Category Archives: Christian

I’ve Changed My Mind…

Standard

Again…

Yes, I have!

Many times over the  years!!

Like the time when, newly married in our first apartment in NJ, we bought a pine roll-top desk…

Had it stained a dark walnut…

Used it and loved it!

Then, some of my friends took me to an antique auction, and I saw my first antique oak roll top desk…

An “Ah-ha” moment, for sure…

I definitely changed my mind!

And fell in love with something new!

Or, when we moved to FL…

And finally got to buy furniture we loved…

Instead of family hand-me-downs…

We bought a master bedroom suite…

Loved it…

Then I saw on HGTV that “matchy, matchy” wasn’t IN anymore…

Uh-Oh!

Here we go again…

I’m not an overly fickle person, I only buy things I really, really, love…

So when we got to choose stuff for our house in FL…

I chose colors, textures, and patterns that I could love for a long time…

Like curtains, carpets, room colors, tile, light fixtures, pool tiles, lanai screen, etc.

I don’t want to keep changing my mind!!

It’s frustrating…

Well, we have a God that loves us!

Always!

God never changes His mind about us…ever!

He loved us yesterday…

He loves us today…

And, He’ll love us tomorrow!!

He’s not fickle at all!!

It keeps our  life and our heart so peaceful…

Have you changed your mind lately?

If you don’t know Jesus…

That’s the only change you need to make!

Change your mind and accept Him…

And then He’ll show you…

That He’ll never change His mind about you…

He’ll never want something new…

No “Ah-ha” moments…

No “Uh-Oh!”

Or, falling in love with something else…

He created you…

He loves you!!

That’s final!

No game change…

He will never change His mind about that!

Ahhhhh….peace!

How And When Did You Meet Jesus???

Standard

This is your post today!!

Your Comments will tell the story and witness to others…go for it!!

Was it anything like this???

Listen to “When Mercy Found Me”

by Rhett Walker Band

Here are the lyrics:

“Something had to give, something had to give…

‘Cause living my life so wild and free, finally caught up…

Oh, it left me broken, left me hopeless…

But that’s where I met Jesus…

In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…
All those days, all those doubts…
They don’t seem to matter now…
His Grace is all I need…
And the chains that I was in before…
They don’t hold me anymore…
His love has rescued me…
His love has set me free…
In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…
My mind found peace…
My soul found hope…
My heart found a home…
In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…”
Yes, it felt exactly like this!!  Amen!

Lest I forget…

Standard

This song’s for me today….and maybe for you, too!

Listen to “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray

Here are the lyrics:

“When I lose my way, and I forget my name…
Remind me who I am
In the mirror all I see, is who I don’t wanna be…
Remind me who I am...
In the loneliest places, when I can’t remember what grace is…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You…
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You
When my heart is like a stone, and I’m running far from home…
Remind me who I am
When I can’t receive Your love, afraid I’ll never be enough…
Remind me who I am
If I’m Your beloved, can You help me believe it…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You…
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You
I’m the one you love, I’m the one you love…
That will be enough, I’m the one you love…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You...
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You…

Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You!”

How can we forget so easily????

Love Came Down…

Standard

We love you!

Your birth was the greatest moment in our lives!

We wouldn’t have ever wanted to miss this experience in life!

We’re so happy!

We’re glad we never gave up…

That we had faith that God would give us a miracle!

Before you were born, after we’d set up your crib in our guest room, we’d say, “Hey, there’s a crib in there!”

We weren’t used to it.

It was just the two of us for so long.

But, we were ready!

Afterwards, when you had to stay in the hospital a while longer, we’d say, “Where is our baby?”

We’d see your empty crib…and long to have you finally come home!

Why did you come into this world so early?

I guess you saw us setting up your room and decided it was time.

At least we know you’re all right!

We saw your heartbeat at five weeks.  I had some surgery at 13 weeks and ultrasounds all along the way.

We found out you were a boy, and had a fetal echocardiogram at 20 weeks.  You’re fine!

This pregnancy was the best experience for us!

We worried and prayed and it was hard work, but it was all worth it in the end.

We’ve waited 10 years for you!  We prayed every night for Jesus to give us a precious baby.  We went to many doctors and hospital appointments, and you were worth every effort.

