tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751339532479479022024-03-13T22:02:59.873-04:00The Ex-Prodigal DaughterReaching out the right hand of fellowship to my sisters and brothers in Christ. It's so easy "to feel alone in a room crowded with people." The truth is you are not alone, whatever point you are in your walk with Christ, we're on a journey, one that will have us transforming every day of our lives - until we are with Him. We're many members but one in the body of Christ - it helps to share our experiences along the way.The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-15309407663908477762018-03-06T14:25:00.000-05:002018-03-06T14:29:44.187-05:00Time to Go Further! Come see! The Pathway of Life Continues...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The prodigal did not remain a prodigal at some point he made the journey back home to his father and began a new season of his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I often wish we had heard a continuation of the story - hopefully the prodigal learned from the lessons of his journey, reflected upon all he had been through and grew. Hopefully he went on to use what he had experienced to help someone else contemplating making the same mistakes he had made. I don't know what happened in his case, but I can tell you what happened in mine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I grew.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been an ex-prodigal for four years now, and I can truly tell you that God in His forgiveness, love, grace and mercy allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined I would... Although honestly, I never thought I would EVER go through a prodigal experience in the first place!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All of the posts you read on this site (over 8 years worth) are posts of growth, realization and inspiration. THIS Ex-Prodigal's Daughter is being called to her next season of writing and I hope you will not only gain by what has been written here, but that you will also go forward with me onto the new website that the LORD has inspired me to go forward. As a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly it is time for me to move on to a higher calling in my writing, God has helped me move forward and to my amazement and amusement, helped me to build a new website entitled, "The Called Remnant" which can be found at: </span><a href="http://www.the-called-remnant.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.the-called-remnant.com</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My prayer is that if you are a prodigal - one who has just found this page, that God will direct you towards the posts listed on the right side of what you are currently reading, and He will minister to you (as He ministered to me) and inspired me to write ALL of the words that you find here. God's Word never comes back null and void and I know He will continue directing people to this page so that they will (hopefully) repent, grow, forgive themselves and move forward in ALL that God has for them! I believe that will be the case... I have brought forward into my new website some of the posts, but also kept everything here. I pray God will use the words of whatever He has given me to write to bless you, encourage you, minister to you, lead you to repentance (should you still be in a prodigal time in your life) and help make you aware of the fact that YOU are NOT alone. God loves you so very much, He has called you and has a purpose for your life - I pray that you realize that more and more each day and allow Him to do a mighty work of restoration and healing in your life so that you in turn can share and extend the right hand of fellowship behind you to help someone else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is SO much more in store than what you are currently going through... Come find out where God is taking me! A new journey upon the pathway of life has begun! To Him be ALL the glory, honor and praise!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God's Blessings to You in Your Own Journey,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kelly</span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-24243901898868768432018-01-22T19:57:00.001-05:002018-01-23T10:09:28.176-05:00Listen Prodigal, He is Calling You Home...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Your Father is calling You Home...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It has been a while since I have written, a lot has been going on... The Lord is beginning to bring me into the next chapter of my life and with that He has been helping me to grow spiritually.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have a word for all of you who are prodigals who have been reading my blog... LISTEN CAREFULLY... GOD LOVES YOU. I do not know what it is you are currently going through or what it is that has brought you to the point of becoming a prodigal. But God has directed you to this blog for a reason. You are reading these words for a reason, not by chance... He wants your attention, and I want you to know, because I have been there - that God REALLY does love you and He hasn't given up on you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe you are at the point of giving up on yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Maybe all those around you have given up on you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe you are at the beginning of your prodigal time and are having a grand ol' time and think that God doesn't see what you are doing or know what you are going through. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HE DOES.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh yes! You cannot hide from Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He sees it ALL. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You are NOT fooling Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listen, I am not saying this to condemn you. I am saying this because I once was where you are now, I opened up a door that I had no business opening up and with that came my prodigal journey, what I was doing was running away from reality, numbing myself because I was unhappy with my life, but here is the thing - God refused to let go of me, He refused to give up on me. He hasn't given up on you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?"</em> (Matthew 18:12)</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That is exactly what God will do (or maybe even IS doing even as you read these words for you right now. God is no respecter of persons. He does not have favorites. But HE LOVES YOU. He DIED on the cross for forgiveness of your sins. He is leaving the rest to come after you. If you are not at a point of heading back home from your prodigal time - you soon will be. Know that God is calling you home, and even if you aren't aware of it right now or haven't been told this - He has your best interest at heart, heck - He CREATED your heart, don't you think He knows even better than you just what that best is???? HE TRULY LOVES YOU.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know it is not easy... I know that there are times when the devil is telling you that you cannot get right with God. Well, it's true, you can't. But here is the thing - you neer could! The Bible tells us:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." (Isaiah 64:7).</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But it also says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."</em> (Isaiah 1:18).</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We NEVER could be "good enough" to earn Heaven. That is WHY Jesus came. God came down in the form of Man - Jesus - and died on the cross for forgiveness of our sins. He has Risen and even as you read these words - right now is sitting on the right hand of the Father interceding on your behalf. He's got your back!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So when ol' slewfoot comes before you and accuses you - you can agree with him. YES. We CANNOT come before the Father UNLESS we are covered with the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. BUT because of Jesus' shed blood - once we repent and turn our lives around His blood washes ALL our sins away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I went through a prodigal time, I am not speaking as one who doesn't know what it is like, I know how hard it is to come back home. I know what it is like to "beat myself up." But the Bible says that once we confess our sins. Once we repent He FORGIVES Us. The Bible says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <em>"He throws our transgressions as far as the East is to the West."</em> (Psalm 103:12).</span></strong><br />
<span class="p"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HE LOVES YOU. He wants you to turn back to Him. To come home.</span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you are going through a prodigal time - COME HOME. You were not meant to stay there forever. God gives us free will. But if you are a born-again believer I know the Holy Spirit has been kicking your butt big time. And if you were to be honest with yourself, you'd admit that it is true and that you are tired. </span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's time to come home.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I want to encourage you to make that journey back home to the Father. He's waiting... He loves you, He wants you, He DIED for you. Do not listen to any other voices telling you otherwise and it doesn't matter WHAT you have done. There is NO degree of sin with the Father. Sin is Sin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Come Home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God CAN and will restore you. You just have to be willing. Willing to turn around and change direction. He's calling your name. I know, because He called mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now if you are a prodigal who has come home (an ex-prodigal) there may be healing that the Lord has to do in your life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">LET HIM. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe He will help you examine WHY you became a prodigal in the first place. It's not to excuse it, but to help you grow. Were you running away from reality? What was your reason? At some point in your return the Lord will have you privately examine what happened and why you chose what you did. This is not to condemn you but to help you grow in Him. Maybe to reveal some things about yourself that need to be exposed so that God can heal you. There may be things about yourself that you were unaware of. Things from your childhood. Doors that you opened up that should never have been opened. There may be wounds deep within you that need deep Holy Spirit cleansing and suturing up, in allowing God to do this, it can be very painful, but it is necessary in order to grow in Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Let God do it...Withstand the pain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For in the long run God will use your prodigal time to help someone else who is going through what you went through, and when that happens, God will get all the glory for it which means that what the devil meant for evil God WILL use for good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My blog came about because I allowed myself to enter in to a prodigal time in my life. It is not easy to be transparent about our mistakes but when we know that God can use our mistakes to help someone else (learn from your experience so that they in turn won't go down that same "prodigal pathway" or perhaps help someone to know that they are not alone, not the only one to face temptations or situations, He uses what we went through for His good. Throughout our walk with the Lord we are constantly growing. I believe that will be the way it is for as long as we have breath in our bodies we are growing in Him (if we allow the Holy Spirit to move in our lives). Otherwise we become like stagnant water and God has so MUCH more in mind for you. He has plans for your life. Really! Life is filled with a bunch of lessons that are meant to draw us nearer to the Father. We choose by our own free will whether or not we will stay stunted or whether or not we will grow. The choice is always up to us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By beginning this blog seven years ago, I chose to be there for other prodigals. To encourage and let them know that they were not alone. I chose to be transparent with my walk with the Lord and in those seven years, so much has happened! I am at a point where the Lord is telling me it is time to trust Him more. Trust is not something that comes easy for me, digging deep within myself can bring up painful moments that I would rather run from and not face, but I have come to realize that in order to go forward (which is my deepest desire) in the Lord, I have to face things that cause me pain - not run from them. Not deny them. Because I know that until I face them, I can't heal from them or grow. As I grow in Christ I realize that truly:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><em>"It is NOT by power, NOT by might but BY HIS SPIRIT."</em> (Zechariah 4:6)</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I cannot do ANYTHING of my own accord and sometimes that is difficult for me to accept because I am a planner, I am a fixer and right now in my walk, currently - God has brought me to the end of my rope. He is saying to me. "Kelly, as Moses stood before the red sea with the Israelites and Pharaoh and his men were coming towards them. There was NOTHING in the natural that they could do. They were at a point where they had to choose to trust me. And because they did - I parted the sea. Do YOU trust Me like that?" and even though everything in the natural would indicate that I SHOULD feel defeated. That I DO NOT in the natural see a way - I know I serve a Heavenly Father WHO makes a way where there IS no way. What you see in the natural is NOT what is really going on. If God gave you special vision to see the supernatural you would see the combat going around you. The Bible says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."</em> (Ephesians 6:12).</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once again we get to choose what are we going to believe... What our eyes see or what our Father says? He wants us to trust Him. I choose to trust Him. He is not a Father that He would lie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He desires YOUR TRUST.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">TRUST HIM. DO IT. <strong><em>"Taste and see that the Lord is good."</em> (Psalms 34:8).</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My prayer for you dear prodigal, or ex-prodigal, is that YOU will by faith trust Him more and more. God has blessed me so much since my prodigal time. I can tell you that I have gone through a great deal of pain, but with that pain has come spiritual growth. There are regrets I have of course. I can't go back, but I can allow the Lord to bring me forward. And because I am willing He is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear prodigal (or fellow ex-prodigal) there is NO greater place to be than in the center of God's will. It is sweet and fulfilling and satisfying and like nothing I can adequately describe. I pray that for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God is still healing me and showing me why I allowed myself to go through a prodigal time. In bits and pieces for sure, but in love not in condemnation. It is giving me a better understanding of myself. He is also showing me what the next steps are. Because this chapter in my life is closing and God is preparing a new one. You see, the prodigal did NOT remain a prodigal for the rest of his life, oh no! That is not the end of his story. He moved forward. He was warmly welcome back into his Father's house. The Bible doesn't go on to say much more about what happened to him after that, maybe because each prodigals ending is different - but once again that is where free will comes in.... I cannot tell you what plans the Father has for you - but I can tell you that for me - He is calling me to a higher level. And I intend to answer that calling and move forward. He is saying, "There is MORE." So in the upcoming weeks I shall reveal to the followers of my blog what that "more" is. Because it is time to move forward into the next phase of my life. Heed His call. I hope you will do the same... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HE LOVES YOU. COME HOME.</span><br />
