Thursday, April 28, 2011

WHAT I TRULY DESERVE

WE AS HUMAN BEINGS OFTEN GET OUR FEELINGS HURT AND SOMETIMES THINK WE ARE UNDESERVING OF SUCH TREATMENT.  IT IS QUITE SIMPLE TO SAY, "I DIDNT DESERVE THAT."  WE OFTEN BECOME UPSET WHEN OUR LOVED ONES GET HURT BY OTHERS AS WELL.  LONGSTANDING FAMILY FUEDS ARE SOMETIMES CAUSED BY US SAYING AND THINKING "HE DIDNT DESERVE TO GET TREATED THAT WAY" OR "SHE DESERVES SO MUCH BETTER."  IN MY "NOTE" TODAY, I AM GOING TO TAKE THIS THOUGHT ONTO A MORE PERSONAL LEVEL.  I WANNA LOOK AT MYSELF AND WHAT I TRULY DESERVE. 

THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, IT WAS TOO EASY TO PLACE THE BLAME ON OTHERS EVERY TIME SOMETHING DIDNT GO MY WAY.  I DIDNT DESERVE THIS, I DIDNT DESERVE THAT.  THE GRASS WAS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.  IN MY CASE, I EVEN THOUGHT THE WATER WOULD LOOK BETTER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OCEAN. WHEN MY MARRIAGE FAILED, IT WASNT MY FAULT.  WHEN MY FAMILY TURNED THEIR BACK ON ME, I HAD THE NERVE TO BE ANGRY.  PROBLEMS AT WORK WERE ALWAYS CAUSED BY OTHERS.  MY RELATIONSHIPS FAILED BECAUSE I CHOSE LOSERS.  THE JUDGE WANTED TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF ME.  SOME PEOPLE DIDNT LIKE ME AND TALKED ABOUT ME BEHIND MY BACK. 
  
......I DIDNT DESERVE ANY OF THIS......
  
IN FACT, I DESERVED SO MUCH MORE!!!  I DESERVED TO BE CONSIDERED AN OUTCAST BY MY OWN FAMILY.  I DIDNT DESERVE TO HAVE A HUSBAND.  NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND SHOULD HAVE WANTED TO HIRE ME.  I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE PRIVLEGE OF CALLING ANYONE MY FRIEND.  I DESERVED EVERY SINGLE HEARTACHE I RECEIVED.  THE JUDGE SHOULD HAVE SENTENCED ME TO THE FULLEST.  I TRULY DESERVED TO BE BEATEN, TIED TO THE BACK OF A TRUCK AND DRUG DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD.  BUT.......THAT DIDNT HAPPEN.
  
MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST DRUG A HEAVY WOODEN CROSS FOR OVER TWO MILES UP A TORTUROUS HILL FOR ME INSTEAD.  AFTER HE RECEIVED THE BEATING I SO VERY MUCH DESERVED!  HE, WHO WAS WITHOUT SIN, WAS NAILED TO THAT OLD WOODEN CROSS AND DIED SO THAT I MIGHT LIVE!  WOW....HE DID THAT FOR ME!  EVERY SIN THAT I HAVE EVER COMMITTED WAS WASHED AWAY BY THE BLOOD HE SHED THAT DAY.  THROUGH HIS DEATH, I BECAME DESERVING OF HIS LOVE. 
  
THERE IS NOTHING OR NO ONE ON THIS EARTH WHO COULD HAVE RESTORED MY LIFE OR MADE ME A BETTER PERSON.  IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD THAT I AM ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU TODAY.  I AM SO UNDESERVING OF HIS SACRIFICE.  THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, I AM A BETTER PERSON.  AND FOR THAT, I AM SO GRATEFUL TODAY.  PLEASE ALLOW OUR GOD TO MOVE IN YOUR LIFE TODAY AS WELL.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, THE MOST UNDESERVING ONE OF ALL, HE CAN AND HE WILL DO IT FOR YOU!

PSALM 103:10  HE HAS NOT DEALT WITH US ACCORDING TO OUR SINS, NOR PUNISHED US ACCORDING TO OUR INIQUITIES.

MATTHEW 22:8  "THEN HE SAID TO HIS SERVANTS, THE WEDDING IS READY, BUT THOSE WHO WERE INVITED ARE NOT WORTHY"

MISSING SOMEONE

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, I CAN PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEE THAT YOU HAVE MISSED SOMEONE AT ONE TIME OF YOUR LIFE OR ANOTHER.   WE HAVE ALL BEEN CLOSE TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES WHO HAVE SOMEHOW DRIFTED AWAY FROM US.  PEOPLE WE ONCE TALKED TO EVERY DAY SOMETIMES JUST GET ADDED TO OUR EMAIL LIST.  A FRIEND WE ONCE THOUGHT WE COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT MIGHT ONLY EXIST TODAY IN OUR MEMORIES.   FAMILY MEMBERS WE ONCE LAUGHED AND JOKED WITH DAILY MIGHT ONLY BE SEEN OCCASIONALLY ON HOLIDAYS OR AT FAMILY REUNIONS. 

A VERY CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE EMAILED ME YESTERDAY.  SHE AND I ONCE SAW EACH OTHER ON A DAILY BASIS.  WE WERE AT ONE TIME CLOSER THAN SISTERS AND HAVE BEEN THROUGH BOTH HAPPINESS AND SORROW TOGETHER.  LIFE HAS CARRIED US OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES INCLUDE THIS FRIEND.  EARLIER THIS WEEK, I ALSO HEARD FROM ONE OF MY COUSINS.  SHE AND I LITERALLY GREW UP TOGETHER.  OUR PARENTS WERE INSEPERABLE AND SO WERE SHE AND I.  WE NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO ONE DAY INTERACT ONLY THROUGH FACEBOOK.  IT IS TIMES LIKE THESE THAT I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I MISS SOMEONE.
 THIS BRINGS ME TO THE POINT OF MY "NOTE" TODAY.  JUST AS WE BECOME LONESOME AND MISS THOSE THAT WE TRULY LOVE, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST SURELY FEELS THE SAME WAY.  WHEN WE SLACK OFF IN OUR PRAYER TIME, SKIP A FEW CHURCH SERVICES OR FORGET TO STUDY HIS WORD, WE GROW DISTANT FROM HIS LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP.  JUST LIKE WE DO, JESUS HAS MEMORIES OF ALL OUR HAPPINESS AND SORROW.  HE KNOWS OF EVERY HEARTACHE, EVERY SUCCESS AND EVERY MOMENT OF JOY THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED.  HE HAS BEEN THERE WITH US THROUGH IT ALL.  I HATE TO EVEN THINK OF THE SADNESS OUR BLESSED JESUS MUST FEEL WHEN WE SHUT HIM OUT OF OUR LIVES. 

UNLIKE FRIENDS OR EVEN FAMILY MEMBERS, LIFE WILL NEVER CARRY JESUS AWAY FROM OUR PRESENCE.  HE IS THERE FOR US NO MATTER WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW OR WHY.  EVEN ON OUR LONELIEST NIGHT OR OUR DARKEST HOUR, JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR SIDE.  HE PATIENTLY WAITS FOR US TO REALIZE HIS PRESENCE AND TO ACCEPT HIS EVERLASTING LOVE.  NOTHING WE DO CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE HIM TO TURN HIS BACK ON US OR PUSH US TO THE SIDE.  ONLY JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US.  HIS ARMS OF PROTECTION AND HIS ENDLESS MERCY ARE ETERNALLY AVAILABLE.  HE TRULY MISSES US WHEN WE LEAVE HIS SIDE. 

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE LORD IN MY LIFE TODAY.  HIS PRESENCE IN MY LIFE HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING.  I SAW YESTERDAY THAT SOMEONE HAD WRITTEN, "IF YOU KNEW WHERE I HAVE BEEN AND WHAT I HAVE COME THROUGH, YOU WOULD CONSTANTLY BE PRAISING HIS NAME TOO."  AGAIN, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!  WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW I FEEL INSIDE.  PLEASE MAKE SOME TIME FOR JESUS IN YOUR LIFE TODAY.  I PROMISE YOU WONT REGRET IT. 

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

THE BIRDS

WE HAD QUITE A STORM OUT HERE ON NORRIS LAST NIGHT.  GINA WOKE ME UP WHEN THE STORM WAS AT ITS WORST.  THE THUNDERING, LIGHTNING AND HAIL HITTING THE ROOF HAD HER QUITE CONCERNED.  ONCE THE NOISE SETTLED DOWN, WE WENT BACK TO SLEEP AND ALL WAS WELL.  THIS MORNING, I WALKED OUT THE BACK DOOR, JUST LIKE I DO EVERY MORNING, AND SAW ALL THE DAMAGE THAT THE STORM DID TO MY BELOVED FLOWER BED.  NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT IS A MESS.  BUT THATS OK TOO, THE SUN WILL WORK WONDERS ON MY PRETTY LITTLE BLOOMS TODAY.

THE BIRDS ARE WHAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION THIS MORNING.  YES, THE BIRDS.  EACH MORNING WHEN I WAKE UP, A STILL, SMALL VOICE TELLS ME ALMOST IMMEDIATELY EXACTLY WHAT I WILL TYPE UP ON THIS KEYBOARD.  THIS MORNING WAS NO DIFFERENT.  THIS MORNING, IT WAS THE BIRDS, THE BIRDS, THE BIRDS.  PLEASE DONT THINK THAT I AM LOSING MY MIND OUT HERE IN THE COUNTRY.  IT HAS BEEN OUT HERE IN THE COUNTRY THAT I HAVE FINALLY FOUND SERENITY AND PEACE OF MIND.

AS I HAVE WRITTEN BEFORE, MY DAD HAS MARTIN HOUSES IN THE BACK YARD. MY SON BUILT A HOUSE FOR BLUEBIRDS OUT THERE AS WELL. MY GRANDMOTHER ALSO HAS SEVERAL HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS PLACED AROUND HER PORCH NEXT DOOR.  BIRDS ARE EVERYWHERE THIS MORNING.  I CAN HEAR THEM CHIRPING OUT THERE FROM WHERE I SIT HERE AT THE COMPUTER DESK.  THEY ALL SEEM TO HAVE WEATHERED LAST NIGHTS STORM QUITE WELL.  THEIR HOUSES ARE ALL INTACT.  THEY ARE BUSILY ATTACKING THEIR FEEDERS.  I WATCHED A MOTHER BLUEBIRD BRING FOOD TO HER BABY WHO HAD HIS HEAD POKED OUT OF HIS NEST.  THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIRDS ARE ALL HAPPILY EXISTING RIGHT ALONG SIDE OF ONE ANOTHER.  IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND ALL SEEMS TO BE WELL FOR THE BIRDS OUT HERE ON NORRIS. 

GOD USED ONE OF THE MOST SIMPLE ACTS OF NATURE TO SPEAK TO ME THIS MORNING.  THE BIRDS ALSO WEATHERED A STORM LAST NIGHT BUT YET, THIS MORNING, NONE OF THEM ARE HOMELESS, STARVING OR ANGRY.  NOT ONE OF THEM WAS AWARE OF, NOR DID THEY PREPARE FOR THE RAIN, THE WIND AND THE HAIL.  THEY DID NOT SOW NOR REAP, YET THE LORD TOOK CARE OF THEM.  IF THE GOOD LORD LOOKS AFTER SUCH SIMPLE CREATURES WITH SUCH LOVE AND CARE, HOW MUCH MORE IS HE WILLING TO DO FOR US?  FOR US CREATURES CREATED WITH A SOUL, CREATED IN HIS VERY OWN IMAGE! 

IT IS MY PRAYER TODAY THAT I BECOME MORE LIKE ONE OF HIS SIMPLE LITTLE BIRDS OF THE AIR.  I AM THANKFUL FOR GOD'S ENDLESS PROTECTION.  HE HAS SHELTERED ME THROUGH COUNTLESS STORMS.  THERE IS NO NEED TO REAP AND SOW, BECAUSE HE HAS ALWAYS ENSURED MY FAMILY WITH PLENTY.  I HAVE NO NEED TO STORE UP MATERIAL GOODS BECAUSE THE RICHES OF HEAVEN ARE WAITING.  WHAT I DO NEED IS LOVE, FAITH HOPE AND GUIDANCE FROM THE LORD.  AND THAT IS HIS SPECIALTY.  HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OF FORSAKE US.  JUST ASK THE BIRDS!!!!

MATTHEW 6:26  "LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, FOR THEY NEITHER SOW NOR REAP NOR GATHER INTO BARNS; YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM.  ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?"

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

WILTED

WE ALL KNOW HOW A FLOWER LOOKS WHEN IT DOESNT RECEIVE ENOUGH SUNLIGHT.  ITS PETALS DROOP, ITS LEAVES HANG LIMPLY AND ITS STALK LOOKS LIKE IT COULD JUST FOLD OVER AND COLLAPSE AT ANY TIME.  A ONCE BEAUTIFUL BLOOM MAY BECOME FADED AND UGLY.   A STRONG, HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL FLOWER NEEDS PLENTY OF SUNLIGHT.  I LOVE MY FLOWER BEDS.  I ALSO LOVE THE WAY THE LORD USES THEIR BEAUTY IN ORDER TO CONVEY HIS MESSAGES TO ME. 
  
I CAN RELATE TO THE IMAGE OF A DROOPING, WILTED, ONCE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER.  IN SOME WAYS, I AM PRETTY SURE THAT YOU CAN TOO.  BEFORE I STARTED LIVING FOR THE LORD, I RESEMBLED A BLOOM WHICH WAS IN MUCH NEED OF SUNLIGHT.  LIKE A WILTED FLOWER, MY ROOTS BENEATH THE SURFACE WERE NOT THE PROBLEM.  MY ROOTS WERE FIRMLY EMBEDDED IN RICH, FERTILE GROUND.  HOWEVER, MY BODY, MUCH LIKE A STEM LACKING SUNLIGHT WAS WEAK AND FLIMSY.  I WAS EASILY TOSSED ABOUT IN EVERY DIRECTION BY EVEN THE SLIGHTEST WIND.  ANYONE LOOKING AT ME COULD EASILY SEE THAT SOMETHING WAS LACKING IN MY LIFE.  MY SMILE WAS FADED, MY OUTLOOK WAS DREARY, I DIDNT STAND STRAIGHT AND TALL.  MUCH LIKE A FLOWER STARVING FOR SUNLIGHT, I WAS IN DESPERATE NEED OF THE LORD.  MUCH LIKE A WILTED FLOWER, MY APPEARANCE STEADILY WORSENED.  A FLOWER SOMETIMES APPEARS TO GREIVE FOR SUNLIGHT.  I WAS GREIVING FOR THE LOVE OF THE LORD!
  
