I believe that God uses dreams to speak to us. I woke up this morning (maybe around 8:00 or so) to a woman saying, "Frann. Debbie." My mother-in-law's name is Frann. My name is Debbie. My first thought was that an angel was calling both of us. I don't know exactly why, and I did ask God why we were both called. I know that we both suffer/suffered in the past from asthma. So I prayed against asthma, prayed for healing from asthma. I also prayed protection for Frann.
I do pray that the Lord reveal more as the day goes on regarding this.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Friday, April 28, 2006
Hatred and the Power of Forgiveness
I'm listening to a Jack Deere teaching, "The Power of Forgiveness" part 1. I am only 23 minutes into it and have heard the first 15 minutes of it about 4 times today. I'm coming up against some massive opposition to listening to this teaching. It's amazing. I know that it's something that I have to listen to as I'm dealing with forgiveness issues right now. I'd much rather sweep the issues under a rug and forget about them than deal with this forgiveness thing that is so hard.
Anyway, Jack, Mr. Deere, is talking about a time he was praying for this 23 year old woman who has arthritis. He's praying and he thinks that it doesn't seem right that someone so young has arthritis. He hears two phrases. "Failed romance". "Fired". So, he asked her about these things and it turns out that a guy she was involved with broke up with her and around that time she had been fired from a job that she loved working with people that she loved.
Jack told her that she needed to do two things. He said that first she needed to tell God that she forgives them for firing her and then ask God to forgive her for hating them all these years.
Then Jack went on to say that it's not popular in "the church" to say that you hate someone. Some people will say, "you don't really hate someone, you're just very irritated with them." He was saying that you need to be real and understand what it is that you are really feeling. Stop being "religious". Can't we call hate, "resentment, bitterness, advanced loathing". 1 John - if it's not love, it's hatred.
Anger, unforgiveness, rottenness. Wanting someone to pay for their wrong. Proverbs 27:4 - Anger is cruel. Anger is the exact opposite of the currency of the Kingdom of Christ. When we hold anger in our heart, and we don't want to forgive them because they don't deserve it. It's like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies from it.
Lord, thank you for helping me to let go of this. You are an awesome God who loves me.
The beauty of the cross will have it's way in me.
Take my life
I belong to You
Take my life
You make all things new
Take my life
I belong to you
Take my life
You make all things new
I belong to you
Anyway, Jack, Mr. Deere, is talking about a time he was praying for this 23 year old woman who has arthritis. He's praying and he thinks that it doesn't seem right that someone so young has arthritis. He hears two phrases. "Failed romance". "Fired". So, he asked her about these things and it turns out that a guy she was involved with broke up with her and around that time she had been fired from a job that she loved working with people that she loved.
Jack told her that she needed to do two things. He said that first she needed to tell God that she forgives them for firing her and then ask God to forgive her for hating them all these years.
Then Jack went on to say that it's not popular in "the church" to say that you hate someone. Some people will say, "you don't really hate someone, you're just very irritated with them." He was saying that you need to be real and understand what it is that you are really feeling. Stop being "religious". Can't we call hate, "resentment, bitterness, advanced loathing". 1 John - if it's not love, it's hatred.
Anger, unforgiveness, rottenness. Wanting someone to pay for their wrong. Proverbs 27:4 - Anger is cruel. Anger is the exact opposite of the currency of the Kingdom of Christ. When we hold anger in our heart, and we don't want to forgive them because they don't deserve it. It's like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies from it.
Lord, thank you for helping me to let go of this. You are an awesome God who loves me.
The beauty of the cross will have it's way in me.
Take my life
I belong to You
Take my life
You make all things new
Take my life
I belong to you
Take my life
You make all things new
I belong to you
Coffee Tavern
Yesterday I cleaned off my desk. It's something I need to do about once a week since I put tons of stuff on it all the time. I came across a coffee mug I bought from a place called the Coffee Tavern.
About 2 years ago, Scott, the kids and I went to North Carolina for our family vacation. A friend of ours told us to check out the Coffee Tavern. She had seen it online and thought for sure I'd like it.
We went and it was great. It's this barn that's also a coffee place. It's pretty big. It has a deck that goes all the way around. Besides the strip mall and medical building, there are woods and grassy areas all around. Nice and peaceful. It's deck intersects with a walking path through the area.
This morning I was thinking about the Coffee Tavern. I think it would be so nice to have something like that here. Some place to gather together with others, walk outside, enjoy the scenery.
*Sigh* I'm just feel nostalgic right now. :)
Coffee Tavern's web site
About 2 years ago, Scott, the kids and I went to North Carolina for our family vacation. A friend of ours told us to check out the Coffee Tavern. She had seen it online and thought for sure I'd like it.
We went and it was great. It's this barn that's also a coffee place. It's pretty big. It has a deck that goes all the way around. Besides the strip mall and medical building, there are woods and grassy areas all around. Nice and peaceful. It's deck intersects with a walking path through the area.
This morning I was thinking about the Coffee Tavern. I think it would be so nice to have something like that here. Some place to gather together with others, walk outside, enjoy the scenery.
*Sigh* I'm just feel nostalgic right now. :)
Coffee Tavern's web site
Being obedient to the voice of God
I'm listening to Brad McClendon speak. I have the mp3 of the Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Conference. Brad's teaching is Ministry of Deliverance and Healing. The teaching is just really stirring up my faith. It's a reminder that God said in John 14:11-14, "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
Sometimes I think it's a scary prayer to pray - "Lord, I want to do greater things than what you had been doing. Use me, Lord. I will obey." But I want to see God's Kingdom come and it starts with the Kingdom inside of me coming out. I think that asking the Lord to use us as He will is the the only way for the Kingdom to come. So that is the prayer I will pray today. Use me, Lord.
~just a thought~
Sometimes I think it's a scary prayer to pray - "Lord, I want to do greater things than what you had been doing. Use me, Lord. I will obey." But I want to see God's Kingdom come and it starts with the Kingdom inside of me coming out. I think that asking the Lord to use us as He will is the the only way for the Kingdom to come. So that is the prayer I will pray today. Use me, Lord.
~just a thought~
You have not because you ask not
I recently heard a story.
A friend had been receiving phone calls to his cell phone and it was the wrong number. It was a collection agency trying to get a hold of a customer who was behind on their car payments. The collection agency kept calling. I suppose they thought my friend was lying about it being a wrong number or something. Well, my friend decided that since they kept calling, he would go ahead, take the calls as this person and see about getting some grace on this loan for the person. He figured it wasn't going to cost HIM anything, why not? I don't know exactly what happened, but it made me think. Why do I get fearful and intimidated whenever I'm on the phone with these people? It's crazy, I tell you.
Today I checked our bank balance online. Yesterday we had purchased tickets for the family to attend a Morningstar Conference and 2 hotel rooms. Cost a pretty penny, but it was a good price, considering. Anyway, I realized that there wasn't quite enough in the bank to cover it. So I had to write a check from another account we have to cover it. When I checked the bank yesterday, the charges had not gone through. I checked today and the deposit was listed first, but then the bank charged us, 4 times, NSF fees of $25 each! So, I thought, why not call and see about getting the charges reversed? What can that hurt? So I did. The gentleman I spoke with put me on hold, came back and said, "I went ahead and reversed the charges." Cool.
