Category Archives: The Gospel

Rejoice With Me Today!

Standard

One of my dear friends just e-mailed me her awesome testimony…

And I want to share it with all of you!

Here’s what she wrote:

“Happy Thanksgiving to one and all…
I want to share my thankful heart with all of you…
And wish you all a day filled with thanks for this holiday season…
The Lord answered our prayers about our roof…
And He asked me if I was going to “give Him the glory” for the great things He had done…
I hope this experience of God’s provision for our family speaks to you…
That He does receive all the “glory” for the miracle of providing the roof money to the exact penny…
Not only that, but He blessed us with grocery money…
That we so desperately needed, as we were completely tapped out…
He is so very good.
Let me share the other side of the story….
 While this was all going on with the roof…
My mom was admitted to the hospital with the possibility that her heart had stopped and been restarted…
We found out later it was not that, but a defect in the wiring for her internal defibrillator/pacemaker…
(The product of toxic chemo 10 years ago with lymphoma)…
She had surgery that replaced the internal machine…
And after hours and hours in the waiting room…
We came to see her in recovery…
Another miracle…
My mom is still with us!
Behind the scenes…
I have been going through tests since August for pain in a certain area…
I had multiple doctor visits, tests, ultrasounds, scans, and an MRI…
The tests did not find the source of the pain…
But, the doctor did find a problem on the other side…
That I didn’t even know about, or have pain in…
After weeks of waiting for yet another test to be approved…
Insurance denied me…
1 day before the biopsy…
Another miracle happened when the imaging place called…
And said they would take care of it…
And get it paid one way or another…
I should relax and just do the test!
The day of my biopsy…
Was not a fun day…
It was very painful…
Yet, even though my husband was not allowed to go in with me…
I felt and sensed God’s peace…
  His prayer warriors were praying and battling for me…
  The doctor told me, the results would be in by this Monday at the latest…
I just received a phone call….
Today….
Early….
Telling me that there is no cancer!
  Every sample was benign!
  Thanks be to God for His favor and answered prayer!
  Not 10 minutes before the phone call…
I was praying…
And asked God, if this time…
He was going to calm the storm…
Or calm His child….
I was very scared as both parents have gone through cancer…
Each being diagnosed the week of Thanksgiving…
And my grandfather passing away with cancer the week after Thanksgiving…
My joy is here and now…
So is my THANKFULNESS!
As He proves to me again and again…
He is God!
It doesn’t always mean He calms the storm…
In the storm we learn to hold fast to Him…
I am thankful today that He chose to calm the child and calm the storm!
Rejoice with me today!!
We serve a great and mighty God…
Who holds our every breath…
Yours and mine…
Whether He calms your storm, or He calms you…
RUN to Him!
 And please don’t forget to always give Him the…
GLORY, HONOR, and PRAISE…
Thank you, Lord, for all you have done..
The glory is all yours!
Forever!”
PSALM 103: 1-6
 Praise the Lord, my soul…
All my inmost being…
Praise His Holy Name!
Praise the Lord, my soul…
And forget not all his benefits…
Who forgives all your sins…
And heals all your diseases…
Who redeems your life from the pit…
And crowns you with love and compassion…
Who satisfies your desires with good things…
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
The Lord works righteousness…
And justice for all the oppressed!”

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas…Even In FL!

Standard

See our snowflakes???

Don’t they look real pretty with our Palm Trees???

And the beautiful wreath with a pineapple motif!

And a Santa with sunglasses and fishing pole!

And Christmas colored landscaping…

A festive Hibiscus…

Some rosy colored Bougainvillea…

With greenery…

This would be a great place for Santa to land his sleigh….

Or to imagine a Nativity Scene!

Isaiah 9:6-7

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

Luke 2:10-11

“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord’.”

Make The Effort!

Standard
I’m highly recommending this Christian daily e-mail you can subscribe to…
Called “The Daily Verse” by Kat Davis…
Or you can purchase her book by the same name…
Web-site:  TheDailyVerse.com
Today’s Bible verse for November 20, 2012:
“And there was a man named Zacchaeus.  He was a chief tax collector and was rich.  And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.  So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.”
Luke 19:2-4

After each verse, Kat explains her thoughts from God on that verse: 

For this verse, Kat  writes:  “Let us consider how much of an effort will we make to overcome our limitations, so that we can clearly see Jesus, and figuratively climb the tree, just as Zacchaeus did.”

Always short, sweet, and to the point!!!!

Do we get it???

