and went ahead and did something anyway. But when you can help someone out, you do it.

I have dealt with this on several different occasions and for awhile there was a solution, but that solution was only to be a temporary one. I have prayed for the ones who have hurt me to realize what they've done. Something would happen and I would think, "Now they'll understand." But no. They did things they shouldn't be doing and each time they would, I'd feel like I was stabbed in the back. How many times should one get hurt?

I held onto Jesus telling Peter how many times we should forgive, "I tell you not seven times, but seventy times seven" and the verse "love keeps no record of wrongs." I have forgiven and forgiven, only to be hurt again or put on the back burner of their lives.

This last time I felt stabbed though has really done me in. I had hope they wouldn't make the decision they did, but they did anyway. So once again I knew nothing would change, in fact, the problem for me would only grow worse.

There have been times lately, when I haven't even wanted to see them much less talk to them. The bitterness against them grew deeper. I even began to feel depressed, "How can someone do this to me? I try to do the right things, sure I make mistakes but for the most part I think I try and stay in God's light on the path He has for me."

This time though it was harder for me, a lot harder. God though found a way to speak to me through two messages. One reminded me I can't manipulate and control the situation and the other God will bless you, you just need to get rid of what's blocking you from truly seeing God. This is when I realized I had let bitterness into my heart.

Because of this I had stopped feeling God's blessings. Last month was not a good month, extra money was required of us. My day care business dropped to a low. Tempers were higher.

After laying everything at His feet, I have seen God's blessings. He has brought me back one day care child and I have the chance to get two more. God is good, All the time but sometimes I get in the way of His goodness. I need to not hold things in, but leave them at the foot of the cross.

Who Is Really In Charge?

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say, "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God, and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13 NIV

Have you ever thought, "I didn't think it would be like this?" I know I have.

Today my Bible lesson taught me something new, it's so much fun to learn something new especially when it hits you in the head like a two-by-four. There are times when I am like Sarah. I try to control the situation and not let God handle it.

A lot of times, I really think I have left it with God and then I end up doing what I think He's asking me to do anyway. Then somehow it turns out, maybe it wasn't God's plan it was mine.

Last summer we were setting up for Splash Day at our church. The problem was it was thundering, now how are we supposed to have a water day outside when there is lightning and thunder. We still had time for this to go away, but it was troubling trying to figure out what we should do.

I checked the radar and it looked like it was supposed to move past us quickly, and yet it lingered. I also checked my calendar for possible dates we could reschedule, but that didn't seem like a possibility. So we pressed on. This day was to be a community outreach day to help build the bond between our church and the community, so it was important!

I need to share that these community outreach days are very important to our church right now. We are under the radar to improve our church attendance and finances. The pressure for these events to be successful are pretty great.

"In the name of Jesus, I command the storm to go away," I shouted out over and over again to be answered with a rumble of thunder. My control wanted it to stop setting up and my control said to myself, "this is going to be a terrible turn out." My control even wanted to leave.

We stuck it out though and through God's control the storm went away during the time of the Splash Day. We had a record number of families show up, gave away all of the school supplies, and even connected with a couple of new families in the neighborhood.

So when I stepped out-of-the-way God's grace appeared and His blessings were shared with those around our community.

Each time I try to take over, I need to remember who is really in charge? Because I really didn't think it would be like this.

Waiting...It's So Hard

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV

Can you imagine having to wait? Some of us get frustrated if we have to be in line more than ten minutes. We go to the express lanes, get the Fast Passes at amusement parks, we zap our food in the microwave, we'll drive around town until we find a restaurant with less than a five minute wait...we don't like to wait.

It's amazing how the cell phone has changed us. Now when we have to wait we turn our focus to our cell phones, maybe something exciting happened on Facebook or Instagram and we wouldn't want to miss it. We even hand off our cell phones to our kids so they can play a game while waiting, or we get them their own phone. We don't want them to get impatient.

Last week while grocery shopping my waiting tolerance was being tested. When I go to check out I always look at each line and I try to get in the shortest line. There was a cashier without anyone in her line, so I headed her way. At about the same time a couple of ladies also noticed her and headed her way. I didn't try to rush in front of them because I had three times as many items in my cart as they did, I didn't want them to have to wait for me.

Turns out, I should have gone in front of them. Even though they didn't have many items their way of paying took forever! One of them had a Visa gift card. The cashier tried to use it and put in an amount and it seemed good until the friend realized the cashier didn't use the entire amount on the card. So the cashier tried to fix it, and for some reason this wasn't working. So she canceled everything and started again. Still no luck, the card wasn't processing. The Cashier Manager came over and he couldn't get it to work either. After several minutes another Manager came over, and finally the problem was resolved. The lady who had the gift card never registered it. Finally, fifteen minutes later it was my turn!

I could have put my stuff back in my cart and gone to another register or I could have rushed in front of them before they even had a chance, but instead I waited! A couple times we even had a conversation with each other, imagine that.

There are times when I have to wait on the Lord to answer my prayers. During these times I think and pray about what I am waiting for. Sometimes I even try to figure out if there is something I am supposed to be learning during the waiting. Should I change something I am doing? Then I continue to wait until I know if this is God saying "No, not now." Because sometimes He has better plans.

Waiting can be hard, but during the waiting we learn patience and how to be stronger. So next time you have to wait do so with joy and take a moment to be still and know God.

