Category Archives: Faith To Move Mountains!

“Oh, By The Way…Do We Have Any Gauze?!?”

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That’s how our son greeted us on Tuesday evening…

After walking through the door…

Dropping down his bag…

And saying to our “Crazy Siberian…”

“Oh, please don’t jump on me!!”

Hey!

What’s going on???

He knows our “Precious Little Girl”

Jumps up on everybody who walks through our door…

Especially up on him…

Since he’s been away for five days!!

Also…

What’s with the “gauze” question???

Well…

Crazy story here…

Seems that he and his three friends…

While at the Dragon Conference in Atlanta, Georgia…

–Comic Book/Gaming, etc.–

Saw William Shatner (Captain Kirk) from Star Trek,

Billy Dee Williams (Lando) from Star Wars,

And John Glover from Smallville…

And purchased several fine prop swords…

For a great discount (I learned later…)

Two remarkable swords for only $50.00!

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The third young man went ahead…

And purchased his own REAL fighting sword…

So now three young men…

Out of the four…

Have beautiful, long, shiny swords…

Two quite sharp and real-looking…

And the third sword the real thing!

In one hotel room!

To what???

Play with???

To swing and pretend..

You’re a Ninja Warrior!!

Well, let’s just say…

Because I’m sure we don’t know all the details…

Ha!

The sword of the Friendly Ninja Warrior…

With the prop sword…

Punctured the buttocks of our equally friendly Warrior-Son!!

As I hear it…

And again, I’m sure that in the telling…

We don’t know…

And will never know…

All the gory details…

But…

(Pun intended!  Ha!)

Blood was gushing…

Pain was felt…

Apologies were accepted…

Bandages and Neosporin were purchased…

And friends rallied to…

Help take care of their wounded Warrior friend!

Bleeding stopped…

Pain subsided…

No reason to stop a perfectly good trip…

Or tell the parents…

Who would have insisted…

On a trip to the ER…

For the gaping hole…

Where the sword went in!!

No!

The wound was kept clean…

Bandages were changed…

And the fun continued…

At the Conference…

And the next day at Six Flags!

Mom and Dad called…

To wish their 23 year-old Boy

Man

Now Warrior!

A Happy, Happy Birthday!!

And by then the Warriors had conquered this slight glitch…

And reported that all was well!!

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It brought back memories of my parents never knowing EVERYTHING either!

PLUS: 

Did I tell you in any other posts…

That this kid is blessed???

I was at home praying:

“Dear Lord,

Please put a hedge of protection

Around him…

Wherever he is…

Whoever he’s with…

Whatever he’s doing!”

God’s good, huh?!?!

The kid could have been punctured by the other sword…

The real one…

Or, he could have punctured something other than the backside, fleshy area!!

So I took him to the ER…

On Tuesday night…

So he could get those…

Sterile tape things…

To hold the edges of the wound together…

An antibiotic…

A tetanus shot…

And have a nice conversation with him…

About how blessed he is…

Ha!

To have a God-trusting Mom like me!!

About how MY mother would have freaked out about this…

Since she was shocked at everything…

And how my grandma would have been screaming in Italian…

“O, Mio Dio!”

So he’s getting off easy! 

Ha!

Since, I thought of it as a good blog post!

He thought of it as a good story to tell his kids someday!

And it reminded me that my younger brother…

Was a hazard to my health, too…

As we were growing up!

Once when we were playing with a pretty good-sized wire spring…

It somehow landed in my eyelid…

Grandma was watching us that day…

Hence, the “O Mio Dio” screams!

And once when we had about 6′ of  snow fall in NJ…

With snow drifts up to the windows!

Or, so it seemed to me…

And everything was at a stand-still!

Schools were closed…

No vehicles could get through…

We all went out to shovel snow…

And that same little brother took that shovel to pick up some snow…

And it landed right in the left side of my lip!!!

Emergency police in a jeep had to come get me…

To bring me to the hospital for stitches!

With four kids…

These are only two reasons why my Mom just stayed shocked…

All the time…

While we were growing up!

Thank God…

We all made it to adulthood!!

Who says, it’s dull around here?!?!

Sometimes…

Our prayers are needed just to protect ourselves…

from ourselves!!

Don’t ever apologize…

for being highly blessed by God!

Since that means that…

We Believe…

  Jesus is watching over us at all times!!

He is!!

Thank you, Jesus!!!

Mark 9:22

“Everything is possible

for one who believes.”

(photo of Casey’s sword)

I have to believe

He sees my darkness

He knows my pain

I have to lift up

My hands to worship

Worship His Name

I have to declare

He is my refuge

I have to deny… 

I am alone

I have to lift up…

My eyes to the mountains

Where my help comes from

He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

Oh, I have to stand tall

When the wind blows me over

I have to stand strong

When I’m weak and afraid

I have to grab hold

Of the garments of praise

I know, that I know, that I know

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains…

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to sing praise

When the hour is midnight

He unlocks these chains

That bind up my soul

My sin and my shame

He has forgiven and made me whole

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to believe

He’s got everything under control

I have to believe

Lord, I believe

Help my unbelief

I have to believe in You

I have to believe!