Don’t be lazy!

Make the effort it takes to see Jesus…

To walk with Him…

To have Him come to our house…

And into our hearts!

Then when He says, “I’m coming in!”

Let Him!!

Amen!

If you were raised in Sunday school, you know the song about Zacchaeus!!!

The song tells of Zacchaeus’s attempts to see Jesus by climbing a sycamore tree, there are a series of hand motions that accompany the song.  The song is one of the more popular children’s Bible songs, and has been featured on numerous Christian children’s music collections.

It was my favorite!!

  I can still see and hear my Uncle Angelo (my pastor!) singing it to us and teaching us the hand motions…

It’s one of those songs you teach to your children…

I taught my son!!

Here are the lyrics:

 “Zacchaeus was a wee little man,

And a wee little man was he.

He climbed up in a sycamore tree

For the Lord he wanted to see.

And when the Savior passed that way

He looked up in the tree.

And said, ‘Zaccheus, you come down!

For I’m going to your house today!

For I’m going to your house today!’

Zacchaeus was a wee little man,

But a happy man was he,

For he had seen the Lord that day

And a happy man was he;

And a very happy man was he.”

Each day, “The Daily Verse” pops into my email…

I can’t tell you how much it has helped set the tone for my day…

For my walk with the Lord…

And how many, many times I’ve felt compelled to forward it to others!

  Miraculously, when I have a need, or a family member or friend is going through something…

“The Daily Verse” seems to be just what I need…

What I want to pray for…

And what I want to convey to others!

  Thank you, Lord…

For giving Kat the gift of Your insight!!

Make the effort…Jesus is worth it!!

No More Tears!

Standard

Listen to:

“There Will Be A Day”

By Jeremy Camp

Several years ago, one of the girls in our drama team did a solo lyrical dance to this song

for the Penn Florida District Fine Arts Competition in Orlando…

Beautiful!

Here are the lyrics…

“I try to hold on to this world…

With everything I have…

But I feel the weight of what it brings…

And the hurt that tries to grab…

The many trials that seem to never end…

His word declares this truth…

That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew…

But I hold on to this hope…

And the promise that He brings…

That there will be a place with no more suffering…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain…

And no more fears…

There will be a day when the burdens of this place…

Will be no more…

We’ll see Jesus face to face…

But until that day…

We’ll hold on to you always…

I know the journey seems so long…

You feel you’re walking on your own…

But there has never been a step…

Where you’ve walked out all alone…

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart…

‘Cause joy and peace He brings…

And the beauty that’s in store…

Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting…

But I hold onto this hope…

And the promise that He brings…

That there will be a place with no more suffering…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain, and no more fears…

There will be a day when the burdens of this place…

Will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face…

But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always…

I can’t wait until that day where the very one…

I’ve lived for always…

Will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced…

To touch the scars that rescued me…

From a life of shame and misery…

Oh, this is why…

This is why I sing…

There will be a day with no more tears…

No more pain…

And no more fears…

There will be a day…

He will wipe away the tears…

He will wipe away the tears…

He will wipe away the tears…

There will be a day!”

Okay, This Is NOT On “My Bucket List!”

Standard

Skydiving…

Wearing thongs…

Running for political office…

Living in the past, or on past glories…

Backpacking around the country…

BASE jumping…

Being a groupie of a famous person…

Walking a tightrope, like our friend, Bello the Clown…

Being stuck in an air-conditioning vent…

Falling into a mine shaft…

Working again for my least favorite principal…

Being made to eat anything slimy…

Oh, I’m sure I could go on and on…

But, I love that many of you do want to do these things!

And I’ll pray for your “Bucket List” to be fulfilled…

But, I refuse to live without JOY everyday…

So, I do have a Prayer List…

And here’s what’s on it:

I do want to…

Write a book…

And have it published…

See my son successful in life, especially in God’s eyes…

See him married to a Godly girl, and have a family that serves the Lord…

To live healthy, so I can see my grandchildren…

And teach them to love God…

Live a peaceful life with the Lord…

But, know how to battle spiritual warfare when necessary!

Impact for Christ, all kids, young adults, and adults…

Minister and speak where God leads…

Encourage our drama team to outreach far and wide with God’s direction…

Travel to Italy to see relatives still living there…

Go to Israel to see where Jesus walked…

Serve the Lord on Earth, ’til I get to Heaven to hear…

“…well done, good and faithful servant…”

Mathew 25:23

Leave a legacy of love and encouragement…

To all those…

I’ve been blessed to come into contact with in my life on Earth…

In Jesus Name I pray…

Amen!

