My Baby Girl Is Safely Home And I Sure Do Miss Her

No matter how old your children become they will always be your baby in the eyes of the parent right? My sweetie left for home yesterday and we had a few hours together before she left. I made her breakfast. It seems to be a family favorite in our house, mish mosh. You may wonder what in the world is mish mosh? It's a little bit of this and a little bit of that. You start out sauteing onion or mushrooms or green pepper or even grated zucchini in a bit of butter. Then you add a potato or two that have been boiled and cubed and add to the pan and brown it. Then you add sausage or bacon and brown that in the pan with the other ingredients. Then you take a few eggs that you beat together and if you like add a bit of grated cheese to the eggs and then you add it to the other ingredients. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt and let it cook. If you should have fresh chives or tomatoes go ahead and serve a bit on top of that just before serving.
We rented the DVD "Young Victoria" and I watched a bit here and there and then I really watched it in the evening. I enjoyed that story. I never knew that there was a tender love story wrapped up in her life. How refreshing. I thought this visit was going to pass without making one of her favorite meals and I just felt urged yesterday to make a small batch of tuna-noodle casserole. I asked her a few times if she wanted me to make it and she said no. Now, do not always listen to your children because they are saying no on the outside but really on the inside it means yes. It is OK to follow your gut instinct and probe a bit too. When I hinted that I just may make it she then said that she would have some if I made it. See, they sometimes may feel like they are putting you out with their request but children should know that parents love to bless their children. I don't know about you but I love to bless my children, just to bless them and see that smile on their face. No one can ever tell me that they do not like seeing their child/children put that big smile on their face. How much more, do we ever think that our Father in heaven just loves to see a smile on His children's faces? Just a thought.
I love being a mother and I am most thankful that I was blessed to conceive and bring forth two beautiful children. Children are a piece of your heart that was always there or the room /capacity to love children was already a portion of your heart set aside for them. Can you remember back to the time before you had children? There was love in your heart for each other if you were married but all of a sudden a baby is born and love of a different kind wells up inside of you. Just when you think your heart had a full capacity for love of each other it is now capable of expanding to bring forth this wonderful love of your child. Isn't that amazing how that happened? The capacity was always there but never activated until that beautiful baby boy or girl was/were born. I suppose it would also be the same for parents that adopt or are foster parents to a child too. I do not know the answer to that because I was not in that situation. Is that not amazing how we were created already with that capacity already inside of us?
It is quiet around here now and I am laundering the sheets and towels while I write. My daughter is safely at home now. If you have children that are grown or not with you this evening for one reason or another why don't you call them and chit chat with them a bit or leave them a vm message or a text message. Cherish your children it really is OK to cherish them because they came forth and are a part of who you are. Lavish your children with love and be patient with them for they tend to go through things and may pull back from you at times but let them grow and continue to love them because once the growth is done they come right back into the safety of your arms and love. You can never lavish your child too much with love, for love is the foundation you are setting in their life for really good friendships and relationships to come forth.

"A White Lie Is An Entranceway To Hell." I Borrowed This Statement From "Small Island" On Masterpiece Classics

Many years ago I wrote about lying let me just share it right from my journal OK. I wrote this on 1/28/96. I conclude with this thought, forgiveness is derived from the word "forgive." Forgive means "To excuse for a fault or offense. To stop feeling anger for or resentment against. To absolve from payment of." If Jesus hung on the cross between two thieves and one chose to ask forgiveness of Jesus that very day and He told him that this very day he would be with Him in paradise how much more should we be willing to forgive others? Remember, there were two thieves that day that hung on either side of Jesus. One chose to seek forgiveness and we will meet him in heaven one day, only those that choose forgiveness in their lives of others and the wrong that was done to them. The other side goes like this, the other thief chose to not ask forgiveness and more than likely he is not in heaven today and you will probably not meet him unless you choose unforgiveness and your final destiny for eternity is in hell. More than likely you will possibly meet him there. The choice truly is yours, what will you choose?

