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!!!

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!!! 

Love on Purpose

John 3:16   For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him will not parish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:16  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:19-20 We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-13  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


God has a LOT to say about LOVE!  LOVE is the most important because GOD IS LOVE! 
We can do nothing without LOVE.  We are called above all else, to LOVE.  The only way to receive this LOVE is from LOVE HIMSELF!  And if we do not have it, we cannot give it. 

Receiving God's LOVE is not some mystical thing that happens in a dim lit room with praise music and an emotional heart.  Not that you can't receive it under those conditions, but my point is that LOVE is a CHOICE!!!  We have to choose, on purpose to accept God's LOVE! 

Once we have received God's LOVE we are told, by God, to then share it with others.  But be reminded that, you cannot give (or share) something you do not have!  God's LOVE has the ability to take root deep inside of us.  It's supply is limitless!  And unlike a "feeling" or emotional love, with God's LOVE, the more we share it with others, the more of it we receive!  Think of yourself like a vessel.  We are God's vessels.  We carry His LOVE inside of us.  He fills us up and we pour ourselves out on others and He keeps us filled up!  The secret to the continual filling and pouring is HIS WORD!  The Bible is God's Words to US!  He encourages us through His Word.  He instructs us through His Word.  He corrects us through His word.  He LOVES us through His Word!!! 

Satan is the total opposite of LOVE.  He is anger towards others.  He is jealousy of others.  He is fear of others.  So we have a choice!  We either choose God's LOVE or we choose the way of the enemy. 
It is not always easy to LOVE others, but it IS possible!  Sometimes it comes easy and sometimes we just have to LOVE and trust that God will take care of everything else! 

I am not saying that we have to agree with a person demonstrating a wrong behavior.  Even if that wrong behavior is towards us.  But we still should choose LOVE.  Even when The Lord reveals to me when I am in the wrong, He still LOVES me.  He does not condemn me.  Sometimes the LOVE is simply in our hearts for a person.  We may never see that person or talk to them, but in our hearts, we have LOVE and we can pray for them with that LOVE.  (for example, I do not see or talk to the man who raped me, but because of the power of forgiveness and God restoring my wounds, I can LOVE him and pray for him to accept Jesus).  And trust me when I say, THAT was a CHOICE that could only be made because of GOD'S LOVE!!! 

I really hope I am making sense!    hahaha  I do not want to just ramble on and on!  Oops, may be too late!  =)  

I hope you are encouraged today!  I really do LOVE you, but more importantly, GOD LOVES YOU!!!  And He give us all the ability to LOVE!!  So today I challenge you (and myself)  to LOVE ON PURPOSE!!!!

Graduation Eve

 

Well, Here I sit on the eve of Hunter's High School Graduation Day!  I have looked through all my photos and watched all the videos of my sweet baby boy.  This day came so fast!  I can remember people telling me over the years to enjoy each moment because they would go fast and they were RIGHT!  I can say that I have enjoyed every moment and my heart is so full.  Max and I have loved him from the moment we found out he existed.  We have prayed for him.  We have spoken over him.  We have assisted him when needed and allowed him to grow even when my heart wanted so bad to keep him little.  I learned early on that he was not just a possession but a gift from the very Hand of God The Father!  We were called to be his parents.  We were given this time with him to pour love into him, introducing him to his Creator and guide him to make wise choices.  I know we have fallen short at times but God's GRACE has covered it all and so here we are now witnessing this amazing human being that has my smile and his Daddy's eyes enter into adulthood.  His faith touches me and his heart inspires me.  He has made me a better person.  He loves Jesus and he walks in His favor.  So tomorrow his Dad and I, along with our family, will watch with pride as he walks across that stage and into the next phase of his life.  I will have my tissue to catch my JOY TEARS!  I will have my Max to hold my hand as our hearts overflow in the LOVE of our Heavenly Father Who has blessed us with SO MUCH!


Video I made for Hunter!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=2069642105327

Who is in charge here?