I figured, let's see what my mortgage company will do for me. We have been paying our payments the month the payment is due, but after the grace period. I wanted to see about getting the due date moved from the 1st to the 20th. Unfortunatley, I was unable to make this happen. I did find out, though, that it does not affect our credit when we are late, as long as we pay that month. That's helpful since we are working on getting that fixed up. The $65 late fee a month is hurting a bit, though. Maybe one day, soon, we can get caught up. But the important issue to remember is that I got brave and called to see if it could happen. I was nice on the phone and not intimidated. It was a great feeling. :)
Now, I know that in the context of James 4:2, James is letting us know that we need to ask God with correct motives and not to be greedy. And I don't believe I was being greedy. ;)
A friend had been receiving phone calls to his cell phone and it was the wrong number. It was a collection agency trying to get a hold of a customer who was behind on their car payments. The collection agency kept calling. I suppose they thought my friend was lying about it being a wrong number or something. Well, my friend decided that since they kept calling, he would go ahead, take the calls as this person and see about getting some grace on this loan for the person. He figured it wasn't going to cost HIM anything, why not? I don't know exactly what happened, but it made me think. Why do I get fearful and intimidated whenever I'm on the phone with these people? It's crazy, I tell you.
Today I checked our bank balance online. Yesterday we had purchased tickets for the family to attend a Morningstar Conference and 2 hotel rooms. Cost a pretty penny, but it was a good price, considering. Anyway, I realized that there wasn't quite enough in the bank to cover it. So I had to write a check from another account we have to cover it. When I checked the bank yesterday, the charges had not gone through. I checked today and the deposit was listed first, but then the bank charged us, 4 times, NSF fees of $25 each! So, I thought, why not call and see about getting the charges reversed? What can that hurt? So I did. The gentleman I spoke with put me on hold, came back and said, "I went ahead and reversed the charges." Cool.
I figured, let's see what my mortgage company will do for me. We have been paying our payments the month the payment is due, but after the grace period. I wanted to see about getting the due date moved from the 1st to the 20th. Unfortunatley, I was unable to make this happen. I did find out, though, that it does not affect our credit when we are late, as long as we pay that month. That's helpful since we are working on getting that fixed up. The $65 late fee a month is hurting a bit, though. Maybe one day, soon, we can get caught up. But the important issue to remember is that I got brave and called to see if it could happen. I was nice on the phone and not intimidated. It was a great feeling. :)
Now, I know that in the context of James 4:2, James is letting us know that we need to ask God with correct motives and not to be greedy. And I don't believe I was being greedy. ;)
Molly Williams
I love listening to Molly's music and know that God has many exciting plans for this woman of God.
This is her MySpace site
This is her website
Enjoy God through Molly's music.
This is her MySpace site
This is her website
Enjoy God through Molly's music.
Blue Jays
About 9 years ago, I was sitting in my little kitchen crying out to the Lord about our financial situation. Things looked bleak. We were about to lose our house and file bankruptcy. I prayed and asked God to show me a sign that things were going to be ok. I looked at our bird feeder and said, "Lord, just let a bird show up at the feeder". Sounds like a silly prayer? Not really. I had yet to see a bird at our feeder - and I sat there looking for birds to come.
Well, soon after that prayer, I saw a blue jay appear and I was SO excited! Now, we did lose the house and we did file bankruptcy. However, we have never had to live on the streets, I am able to stay home with my kids - all 6 of them! - and God has blessed us mightily. Every time I see a blue jay, I am reminded that the Lord cares enough to let me know that He's there, listening to my prayers and He's in control.
Well, soon after that prayer, I saw a blue jay appear and I was SO excited! Now, we did lose the house and we did file bankruptcy. However, we have never had to live on the streets, I am able to stay home with my kids - all 6 of them! - and God has blessed us mightily. Every time I see a blue jay, I am reminded that the Lord cares enough to let me know that He's there, listening to my prayers and He's in control.
He is jealous for me
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I'm unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so
We are His portion and He is our pride
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
And grace is an ocean and we're all sinking
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy, wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
Well, I'll think about the way
He loves us
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I'm unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so
We are His portion and He is our pride
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
And grace is an ocean and we're all sinking
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy, wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
Well, I'll think about the way
He loves us
My little guy is a big boy now
Kenaniah is 3. He will be 4 on July 30. He has been potty trained for the most part for a few months now. He's been slow on the naptime/bedtime stuff, though. We've had him in pullups. Well, we ran out and Scott decided we would try him without. That was Sunday afternoon, all day Monday and all day Tuesday. He woke up dry all those time.
I am so happy. Logan's diapers are going to last longer and I no longer have to buy pull ups. At least not for another year when Logan is ready. :)
I am so happy. Logan's diapers are going to last longer and I no longer have to buy pull ups. At least not for another year when Logan is ready. :)
Bad Days
Originally posted on 4/18/06
It's amazing that one little thing can just set me off. I guess if you were to look deep enough, you'd know that it wasn't REALLY just one little thing. It was simply something that reminded me of an underlying issue that has not been resolved. It seems as if it just will not go away.
Oh, if only... No. I will not go there.
God, remove the root of bitterness so that this cannot happen. Remove the root of bitterness so that the enemy cannot win the battles if/when this happens again.
I just need to listen to Inhheritance again.
The Lord says that there is nothing that you can do
That would make Him love you more
There is also nothing you can do
That would make Him love you less
He loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
Because that is what He is like
It is His nature to love
And you will always be the beloved
And His love is unchanging
And He loves you 100%
He won’t love you any better when you become better
He loves you 100% right now
And even if you have no plans to become better
He will still love you 100%
Because he loves you
Because that’s the way that He is
And even if you don’t want to change
He will love you 100%
Even if you have no plans to walk with him
He will love you 100%
Because that’s His nature
He loves all the way – all the time
His love is unchanging
What will change, says the Lord, is your ability to receive my love
And this evening, I want to cram some more of that ability inside you
So I challenge you, says the Lord
Open your heart to Me
Open your heart to Me
And you will receive more of my love than you have ever experienced before
I dare you, says the Lord, come up
Open your heart to Me
Give me your heart
Give me whatever your obstacle is
I’ll take it. I’ll remove it out of the way
Because I love you as you are right now
I love you 100% as you are right this moment
I love you as you are
So be loved. You are the beloved
It is your job, says the Lord, to be loved outrageously
It is why I chose you
That is why I set my love upon you
That you would live as one who is outrageously loved
That you would receive a radical love
So radical that it will blow all your paradigms of what you think that love is
And know, says the Lord, that I will love you outrageously all the days of your life
Because I don’t know how to be any different
This is who I am
And this is who I will always be
This is the I Am that I promised you
I am He that loves you outrageously
And you may love Me back with the love that I give you
You may love Me back outrageously with the outrageous love that I bestow upon you
And know this says the Lord that you can only love Me as much as you love yourself
So My love comes this evening to set you free from yourself
To set you free from how you see yourself
To set you free from the smallness of your own thinking about yourself
My love comes to set you free from rejection and from shame
and low self esteem and from despair and from abuse
Because when I look at you says the Lord
I see something that I love
I see someone that I can love outrageously
And I have so much to bestow upon you
So much to give you
So many places to take you in my heart
But you can’t go there unless you allow Me to love you
And My love for you will break every barrier
bring every wall crashing down
And know this, says the Lord, My love damages fear
My love hates fear
My love will fight fear
It will fight fear in you
It will fight fear around you
And if you have fear this evening says the Lord, than know that you have a treat in store
Because My perfect love casts out fear
There is no fear where I am present
Because My love casts out fear
Beloved, you are My beloved
You are MY beloved
And in My love I want you to feel good about yourself
It's amazing that one little thing can just set me off. I guess if you were to look deep enough, you'd know that it wasn't REALLY just one little thing. It was simply something that reminded me of an underlying issue that has not been resolved. It seems as if it just will not go away.
