The Good Stuff

The deeper into the Word I go the deeper in love I become with my Savior!!!  I am beyond amazed at His love for me and when I do try to think on it, I become ever whelmed!  Oh the JOY that fills my heart =)

I just finished reading "Dear Evelyn" and I have to say that it fueled the fire in my heart.  If we do NOT have a desire to love others there is something wrong!  It is that simple!  I'm talking about a love that can only come from Jesus.  A love that drives us to do things that we would just not do in the natural.  It's a supernatural love that does supernatural things!!!  It's some GOOD STUFF!!!  To see past our own little world and into the world that so desperately longs for that JESUS LOVE!  They long to see it and experience it through you and me.  As we allow God to LOVE us and FILL us with His love we cannot help but want to pass it on to others!  There really is nothing like it.  When you share something from The Father that sets someone else free!  WOW! 

When we give our LOVE and reach out to meet the needs of others, we are giving back to the Lord! 

Matthew 25:36-40     For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
    “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
    “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Do we really treat others like we would treat JESUS? 

I hope that you are encouraged and challenged, as I was, to receive this TRUTH!  Oh Daddy God, do not ever let me forget how much YOU love people and let me see with Your Eyes to be Your Hands and Feet, Your Arms and Ears!!!  Flood my heart! 

Band Days!

The past couple of days a classmate has posted several of our old Marching Band videos!  It has been a blast looking back and remembering the fun times we had and the pride we had in a job well done!  As I watched the videos it felt like I was there all over again.  I posted a blog a while back about band and how God directs and guides us similar to a band director.  I'm going to re run it with a BONUS at the end =)

So if you are or were ever a BAND GEEK and proud of it, you will not want to miss it!!! 


Back during football season Max and I were able to attend one of Hunter's marching band rehearsals.  We were sitting about mid-way up the bleachers so we had a pretty good view of the whole band out on the field.  We watched as they moved from one formation to the another.  As we watched we listened to the Band Director give instructions.  He was sitting at the very top of the bleachers.  He also had the advantage of knowing what the formations were supposed to look like and he also, having years of experience could instruct his students in a way they could understand.  We watched this for a while.  He would have them do a section of the routine over and over until they did it right.  I heard him say at one point, "I can see all of you and if you will just listen to me and go exactly where I tell you to the whole formation will be right."  From where Max and i were sitting we could see exactly what he meant!  We could see when one person was slightly out of line!  As they ended each formation he would call out the names of the ones who were out of place.  "John, take one step to your left, Cody, move half a step back, now, THIS is where you need to be at the end of this formation!"  As the kids began to listen and obey their instructor the formations became smooth and each section joined together to make some really neat looking designs!

As I watched this Daddy God opened my spirit eyes to see that this is how HE instructs His children!!!  HE has the best point of view to see all of us and He is always instructing us where and when to go and what to do so that we can make beautiful designs.  Sometimes He has to say, Teena, take one step back, Max, move slightly to your left."  His desire is for the body of Christ to work together to bring to light HIS PERFECT PLAN! 

I was in the marching band in high school.  Shout out to the HOPE SUPERBAND!!  WOOT WOOT!  Anyway, I can remember when we were at the beginning stages of learning the routine for the year it was hard to imagine how it was all going to fit together!  As a section, we had our own part to learn and we would practice it over and over, TRUSTING in out instructor that it would all work.  We put a lot into our individual parts!  We would not have tried so had if we didn't have faith that the one leading us knew what he was doing!! (Another shout out to Mr. Hesse!)  Its the SAME with God the Father!!!  If we TRUST and have FAITH that HE KNOWS what HE is doing, we follow HIS instruction!!!  We wait for Him to tell us how many eight counts to go until we halt.  And we do just how were told so that we all succeed! 

Our Holy Instructor, Jesus has given us everything we need to walk out our life.  His Word is our marching orders!  We only have to TRUST Him and KNOW that He is sitting up high enough to see the entire formation.  He knows the beginning and the end.  We just have to trust and obey Him throughout the middle =)

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”


BONUS!!!  I give you The Hope High School Superband =)    I like to call this the glory days!!  Hope you enjoy =)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150717849650694&oid=2220973736

What Do You Want To Know?