Hope Refreshed

By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 2 Corinthians 7:13 NIV

There is this plant I keep near my front door, it's there because I haven't really figured out where to plant it yet. This plant is interesting. One day it looks full of life, leaves full and occasionally a flower. The next day though it looks like it's about dead, the leaves are dried up and the flowers have fallen off.

The crazy thing is once I give it a little water, refreshment; within a couple of hours the leaves are opening back up. It looks alive once again. It doesn't take much water either, just a cupful.

The last few weeks have been rather challenging ones for me. I have felt take advantage of and unworthy. I simply can't figure out why things are not happening. I am patiently waiting, but still nothing. Every once and awhile there is a glimmer of hope, but it's short lived when something else happens.

I have questioned if I am even supposed to keep doing what I've been doing. I believe I am following God's calling on my life, but right now I am getting little results. Then again maybe I am only supposed to minister to a few rather than a bunch.

A few times these past couple weeks as I have driven to church, I have had to fight back tears as I wonder why. I feel dried up.

My Tuesday night Bible study group though helps refresh me. Last night was another night where I felt dried up and was questioning things. The tears were ready to fall, but I fought back since I was driving to church. Somehow during the sharing, laughing, and diving into the Bible I got the "water" I needed. I came away feeling much better than when I arrived.

I am not planning on giving up on God's calling on my life. Even though there maybe days I feel dried up, I will continue to get refreshed and filled up with the living water. I know God has good plans for me.

"The Flag Still Stands for Freedom"

"I have the right to do anything," you say-but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right do anything"-but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV

I'll admit Sunday, I had no idea what was going on. I don't watch football, so protesting it would be no problem for me anyway. I don't get all the money that is spent on watching a bunch of guys running around the field to try and get an oblong brown thing from one end of the field to the other, but those who want to watch I'm sure you enjoy it.

So Monday, I finally realized why these football players were not respecting the US flag and the National Anthem. At first I was upset, (I still am a little) I mean how dare they do this! After all, a lot of trouble was made to form this country. Truth is our country was founded because of a protest. A protest against the British Government where we declared our freedom. So now we have our freedom to do this.

Then I wondered what would George Washington think, would he approve of this display of disrespect? What would Besty Ross think, after all from what I learned, she sewed the first American flag. Would they be pleased? All that thought and fighting to help make the United States of America, and here two hundred plus years later we have no value for it.

What about Frances Scott Key? He was sure that the fighting throughout the night at Fort McHenry would see British flag flying over it in the morning, but to his glorious surprise "By the dawn's early light the flag was still there." Would he be pleased to see these protesters not respecting the flag?

Another thought occurred to me, how many of us at our jobs actually take once a week to stand and sing "The Star Spangled Banner" as a part of our work week? I mean I do because I am a preschool teacher and day care provider, so at least five days a week we pledge our allegiance. How many of us even stand up in our homes or at a bar/restaurant when the National Anthem plays? I'll admit I usually stay seated when it plays and I am home. In fact, I am probably busy doing something else.

I also thought about those Olympians who are so proud to hear "The Star Spangled Banner" play after they have one their gold medal. Sometimes it's kind of funny to watch them as they stumble through the words as they lip it or sing it, still they are very proud to be representing our country.

What about those serving our country? I can only imagine their feeling of pride when they arrive back home and see that Grand Ole Flag waving for them. I actually got to be in an airport and wave a flag for one of our service men arriving home. He couldn't see his family at the gate, but he was so happy to see all those flags and know he was Home.

Sure I understand that no one should be disrespecting out police, those who are here to help keep order and peace. Yes, something should be done to show this is not acceptable. But maybe there's a better way. A team taking goodies or something to a police station, showing them, "Hey, we're here for you!" I believe that would say so much more than taking a knee(Unless you're praying) while the National Anthem is playing.

A Good Friend

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Do not forsake your friend, or a friend of your family. Proverbs 27:9-10a NIV

To have a good friend is worth having. There have been many times I have been frustrated with my husband, my kids, or a situation at church and I have been able to call my friend so I can share. There have been times when she's been frustrated as well and she has called me.

Funny how at first she wasn't even someone I thought would be one of my best friends, but here we are twenty-six years later and I wouldn't want to live my life without her to call on.

Even with this close friendship I often wonder "what advice should I share with her, or should I just let her share and be there for her?" Sometimes it's hard to know, and some of us have found out the hard way that sharing our heartfelt advice can be taken the wrong way.

So how do we know when we should help our friend not walk off the cliff? Or should we just let him/her fall off?

Usually, when I think I need to share something I pray about it. I know I don't have all the answers, but I know the One who does. Then sometimes I'll write it out and share with someone else if this sounds loving and not critical. After that, then I'll share knowing this came from the heart.

What if the friend takes it all wrong though? What if she/he now thinks you are the worst person on the earth and refuses to talk to you?

I guess if he/she is really a good friend eventually the friendship will be restored. Maybe one day he/she will see the heartfelt sincerity of what you had to say. Maybe he/she will realize that you were only trying to help him/her not walk off the cliff at least without a parachute.

A verse I like to teach the kids is "A friend loves at all times"  Proverbs 17:17 I teach them this so they realize even if I'm mad at my friend I still love him. A good friendship is worth keeping even if you don't like what he shared with you, after praying about it each of us actually see that what she said might have had a sense of  truth in it.