AS I SAID EARLIER, EVEN AT MY WORST, I STILL BELIEVED IN GOD.  IT WASNT UNTIL I BECAME LIKE A DYING FLOWER, THAT THE LORD POURED SOME MUCH NEEDED SUNLIGHT DOWN ONTO MY LIFE.  THE WINDS OF LIFE HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED ME WHEN I WAS AT MY WEAKEST.  THE LORD ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND RESTORED MY STRENGTH.  HE BATHED ME IN HIS WONDERFUL LIGHT AND PRODUCED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COLORS THROUGH THE MAJESTRY OF HIS LOVE.  MY ROOT SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER.  THROUGH READING, BELIEVING AND CONFESSING HIS WORD, THIS ONCE WILTED FLOWER HAS BLOSSOMED INCREDIBILY.  THROUGH MY FAITH IN HIM, GOD HAS GIVEN ME STRENGTH TO MEET ANY WIND LIFE MAY BLOW MY WAY. 
  
GOD LOVES ME!  HE SAW MY NEED.  HE IS A TREMENDOUS GOD. HE ALONE IS THE ANSWER TO ANY AND ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS. HE IS GLORIFIED THROUGH THE BEAUTY OF HIS CREATION.  HE SO LOVINGLY BROUGHT HIS LIGHT INTO MY LIFE. HE WANTS TO DO IT FOR YOU AS WELL.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!  TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!  YOU WILL BE AMAZED!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

A DIFFERENT KIND OF RESOLUTION

 

AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, PEOPLE HAVE MADE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS.  I HAVE MADE MANY OF THEM MYSELF.  I CANNOT SPEAK FOR ANYONE ELSE, BUT USUALLY BE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, THREE MONTHS LATER, I HAVE COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN WHAT I SO FIRMLY RESOLVED TO DO ON JANUARY 1ST.  IN FACT, I DO NOT EVER RECALL ONE SINGLE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION THAT I MANAGED TO KEEP.  I GREW UP IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH.  ALL CATHOLICS WERE EXPECTED TO GIVE UP CERTAIN HABITS, DESIRES OR FAVORITE FOODS OR PAST TIMES FOR THE PERIOD BEFORE EASTER CALLED LENT.  I ALWAYS CAME UP WITH SEVERAL REALLY GOOD IDEAS OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO GIVE UP, BUT NEVER ACTUALLY KEPT MY PROMISES FOR THAT EITHER.

THIS WEEKEND AT THE CAMP, I HAD ALOT OF TIME TO RELAX AND THINK.  I GAVE SERIOUS THOUGHT TO THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST.  HE GAVE UP SO MUCH IN ORDER THAT WE MIGHT ALL BE SAVED.  THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE ABUNDANTLY.  OUR GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON HERE TO EARTH AS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL SACRIFICE FOR NOT JUST ME, BUT FOR YOU, FOR ALL OF US.  FOR OUR GENERATIONS PAST AND OUR GENERATIONS TO COME.  THE MORE I THOUGHT OF WHAT ALL JESUS GAVE UP SO FREELY, THE MORE I BECAME CONVINCED OF WHAT I ABSOLUTELY NEEDED TO DO. 

JESUS WENT TO THAT OLD WOODEN CROSS WITHOUT SO MUCH AS ONE COMPLAINT.  HE ENDURED TORTURE AND HUMILIATION.  HE DIED A HORRIBLE DEATH AS PEOPLE WATCHED AND CHEERED.  OH, BUT HIS RESURRECTION WAS GLORIOUS.  IMAGINE THE DISBELIEF OF EVERYONE WHEN THE HEAVY STONE TO HIS TOMB WAS ROLLED AWAY TO REVEAL AN EMPTY GRAVE!!!!!  THIS WAS SUCH A FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE.  THIS PROVED THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS INDEED THE MESSIAH!  HE HAD INDEED BEEN SENT TO SAVE THE WORLD.

I HAVE NEVER KEPT A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION.  I HAVE NEVER COMPLETELY GAVE ANYTHING UP FOR LENT.  THIS YEAR, THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF MY LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS TAKEN ON A WHOLE NEW SIGNIFICANCE IN MY LIFE.  I HAVE DECIDED THIS YEAR TO MAKE UP MY OWN RESURRECTION DAY RESOLUTIONS.  IT SEEMS TO BE THE LEAST I CAN DO SINCE MY GOD SACRIFICED HIS ONLY SON FOR ME.  I RESOLVE TO CONTINUE TO BE CONSUMED BY HIS WORD.  I INTEND TO MAXIMIZE THE USE OF MY STUDY BIBLE.  I WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO CARRY HIS MESSAGE TO OTHERS.  I WILL DO MY BEST TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO LEARN OF HIS LOVE AND MERCY.  I WANT TO WITNESS HIS LOVE AND KINDNESS IN EVERY WAY I POSSIBLY CAN.

THESE ARE MY RESURRECTION RESOLUTIONS.  IT IS MY HOPE AND DESIRE THAT OTHERS WILL SEE HIS LOVE THROUGH ME.  GOD HAS DONE AN AWESOME WORK IN MY LIFE.  IT IS MY WISH THAT YOU ALLOW HIM TO DO THE SAME FOR YOU.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE SURELY WILL DO IT FOR YOU.  HOPE YOU HAD A BLESSED AND JOYOUS EASTER!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

IN EVERY DIRECTION


I FEEL SURE MOST OF YOU REMEMBER YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.  I SURE DO.  I RECALL A SPEAKER TELLING US TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AROUND THE AUDITORIUM AT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WE HAD BEEN KNOWING FOR THE LAST TWELVE YEARS.  WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR GRADUATING CLASS WOULD NEVER BE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER IN ONE ROOM AGAIN.  AT THE TIME, I DIDNT BELIEVE THAT PARTICULAR PERSON.  THE PEOPLE THAT I GRADUATED WITH WERE MY FRIENDS.  WE HAD KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR YEARS.  OF COURSE HE WAS RIGHT.  IT HAS BEEN 24 YEARS, AND IF NOT FOR FACEBOOK, I STILL WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF WHAT BECAME OF SOME OF MY FRIENDS.  WE SCATTERED IN EVERY DIRECTION.

JESUS DIDNT HAVE A FACEBOOK.  HE HAD MANY FRIENDS.  CLOSE FRIENDS, WHOM HE CALLED HIS DICSIPLES.  THEY DIDNT GO TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER.  THEY WERE MUCH CLOSER THAN THAT.  EACH DISCIPLE PROMISED TO NEVER EVER ABANDON JESUS.  EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM SPOKE OF ETERNAL DEVOTION.  JESUS EVEN TRIED TO LET THEM KNOW OF THEIR UPCOMING DESERTIONS.  JUST LIKE I DID, THEY REFUSED TO BELIEVE.  PLEASE DONT EVEN FOR A MINUTE THINK THAT I AM PUTTING MYSELF ON A LEVEL OF ONE OF THE DISCIPLES.  THATS NOT WHAT I MEAN.  I WOULD NEVER CLAIM SUCH.  BUT IN REALITY, WE ARE ALL SOMEWHAT LIKE HIS DISCIPLES WERE OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO. 
  
WE ALL KNOW THAT THE DISCIPLES ABANDONED JESUS WHEN HE NEEDED THEM THE MOST.  THEY BETRAYED HIS FRIENDSHIP.  THEY WERE COMPELLED TO FULFILL SCRIPTURE.  JESUS KNEW THE EXACT OUTCOME OF EVERY DEPARTURE.  IT IS IN THIS WAY THAT EACH ONE OF US CAN IDENTIFY WITH THE ACTIONS OF THE DISCIPLES.  WE ALL CLAIM UNDYING LOVE AND DEVOTION TO CHRIST.  WE CALL HIM OUR SAVIOR.  WE SAY HE SUPPLIES ALL OF OUR NEEDS.  WE ARE QUICK TO ATTEND CHURCH SERVICES AND SING PRAISES TO THE LORD.  IN THIS WAY, WE ARE IN FACT, HIS DISCIPLES OF 2011. 
  
JESUS KNOWS THAT WE WILL ALL FAIL HIM, MUCH LIKE THE DISCIPLES DID SO VERY LONG AGO.  WE FAIL HIM WHEN WE JUDGE OTHERS, WHEN WE CHOOSE NOT TO FORGIVE, WHEN WE REFUSE TO LOVE, WHEN WE PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH SCRIPTURES TO OBEY.  WE MIGHT NOT CONSIDER THESE ACTIONS VERY OFFENSIVE, BUT TO THE LORD, A SIN IS A SIN.  HE KNOWS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE WE EVEN DO IT.  IN THESE WAYS, WE BECOME LIKE HIS DISCIPLES.  WE DESERT HIM AS WELL. 
  
OUR LORD KNOWS THAT WE WILL FAIL HIM DAILY.  HE KNOWS THAT WE WERE ALL BORN WITH A SINFUL NATURE. THROUGH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, WE ARE ABLE TO REDEEM OURSELVES DAILY.  IT IS ONLY THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO WAKE UP THIS MORNING.  WE CAN GO TO JESUS WITH A REPENTIVE HEART AND RENEW OUR SALVATION DAILY.  FOR THIS, I AM SO GRATEFUL.  WE SERVE SUCH A FORGIVING AND LOVING GOD.  WE ARE ALL SO UNWORTHY.
  
MATTHEW 26:56  "BUT ALL THIS WAS DONE THAT THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROFETS MIGHT BE FULFILLED."  THEN ALL THE DISCIPLES FORSOOK HIM AND FLED. 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

HE COULD HAVE STOPPED IT

I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME MY SON FELL AND HURT HIMSELF.  WE WERE AT MY UNCLE BEN AND AUNT VICKI'S HOUSE IN COVINGTON, VIRGINIA.  ROSS WAS IN HIS WALKER, FELL OFF THE PORCH AND GOT A CUT ON HIS MOUTH.  I BECAME WEAK AND HYSTERICAL.  MY MOM HAD TO CALM ME DOWN ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT HE WAS OK.  I REMEMBER SAYING, "THATS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN MY CHILD'S BLOOD."   THAT HAPPENED ALMOST 19 YEARS AGO, BUT I STILL REMEMBER THE DETAILS JUST LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY.  I CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE THE HORROR MARY MUST HAVE EXPERIENCED ON CRUCIFIXION DAY.  MY MIND REFUSES TO GRASP THE IMAGES SHE MUST HAVE SEEN. 

IN MY "NOTE" YESTERDAY, I INCLUDED LUKE 22:44.  IN THIS SCRIPTURE WE WERE TOLD THAT HIS SWEAT BECAME LIKE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN TO THE GROUND.  I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS SCRIPTURE REFERRED ONLY TO HUGE DROPS OF SWEAT.  I WAS SO WRONG.  I LOOKED UP VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS OF THIS SCRIPTURE AND LEARNED SO MUCH MORE ABOUT IT.  THERE IS A RARE OCCURANCE IN THE HUMAN BODY CALLED "HEMOHIDROSIS".  IT IS A VERY RARE MEDICAL CONDITION CAUSED BY SEVERE MENTAL STRESS, IN WHICH BLOOD VESSELS RUPTURE, MIX WITH SWEAT AND IS EXCRETED THROUGH THE PORES OF SKIN IN THE SAME WAY THAT SWEAT IS NORMALLY EXCRETED.  AND THIS HAPPENED IN THE GARDEN OF GETHESMANE!  JESUS HADNT EVEN YET BEGAN TO RECEIVE HIS TORTUROUS BEATING.

ONCE THE PHYSICAL BEATING BEGAN, JESUS BODY WAS TORN TO SHREDS.  AS I SAID IN MY "NOTE" YESTERDAY, HE WAS BEATEN BEYOND RECOGNITION.  STONING, BURNING, BEHEADING AND STRANGLING WERE ALL METHODS OF PUNISHMENT BACK THEN BUT JESUS RECEIVED THE MOST DREADED, PAINFUL AND HUMILIATING METHOD OF THE TIME.  SUCH TORTURE WOULD BE UNHEARD OF TODAY.  AT ANY TIME, JESUS COULD HAVE CALLED UPON HIS FATHER TO PUT AN END TO HIS MISERY.  HE COULD HAVE ENDED THE HORROR, BUT HE NEVER OPENED HIS MOUTH THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS.  HE COULD HAVE STOPPED IT.  HE NEVER MADE A SOUND. 

JESUS WAS NOT GUILTY OF ANY CRIME.  HE NEVER ONCE COMMITTED A SIN.  WHEN HE PRAYED IN THE GARDEN OF GETHESMANE, WHEN HE WAS BEATEN AND BRUISED, WHEN HE HUNG UP ON THAT CROSS, HE BECAME SIN FOR US!  FOR YOU!  FOR ME!  HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY BE WORTHY OF SUCH LOVE?  HOW CAN WE HAVE THE NERVE TO CONDEMN ONE ANOTHER?  HOW IS IT THAT WE CAN PASS JUDGEMENT?  HOW CAN WE NOT FIND FORGIVENESS FOR ONE ANOTHER?  EACH TIME WE PASS JUDGEMENT, CONDEMN OR REFUSE TO FORGIVE, WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE CROSS, THE CRUCIFIXION AND THE BLOOD WHICH WAS SHED SO THAT WE MIGHT EVEN LIVE.

MATTHEW 26:28  "FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN"

ISAIAH 53:5-7  HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES, THE CHASTISEMENT FOR OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

EASTER BUNNIES

AS A CHILD, EASTER WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS.  WE GOT A WEEK OFF OF SCHOOL.  WE ATE BOILED CRAWFISH ON GOOD FRIDAY.  WE WENT TO BED EARLY ON SATURDAY NIGHT AND WOKE UP TO AN EASTER BASKET FULL OF CANDY ON SUNDAY MORNING!  WE WORE OUR NEW EASTER OUTFITS TO CHURCH AND HID BRIGHTLY COLORED EGGS ALL AFTERNOON ON EASTER SUNDAY.  EASTER WAS AWESOME!  IN FACT, WE STILL DO ALL OF THE SAME THINGS EACH YEAR.   DONT GET ME WRONG, I LOVE THE IDEA OF PASTEL EASTER BUNNIES, PLASTIC EGGS AND ALL SORTS OF CHOCOLATE.  BUT I AM WRITING MY "NOTE" TODAY FROM SOMEWHAT OF A DIFFERENT ANGLE.  I WANT TO REMIND MYSELF AND OTHERS OF THE TRUE MEANING OF THIS WONDERFUL HOLIDAY. 