<span class="p"><br /></span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-89388055549249196582017-12-09T11:31:00.004-05:002017-12-09T11:31:50.383-05:00Do You Have a "Green Eggs and Ham" Kind of Faith?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is so much that the Lord has been saying to me of late - the main thing that I have been hearing is, "Kelly, do you trust Me?" Ouch... That has been a difficult word. I thought I trusted Him. I have believed I have trusted Him... But looking deeper at myself, I have discovered that I need to trust Him more. How about you? What is God saying to you as you read the words of this post? Are YOU trusting Him? How are you trusting Him? How do you check yourself to make sure that you are trusting Him? If you feel led to share, feel free to respond to this post and share with me the ways that you try to trust in our Father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the things I have started to do is to make sure that I give the Lord the first fruits of my day. As I drive my son to school we pray together and put on our spiritual armor as depicted in Ephesians chapter 6. The armor makes sure we are girded up just as putting on our earthly clothes every morning keeps us from being naked, as my son and I speak out the different pieces of the armor we go through the physical motions of putting each piece on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>The helmet of salvation</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>The breast plate of righteousness</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Around our waist we put the belt of truth</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>We shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>We pick up our shield of faith and our sword of the Spirit</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>praying in the spirit on all occasions all kinds of prayers and request.</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>(Ephesians 6:10-20)</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When you give the Father the first fruits of your day, you are essentially telling Him that you are giving the day to Him. "Kingdom of God come, will of God be done." After dropping my son off at school, I continue on to my office and anyone who would look at me through the window of my car would wonder what I am doing as I probably appear to be very animated, because this is my fruit fruits of the day - and it is the time when I am alone and able to spend quality time talking to my Father. I pray out loud as I drive. I focus solely on my conversation with Him. I bring to the throne of God praise and thanksgiving - as a breast cancer survivor of 7 years I still praise God and thank Him for every day that He gives me. We live and act like God "owes us" tomorrow... But He doesn't. EACH day is a gift. A fresh start! A new sheet of life to write on. I try my hardest to make every moment that I can count. To praise God and thank Him for the little things that we tend to overlook most of the time... For instance, have you ever gotten up early and taken a look at the sky? My goodness! What a "Good Morning" greeting God gives us! The sunrises that I have seen pretty much go hidden by those of us who are not morning people. We miss out. God awakens the sky with such vivid beauty. The proof of His Presence is ALL around us. Most of the time we are too distracted by life's business that we often miss out on such a symphony of Him... Often it takes my breath away and I have to ask Him for forgiveness for "ignoring" or "overlooking" the greeting He gives.... Or the times when I have sat in the backyard of my childhood home and listened to the chirping of various birds conversing back and forth to each other.... Or perhaps they are singing praises to God. I never realized how many different types of birds or chirps there are! It has made me chuckle to see the wild life go about their day - and my childhood home is in a suburb, I can't even imagine the beauty of each day in the country. God's witness is ALL around us. It will bless you if you take a moment to notice it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sometimes life has so much noise in it that it drowns out what God is saying to us. I know I often have a lot of noise in my head... I have to shush it and try to open up my ears to hear what God is saying to me. He desires to spend time with you - the Bible says:</span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."</span></em> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Revelations 3:20)</span></strong><br />
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<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Determine in the plan of your day to spend time with your Father. He longs to spend time with you - He is just waiting for you to want to spend time with Him.... And here is the thing - it is for YOUR good! When I am obedient and I spend time with my Father it is ME who is blessed. It is ME who is encouraged. It is ME who is filled with the most incredible joy. That peace that passes ALL earthly understanding is real and the only way to go about experiencing it is to be obedient and make time for the Father. He is asking you to do it because He knows it will benefit YOU. There is a place inside each one of us that was created just for fellowship with Him. NOTHING else can take the place that hungers for the Creator. We are called to choose for ourselves whether or not we will have a personal relationship with God through His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. He has made the way already, we just need to walk in it. The choice is ours. When we do - we are blessed and encouraged and set free and living as God would want us to live - experiencing His love and His blessings. It is not something you can experience or do for someone else - they must choose to do it themselves. We have THIS day a choice. My challenge to you is to try it... TRY IT.</span></span><br />
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<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is a book that I use to love reading as a child, it is one that I'm quite sure most of my readers are familiar with (if not - I suggest you read it for yourself) it is by Dr. Seuss and the Title is, "Green Eggs and Ham." The story is all about Sam. Sam is offered green eggs and ham and at every turn he sticks up his nose and refuses to try it. He has already determined in his mind that he does NOT like "green eggs and ham." Although his good friend continues to insist that he try it, Sam refuses. Over and over and over again Sam refuses to try "green eggs and ham." Yet finally, in complete aggravation over the constant insistence of his friend (probably to get him to shut up) Sam tries it - and what does he discover???? He LIKES "green eggs and ham." He not only likes it - He loves it! I say this to you because the Bible itself says:</span></span><br />
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<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalms 34:8) </span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It even continues on to say:</span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Second sentence of Psalm 34:8).</span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You see? When we take refuge in Him - we are blessed!!! WE ARE BLESSED. Our Father knows what we need. We NEED HIM. And when we taste and see that He is good - WE are blessed!</span></span><br />
<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kind of makes me think of a parent trying to give a child medicine that will make him/her well and the child adamantly shaking his head and pushing the medicine away. God is the medicine that will heal us. TRY HIM. Taste HIM. SEE that the LORD is GOOD. You will be blessed once you do.</span></span><br />
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<span class="p"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Trust is hard... Especially when and if you have been hurt by people in your life. It is hard to trust God won't do the same. God wants us to trust Him. He does not love as we love. If you have been hurt by people in your life - you need to go to the foot of His cross and bring that pain to Him. Remember, Jesus understands your pain. He was betrayed by those who loved Him. He knows what it is to hurt. Turn to Him. Let Him heal you. He is there. He is an <strong><em>"ever present help in time of trouble"</em> (Psalm 46:1).</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am going to continue to find ways to show God I trust Him - why don't we both continue to find ways to "taste and see that the Lord is good?" And I am sure as was the case with Sam I am, We will be proclaiming to all of the world - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">(Taken from "Green Eggs and Ham," by Dr. Seuss)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Say!<br />I like green eggs and ham!<br />I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!<br />And I would eat them in a boat!<br />And I would eat them with a goat...<br />And I will eat them in the rain.<br />And in the dark. And on a train.<br />And in a car. And in a tree.<br />They are so good so good you see!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I will eat them in a box.<br />And I will eat them with a fox.<br />And I will eat them in a house.<br />And I will eat them with a mouse.<br />And I will eat them here and there.<br />Say! I will eat them anhywhere!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I do so like<br />Green eggs and ham!<br />Thank you!<br />Thank you,<br />Sam-I-am</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Only - let's personalize it for the Lord. In doing so we have done what David did - made our own "psalm" :) </span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Saaaaaaay.... I see how good You are!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've finally tasted and seen - exactly what this scripture means!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love You Lord - I do! And I decide to spend more time with You!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I will come to You in prayer because I know You'll meet me there.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I will worship You with song I recognize to You I belong.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You are So Good So Good for me - I truly now can see!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will proclaim Your name so others will learn to do the same.</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I will praise You in my car</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I will love You near and far</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I will read Your Word it's true!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is so much I long to do!</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I do so love You Thank You So for bringing me into the Know!</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Be glorified this very day! Thank You </span></em></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank You</span></em></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God I say!"</span></em></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span></span></span></span><br />The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-71267817433842665292017-12-06T11:38:00.004-05:002017-12-06T11:38:48.794-05:00Dance a Dance of Faith - as David Danced!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Walking by faith and not by sight is often hard - BUT if we look back at our testimonies it should encourage us as we walk forward in Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I woke up this morning not allowing my worries get the best of me. Decide that every time a worry enters my mind I will NOT worry but I will WORSHIP. Oh how I love the Lord with ALL my heart and soul. The steps of the righteous are ordained by God - so WHY do we worry? Nothing can happen us today that He does not permit. He <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">is the lifter of our heads. He is our Provider. He is our strength - an ever present help in time of trouble. For all who get annoyed with me for my faith - I have to tell you I REFUSE to let a rock cry out louder than I. I LOVE YOU LORD! Thank You for being MY GOD. Thank You that MY REALITY is Realer than what can be seen in the earthly realm... MY REALITY IS YOU. YOU JESUS, YOU FATHER, YOU HOLY SPIRIT. I SEE YOU! I PRAISE YOU! I LOVE YOU!!!!!! I pray that you remove the scales off EVERY eye from those who see and read my words this morning on my page. HELP THEM Father to come to know YOU as Lord of their lives. There is NO greater joy than knowing YOU Father! My heart rejoices in God my Savior. I will sing your praises EVERY DAY of my life. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Thank You this day for YOUR provision! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Thank You Lord this day for bringing into the earthly realm the blessings You have stored up for me THIS day into the earthly realm! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Thank You for my prayer warrior sisters/brothers/tribe who I stand linked arm and arm with! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">I SEE YOU FATHER! I know YOU! I acknowledge YOU! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Hallelujah this season is FILLED with rejoicing in Our Savior! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">My Lord! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> KING OF KINGS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">LORD OF LORDS!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Glory to God in the Highest!!!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-62014607799110272402017-11-10T11:07:00.003-05:002017-11-10T11:54:00.805-05:00God Loves YOU Special!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where are you in your walk with the Father this day? There is a question for you to really think about. Be honest with yourself... You are only accountable to Him. Examine your heart. What motives do you have for what you are doing at this point in your life? Does it line up with the Word of God? Is it something that glorifies Him? Are you asking Him what is it He would have you do or are you just going about your own merry way?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God has given us His Holy Word for a reason. It is the living, moving word of God. It is real... It's funny, because I have really been giving that a lot of thought. God's Word is His living Word. I have developed a deep new hunger for it and an aggravation that I have responsibilities that keep me from being able to just bask in it. Read it, hear from God, reflect on it. Chew on it. Digest it.... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It IS His living Word. In fact the Bible says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><em>All Scripture is God-breathed<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29870A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29870A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> and is useful for teaching,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29870B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29870B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29870C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29870C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> </em></strong><span class="text 2Tim-3-17" id="en-NIV-29871"><strong><em>so that the servant of God<sup> </sup>may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."</em> (2 Timothy 3:16-17).</strong> </span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">IT IS ALIVE!!!!!!!</span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What are you going through? What are you thinking of? What are the desires of your heart? What is God saying to you? Want to know? Turn to the Word of God. I won't tell you that sometimes reading it doesn't smart and make me go, "ouch!" Because sometimes it does... But I will tell you that there are times when I cling to it. That as I read it the Holy Spirit holds it in my heart and brings it back to my remembrance when I need it. I may not always be able to tell you where it is in the Bible but a certain scripture will come flowing out of my mouth - be it a promise or word of encouragement. It is ALL there, written in the Father's Love book for US. Very relevant for THIS day.</span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is a love story. It is a guidebook. It is the book of life. God used people to write it - because God often works through people. And thank GOD He did. How it must hurt His heart to see Bibles that He meant to instruct us and help us sitting collecting dust on some shelf or drawer in our houses. He wants to speak to us, teach us, show us, love us but He has given us free will. We can choose to allow Him to minister to us through His Word, or we can choose to continue to try other things to fill up inside of us what was only meant to be filled by God.</span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>What Do YOU choose this day???</strong> </span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm going to challenge you.... It's up to you if you accept the challenge... But here it is:</span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Find yourself a Bible. Come on there has to be one some where near you. If not send me a private message and I will send one to you. (See the side of my blog? There is a place for your to message or email me). If you need a Bible message me your address and I will send you one. REALLY I WILL!</span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then, once you have found a Bible - pray this prayer:</span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em><strong>"Father God, I long to know You better. I want you to reveal yourself to me. Make Yourself real to me Lord! Show me what You have to say to me in this - Your living Word! Holy Spirit minister to me! I ask You this in Jesus' name! AMEN!"</strong></em> And watch and see what the Father does. And then if you feel astonished by it all - send me a message and comment what God did! Because the Bible also says:</span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><em>"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; <span class="text Isa-55-11">It shall not return to Me void, b</span><span class="text Isa-55-11">ut it shall accomplish what I please, </span></em><span class="text Isa-55-11"><em>And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."</em> <span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span class="text Isa-55-11"><span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span class="text Isa-55-11"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>(Isaiah 55:11)</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Believe it or not - <strong>GOD LOVES YOU!</strong> He longs to hear from you! He longs to converse with you! A conversation consists of TWO WILLING PEOPLE! He is willing - are you???? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Honestly there is nothing sweeter in this life than loving the Father and knowing that you are loved by Him in return.... Oh yes!!! That's right! GOD LOVES YOU. He really does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Test Him on this and see. Find a Bible, Pray, open it up and discover what God would say to you THIS day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am praying for you dear reader... God is already speaking to you. Do you think He brought you to my page by coincidence or in error? Nooooooooooo. He wants you to know Him. He brought you to this page for a reason. The reason? To tell you that He loves you and He wants to encourage you to grow in Him and find out MORE. And the way to find out more is to open up His Word and get to know Him better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><em>"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."