Two Thousand Mark

I've hit the 2,000 mark on visitors! I just want to say thank you to all who visit here. I hope you get something out of it. My goal is to touch hearts with the word of the Lord, bring laughter, and show the joy that children have to offer. For without the Lord, we are nothing.

You have no idea how much each of you bless me. You show of kindness, your kind words, your sharing of love, and being there. Everyone of you has a special place in my heart. Visiting your blogs brings joy to my heart, as I learn so much. Even through the times of hardship, there are lessons to be learned. There is also many laughs that are shared, which brightens the day. I wish I was good with words. The main thing I'm trying to say is Thank You, you all are such a joy to know. The friendships that continue to grow are beautiful. Looking forward to more sharing of what ever gifts we all bring to one another.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! May the Good Lord Shine His Light Upon Each One of You. Pour His blessings out on to each and everyone of you. Love to all!

Commenter Recognition

I'm joining Five Minutes For Mom (5M4M) in recognizing sweet commenters. It's a way to recognize those that visit your blog and comment. (5M4M)

This weeks blog commenter recognition goes to Chris at Prayer. Thank you Chris for all your visits, encouraging words, and comments. Make sure you all stop in and visit Chris.

You can go to 5M4M to get the button if you all would like to join in on Say it forward Fridays. Of course I enjoy everyone's comments and love you all.

Friday's Funnies

I thought of this when reading another blog. It made me giggle and think of the fun adventure we had a few years back. It's funny today, but at the time, well, you decide. ;) Ha ha

While living in base housing on Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB), we lived in a single unit near a huge desert field. There was a row of houses seperating us from the field.

Of course, everything seemed to happen every time hubby had to go TDY (on temporary duty somewhere else). It never failed. This particular time was a night mare but hilarious. When I look back and think of how funny we must have looked, I get to laughing.

It was a fall night, we were all nestled in our warm beds, of course minus hubby. :( When all of a sudden, Smokey, our sweet grey kitty crawled into bed with me making a weird noise. I woke up and noticed he had something in his mouth that looked liked tissue. I went to grab it thinking he was choking, when some little voice said, "No! Turn on the light first." So I reached over and turned on the lamp, and EEEEEKKKKK!!!!

Smokey quickly dropped what was in his mouth, it was...(ready for this one?) It was a mouse. No, it was not a dead mouse. It was a live, breathing, frightened field mouse trying to figure out where he should run to. Smokey sits there proud as could be after bringing mom a trophy!

I froze for a brief moment then went and found the hammer and chased that mouse. Up my clothes in the closet he scurries, (long house coat got him there), across the hangar bar, up the wall. Oh my gosh, how am I going to catch this little guy. Smokey is trying to help too needless to say. "Look out mom, let me get him for you."

By this time the kids are up wondering what all that racket was about. Of course they freak and scream. I get them settled down, and then it becomes a fun game. Until...daughter sees it coming out of the closet. Then it's shreaks and scampering feet of every kind.

At this point I'm thinking, why is it only when he is gone? Smokey, you brought me a trophy, but a normal cat will kill it's trophy's. Why do you have to be the abnormal cat and do this when dad is gone? But then I think, hey, you fit in with the family. None of us are normal. {:<( Hee hee.

The chase is on. Down the hall, into the kitchen. Where are you, then I spot him heading for the laundry room. He hides under a stool, or so he thinks he's hiding. "Okay Smokey, no way, you had your chance, he's mine now. I'm fighting the cat to get to the mouse to get rid of it.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could kill an innocent animal. You see, I'm an animal lover of all kinds. Hurting an animal just isn't my nature. Especially when looking into their eyes. I know, I'm a sap! But what else was I going to do. I sure wasn't going to sleep with it. I couldn't have it running amuck in the house. So bam, down with the hammer, then it hits me. A mouse is tiny, I have a hammer, I smash it, ugghhh, it's going to splatter. Whew, spared the gore! Thank you Lord!

Then comes another struggle, Smokey still wants to claim mousey for his own. He scoops it up and snarls at me. So the chase is on once again. Mousey has gone to mousey heaven now, but Smokey is still claiming it. "Ah come on Smokey, it's late, the kids & I have to get up early, while you can sleep all day! Give me mousey PLEASE!!!" Finally catch him still growling and hissing at me. I get the mouse, throw it away and off to bed. ;) Ahhh, yes finally.