WE OFTEN FEEL STRESSED AND SCARED.  STRESS AND FEAR OF THE FUTURE ARE COMMON OCCURANCES IN EVERYDAY LIFE.  BUT, THINK FOR A MOMENT OF THE STRESS AND FEAR JESUS WAS FEELING THIS ENTIRE WEEK OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO.  I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT MY PROBLEMS SEEM SO SLIGHT WHEN PUT IN THIS PERSPECTIVE.  JEUSU KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.  NONE OF US CAN EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE THE EMOTIONS HE MUST HAVE FELT. 

WE ALL KNOW THAT JESUS WAS BEATEN AND NAILED TO THE CROSS.  WE ALL KNOW THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD ON THE THIRD DAY.  WE HAVE TAUGHT OUR CHILDREN THAT WE CELEBRATE EASTER BECAUSE THATS THE DAY THAT JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD IN ORDER TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS.  PLAIN, SIMPLE, PRETTY. 

IN REALITY, JESUS WAS MOCKED, RIDICULED, SEVERELY BEATEN AND ABANDONED BY ALL OF HIS FRIENDS.  THE WHIP USED ON JESUS WAS MADE OF LEATHER STRAPS ENTWINED WITH METAL AND BONE.  HE WAS BEATEN BEYOND RECOGNITION.  HIS CROWN OF THORNS COVERED HIS ENTIRE SCALP AND WAS BEATEN ONTO HIS HEAD.   HE WAS FORCED TO CARRY HIS OWN CROSS OF CRUCIFIXION FOR APPROXIMATELY 2.5 MILES AFTER HIS BRUTAL BEATING.  IN LUKE 22:44, WE ARE TOLD THAT HIS SWEAT BECAME LIKE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN TO THE GROUND.  ONCE JESUS MADE IT TO MOUNT CALVARY, 7 INCH NAILS WERE DRIVEN THROUGH THE BONES OF HIS WRIST AND THROUGH HIS FEET.  HE WAS OFFERED VINEGAR FOR HIS THIRST!  HE DIED A SLOW AND HORRIFIC DEATH UP THERE ON THAT CROSS.  AND PEOPLE STOOD AROUND AND WATCHED.  AND LAUGHED.  AND CHEERED. 

WE ARE SO UNWORTHY OF HIS SUFFERING.  GOD ACTUALLY SENT HIS ONLY SON HERE TO EARTH TO SAVE ALL OF MANKIND.  HE KNEW THE CRUCIFIXON WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A MARVELOUS RESURRECTION!  JESUS MAY HAVE PHYSICALLY DIED IN HORROR, BUT HE AROSE IN SPLENDOR!  IMAGINE THE AMAZEMENT, JOY AND HAPPINESS HIS FOLLOWERS FELT ON THAT SUNDAY MORNING!  THE MENTAL IMAGES I HAVE OF THAT STONE BEING ROLLED AWAY TO REVEAL AND EMPTY GRAVE LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS!  THIS FEELING OF NEW LIFE, OF JESUS BEING CONFIRMED AS SAVIOR IS WHAT EASTER MEANS TO ME! 

THANK YOU LORD FOR SENDING US YOUR ONLY SON!  THANK YOU JESUS FOR DYING ON THAT CROSS FOR ME!  THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING SO UNSELFISH AND FOR LOVING US ALL UNCONDITIONALLY.  THANK YOU FOR THE RESURRECTION!!!!!!

Monday, April 18, 2011

DOORS

YESTERDAY MORNING AT CHUCH, JOHNNY WEST LED TESTIMONY SERVICE.  WHILE HE WAS SPEAKING, HE THANKED THE LORD FOR ALL OF THE DOORS WHICH GOD HAS BEEN OPENING FOR HIM IN HIS LIFE.  LIKE ALL OUR YOUTH, JOHNNY HAS AN OPEN ROAD AHEAD OF HIM FULL OF OPEN DOORS.  GOD HAS MADE SURE OF THIS.  AS LONG AS OUR YOUTH OF TODAY REMAIN TRUE TO THE WORD OF GOD, THEIR FUTURES ARE GUARANTEED BY HIS PROMISES TO BE HAPPY, JOYOUS AND FREE.  THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND LEAD THEIR OWN CHILDREN DOWN THE RIGHT PATH.
AS I HAVE TOLD BEFORE, MY LIFE STARTED OUT THAT WAY.  MY LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN AWESOME.  I HAD UNLIMITED OPEN DOORS AVAILABLE IN MY LIFE.  AS YOU ALL KNOW BY NOW, I CHOSE TO BYPASS THE OPEN DOORS.  ONE BY ONE, I SOMEHOW MADE SURE TO NOT ONLY PASS UP THE OPEN DOORS, I MANAGED TO CLOSE THEM AS WELL.  THE ONCE OPEN DOORS IN MY LIFE WERE ALL SLAMMED SHUT.  SLAMMED SHUT, BOLTED DOWN, PADLOCKED AND BARRED.  I MADE SUCH A MESS OF THINGS, I FOUND MYSELF ALL ALONE IN AN ENDLESS HALLWAY OF NOTHING BUT CLOSED DOORS.  AND I HAD NO ONE TO BLAME BUT MYSELF.  IT WAS A TERRIBLE FEELING. 

I AM SO THANKFUL TODAY FOR THE ONE REMAINING DOOR WHICH HAD NOT BEEN CLOSED, SLAMMED AND LOCKED.  THIS DOOR WOULD HAVE BEEN FOREVER CLOSED AND PADLOCKED TOO, IF NOT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD.  IF NOT FOR THE FORGIVENESS, THE GRACE, THE MERCY AND THE LOVE OF GOD, TO BE EXACT.  HE KNEW THAT I HAD NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN.  HE WAS ONLY WAITING FOR ME TO REALIZE THAT HE AND HE ALONE IS THE KEYHOLDER TO EVERY  LOCKED DOOR DOWN THE ENDLESS HALLWAY OF MY LIFE.  HE CAME TO ME WHEN I WAS BROKEN.  WHEN I WAS ASHAMED.  WHEN I WAS TRULY ALONE IN THIS WORLD. 

WE HAVE ALL HEARD THAT GOD CAN OPEN DOORS WHICH NO MAN CAN POSSIBLY OPEN.  HE HAS DONE THIS FOR ME PERSONALLY AND I CANNOT THANK HIM ENOUGH!  I HAD DONE A TREMONDOUS JOB OF DESTROYING EVERYTHING GOOD IN MY LIFE.  I HAD DESTROYED ANY HOPES OF EMPLOYMENT, LET ALONE A CAREER.  I HAD LOST THE TRUST OF MY FAMILY AND WHAT FEW FRIENDS I HAD LEFT.  MY CHILDREN FELT LET DOWN BY THEIR MOTHER.  BUT, THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, I HAVE A RESTORED LIFE.  I LOOK FORWARD TO MY FUTURE.  I CAN HOLD MY HEAD UP HIGH.  I AM FORGIVEN. 

GOD LOVES US ALL SO MUCH.  HIS ONLY SON PAID THE PRICE FOR THIS LOVE.  GOD SENT HIM HERE FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE.  JESUS WAS THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.  FOR ME!  FOR YOU!  FOR US!  GOD ONLY WANTS US ONLY TO BELIEVE.  TO OBEY HIS WORD.  TO LOVE HIM AS HE HAS LOVED US ALL.  PLEASE ALLOW GOD TO OPEN DOORS IN YOUR LIFE, SUCH AS HE DID FOR ME.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU AS WELL!  HE LOVES US UNCONDITIONALLY!

REVELATION 3:20  "BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK.  IF ANYONE HEARS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR I WILL COME IN TO HIM AND DINE WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME"

JOHN 10:7  "I AM THE DOOR"

Saturday, April 16, 2011

...NO MATTER WHAT....

THE PAST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN TRULY AWESOME.  I HAD A WONDERFUL WEEKEND WITH THE PEOPLE I LOVE AND WHO ALSO LOVE ME IN RETURN.  IN FACT, THIS WHOLE PAST WEEK HAS BEEN GREAT.  I GOT ALOT DONE, STAYED IN A GOOD MOOD AND WAS REALLY IN TUNE WITH THE LORD.  THE WEATHER HAS EVEN BEEN BEAUTIFUL.  NO ONE HAS BEEN SICK.  MY FAMILY HAS NEVER BEEN CLOSER.  EVERYTHING HAS BEEN LOVELY. 

I HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT SATAN IS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.  MY PASTOR HAS EVEN TOLD ME TO BE EXPECTING AN ATTACK OF THE DEVIL.  MY BIBLE HAS TAUGHT ME TO REMAIN ON GUARD AT ALL TIMES.  IT IS THE DEVILS JOB TO ROB, TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY.  SATAN OBVIOUSLY HATES TO SEE US ESCAPE HIS TRAPS.  HE CANNOT STAND IT WHEN WE ARE JOYOUS, HAPPY AND FREE.  HIS DEMONS COME AFTER US WITH A VENGENCE WHEN WE LIVE ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD!

THE DEVIL PLAYED MIND GAMES WITH ME THIS EVENING.  HE TRIED TO ATTACK ME BY CAUSING PROBLEMS WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS.  SEEDS OF ANGER, DOUBT AND JEALOUSY WERE QUICKLY BROUGHT INTO MY OTHERWISE PERFECT WEEKEND.  I FOUND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL MY TONGUE.  SATAN KNEW EXACTLY WHO TO USE IN ORDER TO PUSH MY BUTTONS.  HIS ATTACK WAS QUICK, SWIFT AND VICIOUS.  I KNEW THE DEVIL WAS THE AUTHOR OF THIS CONFUSION AND STILL HAD A HARD TIME CONTROLING MY EMOTIONS. 

I REALIZED THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE GROWN ALOT SPIRITUALLY, I STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.  ITS EASY TO REMAIN GODLY WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING FINE.  ITS NOT HARD TO SING PRAISES WHEN YOU ARE HAPPY.  EVEN THOUGH I CAME CLOSE TO GIVING IN TO THE GAME OF ANGER AND CONFUSION, I CAN STILL SEE THE HAND OF THE LORD IN THE SITUATION AS WELL.  GOD WILL ONLY ALLOW SATAN TO ANTAGONIZE US TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.  THE LORD ALLOWED THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN THIS EVENING IN ORDER TO MAKE ME REALIZE THAT I MUST IN FACT DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING.  IN GOD, I WILL FIND TRUE HAPPINESS.  THE LORD IS THE SOURCE OF EVERYTHING GOOD IN OUR LIVES.  THIS EVENING SERVED AS A REMINDER OF WHAT LIFE WOULD BE LIKE WITHOUT HIS LOVE, GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION. 

I LOVE MY JESUS!  I NEED THE LORD!  I REFUSE TO ALLOW SATAN TO STEAL WHAT GOD HAS SO FREELY GIVEN TO ME!

JOHN 10:10  "THE THEIF DOES NOT COME EXCEPT TO STEAL AND TO KILL AND TO DESTROY.  I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY"

Friday, April 15, 2011

A FRIENDSHIP

DO YOU CONSIDER EVERY PERSON YOU MEET TO BE YOUR FRIEND?  HAVE YOU EVER TRUSTED A FRIEND AND FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS THAT PERSON WAS NOT YOUR FRIEND AT ALL?  HAS SOMEONE WHO WAS ONCE YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND TURNED INTO ONLY A PASSING ACQUAINTANCE? 
WE HAD A VISITING PASTOR LAST SUNDAY NIGHT AT OUR CHURCH.  HE DELIVERED A MESSAGE THAT STILL HASNT LEFT MY MIND.  HIS MESSAGE WAS QUICK.  HE GOT RIGHT TO THE POINT.  HE CAME PREPARED AND CLEARLY SPOKE A WORD FROM THE LORD.  THE WORD HAD IMPACT.  HIS SERMON ASKED ONE QUESTION, WHICH WAS "ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS OR ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM?"  MY FIRST, IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THAT QUESTION WAS A "RELATIONSHIP", OF COURSE.  WHO WOULDNT QUICKLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION WITH THAT RESPONSE?  MY ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS STILL ON MY MIND TODAY.

FOR SO MANY YEARS, I WOULD GO TO CHURCH AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.  I WOULD LISTEN TO THE PREACHER AND FEEL A TOUCH FROM GOD.  ONCE I LEFT THE CHURCH, I WOULD RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITY.  I WOULD GO BACK TO DOING EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO DO.  I WOULD LEAVE JESUS RIGHT THERE IN THE CHURCH AND FORGET ABOUT HIM UNTIL I DECIDED TO GO BACK.  WHEN I HAD A PROBLEM, I WOULD CALL UPON HIS NAME AND ACTUALLY EXPECT HIM TO ANSWER ME.  WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER WOULD GET SICK, I WOULD SAY A QUICK PRAYER.  IF I GOT INTO TROUBLE OR FOUND MYSELF IN A TIGHT SPOT, I WOULD BEG GOD TO HELP ME AND PROMISE TO NEVER DO IT AGAIN.  I WAS LOOKING FOR AN ENCOUNTER.  I HAD IT ALL SO VERY WRONG.

TODAY, I FEEL SO VERY SORRY FOR TREATING GOD IN SUCH A MANNER.  I AM ASHAMED OF HOW I SO CARELESSLY THREW JESUS ASIDE.  JESUS DIED A SLOW AND AGONIZING DEATH FOR ME AND I TOSSED HIM ASIDE LIKE A RAG DOLL FOR WAY TOO LONG.  I REALIZE NOW THAT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD HAS TO BE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.  I CANNOT CALL UPON HIM WHEN ONLY WHEN I NEED HIM.  I CANNOT LEAVE HIM SITTING ON A CHURCH PEW.  HE DESERVES SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.  I HAVE LEARNED TO TRUST HIM.  I HAVE LEARNED TO LISTEN TO HIS STILL, SMALL VOICE.  HIS FRIENDSHIP WILL NEVER LEAD ME IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  HIS WORD WILL NEVER LET ME DOWN.  HIS LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL.  I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT HE NEVER STOPPED CARING ABOUT ME.  A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS LIKE THAT OF NO OTHER!  JESUS IS TRULY MY FRIEND. 

YES, I CAN HONESTLY CALL JESUS MY FRIEND TODAY.  ONLY THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE!  HE IS TRULY MY FRIEND AND I KNOW THAT HE LOVES ME.  BUT, JESUS LOVES YOU TOO!  WE WERE ALL PUT ON THIS EARTH NOT TO BE MISERABLE, BUT TO SHARE IN THE BEAUTY AND THE GLORY OF HIS LOVE.  MY GOD HAS PROVEN THIS POINT TO ME.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!