Fifty Hours

Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

Last week, we endured the wrath of Hurricane Irma. By the time she arrived in our area her wind speeds had lighten some, I believe our maximum wind gusts were around 80 MPH.

The Lord had given me peace that all would be alright. I believe, He also guided me to start bagging ice and to even board up our windows. Something we hadn't ever done before. In fact, all of our neighbors were boarding their windows as well, a rarity in our neighborhood.

Something I didn't do was constantly watch the weather updates, sometimes this can cause undo worry. I did track the storm when the updates from the Hurricane center came in, I figured those were pretty accurate updates. At one point the day before the storm arrived the eye was to go right over our home, then it was over where our church is, and then over into the next town. When I heard this I did have a little bit of worry, mainly because of tornadoes that pop up unexpectedly. Still though I trusted God would see me and my family through.

We tried to stay busy, we worked on a puzzle and played lots of games. We finally even decided to sit down and watch a movie. We didn't even get ten minutes into the movie when we lost power. Somehow I knew we probably would.

I thought we would tell stories, like around a campfire. Unfortunately, no one was feeling creative. So I took my handy dandy flashlight and pulled out trivia games. So by lantern light we played "Twenty Questions", it was fun and kept our mind off of the storm.

I managed to fall asleep, in my dark room to the sound of pouring rain and wind gusts. Our children decided that they would try to stay awake for when the eye went near to us, they were thinking it would be like welcoming in the New Year. I did wake up a few times, nothing had changed with the wind and rain so I'd fall back asleep. Until I woke up and it was really quiet, could it be the eye or was the storm over? I tried to fall back asleep, but without power I had not idea what time it was. Besides there was a glow of a Bible verse on a shirt I had made, "Whether I turn to the right or the left, your ear will hear a voice behind you saying "This is the way walk in it.' " Isaiah 30: 21. Finally, I got up and it was 5:30 (I thought was 6:30, guess I need to go back to learning how to tell time on an analog clock).

I quickly got a shower (I do mean quick with just enough hot water). I woke husband, and we waited for daylight to see if we received any damage. Our sons were soon up (our daughter slept in) and as soon as they could they went outside. Lots of branches down, fence panels, but our four trees still stood and no damage. Praise God!

That day passed pretty quickly with branch clean up and wasn't to hot because Irma left us some wind gusts and clouds to keep the temperature down. Our in-laws had power so we were able to use their generator which was very welcoming, so I didn't have to lose our food in the fridges. We managed to cook on a camp stove and our grill. It was like camping.

The second day though brought back the heat, luckily we were able to plug in a fan into the generator and we managed to make it through. I figured I could endure, after all people in other countries do. Cold showers were better than no showers and we ate. I did begin to grow a little frustrated when my water wouldn't boil so I could cook rice. An hour later, the rice finally got done. Still I could endure.

"Hallelujah!" I yelled when I heard the beep telling me we had power. I was so excited! Only 45 hours, not to bad. I knew electric crews were working around the clock. It was short lived though, it flickered on and off a few times. Once I believed it was on for good, even settled down for "Wheel of Fortune" sure enough it went off again. This time it didn't come right back on. Another game night by lantern light.

This time when we went to bed though, it was a lot hotter. It was hard to fall asleep. "Lord, I don't want to be ungrateful or discouraged, but I was really hoping that was our power being restored. After all, the other people around us have it. My parent's home had their lights restored. But still I will be patient."

I managed to fall asleep, but was soon awoken by our children returning home from work. I believe I was sweating in places I never sweat before. It was hard to fall back to sleep. When our sons abandoned ship, they were sleeping at my parents house since my one son is house sitting for them I felt even more discouraged. "It's too hot here," our oldest said.

I went back to God, " God, I will endure this. I will stay strong, but if there is anyway you could restore our power. I mean I can't even work without it." I tossed and turned some more, then I heard the beep again. Really, our power restored again! I waited because I wasn't sure if it would stay. Finally, after 20 minutes I thought this time might be it, so I turned our A/C back on. Just the ceiling fans on made a difference in the heat, but it was so nice to feel cool air again.

Fifty hours we were without power. Some didn't lose it and others are still waiting for it to be restored. Some are dealing with flooding, something that we didn't have too. We persevered and I tried to remain faithful to God. I hope I produced more endurance to help me through any other trials that come my way, and can help people see God is faithful we just need to trust and endure.

Go Away Irma!

So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

People around here are fearful, mostly because of the unknown of what Hurricane Irma might do. It is fresh in our minds what Hurricane Harvey did to Texas.

The store shelves are without water, can goods are gone, and gas stations are running out of gas. People are jumping and waiting in long lines. Some have even hopped in their cars and skedaddled out of Florida at a snail's pace.

Whenever I think about this storm and begin to feel fearful, I simply stop and remember God is with me. I seek Him and I find the peace I need.

I am reminded that God can calm the storm and keep me safe. The disciples were on a boat with Jesus and a storm formed. It was a strong storm and they were fearful, they also could not understand why Jesus simply slept through it. Finally, they woke him up and He simply told the storm "Be still." The storm immediately stopped.