Oh, if only... No. I will not go there.
God, remove the root of bitterness so that this cannot happen. Remove the root of bitterness so that the enemy cannot win the battles if/when this happens again.
I just need to listen to Inhheritance again.
The Lord says that there is nothing that you can do
That would make Him love you more
There is also nothing you can do
That would make Him love you less
He loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
Because that is what He is like
It is His nature to love
And you will always be the beloved
And His love is unchanging
And He loves you 100%
He won’t love you any better when you become better
He loves you 100% right now
And even if you have no plans to become better
He will still love you 100%
Because he loves you
Because that’s the way that He is
And even if you don’t want to change
He will love you 100%
Even if you have no plans to walk with him
He will love you 100%
Because that’s His nature
He loves all the way – all the time
His love is unchanging
What will change, says the Lord, is your ability to receive my love
And this evening, I want to cram some more of that ability inside you
So I challenge you, says the Lord
Open your heart to Me
Open your heart to Me
And you will receive more of my love than you have ever experienced before
I dare you, says the Lord, come up
Open your heart to Me
Give me your heart
Give me whatever your obstacle is
I’ll take it. I’ll remove it out of the way
Because I love you as you are right now
I love you 100% as you are right this moment
I love you as you are
So be loved. You are the beloved
It is your job, says the Lord, to be loved outrageously
It is why I chose you
That is why I set my love upon you
That you would live as one who is outrageously loved
That you would receive a radical love
So radical that it will blow all your paradigms of what you think that love is
And know, says the Lord, that I will love you outrageously all the days of your life
Because I don’t know how to be any different
This is who I am
And this is who I will always be
This is the I Am that I promised you
I am He that loves you outrageously
And you may love Me back with the love that I give you
You may love Me back outrageously with the outrageous love that I bestow upon you
And know this says the Lord that you can only love Me as much as you love yourself
So My love comes this evening to set you free from yourself
To set you free from how you see yourself
To set you free from the smallness of your own thinking about yourself
My love comes to set you free from rejection and from shame
and low self esteem and from despair and from abuse
Because when I look at you says the Lord
I see something that I love
I see someone that I can love outrageously
And I have so much to bestow upon you
So much to give you
So many places to take you in my heart
But you can’t go there unless you allow Me to love you
And My love for you will break every barrier
bring every wall crashing down
And know this, says the Lord, My love damages fear
My love hates fear
My love will fight fear
It will fight fear in you
It will fight fear around you
And if you have fear this evening says the Lord, than know that you have a treat in store
Because My perfect love casts out fear
There is no fear where I am present
Because My love casts out fear
Beloved, you are My beloved
You are MY beloved
And in My love I want you to feel good about yourself
Jeremiah Bowser
This week I am going to point you to Jeremiah Bowser. I had purchased his latest cd and absolutely love it. Normally I import new cds into my computer since I have a tendacy to lose things. I had forgotten to do this with Jeremiah's cd. I brought the cd out to the living room to play in the DVD player. I forgot to take it back out again and the kids had since watched Chronicle of Narnia on the DVD player.
I went looking for the cd and found it in the living room, tossed aside on the book shelf. I looked it over and found some scratches on it! I was so upset. :( I took it into the bathroom to wash it with soap and dry with a soft towel. I then imported the album into my computer. After doing so, I played it on my bedroom DVD player. It worked fine. Whew.
Jeremiah is currently working on a new album and you can visit his blog to keep up with what's going on. Jeremiah's MySpace
I hope you enjoy his music as much as I have been.
Be blessed in Jesus' name. :)
I went looking for the cd and found it in the living room, tossed aside on the book shelf. I looked it over and found some scratches on it! I was so upset. :( I took it into the bathroom to wash it with soap and dry with a soft towel. I then imported the album into my computer. After doing so, I played it on my bedroom DVD player. It worked fine. Whew.
Jeremiah is currently working on a new album and you can visit his blog to keep up with what's going on. Jeremiah's MySpace
I hope you enjoy his music as much as I have been.
Be blessed in Jesus' name. :)
Working Out
I had gotten very lazy over the years and my body is definately showing it.
Monday I started going for walks. I am starting at 15 minute walks since 15 minutes is just about all I can handle.
Thursday I didn't go. I had to wait for the handiman and by the time he left I was depressed that I'm still handwashing dishes and still have a leak under the sink. So I didn't go out walking. And I paid for it. I was lazy all day. I know that had I walked I would have felt better. I looked on the tv for any excersize programs, but they come on early in the morning. So I went ahead and set Denise Austin's 2 shows to record the next day.
Yesterday I walked and in the afternoon I did the fit and lite program which is pilates and yoga. Ok. Not bad. I can tell I'm out of shape, but I can do this.
This morning I started with the fit and lite and then went to her aerobics. Oh man. When she got to the abs, I had to stop. Made me sad to see how strong I wasn't. But, you know what? I am getting stronger. I can feel it already. One day I'll be able to do the whole program. As long as I stick to it.
Monday I started going for walks. I am starting at 15 minute walks since 15 minutes is just about all I can handle.
Thursday I didn't go. I had to wait for the handiman and by the time he left I was depressed that I'm still handwashing dishes and still have a leak under the sink. So I didn't go out walking. And I paid for it. I was lazy all day. I know that had I walked I would have felt better. I looked on the tv for any excersize programs, but they come on early in the morning. So I went ahead and set Denise Austin's 2 shows to record the next day.
Yesterday I walked and in the afternoon I did the fit and lite program which is pilates and yoga. Ok. Not bad. I can tell I'm out of shape, but I can do this.
This morning I started with the fit and lite and then went to her aerobics. Oh man. When she got to the abs, I had to stop. Made me sad to see how strong I wasn't. But, you know what? I am getting stronger. I can feel it already. One day I'll be able to do the whole program. As long as I stick to it.
Jackson
On January 5, I found out through a forum I post at, there was a little boy who was born at 29 weeks. They didn't expect him to last long as he had calcification of the heart. His parents are friends of one of the posters on this forum. I asked her if it would be alright to make a blanket for him. She said yes, but wasn't sure how long little Jack would live. I made it and had my intercessor group pray over it.
They received the blanket and even posted about it on their online journal at CaringBridge. They sent me a Thank You note and mentioned that it matched the colors in his room. It was a green color.
