Eileen Fisher: "In Surrender is the Victory"

Eileen Fisher: "In Surrender is the Victory"

Do Men Cry? That Is My Question Today; Mandisa - Just Cry

I was driving the other day and listening to this song on Mandisa's latest CD, "What If We Were Real." I guess I am curious to know if men cry. I obviously cannot answer that question since I am not a man. This is my take on that question from a woman's perspective. I do not think tears are just reserved for women, and children (when they fall and get a scraped knee or elbow or a boo-boo.) I am sure deep down inside of everyone of us there are deep hurts and disappointments that have come into our life throughout the years. If you were honest with yourself there is nothing wrong at all with a man just releasing the hurt and sorrow and pain through tears. I think it is very strong of a man that has wisdom and courage to shed a tear or two in life.
Sometime's a pain or hurt could be so deep inside of you that it just seems to gnaw at you. It is in those moments that if you release that pain through tears it just may lift that pain from you. Some man is probably going to read this and say tears are only for sissy's. That is not so, I think a man is much more brave than the strongest man in the world, the one that sheds a tear or two. Now, I am not talking about a man going around all the time crying. You know, there may be some men that have been terribly hurt by others. They just feel like crying but won't because they were taught that is not what men are suppose to do. That is a bunch of garbage, go ahead and cry if that is what you need to do. Jesus wept did He not? Release your burden and pain even if just a single drop of water runs down your face. It is not any greater if you gush tears down your face or a single drop runs down your face.
When it rains in the Spring, there is probably more rain that time of the year then other times in the year. You see, the rain that flows then helps to produce the most beautiful burst of color in the earth. Everything pops back to life. There are plants that require more rain than others. If you over water the plants that need less water, they will be at risk of being over watered and may not survive. The plants that require a lot of water will thrive when they get a lot of water. One plant is no better than the other based on the amount of water they require. The same in regard to those that shed a tear or two. The one that sheds many tears is no greater than the one that sheds a single tear. It is unique to each person what it takes to release that hurt and anger via tears shed.
If you have never cried before or shed a tear then I encourage you to listen to this song. Maybe in the listening it will bring healing to your soul.
This is the verse from the song that seems to sum it all up, "Why do you have to act so strong, go ahead and take off your brave face."

Nicole C. Mullen sings Kingdom Come - Medium 1.m4v

Do You Ever Wonder Or Ponder About Rich, Red Colored Dirt? I Do.

Ever since I was a child I always seemed to be fascinated with the rich color of the red clay dirt. We would go on family visits to a southern state. When we would take the journey via car I always knew we were not far away when I would see that beautiful rich dirt. Back then there was a lot of building and constructing of roads, etc. going on so you would be able to see that rich soil almost everywhere from the highway. When seeing it through the eyes of a child it would cause you to wonder what it would be like to play in that dirt, you know make mud pies and that sort of thing. Do you remember playing in the dirt as a child. I really did not do much of that for I liked to look pretty and kempt most of the time. I was the sort of child that would have thrived going to charm school or something along that line. You know, etiquette school and things of that nature. I could have spent the day playing with my dolls and dressing them up and making them look pretty. Of course, I would have to create fun things for them to do, make their doll house look very nice, coordinate their little outfits just to make them look just right. Remember when Barbie was fashionable, I had a Barbie doll but I also had a Midge or Madge (not sure of her name now that I come to think about it) doll too. I just loved her auburn colored hair I think it was a page hairstyle or a longer bob cut.

I also had a favorite doll named Chatty Kathy too, she talked and boy did she talk a lot too. One of my fondest memories was when one of my siblings and I had to have our tonsils taken out in the hospital and our mother got us Little Kiddle dolls and a doll house too. Now, I did not like having the surgery but I sure did like the prize for going through it. It was so much easier to go through the surgery knowing that your sibling was there for the same thing too. Made it not as scary being a child. I am sure if you think about it all you guys and gals out there, you probably had a favorite toy or two when you look back on it. Another favorite, Easy Bake Oven. I guess I was a bit domesticated back then or I just liked creative things?

Do you ever associate a thing or object with a certain period in your life? What about the time that you found out for the very first time that you were going to be a parent? I trust that it was a great feeling for you, it sure was for me. We waited several years before having a child and it was as if it was God that said the time is now. This really did happen to me. There was this little thought inside of me that let me know it was the right time to have a child and it was not much longer after that I was pregnant. Something very similar happened to me a little bit before I became pregnant with the second child . It was just this gut feeling that the time was right. I had that very same feeling once the baby was getting ready to go off to school. That time I did not act upon it. As I look back now I wish I had but I cannot go back and undo what was not done right? 

No matter how much older you get you cannot help drawing on those memories when something jars your thoughts. I can look at red clay today and still have wonderment in seeing it. No matter how old I am I still am drawn to it's color and such richness in the different hues of the clay dirt. From what I understand this is not the best dirt to plant vegetables, herbs or flowers in. You have to add things like the Miracle Gro moisture control dirt and cow manure to the soil to allow it to grow. Did you ever think of planting a tomato plant this year or maybe an herb garden, what about some hydrangea's or roses or even lavender or why not try growing a few stalks of corn?