I Had An Awesome Day Of Ministry Today, I Did Learn A Valuable Lesson Also

Be cautious of who you share information with. The less information you share at times the better it can be for you. I shared with more people that I was going to minister today than I usually share with. I like to keep that pretty quiet so as to not rock the enemy's camp and have to battle with a lot of spiritual warfare leading up to the actual ministry. I had to share this information with a few others that I normally do not share with and I believe a door was wide open because of that. Really know who the people are that you share things of this nature with OK. If they are not walking a true path with the Lord it can cause you more harm than it is actually worth. I like being likened to a stealth, sleek and I go in under cover silently do the work and then silently leave the scene with the work at hand completed. Does that make sense? I had to deal with all kinds of little spiritual attacks that led up to the ministry yesterday. It was not like this a few short weeks ago when I also ministered. The difference being was I shared with more people than I should have shared this time. You know people that are close to you can be a hindrance to ministry more than you care to think. Why do people always have to attach a dollar sign to doing kingdom work? It seems to be cheapened when people only think of the money and not the person that is being ministered to and being set free so they can then go forth to do their destiny work for the kingdom. You know, God's ways are far more different than the world's ways. I chose to ask off from work yesterday and yes, I did give up making money so I was available to minister to someone else. I was also freed up in the morning to help my daughter get ready for a wedding she was going to attend. You cannot place a dollar amount on those type of opportunities. Most people really do not get me or understand the heart that I have and compassion I have for others.
There are the moments like yesterday in which you know the power of God was flowing through you and Holy Spirit was hand feeding you information to help the person sitting before you get their freedom. How can you not acknowledge God when He moves so freely and with precision in a persons life? That is the only way I can describe it when I minister, I can sit there with a perfect stranger before me and have a few short minutes to review their profile and then the work of Holy Spirit begins. Sometimes the person is amazed at the questions and thoughts that come forth from Holy Spirit in the midst of ministry. He does that because He wants the person set free so they can then go forth in the destiny that they are called to step into and complete. The beauty of this ministry is that not only does He share things and suggestions to me to help the person being ministered to, He also gives me words of knowledge and wisdom and prophetic words to speak to them during the ministry. God is awesome. When you see the tears flowing and the freedom flowing also you can't help but stand back in amazement yourself at the active handiwork of God.
Today was unique to my ministry and I believe possibly a stepping stone forward into healing, not just the freedom aspect of the ministry. I had a book with me an actual handbook on healing of many different types of sickness and disease. When we were at a certain point I felt led to pick up the book and pause to deal with certain illnesses I did follow Holy Spirit's direction and I am glad that I did. In one of the exercises I stepped out in faith and followed the instruction, a portion of it was to grow out the persons arms. Sure enough one arm was shorter in length than the other and in the name of Jesus I called it to grow forth to line up with the other arm. That is exactly what happened right before both of our very eyes. God is faithful. I'm telling you there is no more exciting place to be than walking in your gifting/destiny. Once a person physically feels/sees/experiences something like that they cannot deny the power of God. AWESOME.
One thing that I do recognize is that I become a bit tired after ministering not because it is stressful or hard it is just because the power and presence of God flows through you. I would have loved to have gone home and rested a bit but I promised my son that I would come and visit him at school because he was in charge of publicity for an event that was held on campus yesterday. I did and I am glad that I did too. Kudos to my son because there was a lip sync contest the other day and his group won first place. You see I had to work that evening but my daughter was able to attend and see her brother in action. God takes care of those that love Him. I could not be there but she was visiting and was able to see it and take pictures too. On this particular visit home my daughter requested of me to make Chicken Paprikash for her to take back home with her for a friend that hasn't had it for a while. Apparently that is a dish that is not easily found where she lives. I was going to weasel out of making it at first when I told her I would just give her the recipe for her to make back home until she retorted that she already told her friend that she was 99% sure that I would make it. How do you say "no" to that? You don't. As you probably know this about me by now, yes I did in fact make it for her. I made enough that we actually enjoyed some for dinner with homemade dumplings too yum yum. Of course, a salad to balance off the meal. Tomorrow I will make another favorite, French Silk pie. I did not leave my son out of this cooking adventure. I did take up to him homemade chicken enchiladas (one of his new favorite's I just made for the first time a few weeks ago) and a snack. I loved visiting with him at school because he is outgoing/very personable and there is always a lot of people he introduces me to and I met several nice young ladies and men today too. It is also good to see some of his other friends that I have met before too. I met one of my daughter's friends the other day that came over to pick her up for their adventure. I must admit that my children hang around with and have really nice groups of friends. That is a welcome thing to a mother or father right? It sounds like I am beginning to ramble on a bit now so I will retire this writing for the day. Peace and blessings to you and yours this very day and until we meet again may "The Lord Bless you and watch over you. The Lord will smile on you and be kind to you. The Lord will look upon you with favor and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26.

Parents, Bless Your Children Do Not Curse Them With Ill-Chosen Words.

Kudos to parents who actually get it, children are precious gifts given to us. We raise, nurture, encourage and fine tune the gifting inside of them. We then release them to attain all they are called to attain with their lives. Parents should never be jealous of their children reaching goals beyond the parents limits in their own lives. When given a gift of a brilliant diamond why would you hide it's brilliance and light in a gift box? A wise person enjoys wearing it and allowing others to enjoy it's beauty also. Liken it to your children. Why would you hide their beauty and gifts from the world to experience? Let them shine for all the world to see and be blessed with attaining their destiny that was created by God, just for them.
Children that persevere even though their parent(s) does not acknowledge them and their gifting are those that are destined to accomplish great things. Why would a parent not want to see their children attain far more than the parent attained? I do not understand this train of thought. A child that you are blessed to receive as a gift into your life should be treated as the precious gift that they are. A beautiful piece of silver that is not properly taken care of that sits out in the open air when not in use tarnishes. Liken that to the harsh words a parent may use to criticize or condemn the gifting inside of you does not benefit the child one bit. It causes them to retreat at times and doubt the great call that is placed upon their life. When you have done all that you can do, then just stand and let God see you through. For you see the Lord showed me today that our Father in heaven does not look upon His children with the eyes of human parents that spew forth hurtful words or forever expressing their disappointment in you. Oh no, He created you in His image and He sees the beauty not only on the inside of you but His beauty radiates forth onto others that see His love and compassion inside your heart.
Put the hurtful words of parents to rest and reach for this, YOU are the apple of our Father in heaven's eye.

What The World Classifies As A Good Day Is Not Necessarily God's Idea Of A Good Day

