My Silly Little Self

So here I go again about my sissy-in-law stories....

Okay, so when I first met my husband, we were 15 or so... yeah you know what it's like to be a little girl at that point, so insecure, just lost and trying to be "cool" or whatever... well... here is my story...

I have no idea why, but I guess we were all hanging out in her room, and I left the room for a second, and I said "Just so you know, when I say I am leaving the room, I am really sitting by the door, listening to see if you are gonna talk about me..."

(Thank you my wonderful sissy-in-law for reminding me of this story)

What a nerd! I am such a creep! Seriously, why did I care? I have no idea! And now at this point I am sure there are a bunch of people who still have their thoughts and opinions about me, and have plenty things they would like to say...

Well, this brings me to my Biblical point of the day...

"Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you, for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others." Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

AMEN... THAT'S IT... DONE DEAL...
COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!

It's one thing to say something to someone in love to help build them up, but silly silly me... I had to sit by the door... hehehe I am a looser! So... unless your ready to hear the truth don't sit and hope you may hear it... there will be a day it comes out... or you'll figure it out on your own...

Has it been 60 days yet?!?!

A very wise man once told me we NEVER GIVE UP (thanks dad)... so I guess I will keep writing... I don't know why it's MY LIFE IN 60 DAYS, but whatever, I guess I still have a while to go... just keep writing, writing, writing....

Well, I do have a pretty neat story, just another one of those weird things that happened...

I used to have this nice green lawn, with a little garden, a tomato plant, and some other veggies, that were all looking so ripe and beautiful... Well, everything began to die off... It's sorta a sad story! I used to love to go out and look at the beautiful lawn my hubby grew from dirt, and my son and I would go out and pick our veggies when they'd ripen... but then after this summer I go out, and bam... dead!

Maybe I forgot to water (tryin to save money around here...j/k) but really, it was beautiful this spring, and I just don't know what happened. Well, as my son and I walked over to the tomato bush it was all weathered and dried out, the vine and branches were dead, but there were four beautiful ripe tomato's on it. Honestly, it was just weird!

Well, of course this brings me to my daily scripture, (my mommas favorite)...

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

HOW TRUE! Sometimes we feel like giving up, like life has just gotten to hard... but that is when our FAITH in HIM continues to grow, and how amazing, we can still bear fruit! Still great fruit comes off a dead branch. Sometimes when we feel so dead, He can put life back into us and help us persevere through the trials.

We are all just a bunch of disciples sent by Him to save the world and not condemn it... so just keep going, and NEVER GIVE UP! (John 3:17)

Guess I'm up to Bat

Lost and insecure, lying on the floor He found me...

He said He'll never leave us or forsake us!

I took that first step into the unknown...
I am not afraid I have nothing to lose!

I'm going to learn from the coach...

Crossroads Christian Church Corona

I may not have a penny to put in the bucket, but I have a heart for the King!

I am going to rejoice with the angels.... because I LOVE them!

So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:3-7

My Own Little Blog Is Not About Me

I seek to speak to you with HOPE that you to will find guidance through these words. This blog is not the blog I write, but is of that what has become manifested in me. For you can also find the LOVE you need... "For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do.... "These two forces within us are constantly fighting eachother to win control over us... But when you follow your own wrong inclinations, your lives will produce these evil results..." Galatians 17-21 "Those who belong to Christ have nailed evil desires to His cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit's power, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Then we wont need to look for honors and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings." Galatians 5:25-26 So please reader, know there is power in Jesus and healing through His power. It is only His love that can create a newness in you. If you have become overcome by sin, I would LOVE to GENTLY and HUMBLY help you back up and bring you on the right path, but only when you are ready. As for me the only thing I can boast about is the cross, our Lord, Jesus Christ! Cares and prayers...

When Laughter Became Contagious

Recently I took a long car ride with one of my favorite people and I couldn't help but giggle in the car the entire time I was with her. I had no idea why. It was just pure sillyness! I even looked at her and was like, "I love being around you, you make me feel like I am a little kid, I am laughing and I don't know why..." She's one of those sweeties, "I love you no matter what" type of gals, but anyway, it was just odd. I mean I really felt like a little kid....AND YES I WAS SOBER...