I wanted to experiment one year when all the space I had was a patio. I went and purchased good quality corn seeds from a farm supply store and planted them in a pot. To my wonder along with great TLC 4 ears of corn grew. The corn was not used for consumption I used the stalks to be a part of my Fall decorating. Your imagination is only as large as you will allow it to be. If you do not see it first in your mind as growing then how will you ever be able to see it actually grow. I did the same thing with a mustard seed. I received one at church one Sunday and I was curious to see if it would grow. I planted it and a beautiful yellow bloom came up. I did not let it continue to grow I just wanted to see if it would really grow and it grew. 

Is there someone that you want to tell that you admire them? Do not be shy tell them. Maybe you have thought in your heart gee I would love to spend some time with that person, do not be afraid spend the time with them. I look at it like this, I shall ask the question and the worst is that they could say No and the best is that they could say Yes. Either way you are a success for you took the chance to step out of your comfort zone and at least ask the question right. Do not let your shyness or lack of courage keep you from possibly the best that God has to offer to you. You know He will do His part if you cooperate and do your part with Him. How many people do you think went to their grave with regrets and thoughts as they were dying, of regrets because they did not take the step to accomplish something that was in their heart?

I have a friend that is elderly and often mentions to me how they are sorry that they never gave a full explanation to someone as to why they did not marry them. I let this person know that it was in the past and to not dwell upon it. I helped this person out once. They really wanted to know if this person ever got married. I did a bit of research and found a phone number of possible relatives and I called them to see. When I called about the person I inquired of, I found out they were deceased for a few years at the time but I was able to let my friend know that they did get married and had children too. Life is too short to live your last years wondering about the should have could have scenarios in life. You did the best you could in those situations and just move forward. When you let go of the regret or regrets in life you are then free and wide open to receive the blessings into your life right now. Do not live in the past or the regrets of the past. Live in the here and now and get ready to receive the blessings. The bible states in Psalms 118: 25 "We beg you O Lord save us! We beg you O Lord give us success!"

One more thought. I did not just sit around and play with dolls or bake things with my Easy Bake Oven. My mother kept us active, swimming, softball, we had gardens that we went to and planted and harvested the vegetables. You know what one of my siblings and I would do on the way home from gardening? We would stop at a local store on the way home and sell some of the vegetable to the owner. We would have probably gotten in trouble if our mom ever knew that, see, even as children we were creative or we wanted a snack for the walk home I will let you decide that one. We were also very active with lessons we had to attend when we were a part of a folk group too. Another thing, we had chores that we had to take care of around the house too.

Parachute Band - Glorified

Awesome worship song.

It Will Be The 35th Anniversary Of The Death Of My Brother On April 9, 2011

I was driving home from church the other evening and I tend to think about things when I am driving. Especially when driving on roads that are away from the city lights and distractions. The young pastor preached and reminded us of taking the gospel message to all the ends of the earth. It caused me to wonder in that moment if there are family members that may not be ready to meet Jesus when they die or when He returns again for His people. In that moment I began to wonder on a more personal level if some of the youngsters and youngsters that are now grown will be meeting their uncle in heaven one day. My brother was young when he died, in his early 20's to be exact. He only met one nephew while he was alive. No other children were born while he was alive. There are children that will be so very blessed when they meet their uncle. My hearts desire is for all of them to have relationships with Jesus so they will be with us in heaven for all eternity.
The greatest gift I can give to my brother on his anniversary would be the gift of someone that may be reading this blog, an invitation to know Jesus. So many times people will say to themselves I will have a relationship with Jesus tomorrow or next week or after I stop having fun in my life. Unfortunately, how many of those well intended thoughts or prayers never were fulfilled and their life was then over one day and they are now living in hell for all eternity?  Do not make excuses or put off today what can be done, for tomorrow just may never come. Jesus will accept you just the way you are. You do not have to clean yourself up first or think He will not care about you because of the sin in our life. He will accept you with open arms just the way you are today, this very moment, He really will. Trust in Him. Did you know that He died just for you so you would not have to live in hell but the splendors of heaven forever? People think they will live in heaven because they are good people or they follow the 10 commandments. That is a false lie that the devil would like for you to think so you can continue living without Jesus in your heart. The bible states that he comes to kill, steal and destroy. He is a liar and he loves to disguise truth and make you believe something but when you discover his filthy lie it is too late for you are already in hell at that point for all eternity with no hope of escape either.
The only way to heaven is through Jesus. It is not what you do as a good person that gets you there it is putting your faith and belief in Jesus. He was born of a virgin mother, He died on a cross via crucifixtion and on the 3rd day He rose from the dead. He is not still buried in some tomb somewhere He is risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of His Father in heaven and He intercedes for you. Maybe you do not come from a home life in which your parents or even grandparents pray or prayed for you. Know this, when you invite Jesus into your heart He does just that, prays for you. Take the time while there still is time to examine your heart. Acknowledge to Jesus that you have sinned in your life and ask Him to forgive you of that sin. He will just ask Him. Then invite Him into your heart and life. Accept what He did in His death and resurrection so you may have life in Him for all eternity. Go ahead ask Him into you heart He is waiting just for you. That's right just for you. When you invite Him in He will come into your life and there will be such peace where there was torment, such joy where there was sadness and sorrow, such grace where there was condemnation. I pray for you right now that when you pray the prayer that Holy Spirit will seal those very words you spoke in your heart. Also that He will reveal to you how very real Jesus truly is. Be blessed in knowing that we will meet one day in heaven where there is no more sorrow or tears. Welcome to the family of God and all of heaven is rejoicing over you and the decision you just made. That is pretty special huh!