Lord, Thanks For Giving!

Standard

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Psalm 69:30  “I will Praise the Name of God with Song, And shall Magnify Him with Thanksgiving.”

Gracious Heavenly Father…

Thanks for Giving Me…

All Your Promises…

Your Precious Word to Guide Me through this Life…

Your Beloved Son to Give Me New Life…

And Your Holy Spirit to Teach me all Truth!

For my Parents who Brought Me Up to Love You…

For my Husband who Works to keep us Safe…

For my Son who never ceases to be the Delight of my Life…

For Our Precious Siberian who Gives us Unconditional Love and Affection every Day!

For my Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who Know How to Pray…

For Good Friends wherever we have Lived and Worked…

For Caring Believers wherever we have Worshiped…

For Helpful Acquaintances along the Path of Life…

For our Jobs over the years that have been Blessings from You…

For the Safety and Protection of our Home, Cars, and Finances…

For our Health in Body, Mind, and Spirit…

For Your Gift of allowing us to Retire to the Town and Neighborhood of our Dreams…

For Teaching us to Delight in You…

To Love Others…

And to see Everyone as You see Them…

To Minister with Grace and Encouragement for Your Kingdom!

I Pray Your Blessing on this Blog, to be a Powerful Ministry for You…

And that I Always Know how Very Blessed I Am…

In Knowing Who You Are!

Lord, Thanks for Giving…

I Welcome You Into My Life Always, Lord!

Can You Stand?

Standard

Sunday’s message at  the church we visited while on vacation was…

“The Word Stands, So Stand On The Word!!”

The Pastor said…

“Get in the word, and let the Word get into you!

Faith=See what God promises…

See new possibilities!!

You get what you see…

And what you believe!

Don’t doubt!

Believe WHEN you pray and then get it!

Not just pray and get!

You must believe first!

All God’s promises are ‘YES’ to us!

He is the Lord who heals us!

FAITH sees only what God promises…

Not the problems!

The Word is living!

The Word is the Sword of the Spirit needed to win the battle!!”

I don’t know about you…

But I have friends and family who need miracles of healing right now as I write this…

Thank you Pastor Leonard…I was so blessed by this powerful message!

So I’m sending it along to everyone!

“Think Beyond Yourself…”

Standard

I was listening to Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries, on TV the other day…

His message was on “Forgiveness, Think Beyond Yourself…”

He wasn’t talking about God’s forgiveness of us…

That’s easy…

Just repent and accept it!

But, our forgiveness to others!

Ouch!

That’s hard!

We don’t want to!!

We question…

We vent…

We complain..

We state our case…

To everyone…

To God…

Do You know what he/she did to me???

Said to me???

But Dr. Stanley said, “You can do all that, but it’s still clear from Scripture that you MUST…

Forgive!

To be Forgiven…

Don’t even bother to ask, Dr. Stanley said…

“Is it God’s will for me to forgive__________(insert name!) AGAIN????”

It is His will!

Let it go!

Don’t let satan take a root…

It’s a choice you need to make!

That you MUST make!

Lay it down…

With God’s power!

Here’s a tip:

Dr. Stanley says, “Pray for the other person, so that your attention won’t be on yourself!”

Ask, “What can I do for the other person?”

Get rid of your unforgiveness…

Even if your request for forgiveness is rejected…

When your unforgiveness is gone…

You won’t see  the other person in the same way…

Harsh feelings will be replaced with a new attitude…

Accept the other person as they are…

Give them time…

God’s working on them…

And on your behalf, also…

So you can understand why they act as they do…

Life is too short for you to just avoid the other person…

Or to wait for them to apologize…

Choose to Forgive today!

To be free…

And not bound by unforgiveness!

Preaching to myself!

I had to put this into practice just today!!

Matthew 6:15

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 18:21

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.

Collide With The Healer!

Standard

Are you hurting???

Listen to  “The Hurt & The Healer”

by MercyMe

Here are the lyrics…

“Why?
The question that is never far away…
The healing doesn’t come from the explained…
Jesus, please don’t let this go in vain…
You’re all I have…
All that remains…

So here I am…
What’s left of me…
Where glory meets my suffering…

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

Breathe…
Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do…
Pain so deep that I can hardly move…
Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You…
Lord, take hold and pull me through…

So here I am…
What’s left of me…
Where glory meets my suffering…

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

It’s the moment when humanity…
Is overcome by majesty…
When grace is ushered in for good…
And all our scars are understood…
When mercy takes its rightful place…
And all these questions fade away…
When out of the weakness we must bow…
And hear You say ‘It’s over now!’