I had been following closely and rejoiced with the family when they brought him home. They brought him home in the blanket I made for them as a symbol of all the people they didn't know who were praying for their little Jack-Pot.
On Monday he was taken to the hospital because of labored breathing. The docs figured out what was causing the labored breathing, but it compromised his heart.
Early Friday morning, Jackson passed away. I was so sad when I read this and when I visited his site this morning and read about the funeral arrangements, I cried even more.
This little guy lived for 3 months when he wasn't even expected to live a week. Even though I didn't personally know Jackson, I will never forget him.
They received the blanket and even posted about it on their online journal at CaringBridge. They sent me a Thank You note and mentioned that it matched the colors in his room. It was a green color.
I had been following closely and rejoiced with the family when they brought him home. They brought him home in the blanket I made for them as a symbol of all the people they didn't know who were praying for their little Jack-Pot.
On Monday he was taken to the hospital because of labored breathing. The docs figured out what was causing the labored breathing, but it compromised his heart.
Early Friday morning, Jackson passed away. I was so sad when I read this and when I visited his site this morning and read about the funeral arrangements, I cried even more.
This little guy lived for 3 months when he wasn't even expected to live a week. Even though I didn't personally know Jackson, I will never forget him.
Morningstar Worship DVD
The Fed Ex man just dropped off my set of DVDs from Morningstar for the worship at the Kingdom Leadership Conference.
Oh boy am I excited. :)
You can get a set, too. ;)
Just click here.
Oh boy am I excited. :)
You can get a set, too. ;)
Just click here.
Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker
In November, I think, I stopped drinking Coke. I would drink 3-6 cans of Coke a day. Insane, I know. I went from Coke to Diet Sierra Mist. But that was only for a couple of weeks. I rarely drink soda anymore. If I "need" a soda, I'll grab one of Scott's diet cokes. I will also drink an orange soda if we are out. But I mostly drink iced tea.
I would boil water and pour it over the tea bags in a small pitcher. I'd be making it every day. I went to Walmart one day and saw the Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker. At first I thought, why would I spend $20 on something like this? I can make iced tea just fine.
Well, I decided to get it. I love it. You add water to it like you would a coffee maker. A pitcher comes with it - a 3 quart pitcher. You don't add 3 quarts of water to the maker. You add 3 cups. The pitcher is then filled with 3 quarts of ice. You add your tea - loose or in bags and you can also add sweetners and flavorings (put in a coffee filter if you are going to use loose tea and/or other additives). The pitcher is placed flush to the maker and the maker will dispense the tea into the pitcher on top of the ice. The ice will melt only a little, but then you put the pitcher in the refrigerator so the ice stays pretty much until the tea is gone. I love it that I don't have to do 3 steps.
Just wanted to share. :)
Yes, I got the blue. I love blue. :)
Click here to buy online from Walmart
Oh, yeah. Make sure you have plenty of ice on hand before you decide to make some. The first time I tried this, I found all my ice trays empty.
My kids use ice and don't fill the trays back up. That lovely habit has since stopped. I have 6 ice cube trays and use about 4 of them. Today I used all 6, but there were cubes missing from some of them. 
Maybe the lesson hasn't been learned, yet. That reminds me. I need to get new ice trays. :)
I would boil water and pour it over the tea bags in a small pitcher. I'd be making it every day. I went to Walmart one day and saw the Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker. At first I thought, why would I spend $20 on something like this? I can make iced tea just fine.
Well, I decided to get it. I love it. You add water to it like you would a coffee maker. A pitcher comes with it - a 3 quart pitcher. You don't add 3 quarts of water to the maker. You add 3 cups. The pitcher is then filled with 3 quarts of ice. You add your tea - loose or in bags and you can also add sweetners and flavorings (put in a coffee filter if you are going to use loose tea and/or other additives). The pitcher is placed flush to the maker and the maker will dispense the tea into the pitcher on top of the ice. The ice will melt only a little, but then you put the pitcher in the refrigerator so the ice stays pretty much until the tea is gone. I love it that I don't have to do 3 steps.
Just wanted to share. :)
Yes, I got the blue. I love blue. :)
Click here to buy online from Walmart
Oh, yeah. Make sure you have plenty of ice on hand before you decide to make some. The first time I tried this, I found all my ice trays empty.
My kids use ice and don't fill the trays back up. That lovely habit has since stopped. I have 6 ice cube trays and use about 4 of them. Today I used all 6, but there were cubes missing from some of them. Maybe the lesson hasn't been learned, yet. That reminds me. I need to get new ice trays. :)
Adam Nitti
The bass player on our worship team had heard about this awesome bass player who played at the Morningstar conference - Kingdom Leadership Conference held in February 2006. She loaned the DVD to my husband and we watched Adam Nitti play. Wow. The whole worship team was awesome, as usual, but I had never seen Adam play.
I found his MySpace site and added his song to my profile. Very talented man of God. Check him out when you get a chance.
Adam's MySpace site.
Adam's website.
I found his MySpace site and added his song to my profile. Very talented man of God. Check him out when you get a chance.
Adam's MySpace site.
Adam's website.
Holy Week
I read the verse of the day at Gospelcom.net. It is Romans 5:6-8 - You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I grew up in a denomination where church traditions were very important. I am no longer in that denomination, however, having been infused in the traditions for 9 years - going to the church's grade school from kindergarten through 8th grade - I remember clearly the traditions.
Holy week was one of the important holidays. We would go to school through noon on Good Friday. At noon there would be a church service and then we would go home. If I recall correctly, every Good Friday was overcast and often stormy.
I held Good Friday in high esteem. Even though I didn't have a relationship with the God of the universe, I knew He existed and I was fully aware of what transpired on that first Friday. I was always so sad. I knew the reason for His death, I knew I would be lost without that death, but I was so heartbroken that Jesus had to die such an awful, painful, long death. Maybe I never realized that He would have done it only for me if it came right down to it. I wasn't angry at those who actually put Him to death. That's good, because later, I would have had to be angry at myself, realizing that I would have had to be angry with myself. But it's interesting looking back at my days in grade school and thinking on the traditions of long ago.
As soon as I got home, there was Easter to look forward to and, of course, a week off of school. Good Friday was over and I didn't have to think about the death of my Savior anymore.
Sometimes I run across something that asks what our regrets are. I spent 18 years in a denomination that didn't believe one could have a relationship with God. We prayed, but didn't really expect an answer to prayer. Maybe on the large scale, for the denomination, for missionaries, for countries, but not really for our own personal requests. My denomination didn't believe in the supernatural workings of our God. Well, at least, they didn't believe that regular people could walk in those workings. They didn't want kids listening to Christian music. It was explained to me that it would encourage those kids to think outside denominational teachings. The denominational teachings were preserved in hymns of long ago and there was no danger of us learning wrong theologies through the hymns. Christian music is written by people of many different denominations and learning about different theologies is a big no-no in that denomination.