Let me share with you about my day I experienced two days ago. Let's start off with Ephesians 4:1-16 "I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you. Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives. There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything.
God's favor has been given to each of us. It was measured out to us by Christ who gave it. That's why the Scriptures say: "When he went to the highest place, he took captive those who had captured us and gave gifts to people." Now what does it mean that he went up except that he also had gone down to the lowest parts of the earth? The one who had gone down also went up above all the heavens so that he fills everything. He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts to his church. Their purpose is to prepare God's people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ. This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God's Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
My day began with asking forgiveness of something I said. As you know by now I am a writer and on occasion I will write something if I am to capture all that needs to be said so nothing is missing. This was one of those times. I wrote down my thoughts and I was going to leave it as a vm message, not, the person answered the phone and what do you do at that point? If you are me you are candid and let the person know that you wrote something and ask if I may read it to you? Never assume that the person will be willing to listen to you reading to them so it is best to ask permission. I then found myself reading an apology . I don't get too nervous in general about things but I found myself a bit nervous and I had to concentrate on reading the words in front of me. Such a gracious person on the other end listening to my apology. That was a great example to me of a person that is a listener, I need to listen more and talk less at times.
I went to work that day and here is the portion in which the world will throw up their hands with a questioning look on their face and say "How could that have been a good day?" You see, I earned far less than I planned on earning that day. I know that the Lord takes care of me and I just knew not to worry about it for the greatest thing occurred to me at the end of the day. I spoke with an older person and as our conversation was drawing to a conclusion they felt compelled to share a life experience they encountered with me. I could have ended the conversation and hung up but it was one of those God moments. This person proceeded to tell me about a heart attack they had and for a period of time they were taken towards heaven. It was shared with me that they got as far as the outer part of the gates of heaven and a person in a brown, hooded robe met them there and would not allow this person to enter into heaven beyond the gates. This person was saved but the person in the robe told them that it was not their time and that they still had work that needed to be completed on earth. The next thing you know their heart is revived and back to life they come. I was told that there was a recurring dream with what just happened to them. They sought godly counsel and was told to pray about it and seek the Lord as to what the work to be fulfilled was to be. After diligently seeking the Lord in prayer a response came to the person, their job is to share the heaven experience with those that the Lord wants it shared with. Tonight, it was I that was blessed to have it told to. I then proceeded to share my encounter with the floor opening up one day for me to hear the screams of hell and I shared that it was that event that caused me to have an evangelists heart for the lost. I thanked this person and like I so often do told them to look for me in heaven I will have a tambourine in my hand. They said to me that we will just know each other in heaven. After our conversation concluded I shared it with another at work (it was the end of the day.) This person told me that they needed to hear what I had just shared with them and thanked me for sharing. You see, it is not always about money, yes, money is essential if you want to live and take care of your obligations but it is in the yielding that brings forth the truth. The next day I was a bit more productive dollar wise. You see God is on the throne and for whatever reason I was to hear of this experience and I could have chose to not listen and say goodbye or continue on and be blessed and then to be a blessing to another and now I am able to bless you with that story. Do not be so quick to not listen for it is in the listening that you just may glean something. I believe my lesson of the day came forth at the start of the day when I was given a most gracious example of a true listener that listened to me and now at the conclusion of the day I was able to be the listener. You see, God really does set up your day and all of the circumstances to bring you through the day until the final moments when you rest your head upon the pillow to let your body rest for the evening to be refreshed the next day.
Lesson learned, do not be afraid to follow through and be sensitive to the leading of Holy Spirit because your listening can be someone else's freedom that comes forth. Peace and rest to you this night as you lay your head to the pillow and may the sweetest sleep be yours tonight.

Learn The Lesson Being Taught The First Time Around So When It Is Presented A Second Time You Will Not Have To Learn It All Over Again

Most recently I was presented with a situation. One other time I was presented with a similar situation and I chose to not hear the forewarning and I decided at that point to take the matter into my own hands. Wrong decision on my part for it cost me a trip to the hospital to get stitches. You may be wondering what does that mean what she just shared. Well, let me tell you what happened. This was many years ago and at this point in my life I was already writing and probably near the end of my failing marriage. I had a bottle of the most beautiful scented almond oil (it could be used as a moisturizer or when drawing a bath.) It was so beautiful the scent that was released when you would draw a bath and add it to the water. The scent would just waft throughout the room once it was released into the water. I believe Victoria's Secret carried it back then. When I purchased it the last time I knew that I would no longer be able to purchase anymore because they discontinued it. So, the bottle I had was it, there would be no more.
I remember reaching for the bottle and it slipped right out of my hands and down to the floor it crashed and the oil spilled everywhere and glass was now scattered on the floor. In the moment that it happened I heard a warning that I would not heed. You may think to yourself what kind of warning is that but let me explain the fullness of the warning now. I was shown a brief image that there would be a piece of glass that would not be gathered from the floor and my former husband would step on it and get hurt. Now, you would think in the natural that I am with a man that I do not love anymore and just let it happen. Not so, even though we were living in a troubled marriage I would still not want to see any harm come to him. I do believe that I have mentioned on many occasions that he is a fabulous father to his children and that still remains to be the case. He truly loves his children and they love him. Now back to the story at hand. I began to say to the Lord in my mind "Oh No that will not happen I will scoop them all up and no one will be injured." No sooner did I say those words let me describe what happened next...I GENTLY found that I laid my leg on one of the chard's of glass and I was now bleeding. I had to go to the hospital. I drove myself and as I was driving I felt at peace if that makes sense. I was shown/told that it would not hurt at all any portion of this fix up to the problem that I took on myself. As God is my witness nothing at all hurt when they gave me the stitches. Nothing at all and there was such a calm in the room when it happened. You needed all of that knowledge beforehand before I tell you of my experience just the other day.
I was presented a situation and in the split moment when I was about to say these words "Oh no that will not happen." It was just before I could get the word out No of the Oh No Holy Spirit brought to my memory what happened to me years ago. This time I walked in wisdom and His grace saved me from making a second mistake and I took the brief warning and said "I will accept this challenge this time around." You see, sometimes you are shown things that you may not want to necessarily see and as a person with compassion in your heart you want to fix things for others so they do not have to experience pain. I know you are thinking that God does not bring bad into peoples lives and you are correct. People are the one's that allow it to come into their lives. God is there to use that bad situation as a learning tool that will bring glory to Him either in the now, or in my case, it could be years later. Does that make sense? So, you see I was shown something to come forth and this time around I cannot fix it because my job will now be to be the person in their time of need to reach out to me and then I can do what I am called to do in the moment. Not for me to do what I think I can do before it even happens. Not a comfortable place to be if you know what I mean. Let me give you an example...how many of you would not leap into a crowded street to save someone that is about to get hit by a car? I would feel comfortable in saying almost everyone would do that, at least I hope they would. Suppose now that the Holy Spirit showed you to not go forth for in the moving forth it would cause more damage than not leaping forward. You think to yourself that does not make sense. You see, in the person's heart that is about to get hit by the car they are crying out to God about something in their life and you come along and botch it up so to speak. For all along He knew that mighty angels would be released to save this person and that my friend would be the answer to that persons prayer. A huge tool to be used now to share with others. You see the angels would be released at the very moment needed to go and get the person. You and I do not have that power on our own and we could be off in timing and grab or throw them out of the way at the wrong time and now there is not only damage to the person but now you yourself are wounded too. Let me add this, I am not advocating to not reach out to others to help them just use wisdom when doing so.
Take it from me, I still have the scar on my leg today even though it has diminished throughout the years now but never the less it is still here. I still cannot get out of my mind the peace that was with me as I left my home and went to the hospital and throughout the mending process there. It did not hurt me at all and there was no fear at all too. I just knew ahead of time that this would be used as one of those learning experiences. I am so glad I had that so as to not botch it up for another at this time in my life. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Be still and listen to the direction Holy Spirit gives to you. For when you do you are then able and prepared to reach out to others in their time of need at the right time.
As I conclude this I am reminded that the Lord can use your mistake to correct you in a gentle way, I am telling you the truth about when I cut myself with the glass. It was as though I just gently pressed upon the piece of glass and it broke the skin it did not even hurt when it was pressed into my skin. Think of it like this you have a piece of play dough and you press a stone into it. The play dough works with whatever is molded or pressed into it. It is not challenging or it does not stretch the material. The material molds to the object pressed into it.
As I just reviewed what I wrote I was reminded that this all happened just before our vacation and I was not able to go into the water on vacation because I now had stitches. If I am not mistaken the vacation was spending a few days in Vermilion by the water. See, your today mistake can cause you a consequence of your tomorrow. PEACE.