Wahhhh, I can't go to sleep now. How many more of those little critters is he going to bring into bed with me. Is there more? There must be, cuz where there's one, there is more. Whyyyyyy??? Oh come on, quit being a sissy and just go to sleep. Finally sleep comes. But...the story does not end here. Oh no, not now. This is just the beginning. The best is yet to come. Down the hall on the wall, bump, thump, thump bump... Oh sorry, this isn't a Dr. Suess story. ;)

Oh that's right, hubby reads my posts. Sorry baby, but you have to admit, this was pretty funny. ;) I have to share, it's for lifes best medicine. We all need laughter.

Any way, we go through this several nights before hubby gets back. He thought it was funny hearing about it. He he he...Well, turns out Smokey was not going to leave hubby out of the picture. Oh no, he had to get dad in the fun. After all, dad deserved a trophy too didn't he? Oh yes he did. Mom shouldn't get all the awards. Uh-uh, no way. Dad was his pal! Uh-huh. Yes he was. Smokey loves daddy!

Middle of the night, Smokey jumps in bed, and I knew that sound all too well. Hubby asks what the problem is, I turn on the light and holler he has another mouse. (I'm sitting here laughing thinking of this all over again). Hubby stands up in bed, starts running in place (mind you, we had a water bed at the time) hollering, "get it, get it." I stand there floored, thinking, I've dealt with these buggers for how many nights now, and you are running in place, on the bed, telling me to get it. Augghh, okay, chicken little, I'll get the hammer and take care of it. Geesh. Of course during this time, up the clothes in the closet, back down, and Smokey's on it.

Hubby is still in the bedroom not knowing what to do. Finally get it and squash it. Poor guy, claims he was in shock, hadn't woken up completely, he wasn't scared, just didn't know what to do. ;) That's my hubby. I love him so though. That's okay babe, I'll let you off the hook this time. mmmwwwaaaahhh love you.

Needless to say, we finally found where the buggers were coming in at. I thought it was under the stove, and set traps there, of course never caught them. Or perhaps the laundry room. Set traps there too, but to no avail. They were coming in through the utility closet. Smart little farts. Here was a rather large hole in the floor where the gas pipe came in. Grrr. Why in the world did they leave a whole in the floor. We fixed that rather quickly, and thus that ended the mousey problems. Whew!!! Our fun ended. Thanks to hubby for figuring out there entrance and closing it off!!! My hero. ;) XOXO

Thursdays Great Message

As always, Pastor Connie gave an awesome message again today. The videos of the messages are up and running now. Today's and last weeks is available for viewing now. You can watch the videos of the messages by clicking here. You won't be disappointed by what you hear. I wish the other days were up as well, as I had missed last weeks and the week before that. At least it's possible to catch up on one of the weeks. Yeah.

So here are some of the highlights. First Tracy, one of Pastors daughters talked about Psalm 33 and Philippians 4:8. I'll leave Psalms for you to read from your Bible, but I wanted to post Philippians, but take it a bit farther with vv. 4-9.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
6 Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition whit thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable--if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise--dwell on these things.
9 Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Personally, I just love this one. It says so much. I've been dealing with trying to shed myself of so much worry. I know we aren't suppose to worry, and place it all in God's hands, but sometimes it's not so easy. But after today it has become much easier. Does it try to creep back in. Oh yeah, you better believe it. Satan will never give up trying. But that's okay, as I'm armed with the armor of God. I'm protected by His great love for me. God is so awesome.

So any way, the message was awesome. Here's just a few highlights to tease you with. Gen 1:27-28. Ps 103:1-5; Numbers 23:20; Pr 10:6; and Ps 105:8. Then from there, I messed up with the scriptures quoted and will have to take better notes when I listen to it again.

