THROUGH THE FIRE

TODAY IS ONE OF THOSE DAYS WHEN I AM NOT GONNA BEAT AROUND THE BUSH.  MY HEART IS HEAVY THIS MORNING.  SEVERAL OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS AND A COUPLE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE GOING THROUGH A REALLY TOUGH TIME.  WE HAVE ALL HEARD THE SAYING, "WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS", AND A FEW OF THE PEOPLE I LOVE HAVE BEEN GETTING DRENCHED.  DETAILS ARE NOT IMPORTANT, THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE.  I JUST FEEL THE NEED TO LIFT THEM UP IN PRAYER TODAY WITH THE BELIEF THAT OUR LORD WILL EASE THEIR BURDENS. 

THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, MANY PEOPLE SUFFERED TRIALS, HEARTACHE AND SEPERATION.  I HAVE A GREAT LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE.  IT IS TO THEIR STORIES OF STEADFAST FAITH AND DETERMINATION THAT I OFTEN TURN TO IN MY OWN TIMES OF NEED.  TODAY, I AM MINDFUL OF SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABED-NEGO, WHO LITERALLY SUFFERED THROUGH THE FIRE.  THEIR STORY CAN BE FOUND IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL, CHAPTER 3. THESE THREE HEBREW BOYS HAD ENORMOUS DETERMINATION, FAITH AND BELIEF IN GOD ALMIGHTY.  THEIR DEVOTION TO GOD WAS SO STRONG THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SENT TO BE BURNED ALIVE IN A FIERY FURNACE, ALL THREE LIVED TO TELL ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND WERE NOT HARMED!  WHEN I SAY NOT HARMED, I DONT MEAN THEY ESCAPED WITH CUTS, BURNS AND BRUISES....THEY ESCAPED UNTOUCHED!!!!!  THEIR CLOTHES DIDNT EVEN REEK FROM THE SMELL OF SMOKE!!!!  HOW'S THAT FOR DELIVERANCE????? 

IN MANY WAYS, WE CAN ALL IDENTIFY WITH THE THREE HEBREW BOYS......

WE HAVE ALL BEEN THROUGH THE FIRE....SOME OF US MORE THAN OTHERS.  LITTLE FIRES, BIG FIRES, BLAZING INFERNOS.  A FIRE IS STILL A FIRE AND NONE OF THEM ARE PLEASANT.  I HAVE BEEN THROUGH CATASTROPHIC FIRES IN MY LIFE.  AT TIMES, I DIDNT THINK I WOULD MAKE IT THROUGH THE BLAZE.  I KNOW NOW THAT IT WAS DURING THOSE MONUMENTAL DISASTERS THAT GOD HAD HIS HAND ON ME WITH A TIGHTNESS!  I WOULD NO HAVE MADE IT OTHERWISE.  I KNOW TODAY THAT EVEN BACK THEN, GOD HAD A PLAN FOR MY LIFE.  HE ALLOWED ME TO GO THROUGH MY FIRES FOR A REASON.  IT WAS THROUGH THE FIRE THAT THE LORD FINE TUNED AND POLISHED ME.  I CAN SEE THOSE THINGS TODAY.  I KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE MORE FIRES TO COME, WE ARENT PROMISED A TROUBLE FREE LIFE, BUT, I DO KNOW THAT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.  IF GOD BRINGS US TO IT, HE WILL MOST DEFINITELY BRING US THROUGH IT.  HE GAVE US HIS WORD TO STAND UPON!

I HOPE THIS "NOTE" SERVED AS A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT.  FOR THOSE GOING THROUGH A FIRE, I KNOW YOUR PAIN.  MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.  TAKE TIME TO LISTEN FOR THE WORD AND THE COMFORT OF THE LORD!  I PROMISE, HE WILL NOT LEAD YOU IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  I AM LIVING PROOF.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!

ISAIAH 43:2  WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU;  AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW YOU.  WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, NOR SHALL THE FLAME SCORCH YOU

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

QUITE INTERESTING

 IF YOU ARE ANYTHING LIKE ME, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS IN LIFE THAT JUST HAPPEN TO BLOW YOUR MIND.  I MEAN, REALLY BLOW YOUR MIND.  THE SUBJECT OF MY "NOTE" THIS MORNING IS SOMETHING THAT JUST BLOWS ME AWAY, FREAKS ME OUT AND REMINDS ME OF THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF GOD!!!!  MY "NOTE" IS ABOUT THE BIBLE THIS MORNING, SOME OF THE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE.  I KNOW THAT GOD CREATED THE WORLD AND THAT WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECE, BUT THE ORCHESTRATION OF THE BIBLE IS A MIND-BOGGLING EVENT.  A COMPLICATED TASK, SOMETHING UNHEARD OF,  IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN GOD HIMSELF, THE ALMIGHTY, THE CREATOR, THE HOLY ONE, THE ALPHA, THE OMEGA, THE KING OF KINGS, THE LORD OF LORDS! 
  
THERE ARE 66 BOOKS IN THE BIBLE, 39 IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND 27 IN THE NEW.  THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN UNDER THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY OVER 40 DIFFERENT AUTHORS.....40....PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.  SHEPHERDS, FARMERS, TENT MAKERS, PHYSICIANS, FISHERMEN, PRIESTS, PHILOSOPHERS AND KINGS.  THAT IN ITSELF IS AMAZING.  NOT ONE OF THESE WRITERS CONTRADICTED THE OTHER, NO MISTAKES WERE MADE.  THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN OVER A PERIOD OF 1500 YEARS....1500 YEARS!!!!!  STOP READING AND THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE.  1500 YEARS, 40 DIFFERENT WRITERS....ONE CONCLUSION, ONE AGREEMENT, ONE TRUTH.  THE BIBLE WAS THE FIRST BOOK EVER PRINTED IN 1454 AD AND IS STILL THE BEST SELLING BOOK IN THE WORLD TODAY!!!!  IT HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO 2,018 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES YET IT DELIVERS ONE MESSAGE!!! 
  
IF THAT DOESNT BLOW YOU MIND, NOTHING WILL!!!!!
  
HIS WORD TRULY REMAINS THE SAME....YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER!!  TRULY AMAZING.  AMAZING GRACE, AMAZING TRUTH, AMAZING LOVE.  NO MATTER WHEN I OPEN MY BIBLE, NO MATTER WHERE I AM OR WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH, MY BIBLE CONTAINS THE ANSWERS TO MY PROBLEMS, THE SOLUTION TO MY TRIALS AND THE DIRECTION TO MY PATH.  JUST LAST NIGHT, WHILE READING GALATIANS 3:28, I WAS REMINDED TO NEVER LOOK DOWN ON SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE THEY ARE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO WILL STAND AS MY EQUALS BEFORE CHRIST.  OUR BIBLES SPEAK TO US....IF ONLY WE ARE WILLING TO LISTEN. 

I URGE ANYONE READING THIS TO FIND A BIBLE THAT YOU MIGHT UNDERSTAND.  PRAY FOR GODLY INSIGHT EACH TIME YOU READ ITS WORDS.  SEEK ITS SOLUTION IN TIMES OF BOTH JOY AND SORROW.  LET GOD TOUCH YOUR SOUL.  ITS RIGHT THERE, CONTAINED IN THE WORLDS BEST SELLING BOOK. 

I AM THANKFUL FOR HIS WORD THIS MORNING.  I HUNGER FOR ITS WISDOM.  IT IS A JOY TO MY SOUL.  THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR GIFT TO ME!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

WE WERE NOT CREATED TO DRIFT ALONG

DO YOU EVER PRAY TO THE LORD AND WONDER IF HE HEARS YOUR PRAYERS?  DO YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE ONLY EXISTING, NOT LIVING?  ARE YOUR DAYS LONG, STRESSFUL AND SEEMINGLY ROUTINE?  FOR A VERY LONG TIME, I COULD EASILY ANSWER YES TO ALL THREE OF THESE QUESTIONS.  I THOUGHT THAT THE LORD DIDNT HEAR MY PRAYERS AND THAT I WAS UNWORTHY OF HAPPINESS.  I DIDNT GET ANYTHING OUT OF LIFE AND I DIDNT EXPECT ANYTHING EITHER.  MY DAYS WERE SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND MY NIGHTS DRIFTED ALONG IN MUCH THE SAME WAY.  I CAN REMEMBER DREADING TO GET UP OUT OF BED, SIMPLY BECAUSE MY LIFE OFFERED NO HAPPINESS, EXCITEMENT OR DIRECTION. 

