Small Wonder

Okay, check out these pictures of my aquarium. If you notice the little guy at the top of both pictures........his name is Survivor. He is named this...because somehow, some way...he survived! The second picture shows Survivor on top, and his parents below. If you have an aquarium, then you know.......you NEVER get babies! Oh, they will lay eggs, but the other fish always gobble them up. You only get babies if you rescue the eggs some how, and allow them to hatch separate from the other fish. Then, you must allow them to grow big enough so they won't be swallowed by the other fish when you put them in the tank with the rest of your fish!! Okay...our little Survivor there, not only survived by not being eaten while he was yet an egg....but then he survived again when he was too small and could still fit in the other fishes mouths'!! WOW! We were so excited, and just love watching him grow!!

My spiritual eye was so excited as well!!! In Psalm 71, it says, "By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou are he that took me out of my mother's bowels; my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge." Well, praise the Lord!!! I couldn't help but think of our little fish....what a wonder he has been to us, and everyone who comes over for a visit!

Isn't it wonderful to know that we serve a God that not only cares for us before we are born, but also takes such sweet care of us afterwards. What protection, what love, what mercy, He bestowes upon us daily! I don't know how or where that little guy stayed in that aquarium in order to survive...but he did. The world must often look at christians and just wonder how we have survived. I'll gladly tell them about my strong refuge! How about you? Have you thanked God today for His protection..for being your strong refuge?

What an awesome God we serve! Thank you Lord for your blessings on me, for your strong refuge, for your hedge of protection on my life!

Being Prepared (Inspired by Renea;p)

A friend and I were talking the other day, giving God praise for all He has done in our lives, and a thought stumbled into my head. We were talking about never getting too old to stop learning and gaining wisdom of the Father. That is the key....never losing your 'want to'. No matter what it takes, hold on to it with full on passion, grit your teeth and stand your ground! Never get complacant...and when those days come, where you are tired, cold, weak, and worn....shake it up and quickly run back close to the fire! No matter how low your valley gets, no matter how dry your desert feels...keep plodding on!! It is worth it! If God feels a million miles away...keep reading His word, keep praying every day..no matter if you don't feel a thing...keep on doing it..because, while you think you are getting no help whatsoever...you are, when that storm hits..you have your armour on, you have your protection! YOU ARE PREPARED!!

I bought my girls a small umbrella to keep in their backpacks at all times for school. Our campus is more like a college campus. We have several different buildings, so they have to walk outside a lot. They really don't think about having it with them, they just carry it in their backpacks..no matter what the weather is doing. But...you let the rain come, and they are grabbing that backpack and pulling that little umbrella out! They are prepared, whatever the weather, to stay safe and dry!

Same in the spiritual life..the 'sun' is out, life is good, nothing seems to be going on much..good or bad...but KEEP reading the Bible, KEEP praying every day...because one day that storm will come and you will be prepared...you won't have to scramble to find God, or His will! You are safe and dry! In times past, sad to say, I have allowed God to be my 'spare tire' and being the perfect gentleman, he didn't push. And when the storms of this life came my way, it was really rough, because I had to scramble to where I needed to be with Him, before I could even think about getting any help in the storm! Just like those students that get caught outside with no umbrella. They are scrambling for cover, they come to class soaked, or get stuck under an awning, with no way to get where they need to go.......but you see, my girls, being prepared, can safely get where they need to go, on time...and safe and dry. Now the rain is still wet, the storm is still going on for them, as well as the other students...but they were PREPARED! We all have to face the storms of life........how will you face them.....prepared, or unprepared?

Don't face things alone, child of God....it is unnecessary! You hold the key to being prepared...your Bible (God communicating with you) and daily prayer life (you communicating with God). Don't get caught out in the rain, where you can get soaked, or get trapped with no way to get where you need to go!!! Let Him be your umbrella......and keep Him close to you at all times.

Stay Off!

If you read my blog, then you know that my oldest daughter has a wonderful pug named, Bo. Bo has been a God send, and we love him so....but, he has this problem.....he sheds a lot! I find myself forever brushing his hair off of the furniture. So, I got him this cute little doggy bed, put it in the living room....near us....and started training him not to get on the furniture. I found this spray at the store called Stay Off. It is a dog training spray that keeps dogs away from a certain area. I thought I would give it a try.