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Mark 11:23-24

“Truly I tell you,

if anyone says to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and does not doubt in their heart

but believes that what they say will happen,

it will be done for them.

Therefore I tell you,

whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours.”

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John 11:40

“Then Jesus said,

Did I not tell you that if you believe,

you will see the glory of God?’”

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Mark 9:24

 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed,

‘I do believe;

help me overcome my unbelief!'” 

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Mark 5:36

“…Jesus told him,

Don’t be afraid;

just believe.’”

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Yes, Lord…

I do believe You’re in control of our lives!

Amen!!

“I Am Willing…Let It Be Done As You Believed It Would!”

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Are you believing for something right now???

We are!

Jesus is willing!!!!!

Ask!

Believe!

Have Faith!

Jesus is reaching out His Hand!

Expect To Receive!

Amen!

Matthew 8:1-13, 23-27, 28-34

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

 “When Jesus came down from the mountainside,

large crowds followed Him.

A man with leprosy

came and knelt before Him and said,

‘Lord,

if you are willing,

You can make me clean.’

Jesus reached out his hand

and touched the man.

I am willing,’

He said.

Be clean!’

Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Then Jesus said to him,

See that you don’t tell anyone.

But go, show yourself to the priest

and offer the gift Moses commanded,

as a testimony to them.’

The Faith of the Centurion

When Jesus had entered Capernaum,

a centurion came to Him,

asking for help.

Lord,’

he said,

‘my servant lies at home paralyzed,

suffering terribly.’

Jesus said to him,

Shall I come and heal him?’

The centurion replied,

‘Lord,

I do not deserve to have You come under my roof.

But just say the word,

and my servant will be healed.

For I myself am a man under authority,

with soldiers under me.

I tell this one,

‘Go,’

and he goes;

and that one,

‘Come,’

and he comes.

I say to my servant,

‘Do this,’

and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this,

He was amazed

and said to those following Him,

Truly I tell you,

I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 

I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,

and will take their places at the feast with

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.

But the subjects of the Kingdom will be thrown outside,

into the darkness,

where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Then Jesus said to the centurion,

Go!

Let it be done just as you believed it would.’

And his servant was healed at that moment.”

Jesus is willing!!!

Are you willing…

To Believe???

Jesus Calms the Storm

Then He got into the boat

and His disciples followed Him. 

Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake,

so that the waves swept over the boat.

But Jesus was sleeping.

The disciples went and woke Him,

saying,

‘Lord, save us!

We’re going to drown!’

He replied, ‘You of little faith,

why are you so afraid?”’

Then He got up

and rebuked the winds and the waves,

and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked,

‘What kind of man is this?

Even the winds and the waves obey Him!'”

Have you ever felt this way???

Like you’re going to drown???

Like you need someone to save you???

What man is this???

That even the winds and the waves obey Him???

They obey Him sooner than we do!!!

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men

“When He arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,

two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met Him.

They were so violent that no one could pass that way.

What do You want with us,

Son of God?’

they shouted.

‘Have You come here to torture us

before the appointed time?’

Some distance from them

a large herd of pigs was feeding.

The demons begged Jesus,

‘If You drive us out,

send us into the herd of pigs.’

He said to them,

Go!’

So they came out

and went into the pigs,

and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank

into the lake and died in the water.

Those tending the pigs ran off,

went into the town

and reported all this,

including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.

And when they saw Him,

 they pleaded with Him to leave their region.”

They all met Jesus…

But how sad…

They met the One who is willing to save…

But, asked Him to leave!!

Ask Him, today!

“What do You want from me?

He’ll answer,

“Ask Me to…

‘Come!!’

To come into your situation…

Whatever it might be at the moment!

Amen!

He’s willing!!

To do whatever you’re…

Believing for!!

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Light Pushes Back Darkness!!

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Josh Wilson’s story behind…

“Pushing Back the Dark”

http://www.joshwilsonmusic.com/posts/07-18-13/story-behind-pushing-back-dark

“I was in seventh grade.

It was five minutes until our Wednesday night youth service,

and I was hiding,

sitting on the cold tile of a bathroom in a dark corner of our church.

They were about to start the worship music,

and I was supposed to be playing guitar.

I told them I was sick and couldn’t go.

I wasn’t sick.  I was scared.

I was scared of what everyone else might think of me.

 

What if I messed up?

 

What if I failed miserably?

 

God had given me a talent and passion for music,

 

but I was afraid to use it.