I ALWAYS DID BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT I TRUSTED HIM HALFHEARTEDLY.  I PRAYED BUT DIDNT GIVE IT MY ALL.  IF I GAVE SOMETHING TO GOD, I WAS QUICK TO TAKE IT BACK.  I LIKED TO BELIEVE THAT I WAS IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE AND THAT I CONTROLLED MY OWN DESTINY.  LOOKING BACK ON MY LIFE TODAY, I CAN SEE WHY CHAOS SEEMED TO BE PART OF MY DNA.  CONFLICT AND UNHAPPINESS WERE MY CLOSEST COMPANIONS.  EVERYTHING ABOUT MY LIFE WAS IN OPPOSITION TO THE WILL OF GOD.  I DIDNT THINK I WAS WORTHY OF THE PROMISES OF THE BIBLE.  I DIDNT UNDERSTAND HOW GOD COULD LOVE SOMEONE LIKE ME. 

I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT GOD CHOSE TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO ME.  HE HAS SHOWN ME THAT HIS PROMISES EXIST FOR US ALL AND HIS LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL.  NONE OF US WERE BORN TO MERELY EXIST.  WE WERE NOT CREATED TO DRIFT ALONG.  IN JEREMIAH 29, WE ARE TOLD THAT GOD HAS PLANS TO PROSPER US, NOT HARM US.  HIS PLAN IS TO GIVE US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.  HE URGES US TO CALL ON HIM, SEEK HIM AND PRAY TO HIM, WHOLEHEARTEDLY, THEN, HE WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYERS.  WE SERVE A GOD WHO WANTS TO SEE US THRIVE, NOT JUST BE ALIVE.  HE WANTS US HAPPY, JOYOUS AND FREE, LEAVING NO ROOM FOR DOUBT OR CONFUSION. 

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.  IT IS WITH JOY THAT I TALK TO JESUS DAILY.  I CANNOT PRAISE HIS NAME ENOUGH.  I LOVE TO SHARE HIS MESSAGE OF FORGIVENESS, MERCY AND TRUTH.  ONLY GOD CAN MAKE LIVING WORTHWHILE.  HIS WORD ENDURES FOREVER.  TURN TO GOD TODAY, SEE FOR YOURSELF THE CHANGES HIS LOVE WILL BRING.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU.  TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!!!!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

IT HAPPENS TO US ALL

EVERY NOW AND THEN, WE ALL HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND OUR LIVES ARE SOMEWHAT DISRUPTED.  JUST WHEN WE THINK WE HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER, WE ARE SOMETIMES GET STRUCK WITH A DELIMA.  WHEN I SAY A DELIMA THIS MORNING, I AM TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY PROBLEM, A FINANCIAL MATTER OR A HEALTH SCARE.  SOMETIMES WE ARE HIT BY ALL THESE THINGS AT ONCE AND ARE LEFT FEELING SOMEWHAT DISCOMBOBULATED.  A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE IN OREGON HAS BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME THIS PAST WEEK.   HE TRULY LOVES THE LORD AND HAS BEEN FIGHTING SOME BATTLES.   WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAILS, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE KEEP MY FRIEND IN YOUR PRAYERS. 

WHEN WE LIVE FOR THE LORD AND SEEK TO DO HIS WILL, SATAN GETS INFURIATED.  HE GOES INTO ATTACK MODE AND GETS PLEASURE BY SHOOTING HIS FIERY LITTLE DARTS, TAKING AIM AT OUR WEAKEST POINTS.  THE DEVIL KNOWS HOW TO GET TO US.  THATS HIS JOB.  THROUGH HEALTH PROBLEMS, RELATIONSHIP ISSUES AND DAY TO DAY ANNOYANCES IN GENERAL, SATAN DOES WHAT HE DOES BEST, HE SEEKS TO DESTROY.  1 PETER 5:8 TELLS US TO "BE SOBER; BE VILIGANT; BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR." 

IT IS THROUGH OUR TRIALS THAT THE LORDS GLORY ENDS UP SHINING THE BRIGHTEST.  MY BIBLE REMINDS ME IN 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33 THAT GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION, BUT OF PEACE.  EPHESIANS 6 COMMANDS US TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD AND STAND GIRDED IN TRUTH, WEAR THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, USE THE SHIELD OF FAITH AND THE HELMET OF SALVATION!  BY WEARING THE ARMOR OF GOD, SPEAKING HIS TRUTHS AND BELIEVING HIS PROMISES, SATAN HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO RETREAT BACK INTO DARKNESS WITH HIS TAIL TUCKED BETWEEN HIS LEGS.  HE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO FLEE AT THE COMMAND OF MATTHEW 16:23, "GET BEHIND ME SATAN!  YOU ARE AN OFFENSE TO ME, FOR YOU ARE NOT MINDFUL OF THE THINGS OF GOD, BUT THE THINGS OF MEN." 

WRITING THIS "NOTE" HAS LIT A FIRE IN MY SOUL THIS MORNING.  THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!  I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN MY LIFE.  WITHOUT HIM, I AM NOTHING.  THROUGH HIM, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. 

RAYNE, I HOPE THIS "NOTE" HELPS YOU IN SOME WAY TODAY.  THIS TOO SHALL PASS....LOVE YA!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

IT HAS TO STOP

 ONCE AGAIN, MY "NOTE" FOR THE DAY IS GOING TO GET RIGHT TO THE POINT.  I LIVE IN A VERY SMALL TOWN.  A TOWN WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYONE AND INFORMATION TRAVELS FAST.  OURS IS A BASICALLY TIGHT KNIT COMMUNITY.  WE SHARE JOYS, SORROWS, STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.  FOR THE PAST COUPLE DAYS, WE HAVE SHARED TRAGEDY.  SENSELESS TRAGEDY.  THERE ARE NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT......IT SIMPLY HAS TO STOP!

WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAILS, A YOUNG MAN FROM OUR TOWN DIED NIGHT THIS WEEK.  A HANDSOME, ENERGETIC, MUCH LOVED PERSON.  IT WASNT A CAR ACCIDENT, IT WASNT A TRAIN WRECK, HE DIDNT SUFFER AN EXTENDED ILLNESS.  NO, IT WAS SOMETHING MUCH WORSE.  OUR FRIEND DIED  A SENSELESS DEATH.  PLEASE DONT THINK EVEN FOR A MINUTE THAT I AM WRITING THIS "NOTE" AS A WAY OF GOSSIPING OR "GETTING IN SOMEONES BUSINESS."  NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.  HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE, HAD BEEN FOR YEARS.  ALTHOUGH WE WERENT BLOOD RELATIVES, I CONSIDERED HIM SOMEWHAT FAMILY. 

 THOSE OF YOU READING THIS FROM ANOTHER TOWN, STATE OR EVEN ANOTHER COUNTRY,  MIGHT NOT SEE WHERE THIS IS ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.  I UNDERSTAND THAT THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS ARE HORRIBLE NO MATTER WHERE IT OCCURS, BUT THE REASON THAT I AM WRITING THIS "NOTE" TODAY IS THAT DRUGS ARE ARE CAUSING WAY TOO MUCH TRAGEDY.  DRUGS ARE DESTROYING OUR TOWN.  DESTROYING FUTURES, DESTROYING LIVES, DESTROYING OUR YOUTH, ADULTS AND OUR ELDERS.  I TRIED TO MAKE A LIST AWHILE AGO OF THE NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE.   JUST AS I THOUGHT THE LIST WAS COMPLETE, I REMEMBERED SOMEONE ELSE.  DRUGS ARE DESTROYING OUR TOWN. 

I CAN SAY THESE WORDS FROM FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE.  IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE GRACE AND MERCY OF GOD THAT I SIT HERE TODAY AND WRITE THIS "NOTE."  I NEARLY OVERDOSED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.  ANY DRUG IS TOO SIMPLE TO ACQUIRE.  TO CALL AND GET DRUGS HERE IN OAKDALE IS EASIER THAN CALLING AND ORDERING A PIZZA.  DRUGS ARE IN OUR STREETS, RESTAURANTS, CONVENIENCE STORES, SHOPPING CENTERS, SCHOOLS AND EVEN IN SOME OF OUR CHURCHES.  TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE DYING.  WE NEED TO WAKE UP.  AS A COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER LIKE NEVER BEFORE.  I CANT THINK OF ONE FAMILY WHICH HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TRAGEDY OF DRUGS. 

OAKDALE, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER.  WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR ONE ANOTHER.  INSTEAD OF IGNORING THE PROBLEM, WE NEED TO FACE IT HEAD ON AND PUT A STOP TO THIS EPIDEMIC.  BY HELPING ONE ANOTHER, LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER AND COMING TOGETHER IN BROTHERLY LOVE, WE JUST MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE A CHANGE.  INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT A DRUG USER, MAYBE WE SHOULD TALK TO HIM OR HER.  INSTEAD OF KICKING A PERSON WHEN THEY ARE DOWN, MAYBE WE SHOULD HELP THAT PERSON GET BACK UP.  THE MAN WHO BELIEVES HE WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING MIGHT JUST NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED.  THE WOMAN WHO HAS PRACTICALLY GIVEN UP MIGHT EXCELL IF GIVEN HALF THE CHANCE.