JOHN 15:14  "YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHATEVER I COMMAND YOU"

IT HAS BEEN A BLESSED ADVENTURE!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

THE FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST

 I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO WRITE A NOTE HERE ON FACEBOOK FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.  I JUST HAVENT BEEN SURE OF EXACTLY WHAT I WANT THE NOTE TO SAY.  HERE GOES:

IN THE PAST, I WOULD HAVE NEVER POSTED SO MUCH "CHURCHY" STUFF ON MY FACEBOOK.  I WAS OUT THERE RUNNING THE ROADS, CUTTING UP, DOING DRUGS AND CAUSING TROUBLE EVERY CHANCE I GOT.  THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME KNOW THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS DOING.  I USED PEOPLE AND DIDNT CARE WHO I HURT.  EVERYONE HAS HEARD OF HITTING ROCK BOTTOM, WELL, TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT,

                                                 I HIT THE BOTTOM OF ROCK BOTTOM

I WONT GO INTO DETAILS BECAUSE THE DETAILS NO LONGER MATTER.  THE DETAILS WERE THROWN INTO THE SEA OF FORGIVENESS.  AND FOR ALL OF THAT, EVEN THE CHAOS OF MY LIFE,  I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. 

SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH, WE HAD A TESTIMONY SERVICE BASED ON "AMAZING GRACE".   ANYONE WHO WANTED TO WAS ENCOURAGED TO STAND UP AND TELL EVERYONE EXACTLY WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR THEM PERSONALLY.   I BRIEFLY TOLD EVERYONE PRESENT HOW THANKFUL I WAS FOR THE LORDS FORGIVENESS, HIS MERCY, HIS LOVE AND HIS GRACE, BUT I ALSO TOLD EVERYONE THAT WE DIDNT HAVE TIME SUNDAY NIGHT FOR ME TO FULLY TELL WHAT GOD AND HIS AMAZING GRACE HAD DONE FOR ME.

GOD REPLACED THE SINS WITH FORGIVENESS.  HE REPLACED THE DOUBT WITH FAITH.  HE REPLACED CONFUSION WITH PEACE. 

AND IF GOD CAN DO IT FOR ME.....HE SURELY CAN DO IT FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.....

I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD BE SO HAPPY.  
I LOVE MY CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE IN IT.

THE REAL MEANING OF LOVE

.........THE REAL MEANING OF LOVE........

by Michelle Miller on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 1:57pm
WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING, I KNEW I WAS GONNA WRITE ANOTHER "NOTE" TODAY, BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GONNA WRITE IT ABOUT.  ONCE I GOT TO FACEBOOK, I REALIZED THAT GOD HAD ALREADY MADE THAT DECISION FOR ME. 

I RECEIVE THE "DAILY MESSAGE FROM GOD" EVERYDAY, AND THIS MORNING, MY MESSAGE SAID.......YOUR LOVE IS A GIFT TO THE WORLD.  LET YOUR LOVE RADIATE OUT TO ALL YOU MEET.  LET YOUR LOVE TOUCH THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE YOU DONT EVEN KNOW.  LOVE IS WHAT IS SAVING THE WORLD......

THEN, I WAS SCROLLING DOWN MY HOME PAGE AND CAME ACROSS A DRAWING OF JESUS.  HE WAS SMILING.  ITS NOT VERY OFTEN I SEE PICTURES OF JESUS SMILING.  JUST BY LOOKING AT THE DRAWING, ONE CAN CLEARLY SEE THE LOVE COMING FROM HIS FACE.

NEXT,  CHRIS PAUL HAD A SIMPLE LITTLE STATUS.  IT WAS MADE UP OF 9 WORDS.  I WAS QUICK TO COPY AND PASTE AND I JUST HAD TO MAKE THAT SIMPLE LITTLE STATUS MY OWN.  I DID COMMENT HIM AND LET HIM KNOW ABOUT THE COPY AND PASTE ESISODE THOUGH.  LOL  THE STATUS SAID..........LOVING LIFE.  YOU SHOULD TOO.  GOD IS GREAT!........

BY NOW, I KNEW BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT EXACTLY WHAT I HAD TO WRITE IN MY "NOTE" TODAY.   I GOT OUT MY BIBLE AND MY CONCORDANCE AND STARTED TO FIND SCRIPTURES PERTAINING TO LOVE.  I AM GOING TO USE THOSE SCRIPTURES TODAY.  ITS NOT VERY MANY OF THEM.  I WONT TAKE UP MUCH OF YOUR TIME.  I AM INCLUDING THEM IN THE ORDER THAT I FOUND THEM THIS MORNING.  GOD HAD IT PLANNED ALL ALONG. HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO, WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY AND WHICH OF HIS WORDS I WAS GOING TO USE.  THE ONLY THING I HAD TO DO WAS WAKE UP!!!  LOL

MATTHEW 22:37-39......YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.  THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT.  AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF......
    
     UNTIL I LEARNED TO TRULY LOVE MYSELF, THERE WAS NO WAY THAT I COULD EVER TRULY LOVE MY
     NEIGHBOR.  FOR WAY TOO LONG, I WALKED AROUND LOOKING LIKE I WAS CONFIDENT, LIKE I HAD IT ALL
     TOGETHER, I LOOKED LIKE EVERYTHING WAS FINE.  BUT INSIDE, I WAS A HORRIBLE MESS.  THESE DAYS,
     I AM TRULY CONFIDENT.  I HAVE ACCEPTED THE LOVE OF THE LORD.  I HONESTLY LOVE MYSELF AND 
     CAN SAY THAT I LOVE OTHERS AS WELL.

JOHN 15:13........GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, TO LAY DOWN ONES LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

     WOW!!!  THE THOUGHT OF JESUS DYING FOR ALL OF US IS A CONCEPT THAT BLOWS MY MIND NO 
     MATTER HOW I LOOK AT IT.  WHEN I FOUND THIS SCRIPTURE THIS MORNING, I ACTUALLY SAT 
     BACK AND THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A FEW MINUTES.  THAT IS LOVE!!!!!

1 PETER 4:8........LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.......

     THANK GOD FOR HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS MERCY, HIS GRACE AND HIS LOVE!!!!  IT IS THROUGH HIS LOVE 
     THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US ARE ALIVE TODAY.  THANK YOU JESUS FOR DYING FOR OUR SINS!

PROVERBS 8:17.......I LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE ME, AND THOSE WHO SEEK ME DILIGENTLY WILL FIND ME.....

ROMANS 12:9-10......LET LOVE BE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY.  ABHOR WHAT IS EVIL.  CLING TO WHAT IS GOOD. 
     BE KINDLY AFFECTIONATE TO ONE ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY LOVE......

THERE ARE ACTUALLY 730 SCRIPTURES IN THE BIBLE THAT MENTION "LOVE".  MOST OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH 1 CORINTHIANS 13, "THE BOOK OF LOVE" OR JOHN 3:16.  THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THE LOVE OF GOD THAN I CAN EVER WRITE IN A "NOTE".   I CANT EVEN FIND WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT THE LOVE OF GOD HAS DONE FOR ME. 

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS "NOTE".  I JUST LOVE SHARING THE PEACE OF MIND, THE LOVE AND THE JOY THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME. 

DONT FORGET.......IF GOD DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND WILL DO IT FOR YOU TOO.....ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LET HIM!!!!!!

STILL THINKING

ITS FRIDAY AND I AM STILL THINKING ABOUT OUR CHURCH SERVICE SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH HERE IN OAKDALE.  BRO JERRY DIDNT DO ANY PREACHING, WE ACTUALLY SANG JUST ONE SONG.  WHILE WE WERE SINGING THAT SONG, BRO JERRY BROUGHT A SIMPLE PODIUM DOWN FROM THE ALTAR AND PLACED IT IN FRONT OF THE PULPIT AT THE VERY FRONT OF THEN.   HE ADVISED US THAT WE WERE GONNA DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAT NIGHT AND ASKED EVERYONE TO SING THAT SAME SONG AGAIN AND TO REALLY CONCENTRATE ON THE WORDS OF THE SONG AS WE SANG IT.  HE ENCOURAGED US TO MAKE THE SONG A PERSONAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EACH ONE OF US AND GOD.

AS I TOLD YOU WEDNESDAY, THAT SONG WAS "AMAZING GRACE".

AND I STILL HAVE IT ON MY MIND TODAY.  HERE'S WHY:

"AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME.  I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT    NOW I'M FOUND, WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE."
      I WAS THE WRETCH OF ALL WRETCHES.  I CHEATED, I LIED, I STOLE, I MADE PEOPLE WHO LOVED ME SO
      ASHAMED.   THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I HAD NOT OR WOULD NOT DO.  THOSE OF YOU WHO REALLY KNOW ME KNOW THAT EVERY WORD I JUST SAID TO BE TRUE.  THINGS ARE SO DIFFERENT TODAY.  I WAS BROUGHT INTO HIS WONDERFUL LIGHT.  I WAS ENCOURAGED BY MY CHURCH FAMILY AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH.  I WAS GUIDED BY BRO JERRY AND ALL OF THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH.  I CAME TO BELIEVE WHAT I HAD ALWAYS BEEN TOLD.  I REPENTED OF ANY AND ALL OF MY SINS.  I FORGAVE PEOPLE WHO HAD HURT ME IN THE PAST, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY,
                                                         I FORGAVE MYSELF AS HE HAS FORGIVEN ME!!!!!

AND THE LORD FILLED ME WITH HIS SPIRIT AND SHOWED ME THAT HE IS TRULY THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT!  I SEE LIFE THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES NOW.  I FEEL WITH DIFFERENT EMOTIONS.  I LOVE IN A DIFFERENT WAY. 

I CANNOT THANK THE LORD ENOUGH FOR SAVING A WRETCH LIKE ME. 
HE DID IT THROUGH HIS GRACE!
HE DID IT THROUGH HIS MERCY!
HE DID IT THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS!
HE DID IT THROUGH HIS LOVE!

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

I DIDN'T PLAN TO

WELL, ONCE AGAIN, I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT "I" WANTED TO PUT IN MY "NOTE" TODAY....I HAD EVEN STARTED THINKING OF THINGS I WANTED TO SAY....BUT...I GOT TO MY COMPUTER AND QUICKLY HAD MY MIND CHANGED....AGAIN TODAY...

"THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT" SEEMS TO BE WHAT THE LORD HAS PLANS ON ME WRITING A NOTE ABOUT TODAY.  FIRST OFF, I SAW A PICTURE, WHICH I QUICKLY MADE INTO MY PROFILE PICTURE.  ISNT IT AWESOME???  THEN ONCE I STARTED WATCHING VIDEOS, I CAME ACROSS TWO BACK TO BACK. 

I ALWAYS HAVE LOVED THE STORY OF THE WOMAN FIGHTING HER WAY THROUGH THE CROWD WITH THE SINGLE INTENTION ON HER MIND OF SIMPLY "TOUCHING" THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT.  SHE KNEW THAT SHE WOULD BE MADE WHOLE.  IN MY MIND, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE STREET JAM PACKED WITH PEOPLE, ALL WAITING FOR THE CHANCE TO SEE JESUS.  I COULD ALWAYS IMAGINE THE NOISE, THE EXCITEMENT, EVEN THE SMELLS AND COULD EVEN IMAGINE THE HEAT FROM THE SUN AND THE DUST FROM THE ROAD TRAFFIC. 

I CAN ALSO IMAGINE THE DETERMINATION OF THIS WOMAN. 
I CAN RELATE TO HER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

FROM WHAT I GATHER, SHE TRIED EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE HER HEALING.
AND NOTHING WORKED.
BUT SHE KNEW WHAT SHE HAD TO DO.  
ITS HARD TO EVEN FIND WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT HER FAITH MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE. 
BUT, SHE RECEIVED HER HEALING!!!!!!!
JUST BY TOUCHING THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT!

AND WE ARE JUST AS BLESSED TODAY.  

I TRIED EVERYTHING THAT THE WORLD HAD TO OFFER.  I TRIED TO FILL UP THAT EMPTY SPACE INSIDE OF ME.  I SEARCHED, I RAN, I HUNTED HIGH AND LOW. 

BUT, THE ANSWER WAS ALWAYS NEAR.  

IT WASNT UNTIL I APPLIED SOME OF THAT 2,000 YEAR OLD WISDOM TO MY LIFE THAT I FINALLY BEGAN TO FIGURE IT OUT.  WE CAN STILL TOUCH HIS GARMENT TODAY.  WE CAN TOUCH IT EVERYDAY.  HE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF OUR TOUCH.  WE NEED JESUS.  WE ALL NEED HIS HEALING IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.  WE NEED HIM TODAY MORE THAN EVER. 
PLEASE WATCH THE TWO VIDEOS I POSTED THIS MORNING.  I PROMISE THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO WATCHES THE VIDEOS WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WITH THEM IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!

IMAGINE

I WONT TAKE UP MUCH OF YOUR TIME TODAY, BUT THIS HAS BEEN ON MY MIND EVER SINCE I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND LIKE I TOLD MY MAMA YESTERDAY, ITS LIKE I CANNOT REST MY MIND UNTIL I HAVE DONE IT.  FOR A MOMENT, JUST IMAGINE.......
                                                       
THAT YOU NEVER DECIDED TO REBEL IN HIGH SCHOOL
THAT YOU NEVER PICKED UP THAT FIRST CIGARETTE
THAT YOU NEVER STARTED DRINKING WITH YOUR FRIENDS
THAT YOU NEVER LIED TO THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU
THAT YOU NEVER STARTED USING DRUGS
THAT YOU NEVER DELIBERATELY HURT PEOPLES FEELINGS
THAT YOU NEVER STOLE ANYTHING
THAT YOU NEVER HELD GRUDGES
THAT YOU NEVER DECIDED TO GET THAT DIVORCE
THAT YOU NEVER WENT TO JAIL AND/OR PRISON
THAT YOU NEVER QUIT CHURCH AND TURNED YOUR BACK ON THE LORD

I AM NOT SINGLING OUT ANYONE.  IF I WAS TO SINGLE OUT ANYONE, I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MY NAME FIRST ON THE LIST.  MY POINT IN ALL THIS IS TO LET EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO MIGHT READ THIS THAT WE ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ALL OF THESE BURDENS LIFTED OFF OF OUR BACKS.  I HAD EACH AND EVERY ONE LIFTED FROM MINE.  I WAS READING YESTERDAY AND WAS REMINDED THAT ABSOLUTELY NO ONE HAS FALLEN SO FAR AWAY FROM THE LORD THAT HE CANNOT BE FORGIVEN. 

SOME OF YOU MAY BE LIKE I WAS AND YOU MIGHT HAVE SEVERAL LOADS OF BAGGAGE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DRAGGING AROUND FOR YEARS.  ALL IT TAKES IS TRUE REPENTANCE AND BELIEF IN OUR LORD AND YOU CAN BE FORGIVEN TOO.  THOSE HEAVY BAGS OF SIN CAN BE DROPPED INTO THE SEA OF FORGIVENESS!!!