Do you have those times when you feel like your emotions become contagious or like someone is just rubbing off on you?

BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS (GALATIANS 5:22) ...JOY... AND GOD GAVE US A WONDERFUL REASON TO HAVE JOY IN OUR LIVES NO MATTER WHAT TRIALS WE FACE!

We can have REAL JOY in knowing that He loves us. No matter what problems that we have throughout our day, we can have REAL JOY in the comfort of His love. What is the foundation that you are letting yourself be built up with? Jesus or the trials and problems of this world? Is true Spiritual JOY a part of your everyday life? If it is not, it can be!

"Those who sow in tears, shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalms 126:5-6

The Day the Earth Shook

While I was wondering along in my own dark path, I continued questioning God, and what he expected of me. I was beginning to really think He didn’t have power over all things. I began to believe I could control my life and do what I wanted and it wasn’t going to bother anyone.

At that point I asked God, “If you are REAL I need a sign, do something God, PLEASE, make me feel like you are the God of heaven and earth, show me you are REAL.”

Minutes later as I sat at my desk, the earth shook… EARTHQUAKE…. Ut oh… Was God was mad at someone…. maybe ME?!?

I questioned His power and strength… “OK OK GOD I GET IT! You are the master here; I will bow to you and hail you as my king again! I am not my own master, you are my boss, now that’s enough, I get it God you are REAL!”

Some may say that was irrational to think God shook Southern California for me... but whatever it's my thing with God and when I get to heaven I'll ask...

But that wasn’t it… after the earthquake that day, the Lord pulled me through trial, after trial, after trial… and finally I was silent and still before Him… tamed and ready to serve.

Sometimes the first step to understanding where God wants us to be is to turn down the noise a few notches. The world perpetually shouts and screams, seeking to brand you, but God wants to do that part… You are granted only by the One who knew you before you were born.

“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a GENTLE WHISPER.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

Referring to the above scripture, remember, our Father doesn't speak with a loud voice, but most often with a GENTLE WHISPER. Tragically, we rarely stay quiet long enough to hear his whisper… we just keep running from Him… and forming ourselves…

"But for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me. Don't gloat over me my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Because I have sinned against Him, I will bear the Lord's wrath, until He pleads my case, and establishes my right, He will bring me out into light; I will see His righteousness." Micah 7:7-9

The Lord never leaves us, yet sometimes we decide to leave Him, but go back and stay true to what you know is right in our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End, for only He saves!

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I deserve to pay my own sin debt, but I do believe that You died on the cross for me to pay the debt that I owe. Today, the best I know how, I trust You as my Savior. I will depend on You from this moment on for my salvation. Amen!

...Secret...

Quite a few of my favorite people are what I like to call the “secret Christians”. I LOVE these ones! They are so awesome! Yeah, I know, we as Christians often get the, “Oh so you’re one of those…” type of gestures… so sometimes God uses special undercover Christians to show us how it’s all done. I love secret Christians! It’s amazing how God uses them just the same as he uses the one who walks around with the “Jesus Saves” shirt on.

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

So where you at? Whatcha doin? Don’t worry, Gods there too, and when you least expect it that secret Christian may just pop up to hold you accountable. I LOVE SECRET CHRISTIANS! Obviously I am not a secret Christian, because I work in ministry, I write this blog, and I put it out there ….(I’m the preacher’s kid)…. But, I hang out with a lot of those secret ones, and they always got my back, and watch out for what is good for me. They are always reminding me to do what is right in the favor of the Lord. Be very careful who you express disapproval of and what you say, because that person you call the sinner may just be the saved!

"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32

...so go ahead label me a hypocrite....but I know what I am...
....I’m just the prodigal son...

In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) there are three different types of people. Who are you in this story? Are you a prodigal, a Pharisee or a servant? Are you the rebellious son (prodigal), lost and far from God, and coming back? Are you the self-righteous (Pharisee) no longer capable of rejoicing when a sinner returns to God? Or are you one of the servants in the household, rejoicing with the father when a lost son finds his way home?

Maybe you've hit rock-bottom, and decided to run to God's open arms of COMPASSION and MERCY... Well ... be like NIKE -- JUST DO IT!