WE NEED TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER.  WE NEED TO EXTEND GODS LOVE.  WE NEED TO INVOLVE OUR CHILDREN AND SHIELD THEM FROM DRUGS, THE PRIMARY TOOL OF THE DEVIL HERE IN OAKDALE.  WE NEED ONE ANOTHER.  STOP, TALK, LISTEN AND CARE......IT MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

A BURDEN

FROM THE START, WHEN WRITING MY "NOTES", I HAVE BEEN BRUTALLY HONEST ABOUT MY PAST.  I AM NOT PROUD OF THE THINGS I HAVE DONE, BUT LOOKING BACK NOW, I WOULDNT CHANGE ANYTHING, NOT EVEN IF I COULD.  I WRITE THESE "NOTES" AS TESTIMONY TO WHAT GOD CAN AND WILL DO IN OUR LIVES IF ONLY WE ALLOW HIM TO DO SO.  I HAVE A BURDEN FOR OTHERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME TRIALS AND STORMS WHICH I HAVE ALSO FACED.  I WANT OTHERS TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE, THAT SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS, AND THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS BEEN THROUGH MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.  MY HEART GOES OUT TO SO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE JUST LIKE ME.  I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS BY LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THROUGH THE FORGIVENESS, THE GRACE, THE MERCY AND THE LOVE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THEY CAN EMERGE VICTORIOUS AS WELL. 

THE WORD BURDEN BRINGS TO MIND SO MANY OTHER WORDS AND REFERENCES.  A BURDEN IS A HEAVY LOAD.  IT IS OFTEN EMOTIONALLY DIFFICULT TO BEAR.  A PERSON WHO IS BURDENED IS WEIGHED DOWN BY SOMETHING TROUBLESOME.  A BALL AND CHAIN, A CROSS TO BEAR AND A MONKEY ON ONES BACK ARE THREE COMPARISONS TO THE WORD "BURDEN."  WHEN SOMEONE HAS A MONKEY ON THEIR BACK, THEY OFTEN HAVE A DEPRESSING, CONTROLLING BURDEN.  THIS THIS TERM IS USUALLY USED TO DESCRIBE AN ADDICTION.  AN ADDICT CARRIES A LARGE, DEMANDING BURDEN WHICH REQUIRES A TOTAL COMMITMENT OF TIME, MONEY AND EFFORT TO SUPPORT.  IT IS NOTHING NICE TO HAVE A MONKEY ON YOUR BACK.  AN ADDICTION IS A HORRIBLE BURDEN TO BEAR. 

WHEN WE LEARN TO RELY UPON GOD, OUR BURDENS ARE LIFTED.  DRUGS LEAVE US FEELING HELPLESS AND BROKEN.  DRUGS STEAL OUR ABILITY TO FACE CHALLENGES THAT COME OUR WAY.  IF WE ALLOW HIM TO, GOD WILL WATCH OVER US AND GUIDE US ALONG THE PATH THAT HE HAS PREPARED FOR US.  GOD WILL NEVER LET US DOWN.  HE WILL NEVER GIVE US TOO MUCH TO BEAR.  WE MIGHT SOMETIMES THINK OUR LOAD IS TOO HEAVY, BUT GOD KNOWS US BETTER THAN WE KNOW OURSELVES.   WE NEED TO HANG IN THERE JUST A LITTLE WHILE LONGER, HOLD ON JUST A LITTLE BIT TIGHTER AND PRAY JUST A LITTLE BIT HARDER. 

GALATIANS 6:2 TELLS US TO BEAR ONE ANOTHERS BURDENS IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST.  JESUS BORE THE BURDEN OF ALL OUR SINS.  IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK THAT WE BEAR THE BURDEN FOR OUR BROTHER, FOR OUR FAMILY, FOR OUR COMMUNITY?????  WITHOUT GOD IN OUR LIVES, WE ALL HAVE AN EMPTY PLACE IN OUR SOUL.  ADDICTION, OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER, BECOMES A FALSE CURE.  THE ONLY CURE FOR THIS FALSE HAPPINESS IS THROUGH THE MERCY OF GOD.  HE ALONE CAN LIFT OUR BURDENS AND FILL THE EMPTINESS OF OUR SOUL. 

IT IS OUR DUTY TO EASE THE BURDENS OF ONE ANOTHER.  TO HELP LIGHTEN THE LOAD.

MATTHEW 24:35-40

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

HE WASNT SO LUCKY

I HAVE KNOWN THE SUBJECT OF MY "NOTE" EVER SINCE I WOKE UP THIS MORNING.  I WAS AWAKENED BY A PHONE CALL IN WHICH MY COUSIN INFORMED ME OF A SUDDEN, SOMEWHAT UNEXPECTED DEATH OF A REAL CLOSE FRIEND.  WHEN I CHECKED MY PHONE, I HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL TXTS DURING THE NIGHT REGARDING THIS SAD OCCURANCE.  I HAVE PUT OFF WRITING THIS "NOTE" ALL DAY, SIMPLY BECAUSE I AM FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS AND THE WAY I FEEL.  WE LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN, SO AN ENEXPECTED DEATH CAN BE QUITE DEVESTATNG TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.   THE DEATH OF MY FRIEND COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.  IT WAS A SENSELESS END TO WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN SUCH A PROMISING LIFE.  HE HAD SO MUCH GOING FOR HIM.  HE HAD A LOVING FAMILY AND A HANDSOME 4 YEAR OLD SON. 
  
WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAILS, BRANDON HAD FACED PROBLEMS FOR YEARS.  HE WAS IN FACT, HIS OWN WORST ENEMY.  HE HAD A HEART OF GOLD, MANY FRIENDS AND WAS GENERALLY WELL LIKED.  BY ALL OUTWARD APPEARANCES, BRANDON HAD EVERYTHING GOING FOR HIM.  BUT DEEP INSIDE HIS SOUL, BOBO FOUGHT COUNTLESS DEMONS.  I CAN COMPLETELY IDENTIFY WITH THE PROBLEMS BRANDON FACED,   HE TRULY LOVED THE LORD, BUT AT TIMES, HIS WEAKNESSES GOT THE BEST OF HIM.  MY DEMONS AND ADDICTIONS THREATENED MY LIFE MANY TIMES.  I FOUND MYSLEF KNOKING ON DEATH'S DOOR MORE THAN ONCE.   SOMEHOW, THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, I LIVED THROUGH EACH CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH DEATH.  LAST NIGHT, MY FRIEND BRANDON WASNT SO LUCKY.
  
TODAY AT THE CHURCH WHERE HIS WAKE IS BEING HELD, HIS MOTHER WAS INCONSOLABLE.  SO WAS HIS BROTHER AND TWO LITTLE SISTERS.  AS I SAT BACK AND GRIEVED FOR THESE FRIENDS OF MINE, I COULDNT HELP BUT THINK OF HOW MANY TIMES THE SITUATION COULD HAVE INVOLVED ME AND MINE.  IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO SIT THERE WITHOUT IMAGINING MY MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHER OR MY TWO CHILDREN GOING THROUGH SUCH GRIEF.  IT MADE ME THANKFUL THAT THE LORD HAD SPARED MY SOUL AND HAD BLESSED ME WITH MORE THAN ONE CHANCE.  THE MISERY OF TODAY REFILLED MY RESOLVE TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO CONTINUE TO LIVE FOR THE LORD.  MY LIFE, MY HAPPINESS, MY FUTURE AND MY MANY BLESSINGS ARE AT STAKE. 
  
THE EVENTS OF TODAY HAVE FUELED A FIRE WITHIN MY SOUL.  TODAY, MORE THAN EVER I WANT TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS LIKE MY FRIEND BRANDON WHO KEEP GETTING LURED IN BY THEIR ADDICTIONS.  I HAVE A BURDEN IN MY SOUL TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES IN ORDER TO HELP PREVENT SUCH FUTURE TRAGEDIES.  IT TAKES A SURVIVOR TO ENCOURAGE SOMEONE ELSE TO SURVIVE.  THIS HAS BECOME MY GOAL.  TO SPEAK TO THE BROKEN HEARTED, TO ENCOURAGE THE DISCOURAGED AND TO SHARE THE WORD OF GOD WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.  LIFE IS HARD, WE ALL NEED ENCOURAGEMENT.  NONE OF US SHOULD FIGHT THIS FIGHT CALLED LIFE ALONE. 

PLEASE HELP AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS.  I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THOSE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO SHOW ME A BETTER WAY.  NO ONE SHOULD DIE IN VAIN.  WE NEED ONE ANOTHER.

RIP BRANDON LUKE STALSBY...YOU WILL SURELY BE MISSED BY MANY!