 

To this day, the darkness of doubt pushes me to avoid my calling.

 

Last year, as I was working on this album (Carry Me),

 

that darkness became tangible

 

as I began to struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.

 

At one point, I thought I might have to quit music altogether.

 

But God promises to never leave or forsake us,

 

and He kept that promise.

 

As he carried me through the rest of the record,

 

I realized that there will always be darkness pushing me to hide.

 

At some point, though, every Christ-follower

 

has to realize that we carry a sacred,

 

burning light that is infinitely more powerful than the lies of the enemy.

 

Your light might seem small,

 

but even the smallest act of love can illuminate the shadows.

 

To every single mother,

 

every missionary,

 

every doctor

 

and poet,

 

every seventh grader who is scared to sing in youth group,

 

every truck driver,

 

politician,

 

and school teacher,

 

anyone who is rich,

 

poor,

 

young

 

or old:

 

someone else desperately needs the light you carry.

 

I think it’s time that we each take that light

 

and start pushing back the dark.

Ultimately, this difficult season has caused me

to rely on God’s strength

to carry me through each day.

I’ve been praying more often and more earnestly,

and I’m thankful that coming to the end of myself

has brought me so close to a

Father and Savior

who loves me and will never leave me.”

Oh, yes, this is so true!!

There are a million reasons not to try!!

When you’re just one candle in the dark…

Where the shadows are scary…

Thinking you don’t have what it takes!!

Do you dare to try to make a change?

Never underestimate the God you follow!

Don’t look back…

Somebody needs the light you have!

Don’t lose heart…

Keep on pushing back the dark!!

Be a shining city on a hill…

Every sinner saved by grace…

Has a purpose and a place!

Sometimes we don’t understand the bigger plan!

Just keep walking on…

To see His Kingdom come!

 Let your lights all shine…

He’s the Light that burns inside your soul…

You’ve got keep shining for the whole world to know…

Even when you feel like you’re too small…

We all need to shine…

Like sunrise through the window…

A symphony crescendo…

Wake up…

Rise from the dead…

Shine like stars…

Pushing back the dark!!

With your lights!

Push back the darkness at every step…

Light pushes back darkness!!

Amen!!

1 John 1:5

“This is the message we have heard from Him

and declare to you:

God is light;

in Him there is no darkness at all.”

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Press On!!!

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Look beyond today…

Keep going…

Forget the past…

Don’t let it steal your peace…

Press on to your future…

Hope, Joy, and Peace…

Jesus is waiting…

Don’t give up…

No matter what!!

Rise Up…

It’s a race to the finish…

Don’t run aimlessly…

Aim high to reach your goal…

Endure to the end!!

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Philippians 3:12-16

“Not that I have already obtained all this,

or have already arrived at my goal,

but I press on

to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Brothers and sisters,

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

But one thing I do:

Forgetting what is behind

and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on

toward the goal

to win the prize

for which God

has called me Heavenward

in Christ Jesus.

All of us, then,

who are mature should take such a view of things.

And if on some point you think differently,

that too God will make clear to you. 

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

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Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before Him

He endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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Matthew 25:23

“His master replied,

‘Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

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1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last,

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;

I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave

so that after I have preached to others,

I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”

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1 Timothy 6:12

“Fight the good fight of the faith.

Take hold of the eternal life

to which you were called

when you made your good confession

in the presence of many witnesses.”

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Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

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Our old time Pastor/Evangelist…

Tommy Waldron…

Who has since gone on to be with the Lord…

Passed away several years ago…

At the age of 86…

The day after preaching a fiery message…

For us to “Plod On!”

What a way to go!!

Preach, Be in God’s Presence…

Die, Be in God’s Presence!!

Here are the words to the song he always had us sing:

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Plod On

Plod on. Plod On.

Whatever life does,I’ll plod on.

Whatever the weather;

Whatever’s in my way;

Whatever life does,

I’ll plod on every day.

My life is there to live

And I’m living it well.

I can succeed in my own special way.

Whatever life does, I’ll plod on every day.

Success doesn’t have to be instant,

Just as long as it comes in the end,

I’m plodding, slowly but surely.

No problem is too big, and there’s no rule I can’t bend.

Plod on. Plod on. That’s the way to go.

If it feels good – do it! Never mind the trend.

There’s nothing to it. It’s a life I recommend – Plod on!

Plod on. Plod on.

Whatever life does I’ll plod on.

Plod On

From the 2002 album by Luke Smith

Called “Life Will Work itself Out”

http://www.lukesmithmusic.com/Life/Life.htm#PO

Power Failure???

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There’s never a power failure with God!

Unlike in Florida…

Where we experience power failures all the time…

Like today…

The sun was shining…

It was beautiful outside…

And our power went out!!

We’re used to it in hurricanes and lightning storms…

Prepared for it even…

But, I wasn’t prepared for a power outage today…

Electricity!!!!

