In His Arms

There are days that all I need is to just climb into the arms of my Daddy God!  Just let Him love on me.  I love that He can fill me up to go out and be His child with a passion and energy.  How He can give me a WORD to share with someone that moves them in a way only He can.  I am thankful for all the opportunities He gives me to be a part of change.  But there are those times that all I need is His arms around me, His love flooding my spirit and knowing that He has all the time in the world just for ME!  I can access this at any time.  Sometimes we get so busy that I think we forget that we have access to this!  The best part is HE desires is more than we do!!! 

Hunter is 18 now and I don't get a lot of snuggy time these days!  haha  But, when he was little, snuggy time was my absolute favorite!!!  We didn't have to even talk to each other.  Just having him crawl up in my lap and let me put my arms all the way around him and just snuggy!!!  Most of the time I didn't even have to ask him to snuggy, he just came all on his own because he desired to snuggy with his mommy.   As amazing as that feeling was to me, I know Daddy God loves it even more when His children snuggy with Him =) 

If you haven't been there in a while, I encourage you to go and spend some time in Daddy God's arms, just let Him love on you!!!   Snuggy with your Heavenly Father =) 

MOVE!

I love that Daddy God moves on my heart...stirring it up to take action!!!  As I release more and more of myself to Him, He fills my heart with more and more!  More love, joy, grace, instruction, excitement, compassion, a desire to live out what He created me to do!  I am finding that my desire and His desire for me are flowing together.  It is such a beautiful experience =)  He is placing people in my life and allowing love and encouragement to flow in and about these relationships!  I am completely consumed with HIS LOVE!!! 

I have no fear of the future!  In fact, I feel that my future is NOW!!!  I am walking into my future right now and with each step comes a feeling that I am unable to explain.  The only word that I can even come up with is JOY!!! 

I have my book signing in a couple of days!  Just me!  I am so excited about the people I know Daddy God is going to send!  I'm excited about all the opportunities coming up to go and speak;  to share this love and joy that God is filling me with!  To share the message of healing and restoration.  The message of living the life we were created for!!!  I am currently working on a couple of other projects that I am so pumped about!  God is GOOD and HE has good for ALL of His children!!!  I think back to when I sat in an abandoned house, scared to death, feeling more alone than ever.  Then I become aware at where I am now with my Daddy God.....WOW!  It is IMPRESSIVE that He brought me through all of that...and even MORE impressive that He sees fit to use ME to further His Kingdom!!!!!!! 

I pray that YOU are encouraged today that Daddy God has an amazing plan for YOU!  It is a perfect plan that is for your good and the good of others that you influence!  He created your heart to be filled with all things good =)  Don't let the enemy tell you any different!  God is faithful and He is ALWAYS working in YOUR best interest!!!!  Don't be afraid to MOVE =)

Impressed

God gave me another opportunity this weekend to go and share His goodness through my story.  I have to say that it fills my heart with unspeakable JOY when I get to talk about just how good my Daddy God is!!! 

As I got up to speak I could feel my heart reaching out and being received by those at the conference.  I could look at  the faces and see that the Lord was ministering to them through me.  It was powerful and humbling at the same time.  I felt so small yet larger than life!  I knew that THE ONE with the power was inside of me, enabling me to stand before them and tell my story.  He gave the ability to encourage them that they, too are eligible for freedom and restoration!!! 

I had people coming up to me after, sharing their stories and how they, too wanted to be free from their past!
God is at work and the work is GOOD!

On my way to the conference I was talking with Daddy God and asking Him to use me, asking Him to touch and restore!  Asking Him to bring healing to the broken.  As I began to pray it hit me like a ton of brinks......and I said to Him, "I am so IMPRESSED with YOU!  I am IMPRESSED that YOU can use ME!"  See, I was NO GOOD for SO LONG!!!  There was NO GOOD in me and He MADE ME GOOD!!!  He took all the bad and replaced it with His good!  It really is astounding!  He used ME to carry the most important massage....HIM!  I receive A LOT of encouragement but I also receive discouragement.  I know that I do not have to receive the discouragement!!!  This is HIS PLAN and no man can hinder it! 

Are you IMPRESSED with what He has done in your life?  Are you IMPRESSED with just how far He has brought you?  I encourage you to spend some time thinking about it and thanking Him for it! 

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! 

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

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!

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!!!

Joy Junkie

Ok, I must admit it, I am a JOY JUNKIE!!!!  I can't get enough of it and I am not interested in a cure! 