I am no longer a part of that denomination and I am thankful for that. It's a wonderful thing to have a relationship with God. It's wonderful to see His awesome workings in my life and answered prayers and to see Him work in the prophetic words He gives me for others. I would not want my life to be any different. Well, I would love for my relationship with Him to be deeper, but that will come. I do not regret my time spent in that denomination. I was able to learn important biblical truths that I know helped lay the foundation of my faith. I knew without a doubt that Jesus was real, that He is God and that He died so that I might live, and I knew without a doubt that when I died I was going to Heaven to be with him. I was not looking forward to spending forever in Heaven. I thought it would be boring, but I knew I'd be there one day.
This holy week, what will my heart ponder upon? Will I look to this week as putting to death my flesh so that I can rise in glory with my Lord. So that I can rise above my circumstances and walk in confidence in who I am in Jesus? It sounds like a good start to my week.
i'm off to take a walk to put to death my flesh and reflect on the goodness of God.
I grew up in a denomination where church traditions were very important. I am no longer in that denomination, however, having been infused in the traditions for 9 years - going to the church's grade school from kindergarten through 8th grade - I remember clearly the traditions.
Holy week was one of the important holidays. We would go to school through noon on Good Friday. At noon there would be a church service and then we would go home. If I recall correctly, every Good Friday was overcast and often stormy.
I held Good Friday in high esteem. Even though I didn't have a relationship with the God of the universe, I knew He existed and I was fully aware of what transpired on that first Friday. I was always so sad. I knew the reason for His death, I knew I would be lost without that death, but I was so heartbroken that Jesus had to die such an awful, painful, long death. Maybe I never realized that He would have done it only for me if it came right down to it. I wasn't angry at those who actually put Him to death. That's good, because later, I would have had to be angry at myself, realizing that I would have had to be angry with myself. But it's interesting looking back at my days in grade school and thinking on the traditions of long ago.
As soon as I got home, there was Easter to look forward to and, of course, a week off of school. Good Friday was over and I didn't have to think about the death of my Savior anymore.
Sometimes I run across something that asks what our regrets are. I spent 18 years in a denomination that didn't believe one could have a relationship with God. We prayed, but didn't really expect an answer to prayer. Maybe on the large scale, for the denomination, for missionaries, for countries, but not really for our own personal requests. My denomination didn't believe in the supernatural workings of our God. Well, at least, they didn't believe that regular people could walk in those workings. They didn't want kids listening to Christian music. It was explained to me that it would encourage those kids to think outside denominational teachings. The denominational teachings were preserved in hymns of long ago and there was no danger of us learning wrong theologies through the hymns. Christian music is written by people of many different denominations and learning about different theologies is a big no-no in that denomination.
I am no longer a part of that denomination and I am thankful for that. It's a wonderful thing to have a relationship with God. It's wonderful to see His awesome workings in my life and answered prayers and to see Him work in the prophetic words He gives me for others. I would not want my life to be any different. Well, I would love for my relationship with Him to be deeper, but that will come. I do not regret my time spent in that denomination. I was able to learn important biblical truths that I know helped lay the foundation of my faith. I knew without a doubt that Jesus was real, that He is God and that He died so that I might live, and I knew without a doubt that when I died I was going to Heaven to be with him. I was not looking forward to spending forever in Heaven. I thought it would be boring, but I knew I'd be there one day.
This holy week, what will my heart ponder upon? Will I look to this week as putting to death my flesh so that I can rise in glory with my Lord. So that I can rise above my circumstances and walk in confidence in who I am in Jesus? It sounds like a good start to my week.
i'm off to take a walk to put to death my flesh and reflect on the goodness of God.
The weather in Florida
I left in Scott's truck to pick up some pizza for tonight's dinner. I looked at the sky, which promised rain. But in Florida, what looks to be promising rain is more like a tease. I was going to say it was a lie, however, that would not be correct. One just has to learn to read the skies in Florida, and I am not sure anyone has that art down yet.
I was hoping it would rain. It has been 2 weeks and 2 days since our last rain. That was a Thursday. I remember it well. Our lawn service had just been by, although they had already been by in March. Joel had been by to pick up my kids to take them to their homeschool athletic class. He dropped off his daughters in exchange. My oldest daughter was staying home with me. I heard thunder in the distance and reluctantly unplugged the modem, the televisions, and the replay machines. Not long after the rains came down. I made sure the buckets were in place, since we are still suffering from the effects of Wilma. Then the storm passed. I was hoping for a little bit longer storm, for the grass, but it was ok. Not long after, I went outside. I don't remember why. They sky was green. It was still. I looked up at the sky and the clouds were swirling. My stomach dropped. I shooed my daughter inside and said, there's going to be a tornado. I quickly prayed that there wouldn't be and that our house would be kept safe. Then the winds came. They were strong and reminded me of Wilma, which frightened me and made me wish that Scott was home. I sent him a text message alerting him to the storm. When he called me back I asked if he thought the kids were safe at the park. He assured me that they would be fine.
I heard this awful noise at our front window and thought for sure that the wind was going to bust it in. The rain was blowing right at the window and I couldn't see out. But I realized that what I was hearing was hail. Yes, hail in Florida. It happens about once a year. Joel brought the kids home early. The class was dismissed because of the storm, and yes, a tornado was sighted.
So, that was it. We hadn't had rain since. And our grass is cruchy. Nice description, huh? Well, it is. We had been hoping for rain so we wouldn't have to run the sprinklers.
Oh, yeah, back to my trip to get pizza. I'm driving down the road and I realize, a mile from my house, that the road is wet.
No rain in sight, but the road is wet a mile from my house. Now, why coudn't have rained at my house???
*sigh* You know that song, "Have you ever seen the sun on a rainy day?" I have one for you, "Have you ever seen the rain on a rainy day?" Because I sure didn't.
I was hoping it would rain. It has been 2 weeks and 2 days since our last rain. That was a Thursday. I remember it well. Our lawn service had just been by, although they had already been by in March. Joel had been by to pick up my kids to take them to their homeschool athletic class. He dropped off his daughters in exchange. My oldest daughter was staying home with me. I heard thunder in the distance and reluctantly unplugged the modem, the televisions, and the replay machines. Not long after the rains came down. I made sure the buckets were in place, since we are still suffering from the effects of Wilma. Then the storm passed. I was hoping for a little bit longer storm, for the grass, but it was ok. Not long after, I went outside. I don't remember why. They sky was green. It was still. I looked up at the sky and the clouds were swirling. My stomach dropped. I shooed my daughter inside and said, there's going to be a tornado. I quickly prayed that there wouldn't be and that our house would be kept safe. Then the winds came. They were strong and reminded me of Wilma, which frightened me and made me wish that Scott was home. I sent him a text message alerting him to the storm. When he called me back I asked if he thought the kids were safe at the park. He assured me that they would be fine.
I heard this awful noise at our front window and thought for sure that the wind was going to bust it in. The rain was blowing right at the window and I couldn't see out. But I realized that what I was hearing was hail. Yes, hail in Florida. It happens about once a year. Joel brought the kids home early. The class was dismissed because of the storm, and yes, a tornado was sighted.
So, that was it. We hadn't had rain since. And our grass is cruchy. Nice description, huh? Well, it is. We had been hoping for rain so we wouldn't have to run the sprinklers.
Oh, yeah, back to my trip to get pizza. I'm driving down the road and I realize, a mile from my house, that the road is wet.
