Giving Thanks in ALL things...

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corth 15:57

On this Thankful Thursday I want to give thanks for:

♥ The new bible study group I started yesterday, Breaking Free! This in-depth study with Beth Moore is such a challenge and takes great deal of discipline to keep up with the reading and homework. I'm so excited to see what God has in store for us. I love when Beth Moore declared; “Victory is the RULE, not the exception” in our lives! Yes Lord...

♥ For God's protection as we begin preparations for Hurricane Gustav. I'm praying the Lord will spare our city. We are still recovering from Katrina which hit three years ago this week on Aug. 29. Please keep us in prayer for the days ahead!!!

♥ God's grace as He continues to sustain Rick and me during this time that we are apart while he is working in Iowa. I'm missing my hubby BIG time, and it's been way too long. Hopefully his job will be wrapping up very soon.

♥ For my Pastor, his wife and our wonderful church family. It's such an honor to sit under such an anointing each week.

♥ For my wonderful blogging buddies. Thanks for being such a source of joy and encouragement in life everyday.

♥ And Finally, for my salvation, my health, and for the wonderful family God has blessed me with. How could I ever thank God enough?

Please join many other thankful hearts over at Sting My Heart today.

Making Our Lives Count

It seems to be a tendency 0f many to desire a "noble calling, some wondrous task". Often as we see others being mightily used by God, we also wish that God would use our talents and abilities in a more a visible way. Most everyone wants to be recognized and appreciated for the work they do. We all want our lives to count, and our mission to a noble one.

When Paul spoke to the Colossian church, he relayed a message to a brother named Archippus: "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." We were not told what his specific ministry was, but we do know that Paul wanted him to understand the importance of fulfilling that assignment.

So, what is God calling you to do today?

Is it the ministry of motherhood as you tenderly shape the lives of your young children? Are you a nurse, a teacher, a secretary? Are you a Sunday school teacher, youth group assistant, or a missionary? Whatever your job or career may be, please remember that God has placed a gifting to complement that specific calling.

We all have a ministry and a destiny from God to fulfill. You may preach to thousand’s or share your faith with one lost soul at work, but to God both are equally important. We are all a part of the Body of Christ, and no matter how noble, or seemingly insignificant in the eyes of man, our calling is a vital part of the plan of God.

Paul wrote in I Cor. 12: 22-23

“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don't need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don't need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.”

Neither can any man judge your gifts and calling. Like Archippus, be a faithful follower of Christ. Peter also instucted us when he wrote,

“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” ( 2 Peter 1:10-11)

So, whatever our position may be in the Body of Christ, from the greatest to the least, each one of us can equally bring great joy and glory to our Father as we faithfully fulfill our destiny in the Kingdom of God!

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might! (Ecc. 9:10)

Please join us over at Mama's Little Treasures today as Nina hosts this wonderful quote!

Inside Out

He's Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, which was and is, and is to come. He was there in the beginning and he shall be there in the end. From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Romans 8:35-39

Many years ago during a difficult transition in my life, I was given a copy of the book "Inside Out" by Larry Crabb to read. I thought this would not be difficult to do. Soon after I began to read the book I realized there was no fluff, and it was not an easy read! In the book Dr. Crabb makes a bold statement, "Only Christians have the capacity to never pretend". In this book I learned how the hurts of my past had led me to self-protection. As a result of this discovery it was clear I was setting up boundaries that eventually became barriers.

I recently heard this amazing song by Hillsong called “Inside Out”. The song reminded of how God’s mercy and grace never fails. I’m still amazed that when we stumble and fail, God’s love draws us back. Being a Christian is not so much about how appear on the outside, but rather how greatly He has transformed us within. As we learn to surrender control of our lives to Him , God is able to do a deep abiding work in our heart.

There is so much joy and freedom in living a genuine life for Christ. I hope you enjoy this song today, and the many other ones over at Signs Miracles and Wonders.

(Please remember to mute my music player first!)

A Worthy Walk

Order my steps, in Your word

Order my tongue, in Your word

Guide my feet, in Your word

Wash my heart, in Your word

Show me how to walk, in Your word

Show me how to talk, in Your word.

(refrain)

I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill

Please order my steps, Lord, and I’ll do Your blessed will

The world is ever changing, but You are still the same

If You order my steps, I’ll praise Your name.

~A hymn by Glen Burleigh~


Of all the possessions I own, I would say without question that my bible is the most valuable. In all the words ever written by man, there are none more powerful then the Word of God! What earthly treasure could we compare to the riches contained in the Bible? There is no standard, concept, philosophy, or wisdom of man that can measures up to the life giving and transforming power of the God’s Word.

Oh what a great treasure we have been given by our God. To begin to know the love of our Father, and to discover the depths of His great wisdom, would take a hundred lifetimes.

The Word of God is alive, and it is powerful. It changes lives, sets the captives free, and is a lamp unto the path of those who put their trust in it.