THAT DREAM

HAVE YOU EVER WOKE UP FROM A DREAM THAT WAS SO VIVID, YOU COULD SWEAR IT HAD BEEN REAL?  HAS THE MEMORY OF SUCH A DREAM REMAINED ON YOUR MIND FOR QUITE SOME TIME?  DO YOU HAVE CERTAIN DREAMS WHICH YOU REMEMBER WITH CLARITY FOR A WHILE?  I CAN ANSWER YES TO THESE QUESTIONS.  I MIGHT SOUND LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING, BUT, I HAD A DREAM 18 YEARS AGO WHICH IS STILL FRESH IN MY MEMORY.  I REMEMBER EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DREAM AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU TODAY. 
PLEASE DONT THINK I HAVE GONE CRAZY OR THAT I HAVE LOST MY MIND.  I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT WRITING A "NOTE" ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DREAM FOR SOME TIME NOW AND TODAY JUSTS SEEMS LIKE THE DAY TO DO IT.

THE NIGHT I HAD THIS PARTICULAR DREAM, MY SON WAS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR OLD.  I CLEARLY REMEMBER THE PAJAMAS HE HAD ON THAT NIGHT AND I REMEMBER WHAT I WAS WEARING TOO.  LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT WHEN WE WENT TO SLEEP ON OUR SOFA BED THAT NIGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE A DREAM SO VIVID AND REAL.  WHEN THE DREAM STARTED, I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE SOMEWHERE AND I SUDDENLY HEARD THE MOST LOUD, CLEAR, BEAUTIFUL MUISIC I COULD EVER IMAGINE.  IT LITERALLY CONSUMED ANY ACTIVITY WHICH WAS GOING ON.  ONCE THIS MUSIC SOUNDED, I COULD SUDDENLY SEE PEOPLE RUNNING FROM EVERY DIRECTION.  IT WASNT CHAOTIC, IT WASNT THREATENING.  PEOPLE WERE SIMPLY RUNNING TOWARD A HUGE OPEN FIELD.  I RAN WITH THEM. 

IN THIS DREAM, THE MUSIC GOT LOUDER AND I REMEMBER LOOKING UP.  AN ENORMOUS PLATFORM SEEMED TO BE DESCENDING TOWARD THIS FIELD WHERE WE HAD ALL RAN.  AS THE PLATFORM GOT CLOSER, I COULD SEE THE FORM OF A HUGE, DOMINATING PRESENCE.  WHEN I SAY A HUGE PRESENCE, I MEAN HUGE.  LIKE SUPER HUMAN LARGE.  WITH BEAUTIFUL HAIR BLOWING IN THE WIND .  GLEAMING WHITE CLOTHES.  REALLY GLOWING WITH BEAUTY.  I CAN EVEN REMEMBER THE PLATFORM TOUCHING THE GROUND.  PEOPLE WERE RUNNING AND REACHING AND STOPPING AT THE BASE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PRESENCE.  IN MY DREAM, I GOT RIGHT UP TO THE EDGE OF THIS PLATFORM AND STRETCHED OUT MY HAND. 

WHEN I STRETCHED OUT MY HAND, THIS AWESOME PRESENCE REACHED DOWN.  IN MY DREAM, I COULD FEEL THE WARMTH OF HIS HAND.  I CLEARLY REMEMBER THE WARMTH AND THE STRENGTH OF HIS HAND.  FOR WHATEVER REASON, I WOKE UP AT THAT VERY MOMENT.  ONCE I WOKE UP, I WAS AMAZED TO REALIZE THAT MY HAND STILL FELT WARM.  IT WAS SO REAL.  I COULD STILL FEEL HIS TOUCH.  IT FREAKED ME OUT.  IT BLEW MY MIND. 

THAT HAPPENED 18 YEARS AGO AND I REMEMBER EVERY DETAIL.  I CAN STILL HEAR THE MUSIC AND SEE THE THRONGS OF PEOPLE RUNNING TOWARD HIS PRESENCE.  BACK THEN, I WASNT A CHURCH GOER.  I WASNT LIVING FOR THE LORD OR EVEN REALLY THINKING ABOUT GOD.  IT IS AMAZING TO KNOW  THAT EVEN THEN, GOD WAS THINKING ABOUT ME.  HE WAS WATCHING OVER ME, LOVING ME AND PROTECTING ME EVEN THEN.  I FELT THE WARMTH AND BEAUTY OF HIS PRESENCE. 

AND FOR THESE THINGS, I AM THANKFUL TODAY!

TWO LITTLE BIRDS

THERE IS NO WAY TO BEAT AROUND THE BUSH TO GET TO MY POINT THIS MORNING.  NO FUNNY LITTLE COMMENTS AND NO QUESTIONS TO OTHERS.  MY "NOTE" THIS MORNING IS OF A REALLY PERSONAL NATURE.  THESE WORDS ARE COMING STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART AND THE SUBJECT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ME.  ONCE AGAIN, THE POST OF A FACEBOOK FRIEND OF MINE PROVIDED INSPIRATION.  THANK YOU SIS MORGAN FOR BEING GOD'S MESSENGER TO ME THIS MORNING.  THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID:
  


THE EYE OF GOD WATCHES OVER US ALL.  WE ARE SO IMPORTANT TO HIM.  EVEN THE HAIRS OF OUR HEAD ARE NUMBERED.  IN HIS EYES, WE ARE ALL LIKE SPARROWS.  HE CONTINUOUSLY WATCHES BOTH YOU AND ME!!!!

MATTHEW 10:31  "DO NOT FEAR THEREFORE; YOU ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M
Julia Morgan
You can't shape the furure to protect your child...You can shape your child to cope with what the future brings..Prov.22:6..Train up a child in the way he should go..

THIS POST REMINDED ME OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST BLESSINGS THAT THE LORD HAS EVER SENT MY WAY.  YOU SEE, I WASNT ALWAYS THE MOST LOVING AND ATTENTIVE MOTHER TO THE TWO CHILDREN WHICH GOD ENTRUSTED TO ME.  I WASNT ALWAYS AROUND WHEN THEY NEEDED ME MOST AND AT TIMES, WHEN I WAS AROUND, I REPRESENTED CHAOS AND CONFUSION.  I WAS ALWAYS IN A HURRY.  I LOVED TO SAY I HAD PLACES TO GO, PEOPLE TO SEE AND THINGS TO DO.  I WONT GO INTO DETAILS, I FEEL SURE YOU GET THE PICTURE.  I OWE THE UTMOST THANKS TO MY MOM AND DAD, THEY HAVE BEEN A GODSEND.

SIS MORGAN REMINDED ME THAT GOD'S EYE IS ON THE SPARROW AND WHEN SHE SAID THAT, THIS "NOTE" BEGAN TO FORM!!!!  HIS EYE WAS OVER ROSS AND GINA AS I BREEZED IN AND OUT OF THEIR LIVES.  JUST LIKE SPARROWS, MY CHILDREN WERE LIKE TWO LITTLE BIRDS WITH NO VISIBLE DEFENSE.  UNDER HIS WATCHFUL EYE, THEIR NEEDS WERE MET AND THEY HAVE BOTH GROWN UP TO BE AWESOME INDIVIDUALS.  I LOVE MY TWO LITTLE BIRDS THIS MORNING AND I THANK GOD FOR GIVING THEM TO ME.  I CANT TAKE BACK ALL THAT WAS DONE, BUT, ONCE AGAIN, I KNOW EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.  TODAY, I RECOGNIZE MY GIFTS FROM GOD.  AND FOR THAT, I AM THANKFUL THIS MORNING. 

SCARS

REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, I FEEL QUITE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO VISIBLE SCARS DUE TO SOME SORT OF MISHAP, SOME OF US HAVE MORE THAN OTHERS.  WE ALL USUALLY REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE, WHEN OR HOW EACH SCAR GOT PLACED UPON OUR BODIES, NO MATTER HOW LONG AGO IT HAPPENED.  WE ARE STUCK WITH THESE SCARS AND WE LEARN TO DEAL WITH THEM NO MATTER WHAT.  WE HAVE NO CHOICE.  THROUGH CAR WRECKS AND OTHER CARELESS ACCIDENTS, I HAVE QUITE A FEW OF THESE VISIBLE REMINDERS.  I ONCE HATED MY SCARS, BUT TODAY, I SEE THEM AS FINGERPRINTS OF GOD.  SOUNDS RIDICULOUS, I KNOW, BUT I AM GOING TO TELL YOU WHY I FEEL THIS WAY.

I HAVE SEVERAL SMALL SCARS ON MY FACE FROM MORE THAN ONE CAR ACCIDENT.  IN EACH ACCIDENT, I WAS INJURED, BUT NOT LIKE I COULD HAVE BEEN.  EVEN WHEN I DIDNT KNOW IT, THE LORD WAS RIGHT THERE BY MY SIDE.  HE WAS THERE WHEN I CRAWLED OUT OF THE WINDOW OF AN UPSIDE DOWN VAN, WHEN I WAS EJECTED FROM A TRUCK AND ENDED UP IN A RAINSOAKED FIELD OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.  AND THOSE ARE ONLY THREE EXAMPLES.  IN EACH INSTANCE, I RECEIVED MINOR BODILY INJURY.  I RECEIVED SMALL SCARS WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD.  THATS WHY I SAY I BEAR THE FINGERPRINTS OF GOD.  THATS WHY I LOVE MY SCARS. 