Our IVF egg retrieval procedure was on Valentine’s Day!  The nurses brought me a cupcake after dinner with a plastic Valentine heart on it…I still have it!

The transfer was done on Feb. 16th, and I had to lay on the table for three hours.

Then I had to rest for 13 days before a blood test was done,  and then wait for the results.  I took a lot of days off from work that year!  Grandma and Grandma were cautiously happy, as was everyone else who was waiting anxiously for the news with us.

We were told to call the Fertility Center at University Hospital to get the results of our pregnancy test.  But, there had been a fire, and the computers were down, so we couldn’t get the results ’til the next morning…it was very hard to wait.

When we got the news that the pregnancy test was positive, both Daddy & I cried…we were so thankful…it must have been the love connection with Valentine’s Day, we thought!  Ha!

At our big BBQ, before you were born, friends came from Wisconsin, and other friends from work,  & one friend said, “You’re fat & your feet are so swollen.”  Though everyone else thought I looked great…maybe he knew you were coming early.

I had tried to keep to the Diet Center diet as much as I could (since I had just lost 30 lbs. the year before).  But I gained 10 of those back because of the Pergonal fertility drug I had to take.

We decided on your name early, and called you that as soon as we knew you were a boy!

My water broke and you were born 9 weeks early, at 3 lbs.-4 oz., but perfect in every way!

You were so tiny, all of your five little tooth-pick sized fingers fit inside Daddy’s wedding band!

We were expecting a miracle & got one!  Amen!

Daddy, Mommy, & Baby makes three!  Yipee!

We didn’t know you were coming so soon, so Daddy had to go back and forth from the hospital to home to get everything we needed.

He’ll be a great Daddy…

We sent out announcements, “He’s here and he’s all ours!!

When I came home, you had to stay in the neonatal ward for about 6 more weeks.  Everyone called and brought presents .  Daddy, or friends and family, took me every day to see you at the hospital, since I wasn’t allowed to drive for a while.

You were so precious…you tried to open your eyes when you heard our voices.  You could hold onto our fingers, and  you loved for us to touch your “toesies.”   Dad and I called the hospital about you every day.

Then, one day, the neonatal nurses (who are real angels!), let me take you out of the incubator to fed you through a tube, and then change your diaper.  We bought you a wind-up musical  toy that played “Lullaby,” and also put a picture of us in your incubator.  You loved to be rocked and patted.  Dad said he went to see you one night after work, and you turned over to look at him!  You were born with a lot of dark hair and looked like my Dad & my cousin Tommy.

We have a lot of photos of your birth, so we can look back and remember how ecstatic we were at that moment of your birth.

We cried…

I don’t think we believed we would ever really have you until that exact moment!

People who saw you as a preemie, later told us you looked like an alien…Thank God they didn’t tell us that at the time!  Ha!

We thought you were beautiful.

Love came down…

And embraced our lives…

The moment God gave us this miracle, this gift, this answer to our prayers of 10 years.

A healthy, happy baby…

We pray every day for Jesus to keep you healthy and  happy…and close to His heart.

We love you so much.

And did from the very moment of your conception.

We pray you’ll always loves us and God.

We’ll try to be the best parents for you,  and always tell you how very loved you are!

The peaceful, calm feeling you created in me will last forever!

We love you!  Mom and Dad

Do you think God felt this way about the birth of His Son?

I think He did!

Isaiah 9:6 NIV   “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given…”

Song Lyrics For The Church…

Standard

Listen to “Jesus, Friend Of Sinners” by Casting Crowns

It teaches the Church a powerful message…

Here are the lyrics…

“Jesus, Friend of sinners…

We have strayed so far away…
We cut down people in your name…

But the sword was never ours to swing…

Jesus, Friend of sinners the truth’s become so hard to see…
The world is on their way to You…

But they’re tripping over me…
Always looking around, but never looking up…

I’m so double minded…
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided…

Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners…
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers…
Let our hearts be led by mercy…
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours…

Jesus, Friend of sinners the one who’s writing in the sand…
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands…
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves…
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees…

Nobody knows what we’re for, only what we’re against…

When we judge the wounded…
What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines…

And love like You did…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners …
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers…
Let our hearts be led by mercy…
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours…

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast…
For the leper and the lame; they’re the reason that You came…
Lord, I was that lost cause…

And I was the outcast…

But you died for sinners just like me…

A grateful leper at Your feet…

‘Cause You are good, You are good…

And Your love endures forever…
You are good, You are good…

And Your love endures forever…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners…
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers…
Let our hearts be led by mercy…
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks Yours…

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast…

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet…”

Amen and Amen!!