I Thought You Would Enjoy Viewing Pictures Of Places That Inspire Me To Write When I Walk.

I have shared several writings with you in which some of them were birthed just by walking and seeing something in nature and then Holy Spirit brings it all together for me/you. As I walked yesterday the eagles were very active soaring in the sky. I took a few pictures to share with you. I trust that you will appreciate viewing a few shots of different areas in which nature inspires me. If you look around you I would suspect that there are also places to sneak away to in nature for you to quiet yourself and reach out to God. Maybe your place of peace may be sitting by a stream or a babbling brook or even the ocean with the sound of the waves crashing as they roll in. If you are not by an ocean or large body of water there may be a lake or even a pond in which you can find peace there. I have even at times brought out a fountain and turned it on outside. There seems to be something so very soothing when the soft sound of water seems to be around you.
I have been under a bit of pressure lately and it seems to be that when I get outside I no longer feel confined to the pressures and I am able to be free. Free to pray and focus not only on the beauty that is abound in nature but also in hearing the gentle, still, soft voice of Holy Spirit guiding me. Peace begins to flow and I am restored again. This allows me to then minister to others via words of encouragement or to create something for someone else. It is in these times that I truly feel as though there is nothing between me and the Father. You may never know this but there are more than I can count, times in which I sit down to write and I let Holy Spirit flow through me and I actually sit at my computer and say these words "I am so amazed at how creative you are Holy Spirit to come up with what I just wrote." I then thank Him profusely and am reminded that yes, He is creative because he is the Creator. Father, Son & Holy Spirit three in one. My heart leaps today because I had to speak forth words the other day and I wanted to run from speaking them forth. I am not afraid to enlist the help of another when I need prayer. That is just what I did. My idea of a prayer at that moment would have been to ask God to let me bite my tongue and just say nothing. I knew better than that. I sensed that the prayer of the person that I asked for prayer would have probably went something like this. "Father give her the right words to speak forth what you have placed within her heart. Let her not have fear and be the voice for others that will not speak forth like she will do. Bless her and keep her safe." I will never know if those were the words prayed or not. I did have the opportunity presented to me to speak forth words. I did. It was as though they were hand picked for me to share. When I was finished it turned into a blessing. God is ever faithful. Tell me you see Him as faithful in your life also. I am not naive to think that others do not feel this very sentiment.
I learned something new the other day. I was told by a neighbor that each year the eagle adds to the nest and it just keeps growing and growing. One of the pictures I have posted is actually a shot of the tree in which the nest is located. I drew a jagged pencil circle around it so you can get an idea of the nest.
Do you ever feel like God is moving in everyone else's life but He seems to be in slow motion in your life? I do. I see His hands moving in my life but I tend to be a bit impatient at times and I want to speed things up. Guess what? I cannot and God will produce what needs to be produced in perfect time. Not my time but His time. Today was one of those days in which outside was beckoning me to join in with nature and feel freedom. I knew it was going to rain today it was not until I started to hear the pitter-patter of rain drops that I kicked into gear and grabbed my umbrella and out I went for a walk in the rain. There was a strong wind as I hit the open field area. I do not know why I like wind and rain? I had to really hold onto my umbrella today. I did not see one eagle out today on my journey. I am told that the eagles had a few more eaglets born this year (according to my neighbor.) I heard several birds singing their songs this morning outside my window. It was not until I was walking that I saw one of my favorite birds, the mourning doves. I saw a few perched on a rooftop making their cooing noises and it reminded me how much I wish I was able to wake in the morning to their sounds. Be it any portion of the day there seems to be something soothing about the simple sound that comes forth from them.
Today it seems like I do not have any deep insights to share. I am just sharing from my heart with you today. That's all right isn't it? All the pictures you see displayed today are from my nature walks. Be at peace this very hour and let blessings not only fall upon you but be postured to receive them. Take the gospel message with you to wherever you go this weekend. There may be someone that really needs to hear about Jesus. You know, they may look happy on the outside and have the perfect outfit on but their heart is truly troubled and laden down with much burden be it the pressures of life or they may be a sickly person. I urge you to please not pass them by, for what if you were the one sent to them and it was only a matter of a few days before they were to draw their final breath. I implore you to not pass them by, would you want someone to pass by your unsaved loved one? To never have the opportunity to have had someone share the gospel of good news with them. I know that Jesus would not want them left behind He would would want them resting in His very bosom. Comforting them with His love, healing power and presence. Do not let them go by without extending the smile of Jesus and the kindness also of Jesus through your life to them.