IF YOU HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY SCARRED, I KNOW WITH CERTAINTY THAT YOU CARRY OTHER SCARS OF YOUR OWN.  IT IS EMOTIONAL SCARS OF WHICH I AM SPEAKING NOW.  NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, I KNOW THAT YOU, LIKE ME HAVE RECEIVED MORE THAN ONE OF THOSE.  CARELESS WORDS, ACTIONS AND HURTFUL INTENTIONS OF OTHERS LEAVE DEEP EMOTIONAL SCARS.  OUR OWN SELFISH ACTIONS CREATE DEEP EMOTIONAL GASHES.  PHYSICAL ABUSE, DRUG ABUSE AND LIFE IN GENERAL LEAVE US LOOKING LIKE FREDDIE KRUGER ON THE INSIDE.  IT IS THESE SCARS WHICH TAKE THE MOST TIME TO HEAL.  THESE SCARS REQUIRE MORE THAN NEOSPORIN AND STITCHES.  THESE SCARS CAN ONLY BE HEALED BY THE LOVE OF GOD!

THE LOVE OF GOD, THATS RIGHT.  WE MUST BE TOUCHED BY THE HAND OF THE MASTER IN ORDER FOR OUR EMOTIONAL SCARS TO HEAL.  BY HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, OUR EMOTIONAL SCARS CAN DISAPPEAR.  NO MORE HATE, ENVY, SADNESS, CONFUSION, LONLINESS, CHAOS OR DESPAIR.  HE ALONE IS THE HEALER.  GOD IS THE ULTIMATE PHYSICIAN.  HE IS THE SPECIALIST, THE MASTER, THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER ALL AREAS OF OUR LIVES.  BY SIMPLY ALLOWING HIM INTO OUR LIVES, GOD WILL HEAL OUR WOUNDS! 

AND AGAIN, I AM THANKFUL THIS MORNING!

PSALM 147:3  HE HEALS THE BROKENHEARTED AND BINDS THEIR WOUNDS

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

NOT FOR SALE

I KNOW THIS IS NOT TO BE MY TESTIMONY, BUT I FEEL LIKE I GOTTA TELL YA'LL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF SO THAT YOU ALL GET THE WHOLE PICTURE.  I DIDNT GROW UP HERE IN OAKDALE.  WE LIVED CLOSE TO LAFAYETTE.  I HAVE ONE BROTHER AND OUR PARENTS RAISED US THE RIGHT WAY.  AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, I WENT TO COLLEGE, GOT MARRIED AND HAD TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN.  MY LIFE WAS ON THE RIGHT TRACK, BUT IT SLOWLY BEGAN TO UNRAVED.  I SLOWLY BUT SURELY SOLD MYSELF OUT TO LIFE IN GENERAL.  I SOLD MY SOUL QUITE CHEAPLY TO THE DEVIL.





I SOLD MYSELF TO LIES.  I SOLD MYSELF TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.  I SOLD MYSELF TO DECEPTION.  I DESTROYED MY FAMILY, MY CAREER, MY EVERYTHING.  IN THE PROCESS OF SELLING MYSELF TO DESTRUCTION, I HURT EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ME.  WHEN SOMEONE SAW ME COMING, THEY KNEW I WAS CARRYING SOME SERIOUS DRAMA WITH ME.  MY CHILDREN AND MY PARENTS WERE EMBARASSED AND DISAPPOINTED.  NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD EVEN CONSIDER GIVING ME A JOB, MUCH LESS A CAREER.  I SOLD MYSELF OUT TO SATAN IN THE WORST OF WAYS.  





DUE TO MY LACK OF SELF CONTROL, I ENDED UP IN SO MUCH TROUBLE.  AT ONE TIME, I WOULD HAVE BEEN EMBARASSED TO SAY THIS, BUT, I ENDED UP IN PRISON.  I SPENT 18 MONTHS IN ST GABRIEL.  I TRULY WAS THE LOWEST OF THE LOW.  I HAD SOLD MY SOUL TO THE DEVIL, AND I SOLD MY SOUL COMPLETELY.  I WONT BORE YOU WITH THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEN AND NOW.  I WOULD MUCH RATHER GET TO THE POINT.....





GOD STEPPED IN ON ONE MISERABLE DAY.  I FELT USELESS, DIRTY AND UNWORTHY.  THE LORD ARRIVED UPON THE SCENE AND DESTROYED EVERY PLOT, PLAN AND AGENDA WHICH SATAN HAD SO CAREFULLY LAID OUT FOR ME.  HE RECOGNIZED MY BROKEN HEART.  HE SPOKE TO MY SOUL AND HE REPLACED MY SORROWS WITH JOY.  ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TURN TO HIM WITH A REPENTIVE AND SINCERE HEART.





THE LORD SHOWED ME HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.  HE TOUCHED MY HEART WITH HIS GENTLE TOUCH.  HE MADE ME REALIZE THAT I AM NOT AND WILL NOT EVER BE FOR SALE.  SATAN HAD ME FOOLED WITH HIS LIES AND DECEPTION.  GOD SHOWED ME MY TRUE VALUE.  I LOVE TO SAY THAT IN HIS EYES, I AM MORE VALUABLE THAN THE RAREST OF DIAMONDS AND THE MOST EXPENSIVE PEARLS.  THE LORD MADE ME SEE THAT I WAS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY THE BLOOD OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.  NOTHING ABOUT ME CAN EVER BE CONSIDERED CHEAP.  GOD SENT THE ONLY SINLESS ONE HERE TO EARTH TO SHED HIS BLOOD FOR ME.  HE BEARED THE TORTURE OF CRUCIFIXITION IN ORDER THAT I MIGHT LIVE.





NO MATTER WHAT WE GO THROUGH, GOD LOVES US ALL.  WE ARE NOT FOR SALE.  WE ARE ALL OF THE UTMOST VALUE.  NO SIN IS TOO GREAT THAT WE CANNOT BE FORGIVEN.  WE ARE BLOOD BOUGHT AND PAID FOR THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE.  WE ARE NOT FOR SALE!!!!!





1 CORINTHIANS 7:23  YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE; DO NOT BECOME SLAVES OF MEN


THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"


LOVE,


M

A NEW BODY

JUST ABOUT EVERY PERSON I KNOW HAS A PHYSICAL FEATURE THAT THEY WISH THEY COULD CHANGE.  SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY'RE TOO FAT, TOO THIN, NOT TALL ENOUGH OR ENTIRELY TOO SHORT.  PEOPLE SEEK RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOR FEATURES THEY WISH TO CHANGE.  WE OFTEN WISH FOR A NEW BODY.  WE ALL WANNA LOOK BETTER, IMPROVE OUR SELF ESTEEM AND MEASURE UP TO THE STANDARDS WHICH SOCIETY HAS SO RIGIDLY ESTABLISHED.  IT SEEMS TO BE AN OBSESSION. 

THIS MORNING ON THE NEWS, MY PARENTS AND I WERE AMAZED BY WHAT WE SAW.  HEADLINE NEWS FEATURED "THE WORLD'S SHORTEST MAN."  ALTHOUGH HE IS 18 YEARS OLD, THIS PERSON IS NOT MUCH TALLER THAN A CHICKEN WHICH WAS STANDING BY HIS SIDE.  IF YOU WATCHED THE NEWS THIS MORNING, YOU KNOW I AM TELLING THE TRUTH.  THIS PERSON WAS ON THE NEWS FOR ONLY A MOMENT, BUT HE IS STILL ON MY MIND.  I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL SHORTCOMINGS.  I FEEL ASHAMED OF MYSELF FOR COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FEW EXTRA POUNDS THAT I CARRY AROUND THESE DAYS.  I AM REMINDED THAT PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL HANDICAPS WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A PROBLEM WHICH COULD BE SO EASILY SOLVED.  THE THOUGHT OF THIS "NOTE" HAS BEEN RUNNING THROUGH MY MIND FOR SOME TIME NOW AND TODAY IT HAS BEEN ON MY HEART TO FINALLY PUT THE WORDS TOGETHER.  THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR TIMING!
  
THERE IS COMING A DAY WHEN EVER THE MOST PERFECT EARTHLY BODY WILL APPEAR HIDEOUS.  WE ARE ALL PROMISED A GLORIOUS TRANSFORMATION.  THE LAME WILL RUN FREELY, THE CRIPPLED WILL DANCE AND THE BLIND WILL SEE WITH PERFECT VISION.  THE DEAF WILL HEAR WITH CLARITY AND THE OLD AND FRAIL WILL PUT THE WORLDS BEST BODYBUILDER TO SHAME.  JUST TYPING THESE WORLDS BRINGS A SMILE TO MY HEART THIS MORNING.  NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, NO MATTER HOW DISCOURAGED YOU MAY BE WITH THE EARTHLY BODY YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN, THE LORD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR HEAVENLY FUTURE.  HIS WORD TELLS US THAT THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST AND THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.  I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT HIS PROMISES TO ALL OF US.  WE WILL ALL RECEIVE GLORIOUS HEAVENLY BODIES.  AND FOR THAT, I AM THANKFUL THIS MORNING! 
  