This is one addiction that I intend to indulge in deeper and deeper =)  I have found myself lately repeating that,  "I am so excited I can hardly contain myself"!    I just LOVE to love JESUS!!!  He has planted a desire deep in my heart to share the message of healing, restoration and JOY =)  He has taken my past and I do not have to carry the burden of it anymore.  He has touched it in a way only He can to make it usable.  I can remember and share the events without taking on the hurt that was there for so long.  He healed my past and He is BLESSING MY FUTURE!!!  I can see in my spirit that there are others out there that are in the place I was in for so many years, and He is using me to deliver the TRUTH that there is FREEDOM from that bondage!  He did not create His children to live in the bondage of fear and rejection.  He came to SET US FREE!!!!! 

He takes our hurt and replaces it with His Love, he takes our rejection and replaces it with His Acceptance, He takes our fear and replaces it with His Comfort.  He takes everything the enemy tries to steal and He fills us with JOY!  JOY!  JOY!  JOY!!!  Our JOY blocks the plan of the enemy! 

But wait...THERE'S MORE!!  hahaha  There is always more with Daddy God =) 

He doesn't just fill us with joy enough to get by...oh no, that is not how our Daddy God operates!  He fills us to overflow so that we can spill out onto those around us!  We are blessed to be a blessing!!! 

So receive your JOY today, allow God the Father to fill you!  Someone is in need of your overflow!!!!

Point of View

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.”

Don't Be Satan's Assistant

First of all I am NOT talking about anyone specific in this blog!  hahaaha   After several messages from people this message came up in my spirit.  I have spent time with Daddy God on this subject and He has settled it in me through His Word!

Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-39). 

God is LOVE and we have to accept LOVE before we can give love!  You cannot give what you do not have.  The command He gives is simple, Love Him and because of that love we can love others.  Because of that love we DESIRE to love others!  God Love desires to put others before ourselves.  It's first instinct is to protect the reputation of each other!  To guard them from the attack of the enemy! 

Jesus is our example in that He desires for us to be successful.  The best leader is a good servant!  (I always tell my boys that) One who will assist and do all that they can to make someone else successful.  They are not concerned about how THEY look but about coming along side others to insure the best outcome for all.  You cannot bully others into following your lead!  Well, maybe for a little while but it is not lasting!  Jesus does not intimidate his children so why would we think this tactic is ok?  The secret to all of this is to have a teachable spirit!  None of us have attained perfection, therefore we all have room for improvement.  Each of us can learn from someone else and we all have something others can learn from us! 

I love photography as a hobby!  I love to take unique photos and I really love the editing process.  I do not have a lot of knowledge, I just point and shoot!  I do, however, have several friends who are professional photographers.  They have God given talents in the area of photography (as well as other areas).  I am in awe of their work, but I am most impressed with the fact that they share what they have learned with others in their field!  They do not look at each other as competition but as Sisters in Christ!!!  They have shared not only their expertise but their equipment with me when I needed it!  They have a genuine desire to see the other succeed.  THIS IS WHAT JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT!  Come along side, hold one another up!  Build each other up so that we are ALL strong and can go out and BE CHRIST in this world!  When we do this Daddy God is PLEASED!!!!

I hope that this is not only a reminder but a challenge to look inside our hearts and evaluate why we do what we do.  Are we putting others first?  Are we loving others with the love of God?  Are we speaking to each other in love?  Get real with God because HE IS REAL and He knows the intentions of our hearts!  We may have others fooled (usually not though) but we cannot fool God! 

Our desire should be to protect the integrity of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ!  The world attacks us everyday and tries to tear us down.  Let us stand guard for each other against the attack of the enemy!  Don't be Satan's assistant!!! 

My Helpmate

So I have been without my helpmate all week and I'm ready for him to come home!!!  Max and I have been married for 22 years and have grown to depend on each other.  We are a great team =)  We are also a great support for one another!  But mostly I just love to hang out with my hubby!!!!  I love to talk with him at the end of the day =)  He brings me JOY!  After our relaxing mini vacation at the lake last weekend I came home and he went to Boy Scout Camp.  Even Roxi (our dog/baby girl!) is looking at me as if to say, "Ok, when is Daddy coming home?"  hahahaha 

I am happy to say he will be home TODAY!  YAY!  In just a few hours he will come in, stinky and scruffy (he has been camping all week!)  and as soon as he cleans up I will grace him with a great big hug! 

Last night was family night at the camp so Max (and the other leaders) had a fish fry.  I watched with pride at how he took care of everyone.  It was worth it to share him with those boy scouts this week because I know they had a great example of a good man.  A man who puts others before himself.  A man who has integrity.  A man who loves the Lord.  A man who loves his family.  I HAVE A GOOD MAN!!!  

So this morning as I wait for my man to come home I am giving thanks to Daddy God for loving me enough to want the very best for me! 

A God Who Delivers!

When God makes a promise He WILL be faithful to deliver!  I have had some of the most precious conversations with Daddy God recently and they have filled my spirit with a joy that is beyond what I have ever experienced before.  I love Him so much and it just amazes me that His love back to me just grows bigger and bigger and roots itself deeper and deeper! 