</em> (Psalm 34:8)<span class="p"></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span class="text Isa-55-11"><span class="text 2Tim-3-17"><span class="text Isa-55-11"></span></span></span></span><br />The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-18361921839909612422017-11-10T08:52:00.001-05:002017-11-10T08:52:19.591-05:00When God has You Surrounded By Other Members of the Body of Christ Who Share the Same Gift as You!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3BVSvjOY4g4" width="459"></iframe><br />The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-58743428592532682752017-11-10T07:49:00.002-05:002017-11-10T07:49:10.349-05:00What's in Your Cup?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I woke up this morning with a revelation, one that is worth sharing with you... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We can do NOTHING in and of our own accord, we are vessels. What are you filled with? What have you been allowing yourself to be filled with each day? Think about it... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every morning I like to wake up and make myself a good strong cup of coffee - dark roast. The darker the coffee the more I find enjoyment in the taste... I open up the kitchen cabinet and get myself a mug, it is up to me what I choose to fill that mug with... What are YOU allowing YOURSELF to be filled with each day? It is a choice, one that I realized I don't even think about - until today... I have written about this before, but it is worth saying again - God created us with a tremendous need inside of ourselves for Him. We were not made to be "self-sufficient" we are not. There is an inner part of us that cries out for God. We were made for HIM and it is only when we realize and succumb to the knowledge of that need - identify it and allow ourselves to be filled up with something even stronger than coffee (yes there is something stronger than dark roast coffee)... It is the Holy Spirit. When we realize that we were made with a higher calling in mind. We were made to serve a purpose - God's purpose that we can experience no matter what life throws our way - the peace that passes ALL understanding...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This <strong>CANNOT</strong> be found with people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This <strong>CANNOT</strong> be found with things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This <strong>CANNOT</strong> be bought or purchased.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This <strong>CANNOT </strong>be manufactured. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This <strong>CAN ONLY</strong> come from God. And here is the thing - He <strong>WANTS</strong> you to have it. He WANTS you to walk in it. He <strong>DELIGHTS</strong> in giving <strong>MORE </strong>of Himself to <strong>YOU</strong>. You just have to recognize the need and want it. Do you want it? If so, this morning - pray this prayer alongside with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Father God, I love you this day! I decide to <strong>FILL MY CUP</strong> with <strong>YOU</strong>. I need You. I love You. I want <strong>MORE</strong> of You. Please fill me up Lord. You created me to be <strong>YOUR</strong> cup. Fill me up Father. If there is anything in my cup that is dirty, that is cracked and needs healing, I ask that You cleanse me. I ask that You heal me. I ask that You use me this day as Your vessel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Father - if I don't know the purpose of why You created me - I pray that You reveal it to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If I <strong>DO </strong>know that purpose, I pray that You would have me walk in it. I know that my steps are ordained by <strong>YOU</strong>. Let my life give off a sweet aroma that draws others to You. Let them see within me that that my cup is filled with Your Holy Spirit. Let them desire what I have - and what I have is You. I pray that You would be glorified <strong>THIS </strong>day Father. I thank You for being my Creator. I thank You that my life belongs to You. Please be an ever present portion in my life today. Help me not to miss out on <strong>ALL </strong>You have for me. Be glorified. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I thank You this day for <strong>ALL</strong> You are, <strong>ALL</strong> You are doing and <strong>ALL </strong>You are going to do. I praise Your name. You alone are the Lord of my life. Be glorified this day as I keep my eyes on You. My God, My strength, My portion. My everything. I love you this day Father. Go before me. In Jesus Name I pray....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>AMEN</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>"Be strong and courageous.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5735A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> Do not be afraid or terrified<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5735B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> because of them, for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God goes with you;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5735C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> he will never leave you<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5735D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> nor forsake<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5735E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> you.”</em> (Deuteronomy 31:6)</strong></span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-25045836557931225472017-10-09T06:19:00.000-04:002017-10-09T06:19:54.893-04:00The Fight Rages On - Even Though the Battle Has ALREADY Been Won...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Are you battle weary? We often forget that we are in the middle of a spiritual battle... Even those that don't believe it are in it. You are either on one side or the other. You don't have a choice, the choice has already been made. You DO have free will to choose which side you will fight on. Who do you choose this day?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every morning that you have breath in your body you are able to renew your choice. Who do you choose? In not making a choice, you still make a choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You think you see the "reality" of life but the real reality is that a battle rages on - and unknowingly or knowingly you are a participant. The war plan? God's Word, the Bible. The days are becoming fiercer, who do you choose?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is time to allow God to remove the scales from your eyes so that you can clearly see what is all around you. See the reality of the spiritual realm, but see it in a position of victory. God has won the battle, although the fighting is fierce - the battle itself has ALREADY been won. What side are you on?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I don't want to fight," You say - but this fight began long before you and I did. It began even before Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Open up your eyes and see the reality set before you before your eyes close at the end of your life and what has always been before you becomes revealed - too late. You are a participant, so be on the winning side! His name is Jesus! See His hand? It is extended to you - GRAB IT WHILE YOU CAN. It is Not God's will that ANY should perish. The witness of His being is ALL around you, but you haven't taken time to look! Cry out to Him! You are a Soldier! Put on your fatigues! Wake up! If we are to do what Christ did we are to extend our hand behind us and grab hold of the person and wake them up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>"God so LOVED the world that He gave His ONLY begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall NOT perish but have everlasting life!" (John 3:16)</strong> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The days are numbered, they are getting shorter and your enemy is trying to take as many down to hell with him. RISE UP! You have a choice! You just have to believe that you have a choice and can make it! If you don't make it, you are STILL deciding. God loves you! He gave His Son, Jesus to die on the cross for forgiveness of your sins. We sin daily! We cannot mend the bridge between us and God without the shed blood of Jesus which is the ONLY thing that wipes our sins away. What do you need to do?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You need to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. That means having a "personal relationship" with Him. Talk to Him! Tell Him you WANT to believe. Tell Him to help you! Tell Him to reveal Himself to you! And watch and see Him do it! He is NOT a God that He would lie. He loves you! He cares for you! He died for you! He rose again! The enemy has been defeated! You only have to believe...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Romans 10: 9 says that “if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”</strong> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing that I can do to save myself. I confess my complete helplessness to forgive my own sin or to work my way to heaven. At this moment I trust Christ alone as the One who bore my sin when He died on the cross. I believe that He did all that will ever be necessary for me to stand in your holy presence. I thank you that Christ was raised from the dead as a guarantee of my own resurrection. As best as I can, I now transfer my trust to Him. I am grateful that He has promised to receive me despite my many sins and failures. Father, I take you at your word. I thank you that I can face death now that you are my Savior. Thank you for the assurance that you will walk with me through the deep valley. Thank you for hearing this prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God has a plan for your life. One that only YOU can do. We need you and your gifts to go forward in Christ. There are people that need to hear the Word of God and to have the scales removed from their eyes. To come and know Jesus as Lord and Savior. The battle is REAL but the victory has ALREADY been won. Who do YOU choose this day? I choose Christ. <strong>He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)</strong> <strong>He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are not enough words that can describe how wonderful it is to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Don't believe my words? Believe HIS. The victory is ours through Him. Choose this day who you will serve. Choose LIFE. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Choose Jesus. Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalms 34:8) </strong>See for yourself. He is real.</span></span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-91240644006335943692017-09-05T07:40:00.000-04:002017-09-05T07:40:05.271-04:00Praise Him Through The Pain...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Praise Him through the pain, which is what the Holy Spirit whispered to me as I spent quiet time before the Lord this morning. As I prayed, a praise song "on Christ the mighty rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand..." Came into my mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I thought about the scripture on how "the tongue is a double edged sword." and from <strong>Proverbs 12:18 <em>“Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword, But the tongue of the wise is a healing.”</em> </strong>And I also thought about how everything is perception. How we can't get into the head of someone else and sometimes the biggest spiritual warfare occurs with miscommunication, misunderstanding and satan laughs from the sidelines because he is the author of confusion. The great divider and "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." (John 10:10). That is what he does - and he does it best with the people we love the most. Family, friends - because it is only the ones you care the most about that can hurt you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Think about it... I think that is also why the Bible says in <strong>Proverbs 4:23 <em>"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."</em> (Proverbs 4:23-27). </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Division does not glorify God - it glorifies the devil. He sits back and watches as the seeds of anger, confusion, back stabbing, gossip causes division. Breaks a part families and friends. We refer to it as drama - but what it REALLY is is spiritual warfare. You choose if you are going to be a part of it. Sometimes we are pulled into it but we choose whether or not we are going to participate or whether or not we are going to pray through it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jesus said <strong><em>'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."</em> (Mark 12:31)</strong> the problem with that is many of us don't know HOW to love ourselves. You can't pour out from an empty container. Also, there is no degree of pain. Your pain is not greater than my pain, nor is my pain greater than yours. Pain is not a contest. A kind word goes along way. We only see in part, but God sees in full. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>1 Corinthians 13:12 says, <em>"Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."</em></strong> There for our trust MUST be in Him. How can we combat the enemy? SHOW LOVE. Christ is to be our example. Every morning we choose who we are going to give the glory of a new day to - the devil or the Lord. I choose the Lord. He has given us free will - so the choice is ours. Instead of being so concerned about the sty in someone else's eye - maybe the finger you point should be pointed inward. Towards ourselves. I don't know about you, but my sins and short comings are ever before me. I don't need someone "judging me" or "pointing their finger at me" because I am my own worst critic. I am too busy judging MYSELF to worry about what YOU need to work on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Bible also says, <strong><em>"The measure you judge someone else is the measure you yourself will be judged."</em> (Matthew 7:2).</strong> There is so much "imperfect" in ME that I am not concentrating on the imperfect in you. Quite frankly, I leave the judging to God who looks at the heart and sees the fullness of each one of us. You have no idea what "pain" someone else is going through. Should you add on to it or make a difference by a healing word or gesture? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One day I was driving through the drive through of Dunkin getting my coffee and as I pulled up to the window to pay for it the cashier said to me, "You are all set, the man ahead of you paid for your order all ready." I was truly touched by his thoughtfulness. I couldn't even THANK him because he had already drove off. You don't KNOW what kindness and thoughtfulness and goodness does in the life of someone else. Shouldn't we be that way? "Paying it forward?" Not doing it so that it can be acknowledge by people. Some people do good works to SAY they have done good works - No - the Bible says <strong><em>"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags."</em> (Isaiah 64:6).</strong> We should do them because that is what Jesus would do. I have over the last 29 years of being a Christian, hidden God's Word in my heart. Because when I need it most - it floats right to the surface. The Holy Spirit uses it as a balm to help me through the pathway God has me on in life. I once heard the saying, "Be a fountain, not a drain." What are YOU being? Are YOU building up or tearing down? The choice and the responsibility is yours alone to make. I choose the fountain...</span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-65665362883693067962017-08-31T08:10:00.000-04:002017-08-31T08:10:34.666-04:00Hurt People = Hurt People
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVCWFh3ZuObs4nNN64YfsIXnn2x-fymzYEEhYUqDykqosoioES2EnOdCn-tdVRj6raEpdqoZE3Gi9M2dJC3gaosbELw4rEARN8J4zCj6VehO4-_TPJSWGFuhovfu8Yi5-UgyzP-Rcdcs/s1600/Dominos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVCWFh3ZuObs4nNN64YfsIXnn2x-fymzYEEhYUqDykqosoioES2EnOdCn-tdVRj6raEpdqoZE3Gi9M2dJC3gaosbELw4rEARN8J4zCj6VehO4-_TPJSWGFuhovfu8Yi5-UgyzP-Rcdcs/s1600/Dominos.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:45)</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Hurt
people, hurt people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are finding that
more and more in this day and age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have a choice, we can let the domino affect continue on with us or we can
choose to reflect that we have a Savior who went through what we have gone
through and even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He was able to
say, “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do…” Then we should be
willing to do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Now that
doesn’t mean it is easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That doesn’t
mean we don’t feel the sting or the smarting of someone’s meanness or actions –
but what it does mean is that we have to be the one to “rise above it.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Oh that is
sooooooo much easier said than done… Everything inside us cries out to hurt
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why? Because hurt people HURT
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we have to look beyond
the actions at the individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
perhaps that is the example that Jesus has given us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not any easy thing to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">There have
been situations that have occurred in my life where I have wondered HOW Jesus
actually stayed focus on His calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was ostracized, judged, critiqued, used, lied to, betrayed, physically beaten
and STILL He stayed focus on His mission here on earth. How can ANYONE not see
that He is God manifested on earth as man to make a way for us back to the
Father?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We simply naturally do not have
that ability to love THAT WAY without the Holy Spirit manifested inside of us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">I found
myself thinking this week about how the crowds that went ahead of him and those
that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest
heaven!"(Matthew 21:9) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were the