I get a lot of messages and thought it would be fun to do a question/answer post!  After all, I am an "open book"!!!  So this is your chance to ask me anything.  I would also love to hear your ideas on what YOU would like to see on this blog.  You can respond in the "comment" below or send me an email or private message.  I love this blog and the people who follow.  I absolutely LOVE your comments and messages!  I have laughed and been brought to tears by some of the stories that have been shared with me.  I thank you for trusting me with your stories.  God is good and He is ALWAYS faithful to His Word =)


So here we go.....you questions and suggestions can be serious or funny!!!!  Can't wait to hear from YOU!!!!! 

Finding My Voice

This journey that The Lord has me on has been so amazing and I know that there are only BETTER things to come!!!  He has imparted many things to me and I have taken each one back to Him and accepted this path.  Things are changing and I am learning to let go and let Him guide me.  I am also very excited to learn that the things He is calling me to do are the very things that I desire to do!!! 

I have written a book and opened my entire life to everyone but it has now come time to open my mouth and SPEAK!  Not just talk, but talk to people...in front of people!!  You have to know that I have had to do public speaking before and EVERY time I would get physically ill.  I would often brake out in a rash from nerves! I am a talker, but I never in a million years dreamed that God would call me to be a SPEAKER!!  I mean He knows how fearful I have been to stand up in front of people and speak!  Well.......guess what?!? 

He has not only call me to it, but He has given me the ability AND He placed inside of me the DESIRE to do it!!!  I have given Daddy God my past, present and future and I am just following His lead!  This morning He opened the door for me to go and SPEAK with a Sunday School Class at a local church.  I have been living on the edge of an excitement breakout for weeks and I was not disappointed!  It was GREAT!  Daddy God took over and SPOKE His Words through ME!  I could feel Him in every breath I took.  I was not afraid.  The enemy tried, but he FAILED today!!! 

I have found my VOICE and I will not be quiet or afraid any longer!!!  As I allowed God the Father to minister through me this morning I was at a complete peace!!!  This life belongs to HIM!  He has set me FREE and I will honor Him by living this life in FREEDOM!!!  Despite what the enemy tries to tell me....There are NO LIMITS!

He is faithful to His Word =)  What is He calling you to do?  Who is He calling you to be?  Where is He calling you to go?  We cannot be afraid of the path...lives are depending on it!!!  There is a lost and hurting world that is depending on you and me to be the vessel that carries the life saving message of Jesus Christ!!! 

The Bible and a Kit Kat

I have a dear friend from high school that is in training for a fitness competition.  I have followed her journey and been so inspired!  I have to admit that I am one of "those people" that for example, will sit and watch an entire DVD of a workout before I will actually commit to do it in real life!!  hahaa     Some of you are laughing because YOU do the SAME THING!  I know I'm not alone!  OK, back to my friend...... It seemed like every time I saw an update on her progress, which would be about all the healthy food she had eaten and the insane workout she had just completed and how GREAT she felt.....I was reading it on my lap top while eating a Kit Kat!!  OK, another confession....I LOVE KIT KATS!  It is my candy of choice =)  As I was reading one of her posts, she was talking about the food we put into our bodies.  I sat there reading about this as I munched on my Kit Kat wishing that I would have made a healthier choice! 

A few days later there was another update, only this time my friend was having a "weak" day.  Not in her physical strength, but her mental strength.  The enemy will always attack our thoughts and leave the rest to us!  See, when we begin to think defeated, the belief of being defeated is not far behind!  I went straight to The Word of God to send her some encouragement.  As I allowed Daddy God to fill me with encouragement to pass on, He began to speak to ME!!!  He revealed to me that my friend was physically STRONG today, she feeds her body with the food that best fosters the growth and strength it needs, and it shows!  I mean you can see it!  But her Spiritual strength was weak.  That was how the enemy was able to get in and slip the thoughts of defeat in.  I feed my Spirit everyday and today my Spirit was strong.  The REVELATION came when God showed me that we cannot survive on spiritual strength alone, just as we cannot survive on physical strength alone!  I cannot sit and read my Bible while eating a Kit Kat!  Feeding and caring for my physical body is just as important as my spirit man!  If I do not take care of my physical body it will limit what Daddy God has created me to do!  He created me for a very LONG and very ACTIVE life on this earth! 