No rain in sight, but the road is wet a mile from my house. Now, why coudn't have rained at my house???*sigh* You know that song, "Have you ever seen the sun on a rainy day?" I have one for you, "Have you ever seen the rain on a rainy day?" Because I sure didn't.
Being Crucified with Christ
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
My prayer for the day. That the reality of this verse sinks into my heart.
I have been crucified with Christ. Does this mean that all my fleshy junk died, too? Does this mean that I don't have to get frustrated with my kids when they don't behave as I think they should? That I can walk in peace and choose to, instead of REACTING, I can be kind and gentle. That means that I don't have to lie down and accept whatever, but I can gracefully deal with the circumstances that come my way, because I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Each step I take, each task I tackle, each breath I take, I do it all by faith in the Son of God. I can choose to let this be a normal Friday, allowing my circumstances to swallow me whole and get frustrated and angry and out of peace (yes, this happens every Friday) or I can remember that the life I live in my body, I will live by faith in the Son of God, faith that I can tackle this day gracefully, gently, knowing that the Son of God loves me. The Son of God loves ME. The Son of God loves me, Debbie. The Son of God loves me. He gave himself for me. For ME. For me. The Son of God loves me and gave himself for me.
Lord, as I go through this day, make this verse alive in me. Debbie has been crucified with Christ and she no longer lives, but Christ in her. The life she lives in the body, she lives by faith in the Son of God, who loved her and gave himself for her.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
And I am OUTRAGEOUSLY LOVED. <~~~~ That is a clickable link to some awesome words.
My prayer for the day. That the reality of this verse sinks into my heart.
I have been crucified with Christ. Does this mean that all my fleshy junk died, too? Does this mean that I don't have to get frustrated with my kids when they don't behave as I think they should? That I can walk in peace and choose to, instead of REACTING, I can be kind and gentle. That means that I don't have to lie down and accept whatever, but I can gracefully deal with the circumstances that come my way, because I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Each step I take, each task I tackle, each breath I take, I do it all by faith in the Son of God. I can choose to let this be a normal Friday, allowing my circumstances to swallow me whole and get frustrated and angry and out of peace (yes, this happens every Friday) or I can remember that the life I live in my body, I will live by faith in the Son of God, faith that I can tackle this day gracefully, gently, knowing that the Son of God loves me. The Son of God loves ME. The Son of God loves me, Debbie. The Son of God loves me. He gave himself for me. For ME. For me. The Son of God loves me and gave himself for me.
Lord, as I go through this day, make this verse alive in me. Debbie has been crucified with Christ and she no longer lives, but Christ in her. The life she lives in the body, she lives by faith in the Son of God, who loved her and gave himself for her.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
And I am OUTRAGEOUSLY LOVED. <~~~~ That is a clickable link to some awesome words.
Don't Go Away
I found Jeremiah's myspace and fell in love with the song, "Love is Everywhere". I went to his web site and purchased his CD, Don't Go Away. I purchased it April 3 and just got it in the mail today.
I'm very pleased with it so far.
God bless you, Jeremiah.
I'm very pleased with it so far.
God bless you, Jeremiah.
Not content
I'm not content. I'm not content to sit on the sidelines and watch anymore. I am sick and tired of caring what others think. If I put half the effort in pleasing my God as I do making sure I don't look foolish, well, I'd be well on my way to being content.
Change. It's in the air. It has been. But I think it's finally starting to permeate thick skins. I literally see raindrops with the word change in them soaking into a thick layer of skin. It's coming. And when change comes there's no going back to what was. When change comes, there is no WANT to go back to the way things were.
Over a year ago I crocheted a banner that says change. It's framed and hanging in my room. I think it's time to take it down off the wall and bring it to church with me, along with my Love Affair picture. I have GOT to stop worrying about what others think. I created these pieces for the Lord, not for anyone else. He delights in me and I want His love to come bursting out of me.
I'm getting ansty, like I'm super excited for something and I don't know what. But I do know what. I'm so excited to see what the Lord is going to do.
God, I surrender myself to you. Do with me what you will. I am yours. I will not let fear of man or anything physical get in my way of worship to you you.
Be glorified in me. YEAH GOD!
Change. It's in the air. It has been. But I think it's finally starting to permeate thick skins. I literally see raindrops with the word change in them soaking into a thick layer of skin. It's coming. And when change comes there's no going back to what was. When change comes, there is no WANT to go back to the way things were.
Over a year ago I crocheted a banner that says change. It's framed and hanging in my room. I think it's time to take it down off the wall and bring it to church with me, along with my Love Affair picture. I have GOT to stop worrying about what others think. I created these pieces for the Lord, not for anyone else. He delights in me and I want His love to come bursting out of me.
I'm getting ansty, like I'm super excited for something and I don't know what. But I do know what. I'm so excited to see what the Lord is going to do.
God, I surrender myself to you. Do with me what you will. I am yours. I will not let fear of man or anything physical get in my way of worship to you you.
Be glorified in me. YEAH GOD!
Glory to God Designs
I had been surfing Myspace and found some really cool sites. One in particular is called Glory to God Designs. Melissa makes beautiful jewelry. Check her out:
Glory to God Designs
Glory to God Designs
I've seen I AM
Ive looked into the eyes of a Lion
I felt the courage in His gaze
I heard Him roar my name with passion
As I buried my tears in His mane
Ive looked into the eyes of a Lamb
I saw love face-to-face
I felt grace destroy my sin
As mercy flowed from the veins
Ive seen I Am
Now I know that I am loved
Ive seen I Am
Now I know who I am
I looked into the eyes of a King
I saw the beauty of holiness
I heard the voice of many waters
As worship poured from my lips
I looked into the eyes of a Savior
I saw love stronger than death
I kissed the scars that bought my freedom
As I laid my head on Your chest
Ive seen I Am
Now I know that I am loved
Ive seen I Am
Now I know who I am
Jonathan David Helser
The Awakening - 2005
I felt the courage in His gaze
I heard Him roar my name with passion
As I buried my tears in His mane
Ive looked into the eyes of a Lamb
I saw love face-to-face
I felt grace destroy my sin
As mercy flowed from the veins
Ive seen I Am
Now I know that I am loved
Ive seen I Am
Now I know who I am
I looked into the eyes of a King
I saw the beauty of holiness
I heard the voice of many waters
As worship poured from my lips
I looked into the eyes of a Savior
I saw love stronger than death
I kissed the scars that bought my freedom
As I laid my head on Your chest
Ive seen I Am
Now I know that I am loved
Ive seen I Am
Now I know who I am
Jonathan David Helser
The Awakening - 2005
Love letter from Emily
My 12-year-old daughter sent me an e-mail.
hi mom i want to say i?you soooo much see ya soon :):):):):):):):)
So, I sent her an e-mail back:
Dear Emily,
I love you very much, too. SOOOOOOO much. Please don't EVER stop sending me love letters. xoxoxoxox
Mom
And she responds with this:
hi mmom i will never stop your the BEST MOM IN THE WORLD
I can say that I'm a very happy mommy right now. I love my kids. :)
hi mom i want to say i?you soooo much see ya soon :):):):):):):):)
So, I sent her an e-mail back:
Dear Emily,
I love you very much, too. SOOOOOOO much. Please don't EVER stop sending me love letters. xoxoxoxox
Mom
And she responds with this:
hi mmom i will never stop your the BEST MOM IN THE WORLD
I can say that I'm a very happy mommy right now. I love my kids. :)
Pregnant and not married at 18
In 1990, an 18 year old girl named Debbie Schulz found out she was pregnant. She was scared, felt like she was alone, thought her parents were going to kill her, confused and did I mention scared?