same crowd who cried out, “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">I find
myself wondering time and time again why Jesus chose to love us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are such a stiff necked, hard headed
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are willful and prideful and
full of ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus could have
called down legions upon legions to assist Him, but no – He chose to go forward
and die on the cross for forgiveness of our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man who had done NOTHING wrong, to know Him
and to love Him is to stand in awe of WHO He is… I know I don’t love like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We need to look to Him as our example. More of Him - less of us, even during the times when we may have to bite our own tongues until they bleed...</span></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">“God have mercy upon us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us. Help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indwell your Holy Spirit in us so that when
people disappoint and hurt us we respond in the way You did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to look BEYOND the pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurt people HURT people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Healed people HEAL people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heal us Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to focus on YOU.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-33903838237282661222017-08-08T08:54:00.004-04:002017-08-08T08:55:12.628-04:00Maybe it IS Your Circus and Your Monkeys!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMfgmCH3aucb3EgU6TW4pVPfw7AECV_aT2JN5tlhVNxK8MeTVo9eUMxEVLOrYHnXrA7YD07JT6VKfYpw0pbbL5S7KBdUc4QhviqaRAF4WSLPPS3XmUvGWZiVDlkrbQOH8K4VozBViVIA/s1600/Drama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMfgmCH3aucb3EgU6TW4pVPfw7AECV_aT2JN5tlhVNxK8MeTVo9eUMxEVLOrYHnXrA7YD07JT6VKfYpw0pbbL5S7KBdUc4QhviqaRAF4WSLPPS3XmUvGWZiVDlkrbQOH8K4VozBViVIA/s1600/Drama.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In having quiet time with the Lord this morning, I had a little revelation worth sharing...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was thinking of a picture that I recently had seen of Humpty Dumpty. In the picture Humpty didn't fall off the wall, he was pushed. It made me think about people who are "drama makers" how they seem to have nothing better to do than try to push buttons to try and make us fall - but here is the thing, when you serve a God who created you and removed the scales from your eyes to know Him, you realize two things - He allows those drama makers to push you in order for you to grow in Him. Also, you grow in awareness that HE is the ONLY One who can "put your pieces" back together (NOT the kings men, although God can use/work through people for that healing to occur) and when He does (put you back together) - He makes you like the bionic woman - stronger, faster, better! So maybe we ought to not only thank God for being our God, but pray for and thank the drama makers for actually being used by God to be tools to draw you nearer to Him!</span> <br />
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Praise Him!The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-27723230054689720052017-07-26T12:12:00.002-04:002017-07-26T20:54:43.177-04:00Praise God From Whom ALL Blessings Flow...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D8RCECqRYFPNf-rAw5agXu5mAJRpjmdeOHym3RNRSPLdVPpjEtIN47XUQrcQoOKEndgegrDSCF-sYpRZVsUT89H09p8CIKARf6iusRztoLh7T06vU0E7U32Unx__hyCbDfDQYDah-9Y/s1600/Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D8RCECqRYFPNf-rAw5agXu5mAJRpjmdeOHym3RNRSPLdVPpjEtIN47XUQrcQoOKEndgegrDSCF-sYpRZVsUT89H09p8CIKARf6iusRztoLh7T06vU0E7U32Unx__hyCbDfDQYDah-9Y/s400/Art.jpg" width="400" /></a><span data-offset-key="d2pjm-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Praise God that he removed the scales from our eyes and made us aware of what we needed - HIM. I am more than ever aware of the fact that I cannot get through this life without Him, that I NEED Him with a passion and a thirst that can only be fulfilled by knowing Him and trusting Him more. Everything around us gives proof to the fact that He exists. </span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d2pjm-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been going outside in the early morning hours for my quiet time with Him - trying to give Him the first fruit of my day and I have been amazed by ALL the nature around me - the different type of birds that are chirping and singing (are they singing praise songs to our Creator?); I noticed how they live so simply, God provides their food, which was so apparent to me as they would fly down from their trees into the grass of the back yard and find grubs and insects and worms - God's provision. All of a sudden I felt a bit jealous and wanted to be a bird, free from worry and cares. I noticed a rabbit coming up from it's borough - hopping around... I even noticed a skunk (which I made sure I kept a wary distance from) moseying about his day. </span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d2pjm-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The proof of God and His existence is ALL around us, yet how many of us take time to praise Him or notice Him for it??? Take a moment today and be still - and see the proof that He is God... We only need to quiet ourselves from ourselves to do so....</span> </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d2pjm-0-0"><span data-text="true">"Father I thank You for ALL You have created and All You do. I rejoice in You my Creator, My Lord, My God. Help me not to take You for granted. All around us is proof of Your existence - my Soul hungers for more of You. You are my all in all. I love You Father, please be glorified. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen"</span></span></div>
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-3645222028366125202017-07-11T14:48:00.003-04:002017-07-11T14:50:00.426-04:00Walk in the Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-xAk0OGIZN3eFIvc5VkQajuw1_UVIXlJeV05O7ojoTDEO7rkM9ecA7touTR5N5o1MKZrz8mu8MMTNAMYkIHy8EubkqE3Hz5Qtp6W9KNuoy7UIlFJ0OmovkUKRuO4JN0vyF4N_Fxy-UE/s1600/Light+in+the+dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="654" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-xAk0OGIZN3eFIvc5VkQajuw1_UVIXlJeV05O7ojoTDEO7rkM9ecA7touTR5N5o1MKZrz8mu8MMTNAMYkIHy8EubkqE3Hz5Qtp6W9KNuoy7UIlFJ0OmovkUKRuO4JN0vyF4N_Fxy-UE/s320/Light+in+the+dark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The older I get,
the more I realize how dependent upon the Lord I am. I have found myself
wondering, “How did Jesus do it?” I think about the Scriptures and I wonder how
Jesus kept focused, during the darkest time in His life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Betrayal from within His inner-circle…
Betrayal from someone who was one of His twelve… <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I suppose you
can say that because Jesus is God manifested in flesh, you would think: “Well,
Jesus knew what was going to happen.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, but even so – betrayal is betrayal and nothing hurts more than it
being someone in your inner circle, someone you deeply love - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yet still Jesus continued on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">And He was
betrayed by a kiss…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A KISS!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We live in a
world that grows darker by the minute but in living in it we need to realize
how much brighter light is in darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">When Jesus spoke
again to the people, he said:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
(John 8:12)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Are you walking
in the light? Or are you walking in pitch black darkness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants you to know that He has
experienced your pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word of God
IS the living Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have it for a
reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a guide to guide us
through this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing that
Jesus has not experienced that He cannot relate to you about - Walk towards the
Light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">When someone
betrays you, or lies to you or hurts you more often than not you cannot see
past the pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many songs
that talk about “you always hurt the ones you love” but God didn’t mean life to
be that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a fallen world
that grows darker and darker by the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We cannot give people our faith but we can look to Jesus as our example
and we can do what is the total opposite of what we feel like doing… LOVE
THEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything inside of you wants
revenge or to hurt them just as deeply as they have hurt you back so they can
feel the pain you feel, in fact that is the way of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evening news is filled with violence, filled
with “people hurting people” but that is not what God commands us to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He commands us to LOVE THEM.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">LOVE THEM<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Go against the
grain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go against the tide of your
feelings. Go against the crowd. DO the OPPOSITE of what your feelings are
telling you to do – LOVE THEM. Are you feeling annoyed when you read that? It's okay if you are. Keep praying that God will change your heart. Think about Jesus. Think about how He felt as He was spat upon and ridiculed and jeered at by those He came to save. Yet still He continued... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you can't love them - PRAY. "Lord - I don't have it in me, so I need YOU to put it in me. Help me Father. Help ME to love them as YOU love me." Because when you think about it - if you are to be honest and look at yourself you can see that there are times when you sinned. You did the opposite of what God wanted you to do. You went your own way. You broke God's heart and still He loves you. There are times when YOU may be the person who hurt someone else (either knowingly or unknowingly) and you may not even know how many people are having to do the same thing for YOU. God wants us to love, and if you ask Him - He will put His love in your heart and show you how to see the person(s) that have betrayed you through His eyes. That changes everything...</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">“But I say to you who hear,
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the
other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic
either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your
goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do
so to them. ...</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"> “(Luke 6:27-36)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">“For if you love those who
love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">
(Matthew 5:46)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">“This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.” </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">(John
15:12)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">“If you love those who love
you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">
(Luke 6:32)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">“But love your enemies, and
do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great,
and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the
evil.”</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"> (Luke 6:35)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m not saying
that type of love is “fake it until you make it” kind of love, I’m talking
about asking God to open your heart and fill it with a genuine love for the
person(s) who have betrayed you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
Holy Spirit has that love come flooding in it will take you by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will flood you and in your mind you will
be thinking, “How can I possibly be feeling this?” But it is an over pouring of
the Holy Spirit filling you with a love that comes ONLY from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be that all you can do is pray for
that person(s), but you will be doing it from a place of love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That is the
example that Jesus has set for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
the One who we are to look to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
would Jesus do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What DID Jesus do?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">“A new commandment I give
to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to
love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if
you have love for one another.”</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"> (John 13:34-35)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">“I have been crucified with
Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me.”</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"> (Galatians 2:20)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>"Father God, there is nothing in this life that You have not experienced, that You do not know about. I hurt Father. I was betrayed! I have been "spat" upon by the people in my life that matter most. Help me to love them. Help me to live a life worthy of the love YOU have for me. Help me to turn to You in my raw pain and ask You to help me to love and to forgive."</em> And He will...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Remember, <strong>John 13:35</strong> says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And they will...<span class="p"></span></span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-52905391636878709642017-03-17T10:40:00.000-04:002017-03-17T10:40:07.200-04:00Are You Walking In The Dark?
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Faith walking – is when you find yourself leaning upon God
and you feel like you are walking in the pitch black dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is when you don’t see the way – but you
know you know the Way, so you extend your spiritual arms out in front of you
and you step forward in prayer, trusting that God has got you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is not believing what you are experiencing in the
natural, but knowing that God is greater than whatever the situation is and He
alone will see you through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is when
you are shaking and crying on the outside but you know God wants you to trust
Him and continue to go forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
when you feel fragile and vulnerable and you have no more answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are at the end of your rope and you
feel as though you are “bungee jumping” trusting that God will catch you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don’t have any answers except to tell you that He is the
answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is when the Word that is
hidden in your heart takes root and the scriptures of all God’s promises come
to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He is an ever present help in times of trouble.” </i>(Psalms 46:1)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He has made You the head and not the tail.” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Deuteronomy 28:13)<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart lean not to your own
understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In ALL your ways
acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path.” </i>(Proverbs 3:5)<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Greater is He that is in me than He that is within the world.”</i> (1
John 4:4)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Your promises, God’s Word - He gave it to us for us to lean
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can only see part of the picture –
but He sees it in total and faith walking is when you have to trust that God is
in control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you belong to Him;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the Shepherd, you are one of His
sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shepherd will leave the fold
to bring ONE stray sheep back to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
need to trust Him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s hard to trust in the spiritual, God knows that but that
is where our faith comes in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible
says, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains.”
</i>(Matthew 17:20)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you ever seen
how very small a mustard seed is? They are tiny!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is not a God that He would lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TRUST. BELIEVE. OBEY. God loves not as we
love, sometimes it is hard for us to fathom God’s love because we haven’t
experienced it with people in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God is not like the people in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is faithful, He is trustworthy, He is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our perceptions are different than His – this
is where faith comes in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not
alone, He is with us and He cares. His Word is the same today as it was
yesterday as it will be tomorrow. Trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is the light in the darkness. He’ll make a way where there isn’t one.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-51598549366707071442017-03-06T12:32:00.004-05:002017-03-06T12:32:58.438-05:00Are You a Clinger?