The Bible tells us that in this world but there WILL be trouble, BUT GOD!  I just LOVE when it says "but God".....HE has given us His Word to encourage, to instruct and to support His children! 

I will be more aware and more careful with what I put in my mouth!  What goes into my mouth is just as vital as what I put into my heart and mind!   Thank You Daddy God for this LIFE CHANGING message!!!!

Sow a Seed

I love how Daddy God brings people into our lives at just the perfect time.  He has done this all throughout my life.  I got a friends request last week and as I read about who he was I found myself getting so excited at this new friend that had come into my life.  The Lord has opened my heart to this person, his family and his ministry! 

Chad Matthews is the author of, "Dear, Evelyn", due for release is just a couple of weeks.  Chad and his wife, Marjorie have a heart for the homeless.  They minister to these brothers and sisters who live on the streets.  They provide their material needs but most importantly they plant the seed of SALVATION and the LOVE of CHRIST into their lives!!!  They are the Hands and Feet of Daddy God!  They are HIS ARMS that hold these that most tend to look beyond. The Book is about the experiences they have had ministering on the streets.  I cannot wait to get my hands on this book!!!  The Lord has birthed a dream in their hearts to go and BE CHRIST to those who need Him, those who seek Him, those who may not even know Him! 

So they are going to set out on a 2 week travel through the south, ministering as they go!  Sound familiar???  Isn't that what Jesus did?!!  YES!  Jesus has always met people where they are.  Loving and ministering as He went!

I am posting the link to a site where you can go and read more about this mission and you are going to be given the awesome opportunity to be a part!!!  We cant all go but we can still join with those that can!  WE ARE THE HANDS A FEET!!!  We all play a part in reaching the lost and hurting!  Some of us go and some of us are the WALLET that makes it possible for the work to be done!!!  PLEASE go and visit this site.  PLEASE pray and ACT!  You can give ANY amount!  There is even the option to give $1....ONE DOLLAR!!!!  Chad even offers YOU a GIFT for giving!  Lives are going to be changed...lives are going to be SAVED!!!! 

Go now and be the Hands and Feet or WALLET!!!   A seed planted will ALWAYS produce a blessing!

http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Dear-Evelyn-Missional-Tour

God is GOOD!

I cannot say it enough......GOD IS GOOD!!!!!  Just when I think He has moved in a mighty way like never before,  HE MOVES AGAIN AND AGAIN!  He has brought some pretty amazing people into my life =)

The Book Signing went GREAT!  I really didn't know what to expect because I had never done this before.  I got there early and was so happy that my dear friend Pam was already there.  She and her two awesome sisters were so supportive and didn't miss a beat in helping me settle in.  I knew that Pam would be there but I didn't know any of the other authors.  By the way, Pam (Pam White) is the author of "This Woman's Worth".  If you have read my book, Pam is the very first hospital call I received when doing volunteer work for DVP, Sexual Assult Hotline.  She was the first to read my journal.  When I saw Pam that first time in the ER, I knew immediately  that SHE WAS THE REASON for all that gut wrenching writing that was first my journal and later became my BOOK!  It was so empowering to hug her and stand with her as we promoted our books on how the Lord has restored us after the attack of the enemy!!!  Daddy God took 2 horrific tragedies and created a beautiful friendship full of love and encouragement! 

I also met Larry Linam, author of "The Day The Angels Cried".  His book is his journey through recovery after a gunman came into his church and opened fire killing and wounding members of the congregation, including Larry's 7 year old little girl.  Gina, Larry's daughter died that day and so began an awful and AMAZING journey of love and forgiveness that only our GOD can be the creator of! 

Then sitting beside me was Pastor Paul Keener!  Author of "Heaven; Deal or no Deal".  He was an interesting and very funny man!  Pastor Keener offered me an opportunity to have some of my Bogs published in a publication that is distributed in many cities in our area!  I honestly could have sat and talked to him ALL DAY!  He held much wisdom of God's Word.  He shared a few things that the Lord had spoken to him and I was blessed as I sat and listened to him share! 