A couple months ago, we were setting up for our water day at church. The sky was full of storm clouds and was even rumbling a little bit. We are under a lot of pressure to build God's kingdom at our church, and I knew this day was important for us. So several times I yelled out, "In the name of Jesus, go away! Be still."

It didn't happen instantly, but sure enough. The bad weather stayed away long enough for us to have our event. The other amazing thing was we had a record number of people attend. It was an awesome day!

So as we prepare for Hurricane Irma, I believe that God will protect us and guide us as to what we should do before, during , and after the storm. We will keep praying and trust in His peace and guidance for we know He is with us!

Hey God, Don't Forget

As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory and the brilliance of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell face downward and I heard the voice of one speaking. Ekezial 1:28 AMP


This past week has been one of those crazy, unbelievable weeks. Texas was pounded with at least four feet of rain. Here in Florida we were pounded with at least a foot of rain causing some local flooding as well. It's kind of ironic that just five months ago, we were concerned because of drought conditions. 

For me, I'm alright with a day or two of rain, but if I haven't seen sunshine after that I can feel a bit down in the dumps. As we anticipated our fifth day of clouds and rain, I desperately ask God to remember His promise not only for us but especially for those in Texas. I can only imagine what they might have been feeling. 

The meteorologist predicted the five days of steady rain, you can prepare yourself some for that but it doesn't help to much as the rain keeps coming down in buckets. Cars, roads, homes, everything covered in water. People coming together to help each other despite our differences. There's the joyous part in all of this. No matter what we look like or what we believe in when a crisis arrives we're there for each other.

Yesterday I asked God to please stop the rain here and in Texas, and if He could would he please send a rainbow to reassure them in Texas that He still is Lord over all. To my surprise He sent one here for us as well. I felt like falling to my knees because even when things look grim, God still loves us. Maybe this storm was a reminder that no matter our differences we can still love one another.

Look Through Different Lenses

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them by name. Because of his mighty strength not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26 NIV

A lot of hype brought us into Monday. Some traveled many miles so they could be in the dark during the day time. Some people constantly received phone calls, texts, and e-mails from the schools with warnings. We heard the same warnings on the news. There were even warnings from the pet stores about your pets. Sometimes all of this hoopla makes me want to turn away from the event.

Deep down though I was excited and was even more excited that I would have my afterschoolers when the main part of the eclipse happened around here. I had planned to make boxes for safe viewing or at least paper viewers for them to experience the eclipse. My daughter though was able to get us six pairs of those special glasses. So when each family member took his/her pair that left me with two. I figured we could share.

I tried to take pictures with my camera, but when I looked at the pictures the sun looked like it usually looks. I thought, "well maybe it's not really happening here." I continued to take a few pictures all with the same results. When I took the kids out to look at this event, I wasn't really expecting much. I put on my wonderful glasses and looked up. What a difference!

The moon was making it's way across the sun! The black appeared in front of the orange. It was amazing! We each took turns to view this event. We even saw when the moon covered 81% of the sun, that's the most we saw here. My family kept reporting to each other, and we all shared our glasses so others could see.

This of course got my mind thinking how different things seem when we look through different lenses. A group of people will see things one way and another group will see things another way. I remember viewing things a certain way and it wasn't until I surrendered to God completely that I see things completely different I now see things with different lenses.

One change is the way I see money. I used to worry all the time about having enough money. I also figured money was a worldly thing, so I didn't need to talk to God about it. After my complete surrender to Him, I now realize the money I earn is actually God's. He allows me to earn what I need and sometimes more if I am wise with the amount He blesses me with. Looking at money through God's eyes sure has made my life less stressful.

Maybe something you're looking at it can use a new view, maybe you need to look at it through God's eyes. Trust me the view is awesome!

It's The Heart

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."  1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Once again my heart hurts because of the actions of others, when any violence happens I am grieved no matter who does it. There are have been times when I judge before I get to know a person, I don't mean to but I think it's in our human nature. When someone approaches with his pants hanging down so I can see his underwear or butt crack it's kind of hard not to judge.

But before you judge me, you need to know I have judge my food before I ate it as well. A friend of mine brought hummus and pita chips, and one look at I decided I was not going to try any hummus. She encouraged me to try it and I did, and now I really enjoy snacking on hummus and pita chips.

I have also learned at our youth group to not judge these teens God brings us. I try to make them feel welcome whether they have a gauge hanging out of their ear, an earring hanging off their nose, or when they show up in pajama pants or pants hanging down. As they come every week, I get to know them a little better and it turns out they are really good kids.

Last night as we were merging on to a road, I noticed a kind gesture someone helping out somebody else. From the looks of it (I know I'm judging from the looks, he-he) a white man had run out of gas and his run down truck sat on the road. The white man held a gas can and black man was standing near him (he had parked across the ramp), I believe this black man took the white man to get gas and was making sure he was good before he went on his way.

I wasn't really looking at their outward appearances, I noticed first how someone was helping somebody else out a heart gesture. The kindness that was being shown to another human being. I was wondering where the news crews were so this story could be shown on the news.

I hope that as I go throughout my day I am able to see a person as God sees them. Much like the picture of all of our muscles someone shared on Facebook, from this picture you can't tell what nationality or color someone is. Maybe if we could all look at each others hearts we'd be less judgmental, maybe that person could end up someone who could change our lives for the better.

