"Thanks" giving

Hmmm...when you break the compound word up...you get thanks and giving. So you are thankful and you give. We give thanks. Or do we?....Do we sit around and think of what we are most thankful for...or do we fret over what to cook. Do we look around and see what God has blessed us with or do we worry over who may show up? Do we see the many blessings God has given to us or are we so caught up in having to prepare food and make everyone comfortable with drinks and appetizers and desserts that we miss what the day is really about. Thanksgiving has already passed this year, but everyday should be a Thanksgiving. Thanks for blessing me with health, and a family. A warm home, a vehicle, a job. So many things to be thankful for everyday. I hope all your Thanksgivings were as blessed as mine was.

Answered Prayer

God is awesome! I was reflecting back the other day and just realized God had answered a prayer! I thought to myself how I had not even realized that it had been answered until now. That made me thing how subtle God is. We ask for these prayers to be answered and when they are how often do we just move on to our next need instead of taking time to say "thank you." I know I have done an earlier post on giving equal amounts of thanks. So I wont take this post in that direction.

How God has worked in my life. I had this urgent prayer that I was praying for some time now. Several weeks later, it comes to mind that my prayer was answered. How could my prayer be answered and me not even realize it? Well because God did not answer it how I was expecting. I had offered my suggestions to God, of how He could answer my need. But I guess He did not see that working out very well =). So, He took the liberty in my life to answer my prayer according to what He thought best...and you know what? I love it! He saw the need, He answered it according to what He knows is best...and it all is working out! I was so busy in looking for my way, my answer, my solution that I totally missed the work He was doing!

I think more people than just me do this often. I hope I am not alone! We ask God to do a work in our lives. We offer our own solutions, maybe like option 1, option 2, etc. We busy ourselves looking for these things to come to pass, when suddenly it hits us. God already answered our prayer. Just not the way we saw fit. But how He saw how it needed to work out.

Thank you Lord for working in our lives. Thank you for being omnipotent, omnipresent, and all knowing! Thank you for your love and kindness. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Help me to offer my forgiveness and mercy to those who most of all don't deserve it....because even my enemy can love those who deserve it...but that is what seperates me from my enemy...that I can forgive the unforgiveable and love the unloveable through you God!

Have a blessed day.

Just as I am....

Yes, as anyone that knows me knows that I am a huge fan of David Phelps. But that is not what this is about...a sigh of relief I hear?? =)

I was reflecting on the song lyrics this morning:

Dear Lord, I?m on my knees again
I come to You because You understand
I've tried so hard, but I just can't change myself
That's why I know I need Your help

(Chorus)
So here I am
This in my plea
My only hope is Your love for me
I'm reaching out
So desperately
Come take my hand; take all of me
Just as I am

Oh Lord, You make what's broken new
Why can't I just learn to follow You
I want to know You and feel You in my soul
I surrender all control

I am not afraid to follow You where You lead me
I can leave the past behind me
I'm forgiven and I'm free

We come to God, at some point in our lives...hopefully! and at that point, we come just as we are. We don't have to change for God to accept us. We don't have to clean things up in our life, before he makes us part of his heritage. He takes us in when we ask Him to wash our sins and accept us. God does not expect us to be clean before we come to Him, He wants us to come to Him with all that we have, just as we are. We are not meant to change things on our own, but seek out Gods strength and wisdom on how to change. Let God mold us and sculpt us because He is the potter and we are the clay. HE puts circumstances in our lives to make us into who He wants us to be. Although we may be "damaged" from life's abuses, to God we are a prized possession and that is true love. So, come to God just as you are, and let Him do the changing that He sees necessary. If you try to change yourself before coming to God, its like chasing your tail, you will never catch it. Let go and let God.

Turn your pain into your testimony for someone who needs it!

God is our healer. He created us and He experienced hurts and disappointments while on here on Earth. He became man, so therefore He was able to feel our pains of rejection. He knows what it is like to be betrayed. He knows the hurt of losing a loved one. Jesus wept. He came to us as one of us. He became man. Yes, He resurrected on the 3rd day and resides in Heaven. But while on Earth He felt what we feel. Saying this, He is our creator as well. He put in us emotions. He placed in us our feelings that react to various situations. Our feelings which can lie to us. Our feelings that can remind us of hurtful pasts or mistakes we have made. God knows what we go through every day.

