Testimonial of Faith and Trust

As you all know, this week we've been talking about faith and trust. Well, the Lord let me know exactly what it is all about today. I was put to the test to see if I'm listening to His words as I write them or not. I failed miserably. But this is a testament to God's love and faithfulness.

Today I looked up flight and car rental plans. Hubby had found one that sounded a bit high, so I went through the program I always do, Expedia.com. They've come through for us every trip we've had to make. If any one needs to book a flight, get a car rental, and/or a hotel, they are the ones to go through. It's so handy.

So I found a good deal for us, book the flight and reserved the car. We are headed to San Diego later on! But only for a couple of days. :( Wish it was a week or two, but hey, it's better than nothing. Anyhow, I got the flight booked and car reserved and found out a few minutes later that we would not be there in time for our nephews graduation.

All the graduations we've been to have been in the late afternoon, early evening. Oh no, not this one. It is in the morning. Scheduled 17 minutes before our scheduled arrival time. I told hubby not to worry that I would go back in and change the date. We decided to leave a day earlier. I get on there and it reads that the airlines would charge us 150.00 per ticket for any changes or cancellations plus Expedia would charge up to 30.00 per ticket for the same thing.

Okay, panic sets in, hubby is upset big time, pacing the floor wondering what to do. So he says, go ahead, we'll have to pay it, but that is a rip off. So I see a button where I can go change it, and it would show me what our extra charges would be. So I click on it and start over. Hubby comes in the room and says, "somethings not right. You are re-booking, not changing." I tell him not to worry.

Hee hee, the joke was on me. I get it all done and nothing came up with the charges, so I start to sweat it out...anyone catching the mistakes here? So I go into look up my itineraries and low and behold, we have not two, but 4 tickets reserved. The original booking and the changed date booking. Auuuggghhhhh. Okay, I'm in a major panic now, and tell hubby to call and ind out what happened, as we sure aren't going to pay for the tickets and all the other stuff.

Okay, now here's where I went wrong. First off, I didn't read everything carefully like one should, mainly because I had read it all before many times. Second and most importantly, I didn't pray about it and seek help. Instead I instantly thought we were screwed and was going to have a high bill that we don't need. Will I ever learn? Or should I say will hubs and I ever learn? hehehe

Hubby calls Expedia, explains what happened, gave them the itinerary numbers for both bookings and walla, it's all taken care of, no extra charges, they were great about it. We both looked up and said, "Thank you Lord." Is He good or what. Then He says, "What have you been writing about?" I'm like faith and trust. I start chuckling. Hubs asks what? I told him here I've been doing a series on faith and trust and did I use it today. No! Yet look what He does, He took care of us! He just let me know that I need to practice what I preach. (Blushing deeply now).

So I thought I would share my story with you all as it is a great way to show what faith and trust is all about. Whew! I love how He takes care of us. I just remembered; when hubby got off the phone he said, "Someone sure is looking out for us! No extra fees, they cleared the first booking and said, 'No problem since you just booked it tonight just a little bit a go." Oh yeah, He was looking out for us alright. Praise God.

Another testimony here that I just realized, Thank You Lord. I just love how He works with us. Hubs business has really slowed down to the point where he may have to lay off his partner. He doesn't want to have to do that, I may need to go back to work, and still take care of the kids. He may have to work a second job. Wow! How did we get to this point. It happened so fast. Well hubby has been worrying over that. Remember the verse from Luke about worrying?

Well today he sat down and figured up all the costs of the business and their pay, and Praise the Lord, the pretty much have what they need to pay it all! We just need to keep the faith and trust. One way or another, no matter how glum things may get and look, He comes through, He provides, He takes care of us!

With the days of economic tough times, it is more important than ever to have faith and trust in the Lord. Pray or should I say P.U.S.H. Believe! For those not in the Lord, learn about Him and give your soul to Him. He will take care of you. Be the tiny mustard seed that was planted properly and grow!

Grace vs. Work

When reading this article, I just had to share it. It comes from Insights with Bill Bright. The article says so much. The permission to use this is listed at the end of the article. This is something to really think about and to show others that have not come to Christ. God Bless!

TODAY'S INSIGHT Grace vs. Works
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people (Titus 2:11, NLT).
Dear friends: In 1990 I spoke on Red Square in Moscow to tens of thousands of people on their Easter day. I gave the invitation to receive Christ and about 95 per cent of them then raised their hands indicating that they had invited Jesus into their lives. My message was broadcast live to an estimated 160 million.
Later that day in Moscow I met an intense, chain-smoking man who was very much an entrepreneur and whose cosmonaut friend had received Christ during my invitation while watching on national television. I asked him where he was on his spiritual journey -- if he was ready to make the same decision his friend had made earlier. He cut me off very short, blurting, "Look, I'm a busy man, I don't have time for religion. I work day and night to make money. My responsibilities are great and I'm just too busy to get involved in religion." He made it very clear that he was satisfied with his life.
As a matter of fact, he said, "My ticket to Heaven is the fact that I am publishing millions of pieces of literature, including Bibles and all kinds of materials like the Four Spiritual Laws." I was suddenly gripped with the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9. I asked him to read the verses aloud, which he did: "For by grace you are saved by faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." As he read, "Not of works, lest any man should boast," his face lit up, and he said, "Not of works, lest any man should boast. That's what I'm doing -- I'm boasting about what I'm doing." It was obvious that the Holy Spirit had touched his mind and heart. I said,
"Would you like to pray that prayer right now and receive Christ?" And he said, "Yes, I would." We bowed and prayed, and at the conclusion of our prayer, in which he received Christ, he embraced me and then he embraced me again, and he kept turning back to Ephesians 2:8-9, saying "Not by works, lest any man should boast." He would laugh, and he would read it again, and laugh, as he realized what a great discovery he had made.
He had made an incredible discovery -- for by grace are you saved through faith. Before I left, he must have given me ten hugs because he was so excited. It was the joy of the Lord, of a man set free.
Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns, Bill Bright.
Copyright (c) 2003, Bill Bright. All rights reserved. However, readers may copy and distribute this message as desired, without restrictions in number, as long as the content is not altered.

Teeny Tiny Deer

Photo #1: This tiny deer was delivered by Caesarean section at a wildlife hospital after his mother
was killed by a car. Little Rupert, who is so small he can fit in an adult's hand, was born
after vets failed in their battle to save his mother.

Photo #2: At just six inches tall and weighing just over a pound, he is now in an incubator
in the intensive care unit at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire.
He has only recently opened his eyes.
Les Stocker, founder of Tiggywinkles, said: 'Rupert's mother had very severe injuries.
We brought him out and got him breathing and then he went into an incubator on oxygen.
He is now being fed by a tube.'

Photo # 3: Tucked up: Rupert in an incubator

Photo # 4: Rupert pulls a striking pose for the camera
Staff are optimistic Rupert, now five days old, will make a full recovery.
'Deer are very, very tricky but this one has spirit. He's an extremely feisty
little guy and quite pushy,' Mr Stocker said.

Photo # 5: Asleep: Rupert takes 40 winks

I recieved this in an e-mail and just had to share it. Go little Rupert! We are praying for you little one. The miracle's of life! God is Good!!!