I brought it home and sprayed the chairs and sofa with it. It puts off no smell, that I can smell...but Bo certainly doesn't like it. It leaves no stain, no odor, no hint that it is there.....but Bo certainly doesn't like it. It seems to be working pretty well. Bo is staying off the furniture...but it doesn't seem to make him love his bed any more. I keep taking him to the bed...and he keeps jumping right back out. I put his favorite toys in it....he will retrieve the toy....and leave the bed alone.

Where am I going with this one you may ask??? Well.....it made me think about witnessing....yes you read it correctly....witnessing! Do you repel folks from God, or do you bring them in? I'm not talking about your intentions or your well meanings.....I'm talking about how others perceive you. You may mean well when you beg them to come to church with you, or when you cry and tell them you don't want to see them go to hell, forever quoting scripture in their ear, preaching to them about how they are living, and how they should be living, but how's that coming across? As you 'spray' your words out, they may have no odor, no stain, and to you, no hint that it was there....but it may be that that sinner or backslider perceives it differently. Although you are praying and beckoning them the best way you know how...that will not make them come, that will not get them saved. You can't see a thing come out of that can when I spray it, only the sound a spray can makes.........but, poor ole Bo, he can! He takes a sniff, snarles his nose and takes off. I want him to go to his bed....but that's not where he goes!

Be careful how you direct others to Christ, you may have the best intentions...but you may be repelling them. As Christians we are to point others to Christ...but don't walk out in front of Him! I can lead Bo to that bed, I can taunt him with his toys are a milkbone, but that won't make him lay down in it. He has to see that it is a soft cozy warm place for himself. He has to see that that awful scent from that can does not get sprayed on his bed. Too often, we are so excited to have someone feel, taste, and see that God is good, we actually do more damage than good.

Stop....look....and listen....listen to your Father. He will direct you. Your main job is to pray for that person and LIVE the life that God wants you to live in front of that person! Stop....pushing and pulling and proding.....look to the cross and remember your salvation....and listen to the Father as He guides you. He is a perfect gentleman, He gives each individual his own free will...we all have a choice. I found that if I just left Bo alone, that gradually, he will check the bed out for himself, sniff it, touch it....and eventually give it a try. Mom always said that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Its true. So the next time you see that friend or loved one that you so desperately want to see saved, back right, in church, living for Christ......stop, look, and listen.........God can move mountains.......but in His time, not ours. He will do and has done His part........and He doesn't need any of us in order to get anything He wants done, done. I promise.....He knows what's best, He knows the desires of your heart.....and He loves them and is beckoning them to Him.....don't hinder His work!

Do You Love Enough to Give Away Your Blue Mechanical Pencil???

Okay, I know you are reading the title and saying to yourself...what is she talking about now? Well, good! It is a good thing to always be thinking! I John 4:19 tell us that, "We love him, because he first loved us." Verse 20 goes on to say, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" And then verse 21 throws in this order, "And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." Let that soak in a minute....we are commanded to love our brother....those who love Christ, that is. We, too, often get a critical spirit, sometimes a hauty spirit about our fellow man. We must be careful in doing so. Remember the old gospel hymn, "....give me that old time religion.....makes me love everybody, makes me love everybody, makes me love everybody...." Check your love meter....how's it reading?

Here is the point to the title: A couple of months back, my Mom was in the hospital. She was pretty sick, and I was doing all I knew to do to help her. The stress level was pretty high. I had tried to think of every possible way I could to help her. I knew she enjoyed doing word searches when she is well, so when my aunt had mentioned she was going to the store, I asked her to pick a couple word search books up for her. When my family and I were there to visit Mom, I saw the books. They were word search books...just not the kind that Mom liked as much, and she didn't have a pencil to work them with.

While at the store a couple days later, my youngest daughter and I looked around, and found the kind of word search book that she likes. The kind that have big print, and do not have a certain theme throughout the book...so I grabbed it. I, then, remembered that she would need a pencil, so we went to that section of the store. My daughter, so sweetly suggested, that we get her a mechanical pencil, that way, if the lead were to break, she would quickly have more lead, and not need a sharpener.....good thinking! Of course, she had another motive as well....you see, my girls love to use mechanical pencils at school, and they usually come in packs of 6 or more....so, that would mean that they would have some as well. Okay, again, good thinking.