If you have a past that is filled with hurts and pains, then that means you are human. We all have something back there that caused us to feel uncomfortable. So no matter how big you perceive it to be, really...it is only as big as you make it. It impacts your life, however you let it. If you let this "thing" affect your every mood, your relationship with people, with God...then you are allowing something of the past to be your present. Situations we go through are meant to strengthen us, to teach us something that we may need for our self or someone else. They are not meant to be a constant hurt to make you bitter or angry. If it was someone that hurt you...just remember: people make bad choices sometimes but let it be for the better. Make that hurt into something wonderful. Be encouraged that you are not alone. Allow God to remove your hurt and heal you fully so you can help lift up someone else in need. You may be the one to pull them from their lowly state by having that connection with them.

We must not just be healed but once we are healed of a hurtful past, we must lower our mask so that we can be transparent to someone in need. People hurt people. I have hurt people by my words. Just the same, people can hurt with words as much as an act. We have all hurt someone or been hurt by someone. That unfortunately is a part of life. But don't let it be something that haunts you everyday. Don't let this thing control you. Allow God to take you back and heal that pain. Let God pour out his healing virtue on your life so you can be complete. Then unveil yourself to someone else in need. Let your past be your testimony for others.

Scenario #1: A lady gets up to a group of ladies that all have abusive pasts and states " God wants to heal you I have personally watched a lady be delivered fully from her abusive past. I have seen her go to the altar sorrowful of her past and God turned that sorrow into joy! I talk with ladies everyday about this." She goes on to say that though she has never been abused...she can see how much it hurts by talking with ladies that have been.

Scenario #2: A lady gets up to a group of ladies that all have abusive pasts and states " God wants to heal you I have personally watched a lady be delivered fully from her abusive past. I have seen her go to the altar sorrowful of her past and God turned that sorrow into joy! For I was that lady!" and she continues on explaining how someone had hurt her by abusing her and how badly she hurt and felt so alone. And through the years she thought that she had dealt with it fully until one day God called to her and COMPLETELY HEALED her! God had turned all her sorrow into joy like she had never felt.

Which scenario is more powerful? Which lady would you listen to more intently? The one that was an excellent source but had never personally felt the hurt you have experienced? Or the lady with a past similar to yours, that has overcome it with the healing virtue of God?? But to do this she had to unmask herself for all to see. I pray that if you have a testimony - use it for good, stop letting it hurt you, let yourself be healed and help someone else with your testimony.

Camp Meeting "09

WOW! Is the best word to describe what God did this last week during Camp Meeting "Onward, Upward". If you ever get the chance to go, GO! You will walk away touched, I promise! The day preaching, teaching was superb. Bro. Hughes taught on family and healing yourself to not allow your junk into your family and onto your kids or into your church. To de-mask yourself and stop acting like your so perfect and life has never been rough on you. I was ultimately healed this week and filled with the joy of the Lord. I have not laughed so hard I think ever! God truly turned my sorrow into joy! What an awesome God I serve. I know I walked away with a touch that will change my life. I hope all that attended received something that will change their lives too. I am now encouraged more than ever to continue my journey and help others find their way to the Lord's path. For on the Lord's path there is fullness of joy, and peace, and an enduring love that you won't find anywhere else in life but from the Lord. Also, my youngest has now graduated to a 2 wheeler after much endurance! CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEART!

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away...

Chapter 29 of my life story: I have a dream job, for me atleast. I teach people how to obtain better control over their asthma. Teach them they can live a normal life as anyone without breathing problems. I came from a highly stressful hospital setting that tore my emotions up! So this is a very nice work environment for me. So, as of yesterday we found out that most likely if not fully likely, our job will be ending early next year, matter of fact, March 31,2010. I am still in the shocked phase but trusting that God is only closing this door to open another door. He won't bring you to it, if He isn't going to bring you through it! I am trying not to look at the raging storm, and keep my eyes on Him, Nevertheless, I am scared! I don't know what the future holds. Is it possible to be scared but trusting in Him? Is that a sign of lack of faith? I hope not. As this progresses I hope to grow in my faith, and stop looking at the surrounding circumstances to determine my outlook! Please pray with me about this situation.

Words of my youngest: yay! Mommy you get to spend more time with me...I can't wait!

