Amazing how time flies…

Wow! I can’t believe it has been a year since my last post.  True to my word, the past year was full of many challenging changes for my family & me.  Some harder than others, but all, to the glory of God, have worked out for the better! I am very grateful to God for my wonderful husband without whom, this year would never have been survivable (is that a word?).  No matter how difficult things seemed to get, he stayed strong and kept encouraging me when I needed it. So many times I was at the end of my rope, with kids, finances, just life in general, but he never gave up.  I know there were days that he wanted to  but he stayed strong and kept beleiving, trusting that all would work out…and it did.  We still have some hurdles to jump, but we are so much closer to where we need to be.  As I said…God is good! I have not had the time in the Word this past year, as I had in the years past, but I am hoping that will change this year.  There was so much readjusting, changing, learning, that I could do nothing else.  I think I have my feet pretty well planted and have readjusted to all of the changes that I can begin to add the things that I am so desperately missing…Bible study being the first! Praying that this year will be a year of continued growth & new discoveries!  Blessings in the new year.

New Year, New Expectations

Happy New Year! I am so excited to see what this year will bring. I am also terrified at the same time. I know that a lot will be changing this year, especially in the first 3 months or so. They are changes that are pretty big for me and my family. As scared as I am, I am also very excited to see what God is going to do through them. How He is going to provide, protect and stretch us. Where He is going to move us. We have had a pretty rough couple of years, but every month we have made it through by the grace of God. He blows my mind, why would He do so much for me? I certainly don’t deserve it, I get frustrated and upset when things seem to be falling apart, but every time He works everything out. You’d think by now I would realize that He will always come through, but I guess as they say, “I’m human.” The human side of me get so anxious and stressed out, then I remember how God has provided and protected me in the past and I feel much better. How do I get to the point where I just remember what He has done in the past, trust that He has it all in the palm of His hand and skip the anxiousness and stress altogether?

Thank you Lord, that You trust I will make it through, that You desire me to know You more, or I wouldn’t face the trials and struggles that I do. I am so excited that my relationship with You will grow stronger over the coming months. I am grateful for the confidence that You have in me. I know that I never need to fear, to worry, to stress because You are my God in whom I trust! You will never leave me or forsake me, You are my Strong Tower, my Firm Foundation, my Prince of Peace. Thank You and praise You Lord for new years, new beginnings, new experiences, new friends, new places, new challenges, new ways to see Your hand at work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Did you give thanks today? If you did, what are you thankful for? People? Pets? Things? Good health? What about the trials, hardships, sadness, or even sicknesses you may go through? Doesn’t seem like those are things we should be thankful for do they? But, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. So many of us are crazy about God when things are going our way, when God seems to be answering our prayers they way we would like for him too. But as soon as we hit a bump in the road, we decide that God has abandoned us, so we abandon Him. God NEVER leaves us OR forsakes us, we are the ones who leave and forsake Him. I am not minimizing the trials & struggles you are facing. I know that life is hard, especially when we don’t understand why we must endure hardships. However, abandoning God is NOT the answer. Our hardships and trials are meant to draw us nearer to God, not push us away. We must realize that we cannot do life on our own, we are not meant to do life on our own. We were created to be one with God, outside of that purpose, we will be lost & empty. This holiday season, give thanks, but not just for people or things, but for God, who above all else, loves you unconditionally, no strings attached. There is nothing you have done, are doing, or could do that will ever change the way God feels about you. When you are struggling, suffering, and wondering why…go to God. He’s got something in store for you, he is growing, stretching and teaching you that you can trust Him. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Have a truly thankful Thanksgiving!

Spring, Glorious Spring

What an absolutely perfect day! God is so good. Not only is it Good Friday, but it is sunny &and 78! It doesn’t get any better than this. I do hope that everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather and holiday weekend. Let’s not forget though the importance of this holiday. It is more than food, candy and the Easter bunny. Without the death and resurrection of Christ our Lord, we would live in an eternal hell. Praise God that is not the case for us who are in Christ Jesus. How I pray you are all saved. If you are not, let me know and I will be happy to tell you more about how to be sure you will spend eternity in Heaven! There is no greater gift, than the gift of salvation. You do not have to do anything, but receive it. You don’t need to be a certain kind of person, act a certain way, talk a certain way. God wants you just as you are, sins and all. He won’t judge you based on your appearances or financial rank. He just wants you. Please take a few moments to talk with Him, tell him that you want to know Him more. That you believe he died for you on the cross that he rose again on the third day. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and accept you into His kingdom. He will do exactly that. How I pray that you have an absolutely perfect Easter weekend! God Bless.

So grateful for new opportunites!

I am writing today, so very grateful for new opportunities that stretch me more that I could have imagined. I began leading our women’s Bible study back in February. This was a new experience, one I was very excited about, but also very nervous about. What qualifies me to lead a Bible study? I most certainly do not feel qualified. I suppose just my willingness to be available to do what God is calling me to do. I love God’s Word and am amazed by it every time I sit down to read it. The Bible just comes alive for me now in ways I never could have dreamed or imagined. Anyway, back to Bible study…We have a fantastic group of Women, all who love the Lord, all at different points of growth in their faith. We are doing Beth Moore’s Esther Study, (anyone who has not done a Beth Moore study, I highly recommend that you do. You will not be disappointed)! I suppose I am more at ease with leading because really Beth does all of the hard work, I just facilitate discussion. But, oh, what a blessing it has been. All of the ladies have been so encouraging. I believe that I am the youngest of the group, which makes it a little intimidating. God is so good though, we are a little more than half way through our study, and He is just growing me in so many different ways. My confidence grows each week, and God just gives me the words to say. It is an experience that I will be forever grateful for. It is not without its struggles, there are days when I just don’t know how to pull it all together, what should we cover, what should I say, what scripture should I use, did I wear that sweater last week…? As I move forward in prayer God gives me the courage and the wisdom to move forward in faith in all that He has called me to. As we learned last week from the book of Esther, God does not require perfection, just our willingness to move forward in His will. Blessings to you!