Get off the scale; you’re no bigger than me!

I get so irritated by this “earning God’s grace” factor. Jesus died on the cross and eternal life is free… a FREE gift! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

“O my gosh, look at her she sinned, I think I am going to tell God on her…”

WOW, really people sin? I can’t believe it! I mean come on really? What is with people now days? It’s like we have to take a step back and remember our master and our creator, who sent his one and only son to die for that beer in your hand, or that weed you smoke, or that cigarette you enjoy.

So, the question is really how close to God do you want to be? The contamination we put in our bodies, is much like the contamination we put in our soul when we put something before our Lord. God knows your heart, and He made you before you were even born, so maybe He is not asking you to give up all your earthly desires, maybe He is asking you to simply put Him FIRST in your life, and love Him, and ask Him to be your leader. Maybe He just wants a little bit of FULL SURRENDER to Him so he can work in you.

Alcoholics

Workaholics

Shopaholics

Blogaholics :)

Drug addicts

Text addicts

We are all guilty of some sort of addiction! And Jesus died for us all and loves us all the same. “… God shows no personal favoritism to any man ….”(Galatians 2:6) and what he does for one he will do for another!

God never has expected perfection from us, if He did why would Jesus have suffered for us?

Get real and be honest with yourself…. What is the barrier that is between you and God? What are you allowing Satan to use in your life to pull you down? What is holding you back from having the most intimate relationship with God that you could ever desire?

What do you enjoy doing more than loving Him?

SIN IS SIN and we all got it, so get off the scale and quit weighing your neighbors sin cuz we all have the same virus!

Matthew 7 1-5 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

The Battle of Little Bighorn

“In 1874 General Custer and the Seventh Cavalry were sent from Fort Lincoln, in Dakota Territory, with a scientific expedition into the Black Hills, principally to explore the area and to secure military information. While exploring the country, rumors of gold in the hills were confirmed by prospectors who accompanied the military force. This was unnecessary and uncalled for provocation by the US Military.”

What an amazing story and mark in history! The Battle of Little Bighorn… well I am not much of a history guru, and I am sure I learned this in high school but it was one of those things I never really kept in mind...

As I walked into a tent last night at the fair an old cowboy approached me, and began to tell me and my son about this battle. He and his wife actually do the reenactment of this historical event annually. As the cowboy continued on with this history lesson speaking of the Seventh Cavalry, he paused for a moment… “Well…” I asked “You know what happed on Calvary right?" (Jesus was crucified) He couldn’t help but smile, and introduce me to his wife, who was also familiar with the story of CALVARY…. He was quick to mention the pronunciation of the word Seventh CAVALRY… I guess there is a huge difference right?

I know, I am a little slow at times, but whenever given the opportunity, I want to plant that seed… As my new cowboy friend and his wife went on to tell me their personal stories about riding bareback in the hills with the Native Americans, It became clear to me they were living out their calling as Christians and loving others, loving those in other tribes, loving those in other nations, loving those who were completely different than what I'd call familiar. This dear couple were part of the “body” of Christ; and the compassion flowed through their voices as they told their stories… He spoke about going to Uganda and riding their horses through the streets, how there were people hating people because they were from a different tribe, or spoke another language…

How unfamiliar this all was to me… People hating people… and there I was preaching to the saved…

Once again I asked the Lord, what are you teaching me? What are you telling me?

“…Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds then praise your father in heaven…” Matthew 5:16

As I stood there surrounded by people, a man walked by with a shirt “Pray for the persecuted church” another passed by “John 3:16” in bold print….

They cowboy and his wife knew… He knows… That guy knows too...
The TRUTH… YOU LORD… THEY KNOW YOU!
I AM NOT ALONE!

Again, I thought, LORD show me how…. how do I show your love?

“…Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds then praise your father in heaven…” Matthew 5:16

The battle of Little Bighorn was a great mark in history, now I ask are we ready to battle for our Lord?

"We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" Ephesians 6:12

Driving me crazy?

One of my favorite things in life are children!

They always bring an abundant joy that cannot be explained, their words are so sweet, like that of a song, and their love is so REAL that it cannot compare to any other LOVE here on earth.