In between all of that I was able to visit with family, old friends and even made some new friends =)  It was a wonderful day talking and ministering to people!!! 

My friend Pam and I at the Book Signing!

As wonderful as all of this was...you guessed it.....TODAY IT GOT EVEN BETTER!!!!! 

I will be sharing about today later =)

Chats with Daddy God

I love the fellowship we are privileged to have with Daddy God!  I love that He is so BIG yet the relationship is so intimate!  I can talk with him pouring our my whole heart.  I can dance in His presents and feel Him enjoying every minute of it.  I love how I can just sit still and quiet and not say a word or dance a step and He KNOWS everything about me!!!  He speaks in so many ways to me.  His WORD literally comes ALIVE when I dig in for a feeding! 

As I walk this path that He is laying in front of me, I find myself so eager to run and shout of His goodness and His LOVE and RESTORATION POWER!!!!  I anticipate each opportunity I am given to share of His LOVE!  To share what He has done and what He IS DOING right now!  I have an excitement that is hard to contain!  I have already used 13 exclamation marks!!!  SIXTEEN!  Ok, I need to focus =)

I have my very first official Book Signing tomorrow and I am super excited to go and meet people, see friends and share JESUS!  He is so good to me =) 

We were having one of our "chats" yesterday about the Book Signing.  See, I was invited to this Book Signing at a local Christian Book Store.  I didn't know until THIS WEEK that I was invited so needless to say I was caught a bit off guard!  I had placed my first BIG book order to be ready for a couple of events coming up, but they had not come in yet!!!  I had 4, yes, FOUR books to go do this signing!!!  The lady told me to just bring what I had and the others could be ordered.  That was ok, but I wanted to have my book available and not have people have to pay and then WAIT!!  I found myself worry about IF the books would be here in time.  It was NOT likely!  I said to Daddy God, "YOU know the need and this is YOUR plan!  I am leaving the details to YOU.  So I'm not going to worry about it anymore.  YOU do what YOU do and I will do what I do!"   Within 2, yes TWO hours, my books had been delivered!!!  HE PROVIDES OUR EVERY NEED!!!! 


So I will be anxious to report back all the amazing things HE is going to do tomorrow!!!  Stay tuned!

Joy Dancing!

Ok so in light of my late night Joy Dancing session last night, I decided to revisit a post I wrote a while ago.  We spent the day cleaning house yesterday and by last night I think the cleaning supplies had affected my brain!!!  I sat down to take a break!  I put in my earphones and cranked up some praise music =)  I told Max that I wished that someone would invent a devise to put over your mouth when your listening to music with earphones, so that you could sing out loud and not sound like a deaf mute!!!  Anyways......as I got settled into my music I could feel the dance rising up within my tired soul.  Then when it couldn't be contained any longer I let go!  Max had to run an errand and I broke out into Joy Dancing!!  Just me and Daddy God!  I LOVE TO DANCE WITH JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!   So I decided to re post my blog on Joy Dancing and I hope you are inspired to cut a rug with Daddy God =)


So how do I start off a Monday morning???  JOY DANCING!  Got the kids off to school and hubby out the door.  At last....alone time.  Quiet.  Did a few chores and settled in for some quiet time with God.  I just randomly opened my Bible to Zephaniah and my eyes feel upon the highlighted verse 3:17 =) 

The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior (Who saves)!  He will rejoice over you with joy;  He will rest in silent satisfaction and in His love He will be silent and make no mention of past sins, or even recall them; He will exult over you with singing!!!  Zeph. 3:17   (Amplified)

I can see Him spinning (DANCING) around me with JOY!  Not thinking about all my mistakes and past failures!!!!  He is shouting over ME with JOY!!!!

So I cranked up the tunes and danced with my Daddy God this morning =)  We had a wonderful time dancing and laughing together.  I poured out my love and gratitude to Him and He rejoiced over me =) 
There is NO WAY to dread the day after intimate fellowship with Jesus!  And because His dance card is never full, I plan on cuttin' a rug again before this day is over!!! 