That makes me smile!

Scars vs. open wounds from the past

While me and my husband were talking last night and interesting subject came up. We were discussing closure of the past, as our pastor had preached on Sunday. He spoke about how to put proper closure on things of the past so they don't keep popping up when you least expect or want them to. If you don't fully latch the door on past mistakes or hurts or whatever you have in the past then at any time the door may swing wide open at very inconvenient times. So how do you know if you have put proper closure on things??

Lets think of a physical wound. While it is open, it bleeds, it hurts and if you touch it, you can feel the pain radiate! When you accidentally bump it on something, you wince in pain. It physically is painful to have an open wound. But once it finally heals, no more pain. You probably have a scar there now. The scar has little to no feeling at all. Just a memory of a wound that happened but no more pain is involved if you touch it or bump it.

No lets take that same thought into the spiritual realm. If you have a hurt in your past, can you openly talk about it. If it is brought up does it trigger strong painful emotions still inside of you. Does it hurt? Does it make you angry? Can you feel the bitterness rising up? Or can you openly discuss this and use it as a testimony of where God has brought you from? Are you able to talk about it to help another person overcome this painful situation they may be facing?

God brings us through bad situations so we can be a light to someone else facing that same situation. He trusts us that we are going to rely on His strength to bring us through. Once we have fully healed He can use us to help someone else. So hurry up and heal because that person out there may be waiting on you!

God answers prayers...just not always how we think He should!

This is how God answers prayers:

My mom really needed/wanted to sell her truck. So we posted it online and had alot fo people come test drive it, call about it, question us about it etc. But no luck in selling it. It is a work truck, with need of some TLC. So...finally while Dan was out of town, he calls me and tells me that there is a prospective buyer to see the truck. I asked if I should pull it out of the garage and he responded no..The guy could drive it around if he wanted to. So, the guy shows up...I am standing near the wall, located in front of the truck. ( I know now why this is never recommended!) He pops the hood, then gets in to start up the truck. The truck starts up and he gets out of the driver door, as he approaches the front of the truck, it begins to SLOWLY roll forward. It takes me about 1-2 seconds to see this truck is not going to stop. So I literally jump through my kitchen door from the garage and am quickly followed by...the truck! Yes, the truck came through the wall, and rearranged our fridge to about 1 1/2 feet into our kitchen. You can see the angle of the door. The top of the doorway is where it is supposed to be...So after the dust settles (literally). We evaluate the situation. Guy : uninjured, but nerveracked!...Me: safe on the other side of smashed in wall...Truck: not a dent or scratch on it. Hmmmm, now if you have ever driven a manual vehicle : What happens when you start it up and its in gear, when you let off the clutch?? For all of you automatic car owners...answer: It lurches forward until clutch is pushed in or it dies. Hmmmm, so how is it that this truck slowly came forward just long enough to let me through the door. Scenario 2: Truck lurches forward, and both my legs would be in the shape of the wall...smashed. I would not be typing this right now...I would be in lala land with much pain meds to keep down the pain of two broken femurs.

Okay so the dust is settled and my legs are still intact, guy is shaky but okay. And the best part is the truck sold! For almost what we were asking for! So when you pray for something...don't be so narrow minded about the answer. God does work in mysterious ways. Plus, being married to a handyman...the wall will be fixed this week! Nothing out of pocket for the wall, truck is sold, and I am still walking! Thank you Lord!

My Legacy

My legacy is going to be my children. They are the best things besides for God that has happened to me in life. I have my oldest child. She is the star. She is a leader. She is my friend. She is beautiful too. She is becoming right before my eyes...a young lady. Yes, she has some tomboy qualities but she is a well balanced gal. She loves the Lord and loves her family, even if we are somewhat abnormal! =) She is going to be in 8th grade next year and I can hardly believe it. She pulled out some photos the other night and we could not help but laugh and laugh. I remember her growing up through the toddler years and she was a stinker. So honory and stubborn. Always doing something to her brother of some sort, from sticking stickers to his fine blonde hair or taking his 1st birthday cupcake! But through the years their love has grown. She is the most awesome person you could imagine at such a young age.