Rolling around on the floor doing circles faster then my eyes could see, I ask my 3 year old neice, "What are you doing silly girl."

"I am driving you crazy auntie..."

I couldn't help but laugh at the tender joy that brought to my morning. So, she's driving me crazy? Well, I thought to myself, if this is how you will drive me crazy, keep going!

A child can find joy from something so simple, it amazing to me. Rolling around, a paper box that can be a spaceship, a paper plate that can be a mask, a new toy, an ice cream cone, Christmas lights....

Why when we grow up, we find it hard to love the simple things? Why can we no longer find the joy in simply rolling around on the floor? Why do these little things really drive us crazy?

I guess today what I'd like to say is, what drives you crazy? The girl who won't shut up? A bad hair day? Work? Whatever it is, I give you the challenge to LOOK that thing right in the face and say... "HA, you're not gonna drive me crazy anymore, as a matter of fact, I am going to LOVE it when this happens, and laugh it off!"

Proverbs 15:13 - "A happy heart makes the face cheerful..."

Lead me to the Cross by Brooke Fraser

The truth came out and set me free....

This is a story about a little girl who was getting lost and confused in this huge world....

Resorting back to the old child hood song, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine..." What happens when your light gets blown out? Where do you turn? Where will your help come from? Who will rescue you?

Scared to do it alone, without my parents, without my husband, without my friends, I began to run from my creator. My spirit was crushed, heart broken, and couldn't find myself... WHO do you want ME to be GOD... YELLING at the top of my soul! What are you teaching me LORD? What am I even doing here? I need help!

Turn to the truth, the Lord spoke, trun to me, I will show you the way, my dear, my love, my little child, you are mine, and I LOVE you! I heard His voice! He wanted my soul, my love, my heart, He wanted to be the desire I longed for in my life...

Is it me? Am I crazy Lord or is that you? Do you really hear my cry? Am I truly hungry for your words? It's all there... the truth... all in His word... HE SUFFERED FOR ME! MY SUFFERING IS DONE! THIS PAIN WILL GO AWAY! HE PAID THE PRICE FOR ALL THE WRONGS I HAVE DONE... ALL ON THE CROSS!

Consume me Lord, be my light again, light this flame, make it burn for you Lord, I need you! You hear me Lord, now show me your way, you are my shepard...

I HEAR YOUR VOICE... KEEP SPEAKING!

Teach people MY ways....
Be an example of MY loving kindness....
Humble yourself before ME....
I am the master and maker of all the angels here on earth....
Don't worry my dear, this is just a temporary place for you....

From Acts 17

KEEP THE LETTER “I” IN YOUR FAITH

Paul went to preach to the open minded people. Yet, they stirred up trouble. He saw the idols and became deeply troubled. When he spoke about the Lord they called him a dreamer for pushing a foreign religion. Yet, he asked them to tell them about this religion. They were worshiping a God they already knew of. The God who created EVERYTHING. They already knew the God of heaven & Earth. Yet he is not only there on Sunday in the man made temple. He made the world and everything in it, and he wanted the people to see this. He is Lord of heaven and earth, who gives us life and breath. Humans can not minister to Gods needs because he has no needs what so ever, he simply wants power over all things. He already knows who will rise and fall. God has determined our boundaries. His purpose is for us to seek His will in ALL things. He is not far from any of us, for in Him we live and move. We are sons/daughters of Him. God has tolerated mans ignorance about all things. Only he has set a day for justly judging each man. When Paul spoke of a man resurrecting from the dead some laughed, yet some wanted to hear more. Some became believers. I AM A BELIEVER, for ever! He (Paul) spent much time trying to convince others of his religion, but many refused and opposed him. When they abused Jesus, Paul shook off the dust and said: “Your blood be upon your own head, for I am innocent, for now I will preach to another crowd.” God spoke to Paul and said “Don’t be afraid! Don’t quit for I am with you, and no one can harm you!”

They came crying Lord, how do I answer their tears, what do I say, give me your words God, let me hear your voice, what do I say, how can I help them....

Teach people MY ways....
Be an example of MY loving kindness....

You are a part of my body, now get to work my love, show them where Hope comes from!