I have nothing to add…

Except to pray that we the Church listen…

Dear Family, Why I Write…

Standard

In an Italian family it’s a way of talking without being constantly interrupted!  Ha!

These photos were taken at my Mom’s 90th Birthday Celebration!!

I miss her now that she’s celebrating all her days in Heaven with Jesus…

I love my BIG, crazy Italian Family…

Everyone should have one…

Adopt one if necessary!

Me, Mom, and my Sister…

My Son, my younger Brother, and his Wife…

My Husband and my Cousin’s Husband (who’s from Oklahoma, and he says we say, “SAAAAAUCE!”)

Everyone’s talking and taking photos of each other…at the same time!

Family photo, but my older Brother couldn’t make the trip to FL 😦

My Mom and her precious Grandson!

Family photo with my dear Cousin (My super prayer partner!)

Our family’s really close, we all grew up going to church together…

My Mom loved to talk!!!!

Ha!

Everyone does in our family!

We miss you, Mommy!

I Eat Meat!

Standard

Nothing against vegetarians!!

I’m talking about spiritually…

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,

So that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”  I Peter 2:2  NIV

Milk is for baby Christians…

Grow up…

Eat meat!

“For when…you ought to be teachers,

You have need that one teach you again…;

And…have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”  KJV

Crave strong meat, not just milk…

Pick up your Bible!

God’s Holy Word…

God’s instructions on how to live a victorious Christian life…

An abundant life!

Open it and devour it!

The Bible teaches us to Believe…

Feed your Belief!

We’re told to increase our Faith…

Feed your Faith, so it will grow!

Start with the book of John in the New Testament to learn about the Word made flesh…

Jesus!

Pray for understanding as you read…

Let the Holy Spirit talk to you…

I’m attending a DVD/Bible study right now by Robert Morris, based on his book The God I Never Knew.

He says, “To many people the Holy Spirit is mysterious, confounding—even controversial.”

As the senior pastor of Gateway Church in Dallas, Texas, Robert Morris reveals a common-sense approach to the Holy Spirit.

He explains, “The Holy Spirit doesn’t need to be feared and isn’t a weird element of the trinity…

The Holy Spirit is a person who thinks, feels and has desires, and is present to help each person live the Christian life.

Perhaps its time for you to meet the God you’ve had misconceptions about…

The one you’ve feared..

Or the one you never knew!”

I’ve never been more excited about a Bible study message before!!

I believe it should be shouted from the roof tops!!

I love learning more and more about the Holy Spirit…

And how He operates in our lives…

You can also read these Christian books:

John Bevere:  The Bait Of Satan.

This is my all-time favorite Christian book…it’s about how we should not take offense at everything that happens in our lives!

Because that’s what the enemy uses to try to defeat us…

It’s the bait he uses!

To hook us!

A must read for every Christian, for sure!!

His other books are great, too!  Heart Ablaze, Relentless, Extraordinary, and more…

Pastor Reza Soffa:  Blessings In The Light Of Our Redemption, and more…

Joseph Prince:  Destined To Reign, Unmerited Favor, and more..

T.D. Jakes: Reposition Yourself, Woman Thou Art Loosed, and more…

Reinhard Bonnke:  Evangelism By Fire, Taking Action, and more…

Joyce Meyer:  Battlefield Of The Mind, Never Give Up! and more…

Joel Osteen:  Your Best Life Now, Every Day A Friday, Become A Better You, and more…

Rick Warren:  The Purpose Driven Life, The Purpose Driven Church,

Max Lucado:

He is my all-time favorite Christian writer…I could read his books forever, since…

Because of his God-given gift of writing, I can picture in my mind everything he’s saying!  His writing is awesome!