I Have A Cross Walk Picture . I Am Carrying The Cross And Walking/Asking Questions Of Pastor Kayatin

Let me share a picture with you of my Cross Walk experience. It was on Good Friday that we gathered at Church on the North Coast and walked for seven miles praying and carrying the cross. What an awesome experience. As I wrote about this previously, we did do this throughout many surrounding communities over 10 years ago. At the time I also participated and wanted to take a turn carrying the cross but I just didn't. I guess this was the time to do it and I did. It really was quite heavy even with padding on my shoulder. In this picture as I walked beside Pastor I was asking him questions of how long Jesus walked with the cross to his final destiny. Pastor told me that he has been on the path Jesus walked a couple of times. I think he said it was about a mile or mile and a half. I still remember that I couldn't get the idea out of my mind as I carried the cross that when Jesus carried His it was probably not a smooth beam of wood like I carried. It was probably more rugged and at that point of His journey He had already been beaten beyond recognition and He could have been actually carrying that cross on His shoulder and if His flesh was already beaten off of Him He may have carried that beam of wood and it quite possibly could have been resting on exposed bone. People please think about that. I do not know of anyone that would have such a deep love for me to carry the sins of the world on His shoulders so I will be able to choose life through Jesus to not have to perish in hell for eternity. Please think about this and think about this hard and long. Do you really want to burn, be tortured beyond pain that you can only conceive in our mind now, or never ever ever be in the presence of God for all of eternity?
Hell is real. There are people that are there right now and there will be even more people there as time progresses. I implore you to explore your options today and do not wait another day because no man is promised tomorrow. What if you say to yourself I think it makes sense but I think I will wait and pray the prayer tomorrow or next week. What if you rest your head upon your pillow tonight with good intentions of praying the prayer and you never wake up tomorrow morning? Your good intention without action just cost you your place in hell for eternity. Eternity is a very long time. Our mind probably cannot grasp the fullness of actually how long that is. It is a no brainer why would you personally chose to live in hell with continual torture forever when salvation is right there for you? My friend, I implore you to chose life and not eternal damnation.
Salvation is a gift freely given to you by what Jesus already did for you when he came to the earth as a mere baby that was born to a virgin mother that was selected by God to bring forth this child. She had a will of her own and when she was presented with this opportunity she could have chose to say no to the plan. Guess what? She did not say no but said let your will be done. Jesus then chose to take on the sins of the world for us so we would not have to suffer forever in hell. Each stripe on His back and every drop of blood that emanated from His body was taken for your healing. It could be a physical healing or even an emotional healing whatever healing is needed in your life. Jesus endured the suffering for you and me. He then died on the cross and three days later he ROSE from the dead and is alive today.
In my heart I feel overwhelmed to tell you this (with tears in my eyes as I write this) "He loves you so very much and endured all for you to come to Him with an open and repentant heart. Ask forgiveness and tell Him that you leave it all at His feet. Not to be taken up again by you. He will cleanse you and your heart. Ask Him to." Say this simple yet profound prayer and one day I will join with you in heaven. Do not forget to come to me and introduce yourself to me OK. I will probably be the one with a tambourine in my hand. You see, I have to start thinking heaven bound for earth is just a temporary place for me where heaven will be my home forever. I am thinking tambourine but there may be an even more glorious percussion instrument waiting just for me to be able to pick up and use in my worship of the King of kings forever.
I invite to to join me in this simple prayer, please repeat after me "Jesus, I am a sinner and forgive me of all that I have done, known to my memory and even those things that I cannot remember anymore. I acknowledge that you did come to this earth through the womb of a virgin mother, you died on the cruel, rugged cross for me, you rose from the dead and you are alive right now. I realize that I cannot do enough good deeds to get me a pass to heaven because You already did the work for me at Calvary. I accept your free gift you so graciously bestow upon me. Come into my heart and renew who I really am suppose to be. Take away my phony exterior and let me shine with your beauty and light inside of me. Teach me your ways through reading the new testament in the bible and become real to me. Show me how to get to where I need to go and fulfill the destiny that heaven has for me. I choose to forgive all the mockers and people that have been cruel to me throughout the years and I ask you with a heart that is now filled with your love to bless my enemies and send forth others to share this same story with them so they will not perish in hell also. One day soon I will see you face to face and I will be able to lay at your feet and sing praises unto you and worship you with the song that I sing within my heart. Until that day I will worship you and share of your goodness and kindness with others. In Jesus name I pray this AMEN."
Holy Spirit I ask you to seal the words spoken upon their hearts and give them a fresh wind of heaven. Move on their behalf mightily and bring forth blessings to them and their household. I ask with faith and believe that each and everyone of their households will receive salvation too. In Jesus name I pray this Amen.
A special thanks to Mark for sending me this picture and for taking the pictures that day. History in the making, I like that.