God placed Jesus in a kneeling position--a posture of worship.
God's blessings are not gifts, they are a benefit.
God will bless you until:
1. Bless your enemies. Start blessing those you are concerned about.
2. Bless the Lord. Ps 103:1-5
3. Bless the children and your home. Numbers 103:1-5
You can not curse what God has said. Intercede and call your family blessed. Do not use negativity, positiveness allows light and spirit.
4. Bless your circumstances and nut use them. What God has blessed, no one can curse.
To get immediate results, look for principles in the Bible that deals with your situation.
Ask God to increase your principles.

Then she went on to talk about the 14 Spirits of Evil. One being orphan mentality which is a spirit of jealousy. We all should be praying for the release of generational curses.

Col 3:3 Pray we are hidden in Christ; and Col 2:10 (Who are we in Christ?)
1. Righteousness is only found in Christ.
2. Everything you need is available for the taking. It's not what you bring to the Lord, it's what He does with you and letting Him do so.
3. Believe God loves you and affirms us--this will release you from abandonment. There are no second class citizens. We are all complete in Christ and we can relax. Live to please God and not people. You only live for the audience of one!
If you curse the journey it will be cursed; if you bless the journey, it will be blessed.
The spirit of jealousy may be what sent Jesus to the cross. None of us want to have any part of that.
A question that was asked of us: Are there people or circumstances/situations you should be blessing?

Now here is a story of God's true devotion to bringing us to Him.
A woman of the church was discussing scriptures with someone. Another woman not saved, not a Christian listened. She then asked the church woman if she would mind writing the scriptures down for her, as she may need them someday. One day when in the delivery room helping deliver a baby, the baby became stuck in the chamber. The baby turned blue. The doctor pronounced her dead. The nurse (non-believer) pointed her finger and said, "Nothing is impossible with God." Then continued reciting the scriptures. The baby is released, taken to the waiting incubator where the doctor pronounced the baby dead. The nurse placed her hands on the baby and continued to recite the scriptures. The baby started to breathe!!! The baby made it. Praise God! Hallelujah! The next day, the woman called the church woman and asked to be saved!!! Yes!

When listening to this, I had chills coursing throughout my body. I love hearing of this sort of thing. God is Good!

Now go watch the video. :) Tomorrow I will write a post of a revelation of a broken generational curse that I was not aware of at the time. God Bless you all. Have a wonderful, restful, peaceful night.

Great Reminder

I just came across a great post that I just have to share! It's called Other Forgotten Ten Commandments. It is a wonderful reminder of what we are to be doing. Thank you Toia for a great post! So click on the name above to go and read it. You will find this at Designers Original.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a Loving God. No matter what we go through, He is always there. He is the only One that is Always there. He is always guiding, teaching, loving us, providing for us, answering... And the list goes on. What more could anyone ask for?

He knows our every need. He knows the exact time we need to hear something. I just love how He works in our lives. The way He brings the right people into our lives when we need them the most. How He knows the right people to teach us through the gifts He has given each individual.

Most of all, He doesn't care what we look like, how we dress, what color our hair is, etc. He designed us. He is happy with who we are. He doesn't expect us to be what others may expect us to be like. He only wants us to be who He put us here to be, to do His work.

Complain about what is expected? No way! I will always strive to do the best I possibly can. I take each day as a testimonial of His love. Remind myself of the great sacrifice of God giving of His only begotten Son to die for our sins. The suffering Jesus endured for us. And of Jesus roaming the desert for 40 days and 40 nights with nothing to drink or eat and being tempted by the devil. I gather strength by those happenings. Reminding myself what a lucky people we are to have such a great daddy!

Thankful I am. No, I could not ask for anything more. I once was a materialist girl. Thinking of how I wish I had what others had. Thinking we needed this and that to keep up with society to look the way I thought we were expected to look. But then I was led back to the Glorious, Loving Father, was saved, and given another chance. Daddy, I won't walk away this time. No, as I am thankful for each day you give me to learn more, to be led by You, and to get closer to You. Thank You Great Heavenly Father for your ever lasting love and faithfulness.

Thank You

My inspiration came in part from Heather's beautiful post and from the loving comments from you all. The Lord uses many different tools to lead, inspire, teach, and even at times reprimand. The blogosphere is one. I had thought, blogging??? me, yeah right. I'm so glad I listened, as I have met so many wonderful people through here. It just comfirms His goodness.