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR_OkpoDDDKSpjWUZ7gFkELV4iIOEeJJFwfKVXwp6kSqsmLV1pSMXSnM2vHRrU588ubK0fOR-3XjOMkdHHqT59L5Ere1Nnd0Jog0knWYeOS8u-ITArDKXzfPgFM1A45cSbr3oAw9mVfw/s1600/Clinging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR_OkpoDDDKSpjWUZ7gFkELV4iIOEeJJFwfKVXwp6kSqsmLV1pSMXSnM2vHRrU588ubK0fOR-3XjOMkdHHqT59L5Ere1Nnd0Jog0knWYeOS8u-ITArDKXzfPgFM1A45cSbr3oAw9mVfw/s320/Clinging.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I woke up in the quiet of this morning praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m at a point in my life where I<em> truly</em>
understand the scripture that says:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>“If I didn’t praise Him the rocks would cry
out.” (Luke 19:40)<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’ve come to learn that true worship really does come from
your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not lip service it is
really recognizing and identifying the fact that we TRULY need God, that we can’t
exist wholly without Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Are you
desperate for the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Do you crave
Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Have you reached a point where you
know that you know that you know that you are completely dependent upon Him?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The only comparison I have is one that pictures a child in
His parent’s arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone comes to take
the child out of his parent’s arms and the child in desperation clings all the
more to the parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you clinging?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
I AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My arms are in
a stronghold around my Father’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
body digs deeper as I try to get closer to Him to feel his assurance and the
safety I’ve come to know being His child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is a need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is substance to
my soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is my everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know WITHOUT a doubt that I never want to
be without Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I can’t exist
without Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That He IS my all in
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I NEED HIM desperately, every
moment, every minute, every day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">THAT is the point of true worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
We were created for Him, to be in fellowship with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deep down inside of each of us is a place
that can only be satisfied with making Him Lord of Our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who are spiritually blind try to fill
this need with other things – but their hunger for the Lord goes unfulfilled
and satisfaction cannot be obtained until that recognition is realized.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can see how Heaven is a place of pure worship and joy, to
see with my eyes what my soul hungers for – it is not difficult to sing with
sincere meaning, “How Great Thou Art.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<em>My God – how I love You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are my everything and without You I NEVER want to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so much for loving me,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thank You so much for Your grace, Your
forgiveness, Your patience, Your tolerance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sorry Father for the times I have taken You for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me
now with true gratitude pouring out through my fingers as I type these words on
the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank You for who You are,
please be with me this day and every day You give me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love You, Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please remove the spiritual scales from
peoples eyes so that they may see You and recognize their need for You as I
recognize my need and dependence upon You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In your presence is where I always long to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May You be glorified. </em></span><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In Jesus Name I worship You and I pray.<o:p></o:p></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">AMEN<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-24789072242380341422017-02-06T11:07:00.000-05:002017-02-06T11:43:35.198-05:00GO LIVE<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr6kAbk0-NCBXj3liM9CqGdZ5JHDb6PJ8E5Nk-12kxRlIVXql8aKRItQ7-LQYzyYQ0YV0k3Sc-6QVLu7loAKAamNhgwT0gsmhjeDxK7LahpTXLi19Fx9EVAq20YwzGGL3Rdu1IL9BorY/s1600/Survivor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr6kAbk0-NCBXj3liM9CqGdZ5JHDb6PJ8E5Nk-12kxRlIVXql8aKRItQ7-LQYzyYQ0YV0k3Sc-6QVLu7loAKAamNhgwT0gsmhjeDxK7LahpTXLi19Fx9EVAq20YwzGGL3Rdu1IL9BorY/s320/Survivor.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The cancer is gone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I declare you cancer-free! Go live!” The oncologist declared over me,
the support staff applauding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply
stood there looking at them blinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
The nightmare was over? The fight had been won? Go live?
HOW.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">HOW<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
For almost seven years I have tried to “Go live” but on the grounds
where the battle occurred – the scar tissue of a fight hard fought and won
unbeknown to me began to grow seeds of anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How does one live after cancer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you put the fear and terror aside? How
do you go forward knowing fully not only has your body changed on the outside,
but you yourself has changed on the in? Your life as you knew it is not the
same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Almost seven</span> years later I am still trying
to go forward.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are days when I just want to burst out in tears of frustration.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling like I’m on an escalator and I
don’t know where it is headed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling
like I have no control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does one “live”
when they are afraid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living with fear
is a cancer of another kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Feeling the responsibility of being given a second chance at
life but afraid to make mistakes… When you go through cancer you are more
keenly aware of all the mistakes you made in life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How do you get past the fear? Life has changed as you know
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not the same person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cancer is gone – but YOU remain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you can pray in your head is, “God help
me to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help me to know how..."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t KNOW how… And you think that the
knowledge will come in time – but the truth of the matter is it doesn’t go away…
You learn to live with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You choose
every day consciously to become better and not bitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden you feel like a different
species of human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who have gone
through the battle understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who
don’t – can’t, you haven’t been where we have (and thank God you haven’t).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
There are days when I wake up and I look around my life
astonished that it has changed so much. It all seems so surreal... Like I'm living a very weird unexpected dream...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A failed marriage, millennium children who think differently than the
children of my era; how do you get through it? By it? Around it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have become a different person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people you feel closest to are other
survivors who have gone through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
cling to each other’s hands like a lifeline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Don’t let go! I might sink without you!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p>"I won't - don't let go of mine either!"</o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Strangers that have become closer than family.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You second guess every choice you make and you live in fear
or uncertainty that life will ever stabilize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You feel like you are looking around every corner because once you were
taken by surprise and now that you know how that feels like, you sleep with one
eye open.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You love deeper and more passionately - it happens naturally because of what you've been through. I call it "bear hug love" - that's the only way you know how to those who are important to you and remain in your life... you try not to stifle or smother those you love because
you are afraid of losing them or afraid of having them lose you... They can't fully understand...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Before life everything was in water colors – now, post
cancer everything is in vibrant hues. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Such an oxymoron of becoming stronger, yet feeling so
fragile…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How do I live this life with so many emotions warring inside
of me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is none of us is
promised tomorrow – but how can I NOT let that fear influence how I live today?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
How do I fit all my living into each moment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I not allow the fear of “what could
happen” ruin my here and now? HOW?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tick tock goes the clock... Not to be taken for granted... What's around the corner? Don't think about it! Walk by faith and not by sight... Okay... Tick tock - what's around the corner? Even unspoken the thought goes...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I'm TRYING. I put my hands over my ears.. I hug myself closer to try and rid myself of the fear... I quote words of scripture God's promises to wrap around me... Picking up the shattered pieces of my life, trying to make sense of it all... Who am I? Why did this happen? How do I go forward? Stepping out on faith. If I take your hand will you hold it forever or will you simply let go? Tick tock... 7 years have gone by - how did they go by so fast? I'm on automatic pilot. Life has changed so drastically. Good things have occurred but still the uncertainty and fear and surprise of having had cancer never goes away. It NEVER fades away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">And my body temperature is cold ALL the time... "I'm cold Father... Help me..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anxiety, fear, depression – emotions you didn’t expect to
feel after the battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t feel
victorious. I feel timid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t feel
like a winner, I feel small and afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like a deer who is caught in the headlights of a car and cannot move out
of the way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I look toward my Pink sisters, other women who KNOW. Other women who understand. We are a sisterhood of survivors. We are a pink rover line holding each others hands we do NOT have the ability of letting each other go. We simply can't. We didn't ask to be in this line. We were drafted. The line is so long it seems unending. We CRY out together in unison, "We NEED a cure! God help us and every survivor. WE NEED A CURE."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<em>God help me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
not how life was meant to be. Help me not to be afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take my hand. Calm my soul. In my head I know
that NO one is promised tomorrow – but please don’t let that fear take away my
joy of today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I allow that to be the
case then regardless of whether or not the cancer is gone – it has won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because with it has gone my innocence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My carefree sense of being, please renew a
steadfast spirit inside of me and return to me the joy of my salvation and my
healing; the joy of LIFE.<o:p></o:p></em></span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-78013653842435744132016-11-20T09:11:00.003-05:002016-11-20T09:14:54.079-05:00He's REALLY Real! Really He is....<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We live in a time where we are hard pressed on ALL sides. I have been thinking a lot about the Israelites during the time they were under such oppression and slavery under the rule of pharaoh. When we read our Bible it is easy to forget that everything happened over a period of time, change did not happen overnight. Imagine what it must have been like for them, God's chosen ones to have to wake up every morning under the rule of a slave master and get through their day. No doubt it was going through their minds, "Where is our God? Does He hear us? Does He see us? Does He care???" They were beaten and worked and hard pressed - these chosen people of God. Yet STILL they held fast to their faith. Still they kept their faith and continued to wait for the Messiah. Still they waited...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my eyes things have not changed much... Centuries later, we are hard pressed on EVERY side. We are waiting for our Jesus to return. We live in a society that does not acknowledge Him as King and Savior. Many of us struggle and are weighed down by the burdens of this life. The days sometimes feel so dark and we wonder if the God that we have read in our Bible still hears our cries. Still cares.... And we wonder if He does, WHY does He care? We are a "stiff necked people," we have denied Him from so many aspects of our lives. We have insulted Him, ridiculed Him, mocked Him - WHY would He care for us???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But He does...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He loves us still. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Personally, I don't understand why... We don't deserve His love. We don't deserve His blessing, we continuously willfully go against His Word (when we find the time to read it). Often we forget that the Bible is a true record of history - not a book like Grimms Fairy Tales. We don't pay attention to the direction or learn from the past experiences. We continue on sinning in the same manner that "they did in the days of old." Yet STILL God allows His grace and His mercy to pour down on us - a thankless, heartless, selfish people. (And oh yes, I include myself in that number)... And we are unappreciative of ALL the blessings He pours down upon us, including the fact that He wakes us up each morning for a brand new day to try again. We are NOT promised tomorrow - yet we act like He owes it to us. He owes us NOTHING. We owe Him EVERYTHING. We blame Him or all the mishaps in our lives - when most of the problems we have we have created for ourselves, yet we point our finger at Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He warned Adam and Eve in the Garden. He told them what the consequence would be. Yet still they chose to disobey. We can't point our fingers at Adam and Eve because we do the same exact thing. Yet still God loved us enough to come down from Heaven, manifest Himself in the form of Man by being born of the virgin, Mary. He chose to die He chose to send His Son, Jesus to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins - and even having given that sacrifice we either choose to reject that gift or to not realize the full sacrifice that was made by Jesus on our behalf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet still God loves us...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Still His grace pours down upon us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those of us who have made Him our Lord and Savior, it hasn't meant that life has become easier - it has meant that we have meaning for our lives. If we study His Word and learn His promises, we take comfort in the fact that we are not alone. That He is with us. In reading and studying His Word the Holy Spirit helps us during the difficult times bring to remembrance the promises and words of encouragement that Jesus has given us through the New Testament. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet still there are times when we wonder if our God - who says in His Word:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <strong>"Is the same Yesterday, today and Tomorrow." (Hebrews 13:8)</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If He still hears us. There are times when the worries and cares and the darkness of this world makes us question if God has given up on us. If He still cares. Ol' Slewfoot whispers in our ears, "He doesn't care about you anymore. He's given up on humanity, He's given up on you... He doesn't hear your prayers. He's disgusted by you and all that is going on in the word. YOUR God is dead."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And there are times when we feel so defeated, we start to believe that God HAS given up on us. We start to feel so hard pressed and discouraged by what we are going through or seeing occur around us - that we start to wonder if God cares anymore. We forget that we are told in the Bible not to be led by our feelings or our circumstances. We are to : </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>"Walk by faith not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are to:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>"Trust in the Lord with ALL our hearts, lean not to our own understanding. In ALL our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our path." (Proverbs 3:5)</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But you see, if we are hard pressed on all sides, if we are beset by problems, if we don't take the time to hide God's Word in our hearts and believe it to be true. If we don't hold fast to what the Word of God tells us - than we can't walk by faith. We won't be encouraged. We WILL believe the lies of the devil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet still Our God reaches out to us and shows us, by meeting us where we are at - that He IS here. That He IS an <strong>"Ever present help in times of trouble." (Psalm 46:1).