3 Hidden Treasures The Lord Had Tucked Away For Me. I Am Sure If You Search You Have Discovered Some Also In Your Life.

You know it is very important to share your testimony with others. Not only because it silences the enemy when testimonies that bring glory to God go forth but they also encourage others. I have three that I would like to share with you today.
I will be going on a trip and I booked my tickets for the airline well in advance and I selected our seats too. I received an email from the airlines stating that the itinerary was changed. In the email it stated that they re-assigned my seats much further back on the plane than what I selected originally. I first viewed the available seats on the plane and then I contacted the airline. I could not understand why they placed me so far back when there were seats up front. In questioning the representative she asked me if I would like preferred seating. I then responded that would be nice. So you see I now will be sitting in a much better seat than I originally selected. I could have chose to ignore the email and just accept the re-arranged seats but Holy Spirit urged me to inquire. I am glad that I did.
Onto my second hidden treasure that was uncovered for me. I was told that I owed money for a city tax in another municipality. I was then told I did not owe money and then with a further inquiry I was then told yes, indeed I did owe money. I had the choice to just do nothing about it and pay or go and investigate this. I felt the prompting by Holy Spirit to take the hours distance drive in person and see what the facts were. I did and I am so very glad that I did. When I arrived there I submitted my w-2 to the employee and she proceeded to figure out the tax amount. I was then sent to another employee to set up a payment plan. It was in our discussion that it was revealed that the money they figured out in tax was not due because I did not physically work in the actual office a certain amount of days or more. You pay the tax only if you do. I was elated to hear that information. I could not thank the employee enough. I did keep asking her "are you sure, are you sure" and she assured me that she checked on it and that I did not owe the municipal tax. Again, God is good all the time and all the time God is good. I could have chose to not waste my time and gasoline on an hours drive away but it truly was a blessing to me. Another reason why I did not mind the drive is because it is such nice scenery to this destination too.
My third hidden treasure...I mentioned before that I had a chip/ding in my windshield and there is a company out there that will come and fix it and more than likely your insurance company may be listed as one that waives your deductible to use this service. I checked it out and sure enough they did waive my deductible Yeah! When I spoke to the woman in advance from the company she assured me that if for some reason the seal did not work she would honor giving me a brand new windshield with no deductible. I called my insurance company to verify that I did qualify for this. I was told yes I did and the deductible was waived. I then proceeded to tell my agent what the woman told me if it did not work, that they like to have pleased customers. I was told by my agent that that is unheard of that they just don't do that. Well, they did honor it. The chip/ding was repaired and it looked great for two days it was on the third day that I discovered a new chard grew off of the repair. I contacted the company and sure enough they came and did not just repair it but I now have a beautiful, new windshield. Thank you Lord for your favor and blessings upon me. I spoke with my insurance agent to inform them that they did follow through with what they said they will do and no deductible or no money was collected from me for this. I was told that that was a great customer service received from the company. When God does things for you do not be shy in sharing for your story could be the encouragement of others on the very day that they need encouragement OK. You see, since I called back my agent and informed of what actually happened they are now able to suggest a company with a bit of confidence because they kept their word and followed through with what they said they will do.
Does not God do the same thing. You speak His word and He follows through. There are so many examples in the bible of His faithfulness. Pick up your bible today and be encouraged. There are so many people that went before us and saw the wonders of God in their very lives and now they are the great cloud of witnesses that are cheering us on to complete our journeys. Do you ever wonder what questions they may have for us when we are all together in heaven? We only think of the questions that we may ask this one or that one from the bible but think a little bit bigger and realize that what you are doing in your life or your destiny may be talked about in heaven. Will you chose destiny today or just live day to day only to survive. For me I chose destiny. Yes, cheers to destiny.
This is my scripture for today, Isaiah 12 1-6
"At the time you will say, I will praise you, O Lord. Although you had been angry with me, you turned your anger away from me, and you comforted me. Look! God is my Savior. I am confident and unafraid, because the Lord is my strength and my song. He is my savior.
With joy you will draw water from springs of salvation. At that time you will say, Praise the Lord call on his name. Make his deeds known among the nations. Make them rememnber that his name is highly honored. Make music to praise the Lord. He has done wonderful things. Let this be known throughout the earth. Shout loudly, and sing with joy, people of Zion! The Holy One of Israel is great. He is among you."

I Wake Almost Every Day To A Beautiful Song Sung By A Bird Outside My Window. What Is The Song You Sing Each Morning?

I just love Springtime. I am reminded almost daily that life is new and continues on by the beautiful song I hear that is sung by a bird that sits outside my window. I would guess that it is a bird that watches over the eggs in the nest that also is in a tree below my window. It is very refreshing to hear this song. May I ask you a question? What is the song that you sing daily? You know, the song that springs forth from your heart. Is it a song of thanksgiving and gratitude for another day that you awoke from sleep to discover that you are alive with purpose to be fulfilled. Or is it a song of grumbling and complaining. Not seeing the beauty and grace of arising this day and only seeing the dreary and gloomy side of life. Let me tell you that you were created in this very moment and hour in which you are living to fulfill destiny. Do you know what the meaning of the word destiny is? My electronic dictionary tells me it is "the inevitable fate to which one is destined; fortune. The seemingly preordained or inevitable course of events."
Now, That is man's view on destiny. Did you ever consider God's view on destiny? Ponder on this thought if you will, He is the creator and He created you. He knew you before you were ever born into this world, He even knows the number of hairs on your head. I thought about that one day and began to realize that even when you sleep and you wake up and there may be a hair or two on your pillow He knows. Even if you are outside and the wind is really strong and a few pieces of hair go to the wind He knows that. What about when you comb/brush your hair and a few are left in the brush/comb He knows that too. Pretty amazing huh? You my friend, are created with purpose and destiny that is already inside of you. You have to choose to release it and walk in it. For when you are walking in it there is no sweeter place to be no matter how trying it may seem to be at times. There is no great reward than walking towards and walking in destiny.
Desiring
Everything
Systematically
That's
In
Nature
Yourself