See the picture of the wisteria. I am told that even though you see the beauty of the blooms and enjoy their fragrance, it is known as an invasive plant. If you have this in your yard it just grows everywhere and can kill other plants. How can something so beautiful kill what is around it? That is just what sin does in your life. Sin starts out as something little and then it grows because you cannot seem to stop it. Do not let sin choke the life out of you. Ask Jesus to help you with it He will. I use to have anger in me and flare up easily, I also use to swear too. Jesus truly did take the anger away from me and the swearing too. In the bible it says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, that means that if He did it for me in the past He will do it for you today or even in the future. Do you have faith to believe that He will deliver you from whatever it is in your life that seems to be holding you back from all He has created you to do in your life? Reach out to Him and He will reach out to you. May peace fill your heart this very day.

Eileen Fisher: "Heaven is for You... Choose This Day: Are You for Heaven?"

3 Separate Words In This One. 2nd Word Is On Hope & Encouragement; Eileen Fisher: "Heaven is for You... Choose This Day: Are You for Heaven?"

Addison Road Need You Now.wmv

My Story Addison Road

This Little Light of Mine - Addison Road

This is my new favorite song. Let your light shine before others today.

Do You Know What Bullycide Is? I Saw A Special On It And It Makes Me Upset To Know That Children Are Being Bullied. Shouldn't Children Just Be Able To Be Children And Not Have To Deal With This Terrible Stuff.

I began to intercede for children across our nation yesterday after I saw a program on bullycide. It tore my heart and it still does as I write this and think about it. Did you know that there are children that are bullied so bad that they then kill themselves? I just cannot fathom this idea or thought that it would be such a burden on a child to be bullied to the point of not wanting to live their life. These children are the siblings of family members. Parents out there will not be able to hug their child good night or kiss them on the forehead or tell them that they love them because of the meanness of other children that caused them to go to the brink or the end of their rope and take their very life. I cannot even imagine how the parents or family members would even be able to cope with this and how does one put their life back together when such a tragedy hits their home?
I am reminded that in the bible Jesus never shooed the children away from Him He always allowed the children to gather around Him. He sees them as children created in the image of God. Why would another human being that is also created in the image of God torment another just to be mean and feel like they are a bigger person than the one being picked on. Kids today have so much more to cope with than when I was a child. I never had to worry about receiving a threat via text messaging or spreading lies about someone for all to see on FB. I think the big thing back then was if someone passed around a note in class or you were not invited to the big event that everyone on the cool list was attending. What has happened to our world, better yet, what has happened to the love that is suppose to be shared in homes across this nation? Are people so busy that they really do not take the time to spend it with their children. Are there such distractions in the lives of parents that they do not know what is happening in their children's lives? I am not here to judge or condemn anyone I am just proposing questions because I truly do not understand what is happening to our children. Children should just be allowed to be just that, children, to live happy and carefree lives and their biggest worry should be about things like getting their homework done. They should not have to worry about coming to school to be beat upon or mocked or even tortured through cruel words spoken to you or about you. I remember my mother so many times telling me as a child that if you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything at all. Better yet, if you are one of the children out there doing the bullying then you should stop and think for just a moment how it would feel if you were in their shoes it would not be very nice would it? Suppose you where the one that took the bullying to the extreme that bullycide was the result, would you really be able to live with that fact that you caused another child to end their life just because of the bullying you instigated?
If you want to change your ways then ask Jesus to forgive you. It is a simple prayer and pray it from your heart He will hear you and He will forgive you. Remember what I said earlier, in the bible He always allowed the children to gather around Him He did not push them away. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and He will not push you away either. Just ask Him to forgive you and to change your heart, He will. He truly will if you allow Him to. Your life is important to Him. Did you know that He died on a cross just for you? He then rose from the dead three days after He died and He is alive and in heaven right now waiting to have a relationship with you. Do not be ashamed to ask Him to forgive you, He is a loving God with compassion. If you are a parent that has been victimized in your home through bullying I prayed for you yesterday. May your heart be filled with peace and forgiveness too. Remember this, they are just children, children do not have the mental capacity or capability to think things through or even think that far ahead of the consequences of their actions. Another piece of wisdom my father use to say to me when growing up, he would tell us to think even if you had a split second before you decided to do something, for he said that once you did it you cannot take it back so it was best to seek wisdom in the decision you are about to make.