A Walk on The Dock

"So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings 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 give us eternal encouragement and good hope, and encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 NIV

I could tell from the first moment I met this young lady, small group would be a challenge. She got upset when you even said her name, and you better not look at her or even acknowledge her or watch out.

The first small group she volunteered to read the Bible and even though others were raising their hand I picked her. She read it so quietly though that no one could even answer the questions, so with attitude she read it again louder. Somehow we managed and at this point I still didn't know her name, she was one of many on the list. But I knew her face, and I would try to look at her name tag later.

The next time I saw her, I realized she had flipped her name tag around so no one could read her name. But with the help of one of the other leaders I was working with, we figured her name out. So I decided to look up what her name meant, than I could tell her. Her name means Ethiopian Queen, how great is that!

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to tell her during our next time we met. Her friend and her needed to stop by the bathroom, so I took them while the other leaders took our group out onto the deck. We made our way back to them, and she said "I'm scared, I don't want to go on the deck."

As I led our way there I said, "We'll walk in the middle and I can hold your hand the entire time." Well she didn't want to hold my hand, but she did hold her friend's hand and allowed me to place my hand on her shoulder.

When we joined our group, her friend sat down with the others but she stood beside me. We were all sharing different emotions that Jesus had and now it was time to share about when we were sad. She seemed hesitant and didn't want to share with the group, but she shared with me.

Her aunt had died in a car accident last year. Her aunt had been driving home, but fell asleep at the wheel and flipped her car numerous times. This is a very sad story and I shared how losing people is difficult and can be very sad.

As she was sharing a rainbow was starting, it was small at first and grew and grew as she shared. When we walked off the dock, she said "I sure do miss my aunt."

I shared "Losing people is hard, is there something your aunt loved like butterflies, rainbows, teddy bears..."

At first she said, "My aunt didn't tell me what she liked." Soon though it popped in her head, "She liked rainbows, my aunt liked rainbows."

"Did you realize the entire time you were talking that rainbow appeared and grew? God and your aunt were telling you she's in the arms of Jesus." I believe God sends us encouragement when we need it and this young lady experiencing camp needed it.

I liked to say her entire attitude changed from that point on, it did a little and eventually she let her name be shown but at that moment that young lady knew God loves her and her aunt. Hopefully, she can hold unto that. I know I will.

One Day the Rain Will Come

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Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me. Psalm 71:12

The ducks in the drainage ditches out front looked so pitiful. There they were five ducks all trying to squeeze into the tiniest puddle of water. The ditches themselves were sad looking with the bottom all cracked and parched, one would have thought it hadn't rained in years rather than just a few months.

There are times in my life when I feel dry and cracked. Some times it's in my marriage when my husband and I seem so busy we can't even take a few moments to sit down and talk. Sometimes it's at church when nothing seems to be going right. Other times it's in my prayer time with God.

During these times it feels like God is far from me and I just need a few drops of His love sprinkled my way. After what someone said last night, I felt discouraged and weary like everything I've done has been for nothing. I prayed and let God know how I felt, and how I know the message I received was not from Him. Still I felt bogged down my this.

I quickly reached out to those prayer warriors I have found over the last few months and each one responded to me with words of encouragement. One even took the time to text the prayer she was praying right to me. Boy, did I feel God raining down on me! Others responded quickly as well and a few even called.

So luckily for me, God did respond quickly! I also know that for this much weariness and discouragement to try and bring me down; God is about to move in a big way!

Our ducks in the ditches are much happier now, rainy season has begun. Our ditches are now overflowing. I know that God's love for me overflows even when I feel dry or discouraged.

Strength, Weariness, & Just Plain Busy

Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

Funny, it's hard to believe that youth ever grow tired or weary. The kids who are coming to Vacation Bible School this week are sure full of energy. It's hard to keep up with them after working all day!

I am sorry it has been awhile since I have written. Weariness has begun to wear me down. Every week I have good intentions to sit down and write, but some how my time gets full and once I sit on my couch it sucks me into slumber land.

Our church has been put on a plan to succeed or else. It seems that the older the church the more they want to close it down. The church where I attended as a little girl and where I accepted Christ was closed. Another small church's doors will be closing, and another two churches close to our church may close.

It seems in order to help God's kingdom grow, we have to put in more and more hours at the church. I love serving God and doing the things He asks of me, but some weeks grow tiresome. Especially, when I have put a lot of effort into doing something and the turn out is low.

I often wonder, "why are the bigger churches having more success?" I don't believe they are praying more or trusting in God more than we are. It also seems they have the same small number of people helping to make the programs work, so what is it? Why do these churches grow and the little ones fail?

Often, I have heard it's because the older churches don't want to change, "We've always done it this way." But I'm not so sure that is it. I mean we as a church are willing to change. We are making every effort too, we have put our trust in the Lord, and we are looking at what other churches do. So what is it that makes a difference?

Take this year and getting the word out about our VBS. We passed out 96 moon pies, put out flyers, and even mailed a letter to the local churches to let their children know about our VBS. At first, people wouldn't take the moon pies because it had religious propaganda or their child was allergic to the nuts or eggs. Uggh!

Then by the grace of God, the moon pies were passed out! We received a phone call from one of the letters and he was going to let his 200 children know! Praise God!

Our first night of VBS brought 9 kids. "Nine, really after all this only nine God?"

Sure I am grateful for the 9, but it was discouraging. The next night brought us four more and last night two more arrived!

