Thankful month! Day #1

Though ever day should be thankful day, I do think it is good to voice our thankfulness and say what we are thankful for. So this month I am posting what I am thankful for.
I know I am behind, so be patient with me as I catch up!

#1 thing I am thankful for is GOD.

I know He is taboo to talk about but I cannot keep my mouth shut. My GOD is amazing! He is my Rock (Psalm 62:7), my Comforter (Isaiah 61:2; Psalm 86:17), my Shield (Psalms 5:11-12), my Shepherd (Psalm 18:1-2; Psalm 23), my Strength (Psalm 18:1-2; Philippians 4:12-13), my Light and Salvation (Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 27:1) , my Resurrection and Eternal Life (John 11:25-26), my Victory (1 John 5:4), my Refuge (Psalm 9:9-10), and my Friend (John 15:5).

He has changed my life! He gives me hope and peace in the midst of the roaring storms I have, do, and will face. He will never forsake or leave me (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). He has written me on the palm of His hand (Book of Isaiah 49:16) and there I am safe and nothing can separate us (John 10:27-30; Romans 8:38-39). He is mine and I am His (Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 62:1-12). Forever and Always I will be His! Thank you LORD!!

helping loving hand or demeaning pointing finger? Which one will you give?

                            
             Saw a video tonight that touched my heart. I hope it touches yours too.

    

         These girls and women need us; they need a helping loving hand
not a demeaning pointing finger?       
                                             Which one will you give?

Completely Amazing isn't it!!!

Someone told me their plan of salvation yesterday: she gave a list of what that I needed to do and have to spend eternity in what she called heaven. It doesn't matter what her list was, because many people have their own list; but we need not others opinion on what God wants and what they think we need to let us into the pearly gates. We need to know what God wants.

In the Bible the plan of salvation (plan to get to heaven and be with Him) is clear.

#1- We need to realize that we are sinners in need of a Savior and realize we don't deserve nothing but hell and that we cannot do anything earn it. (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9 ) For a cancer patient does not realize they need a cure until they realize they have a disease. Same with a person does not realize that they need a savior until they see themselves as a sinner.

#2- Repent (not just be sorry but to TURN away from sin) and Believe (Jesus is who He said He is and the Gospel =good news) (John 14:16, John 4: 13 & 21-24, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, Mark 1:15, 1Cor 15:1-4, Romans 4:25-5:2, Romans 10:9-11 &13, 1 John 1:3-4, Acts 4:12, Galatians 3:26)

Take the song Amazing Grace 2nd verse:
 
"T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed."

                            John Newton (1725-1807) was a slave trader and owned a slave boat that transported thousands of slaves, he wrote this song, Amazing Grace. In the second verse he shows that he learned that NOTHING but the GRACE of GOD could save him and he could NOT earn the GRACE of GOD, the second line of the second verse shows that he realized that only Grace can release his fears of Hell. Oh how precious it is when we realize that we cannot earn God's love for He loved us first (Romans 5:8), that we cannot earn God's grace (Ephesians 2:8), for it is for His glory for no one can boast. Once you are adopted into God's family then you are His, for He will never leave you more forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). This is why it is called, Amazing Grace my friend. Completely Amazing, isn't it?!!
                                            

  Praying for your chains to be gone.

Radical Jesus

                      Watched a video today on Persecuted Christians in North Korea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-yoQwdRAHQ), when people are being beaten, imprisoned, tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus. Yet, we in the western world are afraid if someone calls us a name or DE-friend us on facebook. Do we really believe in Jesus, or do we just like the idea of Him? I said, one time to a real good Christian friend of mine who is a straight shooter, "I would die for Jesus". She said I wondered that a lot about us American Christians, "Why would be willing to die for Him if we are not willing to live for Him?" Really, got me to thinking, am I really living for Him? Am I scared to tell others about Him and the gospel? Lord, help me to be bold in my faith. Help me to stand up for your truth. Help me follow the Radical Jesus.


                       There are so many who are taking the stand and following Christ with their lives and even some with their lives. Lord, help me follow you.

Check out persecution.com and sign up for free newsletter and book, these have changed my life forever!

Divine Appointment

          Yesterday I got to speak with a sweet young lady who asked me some questions and made many of the same statements word for word that I said 10 years ago. It was amazing conversation and so glad that I was there. It was a divine appointment; I truly feel that God set it all up and I was truly blessed by it. I thought I would share some links to what I shared with her and others.

          The first link is pro life physicians addresses many of the so called reasons to have abortion legal, all that I stated as my reasons 10 years ago. (In case of rape, in case of the health of the mother...)  http://www.prolifephysicians.org/rarecases.htm

           The second link is Maafa 21 - the history and modern black genocide in the 21st Century and yes it is happening today. http://www.maafa21.com/ check out the full length film for free on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02t3Wqg-4Iw

            The third link is a documentary of university students who are asked questions about the Holocaust and Hitler and then comparing it with abortion. It is amazing how many people did not know what the Holocaust was or who Hitler was. One stating, "Didn't he have a little mustache?", but did not know much more about him. This short 33 min. long that will rock your world. http://180movie.com/

           The fourth link is two websites that women and others have gone to show support and encouragement to those who have had an abortion(s). http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/ http://www.surrenderingthesecret.com/#!prettyPhoto

            I challenge you to read, watch, and think about these questions and statements; it isn't just about your life but others. It's isn't just about a baby in the womb but the mother who is carrying their unborn child, who has to live with that decision for the rest of her life. So many women have told me, "I wish I would of known what I know now".