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!
HE LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US!
HIS ANGELS REJOICE OVER OUR REPENTANCE!
OUR MINDS CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE THE GLORY OF HEAVEN THAT WAITS FOR US ALL!

WHAT IF?

 AT THE END OF SUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE, BRO JERRY ASKED EVERYONE TO CLOSE THEIR EYES FOR A MOMENT AND JUST IMAGINE "WHAT IF TONIGHT WAS THE NIGHT THAT THE LORD CHOSE TO RETURN FOR HIS PEOPLE?"  "WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO MEET HIM TONIGHT?" 

THOSE TWO SIMPLE QUESTIONS ARE STILL ON MY MIND TODAY.

IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE COMPLAIN ABOUT GOING TO CHURCH THIS EVENING?
IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE HAVE TO LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE TO FIND OUR BIBLE?
IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE OPEN OUR BIBLE AND READ A FEW CHAPTERS?
IF WE KNEW HE WAS COMING TONIGHT, WOULD WE HOLD ON TO THE ANGER WE HAVE TOWARD OTHERS?

                                                                     ...........OR.............

WOULD WE GET THERE EARLY, EVEN BEFORE THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED?  
WOULD WE HAVE WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND IMMEDIATELY MADE TIME TO READ HIS WORD?
WOULD WE CRY AND PLEAD TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS?
WOULD WE DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WE WERE TRULY SORRY FOR WRONGS?
WOULD WE BE QUICK TO OFFER FORGIVENESS?
WOULD WE HIT THE ALTAR AND PRAY LIKE NEVER BEFORE?

THE DOORS TO THE CHURCH MIGHT BE UNLOCKED WHEN I GET THERE THIS EVENING, BUT I SURELY WILL BE THERE AT THE APPOINTED TIME TO WORSHIP HIM AND HEAR HIS WORD.  I AM SO GLAD THAT WE SERVE A PATIENT GOD.  HE HAS SURELY WAITED PATIENTLY FOR ME TO FINALLY DECIDE TO COME TO HIM.  I AM ESPECIALLY THANKFUL THAT HE HAS SEEN FIT TO GIVE US ALL TIME TO REPENT AND TURN TO HIS LOVE. 

I AM DOING MY BEST TO LIVE MY LIFE IN A WAY THAT WOULD BE PLEASING TO HIM.  IN FACT, I DONT KNOW WHY I RESISTED IT FOR SO MANY YEARS.  MY LIFE TODAY IS SO FULL OF JOY, PEACE AND LOVE.  THERE IS NOTHING WORTH LOSING IT FOR.  I ONLY WISH THAT MORE OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WOULD ENJOY IT WITH ME. 

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

YOU MISSED OUT

IN MY "NOTE" YESTERDAY, I INVITED MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS TO COME TO CHURCH LAST NIGHT AND RECEIVE THEIR PERSONAL BLESSING.  IT WASNT JUST AN INVITATION.  I SINCERELY MEANT EACH AND EVERY WORD OF THE INVITATION.   I JUST SOMEHOW KNEW THAT THE LORD WOULD HONOR THAT INVITATION.  AND HE SURE DID.  HE BLESSED EVERYONE WHO WAS THERE LAST NIGHT.  WE HAD AN AWESOME CHURCH SERVICE. 

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS WHEN THE QUIET, SWEET SPIRIT OF THE LORD WAS TRULY PRESENT.  BRO JERRY HONORED THAT QUIET SWEET SPIRIT AND SPOKE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL OF US.  THERE WAS NO SERMON, JUST SOME AWESOME, PERSONAL VISITATION WITH OUR GOD.  I LOVE THOSE SERVICES.   OUR PASTOR USED SCRIPTURE TO POINT OUT WHERE GOD HAS BEEN WORKING IN OUR LIVES.  WE HAD A TRULY PERSONAL SERVICE. 

WE WERE REMINDED LAST NIGHT THAT WE SERVE A VERY PATIENT AND LOVING GOD.  NOTHING COULD BE CLOSER TO THE TRUTH.  FOR THE LONGEST TIME, BRO JERRY WOULD ASK ME TO GO TO CHURCH.  I NEVER TOLD HIM NO, BUT I SURE DID PUT IT OFF FOR THE LONGEST TIME.  I FELT LIKE I JUST WASNT READY.  WASNT READY.  I GUESS I HADNT HAD ENOUGH PAIN, MISERY AND HEARTACHE.  I HADNT HURT ENOUGH PEOPLE YET.  I HADNT EMBARASSED MYSELF AND MY FAMILY ENOUGH YET. 

BUT

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THE LORD SAW FIT TO WAIT PATIENTLY FOR ME TO ACCEPT HIS LOVE AND MERCY.  THE LORD LOOKED DOWN ON ME WITH HIS FORGIVENESS AND HIS GRACE.  THE LORD KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING WHEN HE PUT IT ON BRO JERRY'S HEART TO NOT GIVE UP ON ME.  THE LORD ALSO PROVIDED ME WITH A CLOSE KNIT CHURCH FAMILY THAT LOVES ME FOR ME. 

THE BOTTOM OF THE BARRELL

MY NOTE TODAY IS GONNA BE REAL SIMPLE.  I AM SURE MOST OF YOU CAN RELATE TO IT.  IF YOU CANNOT RELATE PERSONALLY TO WHAT I AM ABOUT TO WRITE, YOU MORE THAN LIKELY KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN.  IF ANYONE CAN RELATE, ITS ME!!! 

WHAT DOES ONE NORMALLY FIND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL?  IT STINKS.  ITS ROTTEN.  ITS CORRODED.  ITS DARK.  ITS CLUTTERED.  ITS OLD.  ITS DISGUSTING. 

BUT, IF ANY OF YOU ARE LIKE ME, YOU SPENT TIME AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL, JUST LIKE I DID.  IN FACT, I SPENT WAY TOO MANY YEARS DOWN THERE.  HOW MANY TIMES DID I HEAR MY MAMA SAY,
"MICHELLE, YOU ARE REALLY SCRAPING THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL."  OF COURSE I WAS!!!!  THATS WHERE I STAYED.  THATS HOW I LIVED.  THATS WHAT I CHOSE TO DO.  THATS WHAT I ENJOYED.  SEEMS LIKE THE WORSE I COULD DO, THE WORSE I COULD BECOME, THE BETTER I LIKED IT. 

I HAD BECOME QUEEN OF THE BOTTOM OF MY BARREL.  IT WAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU COULD IMAGINE THE BOTTOM OF A BARREL TO BE.  I SWAM IN IT, I LAUGHED IN IT.   I PLAYED IN IT.  I HAD SO MANY FRIENDS WHO LOVED TO ENJOY THE BOTTOM OF MY BARREL WITH ME.  WE DIDNT EVEN LOOK UP.  WE DIDNT WANT TO SEE EVEN A GLIMPSE OF THE LIGHT THAT MIGHT MANAGE TO SHINE ITS WAY THROUGH ALL OF THE TRASH THAT REACHED THE BOTTOM. 

BUT THEN, ONE DAY.........

I HAD TRULY REACHED THE BOTTOM.  I FOUND MYSELF CRUSHED AND TRAPPED ALL ALONE AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.  I WAS ALL ALONE.  NO ONE WAS EVEN THERE TO COME TO MY RESCUE.  I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LOOK UP.  IN FACT, MY BARREL WAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.  AND THERE I WAS! 
DIRTY, STINKY, ALONE, AND COLD.  SO NASTY THAT EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO ONCE LOVED ME DIDNT EVEN RECOGNIZE ME ANYMORE.  

BUT.........

THERE WAS ONE PERSON WHO STILL RECOGNIZED ME.  I WAS STILL BEAUTIFUL IN THE EYES OF SOMEONE.  IN THOSE EYES, I SHINED LIKE A DIAMOND.  I SMELLED LIKE A MOST BEAUTIFUL ROSE.  THIS PERSON PICKED ME UP AND OFFERED ME COMFORT.  SHOWED ME LOVE.  MADE ME FORGET THAT I HAD JUST BEEN DUMPED OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.  HE MADE ME SEE THAT I WASNT MEANT TO SPLASH AROUND IN FILTH.  HE MADE ME SEE THAT I HAD ONLY CONVINCED MYSELF THAT I HAD EVER LIKED IT THERE. 

AND THATS WHY I WROTE THIS "NOTE" TODAY. 
THE LORD HAS TRULY BEEN SO GOOD TO ME.  HE BROUGHT ME TO A PLACE WHERE I HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE.  I LOVE LIVING IN THE LIGHT.  I LOVE TO SEE OTHER SMILING FACES.  I LOVE BEING A PART OF MY FAMILY.  I LOVE KNOWING THE LORD. 

ITS MY HOPE THAT MAYBE EVEN JUST A FEW OF MY FB FRIENDS READ THIS NOTE.  IF YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY WITH WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN, I FEEL SURE THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN. 
IF YOU READ THIS AND KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT. PLEASE SHARE THIS NOTE WITH THEM.  IF GOD DID IT FOR ME, HE SURELY CAN AND WILL DO IT FOR YOU OR ANYONE ELSE.

PULLING WEEDS

 I SOMETIMES WRITE NOTES THAT I READ IN CHURCH.  THEY ARE NOT EVER AS LONG AS THE ONES I WRITE HERE THOUGH.  BUT, MY POINT IS, I AM WRITING MY "NOTE" FOR TODAY ABOUT SOMETHING I WROTE AND READ IN CHURCH QUITE A WHILE BACK.  IT WAS ABOUT "PULLING WEEDS".

I HAD WORKED IN OUR FLOWER BED THE DAY I WROTE THE FIRST NOTE ABOUT PULLING WEEDS.  IN THE NOTE, I SHARED WITH EVERYONE HOW THE SIMPLE ACT OF PULLING WEEDS OUT OF THE FLOWER BED HAD TURNED INTO A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME.  SOUNDS KINDA STRANGE DOESNT IT, BUT IT WAS TRUE.  IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD BEEN IN THE FLOWER BED THAT PARTICULAR SPRING.  A WHOLE WINTER HAD PASSED AND WEEDS AND BITS OF TRASH AND LEAVES AND GRASS HAD BASICALLY TAKEN OVER. 

I HAD BEEN PUTTING OFF GETTING OUT THERE AND GETTING STARTED.  I KNEW I HAD QUITE A JOB ON MY HANDS.  BUT, I BUILT UP THE ENERGY AND THE COURAGE TO TACKLE THAT FLOWER BED AND FINALLY GOT TO IT.  ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, I BEGAN TO LOOK AT THE JOB I HAD AHEAD OF ME IN A DIFFERENT WAY.  THE WEEDS THAT I WAS PULLING UP QUICKLY BECAME SYMBOLIC OF SIN THAT I WAS PLUCKING OUT OF MY LIFE.  THE BIGGER, ROOTED WEEDS BECAME LIKE LONG STANDING SIN BEING PULLED UP AND OUT BY THE ROOT.  LEAVES AND TRASH BECAME SYMBOLS OF THE CLUTTER THAT WAS PRESENT IN MY LIFE.  THE TINY GRASS, THE WEEDS OF THE FUTURE, CAME UP TOO.  TO ME, THESE WERE LIKE THE LITTLE HABITS I HAD THAT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD. 

AS I PULLED UP THE WEEDS AND PICKED OUT ALL OF THE TRASH, I PRAYED.  NOT BIG, FANCY PRAYER.  I MAINLY JUST REPEATED THANK YOU LORD!  THANK YOU JESUS!   I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE LORD SPOKE TO ME THAT DAY.  I SAW CLEANING OUT THE FLOWER BED IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT LIGHT. 

YESTERDAY, I GOT INTO THE SAME FLOWER BED AGAIN.  THIS YEAR, I DIDNT PUT IT OFF.  IN FACT, I HAD BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.  IT WAS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE, BUT I KNEW THAT HORRIBLE LOOKING FLOWER BED HELD A TRUE BLESSING FOR ME.  I DIDNT USE A RAKE.  I DIDNT BREAK OUT WITH THE HOE.  MY DAD OFFERED TO LET ME USE SOME GLOVES.  I SAID NO, THANK YOU.  I WANTED TO GET MY FULL BLESSING.  AND I DID.  I MADE A DAY OUT OF IT.  I GOT OUT THERE BY MYSELF.  JUST ME AND THE LORD.  WE HAD AN AWESOME DAY.  I DIDNT STOP UNTIL I HAD GOTTEN IT ALL.  I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY.

I TOLD MY MOM THAT WE ARENT HAVING A FLOWER BED THIS YEAR.  WE HAVE A PRAYER GARDEN.
..............AND ITS GONNA BE BEAUTIFUL.............

NEXT TIME YOU GET OUT IN YOUR MOST DREADED FLOWER BED, I HOPE YOU REMEMBER THIS "NOTE".  I HOPE YOU TRY IT.  I FEEL SURE THAT YOU WILL BE BLESSED.  I SURE HAVE BEEN.  IF HE DOES IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU.

I TRIED TO RUN

 IT BLOWS MY MIND WHEN I HEAR OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED IN ONE PLACE THEIR WHOLE LIFE.  I KNOW A LADY IN GLENMORA WHO IS 53 YEARS OLD AND HAS NEVER LIVED ANYWHERE ELSE BUT ON THE EXACT SAME PIECE OF LAND.  THAT TRULY AMAZES ME!  WHILE I WAS GROWING UP, IT WAS LIKE THAT.  I CAN STILL REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE CERTAIN THINGS WERE IN THE HOUSE WHERE I GREW UP. 

BUT.............

ONCE I DID "GROW UP", THINGS GOT A LITTLE HECTIC.  NO, THINGS GOT REAL HECTIC.  I WONT BORE YOU WITH THE DETAILS, BUT AS MY LIFE GOT MORE AND MORE OUT OF CONTROL, I BOUNCED AROUND FROM PILLAR TO POST.  AND ALOT OF THE TIME, I DRUG MY KIDS ALONG WITH ME.  I BECAME AN EXPERT MOVER.  MY POOR DADDY KEPT HIS UTILITY TRAILER HANDY FOR WHEN I DECIDED TO MOVE AGAIN.  HE BECAME AN EXPERT AT LOADING IT UP AND MOVING IT OUT. 