My son. My son is the best son you could dream of having. He is willing to earn rather than it be handed over. If he needs some extra cash, he will work hard for it. He also keeps me laughing as they all do. He has a star quality about him. He is quite handsome and is genuine in his heart. He loves his family and he is excelling at school. He earned the Presidents award by scoring top of the school in Math on his SAT. He will grow to be a wonderful young man with a love for God. He is a protector. And as much as he argues with his little sister, he loves her so much.

And my youngest. She is much less shy then she appears. She is born to lead as her sister is too. She is caring and loving. She is very bright along with her siblings. She can make friends with people of all ages from her age to the 8th graders at school. I take her to the school and all around me I hear " Hi Ashlee" over and over again. She can wrap you around her little finger faster than you can blink but win your heart over as soon as she looks at you with those eyes. She wants to be a dog. But has accepted she is a little girl. She adores her brother and sister. She loves school. And most of all she loves to learn.

I could go on and on about them and I am sure if you are a parent you could easily do the same about your own children. I am so proud to be a parent. I hope I have been able to instill upon them the love of God and morality. I pray I have been able to teach them stuff they wont learn at school. I pray that I have been able to help them grow into fantastic caring responsible adults.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Have a blessed day.

Redeem definition by Websters Dictionary

1 a: to buy back : repurchase b: to get or win back
2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt : clear d: to free from the consequences of sin
3: to change for the better : reform
4: repair, restore
5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment (2): to exchange for something of value c: to make good : fulfill
6 a: to atone for : expiate b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2): to make worthwhile : retrieve

Now think about our Redeemer. He redeems us. I like definition number 2. To make worthwhile or to retrieve. A synonym for redeem is rescue. My redeemer rescued me. I think thats just awesome. True love from my father above.

My redeemer lives!

Temptation Vs. Testing

I have had the privilege of hearing Brother Clark preach for the past several nights and many things he spoke changed my life and how I see things. One of the main things that really spoke out to me was temptation vs. testing.

Many times throughout my life, I asked God...Why? Why do I have to go through this trial? Why does this have to happen to me? Why can't life be easy? I seldom looked at situations as an opportunity to prove my character! If I am coming against something in my life now and see it as a test, now I can look at it and say, okay how does God want me to come through this? What does He expect of me?

When God tests me, I know that He is showing me my character. Both my flaws and my strengths. For He knows my heart, better than I do, for He created me. So he uses these testing times to show me, what I am made of, what I am capable of. How much faith I have. So if I know really who I am, I can through prayer and more testing become who God wants me to become.

If we don't know who we are or what we are or are not capable of...how do grow? If I don't know where I am...how do I know where to start? If I don't know where to start...how do I know how far it is to where I need to go? We not only have to know Gods goals for our life, but we need to know where we are starting from too.

God puts problems in our ways, so that He can show us how big He is. This helps our faith grow, when we can look back and see what He has brought us through, we can look forward and know He will bring us through what lies ahead as well. I need to get out of His way when He is working in my life. I need to stop trying to fix the problems at hand, and let God fix them by using me!

So God does not tempt like the devil tempts, God tests to help us grow and show us what is really inside.

Excerpt from "A Virtuous women in the Bible Lesson" - Sarah

Virtuous Women in the Bible Lesson 1

From Sarai to Sarah:
A Woman's Journey To Faith


Sarah is one of my favorite women in the Bible. Her life is a great reminder that God does not require that you be perfect, nor does He promise that your life will be.

Proverbs warns us that:


Hope deferred makes the heart sick...
-Proverbs 13:12 (AMP)

Sarai's life was a perfect example of the truth lying inside of this scripture.

Her journey began as God sent a message of destiny to Sarai's husband, Abram.

They were told to leave all that they knew, and travel to a new land - Canaan. God promised them that He would give them a child and that, through this seed, all the families of earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12).

Once they arrived in this strange land, God prophesied that He was going to deliver it to their descendants. The ones that were to come from this child.

A child that had not yet been born.

Well, weeks turned into months and months turned into years.

And, for over a decade, God promised Sarai a son. A child that she could love, and nurture. And, for over a decade, Sarai waited for the manifestation of that promise. Her promise of motherhood.

But Sarai was barren.

Yes, her child was to hold the key to blessing all of the people of the world. But I wonder how much Sarai was really thinking about that part. I wonder if, as a woman, more than anything, she really just wanted a baby.