Sorry there are no photos or video today!  hahaha 

I am praying today for each person who visits this blog to be filled to overflow with JOY!   So if it lifted your spirit in any way...SHARE IT for goodness sake!  Joy is good and it's even better when we spread it around!!!   Maybe you can even squeeze in a little Joy Dancing =)


As a BONUS I am sharing a link to my song of choice last night!!!! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJN4aS9uEBo

Crack Attack!!!

Have you ever just been minding your own business, going along doing what you have been called to do, and BAM!  Out of nowhere you get slammed!?!?!   Well, I experienced this the other day.  I was blind-sided! 

I appeared on a local talk show, Heart to Heat, to promote my book and speak about the story behind the book.  If you read my blog about the night before my interview then you know I had a major wardrobe issue going on!!  hahahaha  It all worked out and the interview went great.  The Lord took over and is working though it as He always does.  Because the TV station is local, many people were unable to see it.  They either have satellite or live out of town.  They made me a DVD with my segment on it and I had some friends put it on line so we could share it with everyone!  My friend had posted it on her facebook page so I went to look at it and started reading the comments.  They were all very encouraging...except ONE!  There was one person who thought I was not dressed appropriately enough to be claiming God in my life!  I was a bit shocked!!  She made some pretty nasty comments and I just bowed out of the conversation.  Partly because it was upsetting and I was very tempted to just give her a piece of my mind!!  hahaha  But the main reason was that, as other people read the comments I started receiving messages of encouragement!!!  People sending me their words of love and support and sharing God's Word with me!!!  I am SO BLESSED to have such an amazing support!  It is truly amazing!  Because of them sharing and reminding me of what Daddy God says, I was able to pray for this person.  Isn't Daddy God good to give us the power to reject the spirit of revenge and send that need to HIM??!!  I am BELIEVING that this person will not only receive a Word from God, but that everything her hand touches will be BLESSED =)   AMEN!!!

So, the next morning, I was having a little chat with the Lord, thanking Him for surrounding me with such an amazing circle of friends (some I do not even know!!).  Those who see beyond the hurtful words and are so lead by the Lord, can be sent to assist when needed!!!  I had a crack in my armor and the enemy saw it and attacked it, but the willingness of my Daddy God's Kids, came and stood in front of those cracks and defended my weak area from that attack of the enemy!!!!!  THAT IS SOME FRONT LINE WARFARE!!!!! 

It is so important to always have our spirit eyes open and have our spirit man FILLED and STRONG, so that when we are needed to go and stand in to protect those cracks of our brothers and sisters, we are READY!  

I say, NO MORE CRACK ATTACK!!!!  The enemy is weak and as one of my dear friends said to me, "If that's the best he (the enemy) has.....he can just take his best shot but he will not stop this work!!!"


Thank you ALL for ALWAYS being so encouraging and KIND in your speech towards this child!  I love each one of you with my WHOLE HEART!!!!!!


Here is the link to the interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e85XgOfPsMc

Where is Jesus?

There are so many searching for something better, something more, something different.  The things of this world will all pass away, that is a FACT!  I believe that if we all REALLY knew what God has for us there would be nothing that could stop us from getting it!  Once we realize that we ARE worthy of it because of HIM!  We NEED Him in order to go into the world!  How can we pass on something we do not have???  HE IS LOVE!  He has called us to LOVE!  That is TRUTH!

So how to we receive LOVE?  It is very simple.....ASK.

Maybe you have heard that the Bible says, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open...
My translation (Amplified) says....Keep on knocking reverently and the door will be open to you.  For everyone who keeps on asking receives;  and he who keeps on seeking finds;  and to him who keeps on knocking, the door will be open.   Matthew 7:7-8

While we receive Salvation once, we are instructed to KEEP ON SEARCHING and we will continue to receive.  KEEP ON KNOCKING and the door will remain open!  If the only reason God created us for was Salvation He would zap us up the moment we accept Jesus!  He created us to RECEIVE HIS LOVE and then to continue to grow in that love and go out and share that love with the world!!! 