</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are times when we are going through such a dark moment that we lose focus off of Him, as Peter did as told in the book of <strong>Matthew, Chapter 14</strong>. And we start to sink in our circumstances and we start to doubt, lose faith. Then when we think we just can't go on any longer, or that God doesn't care or that we are sinking and there is NO hope. He does something that shows that it is ONLY Him. He rescues us. He reaches His hand down to us and pulls us out of our situation and we realize once again, that God IS REAL. That He is very much in control, that nothing catches Him by surprise. That He is BIGGER than any of our circumstances. That He cares and He sees us and He loves us and He works ALL things according to His purpose. He IS God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe He allows us to go through those dark uncertain times to see if we will still trust Him. Maybe He wants to see if we recognize that we cannot get through this thing called "life" without Him. We were not created to be without God. There is something deep inside each one of us that cries out to Him, "We NEED you!!!" The only thing is that the enemy has blinded the eyes of people and it is only when those scales are removed that we realize that there is NOTHING that can take the place of God in our lives. Many try to fill that need with other sources (sex, drugs, alcohol, worldly possessions, etc.) but it is something deep within our souls that can only be filled by God and it is only when that need is recognized for what it is - the need FOR God that we can experience that <strong>"peace that passes ALL understanding." (Philippians 4:7).</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were created with a need for God, but because we have such a loving Father, He chose to give us free will - to choose Him or to not. The choice has always been ours. He IS real. He is HERE. He loves YOU. He cares. There is NO greater joy than knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and its not something anyone can fully describe unless you experience His personal love for yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It doesn't mean that life will be easier - it means that He will BE there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It doesn't mean that you won't have any worries or cares - it means He will walk you through them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am not living this life for what God gives me (although I continuously pray for blessings and bring to His attention through prayer the desires of my heart because I have learned that He wants me to share my desires and thoughts with Him). We are in a "personal" relationship, which means He wants me to communicate with Him, even though the Bible tells me:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <strong>"He knows my thoughts before I even think them." (Psalm 139:2).</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But when you are in a relationship with someone they want you to share what is on your mind. I really think God likes it when we converse with Him (and that is what prayer IS a conversation with God).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am in a relationship with Him NOT for what He does for me, but for what He did for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>"God showed His love for us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love - not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (John 4:9-10).</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He REALLY is real.... We just have to believe and trust Him. No matter what life throws our way... Because when this life is over. We WILL see that the Bible WAS true and for those of us who chose to believe it - we will spend an eternity with a God who has loves us since the beginning of time.</span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-66451076068408315892016-11-10T16:36:00.002-05:002016-11-10T16:36:33.061-05:00How About That Noah?!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What a day we live in! I have been thinking of late how we forget that the Bible was written to be a guidebook for us, to help us, to encourage us to teach us, yet often it is the last place we look for wisdom and for strength. I think back to when I first became a Christian at the age of 21, not having grown up in a Christian family, once I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and was introduced to the Bible, the words would jump off the pages and I would be so into what I was reading there would be nights when my head would fall asleep with my face right in the Bible! Twenty-nine years later I am chagrined at thinking how it has become difficult to find the time to read the Word of God and how, especially at this time in history it is the answer to so many of the questions we have because it is very much the LIVING Word of God and as the Bible says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:17)</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also it is spiritual food for us and I have found myself discouraged, depressed, depleted and anxious when I don't take time to read it. It is spiritual food for our soul. It was written for a purpose and the purpose was for us to grow in our relationship with Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fascinating thing I have found is how as I have grown in my walk with the Lord what I have read has been stored within my heart. Reading the Word of God helps us to hide his Word in our heart and often time we don't even know that is occurring until a scripture just jumps out in our minds! I get tickled by this because it is the Holy Spirit bringing forward a word of encouragement to my remembrance when I am praying for answers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5).</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Bible is also a map for us. I was thinking this week about the days of Noah, how often we forget that that is a TRUE story, one that can be applied to our lives today. As I have thought about the world today and how many do not choose to follow God's Word or believe it I think about examples of such times as are written in the Bible. The people in Noah's time thought he was insane. Building a boat when there wasn't any rain. They laughed at him. They mocked him, they made fun of him, they went on living, working, marrying, carrying on with their lives (such as we do today) not heeding God's warning or Noah's words. Then the day of rains came. Can you imagine the shock and horror of the people when they realized that all along what Noah had been doing was right? It was too late! The world hasn't changed. The Bible talks about the days to come, yet still we go through life not believing, not giving it much thought that what God's Word says will come to pass. Just as in the days of Noah. Just as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Even as a Christian I can see my own faults, weaknesses and sins before me. It is so easy to get discouraged - especially during the times when God feels so far away. Ol' Slewfoot and his dominions would have us really believe that God IS dead. That He is not concerned with us, our needs or our lives. He would have us doubt God's promises and turn away. He would have us be discouraged or disheartened. But the TRUTH of the matter is that God LOVES us. That He is NOT dead. That He is very much alive. That He CARES. We live in a day and age where people are looking those of us who are Christians and struggling and they mock us and laugh at us and wonder WHY we would serve a God who clearly makes us suffer. And sometimes, as a cancer survivor who is struggling to make ends meet for my family - I DO question God. I ask Him WHY. When it seems like what is such a big problem for us is a little "ant hill" to Him. WHY doesn't He just alleviate the difficulty I have. WHY do I go through the things I go through when I have a Father who could just snap His fingers and take away my burdens like He was flicking a piece of lint off His shoulder and honestly there are times when I rage and I cry before Him and I ask Him, "Lord HOW do you receive the glory in my being burdened by A,B,C??? Why won't you help ME??? Your Word says, "If I being evil give good gifts to my children how much more so will you help ME?" (Matthew 7:11) There are times when I cry out to Him, "Abba Father!!!!" And He seems quiet. He seems distant and far away. That is when the scripture promise I cling to:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I will never leave nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I have to remind myself that regardless of whether or not I understand what I am going through. The Bible also tells me:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The steps of the righteous are ordained by God." (Psalms 37:23)</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Remembering that my righteousness is NOT my own - that I have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ - who loved me enough to die on the cross for forgiveness of my sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know without a doubt within my soul - that also as the Bible says: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> "He is the way, the truth and the life. The ONLY way to Heaven." (John 14:6)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He is: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"<strong>The peace that passes ALL understanding."(Philippians 4:7)</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You see? In reading His Word, I have hidden such scriptures in my heart. The faith part comes with BELIEVING them. STANDING on them. Holding FAST to them. Not to go by my feelings - but to know that my Heavenly Father cares. He's There. The Word also tells me:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"He is an ever present help in times of trouble." (Psalm 46:1)</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He is:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The lifter of my head." (Psalms 3:3)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can trust Him. He knows what He is doing. Jesus even said:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will</strong> <strong>give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are living in a time where we have to choose who we are going to believe. satan or God. We have to decide who's voice we are going to listen to. It is NOT easy. It is so easy to feel as though God is far away - especially when we look around at ALL the things that are going on in the world. There is NO common sense anymore. There is NO common courtesy. Even Christians are not living and walking in the manner that God intended them to walk. The Bride is NOT ready. We have become wordly - and we need to ask God to forgive us and to help us be ALL that He intended us to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Bible talks about the days to come. The last days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,</strong><span class="p"><strong> treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2nd Timothy 3:2 - 3:5)</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is SPELLED OUT right on the pages of the Word of God. So WHY does it come as such a shock to us when we hear about it in the news, when we see it happening right before our eyes? When we find OURSELVES acting in a manner that does not glorify God? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I look on my life over the last 29 years of being a Christian. My answer to those who see me struggle as a cancer survivor, a divorced woman raising two of her three children on her own. My answer is - don't look at ME. Look at HIM. I am not IN this life because of what God can do for me - although daily I hope He will help me with the burdens I carry and the things I go through in life. But the fact of the matter is I love Him and have become a Christian not for what he can DO for me, but for what He has DONE for me. He died on the cross for forgiveness of my sins. He made a way for me to be able to enter into a relationship with God the Father because of His obedience. He made a way through His shed blood for me to be able to go to Heaven when I die. NOT because of anything I have done but because of WHAT HE has done. I am in it because I love Him. I am in it because I trust Him - even when I rage and have temper tantrums. I am in it because I know that His Word (regardless of how in frequently I have taken time to read it myself of late) is TRUE and the Words written in God's book - The BIBLE WILL come to pass regardless of those who think is nonsense. Just as in the examples He has allowed those God inspired men He used to write it, write it for us to read. He wrote it as a love story for us - so that we would be encouraged. So that we would SEE how MUCH God love us. The choice (which he also gave us - free choice) is OURS.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you look out at the world and the things that are occurring around you - what will YOU choose to believe? Where is your hope? How do YOU go forward in life in a world that often times seems as though it is growing darker and darker. (It is...) But if you read the same Word that I read - you will be encouraged to know that Jesus said:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"He is the Way, The Truth and the Life." John 14:6)</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> We only need to walk in it... I'm going to continue trying - how about you?</span><br />
<span class="p"><strong><br /></strong></span><span class="p"><br /></span><br />
<span class="p"><br />
<br /></span><span class="p"><br /></span><span class="p"><br /></span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-91401685014162012482016-11-07T14:20:00.000-05:002016-11-07T14:25:02.375-05:00All YOU Need<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuGfCHUUsg-8pzSKBkz-fNQVGSFqCliSjifvAhKF9e3LwUtQIIMu_B4Q-2FOZof82YwbR6SJWfhdb3rRX5S37d1nPxlatnHDQP14-qLbsq6zf6-gcZsfYa6TA-rpVlGRZpmFX0n2_AhI/s1600/panic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuGfCHUUsg-8pzSKBkz-fNQVGSFqCliSjifvAhKF9e3LwUtQIIMu_B4Q-2FOZof82YwbR6SJWfhdb3rRX5S37d1nPxlatnHDQP14-qLbsq6zf6-gcZsfYa6TA-rpVlGRZpmFX0n2_AhI/s1600/panic.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, lean not to your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5)</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is not one thing that this ex-prodigal is more certain
about – except this… I NEED the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
need Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than any other person,
more than any materialistic item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I NEED
the Lord in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone was to
ask me what a life is like without Jesus – I would answer that it’s like a
corpse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spirit of a person brings
animation and life into a body, without the spirit a body is just a shell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Without the Lord – I am lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said He would never leave nor forsake
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I believe that sometimes He sits
waaaaaay in the back ground watching us to see what we would do without Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know what I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel like I can’t breath. like I can’t think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what my spiritual state is –
prodigal, ex-prodigal etc. there is one thing I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I CANNOT get through life without the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Without Him I am a mere shell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
It’s the scariest thing in the world when you feel as though
you are all alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where pain feels your
body and you feel like you just can’t go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I believe that people who experience this feeling are the ones that
commit suicide, because the pain is just too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want it gone.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus is my peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is the Way, He is the Truth and He is the life and I can honestly say that
there is no one I love more than Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
CANNOT live without Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is my ever
present help in time of trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
the lifter of my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is my Lord and
He is my Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He LOVES me
unconditionally.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think of John, when He was walking on water towards the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His steps were filled with
confidence and not doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew WHO he
was walking towards and he believed He could do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
It wasn’t until doubt and uncertainty and perhaps even worry
or the words of this world filled his head that he slowly began to sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what the world does to us – unless we
have our eyes focused on Jesus, we sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This weekend I sunk all the way to my nostrils where I could feel the
water filling my nose and the burning sensation that comes with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I panicked. I thrashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to give up. I lost focus.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">LISTEN – people will disappoint you all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But our focus is not supposed to be ON
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not living for THEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are living for HIM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I woke up this morning and realized I needed
to anoint myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to rebuke ALL
those things that were moving me towards death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Towards giving up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually when
we feel this way it is because God has a great plan for our lives and ol’
slewfoot steps in and tries to distract us – tries to make us take our eyes off
of God and put it on our situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOD
IS BIGGER THAN ANY OF OUR PROBLEMS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is NOTHING that God can’t do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We forget that sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we
need to do is call on Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if it is
the ONLY thing you can say, cry out “JESUS I LOVE YOU!!!! JESUS I NEED YOU!!!!