I can’t live without it!

I was on the computer…

The internet went down…

Digital clocks were blinking…

The security alarm was beeping…

My hubby was watching his beloved Yankees…

And now nothing!

My son was getting ready to go out…

But can’t use the hair dryer…

Life just stands still a moment…

Or two, Or three…

I quickly forget we have no power…

I’m so used to having it available!!!!

 I go to turn on a light…

I go to microwave something…

I know I’ll freak out soon…

When I realize…

The air conditioning is dying!!!!

Help!!!

Oh, wait!

Thank You, Jesus!!!!!!

Here it comes…

The power is back…

Oh, Praise God!!

I know I need all Your power, too, Lord!

All the power Your Word says I have in Christ!

Power in Your Holy Name, Jesus!

And the power of Your Holy Spirit living in me!!

Thank You, God!!

You’ve never failed me yet!!!

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Luke 24:49

“I am going to send you what My Father has promised;

but stay in the city until you

have been clothed with power from on high.”

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John 1:12-13

“Yet to all who did receive Him,

to those who believed in His Name,

He gave the right to become children of God

children…born of God.”

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Romans 15:13

“May the God of Hope

fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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1 Corinthians 4:20

“For the Kingdom of God is not in word,

but in power.”

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You can count on God’s Power!

“On My Knees…” Is An Attitude!

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Humble Yourself!!!

How to survive???
Get on your knees…
Before the Lord…
It changes you…
Don’t know how…
But there’s power…
When I’m on my knees!!
In a crowd…
By myself anywhere…
When there’s a need…
To talk with God…

He is Emmanuel!

Close your eyes…
No darkness there…
Only light!

Power!
Blue skies or at midnight…

When I’m On My Knees!!

Trouble  again???
Breaks down my best defense…
God, I’m looking for You!!

I need rest…
Fear’s is filling my head…

God, I’m longing for You!!

I will find You in the place I’m in!
Find You when I’m at my end!
Find You when there’s nothing left of me to offer You…
Except my brokenness!!

Lift me up…
I’m thirsty…
I’m weak…
I’m lost and searching…
I’m on my knees!!

Sorrow shakes my faith…
Heartache still remains…

My God, I’ll trust you…
‘Cause you are faithful!!

My hope is gone…
Fear is strong…
Pain is real…
Hard to heal!

Faith is shaken…
Heart is broken…
Joy is stolen…
Lift me up!
Never leave me searching…

When I’m on My knees!!

PRAY!!!

In a wide variety of ways:

Sitting, bowing, kneeling, and standing.

1 Chronicles 17:16

“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD,

and he said:

‘Who am I, LORD God,

and what is my family,

that You have brought me this far?'”

Nehemiah 8:6

“Ezra praised the Lord,

the great God;

and all the people lifted their hands and responded,

‘Amen! Amen!’

Then they bowed down

and worshiped the Lord

with their faces to the ground.'”

Daniel 6:10

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published,

he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed,

giving thanks to his God,

just as he had done before.”

Mark 11:25

“And when you stand praying,

if you hold anything against anyone,

forgive them,

so that your Father in Heaven

may forgive you your sins.”

Pray with the right heart attitude…

Offer silent prayers wherever you are…

God hears our prayers…

Even though they may go completely unnoticed by those around us!

Amen!

It’s Only A Mountain!!

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Jesus rebuked the demon,

and it came out of the boy,

and he was healed from that moment. 

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked,

“Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith.

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,

you can say to this mountain,

‘Move from here to there,’

and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:18-20

Another day…

Another fight…

Another uphill climb…

Another step…

Another mile…

Story of your life…

It’s hard…

Costs you everything you’ve got…

Back against the wall…

Ready to give up…

This is only a mountain!

You don’t have to find your way around it…

Tell it to move, it’ll move…

Tell it to fall, it’ll fall…

This is only a moment!

You don’t have to let your fear control it…

Tell it to move, it’ll move…

Tell it to fall, it’ll fall…

Find your second wind…

Not as high as you think it is…

Don’t give up and don’t you quit…

You gotta climb if you wanna win…

It looks big…

You feel small…

Faith can change it all!

Ask like you believe…

Trust like you can see…

Take your fear…

And say…

“There’s nothing in my way…

Oh, No!”

Especially when it looks big!

Especially when you feel small!

Your faith can change it all!!

It’s only a mountain!!

Through Jesus Christ…

We’ve been given authority to tell it to move!

Amen!

Faith asks, without doubting!

See your mountains move!!

“Truly I tell you,

whatever you bind on earth

will be bound in Heaven,

and whatever you loose on earth

will be loosed in Heaven.

Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth

agree about anything they ask for,

it will be done for them

by My Father in Heaven.

For where two or three gather in My Name,

there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:18-20

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