AS THE KIDS GREW OLDER AND I GOT WILDER, THANK GOD MY PARENTS STEPPED IN AND SAID ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH.  DETAILS ARE NOT IMPORTANT, THATS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, BUT, I REALLY LOST CONTROL THEN.  I RIPPED AND I RAN AND I DID EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO DO.  I PROMISE YOU NOTHING GOOD CAME OUT OF IT.  YOU MIGHT THINK I AM LYING, BUT MY RUNNING ACTUALLY LED ME BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE MEXICAN BORDER THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY.  IT LED ME TO THE NEVADA DESERT, WHERE I FINALLY STARTED TO REALIZE EXACTLY HOW ALONE I WAS. 

MY RUNNING LED ME TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TWICE.  I THOUGHT THAT SURELY THATS WHERE I NEEDED TO BE.  AFTER ALL, ISNT THAT SUPPOSED TO BE PARADISE?  I GOTTA ADMIT, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, BUT ITS HIDEOUS WHEN YOU FEEL ALL ALONE. 

NO MATTER WHERE I WENT, NO MATTER WHAT I DID, I STILL FELT EMPTY AND ALONE.  I TRIED TO BE HAPPY.  NO ONE KNEW WHAT WENT ON BEHIND MY SMILING FACE.  I HATED MY LIFE.  I FELT USELESS.  I FELT LIKE A WASTE TO MY FAMILY.  I COULDNT RUN FAR ENOUGH.  I COULD NOT HIDE. 

I CANNOT FIND WORDS TO TELL YOU HOW IT FELT TO FINALLY COME HOME.  NOTHING THAT I HAVE SEEN ANYWHERE SEEMS AS BEAUTIFUL TO ME AS THIS PLACE.  I FINALLY DECIDED TO STOP RUNNING.  I REALIZED THAT I TAKE ME WITH ME NO MATTER WHERE I GO.  I AM COMPLETELY SATISFIED TO SIT HERE AT HOME AND ENJOY THE LOVE OF MY FAMILY AND THE PEACE OF MY LIFE. 

I ESPECIALLY TREASURE THE LOVE OF THE LORD.  I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT HE WAITED PATIENTLY FOR ME TO REALIZE THAT HE WAS WHAT WAS MISSING IN MY LIFE.  THROUGH IT ALL, HE WAS THERE.  I SEE THAT NOW.  I WAS NEVER ALONE.  WORDS CANNOT TELL YOU HOW GRATEFUL I AM TODAY FOR HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE. 

ON A DAY LIKE TODAY

I AM HAVING ONE OF THOSE DAYS WHERE MY THOUGHTS REALLY DONT WANNA COME TOGETHER.  I HAVE BEEN THINKING AND WONDERING WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT.  IN FACT, I HAVE BEEN RACKING MY BRAIN ALL MORNING.  IT WASNT UNTIL I SAT DOWN RIGHT HERE AND stopped THINKING AND WONDERING THAT IT ALL CAME TOGETHER. 

IT WASNT UNTIL I SAID "LORD, SHOW ME AND TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT ME TO SAY TODAY" THAT IT CAME TO BE.

ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, I THINK I NEED TO JUST EXPRESS MY THANKS TO THE LORD FOR ALL THAT HE HAS GIVEN TO ME AND DONE FOR ME.  I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK HIM FOR THE THINGS HE HAS TAKEN AWAY!

HE HAS TAKEN AWAY THE DOUBT AND COMFUSION THAT HAD CLOUDED MY LIFE FOR SO MANY YEARS.  HE HAS DELIVERED ME FROM  MY ADDICTIONS THAT ENSLAVED ME.  HE HAS REMOVED THE DESIRE TO LIE AND CHEAT AND STEAL.  MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE ERASED MY SELF HATE THAT HAD ROOTED ITSELF DEEPLY INTO MY SOUL.

ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, I CANNOT THANK HIM ENOUGH FOR EVERYTHING I LISTED ABOVE.

I WANNA THANK MY GOD FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL DAY.  I GIVE PRAISE TO HIM FOR THIS NEW DESIRE THAT HE HAS GIVEN ME.  I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR MY PASTOR AND FOR MY CHURCH FAMILY WHO ONLY BRING GOOD THINGS INTO MY LIFE.   BUT MOST OF ALL.....

I WANT TO THANK MY GOD FOR HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE. 

YES, THE LORD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TOME.  HE MOST DEFINITELY HAS.  HE WANTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THE SAME FOR YOU.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE SURELY WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME

WE ARE ALL BORN WITH CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL TALENTS.  SOME GOOD, SOME BAD.  IT IS UP TO US TO DECIDE EXACTLY WHAT WE AS INDIVIDUALS ARE GONNA DO WITH THE TALENTS WE POSSESS.  NOTICE THAT I USED THE WORD "POSSESS".   SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, IT SEEMS LIKE I WAS "BORN" WITH CERTAIN ABILITIES.  
THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO DO.

NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO LIE.
NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO STEAL.
NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO GET INTO TROUBLE. 
NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO GET DRUNK.
NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO USE ANY AND EVERY DRUG.
NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO BE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY.
NO ONE HAD TO TEACH ME HOW TO BE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO MYSELF AND TO MY FAMILY.

I WAS BORN WITH THOSE ABILITIES.  I WAS PROUD OF MY ABILITIES.  I ENCOURAGED MY FRIENDS TO USE THOSE SAME ABILITIES.  I CHOSE NOT TO SEE WHERE THOSE ABILITIES WERE LEADING ME. 

TODAY, I SEE THOSE ABILITIES FOR EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE.  THOSE NATURAL BORN ABILITIES WERE NOTHING BUT TRICKS OF THE DEVIL.  THEY WERE MEANT TO CAUSE MISERY, PAIN AND CONFUSION.  THEY WERE MEANT TO DESTROY EVERYTHING AND ANYBODY WHO CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ME.

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THE LORD LOVED ME ENOUGH TO SHOW ME THAT I HAD BEEN TRICKED BY THE DEVIL FOR SO MANY YEARS.  IT IS ONLY THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE THAT I AM EVEN ALIVE TODAY TO POST THIS "NOTE".   NO ONE EVER HAD TO TEACH ME TO SIN.  BUT TODAY, I AM RELING ON MY GOD TO COMPLETELY "TEACH" ME EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW. 
MY HEART IS WILLING.  MY MIND IS RENEWED.  MY SINS ARE FORGIVEN. 

I WANT ONLY TO BE A WILLING VESSEL TO MY GOD WHO SACRIFICED HIS ONLY LIVING SON FOR ME.  FOR SINFUL, DREADFUL ME.  I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW GRATEFUL I AM TODAY.    I HAVE FINALLY LEARNED TO RELY UPON HIM AND HIM ONLY.  I HAVE LEARNED THAT HIS WAY IS THE ONLY WAY.   I KNOW TODAY THAT THE WORLD HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO OFFER ME.  I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW THANKFUL I AM TO HAVE FINALLY REALIZED THAT.

I WISH THAT SOME OF MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS COULD FEEL WHAT I FEEL THESE DAYS.  I WISH SOME OF MY FRIENDS COULD SEE THINGS THE WAY I DO TODAY.  AND ITS ACTUALLY SO VERY SIMPLE.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE SURELY WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

I JUST CANT HELP IT

WELL, TODAY IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE DAYS.  I AM HERE AT HOME.  SAFE, COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY.  ITS SUCH A MISERABLE LOOKING DAY OUTSIDE MY FRONT DOOR.  I CANT HELP BUT THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT I KNOW WHO MIGHT LET DAYS LIKE TODAY GET TO THEM.  I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN A DREARY DAY WAS SO DEPRESSING.  I REMEMBER A DAY WHEN I USED DAYS LIKE TODAY AS AN EXCUSE TO GO OUT OR JUST STAY HOME AND DO WRONG.  THE WEATHER WAS A GOOD EXCUSE. 

I JUST CANT HELP IT, BUT MY HEART IS TROUBLED TODAY.  ITS HARD FOR ME TO EVEN FIND THE WORDS THAT I WANNA SAY.  I DONT WANNA SOUND LIKE I AM PREACHING TO ANYBODY.  JUST PEOPLE IN GENERAL.  SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FOOLED SUCH AS I WAS INTO BELIEVING THAT THEY CAN ONLY HAVE FUN BY GETTING DRUNK AND HIGH. BY GOING OUT AND STEALING ANYTHING THAT ISNT CEMENTED DOWN. BY  HANGING OUT IN THE BAR ROOM UNTIL FORCED TO LEAVE.  BY FIGHTING WITH ANYONE WHO CROSSED THEIR PATH.  BY DISGRACING THEMSELVES EVERY TIME THEY TURN AROUND.

I JUST CANT HELP IT, BUT I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT I AM PRAYING FOR THEM TODAY.   I KNOW HOW IT FEELS.  I HAVE BEEN THERE. 

THIS WONT BE A LONG "NOTE" TODAY.  FOR SOME REASON, I JUST WANNA POINT OUT TO SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE, EVEN IF IT FEELS THAT WAY.  THERE REALLY IS A GOD THAT LOVES YOU AND ONLY WANTS TO SEE YOU HAPPY.  WE WERE NOT CREATED TO BE MISERABLE.  WE WERE NOT PUT HERE ON EARTH WITHOUT A PURPOSE. 

GOD LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.  NO MATTER HOW BAD IT GETS, WE CAN TURN TO HIM.  HE WANTS US TO CAST OUR CARES UPON HIM.  HIS LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL.  ALL IT TAKES IS TO BECOME A WILLING VESSEL.  I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR MY GOD.  HE SAVED ME FROM THE PITS OF HELL.  HE SAVED ME FROM A LIFE OF TROUBLE AND GLOOM.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE SURELY WILL DO IT FOR YOU. 

SO HAPPY

I USUALLY DONT WRITE MY "NOTE" ON SUNDAY, BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT I AM GOING TO LET TODAY PASS WITHOUT EXPRESSING HOW I FEEL TODAY!  I JUST GOT HOME FROM CHURCH AND COULD NOT WAIT TO SIT DOWN RIGHT HERE AND SHARE WHAT I AM FEELING.  I MAKE IT MY BUSINESS TO BE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH EVERY TIME THE DOORS OPEN.  I LOVE TO GO TO CHURCH.  BUT THIS MORNING WAS EVEN BETTER THAN USUAL. 

WE HAD US SOME CHURCH!!!!!

DONT GET ME WRONG, OUR SERVICES ARE ALWAYS GOOD, BUT TODAY WAS TRULY AWESOME!  I CAN PROMISE YOU ONE THING,

NOBODY LEFT THAT CHURCH IN THE SAME FRAME OF MIND THAT THEY HAD WHEN THEY GOT THERE!!!!!

BRO JERRY'S SERMON TODAY WAS ABOUT HOW GOD SHAPES AND MOLDS EACH ONE OF US INTO EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS US TO BE AND INTO WHAT HE MEANS FOR US TO BE.  EVEN OUR BAD EXPERIENCES.  EVERY SINGLE THING WE HAVE EVER DONE.  HE ALLOWS US TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE THINGS JUST SO HE CAN TURN IT ALL AROUND FOR THE GOOD.  SO THAT WE CAN HELP AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS WHO HAVE MADE THE SAME MISTAKES AND SUFFERED THE SAME HEARTACHES. 

I AM MORE THANKFUL THAN EVER FOR THE GOODNESS OF OUR LORD!
I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT HE OPENED MY EYES!
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW GOOD IT FEELS TO BE A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST!

I JUST WANNA SHARE THIS FEELING WITH EVERYBODY!

WORDS

 WHEN I LEFT CHURCH YESTERDAY MORNING, I FELT MORE BLESSED THAN USUAL.  WE HAD SUCH AN AWESOME AND INSPIRING SERVICE.  I KNEW MORE THAN EVER THAT GOD HAD HIS HAND FIRMLY OVER ME.  I FELT SO VERY ALIVE AND HAPPY.  IN FACT, I FELT THAT WAY ALL DAY AND STILL DO THIS MORNING.  WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD AND HE HAS BEEN MAKING THAT POINT VERY CLEAR TO ME. 

ONCE WE LEFT CHURCH, JIMMY TOOK GINA TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT.  WHILE WE WERE IN TOWN, I SAW A FRIEND OF MINE STANDING OUTSIDE THE PLACE WHERE SHE WORKS, ON BREAK.  I HAVE BEEN KNOWING THIS PERSON FOR MANY YEARS.  I REALLY LOOKED AT HER YESTERDAY.  SHE LOOKED WORRIED.  SHE LOOKED TIRED.  SHE LOOKED AGGRAVATED.  SHE LOOKED LIKE SHE WAS DEEP IN THOUGHT.  SHE DIDNT LOOK VERY HAPPY AT ALL.   EVEN THOUGH I HAVENT TALKED TO HER IN QUITE SOME TIME, I PRETTY MUCH COULD TELL THAT HER LIFE HASNT CHANGED MUCH SINCE THE LAST TIME WE SAW ONE ANOTHER.  MY HEART WENT OUT TO HER.  ALTHOUGH I DIDNT SAW ANYTHING TO HER, I SAID ALOT TO MY GOD. 

I THANKED HIM FOR MY DELIVERANCE.  I THANKED HIM FOR MY PEACE OF MIND.  I THANKED HIM FOR THE BLESSINGS HE HAD JUST GIVEN ME IN CHURCH.  I THANKED HIM FOR MY HAPPINESS.  I THANKED HIM FOR MY LIFE.  AND AS USUAL, I THANKED HIM FOR HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS MERCY, HIS GRACE AND HIS LOVE. 

I ALSO PRAYED ALL THE SAME THINGS FOR HER.  FOR MY FRIEND WHO STOOD THERE LOOKING SO WORRIED AND ALONE. 

MY POINT IN ALL THIS TODAY IS THAT MY HEART GOES OUT TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT I KNOW RIGHT HERE IN OAKDALE.  FRIENDS AND FAMILY.  PEOPLE THAT I LOVE.  ALTHOUGH I DIDNT SAY ANYTHING TO HER YESTERDAY, I SURELY WILL MAKE IT A POINT TO APPROACH HER THE NEXT TIME I SEE HER SOMEWHERE.  I HAVE A VISION OF THAT VERY SAME PERSON SITTING NEXT TO ME IN THE CHURCH PEW ONE OF THESE DAYS.  UNTIL THEN, I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY.  I HAVE SUCH A BURDEN ON MY HEART FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WHERE I HAVE BEEN.  I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT HAPPINESS DOES EXIST.  THAT WORRY IS OF THE DEVIL AND THAT A LIFE WORTH LIVING IS VERY EASILY ACHIEVED!

CHANGE

ROME WASNT BUILT IN A DAY.  WHEN WE START TO READ A BOOK, WE DONT USUALLY KNOW HOW IT ENDS.  ON MONDAY MORNING, WE CANNOT TELL ANYONE WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.  WE DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT THE NEXT HOUR IS GOING TO BRING.  

ITS ALL ABOUT CHANGE.