But, years passed. And still, no baby. Sarai could provide no heir for her husband. And, now, a servant born in her house would be his heir (Genesis 15:2-3). The shame and bitterness of her barrenness began to engulf her.

And, as time went on, Sarai began to say within heart,"The Lord has prevented me from having children," (Gen. 16:2). You know that she said in within her heart, because she had begun to say it to her husband.

Sarai blamed God.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Taking Matters of Prophesy Into Your Own Hands



Fearing that God's plan was flawed, Sarai prompted her husband, "Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her," (Genesis 16:2).

Notice what Sarai says here. "Perhaps I can have children." Her concern was not with the manifestation of God's plan, but with her own longing for motherhood.

Maybe if she realized that this child that she so desperately desired was to be the start of a lineage that would birth the savior of the world, she would have put her own desires aside. Or maybe not.

But surely Sarai's husband Abram, God's right hand man, understood after 10 years of walking with the Lord that He would not forsake them! Surely he told her to hold her tongue and wait on Jehovah God!

Never underestimate the amazing power of female persuasion.


"Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife," (Genesis 16:2-3).

But, this was not God's plan. This, was Sarai's plan. And it quickly began to backfire.

Once Hagar became pregnant, she resented Sarai. After being punished for her behavior, Hagar finally ran away.

Since the child Hagar carried was Abram's seed, and God had made covenant with Abram, God gave comfort to Hagar and convinced her to return to Abram and Sarai (Genesis 16:6-15).





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



God Sees Through Your Present Faults
To Your Future Faith


Thank God for His mercy. Though Abram and Sarai had gone outside of His will and created a huge mess, His love for them had not dried up, but was still as an overflowing well.

He promised that kings and nations would come from Abram. Hagar's son Ishmael was not the son of promise. Once again, He proclaimed that Sarai would still bear Abram a son.

Speaking of God's unyielding forgiveness, He changed her name from Sarai which meant Noble Woman, to Sarah, which means Princess.

Now, of course I could be reading more into this than is here, but I feel that God calling her Princess is so symbolic.

Despite Sarah's imperfections, He had taken her as His daughter. Why?

Because God, unlike man, does not just see who you are today, He sees who He has destined you to become.


And, as a daughter of the King of Kings, what name would be more fitting than Princess?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Is This Study on Un-Virtuous Women in the Bible?


More time passed, and God returned to visit Abraham and Sarah.

Now, this is an interesting situation. Though Sarah knew Who was there, she didn't go out to welcome her Guest. The visitors even inquired about where she was, but she never came out of the tent.

Instead, Sarah stayed inside, and eavesdropped.

You have to ask yourself - Why didn't she come out? But, if you put yourself in her shoes, would you have gone out there? For what?

To hear more unanswered promises? To have your hopes raised yet again, but never fulfilled?


Or, would you have stayed in the tent, just like Sarah?

As Sarah listened, she overheard God telling Abraham, "I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!" (Genesis 18:10 NLT).

As she overheard this, Sarah "laughed silently to herself and said, 'How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?'" (Genesis 18:12).

You see, as God's plan tarried, time did not. Sarah had long entered into menopause, and believed that her body could no longer conceive. As God so eloquently put it, "it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women" (Genesis 18:11).

So, she laughed within herself, I would imagine, to keep from crying. But, though her laugh was silent, there was One who could hear it.

Imagine Sarah's shock when God asked why she had laughed!


"Why did Sarah laugh?
Why did she say, 'Can an old woman like me have a baby?'
Is anything too hard
for the Lord?"
-Genesis 18:13-14



Uh Oh! Quickly, Sarah denied it all. But, God responded, "No, but you did laugh," (Genesis 18:15).

OK, so Sarah didn't just laugh at God, but she lied about it. She is definitely was not having a "Virtuous Woman in the Bible" day !


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A Legacy of Faith Born From a Life of Fears


Now, we could all sit around judging Sarah, but would we have been so different?

Do you have anything that God has been promising you. A promise that, when you look at your physical circumstance, your chances at attaining it look grim at best. And, maybe, as the time has passed, your faith has begun to pass along with it.

But, let me tell you the second half of the proverb that we began this study with.


Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
-Proverbs 13:12 (AMP)


But, how do you open the door for God to fulfill the desire that He alone has placed in your heart? By faith.