As she and I were driving to the hospital, Riley wanted to open the pencils and write her grandmother a message on the book....and pick out a pencil to give her. Well, as most Moms do... I know what my daughter's favorite color is....so I am looking at the other pencils, wondering which of the other ones she may choose to give her. Riley asks me what Mawmaw's favorite color is...and I tell her with a smile that she loves all the colors, she has never had a favorite. Well, that was touching in of its self, the fact that she was wanting to please my Mom as much as possible. But then she said, as she grabs the blue one, "Well, I am giving Mawmaw the blue one, because it is my favorite color, and I want her to have the best, and know that I love her." Then she proceeded to write the sweetest message in the front of the book.

Well, she has no clue, but that blessed my heart so much, and tears started streaming down my face. From the mouth of babes, God can teach us what it really means to have love in your heart toward others! God gave his son with no regard to His own feelings, so that we may have eternal life. What a sacrifice! Sometimes we say we love others...but what do our actions show? Are you willing to give your blue mechanical pencil away without hesitation? Can you love enough, to sacrifice your own wants and desires, your own favorites and preferences? Can you give love away freely without expecting something in return? That's what God did, and that's what God asks of His children. Proverbs 17:17 tells us that a friend loveth at all times...can you say that?

The Sunshine Through the Clouds

As I write today, I see the sunshine coming through the dark clouds of my storm. I want to take the opportunity to Praise the Lord for answering prayers, for being faithful, for not forsaking me, for unconditionally loving me, and for getting me through this storm! We have had several days of stormy weather, literally, here. I went for my run the other day, and I looked up into the sky. To the right I could see nothing but dark clouds, gloomy and thick, but as I looked to the left, I could see a break in the clouds, the clouds were thin and weak, and I could see blue sky and rays of sunshine. That was a perfect picture of what I felt in my soul. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!

What a great deliverer God is! I have to say that He didn't just get me by...He got me through this storm. I want to be a witness to each and every one of you to HOLD TIGHT! The storms of life are going to blow, but if you stay anchored in your faith...HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH!!!! It is not easy, and I won't tell you otherwise. When a boat is out on the ocean and a storm comes through, they do whatever it takes to keep that boat floating. They will start throwing all things that aren't necessary overboard. As I walked through this storm, I began to get down to the bear necessities. All the 'stuff' that I thought were important...didn't seem as important anymore. I had to cut some things loose, in order to stay afloat. What are you holding on to, my friend, that is weighing you down?? When the storms come for you...and they will....will you be too weighted down to stay upright?

You may ask....how did you make it through? Well, as I said before, I got rid of some things that I really didn't need in my life, and stayed focus and what I did need. The main thing is the anchor. Without the anchor, you drift anywhere the storm takes you. You are at the mercy of the storm. But, the anchor does you absolutely no good unless you use it. The anchor of which I speak, of course, is Jesus Christ! I am a child of the King...and what do children do when they are frightened? They crawl into their parents' lap. When my storm hit, I crawled into my Heavenly Father's lap. He is the anchor of my vessel. But if I just sit the anchor aside, and not use it...just let it take up space in my boat, then I have no help in the time of need! If I don't put that anchor to use, then it too can become a weight that can harm me when the storms rage.

You see, if we don't keep our prayer life going daily, if we don't read and study His Word daily, then we are not anchored down and ready for whatever may come our way. When the storm hits....you can capsize before you go find your anchor, clean it up and get it thrown overboard. But, if you read and pray daily, then your anchor is in use when the storms show up. It is so easy to let the devil deceive you of this, that is his goal. He loves it when you get into a storm unprepared, because then he has more power. Don't drift in your christian walk, my friend....use your anchor!!

