WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! 

One of the first things I remember learning as a new Christian was this. When you don't know what else to do, praise the Lord! God always seemed to give me an opportunity to practice the things I was learning and this was no exception. A friend and I decided to go to a big flea market not far from Fort Worth. Our kids were pretty young and the weather was nice and who doesn't love a good flea market. My youngest was 4 years old at the time and always very adventurous. It seemed as if it happened in a the blink of an eye that I couldn't see him. We looked all around, then started yelling his name but we could not find him anywhere. After what seemed like an eternity of searching knew I had to call the police. We didn't have cell phones at the time and I went out of the grounds to a convenience store across the street to call the police. The phone I called from was a pay phone located outside so I was standing in front of the store waiting for the police to arrive. I was beside myself, upset, crying and afraid when I remembered what my pastor said. When you don't know what to do, praise the Lord! So I did. I stood there with my hands raised, tears streaming down my face and started singing a worship song as loud as I could. You can just imagine what the customers going in and out of the store thought. When the officer arrived that's how he found me. I remember he told me, "Lady, I'm sorry to tell you this but your kid may be long gone by now." I said no sir, God is going to show us where he is! And you know what! God did just that. My friend who was praying asked the Lord to show her where Jared was and as soon as she said Amen she saw him. He was playing with some rabbits. The owner of the rabbits knew he was lost and told him just to sit there and play with the rabbits until his mom came. Maybe you have a situation today that you have no idea how to handle. May I suggest that you just start praising our awesome God? He will come to you. His word says he inhabits the praises of his people. He will give you peace and he will move in your situation! Have a wonderful day and remember He who is worthy loves you very much!

 Are You Living Inside Out?

Have you ever thought that our life without God is like putting on our clothes inside out? Sure they might fit, but something isn't quite right. The pockets don’t work well and have you ever tried to button your shirt or zip your pants when they are inside out? God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for our lives, a good plan and future full of hope. When we try it our way (inside out) without God it never fits quite right. Just as there is a pattern for our clothes, one that fits and wears well, there is a pattern for our lives, one that will fit us perfectly. I know sometimes when I try to do things my own way, without God, it’s like putting my clothes on inside out. It doesn’t fit or look right. I pray you are blessed with a right side out day today! Have a blessed day everyone and remember, you are greatly loved!

 WE LIVE BY GOD'S PROMISES NOT HIS EXPLANATIONS!

We live by God's promises not his explanations. Yes, I know it's hard not to ask why sometimes. Even Jesus ask why when he hung on the cross. (Matt 27:46) There are things we just don't understand. We can ask why but somehow I'm not so sure we would even fully understand the answer even if we were told. It's not the whys that give us hope but the promises of God. Hold fast to his promises. They are all yes and amen in Christ Jesus! In them is our hope! Have a wonderful and blessed day everyone! 

EVERYTHING CREATED BY GOD IS GOOD! 

The Bible tells us that God gives us all things to enjoy. He created a wonderful world for us. Can't you see His touch everywhere? Yet His most valued possession is you. He put in you the unique ability to create, to enjoy and to celebrate. Take time to enjoy your world this week! Isaiah 45:18 - For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.

REMEMBER THIS CHILDREN'S SONG?

Remember this children's song? 

“Jesus loves me this I know

For the bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong.”

Even having an area of weakness is a win when you know Christ. God says his power shows up best in our weakness! That's amazing. God is so rich in mercy that instead of chastising us for being weak he gives us his power to do what we couldn't do on our own. If you have an area where you feel weak don't just tell God about it, ask for his help! He loves to help his kids! Have a wonderful day friends! And…Yes, Jesus loves you!!!

 GO AHEAD! GIVE IT TO GOD!

I have a couple of people in my life that message or text me each morning and one that text me every evening. Invariably one of them will ask, what do you have planned today? I'll respond and ask her the same question and we will pray for each other, especially if there is something big going on. As blessed as it is to have family and friends that wish me a good morning or ask how my day went in the evening, it is even more amazing to me that the God of the universe wants to be involved in my daily life. God says if we submit what we do to him he will establish our plans. One translation says your plans will be achieved and another says they will succeed. I don't know about you but sometimes, no a lot of times, I go full speed ahead without once asking for God's help. So I'm reminding myself and you this morning to take time to submit our plans to the Lord. He not only is interested in what we do but wants to help those things to succeed. He can show us a different way, a better way or maybe even help us change our plans if that's what will be best. Go ahead! Give that list to God! He really does care! Have a blessed day everyone!

 I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING!

This post was written 3 years after my husband passed away. God is the same yesterday, today and forever! It still holds true today!

I was awakened very early this morning by a bad dream. It was puzzling because I pray over my thoughts and dreams every night before bed and at first the dream was vague but quickly became very vivid. The details aren't really important but my late husband and I were in the dream and a thief had been here. As my husband looked at me with that "I'm sorry this happened face," I smiled back at him and said, "I wouldn't change a thing." I knew immediately it was a spiritual dream. During our 36 years of marriage there were many ups, downs and challenges but all those things made us who we were as a couple and as individuals. Life is just like that. There is joy and pain and even suffering. God says that if we belong to him, he takes it all and molds it in to something beautiful. I wouldn't trade one moment that I spent with my husband for anything in this world. And I know that God has and will continue to take even my grief and cause good to come from it. Only God can do that for me and for you! Wishing you a great day!

Love & Blessings!