I had the privilege last night to share my testimony with a group of ladies that have such a love for the Lord.  I just love talking about how amazing God is!!!  I believe He spoke through me and touched hearts.  I felt such a freedom last night as I spoke!  I believe the Lord has been preparing me for this time and this journey. 

I am thankful for His GRACE and give Him all the GLORY for this life!!!  HE IS GOOD!!  SO GOOD!!!
This life of no limits is available to anyone who dares to claims it!  Jesus died for us to have it and He lives now to be glorified because of it!  My heart is just so full and I desire to pour the overflow into others only to be filled over and over again! 

Be encouraged today that YOU are LOVED!!!  Open yourself to receive the blessing so that you can BE A BLESSING! 

Believe Big, Receive Big!

WOW!  That is the best word I can come up with to describe what Daddy God is up to in my life!!!  His call on my life and my dreams have become one in the same =)  I cannot believe or dream bigger than what He has planned!  There is such a JOY and EXCITEMENT in my spirit that I can hardly contain it!  I have been given the honor of being invited to speak to a group of women tomorrow and I cannot wait for the Holy Spirit to minister to us.  I am believing for encouragement and love, open hearts and healing, letting go and new beginnings!!!  This is just the beginning of an amazing road,  fulfilling the destiny I was created and prepared for! 

I am completely open to go where He leads =)  My heart is His! 

Trust me when I say if you BELIEVE BIG, you will RECEIVE BIG!  The are NO LIMITS with Daddy God!!!  For so many years I put limits on what God could do, not just for me, but through me.  Not anymore!!!   I am living a life with no limits =)  I'm believing it and trusting Him for it.  All the messages, phone calls and emails I have received gives stregnth to my heart and confirms what He has imparted to me!

To BELIEVE all you have to do is make the choice to BELIEVE!  Yes, it really is that easy!  Don't let the enemy deceive you into thinking it's hard!  We only have to give up control and allowing Him to fulfill our destiny! 

So the journey continues and the LOVE of Daddy God covers us so perfectly.  His Word is truth and it is perfect and it is SO WORTH planting in our hearts!  The harvest is NOW so lets get out in the fields =) 

Big Steps!

So today I took some big steps!  I went into book stores and promoted my book!!!  On my way I called my mom and told her where I was going and she encouraged me so much =)  In fact, I asked her if she had taken an encouragement pill this morning!  hhahaha  As I sat in the parking lot of the first store I reflected on all the messages I have received form people who have been affect by the book already and I felt strong in my spirit and walked in the store!  I was filled with the knowing that there are still so many more people out there that are desperate to hear this message and receive healing and restoration.  So as I spoke with the lady in charge she encouraged ME!  I left there with the possibility of not only have my book in their store but also a book signing!  I am now just waiting and EXPECTING my call inviting me to participate in the book signing =)  It is an invitation only book signing.

I got back in my car and called my mom again!  I had gained even more strength in my spirit to go far and wide!  I made my way to the big worldly store!!  Books-A-Million!  hahaha  Again, the person I spoke with was so encouraging!  About halfway through the meeting he said, "Years ago you took care of my little girl"!!!  WOW!  He then said he would do what he needed to in order to get my book in their store..AND he wants me to set up a book signing in their store!!!!  I am telling you, Daddy God went before me today and had just the right people in place and prepared for me =)  I have never felt so taken care of in my life!  HIS LOVE has embraced me and HIS FAVOR covers me!  I am so excited it is impossible for me to use a period!!!!!  All I can use it exclamation points!!!!!  hahahaha 

I love the "God journey" that I am on =)  Now I am going to focus on building my stock so I can have books for speaking engagements and  other book signings that are to come!  NO LIMITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joy Talking

Ok I have to admit to you that when that title popped into my mind I instantly started singing The Bee Gee's "Jive Talkin'"!!!!  hahahaha  I actually sang it for a minute before allowing my thought to settle on this blog!

Ok I'm back on task now!  18:21 says, The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Life or death; Blessing or curse.  Anytime our lives start to go south just stop and pay attention to the words that are coming out of our mouths.  It is very important to get a hold of our mouths because we will wear what we say!  Our words are the acts of our beliefs!  We will speak what we believe. 

I have chosen to be filled with joy so I speak of joy and all it's benefits!  I lived too many years speaking curses over myself and my family.  I refuse to go back there again!  I claim the JOY that is freely offered by my Daddy God, for me AND my family!!!  I am blessed, I am healed, I have all my needs met....these are the fruits that I desire to eat of! 

I am not perfect (your shocked, I know!), and the enemy still gets to me at times, but I quickly remember where he took me and I do not care to walk that ever again!!!  I know what I have with Daddy God and I will protect it with all that I have.  I want to be a walking billboard of God's goodness =)

So speak The Word that is freedom and joy!  It is a matter of life and death!