MY LIFE DIDNT CHANGE OVER NIGHT.  IT WAS A GRADUAL PROGRESSION OF CHANGE.  LITTLE BY LITTLE, I BEGAN TO SEE THAT MY LIFE WAS NOT LEADING ME ANYWHERE, EXCEPT TO THE VERY PITS OF HELL.  WITHOUT REALLY NOTICING, MY SINFUL HABITS SLOWLY STARTED DRIFTING AWAY.  THE MORE I TURNED TO THE LORD AND CONCENTRATED ON HIM AND HIS BLESSINGS, THE MORE I BEGAN TO LOOSE MY SINFUL WAYS.  I STILL HAVE SIN, WE ALL DO, BUT TODAY, I KNOW HOW TO REPENT TO MY GOD WHO SERIOUSLY LISTENS AND GRANTS HIS UNENDING FORGIVENESS. 

THE WORD CHANGE HAS BEEN ON MY MIND ALL DAY TODAY.  AND NOT NECESSARILY IN A BAD WAY.  I REALIZE TODAY THAT GOD CONTINUOUSLY BRINGS CHANGE INTO OUR LIVES.  HE HAS A MASTER PLAN FOR EVERY SINGLE THING THAT HAPPENS.  WE USUALLY DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEMS AND SOMETIMES WORRY ABOUT THE OUTCOME.  SOMEONE VERY CLOSE TO ME IS EXPERIENCING A CHANGE  IN HIS LIFE TODAY.  MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIM AND I CANT HELP BUT THINK THAT IT  IS  GODS WAY OF INTRODUCING SOMETHING BETTER TO HIM.  OUR GOD IS A LOVING GOD WHO KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US.  HE WANTS TO SEE US HAPPY AND AS LONG AS WE DO HIS WILL, HE PROMISES JOY UNSPEAKABLE. 

LIKE I SAID, THE CHANGE IN ME DID NOT HAPPEN OVER NIGHT.  I STILL HAVE ALOT OF CHANGING TO DO.  BUT, I HAVE LEARNED TO READ HIS WORD AND TO RELY UPON HIS PROMISES.  I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE CHANGES THAT ARE STILL PRESENTING THEMSELVES TO ME DAILY.  INSTEAD OF RUNNING MY MOUTH SO MUCH, I HAVE LEARNED TO LISTEN TO THAT QUIET LITTLE VOICE THAT I HEAR EVERY TIME I EVEN THINK ABOUT DOING WRONG. 

I WAS ONCE SO AFRAID OF CHANGE.  TODAY, I WELCOME CHANGE.  I AM EXCITED ABOUT CHANGE.  I KNOW THAT GOD WILL NOT TURN HIS BACK ON ME AS LONG AS I AM DOING HIS WILL.  HE WILL NOT LEAVE ME HANGING.  HE ONLY WANTS WHATS BEST FOR ME.  I REALIZE TODAY THAT IF HE BRINGS ME TO IT, HE WILL BRING ME THROUGH IT!  I WELCOME ANY CHANGE GOD BRINGS MY WAY. 

AND IF HE DOES IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU.  MAN LETS US DOWN.  OUR GOD DOES NOT.   HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US!

I HAVE ALOT TO THANK HIM FOR AT PRAYER MEETING TONIGHT AT 7.  I WANT TO THANK HIM AND PRAISE HIM FOR ALL THE CHANGES HE HAS BROUGHT INTO MY LIFE.  I LOVE MY GOD.  I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE!
  

WHY DO I WRITE THESE?


MY BROTHER CAME HOME FROM LAFAYETTE THE OTHER DAY AND WAS TELLING ME WHO ALL HE HAD SEEN FOR MARDI GRAS.   I ASKED HIM ABOUT CERTAIN PEOPLE AND HE TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN MOST OF THE PEOPLE I ASKED ABOUT.  HE TOLD ME THAT ONE PERSON HAD ASKED HIM," WHATS WRONG WITH YOUR SISTER?  SHE IS ALWAYS PUTTING NOTES AND WRITING ALL KIND OF STUFF ON FACEBOOK".  I HAD TO LAUGH.  HE SAID HE TOLD THAT PARTICULAR PERSON THAT ALOT OF THINGS HAD CHANGED ABOUT HIS SISTER HERE LATELY.  HE TOLD HER THAT I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME READING AND STUDYING THE BIBLE.  HE TOLD HER THAT I AM ALWAYS WRITING AS I READ. 

THIS MORNING WHEN I GOT ON FACEBOOK, I HAD A COMMENT FROM SOMEONE I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH.  SHE THANKED ME FOR POSTING ONE OF MY NOTES.  SHE SAID SHE REALLY GOT SOMETHING OUT OF IT.  SHE SAID IT SEEMED MEANT FOR HER TO READ THAT TODAY. 

THATS WHY I POST ALL OF THESE NOTES.  I ACTUALLY GET A BLESSING EACH TIME I HEAR OF SOMEONE READING OR GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF WHAT I WRITE.  I HAVE OFTEN FELT THAT IF I EVER TOLD PEOPLE HALF OF THE THINGS I HAVE DONE, SEEN OR BEEN THROUGH, THAT PEOPLE WOULD SAY I WAS LYING.   I KNOW I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING ME IF I WAS SOMEONE ELSE.  I SEE TODAY THAT I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH OTHERS.  I LOVE BEING ABLE TO RELATE TO PEOPLE AND TO MAYBE OFFER SOME ENCOURAGEMENT.

TODAY, I AM STARTING TO REALIZE EXACTLY WHY GOD ALLOWED ME TO GO THROUGH SO MUCH.  THERE WAS ACTUALLY A PURPOSE FOR EVERY WRONG, SINFUL AND EMBARASSING THING I EVER DID.  I LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT BECAUSE GOD HAS A PURPOSE.  I KNOW TODAY THAT GOD CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED EVERY SINGLE THING ABOUT ME.  I CAN RELATE TO THE WOMAN AT THE WELL IN THIS WAY.  SHE THOUGHT HE WAS A STRANGER, BUT HE IMMEDIATELY TOLD HER ALL THERE WAS TO KNOW.

I AM STILL NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR ME IN MY FUTURE.    BUT I DO KNOW ONE THING, HE SPENT ALOT OF TIME ON ME.  HE KEPT ME ALIVE FOR A REASON.  I AM TRULY SPECIAL TO HIM.  I AM ONE OF HIS MASTERPIECES. 

AND YOU ARE TOO!

EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO OFFER TO HIM AND TO OTHERS!
WE SERVE SUCH AN AWESOME, LOVING GOD!

I HOPE THIS NOTE HAS ENCOURAGED SOMEONE TODAY!  I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN MY LIFE!  I WISH MORE OF MY FRIENDS COULD FEEL THE WAY I AM FEELING.  AND YOU CAN!  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE SURELY WILL DO IT FOR YOU!

I AM SO PROUD

LAST NIGHT, SOMETHING REMARKABLE HAPPENED.  IT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS I HAVE EVER WITNESSED.  I AM STILL BLOWN AWAY BY WHAT OCCURED LAST NIGHT.
WE HAD OUR USUAL MID WEEK CHURCH SERVICE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH HERE IN OAKDALE, BUT IT WAS ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY!  IT WAS TRULY AWESOME FROM BEGINNING TO END.  I HAVE NEVER FELT SO MUCH LOVE AT A CHURCH SERVICE.  I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THE LORD WAS SMILING DOWN ON EACH AND EVERY PERSON IN ATTENDANCE LAST NIGHT!   OUR GOD SHOWED US A MIGHTY MOVE OF HIS GLORY AND A QUIET WHISPER OF HIS LOVE ALL IN ONE SERVICE.  THANK YOU JESUS THAT I WAS THERE TO RECEIVE THOSE BLESSINGS.

WE ALWAYS START OUT OUR CHURCH SERVICE BY SINGING SEVERAL SONGS, AMAZING GRACE IS USUALLY THE FIRST.  BUT LAST NIGHT, A YOUNG MAN NAMED SHANE STARTED IT OFF.  SHANE IS A FAITHFUL MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH, A MEMBER OF OUR YOUTH.  LAST NIGHT, HE SANG.   HE REALLY SANG.  SHANE DIDNT JUST SING THE WORDS, HE FELT AND MEANT EVERY WORD OF THE SONG HE HAD CHOSEN!  WHEN HE LIFTED HIS ARMS IN PRAISE AS HE SANG THE WORDS, MY EYES FILLED WITH TEARS.  I KNOW I WASNT THE ONLY ONE MOVED BY HIS DEVOTION. 

BRO JERRY IS AN AWESOME PASTOR.  HE LEADS US IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD IN A WAY THAT ONLY HE CAN DO.  LAST NIGHT, HE ALLOWED ANOTHER ONE OF OUR YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET UP AND PRESENT THE WORD OF THE LORD.  JOHNNY HAS ALSO BEEN A FAITHFUL CHURCH MEMBER AND HAS EXPRESSED THAT HE FEELS THE LORD HAS A CALLING ON HIS LIFE TO PREACH HIS WORD.  WELL, JOHNNY PRESENTED THE WORD TO US LAST NIGHT!  DID HE EVER!  I CAN SPEAK FOR THE ENTIRE LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH WHEN I SAY THAT JOHNNY DID A REMARKABLE JOB.  IT SEEMED NOTHING BUT NATURAL FOR HIM TO BE DELIVERING A HEARTFELT MESSAGE. 

AT THE END OF SERVICE, IT WAS ONLY NATURAL TO HUG BOTH JOHNNY AND SHANE.  EVERYONE UNDER THE ROOF OF THAT CHURCH FELT THE LOVE THAT HAD PRESENTED ITSELF LAST NIGHT.  WE WERE ALL SHOWN THAT THE LORD TRULY WORKS IN THE LIVES OF EVERYONE WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.  REGARDLESS OF AGE, REGARDLESS OF PAST EXPERIENCE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR POSITION OR STATION IN LIFE. 

LAST NIGHT RE-AFFIRMED EVERY SINGLE WORD I HAVE EVER PRESENTED IN MY "NOTES".  WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!  A MIGHTY GOD!  A LOVING GOD!  THANK YOU JESUS FOR MY CHURCH FAMILY.  THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS WORLD THAT COULD MAKE ME WANNA GO BACK TO MERELY EXISTING! 

I HAVE AN UNSPEAKABLE JOY IN MY LIFE TODAY!  I HAVE NEVER FELT SUCH LOVE AND HAPPINESS!  TO CHANGE MY DIRECTION AND TO LIVE FOR THE LORD HAS BEEN THE BEST DECISION THAT I HAVE EVER MADE!  AND THE BEST PART IS THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE SAME DECISION.  IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE SURELY WILL DO IT FOR YOU. 

THOSE PEOPLE IN JAPAN


I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND HEARD ON THE NEWS ABOUT THE TRAGEDY THAT TOOK PLACE IN JAPAN AND THE THREAT OF SIMILAR DISASTER IN HAWAII AND THE WEST COAST.  MY FIRST THOUGHT UPON HEARING THIS NEWS WAS MARK 13:8  "AND THERE WILL BE EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES, AND THERE WILL BE FAMINES AND TROUBLES.  THESE ARE THE BEGINNINGS OF SORROWS."  I ALSO THOUGHT OF JOHNNY'S MESSAGE THE OTHER NIGHT.  HE SPOKE ON THE SAME SUBJECT.  I COULDNT HELP BUT PRAY FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ALOT OF THOUGHTS RUN THROUGH MY MIND THIS MORNING.  

I WONDER HOW MANY CHILDREN WERE AT SCHOOL OR ON THEIR WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL WHEN THE DISASTER STRUCK.  I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE AT WORK THINKING ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO THIS WEEKEND.  I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC AND SIMPLY LISTENING TO THE RADIO.  ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE CAUGHT UNAWARE.  IT WAS ALL OVER WITH IN ALMOST THE BLINK OF AN EYE.  I ALSO WONDER HOW MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN OR ARE PRESENTLY BEING STRUCK BY THE JUDGEMENT OF OUR LORD. 

BRO JERRY HAS RECENTLY TALKED ABOUT HELL ENLARGING ITS BOUNDARIES CONTINUOUSLY.  I CANT HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIED YESTERDAY WERE THROWN OR WILL BE THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.  THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN OBVIOUSLY WERE NOT GIVEN MUCH OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPENT. 

I ALSO WONDER HOW THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII MIGHT HAVE FELT WHEN ADVISED OF THE SAME TSUNAMI BRINGING POSSIBLE DESTRUCTION THEIR WAY.  I AM WILLING TO BET THAT MORE THAN A FEW PEOPLE ON THOSE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS DID SOME SERIOUS PRAYING, REPENTING AND SOUL SEARCHING.  OUR GOD WAS NEVER ONCE MENTIONED ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING, BUT I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT HE WAS TALKED TO BY MANY LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING. 

WE ALL HAVE BEEN TOLD OF THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO CLAIM HIS PEOPLE.  WE HAVE ALL HEARD BITS AND PIECES OF REVELATION.  ALTHOUGH I DO NOT CLAIM TO COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND REVELATION, I KNOW ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE MOST DEFINITELY THAT THE END IS VERY NEAR.  THE EVENTS OF THE WORLD IN THE LAST TWELVE HOURS HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO PROVE IT TO ME. 

WE ALL NEED TO REALIZE THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN TODAY COULD VERY WELL EASILY HAPPEN TO US AT ANY GIVEN TIME.  I SURELY DO NOT WANT TO BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD.  I SURELY DO NOT WANT TO BE LEFT BEHIND THE DAY JESUS DOES DECIDE TO SPLIT THE EASTERN SKIES.  I NEVER WANT TO FIND OUT JUST HOW LARGE THE LAKE OF FIRE MIGHT BE. 

MY HEART IS HEAVY FOR EVERYONE TOUCHED BY DISASTER THIS MORNING.  MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY WITH THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN TODAY.  

I AM ALSO THANKFUL ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MORNING.  THANKFUL THAT I KNOW MY LORD!  THANKFUL FOR HIS SAVING GRACE!  THANKFUL FOR HIS MERCY!  THANKFUL FOR HIS LOVE! 

IT'S EASY TO SAY


IT IS SO EASY TO TELL OTHERS HOW TO NOT GET ANGRY, AGGRAVATED AND FRUSTRATED.  IT IS QUITE SIMPLE TO SEE AN ALTERNATE SOLUTION TO OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS.  WHEN OTHERS ARE HAVING A BAD DAY, ITS OFTEN OBVIOUS TO US WHAT THAT PERSON SHOULD DO IN ORDER TO MAKE IT BETTER.  