PHILIPPIANS 3:21  ...WHO WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODY THAT IT MAY BE CONFORMED TO HIS GLORIOUS BODY, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING BY WHICH HE IS ABLE EVEN TO SUBDUE ALL THINGS TO HIMSELF

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

MY PATH

I AM NOT HAVING A VERY GOOD DAY.  I FEEL DISCONNECTED, OUT OF PLACE AND SOMEWHAT LIFELESS.  I KNOW THAT WE ALL HAVE THESE DAYS, BUT, I STILL HATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS NONETHELESS.  IT IS ON A DAY LIKE TODAY THAT I ONCE GAVE IN AND USED IT AS AN EXCUSE TO BE NEGATIVE.  THESE DAYS, I REALIZE THAT ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, I NEED THE LORD MORE THAN EVER.   I SEE THAT SATAN HAS IT OUT FOR ME.  HE KNOWS THAT HE IS LOSING THE BATTLE.  HE IS DOING ALL THAT HE CAN TO BRING DISSATISFACTION INTO MY LIFE.  HE IS TRYING TO KINK MY CHAIN, RAIN ON MY PARADE AND TO BLOCK MY PATH.  MY PATH.....SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD TOPIC FOR MY "NOTE" TODAY. 

MATTHEW 7:13 TELLS US, "ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE; FOR WIDE IS THE GATE AND BROAD IS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION, AND THERE ARE MANY WHO GO IN BY IT."  THIS SCRIPTURE MEANS MORE TO ME TODAY THAN EVER. 

WHEN I WAS TRAVELING THAT WIDE PATH, I HAD PLENTY ROOM TO WANDER AND MOVE AROUND.  THAT PATHWAY WAS VERY WIDE WITH MANY CUTOFFS IN WHICH TO AVOID ROADBLOCKS.  MUCH LIKE A SUPERHIGHWAY, THE PATHWAY LEADING TO DESTRUCTION HAD MANY LANES IN WHICH TO WEAVE IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC.  MY PATHWAY TO DESTRUCTION WAS DESIGNED IN A WAY IN WHICH TO EASILY REACH MY DESTINATION OF HELL.  IT WAS AN EASY PATH ON WHICH TO TRAVEL AND IT WAS A VERY COMMON, MUCH TRAVELED ROADWAY.  IT HAD NO SPEED LIMIT, ROAD SIGNS WERENT NEEDED AND ITS PAVEMENT WAS SMOOTH.

THE GOOD LORD CHOSE TO REMOVE ME FROM MY PATH OF DESTRUCTION.  THE EASE OF THAT SUPERHIGHWAY HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH.  HE DIDNT PROMISE ME THAT THIS NARROW PATH WOULD BE EASIER, IN FACT, HIS WORD TELLS ME THAT IT WILL IN FACT GET COMPLICATED.  THIS NARROW PATH LEAVES NO ROOM FOR CONFUSION.  THE TALLEST OF WALLS, THE DEEPEST OF POTHOLES AND GIGANTIC ROADBLOCKS OFTEN APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE.  STUMBLING BLOCKS OFTEN FALL AT OUR FEET.  THIS STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH IS SO VERY MUCH LESS TRAVELLED.  IT HAS A STRICT SPEED LIMIT, DETAILED DIRECTIONAL ROAD SIGNS AND A SOMETIMES ROCKY SURFACE.  ITS ULTIMATE DESTINATION IS HEAVEN, MUCH WORTH THE HAZARDOUS PATH LEADING TO ITS GATE. 

I AM GRATEFUL TO TRAVEL THIS NARROW PATH.  WITH EACH WALL I CLIMB, EACH POTHOLE I GO AROUND AND EVERY ROADBLOCK I GET PAST, I BECOME A STRONGER PERSON.  I HAVE LEARNED TO APPRECIATE ITS ROCKY SURFACE, IT MAKES MY VICTORIES EVEN SWEETER.  I KNOW THAT THE DAILY HASSLES OF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH WILL LEAD TO HAPPINESS IN THE LONGRUN.  IT IS THESE THINGS WHICH I REMIND MYSELF TODAY.  LIFE ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH MAY BE TREACHEROUS TODAY, BUT WILL RESULT IN A JOYOUS TOMORROW.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF FEELING DAZED AND CONFUSED, REMEMBER THE FINAL DESTINATION OF YOUR PATH.  THATS WHAT I AM DOING TODAY.  PRAY FOR ME AND I WILL PRAY FOR YOU!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

FROM WITHIN

 HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU HEARD ANY OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS? 

~I CANT WAIT TO GET OUT OF THIS TOWN.
~I HATE LIVING HERE
~IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF I HAD SOMETHING TO DO
~I DO IT BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO DO AROUND HERE

I HAVE EITHER HEARD OR SAID EACH ONE OF THESE STATEMENTS COUNTLESS TIMES.  ONCE AGAIN, A FACEBOOK FRIEND OF MINE GAVE ME INSPIRATION THIS MORNING.  THIS TIME, MY INSPIRATION CAME FROM HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD, SOUTH AFRICA TO BE EXACT.  HER WORDS WERE CONFIRMATION TO ME IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.  THE WORD OF GOD REMAINS THE SAME NO MATTER WHERE WE HAPPEN TO CAMP OUT ON THIS GLOBE AND THE CONCEPT OF CHANGE IS UNIVERSAL AS WELL.  BUT, BEFORE WE EXPERIENCE CHANGE IN OTHER AREAS OF OUR LIFE, IT MUST FIRST COME FROM WITHIN. 

I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN.  GETTING IN TROUBLE SEEMS TO BE A VERY EASY THING TO DO.  IT IS QUITE OFTEN THAT I HEAR PEOPLE SAY, "I CANT WAIT TO GET OUT OF OAKDALE" OR "IF I EVER LEAVE THIS TOWN, I WILL NEVER BE BACK."  I WASNT RAISED HERE AND I NEVER THOUGHT THAT THIS IS WHERE I WOULD END UP.  BUT, HERE I SIT TODAY.  I HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALOT.  I HAVE SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR HAPPINESS.  LET ME TELL YOU A SECRET....NO MATTER WHERE I WENT, I TOOK ME WITH ME.....THINGS ALWAYS ENDED UP THE SAME.  I CREATED MY OWN MISERY.  I CAUSED MY OWN PROBLEMS.  I WAS MY OWN WORST ENEMY.

ROMANS 12:2 TELLS US TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF OUR MINDS.  I FINALLY LEARNED TO LISTEN.  I AM STILL FAR FROM PERFECT, AND I REALIZE THAT I NEVER WILL BE, BUT MY LIFE HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY THESE DAYS.  I AM PERFECTLY CONTENT TO LIVE HERE IN THIS SMALL TOWN.  I HAVE LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF BECOMING ROOTED AND GROUNDED.  THE LORD CONTINUALLY SHOWS ME THE IMPORTANCE OF A FIRM FOUNDATION BY LIVING MY LIFE ACCORDING TO HIS WORD IN THE BEST WAY THAT I KNOW HOW.  IT IS SO FULFILLING TO SIT BACK AND RELY UPON THE DIRECTION OF THE LORD.  I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HIS GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION.  THESE ARE THE THINGS I WAS MISSING.  HE FILLED IN THE GAPS WHICH THREATENED TO DESTROY MY LIFE.  AND FOR THIS, I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. 

THE NEXT TIME YOU BECOME DISCOURAGED AND FEEL THE URGE TO RUN, LISTEN FOR THAT STILL, SMALL VOICE OF THE LORD.  HE WILL LEAD AND GUIDE YOU.  HE WILL SET YOUR FEET ON SOLID GROUND.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!!!!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

A PERIOD OF DRYNESS

WE ALL KNOW ITS HOT OUTSIDE.  IT DOESNT TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE THAT OUT.  THE BREEZE IS HOT, THE GRASS IS DRY AND MY FLOWERS SEEM TO BE WILTED EVERY AFTERNOON.  IN THE WINTER, WE WHINED ABOUT THE COLD AND WISHED SUMMER WOULD ARRIVE.  WELL, AS I SAID, IT DOESNT TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE OUT THAT SUMMER TIME IS DEFINITELY HERE.  EVERYTHING IS PHYSICALLY DRY, WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE POINT OF MY "NOTE" TODAY.  WE ALL, ON OCCASION EXPERIENCE SPIRITUAL DRYNESS IN OUR LIVES AS WELL, ITS TO BE EXPECTED. 
  