Read his other books, also…Facing your Giants, It’s Not About Me, He Choose The Nails, Cure For The Common Life, and more…

Also read anything by Billy Graham, Charles Stanley, Tony Dungy, John Eldredge, Tim LaHaye, Beth Moore,  Stormie Omartian, Lee Strobel,  Philip Yancey, Bill Hybels.  There are so many anointed Christian writers, pastors, and speakers!

Go ahead…read them!

And go where you can (to church, Bible studies, conferences, conventions, camps, etc.) to…

Learn…

To Dig Deep!!

To find that morsel of meat in the Word to nourish your spirit…

Something that tastes so good to your spiritual taste buds…

Take notes…

Read the Scriptures again at home…

Pray…

Pray for your pastor, your speaker, your Bible teacher…

That God will fill them with wisdom and understanding…

To teach you God’s Word with a fresh anointing each time you hear them speak…

A baby must be fed…

A mature Christian needs to find what sustains the spirit-man…

Listen to God when He speaks…

Listen to worship music that lifts up your soul…

And praises your God!

Put contemporary Christian tunes on your iPod…

Download them onto your computer…

Play them when you’re walking your dog…

Or driving in your car…

Keep a prayer constantly on your lips…

And a song in your heart…

Some of my favorite contemporary Christian artists are:

Casting Crowns, tobymac, Francesca Battistelli, Laura Story, Skillet, Newsboys, Mandisa, Jamie Grace, Britt Nicole, Steven Curtis Chapman, Anthem Lights, MercyMe, Eddie James, and so many, many more…

Are you hungry, yet?

Hungry for more of the Lord?

Hungry for meat?

Sit down to a bountiful feast with the Lord…

When you’re blessed with meat, be grateful to God…

Because He is the only One who satisfies us with a full meal!

John 3:16

Standard

The words of this verse occur in Jerusalem,

With Jesus talking with Nicodemus, a member of the ruling council, or Sanhedrin.

He comes to talk with Jesus in the dark of night.

He calls Jesus, Rabbi,

Since Jesus’ miracles have convinced Nicodemus that Jesus is sent from God.

In reply, Jesus answered,

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God…

Unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Flesh gives birth to flesh,

But the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”   John 3:5, 6

John 3:16

Builds upon Jesus’ lesson to Nicodemus:

That belief in Jesus is necessary for eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,

That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  NIV

For God…

Creator of the Universe, Gracious Heavenly Father…

So loved…

With an everlasting LOVE!  Amen!

The world…

Everyone, You included!

Right here, right Now!

No matter what your situation…

How you look…

How you feel…

What you think about yourself…

Or what others say about you…

That He gave…

That which was needed to save us!

Freely without expecting anything in return!

His one and only Son…

Would you be able to do that…I wouldn’t!

I couldn’t!

That whoever…

Even the folks we think aren’t deserving of it!

Believes in Him…

Please, don’t add anything to this!

Not for yourself, and not for anyone else, either!

Nothing else is necessary…

Not even, “How much of the Bible do you know and have memorized?”

Only simple Faith…

And belief in Jesus!

Shall not perish…

Die and go to Hell!

But have eternal life…

With Jesus forever in Heaven!

No wonder people hold up signs, wear crazy rainbow wigs, and try to get on camera at Golf Tournaments, and such!!

It’s a great message!

It’s God’s message for You!

How They Have Ministered To Me…

Standard

Our Drama Team is my passion from God!!

Sometimes, I can’t even express…

How much of a blessing they are to me!

Here’s an English essay written by one of our newest Drama Team members, about practice at our church’s Warehouse…

He said,

“On Friday nights…

You won’t find me at home, but instead, at a Warehouse…

This isn’t any old, smelly Warehouse, but one filled with love, joy, and, of course, delicious snacks!

Every Friday night our Drama Team meets at this Warehouse…

This Drama Team is a church ministry, led by several dedicated leaders, including two teachers at my Christian school.

Along with drama, Improv is another thing we do that fills the Warehouse with laughter!

But, drama is not all fun and games.

It’s exercise and hard work…

But I’m enjoying it!