We share it with other Christians to encourage and build up.  We share it with the lost and hurting because that is where JESUS IS!  Jesus is with the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the ones that society labels undesirable....the LOST!  We can find them all over the world.  From our next door neighbor to an aids ridden mother trying to care for a child she will most likely not live long enough to raise.  To the children who are abused everyday by the very ones who they should be able to trust.  To the too many held captive by evil.  JESUS is calling us to JOIN HIM! 

To join HIM, we have to KNOW HIM!!!  Do YOU know Him?  Do the people around you know Him? 

I want to be where Jesus is!  I want to be about doing HIS BUSINESS!  I will KEEP ON KNOCKING, and KEEP ON SEARCHING!!!  HE has delivered me from bondage and RESTORED ME TO FREEDOM!!!  That is the message that I will go out wherever He leads to share!!! 


If you still have not found what you're looking for maybe it's JESUS you are searching for!  You may know Him and just have not accepted all He has for you.  In HIM there is PEACE, JOY, COMPLETENESS, CONFIDENCE, ACCEPTANCE, HOPE, AND LOVE EVERLASTING!!!!! 

I lived many years knowing Jesus.  I accepted Him at a young age but I never received all He had for me to live the way He created me to live.  Once I realized that I was eligible for all of HEAVEN ON EARTH my life completely changed!  We should not just be satisfied knowing that ONE DAY we will experience heaven.....we can experience HEAVEN ON EARTH!  It’s time to bring heaven down to earth—into all the dark places. It’s time to reveal the hidden light of Spirit in the material world!!!!!!  Stop letting the enemy deceive us into thinking we are a doomed people!


Matthew 25:34-40
 ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’


THAT IS WHERE JESUS IS =)


 
  

Who Shrunk My Clothes???

Well, In light of my day yesterday, I must blog this!  I was contacted last week about doing a TV interview and I was so excited that I was being given this opportunity.  I briefly though about what I might wear but I thought, I have a whole week to figure that out.  I honestly thought I would have a hard time choosing from all my clothes, what I would wear!  I then switched my thoughts to what all I wanted to share during the interview.  I have daydreamed about how it will go!  So late yesterday evening (the eve of the tapping of the interview), I walked into my closet and began to separate my clothes into possible outfits to wear for the show.  I didn't want to wear a dress so those were out right off the bat.  I then started trying on some of the articles I had chosen to be worthy of TV!  After about 10 minutes of this I thought......WHO THE HECK SHRUNK ALL MY CLOTHES???!!!???

I stay home all day with the kids so my dress attire is stretch pants and t-shirts, shorts, and some days my PJ's!!!  There are some days that I don't even put on shoes!!!  I knew immediately that I was in deep trouble!  I walked into the kitchen where Max was, with the best I had on to model for him.....he shook his head NO!  NO????  I almost didn't have the nerve to tell him, THIS IS IT BABY!!!  This is the best of the best!  I walked back into my closet and looked again but still could not make anything work. 

If I thought I was bad off before I really KNEW it when my sweet husband said these seven words to me....."Let me come with you and help"  WOW!  I really MUST find a photo of what he deems appreciate to wear!!!!!! Hahahahhaha

After coming to terms with my situation (and some amazing support and advice from a friend), AND money from the hubby, I set out to purchase an outfit for my interview! 

I really do amaze myself sometimes!  As I began to shop I felt so out of place!  I found it hard to put things together!  I used to have STYLE!  I really did.  All I could think was that I wish I had someone there to just dress me and make me look cute!!!  hahaha   Well, I managed to make my first purchase, BLACK PANTS!!  Really???  Why do I always do that?!  Then I went into one of those stores that brings out the 15 year old in me!  I think there really is a 15 year old stuck in this 42 year old body!  Anyway, after going though my very own style show in the dressing room I chose a top half to go with my blank pants and headed out the door.  On my way out I walked though the SHOE DEPARTMENT!!!  I know better than to do this, but I did!  Of course there they were...cute shoes...ON CLARENCE!!!  Was this my reward???!!  I think so!  I bought the shoes and the joy and happiness that came over me was unbelievable!!!  There really is power in the shoes!  hehehe

I wish I could bring out some biblical truth in these events but all I can think about now is preparing for my interview!!!  I am very lucky to have people who support me and encourage me during the times like yesterday.  It may not seem that important to some people....and maybe it shouldn't be THAT important to me.  But it was and those that were there with an encouraging word really got me through my little emotional spell =)  THANK YOU!!!!!