I want to thank each of you for your wonderful hearts. You have lifted me up and gave me knew found strength through Him. The Lord has led us all to one another for a reason. I can't begin to tell you all how grateful I am.

For those that are struggling with whether there is a God, or should you give yourself to Him, just read the different blogs of men and women who have given themselves to God. Through their writings, their gifts, talents, what ever the case, it is obvious that there is a Loving God that is leading us. Where else do you read kindness, goodness, support, etc. such as here?

You won't see daggers being thrown at others. Crisiticism of what you heard, saw, read, etc. You won't hear a lot of cussing/swearing and what not. Instead, you will feel the warmth and the love that is brought out in us trying to live by His ways. Helping one another to learn and understand more of what the Word is. For we can not do it alone. By His Holy Grace we are healed.

What do you have to lose? Nothing. You do have a lot to gain. I can guarantee that any of us would be happy to talk with you about how to give yourself to the Lord, or lead you to someone who can help you. Believe me, you won't be disappointed. Here we do not judge, for we are all equal.

Struggling

Just wanted to apologize. I havn't been posting lately as I had recently had a bad bout with acid reflux and ended up getting a lot of fluid in my lungs which knocked me for a loop. I've been tired out to the point of not wanting to do much of anything. I guess not being able to breathe properly is what caused the tiredness and weakness. I should be getting back to normal by tomorrow, I hope. I promise to catch up on the reading of everyones blogs. I know, yeah right. But seriously, I will!!! Hope all is well with everyone. Have really missed blogging, and especially visiting.

Awesome Bible Tool Site

I found a really cool site while searching for a picture to add to my last post. I haven't gone over it completely, but knew it was good from the start. Here is the link to Biblos.com
It has all sorts of tools. The one thing I really liked is it gives you cross references for Scriptures, without having to look through different Bibles at one time, which I often do. I've been known to have a stack of Bibles (different versions) on my desk at one time, cross referencing. ;) Now the tools are right at my finger tips. There is also Atlases, Encyclopedia's, Dictionary, Concordances (25 in all) of different tools to use, plus it comes with any language you want, and a whole lot more tools and benefits to using his site. I'm stoked!!! I can't wait to have the time to delve in and read and utilize this site more. Hope someone else out there finds it useful as well.

How Does Your Lamp Glow?

Hubby sent me this one this morning, and I thought it was so good. So I'm going to share it. It is a great reminder. It comes from Crosswalk.com: Neil Anderson's Devotional from Freedom in Christ Ministries.

THE LIGHT TO OUR PATH

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to
my path.

We live in a world where the flip of a switch instantly lightens or darkens
a room. The lamps in biblical times, on the other hand, burned brightly but
required proper tending. If not cared for, they would become a dwindling flame.
God's Word uses the metaphor of a lamp to teach us about guidance for our lives.
And it provides the opportunity for some graphic applications of this teaching.

Earnestly seeking the clear teaching of God's Word allows the lamp to burn
brightly and us to stay on the path. When we fail to acknowledge our theological
bias and limited perspective, the light lessens and our path becomes twisted.
The lamp flickers when form replaces function and traditions push aside the
commandments of God. The light dims when we stay away from God's Word and the
fellowship of believers. It goes out when we serve another master.

Sometimes we overlook the obvious: God's will is expressed by His Word. As
a child, I didn't struggle with knowing my earthly father's will. He clearly
expressed it to me. I learned early on that we lived together peacefully if I
was quick to obey. Being a farm boy, it made sense to help my father establish
his kingdom (the family farm). Farmers know from nature that we reap what we
sow. Not only that, I stood to inherit the family farm along with my brother and
sisters as my father had with his sisters. Yet I wonder how many Christians
realize that what they are presently sowing in the kingdom of God is what they
will reap for all eternity.

God's will is revealed to us in His Word. There is no substitute for being
"diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to
be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible
is a light to your path.

Prayer:

Father, don't let anything enter my life today that would dim
Your glorious light. I choose to find my way by the light of Your Word.