We will strive on and know that God will work in these 15 children's lives. It just would have been awesome to have so many that our church would be busting at the seams!

I will keep on hoping in the Lord and allowing Him to renew my strength. I still believe His glory will shine even at our small church! We will all be soaring on eagle's wings!

Blessings

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NIV

Have you ever waited for a blessing to arrive? You think, "surely things are going to get better, it just has too I'm doing everything He has asked."

Our church has been given the opportunity to restructure our programs. The process of praying and figuring out what God wants us to do, hasn't been easy. It seems like we are fighting a wall, a nice thick wall that is hard to break through.

We have begun some of these new ideas. God encouraged me to start planning my own Sunday school and Children's church curriculum which I did. He also wanted me to start letting the kids earn tickets and once a month they get to shop. I have done both of these things, maybe not wholeheartedly at first, but I am all on board now. I plan, I write, I research...but I am still waiting for the blessings.

I know without a doubt God has called me to minister to children. My problem is how can I minister to them if they don't come. Sure I teach the children in my day care, but it's not quite the same as teaching children at church. I know the blessings will come, it's just so hard waiting sometimes.

Another idea God gave us was to begin a new service geared toward the youth. We have begun this and I'll be the first one to admit I enjoy it a lot more than Sunday morning service. The music is more upbeat and loud, and I can feel free to move around and praise the Lord. Because of this second service we have been able to minister to twice as many people. Problem though is the last few weeks some of our regulars haven't been there, I just hope it's temporary.

God's blessings have shown up for this service with some people donating lights and a fog machine. Also some youth we've never seen before have attended! The neighbors across the street says he can sit on his front porch and hear the entire service, and joggers or walkers stop for a moment as they pass by our church and enjoy. Maybe one day they'll actually come inside. What a blessing!

Even though there have been some of God's blessings, we're still waiting for more. Our church isn't receiving the donations we need to receive without these it won't be long before the wall closes in and wins. But as one of the Toby Mac songs we did last night says, "move, keep walking soldier keep moving on; move, keep walking, until the morning comes; move, keep walking, soldier keep moving on; and lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet" 

We will continue to march around the wall until He says "Yell those praises now!" And we will watch as that big wall comes tumbling down. So I will keep being obedient to all God asks of me, and He will bring the blessings to keep His church alive!

Passion

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25 NIV

Almost daily on the news I hear what people are passionate about. Today it was staying up to see the football draft and what it meant for his team. Other times it's someone rescuing dogs from an unsafe situation. Or protesters trying to make known where their passion lies.

What are you passionate about? What can you barely control your temper about when what your passionate about is wronged?

I am passionate about serving God. I want to do everything I can to please Him. Maybe sometimes it seems I am over passionate, especially when I've spent 17 of the last 20 days at church. Some weeks are like that, especially around Easter and Christmas. But hey, I wouldn't have any other way.

I also have a passion for teaching children how much God loves them and He wants what is best for them and so do I. It would be so much easier though if these kids would just get the message the first time and then maybe I wouldn't have to repeat myself so much.

I have a passion for my family. I love when we get to spend time together and play crazy games. In fact, this week a received a call from one of my cousin's excited that she should be able to get to Florida more so we can spend time as a family. I can't wait!

My passion is for the Lord and doing all He asks of me. My hope is that each of us can claim this.

Entrance

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:24

On one of our vacations we took the kids to a Kid's Museum. The owner of this place had taken old airplanes, cars, ramps, skateboard parks,...and managed to put them all together in a maze. The place was overwhelming. They could climb and explore thousands of things.

But first we had to get in and I became a little intimidated when I saw to even get in the building I would have to climb up a steep ramp using a rope to pull myself up. I looked and looked for another entrance, but this seemed to be the only way. Somehow I made it up and we were able to get inside. I am kind of glad that this place isn't near us or I would be having to use this entrance a lot because I know it would end up one of our yearly field trip spots.

In this story Jesus' tells, a rich young man approaches Him and simply asks, "What good thing must I do to get eternal life?" This man figures he's probably done this good thing since he's so well off, or if he hasn't done it yet he certainly can since money talks.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Jesus tells him obey the commandments to which he finds out he has obeyed them. Then Jesus gives him the clincher, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man goes away distraught because he was so wealthy, he didn't want to give any of it up.

The disciples wonder why he can't give away his stuff, and this is when Jesus explain, "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle." Now we might be picturing a needle with a little tiny eye, and those of us who have threaded needles now how hard it is to get the thread in the needle. How in the world would a camel ever get through that?

Jesus is actually referring to an entrance into a city. Towns were built with walls around them and during the day, everyone used the gate to come in and out. At night though the gates were closed and if you wanted to enter the city you had to enter through the eye of the needle. For a camel to enter in, everything must be removed from it's back and it had to get down on it's belly and crawl through. I'm sure it must have been a sight, and I would probably just camp outside and wait for the city gate to open in the morning.

In order to enter heaven, we must give up what's holding us back. For the man in this story it was his wealth. For other people it's their pride and for others it could be resentment. There are many things that prevent us from a true relationship with Christ making the entrance hard to climb. Are you willing to take it off so you can enter into heaven? Or are you going to go away distraught because what you carry is of great wealth?