JESUS DON’T LEAVE ME!!! Save me Lord! Help me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an EVER
present help in time of trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
We need to keep our eyes on Him… We were not called to do
things on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not made that
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need Him – now more than ever
before.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Father God, I need you. Forgive me my sins; wash me with
the blood of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t ever leave
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where I am weak – make me
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where I am strong – keep me
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold me tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without you I am nothing but a shell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to live in a Godless world
without you by my side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please never let
me go. Restore what the cankerworm has destroyed and help me not to walk in
fear or doubt. But to trust that You have got me and that my life belongs to
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus precious name I pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AMEN”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-60908444264491491802016-10-06T08:26:00.003-04:002016-10-06T08:26:41.619-04:00Mirror, Mirror - What do YOU see????<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>How do YOU view yourself?</strong></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is something that has been really pressed on my heart – which means I need to write about – so here I go… To my Survivor Brethren (actually to everyone)... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I find myself wanting to throw up in my mouth a little over the guys who are looking for “Malibu Barbie.” Don’t go for the guy (or girl for that matter) who is looking for “Malibu Barbie” or the “guy with the six pack” – that guy/girl is not worthy your love. He is shallow and vain and unrealistic and probably doesn’t even look at himself in the mirror. Chances are he looks like “Al Bundy” (If you don’t know who that is – Google him). Feel sorry for him, because he is pathetic and shallow and full of himself. Those are the type of guys (forgive my straightforwardness, but I NEVER sugarcoat and this is true) who when they have sex yell their own name out. You don’t want a man like that. Go for the guy who sees the true beauty in you. Who will look at you and feel as though the whole REST of the world fades away. Who will make YOU feel that way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I say this especially to survivors of cancer. I only have a small scar from</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">my lumpectomy, but still my body is far from perfect – yet here is the thing I have learned and it has made ALL the difference…. Sexiness is not a look, it is not a style it is not a weight – it is an attitude. It is in the way you view yourself, it is in the way you carry yourself. It is in knowing your own self-worth. Sexiness is an attitude one wears well. It is not conceit (that is ugly) – it is a knowledge of your own self-worth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is in the way you love others, the way you touch someone, the way you live and think. People mistake sexiness for a type of look. They are WRONG. For a woman, it is all about BEING a woman. Making a man feel like a man… Going after you want (and not stepping on toes or hearts to do it). Living life FULLY and believing in yourself; using your gifts to build others up and not tear them down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some of my Pink sisters have undergone mastectomies and some of you other types of cancer survivors have other types of physical scars that have been done because of a surgery that SAVED YOUR LIFE. Don’t feel less because of it! Someone who loves you, TRULY loves you will love you fiercely because YOU ARE STILL ALIVE. Because YOU ARE STILL HERE. Because YOU ARE (or have been) through a physical war! You are a fighter! You are a survivor! You are BEAUTIFUL because YOU didn’t give up! You are the BEST KIND OF BEAUTIFUL!!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Be with someone who will see your scars and still see the beauty of YOU. You were in a war – a war you WON. They are battle scars. They have become part of who you are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When you truly love someone it is their inner beauty that shines through their physical imperfections becomes the things that make them irresistible to you, the things you love most about them, the thing that differentiates them from all the rest. That mole, that scar, that gap between their teeth, that big butt or those love handles. When you love someone, you love all of them whatever it is that makes them unique, and ohhh how those things that they consider faults or imperfections become lovable and endearing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love is in the eye of the beholder, it is not a “cookie cutter” type thing. If someone can’t love you like that – they are not worthy of your love, they don’t see that the real you is what is on the inside. Looks fade, people get old – what lasts is the beauty of YOU. Your spirit, your soul. Have you ever seen an elderly couple and the way the man looks at his wife as though she were the most beautiful thing God ever created?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That’s the kind of love worth holding out for, that’s the love that will last.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If someone can’t love you as you are and encourage you to do whatever you need to do to feel good about yourself, than they are not worth your effort, time or love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If someone doesn’t see your inner beauty but wants physical perfection – drop them like a hot potato, they are not worthy of you or your love and the truth of the matter is they will never find what they are looking for – there is no perfect person out there, there is always going to be someone more outwardly attractive, and the truth is you should be with someone who desires you, loves you, wants you, needs you, feels their most beautiful when they are walking besides you. Only has eyes for you. That’s a love worth holding out.</span>The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-76413255925191155152016-09-25T06:29:00.001-04:002016-09-26T11:05:38.749-04:00Sincerely Yours - Are You For Real?<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Psalm 61:2)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sometimes I write what others are afraid to admit or say... You can agree to disagree with me, still in my transparent, raw, ex-prodigal, honest fashion - I say what I mean and mean what I say all the while trying not to say it mean... Still it has to be said... </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I simply <em>abhor </em>and will continue to pray for/about:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christians who show a pseudo-fake love who condescendingly, ungenuinely, judgmentally look down their noses at you, pat you on the back, purse their lips together and say, <em>"I'm praying for you."</em> When actually if you could see a little cartoon bubble above their head which would translate what they are really thinking it would show that what they are doing is judging you and relishing what situations you are going through so they can "feel better" about themselves or where they are in their own walk (i.e. looking past the plank in their own eye while trying to remove the sty from yours...) There is a difference between genuine Christ-like compassion and the "well bless your heart" (cartoon bubble translation: <em>"what-I-really-mean-is-I-think-you-are-a-stupid-ass-but-I'm-not-going-to-come-straight-out-and-say-it")</em> non-Christ-like love mentality. The church has become a social club similar to that of a "yacht club," it has become a popularity contest where you are part of the "in crowd" or you're not and if you are not, you get ostracized... I don't believe that is how God intended the church to be. It does not glorify Him or represent how the body of Christ is suppose to be...and the Bible says:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <strong>"A house divided against itself cannot stand." (Mark 3:25)</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I say I'm praying for you, I mean I'm crying out to the Lord alongside you, squeezing your hand, feeling your pain as if it was my own, walking along side you, you can depend on me to BE there for you. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not giving you some "pat" answer. Those are the type of Christians God meant the church to be. Those are the people I want in my inner circle - the ones that even in their imperfect mess will REALLY be there for each other, down and dirty - realizing that it is ONLY the blood of Jesus that makes us righteous. <strong>HIS</strong> grace, <strong>HIS</strong> forgiveness, <strong>HIS</strong> love. Not a social organization that professes to be for Christ but does not love in the manner Christ showed love even to the point of dying for us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe the reason why Christ has not returned yet is because His bride is <strong>NOT</strong> ready. Shame on us!!! (Help us Lord - we call ourselves Christians but the definition of "Christian" is to be "Christ-like" and MANY of us fail You and do You a disservice by the way we treat others, the way we live, the things we say and do are NOT a true representation of how You would have us be - and before anyone goes thumbing their nose at me, I include myself amongst the many) forgive me Lord, help me to honor You and not cause You shame...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong>1 Corinthians 12:12 says: "Even <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ."</span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #fdfeff;">And continues in <strong>1 Corinthians 12:14-24</strong> to say:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">"For the body does not consist of only one part, but of many members. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. But now there are many members but one body. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. So that </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other."</span></strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now here is the part where the church is lacking:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>1 Corinthians 12:26</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">"If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it."</span></strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #fdfeff;">An example would be - If you stub your toe, does not your whole body feel the pain? Such is how it <strong>should be</strong> with the whole Body of Christ. But with the majority of members, its not. The scriptures in <strong>1 Timothy 3:2-5</strong> indicate:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power."</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you look around and are honest, you will see that we live in a time such as this and it affects BOTH Christians as well as those that are not. We are not to be as such. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We need to pray for the church to TRULY be like the church described in the book of Acts where all the needs were met within the body because everyone used their gifts to help one another. We need to be a church that stands out amongst the world and makes a difference - first within its own doors and then within the community and world. We need to be a PRAYING church, not forsaking the importance of prayer Because when you really think about it - the church is WHO WE ARE *not* where we go. We need to remember that Jesus is to be our example and constantly allow Him to renew our minds and to look at how and what Jesus did to draw people unto God. We need to pray in these last days for a bride that Christ will be glad to come receive.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-82155258765252963012016-08-18T16:01:00.000-04:002016-08-18T16:08:30.943-04:00How's Your Oil Holding Out?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I thought I had been prepared… I had anticipated this day
for as long as I could remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
could I have done with it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where could I
have put it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOW could I have forgotten
it???? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
There were ten of us, you see… When we heard He was arriving,
that the wedding banquet was prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh if you could only know how fast my heart was beating in my
chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had waited for this day…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days had been easier than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The years had flown by and there were times
in my life where I lost faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where I
had thought He had forsaken me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were times when I was grateful for God’s grace that He had not yet arrived.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see, patience is not one of my strong suits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were days that I cried out to Him,
begging him to HURRY up and come!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Days
where I raged at the fact He was not here already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Where was He? Why wasn’t He here already?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much more evil could these days get?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then there were days when I was
disappointed with myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where I knew
that it was clearly His grace, forgiveness and love that kept Him from coming.
There were days where I was actually part of the problem… (And more then likely part of the reason for His graceful delay...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now He was coming and we were on route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where had I placed my oil for my lamp?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my rush to get out the door had I
forgotten it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my absent minded mind
was He arriving on a day where my faith had grown as dim as the lamp before
me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now my heart filled with trepidation.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Oh the horror of the thought that I had waited so diligently
and with joy anticipating His arrival, was all that to be tossed away because
He was arriving on a day where my faith was weak?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where I felt as though the Holy Spirit had
left me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A day where my eyes had been
removed from Him and on to my circumstances?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh woe is me!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“May I have some of your oil?” I asked tapping the back
shoulder of the virgin ahead of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
She turned her head and threw me a look of genuine pity and
shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If I give you some of
mine, I may not have enough, I can’t risk that – I’m sorry…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She proceeded to quicken her steps anxious to
get to Him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My shoulders slumped, I tried to think back to where I had
placed it, but the worries of the world, worries of my life had crowded in and
I had been consumed with them instead of walking in faith and believing that He
would supply all my needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear, worry,
anxiety, depression had all taken up residence in my heart and had made me lose
my faith, my trust in He who is greater than any concern. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had placed importance over that which was
most important above all things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
allowed the things of the world to overtake me; consume me and turn my head to
that which I had been warned not to. I was in a place I never expected to
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had warned me over and over again
to be prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The fault was mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My faith had faltered and I had allowed
myself to be weighed down with the cares of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We can’t allow ourselves to be “that girl or “that guy” – I have
written from my heart because I have felt like her, honestly - more recently than not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank God for his mercy and His grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it is easy to fall in the “People-Around-the-time-of-Noah”
mentality that Jesus isn’t coming back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But He’s prolonging His return BECAUSE of His grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<em>“And except those days should be shortened, there should no
flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.”
(Matthew 24:22)<o:p></o:p></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is so easy for us to become desensitized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have felt that way myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This world grows with its problems and
demands and there are days when I myself am wondering HOW to get through
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we need to keep our eyes
focused on the Lord – like Peter did when he was walking on water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was when Peter took his eyes off of him
that he began to sink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Are you sinking????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cry out to God for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ol’
Slewfoot would have you believe that God is not listening, that you are not important
enough for Him to hear your cries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is a LIE from the pit of hell!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
It is so very easy to allow the oil of our faith to dry
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To stop believing, to become discouraged
or distracted or bitter or envious or jealous of others – all those feelings
are *not* of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cry out to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk to Him, Pray to Him. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3)</span></em><span class="p"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And also:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em>"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)<span class="p"></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
We need to not leave nor forsake Him as well... And if we do - t</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he very first step is being honest with your feelings and
talk to Your Father who cares so much about you how you feel. He will
revitalized your oil and make it flow like a running river.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank GOD for His grace, His mercy and His love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord is coming we MUST be ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us Father. Forgive us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guide us that ALL of us may enter the Wedding
Feast and not let one of us be shut out.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Jesus name I pray…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">AMEN<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-37282380347761685962016-07-26T16:18:00.001-04:002016-07-26T16:18:16.621-04:00He Knows Your Heart... Trust Him, Believe...