That was me. I knew that the "easy" way out would be to get an abortion, but I also knew that would be killing the child growing inside me and I couldn't do that. I also knew it really wouldn't be the easy way out, that if I had done that, I would always remember what I had done and have emotional scarring for the rest of my life.
My mom and dad told me that they were disappointed in me, but loved me and would support whatever decision I chose. I knew that if I kept the baby, chances would be that my mom and dad would have raised him. This child needed a mom and a dad, not a teenage mom and grandparents raising him. I decided to give him up for adoption.
We spoke to our pastor (who is still my pastor today) and he connected us to an adoption agency. The adoption process started out as a closed adoption. The parents adopting my child wouldn't know who I was and I wouldn't know who they were. I was ok with this.
In 1990 there were some cases in the news of parents who had given their children up for adoption that came back 2 or 3 years later to get their children back. That frustrated me. I couldn't imagine the heartache the children and adopted parents were going through. I decided to write a letter to the couple who were adopting my child. I let them know that this was their child I was carrying and I would not come back later and try to take him/her away from them. It was not long after I wrote that letter when Jim and Cathy decided that they wanted to meet me. I am so blessed that God allowed this to happen. On August 30, 1990, Jeremy James was born. I don't remember the date I went up to Bradenton to finalize the adoption, but on that day he officially became Jeremy James Pope. Jim and Cathy had already adopted a beautiful Asian girl named Ashley. I remember her running around flashing her sweet smile.
Jim and Cathy had kept in touch with my parents and I, sending updates yearly. I was blessed to see Ashley and Jeremy grow.
This year Jeremy will be 16 years old. When I was younger, I used to think what life would have been like had I not given Jeremy up for adoption. But then I think of Jim, Cathy and Ashley and know that I made the best decision. God had a family in mind when he put the Pope family together and it involved Jeremy.
I married Scott in 1992. I met him while I was pregnant with Jeremy. One of the wonderful things about Scott was that he never judged me for getting pregnant. He loved me for who I was. Just a year after our first wedding anniversary, our first daughter Emily was born. In 1995, Caytie was born into our family and then the boys came. 1997 Levi, 1998 Jordan, 2002, Kenaniah and 2004 Logan. We are a blessed family.
That was me. I knew that the "easy" way out would be to get an abortion, but I also knew that would be killing the child growing inside me and I couldn't do that. I also knew it really wouldn't be the easy way out, that if I had done that, I would always remember what I had done and have emotional scarring for the rest of my life.
My mom and dad told me that they were disappointed in me, but loved me and would support whatever decision I chose. I knew that if I kept the baby, chances would be that my mom and dad would have raised him. This child needed a mom and a dad, not a teenage mom and grandparents raising him. I decided to give him up for adoption.
We spoke to our pastor (who is still my pastor today) and he connected us to an adoption agency. The adoption process started out as a closed adoption. The parents adopting my child wouldn't know who I was and I wouldn't know who they were. I was ok with this.
In 1990 there were some cases in the news of parents who had given their children up for adoption that came back 2 or 3 years later to get their children back. That frustrated me. I couldn't imagine the heartache the children and adopted parents were going through. I decided to write a letter to the couple who were adopting my child. I let them know that this was their child I was carrying and I would not come back later and try to take him/her away from them. It was not long after I wrote that letter when Jim and Cathy decided that they wanted to meet me. I am so blessed that God allowed this to happen. On August 30, 1990, Jeremy James was born. I don't remember the date I went up to Bradenton to finalize the adoption, but on that day he officially became Jeremy James Pope. Jim and Cathy had already adopted a beautiful Asian girl named Ashley. I remember her running around flashing her sweet smile.
Jim and Cathy had kept in touch with my parents and I, sending updates yearly. I was blessed to see Ashley and Jeremy grow.
This year Jeremy will be 16 years old. When I was younger, I used to think what life would have been like had I not given Jeremy up for adoption. But then I think of Jim, Cathy and Ashley and know that I made the best decision. God had a family in mind when he put the Pope family together and it involved Jeremy.
I married Scott in 1992. I met him while I was pregnant with Jeremy. One of the wonderful things about Scott was that he never judged me for getting pregnant. He loved me for who I was. Just a year after our first wedding anniversary, our first daughter Emily was born. In 1995, Caytie was born into our family and then the boys came. 1997 Levi, 1998 Jordan, 2002, Kenaniah and 2004 Logan. We are a blessed family.
I Will Never Leave You
Originally posted on MySpace on March 31, 2006.
Last week, when watching Lost, Jin told Sun he needed her because when they fought he had no one to talk to. I felt for him. Alone on an island full of people. I forgot about that, went through my day, went to church that night and one of our elders had a word of healing. He said that the Lord wants to heal those who feel alone in a crowd. I got up for prayer for that - never thinking about the Lost episode I had watched that morning.
Scott and I watched it again (I again, him for the first time) last night and I remembered and it meant so much more to me, like that word God gave through our elder was directed at ME.
Well, this morning I am watching this week's episode. John Locke had been remembering his dad leaving him and his girlfriend, whom he proposed to and she declined, leaving him. Back to present day, John set the prisoner free to help him. The prisoner could have escaped, but stayed. John was so relieved that he hadn't left him.
I did a search on "never leave" in the Bible...
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:8 - The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Joshua 1:5 - No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
1 Kings 8:57 - May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us.
There's more "never leave"s, but I was searching for when God says He will never leave. It's my belief that when God says never, He means never. That's where my faith lies. It lies in my belief that the Bible is God's word. And His word never fails, never lies.
God loves me. He will NEVER leave me, He will NEVER forsake me. I am loved by God. I am outrageously loved.
Last week, when watching Lost, Jin told Sun he needed her because when they fought he had no one to talk to. I felt for him. Alone on an island full of people. I forgot about that, went through my day, went to church that night and one of our elders had a word of healing. He said that the Lord wants to heal those who feel alone in a crowd. I got up for prayer for that - never thinking about the Lost episode I had watched that morning.
Scott and I watched it again (I again, him for the first time) last night and I remembered and it meant so much more to me, like that word God gave through our elder was directed at ME.
Well, this morning I am watching this week's episode. John Locke had been remembering his dad leaving him and his girlfriend, whom he proposed to and she declined, leaving him. Back to present day, John set the prisoner free to help him. The prisoner could have escaped, but stayed. John was so relieved that he hadn't left him.
I did a search on "never leave" in the Bible...
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:8 - The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Joshua 1:5 - No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
1 Kings 8:57 - May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us.
There's more "never leave"s, but I was searching for when God says He will never leave. It's my belief that when God says never, He means never. That's where my faith lies. It lies in my belief that the Bible is God's word. And His word never fails, never lies.