God says that Faith is:

The assurance, confirmation, and the title deed of the things we hope for.
The proof of things we do not see.
The conviction of their reality.
It perceives as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.
-Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)
This is what Sarah began to develop within herself. You see, in order to bring forth the seed that would ultimately lead to the Christ, God did not just have to change Abraham, He had to change Sarah.

I think that is why she is one of my favorite women in the Bible. She is a shining example of God's desire to mold you into your destiny.

You can not hide behind your femininity or your husband, and assume you do not have a place in God's plan. God has a special plan for you, and you, like Sarah, will have to grow into your destiny.

In the end, "Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word," (Hebrews 11:11 AMP).

Sarah's faith won her the honor of being the only woman among the top 5 examples God gave to exemplify true faith in Hebrews 11.

In fact, you are actually considered Sarah's true daughter when you "...let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]," (1Peter 3:6 AMP).

When you are able to look fear in the eye and say "No thank you - I choose to believe my Lord," you have inherited Sarah's legacy of faith.


ShareThis
Virtuous Women in the Bible

Lesson 1: From Sarai to Sarah-
A Woman's Journey To Faith
Have you ever caught yourself beginning to blame God for a particular situation? If so, why?

What do you think the significance was of God changing Sarai's name to Sarah?

Were you surprise by Sarah's imperfections? Why do you think God never glosses over people's missteps in the Bible?

Like the women in the Bible, what spiritual legacy would you like to leave for the future generations of women in your family?


Sarah is one of the women in the Bible whose story is not one of perfection. And neither will your's be. But, Sarah's legacy is of her journey to being able to take God at His Word. Of growing into the name that He had given her - His Princess.

The World To Come...

A glimpse of the world to come. Full of rest. Free of fear. No stress. No worries. No sickness. Sounds like heaven eh?? Yes, Heaven. Last night at church there was such a peace about the service. It truly gave me a glimpse of what it will be like over there. True peace. Warmth. Your only goal is to see the Lord. No bills to pay. No work to go to. No tears. Just the warmth of Heaven. It was a taste of the world that exists beyond this one. Indescribable but to experience such peace makes you long for the reality.

Hbr 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,


Hbr 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.


Hbr 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.


Hbr 6:4 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,


Hbr 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

The world to come...such peace. Dont miss it whatever you do.

I just saw these pictures that were taken during Christmas time. They are of Ashlee. They really made me laugh I hope they do the same for you!

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

This scripture has come to me 3 different times in 3 weeks. #1 It first came to me as I was driving and my husband the night before had asked me about some promises of God. It took me until the next day or 2 (I am a little slow at times =) ). But this scripture came to mind. This is Gods promise to us. #2 Then sitting in Sunday Morning Church we had a missionary. Not even the Pastor it was a missionary! from another country! astonishing how God works. Anyway he was preaching and his final scripture he brings up in closing was...Romans 8:28. My eyes teared and my heart felt squeezed. I had chills up and down me. You see its been a difficult month or so and I have relied on this scripture to bring me through. God knows what we need! So after I almost fall to my knees and thank God for hearing my prayers and our needs, we go home. #3 Last week...my daughter brings me her book report to read. Its several pages long (Go Jessica) and the final question is something to do with a passage from the Bible. She has in there...you guessed it Romans 8:28. I got that feeling come over me again. I had to explain to her why this scripture meant so much. God is good. I tend to get so overwhelmed with life instances sometimes but God has a gentle reminder to let me know that no matter what happens down here on Earth...He is still King of Kings and Lord of Lords but most of all He is my faithful friend who hears my every need. He is my Heavenly Father above watching over my family and me. I thank Him for being so good to us. We are blessed.

In reference to a prior post

Okay, I posted a while ago claiming a house! Well God came through for us. Of course it is not always what we had planned but what He has planned right? right! Well He came through in a mighty way. We are moving, into a nice place that is a bit bigger and a little less on the rent. No buying for now but thats okay, we are not ready to buy. Our newest landlord is a real nice person and I believe God softened his heart for our needs to be met. Thank you Lord. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. So its off to moving now...but hopefully we will be here for quite some time to come! I can actually decorate this place. God is good all the time! OH and I am real excited about the new Gaither line up :)

Rom 8:27
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Rom 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Rom 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Rom 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

This pretty much says it all....