Well Hello!

It seems as though summer has hit and my schedule is off the hook!  We took vacation to Branson last weekend and had a blast!  We stayed in a beautiful cabin and went to a show and of course we hit Silver Dollar City!  Can I just say I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!!!!  The boys had so much fun and it was great to see them enjoying the trip. 

So we have spent the past few days unwinding and washing clothes!  hahaha 

I have really missed my blog peeps!  But not to worry because....I'M BACK!!!! 

Thanks to everyone who has purchased my book =)  I am believing that The Lord is using it's message to, even now, begin to heal and restore.  I am receiving some pretty amazing messages!!!  Daddy God is GOOD =)  I have also been invited to speak at a Ladies Group next week!  I am super excited because it is in my hometown and the group is from the church that my mother grew up in!!  Did I mention that GOD IS GOOD???!!! 

I am really loving the life with no limits!  I cannot dream big enough to cover what Daddy God has in store!!!!  He loves us SO MUCH =)  I hope YOU are feeling the covering of that LOVE right now!

I'll Take The Best Please

Have you ever thought about why we sometimes just accept less than the best?  I was really thinking about this the other day.  I know that God wants only the very best for me yet I have found myself accepting less because I feel selfish taking more than my share!!  The closer I grow in my relationship with my Daddy God, the more Satan is exposed!  See, it is our enemy that wants us to stay beaten down, not receiving what God wants for us.

 I can remember when I started the journey through facing my attack and all that went with that, I would journal every day.  Most days would consist of, waking from a nightmare, realizing it was real, trying to NOT think about it, having flashbacks, writing them down, trying to work, be a mom, be a wife, hold down my job.  Then at the end of the day I would look back and think, is THIS my life?  I allowed the enemy to get a lot of talking in through those days.  And the killer is, I BELIEVED HIM!  I believed that somehow it was all my fault.  I believed him when he told me I was so damaged that I just needed to find a way to live with it because it wasn't going to get any better.    When he told me my husband despised me and everyone around me didn't want to hear or help me.  I believed him when he told me that this was what I deserved!  Satan would always bring up my past and all the hurt that went along with it.  BUT GOD!!!  My hero, my Savior, my protector, my healer!  He is my TRUTH-TELLER!

 It was only when I started listening to God that I began to heal and move forward.  He replaced all the lies with THE TRUTH!  He created me to love and be loved and that is all I need to know!  Yes, I have been hurt.  We all have!  But HE loves bigger that the hurt!!!  I no longer have the need to be fed by lies!  I am worthy of receiving the VERY BEST!  God sent His son, Who knew no sin, to be sin, so that through Him we might become the righteousness of God (from 2 Cor. 5:21).  It pleases the Lord when we confess that we are His righteousness, because we are laying hold of what He suffered and died to give us!!!  I for one am going to graciously ACCEPT what He died to give ME! I am His righteousness!  There is still an enemy that continues to throw things up in my face but God loves me with a love that is above anything the devil and dig up!!!

 I hope that you are encouraged today!  Make THIS the day that the voice of Christ becomes louder that the voice of our enemy!

Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:31-32    He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

We hear a lot about having faith as small as a mustard seed but I think we miss what is beyond that small seed.  We get a bit comfortable with that small faith.  A seed doesn't stay a seed forever!  You plant the seed and it either grows or dies!!!  It all depends on how it is cared for. The mustard seed is the smallest but when it grows it becomes a tree large enough to be a shelter!!!  That is amazing to me!  That is what WE are to do...become so strong in Christ that we are shelter!  We are not small and meek, clinging onto the smallest of faith.  We allow Daddy God to GROW us up big and strong in all that He is!  ALL that He created us to be!!! 

What is seed?  The "seed" is the Word of God!  It is planted in us when we read it and it is rooted in us when we KNOW it and BELIEVE it!  Once we receive this seed we are given opportunities to then plant into the lives of others!  The seed of The Father is eternal!!!!! 

When I welcomed God, Jesus AND The Holy Spirit to dwell within me, a great life started growing!  I was filled with HOPE!  I say to the Kingdom of God, come invade me like the mustard seed!  Grow tall within me, so that my life, my faith, through Your grace might be enough to become a shelter for the birds of the air!  I do not fear the invasion of the Kingdom- I pray for it (like the mustard seed) to GROW within me!!!!

It is suggested that Jesus could have chosen a genuine tree for the parable, and that the mustard plant demonstrated that, though the dominion appeared small, it would inexorably grow into something large and firmly rooted and become shelter for those who need it!!! 

Thank You Holy Spirit for revealing this TRUTH to me!  I strive to GROW in my FAITH, to BE SHELTER!  While it is only required to have faith as small as a mustard seed, may we all THIRST  for MORE and find that we can quench that thirst with THE LIVING WATER!!!