God loves me. He will NEVER leave me, He will NEVER forsake me. I am loved by God. I am outrageously loved.
Hebrews 11:15
Hebrews 11:15
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Amplified:
If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it.
But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God--the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], for He has prepared a city for them.
--------------------------------------------
Get your mind around where God had promised you will be, not where you have left. Do not go back and visit where you came from, have faith for that which God has promised.
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Amplified:
If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it.
But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God--the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], for He has prepared a city for them.
--------------------------------------------
Get your mind around where God had promised you will be, not where you have left. Do not go back and visit where you came from, have faith for that which God has promised.
Outrageously Loved
I heard this today on an album by Jonathan Helser. The song is called, "Inheritance".
The Lord says that there is nothing that you can do
That would make Him love you more
There is also nothing you can do
That would make Him love you less
He loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
Because that is what He is like
It is His nature to love
And you will always be the beloved
And His love is unchanging
And He loves you 100%
He won’t love you any better when you become better
He loves you 100% right now
And even if you have no plans to become better
He will still love you 100%
Because he loves you
Because that’s the way that He is
And even if you don’t want to change
He will love you 100%
Even if you have no plans to walk with him
He will love you 100%
Because that’s His nature
He loves all the way – all the time
His love is unchanging
What will change, says the Lord, is your ability to receive my love
And this evening, I want to cram some more of that ability inside you
So I challenge you, says the Lord
Open your heart to Me
Open your heart to Me
And you will receive more of my love than you have ever experienced before
I dare you, says the Lord, come up
Open your heart to Me
Give me your heart
Give me whatever your obstacle is
I’ll take it. I’ll remove it out of the way
Because I love you as you are right now
I love you 100% as you are right this moment
I love you as you are
So be loved. You are the beloved
It is your job, says the Lord, to be loved outrageously
It is why I chose you
That is why I set my love upon you
That you would live as one who is outrageously loved
That you would receive a radical love
So radical that it will blow all your paradigms of what you think that love is
And know, says the Lord, that I will love you outrageously all the days of your life
Because I don’t know how to be any different
This is who I am
And this is who I will always be
This is the I Am that I promised you
I am He that loves you outrageously
And you may love Me back with the love that I give you
You may love Me back outrageously with the outrageous love that I bestow upon you
And know this says the Lord that you can only love Me as much as you love yourself
So My love comes this evening to set you free from yourself
To set you free from how you see yourself
To set you free from the smallness of your own thinking about yourself
My love comes to set you free from rejection and from shame
and low self esteem and from despair and from abuse
Because when I look at you says the Lord
I see something that I love
I see someone that I can love outrageously
And I have so much to bestow upon you
So much to give you
So many places to take you in my heart
But you can’t go there unless you allow Me to love you
And My love for you will break every barrier
bring every wall crashing down
And know this, says the Lord, My love damages fear
My love hates fear
My love will fight fear
It will fight fear in you
It will fight fear around you
And if you have fear this evening says the Lord, than know that you have a treat in store
Because My perfect love casts out fear
There is no fear where I am present
Because My love casts out fear
Beloved, you are My beloved
You are MY beloved
And in My love I want you to feel good about yourself
The Lord says that there is nothing that you can do
That would make Him love you more
There is also nothing you can do
That would make Him love you less
He loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
because he loves you because he loves you
Because that is what He is like
It is His nature to love
And you will always be the beloved
And His love is unchanging
And He loves you 100%
He won’t love you any better when you become better
He loves you 100% right now
And even if you have no plans to become better
He will still love you 100%
Because he loves you
Because that’s the way that He is
And even if you don’t want to change
He will love you 100%
Even if you have no plans to walk with him
He will love you 100%
Because that’s His nature
He loves all the way – all the time
His love is unchanging
What will change, says the Lord, is your ability to receive my love
And this evening, I want to cram some more of that ability inside you
So I challenge you, says the Lord
Open your heart to Me
Open your heart to Me
And you will receive more of my love than you have ever experienced before
I dare you, says the Lord, come up
Open your heart to Me
Give me your heart
Give me whatever your obstacle is
I’ll take it. I’ll remove it out of the way
Because I love you as you are right now
I love you 100% as you are right this moment
I love you as you are
So be loved. You are the beloved
It is your job, says the Lord, to be loved outrageously
It is why I chose you
That is why I set my love upon you
That you would live as one who is outrageously loved
That you would receive a radical love
So radical that it will blow all your paradigms of what you think that love is
And know, says the Lord, that I will love you outrageously all the days of your life
Because I don’t know how to be any different
This is who I am
And this is who I will always be
This is the I Am that I promised you
I am He that loves you outrageously
And you may love Me back with the love that I give you
You may love Me back outrageously with the outrageous love that I bestow upon you
And know this says the Lord that you can only love Me as much as you love yourself
So My love comes this evening to set you free from yourself
To set you free from how you see yourself
To set you free from the smallness of your own thinking about yourself
My love comes to set you free from rejection and from shame
and low self esteem and from despair and from abuse
Because when I look at you says the Lord
I see something that I love
I see someone that I can love outrageously
And I have so much to bestow upon you
So much to give you
So many places to take you in my heart
But you can’t go there unless you allow Me to love you
And My love for you will break every barrier
bring every wall crashing down
And know this, says the Lord, My love damages fear
My love hates fear
My love will fight fear
It will fight fear in you
It will fight fear around you
And if you have fear this evening says the Lord, than know that you have a treat in store
Because My perfect love casts out fear
There is no fear where I am present
Because My love casts out fear
Beloved, you are My beloved
You are MY beloved
And in My love I want you to feel good about yourself
Sound of Silence
Heard Simon and Garfunkel's song, Sound of Silence this morning:
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left it’s seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
’neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of
A neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one deared
Disturb the sound of silence.
Fools said i,you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you.
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon God they made.
And the sign flashed out it’s warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the signs said, the words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls.
And whisper’d in the sounds of silence.
Reminded me of when I was 18 and pregnant. I immersed myself in this song. It's amazing to look back at that time. I was so depressed and thought that the world was crashing down around me. Fast forward 17 years and I look at what we've gone through and almost laugh at myself for feeling so scared and lost and alone. If only I had known what would transpire in the years ahead. Well, I guess it's good I didn't know. But God is good and he works all things for good in the lives of those who love Him.
Jeremy, I do not regret the decision I made to give you up for adoption. Your parents are wonderful people and you and Ashley are great kids. God bless you and I love you.
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left it’s seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
’neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of
A neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one deared
Disturb the sound of silence.
Fools said i,you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you.
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon God they made.
And the sign flashed out it’s warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the signs said, the words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls.
And whisper’d in the sounds of silence.
Reminded me of when I was 18 and pregnant. I immersed myself in this song. It's amazing to look back at that time. I was so depressed and thought that the world was crashing down around me. Fast forward 17 years and I look at what we've gone through and almost laugh at myself for feeling so scared and lost and alone. If only I had known what would transpire in the years ahead. Well, I guess it's good I didn't know. But God is good and he works all things for good in the lives of those who love Him.
Jeremy, I do not regret the decision I made to give you up for adoption. Your parents are wonderful people and you and Ashley are great kids. God bless you and I love you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