Choice

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, 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 NIV


Funny thing about life it is full of choices. You wake up and you can choose to hit the snooze button or get out of bed. You get to choose what you will wear for the day and what you want for breakfast.

Throughout the day we can choose how we will react to different situations. We can choose which path to take to work. I usually choose to walk down the hall way and head to the kitchen. Then I can choose if I am in the mood to exercise, how long I want to exercise, and which work out video I want to watch.

When the kids misbehave I can choose how much I yell or which punishment they should get. When my husband has a bad attitude, I have a choice as to whether or not I have a bad attitude back. Sometimes I succeed in not reacting, but other times not so well. It really upsets me when he tells me, "stop talking." When I have something to say, he better not try to silence me that just gets me going. Sure I can choose to listen and obey, but it is hard when I need to speak my mind.

There is one choice each one of us gets to make from the time we are born. The Israelites heard this a lot, "choose today whom you will serve." Sometimes they got it right, other times they'd mess up. The good news is even when they messed up, they got the chance to choose again. No matter who we are, where we are born, or where we live we all get a choice. It's the same choice the Israelites had,"to choose today whom you will serve."

Will you serve the TV? Video games? Money? The latest fad? Or will you choose to serve the Lord? 

As for me and my household we will choose the Lord! It's one choice I don't regret.

Sacrifice

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV

Sacrifice, most of us parents knows what it means to sacrifice. We sacrifice new clothes, new shoes, or haircuts all for the benefit of our children. Sometimes we sacrifice eating a meal just to make sure our kids don't go to bed hungry. If our children need it, we are going to find a way to provide it.

Sometimes our time is sacrificed so we can spend time listening to a friend in need. We go out-of-our-way to help out in a time of crisis. We try to help them when they are being evicted. We lay our hands on them and pray for them when they're ill. We do whatever it takes to help make things right.

This past weekend I spent time remembering what one man did for each of us. Before he did this, there were all kinds of sacrifices required for all different types of sin. These sacrifices though did not clean us on the inside, they may have made a difference but it didn't really change anyone.

The ultimate sacrifice was done for each of us 2000 years ago, Christ did a one time good for eternity sacrifice. He was beaten with a whip that had blades on the end. It ripped His skin. They shoved a crown of thorns in His head causing more bleeding. He was spat upon, beaten even more, and made to carry His cross all the way to Golgotha.

There they pounded the nails in his hands and through his feet and then he was raised up and hung on a cross. People there still yelled at Him and told Him to "Save yourself Son of God." The thing was He could have stopped it all at any moment. He could have not gone through the pain and just walked away, who would have blamed Him.

But He didn't it, He went through all of this to take on every sin we could ever commit. He thought of me knowing one day I would screw up so bad with our finances that we could have lost it all. He thought of you and the wrong choices you have made. He thought of each one of us as He hung there that one Friday and asked God to forgive each of us because we no not what we do.

Then He died, He became the sacrifice so if we had a need He could provide it. Don't let His brokenness count for nothing. Accept His sacrifice, it makes an eternal difference.

Solidarity

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, it it possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Have you ever felt the need to get away by yourself for awhile? There are days when I would just love to find a few moments to myself. Maybe I should start wearing long skirts so I can just pull it up over my head much like Susanna Wesley did when her kids started to drive her crazy. She would need a moment of solitude and the only way she found to get it was to pull her skirt up over head and take a moment to pray and get her peace back.

A moment alone isn't such a bad thing. There were several times when Jesus would need a few moments peace to regain his focus. He had a tougher time then most of us. Once people realized he could heal and perform miracles, the multitudes followed him around. He of course didn't want to turn anybody away, but he did need time to refuel. So early in the morning, he would go off by himself to pray and focus on what he needed to do. He would get his peace back.

On this night when he was praying in the garden, he really needed time to focus on what laid ahead. He knew the next day was going to be tough. He knew he had to endure pain and suffering in order to save us. Here he's seeking God to take this from him.

Most of us don't want to face something painful. We would like to try to find another way if at all possible. Then Jesus says to God, "yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus would face all he had to if that was what God wanted. Jesus knew this was the way he had to go in order to make a way for us to get to heaven.

His solidarity with God help him to see what he needed to do. Our solidarity with God can also help us see the way He wants us to go. Be sure to take the time to seek His ways and find peace, hopefully you won't have to pull a skirt over your head to find it.

Hope

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not feel faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV

When I saw this word for today, immediately one of my favorite verses popped in my head. I like this verse because it tells us what happens when we hope in the Lord, our strength become renewed. Some days I need a lot of strength to get through.

Hope for me is believing that something is going to happen to change what's happening now. My hope comes from trusting in God to see me through. He has done it over and over again.

A few weeks ago I had to keep my friend's hopes alive as it seemed everything was falling apart. Her family and her were about to become homeless. The money had run out and they were losing their home. They looked and looked for a new place to move to, but with bad credit the chances of getting a place were growing slimmer.

She'd call me asking for prayers, and her husband and her prayed together hoping each place they looked at might be the one they could call home. One day when she inquired about a place she asked some questions and realized that renting a home was going to be near to impossible.

They took a chance on an apartment. Her husband called a place thinking it was one place and it turned out to be another. There were certain things they needed the apartment to have and they wondered about being approved, and as they looked at this place all the criteria was met. One of the ironic things was my friend actually knew the manager from years back. Through God's grace they were approved and some how God provided the money for the large down payment they needed to make.