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">More and more I realize that I
don’t have all of the answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact,
I don’t have MOST of the answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
there is one thing I do know – GOD DOES.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think He purposely created us that way – we NEED Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the realization that it takes so many
of us years to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It even takes
some a life time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth of the
matter is – our lives are but breathes (or as the Bible says - mist) as it tells
us in the <strong>Book of James 4:14.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Think about how quickly time goes
by and how astonished we all are by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are only here for a short while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We choose what we do with that “short while.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you want to do?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You have a purpose – even if you
don’t know what that purpose is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ASK
HIM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PRAY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God doesn’t want to hide it from you, He
wants you to discover what that purpose is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I can tell you the one thing I DO know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no greater joy than knowing what it
is God has called you to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have
specific gifts that God gave you when He created you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine how excited He was when He
formed you, put you together and gave you gifts that would satisfy that God
given hunger deep inside of you and glorify His name at the same time???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a proud Parent I’ll bet He was after He
created you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He probably stood back with
such joy and pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are quite a well
put together accomplishment!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think the hardest thing is
finding the time in this busy, crazy, backwards world to DO what it is God
calls you to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>“To much is given, much is
required.” (Luke 12:48)<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With our knowledge of what He has
called us to do, comes the responsibility to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that isn’t always easy…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I write – and it’s been a while
since I last wrote, because there is a time when my mind goes blank and I
honestly have to wait on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to continue on with
my calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then of course if I were to
be totally transparent and honest (which I am) I would also admit that
sometimes the biggest question in my mind for God (especially in this day and
age) is: “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He doesn’t always reveal the full
picture to us – which is difficult! Sometimes my spiritual life feels like the
game, “Red Light, Green Light.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
wants us to step out on faith and for me, because I’ve made mistakes in my life,
that can be a really scary thing and I become like a deer in headlights.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Afraid to go forward, afraid to
stay where I am, afraid to miss the mark, afraid to go ahead – but then I
remember that the Bible tells me:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>“God did not give us a Spirit of
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has given unto us, a Spirit of
love, a Spirit of power and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We have to step out on
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds like it should be so easy, and
often times we make it more difficult than it is.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think the most important thing
to remember is that no matter what you are feeling, God looks at the
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when we can’t
find the words to say – but the Bible tells us that God knows our thoughts
before we even think them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, when
I can’t find the words to say – this is of great comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>“God, we need You… We don’t want
to guess at Your will – we want to walk in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Forgive us when we miss the mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Forgive us when we jump ahead of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us when we walk
according to the flesh and not the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please Father – direct our paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Help us to trust You and to remember to come to Your throne not only
with our requests or things that are on our hearts – but with thanksgiving and
praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often get caught up with
worries or distractions or concerns and forget to praise You and count our
blessings for the things You continue to bless us with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love You Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy, Your
forgiveness and Your love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank You for
making a way through the shed blood of Your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for us to come before You in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank You for caring about the things that
matter to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank You for making a way
where there seems to be no way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
You for Your saving grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We exalt Your
Holy Name and rejoice in You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love
You Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please be glorified in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus Precious name, I pray… Amen</em>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-4813168573036529962016-06-06T10:42:00.000-04:002016-06-06T11:06:11.186-04:00It is Okay if it is NOT Well With Your Soul... God's Got You...<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6Mk80rM77UchyffwToqyrcz67tVjk6qJmyd40W_eTUZ1Tm8rH-7NhbUVmk1ag6bq5nxKWD4g5IayOSuPb8hDzKITxq3_diC_EYl3cHPWQ0uy52mKb97SMKpnymUAw8ei_BNGquwg0bQ/s1600/Depression.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6Mk80rM77UchyffwToqyrcz67tVjk6qJmyd40W_eTUZ1Tm8rH-7NhbUVmk1ag6bq5nxKWD4g5IayOSuPb8hDzKITxq3_diC_EYl3cHPWQ0uy52mKb97SMKpnymUAw8ei_BNGquwg0bQ/s320/Depression.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't be ashamed if you don't feel as though "it is well with your soul" You don't have to hide how you feel to God. The Bible tells us in "He knows your thoughts before you even think them." (Psalms 139:4) So share those thoughts with Him because He also tells us, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been hesitating whether or not to share this because
it is so personal, but in true “me” fashion I have to be as I’ve always been through
my post-cancer walk - transparent and honest because I feel as though I want other
Pinks to know it is okay to feel this way in case there is a Pink Sister who
feels she is alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since cancer, I
have gone through bouts of depression and anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working within a mental health community, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell you that I have learned this is a
normal reaction to post-cancer life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is nothing to be ashamed of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are
a cancer survivor and find that you are experiencing the same – don’t be
ashamed or feel embarrassed or less of a person for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are (or have) experienced a life
threatening disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each person’s
cancer/post-cancer story differs – but each one’s ramifications radiate
throughout one’s post cancer life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES
we are blessed because we have been given a second chance at life, but
depending upon what has occurred during your experience – please know that it
is okay if you experience bouts of depression and anxiety of what changes have
occurred because of your illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are a high percentage of pinks (as in the case of myself) who’s marriages did
not survive cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even those that are
married and have had spouses that have stuck by them experience highs and lows
in their relationship because of what has occurred. Cancer puts strains on
relationships, unintentionally, but it is part of what happens. Studies have
shown that cancer survivors DO go through a PTSD following cancer and certain
things can trigger off the remembrance of that experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me it is Jolly Ranchers – which I will
never eat again, because Dana-Farber kept a big bowl of them for those of us to
partake from during chemotherapy because it was supposed to take away the nasty
taste that chemo gives off to your taste buds while you are going through
treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also cannot stand the smell
of lavender (I identify it with chemo) because I was told to sleep with a lavender
pillow for relaxation following chemo treatments.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So if this is something you experience too – there is no
reason for you to be ashamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shame
is when more survivors choose to hide these feelings and not share them with
others to know they are not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have felt ashamed of those feelings because I am also a Christian, but even in
finding comfort in my faith – it has not changed the things that have occurred
in my life or the struggles I have had since my diagnosis. If you love someone
who experiences bouts of depression or anxiety – the best way you can help them
is to reassure them that you are there, that you are with them and will support
and be with them through whatever they need, if you are married or in a
relationship – hug, cuddle or hold your spouse/significant other so that they
can feel you and know that they are not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cancer is something that happens to someone – it is not who they become,
but it happens to THEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you go
through a cancer experience with someone – it is not happening to YOU so there
is only so much you can understand or go through; it is a very scary, lonely
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes there are no words
you can say – you just need to BE there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s all just BE THERE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
means more than any words you can say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you (like I did) went through cancer without the support
of a spouse – you need to know that God loves you and even though cancer came as
a surprise to you – it did not come as a surprise to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible tells us that “He has engraved you
on the palms of His hands.” (Isaiah 49:16) God has not forsaken nor has He
forgotten you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He LOVES you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gotten through the last 6 years (come
the end of this month) with all the changes that have ensured in my life by
clinging to my faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People WILL
disappoint you ALL the time (we are imperfect – that is normal) but God never
will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don’t have all the answers. I’m still figuring out
everything as I go. What I have learned is that those who TRULY love you will
be there for you no matter what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
who aren’t don’t deserve you and you are better off without them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes are focused on God and the plans He
has for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My calling is to write, my
desire is to give back to others – pay it forward in the best ways I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned to be true to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life hasn’t been what I thought it would be –
I did not sign up for cancer – I was drafted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But that was ONLY a chapter of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is true that the residue is still there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scars go deeper than the one that is
where you would place your hand to say the pledge of allegiance on my
chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They run deeper below the surface,
but instead of choosing to become bitter I chose to become better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a work in progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love deeper, I appreciate life with a
fullness I never dreamed existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
believe that the BEST is yet to come – no matter how hard the post-cancer
struggle to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My back is
straight, my head is held high and my chin is set firm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned myself worth, I know what I
bring to the table – even when I have sat at that table alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blessed ARE the people I allow in my
inner-circle because I love faithfully, fiercely and truly – double fisted!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned to appreciate life that not
one of us is promised tomorrow – so I fill today with as much love as I
can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live to the best of my ability
and I never neglect to show OR tell those I love that I love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is NOT mush – it is truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I choose to surround myself with those who
want to be in my life and I fully turn around and moon those who don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know God has plans for my life and even
during those times when anxiety or depression overtakes me – I still believe
that God is in control of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because the truth is, He is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
honestly, that is ALL that really matters to me… The rest is frosting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475133953247947902.post-16703793012010599222016-05-23T15:50:00.000-04:002016-05-23T15:50:28.985-04:00Who Are You Choosing to Believe?
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WxktFu1QuOEIcrQ-UUcW5PO7uApY1hfnIot4y75M2w03n9j0nAz0HlpYNl9HtJ0KxedwfQwcRU3XUr1QVNkLBJTwgrDSj3AwQwDRLHeNO7dFyLLUYLHro-vD4wAuxxhEu35XVZicdDk/s1600/Believe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WxktFu1QuOEIcrQ-UUcW5PO7uApY1hfnIot4y75M2w03n9j0nAz0HlpYNl9HtJ0KxedwfQwcRU3XUr1QVNkLBJTwgrDSj3AwQwDRLHeNO7dFyLLUYLHro-vD4wAuxxhEu35XVZicdDk/s320/Believe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whose Report Will YOU Believe?</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been seeking the Lord’s face diligently on certain
matters, because being in the center of His will is the desire of my
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no problem talking to God,
I know for a fact He has indicated through His Word that He desires to have a “personal”
relationship with me and I delight in that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t believe it? Take a look:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em>“Behold I stand at
the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in
and dine with that person, and they with me.”(Revelations 3:20)</em> <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God desires to have a personal relationship with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often time my problem is not with the
communication part, it’s with the response part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trust and faith that God wants to respond
to ME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my heart the Holy Spirit tells
me that this is the true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That God loves
ME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my head (the place that ol’ slewfoot
likes to attack, otherwise known as the battlefield) sometimes it’s hard to believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Each one of us has the pages of our youth written upon our
lives. For some of us, if we haven’t had a positive experience with our earthly
fathers, it tends to reflect on how we feel our Heavenly Father feels about
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully this is not the
case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Heavenly Father is PERFECT,
our earthly fathers (or parents) are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For me, I had an earthly father who was not a father; he was solely a “sperm
donor,” what I mean by that is that my birth father had no clue or concept of
how to be a father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no interest
in anything or anyone other than himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t say that with bitterness, I say it matter of fact. He left my
mother when she was pregnant with my brother, for another woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cheated on my mother and left her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, the reason why I bring that up is
because I was three years old when the “sperm donor” left my mother for another
woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had had a relationship with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It devastated me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children have a tendency to view things with
the limited knowledge of experience they have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I believed my father left ME.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, we live in a broken sinful world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am no better than the “sperm donor”
everyone sins differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not for
me to judge him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use to judge him in
anger, but in having once been a prodigal – I can honestly say, be careful how
you judge someone – judging is only the duty of God, not man. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to tread very carefully or you can
find yourself walking in someone else’s (the person you are judging’s shoes).
One day the sperm donor will have to give an account to God for his actions.
For his sake I hope he has made Jesus his Lord and Savior and is covered by the
precious blood of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em>“Come now and let us
reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet they shall
be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson they shall be like wool.”
(Isaiah 1:18)<o:p></o:p></em></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God brought my mother through it, made her stronger for
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put herself through school,
provided for my brother and I (which at that time for a divorced mother was not
easy), five years later, God brought into her life the man who would truly
become my father – my dad, the one who loved me and raised me, the man who
poured his life into mine. My mother became one of my heroes. A stronger woman I have never known.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
But the damage had been done… When it came to having a
relationship with my Heavenly Father it was hard for me to accept or believe
that He really desire to have one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
He would never leave nor forsake me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
sometimes, believing that God cares is hard for me to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scars that one develops as a child are
probably the hardest ones to heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
if we allow God to – He is able to heal them. We simply have to lay our pain at
the foot of the cross. Give it to Him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the problems I have experienced in my post cancer life
is a tendency to be filled with anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anxiety and worry are
not of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when my anxiety is at its
worse, I lose sleep, I lose my appetite, I become depressed and I get
discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I overthink. </span>The worst is that I often
seclude myself from people when my anxiety is at its very worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is exactly what ol’slewfoot wants<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and its something that I have been working on
within myself because as the Bible says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em>“I sought the Lord
and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalms 34:4)<o:p></o:p></em></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">as well as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em>“Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your request to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)<o:p></o:p></em></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God desires us to trust Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To walk by faith, to not be led by our feelings, this is not an easy
thing to do, the first part of healing comes in recognizing when we are falling
back into our own pattern of worry and anxiety and calling it out before the
Lord just as soon as it happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em>“Trust in the Lord
with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge
Him and He will make straight your path.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Proverbs 3:5-7)<o:p></o:p></em></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s about knowing our promises and reciting them when we
feel weak, when we feel scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
about knowing and trusting that in spite of what occurred in our childhood that
God is our Father and is greater than anything that has occurred in our past,
present AND future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walk by faith and
not by sight trusting that God will continue to do His good and perfect will in
our lives because we have given our lives to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
He is bigger
than our sickness<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
He is bigger
than our bills/debt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
He is bigger
than our depression, anxiety or fear<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God IS ABLE!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is why it is important for us to read His promises to
us – which are found in the Bible and hold them securely in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To lean on them, trust and believe in them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To look at past examples in the Bible and to
see ALL the times that God delivered His chosen ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To truly hold dear in our hearts that God
loves us, cares about us and wants us to come to Him and tell Him all the
things that concern us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we do this,
God will continue to show us that He is REAL and that HE is on the throne and
that HE alone is God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
The question becomes WHO are YOU going to believe? I choose
to believe the report of the Lord. It is something that I have to choose to do,
daily.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
The Prodigal Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09378140362293737889noreply@blogger.com0