So, the devil has been a chatter box today!  I woke up with him all in my face!!!  Oh yes, the insults started bright and early.  I just kept busy and tried to ignore him.  I have so much going on this month and I think my brain hit overload!  Then it hit me.....I CAN talk back!  So with all my authority I told the devil, OUT LOUD, to SHUT UP!!!!!  Yes, I'm 42, but Daddy God is using me!  Yes, it's a work bigger than me, but there is NOTHING that God can't do through me!  Then when he couldn't get me that way, he tried to get in the middle of my marriage!  Before I even knew what was happening Max and I were arguing over CAKE!!  (the argument was over who was going to call about Hunter's graduation cake)!  Max walked out and went to mow.  I went to taking back some authority!!!!!  I told my enemy that he was NOT going to mess with me or my husband!  Within about 5 minutes Max called to apologize and and we put that little fight behind us!  Then my publishing company called to say that the adjustments to my book that were going to take 2-3 weeks was DONE!  Well, the text is done, the final cover should be emailed to me tomorrow!!!  Satan is NOT in charge here!!!!!  God has my life and everything in it! =) 

I am so excited to share the final cover design!  My excitement grows every time I think about how God is going to use me!  Yes, ME!  He has given me the confidence to talk back to the devil.  To take my place a a daughter of THE MOST HIGH! 

It is very important to recognize that there is warfare going on and we have all the ammunition we need through God's Word.  Satan is going to come against us, that is just a fact.  That is why it is so important to keep our minds renewed!  First, so when Satan does launch an attack, we recognize where the attack is coming from.  And secondly, so we have fresh on our minds (and heart) WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE HAVE! 

I feel like I have rambled but it is my hearts desire to encourage you. 

Love on Purpose

John 3:16   For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him will not parish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:16  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:19-20 We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-13  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . .And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


God has a LOT to say about LOVE!  LOVE is the most important because GOD IS LOVE! 
We can do nothing without LOVE.  We are called above all else, to LOVE.  The only way to receive this LOVE is from LOVE HIMSELF!  And if we do not have it, we cannot give it. 

Receiving God's LOVE is not some mystical thing that happens in a dim lit room with praise music and an emotional heart.  Not that you can't receive it under those conditions, but my point is that LOVE is a CHOICE!!!  We have to choose, on purpose to accept God's LOVE! 

Once we have received God's LOVE we are told, by God, to then share it with others.  But be reminded that, you cannot give (or share) something you do not have!  God's LOVE has the ability to take root deep inside of us.  It's supply is limitless!  And unlike a "feeling" or emotional love, with God's LOVE, the more we share it with others, the more of it we receive!  Think of yourself like a vessel.  We are God's vessels.  We carry His LOVE inside of us.  He fills us up and we pour ourselves out on others and He keeps us filled up!  The secret to the continual filling and pouring is HIS WORD!  The Bible is God's Words to US!  He encourages us through His Word.  He instructs us through His Word.  He corrects us through His word.  He LOVES us through His Word!!! 

Satan is the total opposite of LOVE.  He is anger towards others.  He is jealousy of others.  He is fear of others.  So we have a choice!  We either choose God's LOVE or we choose the way of the enemy. 
It is not always easy to LOVE others, but it IS possible!  Sometimes it comes easy and sometimes we just have to LOVE and trust that God will take care of everything else! 

I am not saying that we have to agree with a person demonstrating a wrong behavior.  Even if that wrong behavior it towards us.  But we still should choose LOVE.  Even when The Lord reveals to me when I am in the wrong, He still LOVES me.  He does not condemn me.  Sometimes the LOVE is simply in our hearts for a person.  We may never see that person or talk to them, but in our hearts, we have LOVE and we can pray for them with that LOVE.  (for example, I do not see or talk to the man who raped me, but because of the power of forgiveness and God restoring my wounds, I can LOVE him and pray for him to accept Jesus).  And trust me when I say, THAT was a CHOICE that could only be made because of GOD'S LOVE!!! 

I really hope I am making sense!    hahaha  I do not want to just ramble on and on!  Oops, may be too late!  =)  

I hope you are encouraged today!  I really do LOVE you, but more importantly, GOD LOVES YOU!!!  And He give us all the ability to LOVE!!  So today I challenge you (and myself)  to LOVE ON PURPOSE!!!!

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!