Hello!~~~

Welcome!~

It has now been ten years since I started this blog. How quickly time goes by! We are many members but we are one in the body of Christ. Therefore you do not journey alone! Hopefully through this site you will be encouraged by the fact that many things you are going through in your own walk, others are going through (or have gone through) as well. Sometimes we think we are "going through things alone." But we are not. God said that "He would Never Leave Nor Forsake Us." (Hebrews 13:5) and that "There is Nothing New Under The Sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9). No man is an island. It's easy to forget that. May the words in this blog help you to think, encourage you in whatever spiritual state you are in and may the Lord use them to help us to grow in Him! He is the Author and Finisher of our faith!

I don’t want any readers to think that I am “promoting” being a prodigal. I definitely am not. But what I am hoping to do – is to encourage those of us who either have had or are currently experiencing a hard time in our walk to be honest about it. Personal conviction is a powerful thing, especially if you truly love the Lord. I think that sometimes the Body of Christ critiques and judges to the point where the person who is at the other end of that pointing finger feels ostracized, alienated and alone. I don't think that that is what Jesus intended. When I read through my Bible - I see a firm yet gentle restoration that Jesus ministered to those around Him. Look at John 21:15-19. When Peter who was at an all time low point in his walk - he was firmly, yet lovingly restored by Jesus. He didn't tear him down, or yell or make him feel any worse then he already did. He spoke to him lovingly and gently - and in doing so, Peter was able to repent and minister in a much more powerful, humble and confident way and it became one of the largest ministries ever.

Please note that I am only a vessel, my calling - to write. I dedicate this blog to the Lord and ask that He use it to reach out and touch whoever needs a special, loving, personal touch from Him. My hope is that the Holy Spirit allows you to see Him through the words (and not me). We go through things so that we can extend our right hand of fellowship behind us to assist and help someone else. Our Bible is the same today, as it was yesterday as it will be tomorrow. (I am far from perfect and do not profess to have all the answers...) but the good news is - Our Heavenly Father does! His love, forgiveness, grace and mercy is real!Nothing you are experiencing in your walk comes as a surprise to Him! May He be glorified through this blog and may God bless you at whatever stage in your walk you are in!~



I am a Breast Cancer Survivor

I am a Breast Cancer Survivor
I was diagnosed with early stage triple negative breast cancer on June 24th, 2010 - I have been cancer free for 10 years now. It was only a chapter in my life - NOT my life, but the impact is one that has changed my life forever. Its important for women to know that 80% of the breast cancer diagnosis come from women who don't have a history of it in their family (My family didn't). Early detection is the key. For more information please click on the pink ribbon above. It could save your life.
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February 27, 2012

A Very "Touchy" Subject...

Touch is Vital, it is Healing, it is One of the Five Senses That God Gave Us. We Cannot Survive Without it.  Even in Romans 16:16 We Are Told to "Greet One Another With a Holy Kiss." God said in Genesis, "It is Not Good For Man to Be Alone." (Genesis 2:18) The Truth STILL Applies Today.
God did not call us to be little "Islands' - we are people who need people.  Even if we don't want to admit it - its the truth.  There is no shame in that. We need affection, we need friendship, we need love, we need touch. I read an article a year ago that is worth sharing with you.  It is called "The Benefits of Human Touch, The Need for Touch in the Development of Healthy Adults and Children" by Carmen Jochmann (Suite 101.com, Octoberr 15th, 2009).  (I will provide the link at the end of this blog, its a good read.)

I didn't realize, until this past weekend what was lacking in my life.  How very much "touch" matters.  A friend who squeezes your hand in encouragement and understanding; A mother's  embrace; A child's hug, A lover's touch. There is no substitute.  Touch is one of the five senses, and one that perhaps we take for granted and don't give a lot of thought to.  It ties in with our emotions, how we feel about "ourselves" how we feel about "others." Studies have been done on babies, and how in order to survive, thrive and grow, a "nuturing" touch is needed.  But I don't think this goes just for our children.  Adults need touch too.  Touching is a way of communicating, a way of expressing ourselves, of conveying love and happiness.  I agree with Carmen Jochmann's article - that touching is healing.  I think it has a powerful affect on our moods. Have you ever noticed if you are having a bad day, and someone gives you a hug, it might have "softened" a grizzley bear mood?

When Adam was in the garden of Eden, he had everything beautiful surrounding him - yet, he felt a lack.  He was not meant to be the only human being. God even said, "It is not good for man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18) So God created Eve.  Can you imagine the joy Adam felt at the touch of her hand? Or from the ability to share with her ALL the beauty of their surroundings? The companionship they shared?  I'm quite sure they must have walked all throughout the garden holding hands with Adam pointing out all the things God had given him the priveledge of naming to her.

When I first was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was incredible to me - the people who disappeared from my life.  As if I had leprosy.  As if they could catch it themselves...  Now, I'm not "judging" them because I'm sure to some people hearing what was going on with me made them think about their own mortality... So perhaps it wasn't "me" they ran from - just the fact that any time coming in contact with me, or hearing about me made them realize how "short" life is.  It hurt.  It made major life changes occur in my life.  It made me realize all the more - what I want and can accept in life and the things I can't accept. Going through breast cancer became a very lonely experience.  With couples, sometimes one partner can't "be" there for their spouse.  Its not as if they don't want to be - they just emotionally can't.  It's not the case with all couples - but I am told that it happens with quite a few.  No one could feel what I felt because they were not "personally" experiencing it. They couldn't relate. At times it seemed as if the only one who could truly hold my hand through though the process, was God Himself.  Yet, I was like a child who angrily took my hand out of His.  Because I couldn't get the answer of "why?" from Him.  It wasn't for me to know.... YET at the same time, the mother He gave me, held me up.  Wouldn't let me quit or give up, even when I wanted to. A friend who lived far away called me daily to check on me, which was a lifeline for me. God gave me (through Facebook) Pink Sisters - women from ALL over the WORLD who were going through breast cancer, the same as I. So we could share with each other, learn from each other. love each other, BE there for each other.  Cry with each other. Act SILLY with each other.  Build each other up and at times - literally pick each other up. Women who understood - what it was, even if I didn't have the words to say it.  Even if I couldn't express it myself, or understand it myself.  The strongest women I have ever known... I didn't think I would say that about anyone other than my sisters in Christ - yet many of them weren't there when I needed them.  The body wasn't there. And I say that without bitterness because we are an imperfect Church.  I say that without judgement because I (being a prodigal) cannot judge anyone because I'm too busy "getting the plank out of my eye" to get the stye out of theirs.  And, if I was to be completly honest - I'm sure I withdrew.

Touch is healing. If you can, show love and affection to those around you.  It can greatly encourage  someone around you who needs it (and you may not even know how much). Nurturing is not something that only infants and children need - grown ups need it too - no matter the age.  I think we'd best remember that.  We are not Islands, we were created to LOVE and BE LOVED. It makes a huge difference. It makes life, WORTH living.
http://carmen-jochmann.suite101.com/the-benefits-of-human-touch-a155979

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