Another great help during my storm was the wonderful christian friends I have. It is very important to have a christian friend to help guide you during your storm. You must be careful, not just anyone can help, they must have a testimony that they are walking with Christ, or they may hinder you. Have you ever parked your car in a very tight spot? Trying to get out is terrible. But, if someone that you trust comes along, and guides you out of that tight spot, then it is much easier....right? Same thing in a storm. You are in a storm, you can't see clearly, think clearly, or even hear things clearly. While standing on God's Truths are your main goal....keep a good christian friend close by to guide you through the fog of your storm. I couldn't have made it through without the shoulder, love, encouragement and prayers of my friends. Don't let pride get in your way of asking for help. That is another lie that the devil will use to destroy you. If they are where they need to be with Christ, then they will not judge you, but will love and comfort you..............let them!!! You will be surprised at the strength you will gain through their help!

Many verses in the Bible spoke to me during my storm, many came just at the time I thought my boat was capsizing. Three verses in Habakkuk come to mind now for me, the last 3 verses in that book...chapter 3 says "Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, YET will I rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the victorious God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk not to stand still in terror, but to walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility." (amplified version). WOW! That sums up just exactly what I went through during this storm.

If you are in a storm, or, like me just came out of a storm, or you are about to go into a storm, my advise is this.....get those little things out of your life that you 'think' are important, and get closer to the Father. Read God's Word, and claim His promises. Even though you will be attacked on everyside in your mind, duck down, and cling to the Truth. Even though you feel a prayer doesn't go through.....pray anyway...because prayer isn't conditioned on how you feel....it works no matter your feeling. Find a christian friend to lean on. Let your Anchor work....let go of the ropes, though your boat may be rocking.....the Anchor WILL HOLD!!!!!

Looking For The Rainbow

As I continue through this storm, I continue to write, as therapy for myself, and in hopes that someone else will see that storms come to everyone, and God is still real. The devil would like me to throw my hands up and say it is over, he would enjoy it if I would say, ''I'm done." His ammunition never runs out, he never gets tired. We must never forget that he is the master mind of ALL lies.

The easy thing to do is to give in and wallow in self pity. You can really get hung up on how bad your storm is if you aren't careful. God is always the perfect gentleman, and He gave us a freewill. We always have a choice. I don't see the storm clearing as of yet.... but, I know it will one day. I am not going to wait until then, I'm going to praise Him in this storm!

He has not left me, not once. His blessings remain. As the song goes, I have food on the table, shoes on my feet, and a good place to sleep. My bills have been paid. I have my health. God has blessed me with the ability to run and walk, which helps me when anxiety is raging. My husband and daughters are well. My daughters are absolutely doing awesome. God has provided wonderful weather. He has taken care of me, when I haven't even realized it. Each new morning, I have had he privilege of waking up, and being able to get up. My car has cranked every time I have needed to go somewhere. God has surrounded me with a few wonderful friends that have kept me lifted up through this storm. I can truly say that God is still good, and His blessings are still real.......and I am STILL blessed.

By choosing to rely on Christ through this storm, God has given some rainbows, just when I've needed them. When life is going well, and you are enjoying living for Christ, you easily see the rainbows. It's harder to see them in a storm, but they are there. I'm grateful that by holding on to Him, He has whispered sweet peace to me. By not staying in the self-pity pool, I have been able to listen to my Father more, and do what He wants me to do through this, and let me tell you.....because of it, the rainbows have been beautiful.

I still have a heavy load, and no answers have come to surface yet. But, I'm going to go ahead and serve notice on the devil..... I am going to thank God for answering my prayers. I don't know yet, how they will be answered, nor how this storm will pass, but I know Who controls it all, and I am safe and sound in His bosom. My feeble mind likes to think of ways my storm could go away, how my prayers could be answered, but He knows best, it has to be done in His will and in His time. I thank Him for the times of comfort and I do not take for granted the times I feel a time of relief in the storm....the time of a rainbow.

I will go on, not by anything I have done, but what the One who lives inside of me is doing. As I continue my christian walk, through this storm, I will continue to look for the rainbow, and I will thank Him for them, and go ahead and praise Him for the day this storm is going to go away.

Continuing the Walk, Though the Rain is Falling

I feel the need to continue to write during my storm. In a way it is a therapy for myself, as well as an example for others that they are not alone. Our mind is the devil's battlefield. If we are saved, he cannot get our soul, nor enter our heart. But, he can destroy our minds and rob us of our joy, if we do not put on God's armor!