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

Jesus, come and break my fear…
Awake my heart and take my tears…
Find Your glory even here…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…”

Take your hurt…

and…

Collide with the Healer!  Amen!

My New Bank Is Stalking Me!

Standard

I feel the need to vent!!!

I have a new bank…

Well, an old bank with a new name…

And a new way of doing business…

I think they’re super sugary sweet…

And super annoying!!

Every time I go through the drive-thru window…

They want to chat, sell me some new services, or invite me to come in and talk with one of their helpful representatives…

Duh…if I wanted to “COME IN”…

I wouldn’t have driven up to the window!!

Or, they ask about my family members…

I call that preying…

I’m always in a hurry when I need to run to the bank…

Especially after work!

Hence, the name “Drive-Thru” window…

Not…”Come-In!  Sit-And-Chat-Awhile” window!!

You’re supposed to get your business taken care of quickly, and drive on thru!!!!

Ladies, you know this is true…

I’m thinking of other things!!

My next stop,

Drama choreography,

Things I need to do when I get  home,

What am I going to eat when I get there,

When am I going to finally get to collapse and get some sleep,

How to keep my “Siberian Craziness” dog from jumping on me when I walk through the door with all my packages from Wal-Mart?????

Now, these are important questions that I need to mull over while driving…

And while waiting at the drive-thru window at the bank…

I don’t need to have a long drawn out conversation with anyone!

A teller at one of the bank branches in my town is from NJ, like me…

So you can imagine how long that conversation was…

When I was already running late to unlock the door for drama practice after work!!

Last week, one of the tellers asked me how my husband was doing…

She called him by name!!

What does that mean…

I don’t even know her!

Should I say, “Well, we had a huge argument…”

And then, go on and on about the details, ’til she says, “I have another customer…”

Should I say, “He’s wonderful!  I love him!  He does so much for me!”

And risk nauseating her?

Should I tell her,  “He’s outside doing lawn work in our front yard and complaining because there’s so much work, and it’s hot and humid here in FL!”

I just don’t know the “Bank-Teller-Sharing-Confidential-Friends-Only-Information” Policy!!

I don’t even know if there is such a policy!

This is my first run-in with this!!

Also, my husband complains about them because he has to show his driver’s license at the window every time he drives thru…

I don’t know if they give him the 3rd degree about me when he’s there…

But, if they know him so well, why does he need to show his driver’s license????

Does anyone else out there in blogger’s land feel this way???

Before the “Take-Over,” and name change at my bank…

I loved my bank!

They were friendly, helpful, and knew their place in my life….

Now, I have a bank that wants to come right in, and dwell in my life…

Only Jesus gets to do that!!

Don’t get me wrong…

Before my wonderful bank changed its name…

And the bank with the new name started stalking me…

My husband and I had a great rapport with our banker!

He was young, knowledgeable, and spoke “banking” in a way we could understand!!

Amen and Hallelujah!!

We loved him, and still keep in contact with him…

He’s at another bank!

My son and husband even played golf with him, and his Dad!

Where they could talk all day if they wanted…

I might have to change banks!

Folks, is church the same way?

Sugary sweet for the purpose of selling people something?

Selling them our wonderful programs???

Selling them on Jesus?

He needs no selling…

Just let people  feel the moving of His Holy Spirit in their lives…

And God will take it from there…

Are we welcoming or pushy??

No stalking, please!

There’s a fine line, Church…

“Hi!  Welcome to our church…Thanks for visiting…We have church tonight, come on back…Monday night we’re off, so you can enjoy your family at home…Tuesday is game night…Wednesday is family night…Thursday is choir practice…Friday night is youth group…Saturday night is pot luck…Sign up for the Bible study…Men’s meeting…Ladies outreach…

And, Oh, yes, the missions trip to Haiti is in two weeks!!

Do all of your family members go to church?  We have  Kids church, a Toddler class, a Nursery, a media center, a playground……………..etc.

And also, a group for the senior citizens!!”

You get the point!

I love all these programs…

But, it’s not about them…

It’s about Jesus!

Be sincere!!

Show them God’s love…

Point them to Jesus…

Welcome them into the Family of God…

Not just into your church!

Love the people…

Care for their needs…

Not just inviting them to the great ministries you provide…

People can spot sugary sweet a mile away…

I know I can!