I think I am just as excited to wear my new shoes as I am to do this show!!!  (See....15 year old)!  It's hard to keep her down sometimes!

The Fool In The Pool

I just love being in the HOUSE of The LORD!!!!  Today was an awesome time!  I was blessed and challenged!  I also found out who I was...but I will get to that later =)

The pastor talked this morning about how deep we go with God.  Sometimes we just get ankle deep in the Living Water, while other times we go deeper.  I  love the analogy of water.  The water moves, like The Holy Spirit, the water is refreshing like God The Father, on a hot summer day the water is inviting, like JESUS! 

Think about swimming with the Lord.  Going with the flow of the water.  Just being lead to go where He goes!!!  The beauty of the LIVING WATER is, you cannot get too deep!  There is always deeper water and Daddy God is always right there to make sure you don't drown! 

Picture this:  If you are a woman you will be able to relate to this!  You are at the pool.  You washed AND fixed your hair this morning and all you came to do is lay out on your raft!  You do not, I repeat, do NOT want to get your hair wet!!!  As you slip into the shallow end, preparing to mount your raft.....there he is!  It is usually a kid or a middle aged man trying to BE a kid!  Either way, every pool, ocean, and lake has one, they are THE FOOL IN THE POOL!!!  They are having fun, splashing around, jumping in doing cannonballs and jack-knifes!!!  They do not pay attention to you OR your hair!  They have come for the sole purpose of enjoying the water and all it has to offer!  Just as you attempt to mount your raft you hear the unmistakable sound of WoooHoooo followed by the wave of water that saturates your entire head of hair!!!

Now that you have that picture, and maybe the flashbacks!  Ask yourself this question....Who is having more fun??  Who is not allowing anyone else to ruin their good time???  Who is receiving all the benefits of the water?  Yep, that would the the FOOL IN THE POOL!!! 

Now, lets relate this back to the Living Water.  Do you just wade in enough to cool off?  Maybe you go in and swim for a little while, but your trips to the pool are few and far between.  For years I just sat on the bank!  I was saved and had all access to the entire pool, but for whatever reason, I didn't take advantage of it!  Then as I got closer to God, I would go in the pool and even splash around for a bit, but I still wasn't enjoying it like I should.  I think part of me thought that I didn't deserve all access.  The enemy deceives us into thinking this way!  That is why it is so important to KNOW God's Word!  His Word is what we use to prove the lies of the enemy!!!

Anyone who knows me or just follows my blog, knows that Daddy God has birthed a dream in my heart that has me about to burst with excitement!!  In fact, if I use the word EXCITED one more time, the people around me are going to scream!!!  As I was writing this post I got a call from a friend that Daddy God has opened ANOTHER door for me!!  I told her that I needed to find another word because I have over used the word EXCITED!!!!  hahahaha  So today I discovered that, I AM....THE FOOL IN THE POOL!!!
Yep, that's me out here enjoying the Living Water. Enjoying just being with Jesus.  This is me out here splashing around getting everyone else wet!  To be honest with you, as much as I am enjoying being here in the WATER, I long to go into the DEEP!!!  To be completely submerged in the goodness of  Daddy God! 

Where are YOU in the Water?  Are you even IN the Water? 

I hope that you are challenged, like I was, to swim deep and swim often =)    Most of all, ENJOY THE LIVING WATER!!!!!!

Dare to be...... THE FOOL IN THE POOL!!!!