EARLIER TODAY, MY MOM WAS A LITTLED DISAPPOINTED WHEN SOMETHING SHE HAD HOPED FOR DIDNT ACTUALLY HAPPEN.  I QUICKLY TOLD HER TO HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE THAT THE LORD HAD SOMETHING EVEN BETTER IN STORE FOR HER.  THE ANSWER TO HER DISAPPOINTMENT WAS SO EASY TO POINT OUT.  BEFORE THAT, SOMEONE ELSE HAD NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT SOMETHING AND IT WAS EASY TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE LORD CHASTIZES THOSE THAT HE LOVES. 

BUT........

A COUPLE HOURS AGO, SOMETHING TOOK PLACE THAT INSTANTLY MADE ME VERY UPSET AND ANGRY.  I GOT SO MAD THAT I WOULDNT EVEN TALK TO THE PEOPLE AROUND ME.  PEOPLE OFTEN SAY THAT THEY GOT SO MAD THEY COULDNT EVEN SEE STRAIGHT.   WELL, THAT WOULD HAVE DESCRIBED ME TWO HOURS AGO.  I EVEN RAISED MY VOICE TO TWO PEOPLE WHO WAS WITH ME.  TWO PEOPLE THAT I LOVE VERY MUCH.  THE WHOLE TIME I WAS ANGRY, THAT LITTLE VOICE INSIDE MY HEAD WAS REMINDING ME THAT I WASNT FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS.  I RELAIZED THAT I WAS FEELING AND ACTING IN THE WAYS OF MY SINFUL NATURE. 

INSTEAD OF MAKING A FOOL OF MYSELF AND HURTING ANYONES FEELINGS, I CAME HOME AND HAD SOME MUCH NEEDED QUIET TIME.  SOME ALONE TIME WITH GOD.  ONCE I SAT DOWN IN SILENCE, I STARTED TO THINK AND TALK TO JESUS.  I TALKED TO HIM JUST AS I WOULD TO ANYONE ELSE SITTING HERE ACROSS THE TABLE FROM ME.  I KNEW ALL ALONG WHAT I NEEDED TO DO AND I AM SO GLAD THAT I ACTED UPON MY SPIRITUAL CONVICTIONS.   IT DIDNT TAKE LONG AND THOSE FEELINGS OF ANGER STARTED TO JUST FADE AWAY.  I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT I MADE THE DECISION TO FOLLOW MY OWN ADVISE TO OTHERS AND "GIVE IT TO GOD".    I OFTEN JOKE WITH  OTHERS ABOUT "OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH", WELL  IT SURELY APPLIED TO ME TODAY.  SCRIPTURES REGARDING "A VISIOUS TONGUE" FOR SOME REASON KEPT POPPING IN MY HEAD.   THE MORE I SIT HERE AND MEDITATE ON THE WAYS OF THE LORD, I SEE MORE AND MORE OF HOW I ACTED TODAY. 

ITS NOW 3:11 AND I FEEL AS THOUGH A HUGE WEIGHT HAS BEEN LIFTED OFF OF MY SHOULDERS.  I NEEDED THIS ALONE TIME WITH THE LORD.  I AM SO GLAD THAT I APPLIED HIS PRINCIPLES TO MY OWN CIRCUMSTANCES TODAY.  I AM SO THANKFUL THAT WE SERVE A GOD WHO HAS TIME TO LISTEN TO OUR PROBLEMS.  HE REDIRECTED MY PATH TODAY AFTER I SAT DOWN AND ALLOWED HIM TO GIVE ME HIS GUIDANCE.  I ONCE AGAIN FEEL FIT TO BE AROUND OTHERS.  GLORY TO GOD!  THANKS BE TO THE LORD! 

IT STILL AMAZES ME THAT GOD WILL ACTUALLY EVEN LISTEN TO ME.  IT BLOWS MY MIND THAT WHAT I THINK AND FEEL ARE IMPORTANT TO HIM.  I LOVE TO HEAR THAT QUIET LITTLE VOICE IN MY HEAD THAT CORRECTS AND ENCOURAGES ME WHEN I AM AT MY WORST.  I HATE TO THINK OF WHERE I MIGHT BE TODAY IF NOT FOR THE FORGIVENESS, THE GRACE, THE MERCY AND THE LOVE OF OUR GOD. 

.........OUR GOD.........

NOT MINE.  NOT YOURS.  NOT HIS OR HERS. 

...OURS...

DODGING DARTS

IF YOU READ MY NOTE YESTERDAY, YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE THAT I HAD A PRETTY HORRIBLE DAY.  THE DEVIL HAD HIS DIRTY LITTLE BAG OF DARTS SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDER AND WAS RESTED UP AND READY TO BRING PROBLEMS INTO MY LIFE.  YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, I SPENT SOME ALONE TIME WITH THE LORD AND REGAINED MY SENSE OF VICTORY.  JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD SENT HIM PACKING FOR THE DAY, THE DEVIL SHOWED BACK UP WITH A SACK FULL OF BIGGER, MORE POINTED DARTS.  BY BED TIME, I FELT FULLY PRAYED UP AND WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SUNDAY, MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK. 

I NEEDED CHURCH THIS MORNING.  I NEEDED TO GAIN STRENGTH FROM MY CHURCH FAMILY.  I GOT TO CHURCH EARLY AND OPENED MY BIBLE TO GET GOD'S DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE.  I OPENED MY BIBLE TO EPHESIANS 6 AND WOULDNT YOU KNOW, THERE AT EPHESIANS 6:16 WAS SCRIPTURE REGARDING THOSE PERSISTANT DARTS WHICH HAD BEEN THROWN AT ME ALL DAY SATURDAY. 

I APPLIED "THE ARMOR OF GOD" TO MY SITUATION.  I ENVISIONED EVERY ASPECT OF THE SUIT OF ARMOR.  I WAS ESPECIALLY SURE TO CARRY MY SHIELD OF FAITH AND MADE A MENTAL NOTE TO NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.  I PICKED UP MY HELMET OF SALVATION AND GRATEFULLY PUT IT OVER MY HEAD.  BRO JERRY STARTED OUR MORNING SERVICE AT EXACTLY 10:00.  I ALMOST DROPPED MY BIBLE WHEN HE TOLD US WHICH BOOK OF THE BIBLE HIS SERMON WOULD COME FROM THIS MORNING.  IT WASNY EPHESIANS 6, BUT WAS PRETTY CLOSE.  EPHESIANS 2 TO BE EXACT. 

NEEDLESS TO SAY, I KNEW WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT EPHESIANS WOULD  INSTRUCT ME ON WHAT I NEEDED TO DO TODAY TO RESTORE MY SPIRITUAL SERENITY.  I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT WE SERVE A GOD WHO CARES ENOUGH TO OFFER US MUCH NEEDED GUIDANCE WHEN WE DONT KNOW HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM.  WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!  NONE OF OUR PROBLEMS ARE TOO SMALL OR INSIGNIFICANT TO HIM.  ONCE AGAIN, I JUST GOTTA SAY, I LOVE MY GOD!  EVEN BETTER, HE LOVES ME!

HE LOVES YOU TOO!  HE WAITS FOR YOU, FOR ME AND FOR US ALL.

SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT

BEFORE I EVEN GET STARTED THIS MORNING, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO LET ANYONE READING THIS KNOW THAT I WOULD NEVER DIRECT ANYTHING I WRITE IN MY FACEBOOK "NOTES" TOWARD ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL.  THIS IS NOT OR WILL NOT EVER BE A PLACE FOR ME TO AIR MY PERSONAL PROBLEMS.  I NEVER KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO WRITE ABOUT UNTIL I WAKE UP ON ANY GIVEN DAY.  I DONT CHOOSE MY TOPIC OF DICSUSSION.  I JUST FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE LORD AND WRITE WHAT HAS BEEN IMPRESSED UPON ME.  I HAVE TOLD PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME THAT IT REALLY BLOWS MY MIND.  AND IT DOES.  I STILL HAVENT FULLY LEARNED THE EXACT PURPOSE FOR ME WRITING THESE "NOTES".  BUT I AM POSITIVE OF ONE THING, GOD DOES!!! 

ALL MY LIFE, I TRUSTED AND BELIEVED ALMOST ANYTHING AND ANYONE WHO CAME AROUND.  IF SOMEONE TOLD ME SOMETHING, I BELIEVED IT.  IF A PERSON PROMISED ME SOMETHING, I EXPECTED IT TO HAPPEN.  IF SOMEONE SAID THEY WOULD BE THERE, I THOUGHT THEY WOULD......AND I WAS THE SAME WAY......I SAID WHAT I NEEDED TO SAY IN ORDER TO GET MY WAY.  I PROMISED PEOPLE THINGS THAT I KNEW WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.  I TOLD PEOPLE I WOULD BE THERE AND KNEW I SURELY WOULDNT. 

EVERY PERSON ON THIS PLANET CAN IDENTIFY WITH WHAT I JUST SAID TO SOME EXTENT.  SOME OF US MORE THAN OTHERS.  WAY MORE THAN OTHERS.  I WAS ONE OF THE BEST.  I ATTRACTED THE BEST OF THE BEST AS WELL.  ITS LIKE I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A BUILT IN RADAR WHICH WOULD IMMEDIATELY ATTRACT THE WORST OF THE WORST.  I HAD THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR DISASTER.  TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

THESE DAYS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING OUT A NEW RECIPE, ONE THAT I HAVE HEARD ABOUT ALL MY LIFE.  I FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE BEEN ADDING IN ALL THE WRONG INGREDIENTS.  ALL MY LIFE, I MIXED AND STIRRED AND ADDED THIS AND THAT BUT MY RECIPE WAS NEVER RIGHT.  I FINALLY HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THE PERFECT RECIPE HAS ONE AND ONLY ONE INGREDIENT!  I HAD BEEN OVERLOOKING THE ULTIMATE COOKBOOK MY WHOLE LIFE!

I CANNOT THANK THE LORD ENOUGH FOR FINALLY OPENING MY EYES!  I HAVE FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE WHO I CAN TRUST.  WHO WILL NOT EVER LIE TO ME.  WHO WONT LEAVE ME STRANDED.  WHO WONT JUST UP AND ABANDON ME.  HE NEVER GETS TIRED OF HEARING MY PROBLEMS.  MY SLIGHTEST CONCERN MEANS SO MUCH TO HIM.  I CANNOT THANK HIM ENOUGH!  I LOVE MY GOD FOR ALL THAT HE HAS BECOME TO ME. 

TWO SCRIPTURES HAVE BEEN ON MY MIND ALL DAY.

PSALM 146:3  DO NOT PUT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES, NOR IN A SON OF MAN, IN WHOM THERE IS NO HELP.  HIS SPIRIT DEPARTS, HE RETURNS TO HIS EARTH.  IN THAT VERY DAY, HIS PLANS PERISH.

PROVERBS 3:5  TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.

THANK YOU JESUS FOR LOVING ME.  THANK YOU FOR THE DAILY CORRECTION AND DIRECTION YOU HAVE BEEN GIVING TO ME. 

WHAT A DAY

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, CERTAIN SONGS THAT YOU HEAR AUTOMATICALLY REMIND YOU OF CERTAIN PEOPLE.  I AM 41 YEARS OLD AND EVERY NOW AND THEN, I HEAR A SONG THAT MENTALLY TAKES ME DIRECTLY BACK TO WHEN I WAS A CHILD.  THERE IS A SONG MENTALLY ATTACHED TO JUST ABOUT EVERY IMPORTANT THING THAT EVER HAPPENED IN MY LIFE.  AND I AM GETTING PRETTY OLD, SO YOU CAN IMAGINE, I HAVE QUITE A FEW.

TODAY, I WOKE UP WITH A SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD.  IT HAPPENS TO BE A SONG THAT MY PASTOR, BRO JERRY ODOM SEEMS TO ABSOLUTELY LOVE.  WHEN WE SING IT IN CHURCH, ITS EASY TO SEE THAT IT MEANS SO MUCH TO HIM.  SOMETIMES, HE INCLUDES THE WORDS OF THIS SONG IN SOME OF HIS SERMONS.  ITS ON MY MIND AND IN MY HEART THIS MORNING, SO I AM GOING TO WRITE MY "NOTE" ABOUT IT TODAY.

".....WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE, WHEN MY JESUS I SHALL SEE.  WHEN I LOOK UPON HIS FACE, THE ONE WHO SAVED ME BY HIS GRACE.  WHEN HE TAKES ME BY THE HAND, AND LEADS ME THROUGH THE PROMISED LAND.  WHAT A DAY, GLORIOUS DAY, THAT WILL BE...."

I WONDER WHAT IT WILL ACTUALLY BE LIKE TO LITERALLY SEE JESUS.  I HAVE A MENTAL IMAGE OF HIM AND I ASSUME THAT IS HOW HE WILL LOOK, BUT TO SEE HIM IN ALL HIS GLORY IS SOMETHING MY MIND ALMOST CANNOT COMPREHEND.  I KNOW MY PARENTS AND MY CHILDREN LOVE ME, I CAN SEE IT WHEN WE LOOK AT EACH OTHER MOST OF THE TIME. 

BUT.......

AS THIS THE WORDS TO THIS SONG EXPRESS.... TO LOOK UPON HIS FACE, THE ONE WHO SAVED ME BY HIS GRACE.....THATS A LOOK NONE OF US HAVE EVEN SEEN BEFORE.  FROM NO ONE.  HE WONT SEE THE SINNER.  HE WONT SEE A FAILURE.  HE WONT SEE WITH EYES OF ANGER.  I WANT TO LOOK INTO THE EYES OF MY SAVIOR.  HE SAVED ME FROM A LIFE OF MISERY, PAIN AND HEARTACHE.  HE DID THAT FOR ME! 

WHAT MUST IT BE LIKE TO HOLD JESUS HAND AND STROLL AROUND HEAVEN?  IT WILL BE SUCH A GLORIOUS SIGHT TO SEE.  I WANNA SEE THE STREETS OF GOLD AND THE GLEAMING WALLS OF GASPER!  I WANNA HEAR MY GRANDFATHER CALL MY NAME AND SEE HIS SMILE.  I WANNA SEE THE SPLENDOR OF HEAVEN, WHILE JESUS HOLDS MY HAND. 

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!!!!!

SOMETIME TODAY, WHEN YOU HAVE A FEW MINUTES OF QUIET TIME, I WISH YOU WOULD SIT BACK AND IMAGINE WHAT THAT DAY WILL BE LIKE.  I BET THE IMAGES YOU SEE IN YOUR MIND WILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE!  WHEN WE VISUALIZE JESUS, WE VISUALIZE LOVE.  A LOVE LIKE NONE OF US HAVE EVER KNOWN.  AND THE BEST PART OF IT ALL IS THAT HE LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.  THAT IN ITSELF BLOWS ME AWAY.