The storm in my life has not disappeared, it still remains. The devil still brings thoughts, ideas, and fear my way. One of the lies that the devil tries to tell us as young christians, is that now that we have Christ on our side, we have it made. All days will be sunny from here on out. That is certainly the voice of the devil. Because if you study God's Word, He tells us there are going to be hard times on our journey. The devil tells us this, so that when troubles of this life do hit....he wants us to be caught by surprise, and unprepared.

I am no better than anyone else, I am not stronger....I am no different than any other human being. The devil sees the fire in your life, and he immediately starts to blow and fan that fire to keep you in turmoil. We must stay on our knees and stay in His Word to fight the fire, or we will be consumed.

More than a week into my storm, I don't see much improvement, I don't see much change. I still have disappointments, frustrations, and very often, feelings of being overwhelmed. What keeps me going? My friend, it is nothing on my own, it is all in Him. He is my strength, He is my rock, He is my strong tower. I can feel Him helping me along this journey. I know this because I could not go on unless His hand is reaching down, lifting me up.

We cannot sit back in paralysis. If we do, then the devil will gain the upper hand. We must be still as God moves in...but we must continue our christian walk. I see where God is with me during my storm. I can feel His presence. Whether it be something I get out of reading God's Word, a kind word from a friend, prayers going up for me, or a song.... I know He is there. If I lay down and give up during this storm....which is just what the devil wants......then, friend, I will surely drowned! God provides an umbrella...even when I don't realize it.

When I feel as though this storm is going to swallow me up, I start counting my blessings. As the song says, I name them one by one. I tell ole Lucifer, how while this storm is certainly horrid.... it could definitely be worse. I'm not saying that I am some awesome christian, I am certainly not. I have times as though I feel the devil is certainly going to win. You cannot give in. I still feel as though my prayers are going no where, but I keep on praying. I have wonderful friends who lift me up in prayers, and send words of encouragement. I have a wonderful friend who lets me call her at any time of the day, and lets me say anything I want to, anything I need to, without judgement or criticism. Though God is certainly enough..... He will put someone in your path to help you.....don't try to do it all alone, let your friends or family help bear the load. It helps you, and it helps them. The Bible teaches us to share one another's burdens. The devil tries to puff you up with pride, so you will try to go it alone. Well of course... he has a better chance of knocking you out if you are alone!! Don't fall for it!

I don't know how things will turn out, I don't know when this will end. But, I do know that He loves me, and works for my good, He will not forsake me. I must..... I MUST hold on to the voice of Truth. I'm not saying this is easy, nothing worthwhile is, isn't that what the old timers say? Stay focused. I describe it like this: the devil is like very loud music being played....you can barely hear yourself think. The Lord is like a quiet voice speaking to you, though the music is blaring. It is hard to hear that voice. You have to focus constantly on trying to block out the loud music, and always strain to listen to the quiet voice. It's not easy, and definitely frustrating. But it can be done...if you want to. I have decided that I want to. I want to keep my desire to live for the Lord. I want to keep my success through Christ. I want to deny my flesh and feed my spirit. I want to give my all to the Lord... all the time, not just during the good times. There is nothing to go back to....He gave His all........can I not???

Someone once said, 'This too shall pass..' And it will, I keep reminding the devil of that fact. God will see me through, and in turn, if I remain faithful, I will be stronger for it. Look beyond the struggles of the storm and keep your eyes on the prize! There are going to be some low times....I'll let you in on a secret....we are STILL human.....and God KNOWS this! So don't worry, if you fall or stumble....get right back up and go again..........the sun is coming up in the morning. If I give in now....when God does settle the storm, then I won't be where I need to be to see it!

God will give a song in the time of trouble! A song I sing at church has come to my mind many times during this storm....."Once again, I faced Satan this morning. And I battled him all the day long. But in my weakness, God sent reinforcements, and at sundown, I sang victories song! And the sun's coming up in the morning....every tear will be gone from my eyes. This old clays gonna give way to glory, and like and eagle, I'll take to the skies!"

Stay in the fight, you have to be there in order for the reinforcements to come...so don't retreat!!! God is faithful, Hallelujah! Believe me, I am so ready.... so ready for this storm to be over...physically, emotionally, and spiritually!!!! I am continuing the walk, though the rain is falling......because the sun IS coming up in the morning!!!!!