New Shoes/Remix

I just love to look back and see how The Lord has lead and worked!  You know when you are in the middle of something and you respond in obedience knowing that God will provide the results, but you are in total faith because you can't see it?  Then as time goes by you can look back and see just how perfect His plan is was!!!  This next post is from several months ago.  Daddy God has been very busy since this happened!  The things that I am walking in now I believe is a direct result of the obedience I displayed then!  I trusted Him then and I trust Him even more now =)  So I hope you enjoy this post.  If you have already read it I hope today you read it with fresh eyes and that Daddy God speaks something to you through it! 
There are not too many words that bring the kind of excitement as those two little words, "NEW SHOES"

Can you feel the flutter in your chest right now just thinking about it?!  hahaha  I have had a love affair with shoes since as long as I can remember!  In fact, my earliest memory is going to my Grandmother's house and playing in her shoes!  She had a closet FULL!  She kept them all in their boxes so her only "rule" was that I had to make sure I put them back in the right box and stacked them back like I found them!  This activity lasted for hours!  I would pretend I was different people with each pair I played in. 

Well, over the years I have collected a few of my own shoes!  My husband can not for the life of him understand my love for shoes.  We recently went on a trip (with my son's school band) to Washington DC.  We stayed for 3 nights and as I unpacked our suitcases in the hotel room I realized that without even thinking I had packed NINE pairs of shoes!!  Ok, maybe I have a problem but I will deal with THAT later! 

Several weeks ago in church, out pastor announced that in addition to our regular tithe, we would also have opportunity to give offerings towards our new building.  That day (after giving our tithe) I didn't have any money to give but I wanted to give!  As I dug through my purse thinking I would at the very least fine some change in the bottom, there was not even a penny!  I was holding a pen and looked up at my husband and said, "I do not have anything."  He said, "You have that pen, give it because they will need a pen to sign papers for the new building!"  So, I gave my pen.  The next week I was prepared with my offering but when the time of offering came I heard the Lord tell me to give my shoes!  WHAT???  I tried to ignore it but it was very clear.  Just to give my shoes! I looked down and I had on a really cute pair of shoes, and I thought, there is no way I can give my shoes!  It just didn't make sense to me.  So I gave my money and kept my shoes! 

The next week as soon as Pastor started preparing for the offering I heard the Lord once again ask for my shoes.  But this time He told me to give him my shoes because He had NEW SHOES for me!  This is the message He imparted to me:  "You have been walking this path in YOUR shoes and now it's time to offer your walk up to me and I will give you new shoes to walk a new path, that is My path, it is BIG and it is GOOD!"  
I was shaking and calm all at the same time!  I looked down and I had on the SAME SHOES I had on the week before!  I tried to reason my way out of giving my shoes!  I would be too embarrassed.  What if someone saw me and thought I was crazy.  How am I going to explain walking out of church with NO SHOES?  As the bucket got closer to me I slipped my shoes off and sat them down beside me (almost sitting on them).  My heart was about to beat out of my chest!  When the bucket got to me I put them in and passed it very quickly!  I could see one of my boys who was sitting beside me with his mouth wide open in disbelief at what he had just seen!  I leaned over and told him not to say a word!  hahaa  I knew in an instant that I had obeyed God and that there was nothing that could convince me otherwise!  I felt a power come over me and a closeness to my Daddy God who I knew was going to take care of everything!!! 

As I reflected over this I am settled in myself that Daddy God loves me more than I can imagine.  He has a plan for me.  He spoke to me in a language only I would understand.  He instructed me to give of something that has way more value that a pair of shoes.  See, the physical giving up of my shoes was just an act of obedience.  It was "my" path!  It was "me" trying to make sure everything worked out.  It was giving up my own walk and walking in a complete trust in the ONE that already holds my past, present and future! 

I have learned (well, I am still learning) that when God speaks to me to move, I MOVE, and TRUST HIM to the details!  Then enemy tries to throw all the details up in my face but God already has that!  If He instructs us to move, that is really all we need to know!   Obedience always brings a blessing =)


I have to add that about a month after this happened I was BLESSED with a BRAND NEW pair of AWESOME shoes!!!!!  Yes, God impressed on the heart of a dear friend of mine to BLESS me with the CUTEST shoes!!!!!  They are  SO AWESOME that I'm sharing them with you today =)  But know this, that as amazing as thees physical shoes are the SPIRITUAL SHOES that He has me walking in today are the ones that are taking me places I never dreamed I could go!!!