Do you need healing, hope, understanding, direction, or peace in your life? It’s all there for you, and yes even more. The Word is a well-spring in a dry and weary land, and if you seek for truth, and search for it with all of your heart, you will find it.

“Lord, I’m thankful for the great treasure of your Word. Please cause me to be hungry for more of You each day. Reveal Yourself to me as I meditate on Your Word each day. It is life and it is power to all who find it.”

What a beautiful hymn this is Lori, thanks so much for sharing it with us this week! Please join us over at All You Have to Give today!

All Things New!

On a recent trip to Charleston, North Carolina my husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary. We had some friends who recently visited that area and came back so thrilled to tell us about the wonderful time they had, so we decided to go ourselves. It really is a beautiful and very historic town. After getting settled in our hotel, we immediately went to the concierge to begin planning our schedule for the week. We were anxious to make the most of our time, and try and see as many of the wonderful sites Charleston has to offer. On our first tour we rode in a horse drawn carriage through the narrow cobblestone streets. There we saw mansion after mansion, and so many churches. It felt like we had traveled back in time and was reliving history as we viewed and visited these stunning places.

Please join me today at the Cafe to see what God showed me during our visit there!!!

Bearing the burden

On Monday August 18th Tammy at My Heart…His Words has asked if we would join with her family in a “Jericho March” that has been planned for her son Nick and a precious little girl named Natalie. Both Nick and Natalie are battling brain cancer, and these children really need a miracle in their lives.

Tammy wrote:

“The apostle Paul said, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:3–5).

We are organizing a Jericho March for Nick and Natalie and their families to intercede to God on their behalf and to wage spiritual war on the enemy who will use lies to discourage and defeat everyone who is praying with and for the Nischans and Yokeleys. There is a website that explains this – how one woman studied and prayed over 2 Scriptures – Joshua 1-6 and Ephesians 6:10-18 – and prayed God’s will over a situation. She was led in prayer by the Holy Spirit.

The site is: http://www.navpress.com/EPubs/DisplayArticle/2/2.41.7.1.html

We can actively enter into this fight with Nick and Natalie and their families by committing to a Jericho March where we each commit to walk around our own neighborhood blocks once a day for 6 days praying against the enemy’s attempts to rob, defeat and destroy the faith and trust we have in God’s power.

On the 7th day, we will walk the same route SEVEN times singing, praising God, and declaring the mighty works of the Lord over Nick and Natalie. In one week’s time we believe and we EXPECT that we will be reading of tremendous breakthroughs and gains! We can invade the enemy’s camp and take back what he has stolen. This is Biblical; this is pro-active. We invite everyone to join in and commit to this Jericho March for Nick and Natalie.”

I plan on doing this walk for these precious children and would greatly appreciate if you join in with us. If you can’t take the actual walk each day, please remember to whisper a prayer on their behalf. Truly this would mean so much to them.

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Gal.6:2

A Full Heart

On this thankful Thursday I have so much to be thankful for! There isn't an hour in the day that God doesn't remind me in some way of his faithfulness, and His unconditional love towards me. We serve a mighty God. We serve a God who is good, even when we don't understand why certain things happen in our lives. Even in those times we can look up and give thanks.

How I love to meditate on His amazing goodness toward those who love Him.

Now, for my list.

♥ I'm so thankful that my son Jordan returned safely home, (yeah...I missed him so much!) after having a wonderful time in Phoenix.

♥I'm so thankful that the Lord continues to watch over my family daily, even as my husband is away for work.

♥I'm thankful for a great start of the new school year for my son Joel who is now a senior. He has made some really nice friends since we have moved, and that means so much to us. I enjoy having his buddies over at the house. They are always so polite and respectful.

♥ I'm so thankful for 2 bible studies that I'll be starting in the next few weeks. One is Anonymous by Alicia Chole, and the other is Breaking Free by Beth Moore. God truly is filling my cup to over-flowing! I know the things I learn in these studies will give me more opportunities to bless and encourage others.

♥ I'm thankful for my first grandson who will be arriving on September 16th! Can you tell I'm getting really excited? I’ve already done some shopping for him.

♥ I'm thankful for all the wonderful friends God has placed in my life. Last weekend, Cyndy came over and we had a little slumber party. It was so much fun catching up, eating out, shopping, watching a movie, and just enjoying each other's company. Don't you just love girlfriends in Christ?

♥ I'm thankful for great customer service. Those beautiful roses my husband sent me had completely bloomed in just one day! I called the florist to inquire why this happened so fast and the lady was so kind to listen to my concern. She told me yellow roses tend to open faster than pink or red, and because of the summer heat we have down south. Amazingly, she asked if I would like another dozen in a different color to make up for them. I was so impressed!!

♥ Finally, I'm thankful for all you who have taken the time to read this, and for all of the comments you leave. God has been so gracious to allow me to meet so many sweet sisters in the Lord through this blog. I pray for the Lord to bless you, watch over you, and to keep you daily.

Please join many other thankful hearts over at Sting My Heart today!