This family has a new place to call home. God provided it for them because they put their trust in Him even though they had messed up. God renewed their strength and now they can soar on wings like eagles.

Fear

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

The winds were howling. Rain pounded against the windows and side of the house. Water began to seep in through the foundation. The power went out. Fear began to grip me, I wasn't sure if we were going to make it through this hurricane in one piece.

Then a song from Vacation Bible School filled my mind, "Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, do not fear for I am with you, this is the choice that you make, so don't be afraid." As I looked at my frighten children and husband huddle on the couch I knew we had nothing to be afraid of.

The water stopped coming in and the storm soon passed. We were safe once again.

There have been other times in my life when I have felt fear and each time it tries to grip me, I am reminded of that song. This song brings me comfort as I face the frightening situation.

There is no reason to fear because God is on my side. Even in the most frightening of situations He can get me through it one way or another. So step out in courage with God by your side.

Prepare

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him'" Matthew 3:3 NIV

Most of the time I am prepared and ready for things I need to get done by the time I need to have them ready. There are times though when something sneaks up on me and I am not as prepared as I thought I should be. This can make me feel a bit overwhelmed and ill-equipped.

Through out our lives we prepare a lot of things. We prepare as best we can for the birth of a child. We pick out the crib, the sheet patterns, and the way we want this little one's room to look. Some of us get to know if we are having a boy or a girl. We pick out clothes, toys, and the latest safety features. We go to Lamaze classes so we can know what labor will be like and how to deliver our little one safely. All this preparation and then the little one arrives and we may seem completely lost at what to do now.

This past weekend I prepared a cake. I followed the recipe and made chocolate cake. Then after it was finished I followed another recipe to turn it into a caramel cake. Let me say, I will be preparing this one again.

Once I prepared pancake batter only to discover after the pancakes were made, I mistakenly put in salt when it should have been sugar. No amount of syrup could prepare me for that first bite of pancake.

This season of lent I was prepared to write daily about the word for the day. Somehow I am seven days behind. I was not prepared how busy and tired I ended up last week. My quiet time with God turned into a siesta with the Lord, and my other free times ended up with some behavior problems with the kids. It's not a problem because maybe I wasn't prepared to write about prepare until today.

Anyway, this week I am prepared to celebrate what Jesus did for each one of us. Some of the story is hard to hear, but I know Jesus did what he did because of his love for each one of us. So even though the story is tough, the ending is glorious. So prepare to celebrate a risen Savior!

Transform

Do not conform the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

I'm sure some of you have seen the movies transformers where a car transforms into a robot. I haven't actually watch any of them myself, but I believe my boys had a couple of the toys. Either way, the vehicle becomes changed, different.

To transform means to change, to become different. We can become transformed in many different ways. Sometimes we become better and sometimes we become worse.

Those who become addicted to drugs or alcohol become transformed into someone their loved ones don't even recognize. They can become mean or aggressive. Sometimes they begin to steal and they may even become abusive. How many times have we heard, "He used to be such a good boy, I don't understand what happened."

Sometimes we transform to the surroundings around us. People just begin accepting certain behaviors and soon it becomes common. There was a day when someone said: "Oh what the f***," he/she would look at you an apologize. Now that word and words like it have somehow become casual words and no one is sorry. The phrase "Oh my God" has also become very common, even though we are calling on the name of God.

This past weekend I got to hear stories about how 33 women's life were transformed by their Walk to Emmaus weekend. These women shared over and over again, how they now see the world through I different pair of lenses. They are handling the pressures of life differently, not reacting negatively much like they used too. There lives have been transformed by the renewing of their mind.

I shared the same experience about seventeen years ago. Hearing and experiencing God's love for me was definitely a life transformation. It has helped me grown closer to God and help me become a new person. I not only renewed my mind but my heart has transformed as well.

This weekend experience is not a cult or anything weird, it's simply a weekend to help each of us become closer to God and feel His unconditional love for us. If you ever have the opportunity to take a Walk to Emmaus GO! It is something you won't regret.

Repent

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 4:17 NIV

Most have seen it or heard it, "Repent, repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. Turn away from your evil ways and turn to the Lord, so you don't enter into the gates of hell!"

I'm not sure how many people have been saved by the Fire and Brimstone preaching, but I don't think God wants you to accept Him because you've been scared to death. Maybe that's what it takes for some to accept Him.

Repent means to feel regret for something you've done. We've all been there. There are many different times in my life I regretted some choice I made. Sometimes the choice came from my anger and sometimes it came from my jealousy. I didn't take the time to pray about it before I reacted, I just reacted.

Yesterday afternoon was one of those trying afternoons for me. It really pushes my buttons every time a child disrespects me. When you are trying to correct a child and teach him/her the way you want him/her to behave, it makes it very difficult when that child laughs at you or tells you "You're not my boss." Luckily, I had been praying about him/her behaving and I was able to stop myself from reacting in an improper way. So this time I have no regrets.

Most of the times when I do react in a way I ended up regretting, I go to the Lord and repent. I don't believe I will see the gates of hell! Like some preachers would want me to think, but I repent because I love God and I don't want to displease Him. Besides after I repent, I no longer feel any regrets.

So repent to get yourself free from regrets not because someone scared you into it.