Merry Christmas

What a truly glorious holiday season this has been.  I pray that the Lord has been good to all of my friends and family! This has been a difficult holiday season for so many.  Many have lost loved ones and this is their first Christmas without them, many are suffering financially and couldn’t put many presents under the tree, many have been diagnosed with life ending illnesses and may not see their next Christmas.  Whatever, the case may be for you and yours, I pray that you will remember that the God we serve is greater than all of those things put together.  When you are grieving the loss of a loved one remember Psalm 147:3, He (the Lord) heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.  If suffering financially, Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.  Suffering from illness, Proverbs 4:20-22, My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.  God is so good, in the midst of our suffering if we look for Him, we will find him as it says in Jeremiah 29:11-14a, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”  It is not God’s desire that we suffer as we do, but it is through our suffering that we are drawn into His presence.  Place your faith in God, not the things and people of this earth.  Psalm 27:4-5, One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.  Friends, God loves you completely with a love that we could never possibly understand.  He will never abandon or forsake you, he will provide for you, he will comfort you, he will heal you.  Stay in His Word, you will find everything that you need!  I pray that 2010 will be a year of new growth and greater faith for you. I am praying for you and love you.  God Bless you all this year and in the years to come!

Count Your Blessings-originally posted 12/11/09

How truly blessed I am.  God is so good to me, I don’t deserve it, but He does it anyway. He provides for my needs, He keeps me healthy, He reminds me daily of how much He loves me.  How I pray, that you too see God’s many blessing in your life.  Your life may be hard right now, you may be facing sickness, death, loss of employment, loss of a home, or any other number of things, but know this-God will never leave you or forsake you.  I know sometimes that sounds like a simple thing to say, but it is so true.  God never allows us to go through things just because.  He has something to teach us about who we are and even more about who HE is.  If you are suffering right now, take the time to really search for God’s blessings.  Did you have a meal today? If you are reading this, you have access to a computer and the internet. Do you have a vehicle to drive? TV to watch? Family to spend time with? There are so many things that we just take for granted.  Stop and thank God for all of the good things in your life right now.  Don’t wait.  Lord, I thank you for my son and husband who are playing with the dog in the other room.  I thank you for my youngest who is at his cousins spending the night.  For my oldest who is doing well in school despite his learning difficulties.  Lord, you have taken care of my needs, though we are facing financial difficulty right now, i haven’t missed a meal, I have gas in my car, my family is in good health.  I have good friends who love me, for me. You are the ultimate care giver, provider and protector.  Thank you that you give me a voice and a passion for You and Your Word.  Forgive me when I complain because I don’t have more. Thank you that I am alive this day, for this generation.  You have chosen this time for me.  You show me the steps to take, the words to speak.  Forgive me for the times I don’t seek Your will first and foremost, for the times I do things my way.  I want my life to be a mirror and reflection of You. How thankful I am to live in a country where I can serve You, my God, freely without fear of death or prison. How I pray for revival in this country.  That Your will would be done.  As I count my blessings this day, I am reminded how much you sacrificed over 2000 years ago, when your son was born into this world, and then died, to save a wretch like me.  Not just for a certain class of people, but for all people, no matter how great the sinner or how good the righteous the person, but for ALL people equally.  Thank you for being willing to die for me, knowing that I would disappoint you.  It is my hearts desire to serve you and live for you.  During this holiday season I lift up all of my family and friends to you, how I pray that they would all see Your glory revealed this holiday season.  So many of them do not know You personally, surround them with people who do.  Thank you for blessing me today and every day! In Jesus’ most holy and precious name, Amen.

All New to Me-originally posted in September ’09

I have never attempted any thing of this sort before. Forgive me, till I get it all figured out. I am out in my porch sitting on my swing, enjoying this beautiful weekend God has blessed us with, the crickets are chirping, the cars are quietly going by, all is peaceful, all is good. I’m not sure why I chose the name “This Day I Live” for my blog, it just seemed to fit. I asked God to help me decide on a name and after trying a couple of different ones, this one stuck. God is so good, His mercies are new every morning. He orchestrates everything so very perfectly. Even when I don’t understand why things happen the way they do, I find out in the long run, had things happened any other way or the way I thought they should, it would have been a disaster! I pray that as we all go into this new week, that we look for the many, many blessings that God has for each and every one of us. No matter your situation, there is always a blessing to be found and experienced! You just have to be willing to look for it! What an exciting adventure awaits us, when we walk with God. Life will not always be easy, but with God on our side, we have nothing at all to fear! He is a good and gracious God, wanting nothing more than for us to seek Him with everything we have. We were created to be in His presence, to bring him glory, to worship Him and Him alone. So this day, let’s do just that. Let’s live this day for Him, and see how our lives are changed!