Drama Team practice provides me with Christian friends and fellowship.

It’s pleasing to God, because we minister to others, and praise Him at the same time.

Arrive early, so you can socialize!!

As soon as drama begins, a song is selected and played, which will start worship time.

Worship time is “God’s Time…”

It’s when we go to a spot of our choice, in the Warehouse, and individually praise God during the song.

Usually this is a tranquil time, depending on who gets to choose the song, and what type of song is selected!

After the song ends, we all get in a circle, and pray for prayer requests…

And we thank God for praise reports!

When we’re finished, we begin practicing for our human video drama.

In this type of drama, a person or group of people, performs silently to a song, and acts out the words with motions.

We need patience in order to learn the motions, because our leaders usually revise them, and revise them!

During practice it is important that we don’t disrupt our leaders.

In addition to these weekly practices, the last Friday of every month, also includes Improv…

Improv is spontaneous, unscripted acting…usually comedic.

I like this drama ministry for several reasons:

I find enjoyment by acting out the words of the song using motions, and I’m getting good exercise… 

I love meeting with other Christian friends…

Whether they’re home schooled, or from private and public schools.

           This drama ministry is pleasing to God…

And He led me to this drama team to minister to others.

We encourage believers and unbelievers, when we minister in our communities…

God’s pleased when I spend time with other Christians…

And when we praise Him during our community outreaches…

So, if you’re bored on Friday nights, come and meet us, and God, at The Warehouse!!

And while you’re there…

Meet our dedicated leaders…

Participate in drama and Improv…

Get lots of exercise…

Enjoyment…

And a chance to visit with other Christians!

Also, be prepared to minister and praise God.”

I love this, don’t you???

I’m blessed, right?

After looking back on all my years…

I know the Lord has given me the ability to see God-given potential in everyone!

I always find something I love about every person…

And I care enough to “water” (encourage) those beautiful “seeds” with love, to watch them grow for the Lord!

I treat all people (kids, teens, young adults…whoever) as if they’re sitting right next to me in a pew at church…

And I ask myself, “How would I treat them, there?”

Well, of course, I would treat them as Jesus would…

With love and compassion!

I believe visitors in church, may have come in with a crisis…

And need to be “loved on,” not judged!

I believe people in this world just don’t know yet who to turn to, with their crisis.

So we can’t respond to them with judgement…

We were in that same place once, also!

I can’t stressed that enough…

We were ALL there, too!!

We’re not better!!

We’ve been there…Done that!

And then, Jesus picked us up!

I know I’m the one God is sending, at the exact moment I meet them, to point the “Way” to Jesus!!

And many times…

Without even saying a word!!

So whether I’m teaching, writing, ministering, directing our Drama Team, working with little children, spending time with the elderly, praying for prayer requests, loving on family and friends…

It’s all about “Shining

So they can see Jesus!!

I’m confident in Him!!

That the “seeds” He plants will grow and blossom!!

You can be, too!

Bless someone to be blessed!

Go ahead…love on someone TODAY!

Make their Day!

Good Morning, Super-Size Me!

Standard

Stop!  Listen to Mandisa’s “Good Morning”

Good Morning, God!

Help!

I pray this simple prayer today…

Are you there?

“Yes…”

I have Super-Sized dreams…

I need a Super-Sized God…

I need Super-Sized blessings…

I want a Super-Sized anointing to do Your work…

Super-Increase my influence for you…

I love you  Lord, give me a Super-Sized life in You!!

Amen!

“Done!!

Use My finger to write your life…your Super-Sized life!

If you’re searching for me…I’m right here…

For now and into eternity…

Your Super-Sized dreams are doable…easy for Me!

Your blessings will be Super-Sized…and your favor with others, also!

The anointing on You will be Super-Sized…and I’ll give you wisdom and understanding, too!

I’d be happy to Super-Increase your influence for Me…

Here Are My Words…”

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.  And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.  Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.  Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.  Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl… “ Deuteronomy 28:1-68   (ESV)

 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”  Ephesians 3:20   (ESV)

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”  Psalm 23:5   (ESV)

Thank you, Lord…now, is there anything I can do for you?

“Yes!

Go!

Into all the world…

And have a Great Morning!”