Now, lets see what Holy Spirit will show me as the explanation of what I just wrote..."As time marches on in this world that you live in there will be trials and even temptations that will cause you to want to stagger away from destiny. Do not fall for those traps and go with the flow and leading of Me, Me being Christ Jesus. If you already fell prey to one of those traps just ask forgiveness and move on. I am there to make your journey full of life and for you to give life to others. I gave of myself that you will be able to give freely of yourself to Me and to others. Let not your heart be troubled this very day for you have been given life and life is given to those that are living. The dead do not have life in them do they?
Life was breathed into you on the very day you were conceived and then the day came forth in which you were born and left the womb and were able to experience breathing in air. Think about that. A miracle that grew inside of your mothers womb and then the next miracle that comes forth is when you are delivered and you breathe the first breaths of life outside of the womb."
WOW. I just have to pause now for tears well up inside of my eyes. God loved you so very much that He called you forth to be born and not only to be born but to bring forth others in your very life. Do not look at the past troubles or times of sadness and fear. Close that chapter and look with anticipation of what is truly on the horizon for you. I speak life and abundant life at that. Look at the new day rising with the beauty of the sun as it rises and then rest at the days close with the sun setting. Being assured that that very sun will rise again in the morning and set that very day. Are you willing to leave your trouble behind and rest in the fact of knowing that there is a God, the one true God that created you in His very image for you to fulfill your destiny.
As I am writing I hit the repeat button to replay a song titled, God Speaking. It is by an artist named, Mandisa. Let me share with you the words of that song OK:
"Have you ever heard a love song that set your spirit free
Have you ever watched a sunrise and felt you could not breathe
What if it's Him What if it's God speaking
Have you ever cried a tear that you could not explain
Have you ever met a stranger who already knew your name
What if it's Him What if it's God speaking
Who knows how He'll get a hold of us get our attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to to tell us, I love you
Have you ever lost a loved one who you thought should still be here
Do you know what it feels like to be tangled up in fear
What if He's somehow involved What if He's speaking through it all
His ways are higher
His ways are better
Though sometimes strange what could be stranger than God in a manger
God is speaking I love you."

As I write today please know that I am writing and contemplating these very words also for my life too. I have experienced things and hurts and disappointments also but today I choose to move forward to destiny and leave all of that junk behind because where I am going there is no room for excess baggage because destiny is the only option for me. I challenge you to also reach for destiny. If you are already walking destiny do not let go of it OK for God is in destiny and He will not let go of you. Remember the words of the song..."His ways are higher His ways are better though sometimes strange."

I Am A Problem Solver. Look What I Created To Solve A Problem That I Had.

I seem to be a person that once I get an idea or a problem that needs to be solved I get "tunnel vision." My college friend reminded me of that the other day. She is right, when I get my mind set on something I follow through with it. This is what she reminded me of when we were in our senior year in college. I recently got engaged my senior year to be married the Fall after graduating that Spring. She talked me into taking a Business class that she assured me would be easy, NOT. I remember my focus was getting married and I was wedding planning focused. I am a determined person when I want to be. We had to make a few payments on the ring I selected and I would not leave the jewelers without someone drawing for me a sketch of the ring I selected. That is what I showed my friends in the class when I got engaged. It was not much longer than that that I had the ring on my finger. This class was a challenge and I was not going to let anything stop me from getting married. When I realized that it was a tough class I became a bit concerned. This is what we laugh about today. I went to the professor and laid it on line with him. I told him that I needed to pass this class because I just had to graduate because I was getting married in the Fall and I could not not graduate if he didn't pass me. If that happened then my life would have to be put on hold. I did pass the class, graduate and got married all sticking with the schedule.
I will also show you a car that I wanted, it was a Stealth and I just loved that car. I had to give that up when I got divorced but it was a great car while I had it. I actually visualized myself standing against it in my Estee Lauder uniform as I won a national contest. I visualized this and guess what? We as a team won a national contest in which we all received two round trip tickets anywhere in the USA. I chose to go to NYC for an extended weekend. Stayed at the Waldorf Astoria and it was very disappointing. The only thing that was nice about that establishment was the lobby and the rice pudding that I think they are known for.
Another picture I will share with you is of the mountain I climbed in the former Yugoslavia. It was a really great experience that day. I was climbing with a group of acquaintances I met on the trip and there was an awesome storm coming in. We were high up enough to actually see it in the distance as it traveled our way. The guys that were climbing with us kept asking me what I was praying for and I told them I wanted a big storm with really dark clouds as we climbed to the top. I wanted a Moses experience the closer we got to the top. To see the power of God through a rain storm. Guess what, I got it. In the one picture the Filipino woman was my roommate that warned me to not go to that one city. I wrote about that in a former writing. She warned me to not go because I had children at home that needed me and I needed to be safe for them. She was very accurate in her warning to me because the very city was attacked, I was there during the Bosnian War.
This was my dilemma. I have a patio that is fenced except for the entrance way. I wanted to create a privacy barrier for the open area to use when I wanted to, not to be permanent but available when I wanted to use it. I was on a mission and I started off with one idea and I searched many hardware/building supply type of stores. They had what I needed but the problem was it was too long to fit into my car and they would not cut it down to size for me. A piece of privacy lattice is what I searched for. You see, I would have slid it back and forth across the opening when I wanted to. That plan was now no good but I still had a problem that needed solving. I received a creative idea from Holy Spirit. I took measurements and my idea with me to the stores I needed to go to now. First stop, I needed tension rods, I ended up with the tension rods that you use for holding a shower curtain. Next stop, the fabric store with my dimensions and picture of the opening I was trying to camouflage. I found the perfect item to work with. If I am going to create something it has to also have a design on it that is pleasing to me. I actually selected a floral pattern on tablecloth material. I came home and sewed a few seams and now I have a privacy fence that is not just plain but pleasant to look at too.
If you ask Holy Spirit for creativity He really does give it to you. The only thing holding you back is not asking for creativity. Lord I ask you to fill people with creative ideas that will bring glory and honor to you, touch them Holy Spirit with the ideas to create. Once they create they will stand back in amazement of the finished work and they will just have to acknowledge that they could not have created in their own strength, that it came forth from you. Amen. Don't forget to have fun also, part of the fun was the going around and gathering of the items needed to create.
All pictures are related to this writing. My Stealth car; NYC Waldorf Astoria room; Mountain I climbed in the storm, notice dark storm clouds in the background and the Filipino woman was my roommate.