            I am so glad that someone who loved me enough, even though I was a staunch and angry pro-choicer, to kindly ask me questions, "Do you know the development of the baby in the womb?" "Do you know the different types procedures of the abortions and what time of development they are done at?" I did not know the answers to these questions; he kindly asked me, "Shouldn't you know what you are supporting before you support it or turn a blind eye to the issue?" I was amazed that me, who is always speaking about how we should be educated on our decisions and views; that I was not educated in my views. I took his challenge and it has changed my life. Now I challenge you to fully educate yourself, and truly think about what your supporting and why. For I truly believe that you will moved to not only change your own views, but be moved to help lovingly move others to educate themselves and change their lives.

          

"...and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
- John 8:32

It's not about being perfect, it's about being a better you.

        A lot has been going on in our lives, finally unpacking the last few boxes from our most recent move in the end of May. Yes, it's been almost 3 months but hey, I think that's a major accomplishment now that I really think about it. We have had a whole lot going on: having finals for school, me filling out financial aid for next year, finishing unpacking, organizing paper work, getting house ready and filling out paper work for home study for us to adopt. Let's just say I have been more than a little overwhelmed with it all. This morning, well, let's just say that I learned that some times you just need a friend to help you walk through the simple things to jump back into the groove. That is just what I had today. Thanks to my friend, Carla.

           I have been looking for paper work to fill out paper work for school and been looking for weeks now and was about to my last wit; one of my best friends, Carla, came over and helped me go through a ton of stacks of paper work to find two pieces of paper. It was Ridiculous! I have been working on becoming more organized in the last few years and little by little I am getting there but, today, I decided this has to get done and fast or I am going to go insane! I remember sitting there this morning and thinking I could sit here all day - for the rest of my life and beat my self up that I could not find those 2 pieces of paper and that I have had a mess or I can thank the Lord and Carla for helping me find it without me going crazy and move on. After finding the paper, finishing the paper work, I finally realized that I need to get over myself. I need to stop beating my self up for all the mistakes I have ever made. I need to quit thinking of the negative I have done and stop thinking about all the negative consequences those bad decisions can bring, but, thank God for all the blessings I have, the loved ones He has sent me, the lessons I have learned from those mistakes, and for the mercy and grace He has given me.

          I think a lot of time people dwell on their past, rather than focus on the present and look forward to the future. I know I am guilty of that one all the time. I realize now, that yes, I had boxes that had not been unpacked, paper work thrown in boxes during move, and being behind in my tasks. I realize now that I am more organized than I have ever been and I am becoming more and more organized as time goes by. I realized today that I am too hard on my self. If my loved one was struggling and beating themselves up like I do, I would be telling them they are being ridiculous. I do not hold any one to the standard I expect of myself. Why do I expect myself to have it all together when I do not expect everyone else to? Now there is nothing wrong with high expectations or being very organized, but it is ridiculous to beat yourself up for your mistakes. Realize that you made a mistake, say your sorry, get off your duff, make a change and move forward. Some times you need to give yourself a kick in the pants, a pep-talk, a pat on the back, a high-five (haha! that one looks a little funny, but it's all good!).

         It's not about being perfect, it's about being a better you. There is only one perfect man, Jesus. He knows we are not perfect (no one is good, not even one - Romans 3:10-12) and yet He loves us anyways (Romans 5:8). I want to be a better me; I want to be like Him. Each day striving forward to learning to learn from our mistakes and move forward. Carla showed me this sign tonight and I love it and want one, "HUMAN KIND, BE BOTH".   I see this quote as meaning be real and be kind. A wise man once told me, there are 3 things that we need to love life, "Love God, Love what God loves, and Love yourself because God loves you". I was reminded by this today. God sees us as we are, and knows us better than we know ourselves (Psalm 139) and yet He loves me anyways (Jeremiah 31:3). I am special to Him (Psalm 17:8), He calls my name (Isaiah 43:1) and draws me close (James 4:8). He wants me to be real and He wants me to be kind. This totally reminds me of one of my favorite quotes,  that I want you to remember too,

                        “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”
                      ― Ailileen Clark (Kathryn Stockett, The Help).

          Remember that I love you and so does God!! Big hugs to you from me. XOXOXO

Stepping out...

It is amazing when you have confirmation at what you are to do with your life. It seems like everything just flows and the excitement is so amazing! I feel like I am on cloud nine! Nothing surpasses the feeling when you help someone else and see the smile on their face. Nothing else matters at that time, except that I was able to help someone else. Not that there will not be other things I will do in my life, I have many roles and goals though my main goal and main role is all wrapped up in one: it is to help others. Amazed at what I have experienced and the great people I have met and it so cool to see things all coming together. Though we have to step out in faith even though we do not know future or the full plan.

            I think a lot of the time we dwell on what we do not have or where we are or what our circumstances are instead of realizing that we are exactly where we are suppose to be. I am a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason; that does not mean I always like what happens but that I know that everything has a purpose (Romans 8:28). Surely helps me endure difficult situations or difficult people. Knowing that I have a lesson to learn from each situation, each person, and this truly makes me grateful for each and every thing.

           So grateful to those who support me and also those who don't. Because I have learned that we do not do what we do because we want everyone to agree or support us, because we will never get that. You have to do what is right no matter who supports or agrees with you. If you are doing it because it is right not to get a reward or be accepted. My wise friend said to me, "Your reward for doing what is right is that you did what was right. You're reward might show up today, tomorrow or even in this life but it will come." Truly wise words to remember. Character is built when you do what is right even it not accepted.(Hebrews 6:11-12)

             Learning to do what you are called to do is so empowering and overwhelming at the same time. A good friend told me tonight, "If you are fearful that is good, you are stepping out of your box and you are growing. Don't let fear hold your steps back." So true!

            Having faith in God's plan even though I do not know God's plan. Trusting Him and His word. (Hebrews 12:2) So excited!

                                      *step*