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOMEWHAT OF A SPIRITUAL DRYNESS THROUGHOUT THE PAST FEW DAYS.  DONT GET ME WRONG, I LOVE THE LORD AND I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO PRAISE HIS NAME NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO COME MY WAY.  WE ARE NEVER PROMISED THAT LIFE WILL BE EASY.  IT IS THROUGH THESE PERIODS OF SPIRITUAL DRYNESS THAT WE MUST PUSH THROUGH IN ORDER TO ENJOY VICTORY.  SPIRITUAL DRYNESS CAN BE PAINFUL AND LONELY.  IT IS DURING THESE TIMES THAT WE MUST REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE.  BY ADMITTING THIS, I DONT FEEL IT MAKES ME ANY LESS OF A CHRISTIAN.  IN FACT, THE PAST FEW DAYS HAVE FORCED ME TO TURN TO THE LORD MORE THAN EVER.  THE PAST FEW DAYS HAVE TAUGHT ME TO SEEK HIS WILL AND HIS PLAN FOR MY LIFE IN A MORE INTENSE WAY.  I HAVE BEEN SHOWN THAT AT TIMES, WE MIGHT FEEL LIKE WE ARE ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, BUT AT OTHER TIMES, WE MIGHT FEEL LIKE THAT MOUNTAIN IS ON TOP OF US.  IT HAPPENS.
  
THE WORD OF GOD IS A MOST DEFINITE CURE FOR SPIRITUAL DRYNESS.  IN FACT, JOHN 7:38 TELLS US "HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, AS THE SCRIPTURE HAS SAID, OUT OF HIS HEART WILL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER."  IN FACT, THIS RIVER WILL NEVER RUN DRY.  WHEN WE MISS MEALS, OUR BODIES BECOME PHYSICALLY HUNGRY.  WHEN WE NEGLECT GOD'S WORD, OUR SOUL BECOMES DRY.  THROUGH THE PAST FEW DAYS, THE WORD OF GOD HAS FED MY SOUL.  HIS WORD HAS ENCOURAGED ME, REVEALED THINGS TO ME AND HAS BLESSED ME IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.  MY BIBLE HAS LED AND GUIDED ME TO VICTORY THROUGH THIS SMALL STORM.  I CANNOT HELP BUT PRAISE HIS NAME! 

PSALM 32:8  I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO.  I WILL GUIDE YOU WITH MY EYE.

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE

WE ALL HAVE CERTAIN MEMORIES WHICH MAKE PERFECT SENSE TO US AND APPEAR TO EVEN SOMETIMES BE HILARIOUS.  EVENTS WHICH HOLD SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE TO US OFTEN DO NOT SEEM ALL THAT INTERESTING TO ANYONE ELSE.   I HAVE USED THE PHRASE, "I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE" COUNTLESS TIMES.  YEARS AGO,  LORRIE MORGAN SANG A COUNTRY SONG CALLED "I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE."  THE WORDS TO THE SONG ITSELF WERE THE USUAL WORDS TO A SAD, CHEATING COUNTRY SONG, BUT THE CHORUS HOLDS SPECIAL INPORTANCE TO ME.
  
                                                "WELL, I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE.
                                                  YOU REALLY HAD TO BE THERE.
                                                  SOME THINGS YOU JUST CANT EXPLAIN,
                                                  ITS JUST NOT THE SAME.
                                                  I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE."
  
I ALWAYS LOVED THIS SONG, BUT I LOVE THESE WORDS EVEN MORE TODAY.  I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND HOW CHAOTIC MY LIFE ONCE WAS.  YOU HAD TO BE THERE TO COMPREHEND HOW LOST AND MISERABLE I HAD BECOME.  I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE TO KNOW HOW EASILY I DESTROYED EVERYTHING I TOUCHED, HOW LONELY I WAS DUE TO MY OWN ACTIONS AND HOW SINFUL MY LIFE WAS ON A DAILY BASIS.  YOU HAD TO BE THERE TO KNOW THAT MY LIFE WAS THE DEFINITION OF SELF DESTRUCTION. 

I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE TO UNDERSTAND WHY I AM SO GRATEFUL TODAY.  I KNOW SOME PEOPLE GET TIRED OF HEARING ME TALK ABOUT THE LORD ALL THE TIME, BUT, IF YOU HAD BEEN WHERE I WAS, YOU WOULD CONSTANTLY PRAISE HIS NAME TOO!  I CLEARLY REMEMBER THE HORRIBLE DAY WHEN I HAD REACHED ROCK BOTTOM.  IT WAS THEN THAT THE LORD REACHED DOWN AND TOUCHED MY SOUL.  I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE.  THAT WAS A DAY OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE AND I WANT TO TELL THE WORLD EXACTLY HOW MUCH GOD DID FOR ME!  GOD SHOWED UP AT THE TIME OF MY LIFE WHEN I NEEDED HIM THE MOST, WHEN I WAS ALONE AND DEVESTATED BY THE CHOICES I HAD MADE.  IT WAS IN MY DARKEST HOUR THAT GOD APPEARED AT MY SIDE.  I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE TO KNOW HOW MUCH THIS MEANT TO ME.  I AM ETERNALLY THANKFUL THAT OUR LORD CHOSE TO BE THERE.  WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH GOD HAS DONE FOR ME!

IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO THE SAME FOR YOU!  OUR GOD IS A GENTLEMAN.  HE IS WAITING FOR YOU. 

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

SO MANY EXAMPLES

QUITE OFTEN, WORDS GET STUCK IN MY HEAD.  IF I HEAR SOMETHING THAT I LIKE, I SEEM TO THINK ABOUT IT FOREVER.  MY GRANDMOTHER HAS OFTEN SAID, "GIRL, YOU HAVE A MEMORY LIKE AN ELEPHANT."  I TAKE THAT TO MEAN AN ELEPHANT HAS A GOOD MEMORY, BUT, THATS A DIFFERENT STORY.  YESTERDAY, DURING CHURCH SERVICE, MY PASTOR MENTIONED SOMETHING DURING HIS SERMON THAT I REALLY LIKED ALOT.  I KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT IT WOULD BE THE TOPIC OF MY "NOTE" THIS MORNING.  AS SOON AS HE SPOKE THE WORDS, THE WORDS OF THIS "NOTE" WERE ALREADY FORMING IN MY MIND.  THANKS BRO JERRY!
AN OPEN CAN OF COCA COLA DOESNT TAKE LONG TO GO FLAT.  WATER BECOMES STAGNANT.  BREAD QUICKLY BECOMES STALE.  EVEN THE BEST NACHOS GET SOGGY.  A GALLON OF MILK WILL SPOIL RATHER FAST.  ICE CREAM MELTS, POTATOES ROT, AND MAYONAISE BECOMES RANCID.  LEFT OVERS IN THE REFRIGERATOR GROWS MOLD AFTER A WHILE.  PAINT CHIPS AND BEAUTY FADES.  FRIENDSHIPS COME AND GO.  WE ALL KNOW THESE STATEMENTS TO BE TRUE.  WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, NOTHING IS CERTAIN, RELIABLE OR DEPENDABLE AFTER A CERTAIN EXTENT. THERE ARE SO MANY EXAMPLES.  IN OUR DAILY LIVES, IN SO MANY WAYS, GOOD THINGS OFTEN GO BAD.  IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!!!
 THE ONLY THING WE CAN DEPEND UPON WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY IS THE LOVE OF GOD!  HIS WORD WILL NEVER GO FLAT, BECOME STAGNANT, GET STALE, SPOIL OR BECOME RANCID.  THE BEAUTY OF HIS LOVE FOR US WILL NEVER FADE.  HIS DEVOTION TO US REMAINS CONSTANT.  HIS WORD HAS REMAINED TRUE AND HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME.  HE BROUGHT ISREAL OUT OF BONDAGE AND HE DOES THE SAME FOR US TODAY.  HE TURNED JOB'S TEST INTO A MIGHTY TESTIMONY, JUST LIKE HE DOES OURS. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, JESUS FED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND IS STILL DOING THE SAME IN 2011.  THE PROMISES OF GOD WERE FULFILLED THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE.  THOSE SAME PROMISES ARE BEING FULFILLED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AT THIS VERY MOMENT. 

I COULD GO ON AND ON THIS MORNING!  I WOKE UP REFRESHED, REVITALIZED AND READY TO PRAISE THE LORD TODAY!  GOD TRULY IS OUR ROCK, OUR SHIELD AND OUR DELIVERER!  HIS LOVE FOR US IS ETERNAL!  TODAY IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO THANK HIM FOR HIS UNCHANGING LOVE!

HEBREWS 13:8  JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

PIECES

WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD "PIECES?"  WHEN I HEAR THIS WORD, I THINK OF SOMETHING BROKEN INTO BITS, OF FRAGMENTS AND OF SOMETHING SPLINTERED.  SHATTERED GLASS COMES TO MIND.  SO DOES SOMETHING CRACKED.  THE WORD "PIECES" IS MENTIONED 293 TIMES IN THE BIBLE.  I LOOKED OVER THE VARIOUS SCRIPTURES USING THIS WORD AND PRACTICALLY ALL OF THEM REFERED TO SOMETHING BROKEN, SHATTERED OR IN BITS. 
  