Facing Difficulties, Trials, & Tribulations

Wow!!! Tonight's service was awesome. It really hit the spot. God's timing is always perfect. I love how the Lord speaks to Pastor Ken and how he obeys Him. The message was based on Acts 27. There is a very good message in that chapter. The following are some headlines of the message, but if you get a chance to go and listen to the message sometime next week, you won't be disappointed. Just click on Capital Christian Center on the side bar; then click on watch and listen, or just listen which ever your prefer and click on the date for this weekend.

The message was about Paul facing a lot of difficulties. Many of us face them as well, but probably will never face all that he had. We should learn to face our storms head on and not fear them. God is always there with us through it all. He will never fail us. Our storms are for a reason. Four ways the storm comes is through ourselves, others, Satan, and God.

Scriptures good for how to deal with difficult times: John 16:33

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the
world."

How good is that message!!! And 2 Cor. 6:4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God; in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses.

There are three steps to dealing with difficult times.
1. Determine the reason. Is it brought on by yourself, from others, Satan or God. Then you will know what to do. Of course pray. That is the first thing you should always do. Every time you come into the house of the Lord, you will find answers. Ps 73:16-17

When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for
me--17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I
understood their end. It is important to show up in the temple.

2. Determine the result. 2 Cor. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Remember, the problems are only temporary.
3. Determine my response. How should I handle it?

There are three mistakes we make when in difficult times.
1. We listen to bad advice. Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
2. We follow the crowd. Acts 27:12

And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised
to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor
of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there

.
3. We rely on circumstances. Acts 27:13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.

We should not always go through every door that is open to us that comes our way.

The one thing that really had an impact on me: We show what type of Christian we are by how we respond to our difficulties, not by how we respond to the good times.
Then; Impatience heads us into a storm. I so needed to hear this one, and thought of others that are struggling right now.

This is not part of the message, just a note I'm inserting here. I've been feeling heavy lately. I couldn't put a finger on it until tonight on the way home. I told my hubby that I have got to shake this heavy feeling. I don't remember just what he asked, but basically if I was struggling with my faith. I told him no, that it is the heaviness I'm feeling for the concern of others struggling and many feeling like giving up. That's when I realized the reason for the heaviness myself. Then I knew I needed to talk about tonight's message. It's powerful in a time of need.
Part of what brought me to this other than Pastor Ken's great message was talking with a dear friend at church. Thank you Cindy. You always take time to listen. I love you for that.

Any way, back to the message. Sorry, I know I have a tendency to be long winded, but when thoughts hit, I have to get them down. ;)

You know, God's purpose is much greater than our pain and problems. Rom. 5:3 And not only that, but we also Glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance. Every storm has a school. There is two more parts to this, but didn't write fast enough. So make sure to catch it when you listen to the message. Are you having problems right now? Don't give up, but instead, grow up! Drifting is coasting down hill. Believe, trust.

There are three things you should not do:
1. Don't drift. Acts 27:3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
2. Don't discard. Acts 27:18 And because we were exceeding tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. Dismiss your problems. Don't throw away things you shouldn't. Stay with the ship. Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." Have you cut away the life boat. Learn, grow, & develop.
3. Don't despair. Acts Acts 27:20 Now when neither sun not stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. God is in control. God is testing us.

We should confess our part Pv 28:13: He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Acts 27:34, 25, & 41-44 is other Scriptures talked about.
Acts 27:34 "Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you."
Acts 27:25 "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me."
Acts 27:41-44:

But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the
prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill
the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43
But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and
commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to
land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the
ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

James 4:1-13:18 (I'll leave this one for everyone to read themselves). Envy and self seeking can bring demonic forces into the house. We all need to be peace makers. Difficulty brings the real person out in you.
1. Confront the problem. Face the storm head on. Isaiah 43:2-3:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be
burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God. The Holy
One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in
your place.

2. God will pull us through the storm.
3. Claim the promises.

All Scriptures came from the NJKV. I so want to go and hear this message again tomorrow! Or should I say, receive the counseling again. Loved it. Hope you all are having a great weekend.

How Addicted Are You?

Okay, this is pretty sad. I guess I need to change my ways. I do know this is not completely accurate, as there are days I can't be on here like I like to be. But 80%??? I sure hope hubby doesn't read this post. He already picks on me about blogging as well as our son. I'm doomed I tell ya, doomed!!! Ha Ha

80%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?