I'm Up For An Adventure. Went On A Cross Walk Friday, A Little More Of A Challenge Than You Would Think.

Ten plus years ago the church that I attend did cross walks around surrounding communities. The church created a wooden cross and we would actually walk the parameters of the city that day with the cross. Are you familiar with Arthur Blessit? Similar in nature. We would not only carry the cross but we would silently pray blessings on the land and the community. It took them the course of a Summer to complete all of the communities. I was blessed to attend several of these walks. My son reminded me yesterday that he also went on the walk in which we walked Oberlin. That was a really neat walk and the ending was great. We stopped at the cemetery in which the well known preacher, Charles Finney is buried. I like Charles Finney because they say that when he preached and you were in the congregation and you had sin in your life he addressed it right there, he did not mess around with borderline Christians. Something that many preachers today seem to be lacking, preaching the true gospel and not the user-friendly version that seems to be preached here and there.
I found out Friday that the cross that was used years ago could not be found so they built a new one. I also found out that the former cross was hollow but they could not make one like that for this cross walk. This was built with two beams that caused it to have weight to it. It was built with a wheel on the bottom to help with maneuvering it. I always wanted to take the cross and carry it for a bit years ago but I didn't. Look how God is faithful and I still had that desire and I did it this year. My pastor is so gracious and concerned for his flock that God has given to him that he kept asking each one of us if we wanted a turn and people responded. I just knew when the timing was right for me and I volunteered. It truly was heavier than I thought it would be. I was walking with it and I got this insight as I walked. It was heavy for me as it was placed upon my shoulder and I even had a bit of a pad to cushion it how much more did our Savior have to bear the heavy rugged cross? I just kept thinking this thought...at the point when he was carrying the cross he had already been beaten very badly and flesh was torn from His body at that point. I couldn't help but think that the cross may have actually been pressing against one of His bones because He may have had no flesh at that point when he carried it. He truly does love us and He died so I do not have to go to hell forever and eternity. Now, that is love magnified. We completed seven miles for the west side location. Pastor is a trooper he then went on one with the east side congregation. We also had the Easter Bunny join us for this cross walk. A youth dressed up in the costume and not only walked behind the cross he carried the cross also. That young man also went to do the east side walk too. It was a very warm day to be clothed in that heavy costume. People asked if we could stop because they wanted to take our picture and we received a lot of horns being honked in support of Jesus. Amen to that.
I felt led this year to volunteer my services to a former place of employment today. Many years ago as we did the cross walk in Vermilion we actually walked past the place I am referencing now. Little did I know at the time that in a few short months would I be working at that very location in which we walked past with the cross. They were very good to me as an employer and they let me be who I am created to be in the Lord. I had freedom to pray with people as it was needed and they prayed with me when my son needed surgery to remove a tumor that was benign, Praise God. I felt led this year to not go with family but to serve somewhere. I called and inquired of volunteering and was told yes. God is good all of the time and all of the time God is good. I love the position I got to volunteer at because I get to greet the guests and check them in. I love seeing all of the families gather and enjoy themselves. Do not think that I abandoned my children today for I did not. My daughter already received her care packages and my son is with his father today and we spent a few days together and he received his Easter package too. No matter how old they are your children will always be your children and it is OK to bless them with things. They may be in their 20's 30's 40's and older but what do they carry with them? Memories that we create together. They may grow out of some things but you do not have to if you do not want to. What do I mean by that? I wanted to dye a few eggs this year and my son told me that he really never did like doing that so I dyed a few myself. It was fun and creative too. Also, I found a really fun thing to do this year that he seemed to like eating. At Rite Aid they had a Rice Kripy Treats kit that you make into egg shapes and then you decorate. I had fun making personalized ones for my children. You see, you really are as young at heart that you allow yourself to be right?
I worked in my garden for two and a half days. I found a new tool that I just love I think it is called a lopping shear and let me tell you that almost all of my plants in the garden got a Spring haircut. I love working in the garden, it reminds me that getting your hands dirty and planting and cleaning up makes for a beautiful display in just a few short weeks and then throughout the Summer. I love it. I added a few pink lilies and I noticed a few hyacinths are coming up that I planted last year. My stepping stones crumbled away through out the winter so I replaced them with two new ones that state: With God All Things Are Possible and Never Let Your Memories Be Greater Than Your Dreams. The weather was so gorgeous that I even had the opportunity a few times already to lay out in the sun and absorb its warmth. I just know that there is something that is good for you when you sit and soak in the sun.
As I close I wish you a Happy Easter/Resurrection Sunday. It is very hard to switch over from saying Happy Easter all of your life practically and then try to get used to just saying Happy or Blessed Resurrection Sunday that is why I say both.