I WAS TALKING TO A FRIEND OF MINE THE OTHER DAY AND WE COMPARED OUR LIVES WITHOUT THE LORD TO A "BROKEN FLOWER POT."  WE BOTH WERE ABLE TO COMPARE OUR LIVES TO A VASE-LIKE OBJECT WHICH HAD BEEN CRACKED THROUGHOUT TIME.  OUR CONVERSATION GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAILED AND WE BOTH DESCRIBED  BROKEN VESSELS WHICH WERE UGLY AND WEATHERED, CRACKED AND SPLINTERED, BROKEN INTO PIECES. 
  
WE ALSO COMPARED OUR LIVES WITHOUT THE LORD TO A MASSIVE, COMPLEX JIGSAW PUZZLE WHICH LAY IN PIECES.  WE HAVE ALL SEEN THIS SORT OF JIGSAW PUZZLE, WHICH IS SOLD IN CRAFT STORES AND PRACTICALLY REQUIRES A DEGREE IN ENGINEERING IN ORDER TO ATTEMPT ASSEMBLY.  MY LIFE RESEMBLED ONE OF THESE PUZZLES FOR MANY YEARS.  BITS AND PIECES OF IT WERE SCATTERED IN EVERY DIRECTION.  NO TWO PIECES OF MY PUZZLE WOULD EVER MATCH UP.  EVEN THE STRAIGHT PIECES OF THE PUZZLE CALLED MY LIFE WOULD NOT FIT TOGETHER.  NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED TO PIECE TOGETHER THIS PUZZLE, I ONLY MET FRUSTRATION, DISAPPOINTMENT AND FAILURE.  NO MATTER HOW LONG I TRIED, I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE MY PUZZLE WHOLE.  I WOULD HAVE FOREVER BEEN STUCK LOOKING AT PIECES.

WE HAVE ALL HEARD THE PHRASE, "THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND."  IT WAS ONLY THROUGH THIS TOUCH THAT THE PIECES OF MY LIFE WERE EVER PUT BACK TOGETHER.  THE LORD SAT BACK AND WATCHED ME STRUGGLE IN ORDER THAT I REALIZE AND APPRECIATE HIS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER MY LIFE.  HE MENDED THE BROKEN PIECES WHICH I HAD SO CARELESSLY DAMAGED.  HE FIT PIECES TOGETHER WHICH WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED.  HE DID THIS WITH EASE.  HE DID THIS WITH POWER.  HE DID THIS WITH LOVE.  THE LORD SHOWED ME THE NEED FOR HIS TOUCH IN MY LIFE, THE NECESSITY OF HIS GUIDANCE AND THE HEALING POWER OF HIS HAND.  HE DID THIS THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE.  HE FIXED WHAT WAS BROKEN IN MY LIFE.  HE MADE MY PIECES WHOLE. 

IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL DO IT FOR YOU!!!!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

SO VERY MUCH

WE ALL LIVE BUSY LIVES.  OUR DAYS ARE FULL OF THIS AND THAT.  WE RIP AND RUN AND OFTEN DO NOT HAVE TIME TO STOP AND THINK.  IF YOU ARE READING THIS TODAY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO SO.  I WOKE UP THIS MORNING WITH THE TOPIC OF THIS "NOTE" ON MY MIND.  IT IS AN EASY ONE FOR ME TO WRITE ON THIS DAY.  I HAVE SO VERY MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR AND IT IS ON MY HEART TO SHARE THE REASONS WHY.

TO START, I WANNA SAY THAT I AM SO VERY THANKFUL FOR THE LOVE AND DEVOTION OF MY FAMILY.  I REALIZE MORE THAN EVER HOW IMPORTANT THEY ALL ARE TO ME.  I AM ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE SIMPLE THINGS WHICH I OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED, SUCH AS A COCA COLA WHEN I WAKE UP EACH DAY, FOR AIR CONDITIONING, AND FOR MY FAVORITE MAGNOLITE POT.  I AM THANKFUL THAT GOD GAVE ME THE DESIRE AND THE ABILITY TO WRITE THESE "NOTES" HERE ON FACEBOOK EACH DAY.  I COULD GO ON AND ON AND ON ABOUT MY REASONS TO BE THANKFUL FOR THE "LITTLE THINGS" I HAVE COME TO EXPECT. 

NOW, I WANNA GET A LITTLE MORE PERSONAL ABOUT WHAT THE LORD HAS REALLY DONE FOR ME.  I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND BEGAN THANKING THE LORD.  HE ALLOWED ME TO WAKE UP IN MY RIGHT MIND.  OVER THE PAST YEAR, HE HAS DONE SO VERY MUCH FOR ME.  HE TOOK AWAY MY ADDICTIONS, MY TENDENCY TO LIE AND MY LACK OF SELF CONTROL.  AND FOR THAT, I AM THANKFUL!  GOD HEALED MANY RELATIONSHIPS THAT I HAD SO CARELESSLY THROWN AWAY.  GOD RESOLVED MY LEGAL ISSUES, TOOK AWAY MY SHAME AND GAVE ME NEW DIRECTION.  HE HAS PLACED PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO ONLY WANT WHATS BEST FOR ME.  AND FOR THESE THINGS, I AM THANKFUL! 

THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, MY GOD HAS RE-DIRECTED MY PATH.  HE HAS BEEN SHOWING ME HIS WILL DAILY AND HAS BEEN REVEALING HIS PLAN FOR MY LIFE.  HE SHOWERS ME WITH BLESSINGS AND OPENS COUNTLESS DOORS.  EACH DAY BRINGS NEW DISCOVERIES AND WONDERFUL SUPRISES.  HIS WORD HAS BECOME BOTH MY ROADMAP AND MY GPS.  HE HAS GIVEN ME A DESIRE TO BE MORE LIKE HIM.  AND FOR THESE THINGS, I AM THANKFUL! 

I LOVE THE LORD!  HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME, TO YOU, TO ALL OF US! 

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

THE HARDEST PART

IT IS SO EASY TO EXPRESS TO OTHERS THE CONCEPT AND NEED FOR FORGIVENESS.  WHEN WE APPLY IT TO OUR OWN LIVES, THOUGH, FORGIVENESS IS NOT SO EASY.  ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FORGIVING OURSELVES.  MANY PEOPLE WALK AROUND LOOKING TO OTHERS AS IF ALL IS WELL, BUT IN REALITY, THEY ARE CARRYING A HEAVY BURDEN OF GUILT EVERYWHERE THEY GO.  THE BAGGAGE OF GUILT IS A HINDERANCE IN EVERY WAY.  IT ROBS US OF OUR JOY AND PEACE.  WE CANNOT FORGIVE OTHERS UNTIL WE FIRST FORGIVE OURSELVES.  BECAUSE OF GUILT, FORGIVING OURSELVES BECOMES THE HARDEST PART. 
  
FOR THE LONGEST TIME, I DIDNT LIKE MYSELF AT ALL.  THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I HATED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR, BECAUSE I COULDNT STAND THE PERSON WHO LOOKED BACK AT ME.  I WAS FULL OF GUILT OVER EVERYTHING I HAD DONE TO OTHERS.  I HAD A HABIT OF HURTING PEOPLE AND WAS CAUGHT UP IN THE ENDLESS CYCLE OF GUILT.  THERE WAS NO ROOM IN MY HEART FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS BECAUSE I SIMPLY REFUSED TO FORGIVE MYSELF.  I WAS CAUGHT UP IN A DOWNWARD SPIRAL AND MY LIFE WORSENED EVERY DAY. 
  
THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, MY DOWNWARD SPIRAL TOOK AN IMMEDIATE UPSWING.  THROUGH THE CONFESSION OF MY SINS WITH A HONEST HEART, I WAS RELIEVED OF SELF TORMENT.  I HAD TO LAY MY FEELINGS OF SHAME AND GUILT AT THE FEET OF JESUS.   THE LORD TRULY LISTENED TO MY CRIES AND LED ME TO SELF-FORGIVENESS.  THESE DAYS, I AM ABLE TO FORGIVE OTHERS ONLY BECAUSE I BECAME ABLE TO FORGIVE MYSELF.  I CAN NOW LOVE OTHERS.  OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!  WITHOUT HIM, I TRULY AM NOTHING!  I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW THAT HE HAS REMOVED THE YOKE WHICH HAD ME BOUND.  THROUGH HIM ALONE, I AM GUILT FREE.  BY HIS POWER, I AM FORGIVEN!  I CAN NOW EXTEND FORGIVENESS TO OTHERS.  I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW WONDERFUL THAT FEELS. 
  
IF YOU ARE A PRISONER OF GUILT AND SHAME, TAKE YOUR BURDEN TO THE LORD!  HE WILL SET YOU FREE!  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!
  
1 JOHN 1:9  IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.