Category: Truth

His plans

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Everyone is very special to God.  We were all made in his image. That is why we can all live our lives to the fullest. He knew us before we were ever born. He sees the big picture. He is looking through a wide lens. Everything that will make us the best we can be is all planned out.

We have a very important purpose. God knows before anything ever happens how his plan will work best. It would work perfectly if we did everything right. Problem is that we are not perfect. We are all given free will to do as we want. Life is a learning process that lasts till our very last breath.

The people we are around as we grow. The time we were born. Where we were born. Our choices that we make. All these things make us who we are. For every action God has a consequence for us. Good behaviors bring blessings. Bad behaviors will bring more challenges and trials.

God is not surprised by any of these life choices. Good or bad he sees them coming and adjusts our lives with his love and care. Making our lives work out for our best.

He is not just concerned about us but about everyone. Our lives do impact everyone else’s.

Take a family for example. I have one sister and two brothers. I was the first born to my parents. They were good Christians and my grandfather was a Baptist minister. All these things made me who I was and the relationships I had with each member of my family touched each ones lives.

Slowly I was becoming who he made me to be. Trials come to teach us. Just as we go through school from grades kindergarten till we finish High school. These trials are meant to help us grow. They come with tests that we need to pass to move us to the next level.

Some move quickly and others take more time. Molding us and making us just right.

We can trust that God knows just what he is doing. He can keep our life on track just as he keeps billions of other lives on track.

“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 a hope and a future. “ Jeremiah 29:11   NIV

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

We continue to be special because of every life we touch. It is so easy to say, “ if only this happened”, or “I did this differently.” We might not see our lives as good.

God sees the whole picture though, remember. He is making our lives count.

Lord God,

Please help me to stick with your plans, help me to do your will. To be the best I can be. Make my life make a difference in the lives of others.

Amen

Blessed

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Recently I had trouble with my roommate watching tv all day very loudly. It was fine if I just went and sat outside where it was quiet. It finally got louder and louder and my blood pressure was going up. She was watching even at night now. I prayed for God to solve my dilemma. I approached my social worker with my problem just before Thanksgiving. She immediately went to work to solve the problem.

I have learned that worrying does not help. Once I put it in God’s hands he knows what is best so just let him work. I went about my day. A couple hours later they offered me my own private room all to myself. Thinking I couldn’t afford it I was hesitant.

They were offering it at the same cost I had been paying. I was so overwhelmed but all I could say was sure. I went to lunch and then went out back to relax in quiet. Moves can take time so when I came back in a couple hours later I went to my old room but it was stripped bare. They had moved everything.

They came in a little later and rearranged the furniture to my plans. Just how it would work best for me. I just sat there and felt so blessed. I even kept a small lamp on at night so I could see around my new room. I really did not feel that I deserved this. I would have been happy if she just stopped watching evenings so I could sleep. I hadn’t really asked to move.

The next few days I felt so thankful and it just seemed unreal but here I was enjoying the peace and quiet. It even has a private patio I sat out on in the sun one day.

It was great.

‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.   James 1:17

I did not do anything to earn God’s favor. I did just as he tells us I asked, and left it in his hands. Each and every day I see God working out things in my life and I feel so blessed. Who am I that I deserve such special treatment? I am just one of the millions

of his children.

That’s just it I am his.  I am special to him. Not something I did for him. He gave his son to die for everyone. Anyone can have this favor. It’s a free gift.

I was called and I accepted that gift. I did not have to do anything to earn it. I do want all he has for my life because it is good. Everyday I want to do all I can to let others know about this great gift. I am not preaching to people. It’s more like bragging about something I have that you can have too.

I find it so saddening when I hear someone talking about how there is no God. If they only knew.

Midterm Elections

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“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God,  and the authorities that exist are ordained by God.” Romans’ 13:1 NIV

As this week approaches and voting for midterm elections is here God wants us to know that he is in control.  He needs each and everyone of us to get involved. Voting is a right we need to exercise. The fate of our country is in our hands.

I will admit that I haven’t felt a need to vote since I had my stroke. Since 2005 I felt that I was out of touch and was not qualified to be voting. I was living in a nursing home and didn’t really watch news, so I didn’t know who to vote for. But God convicted me. I can get enough information to make educated decisions on voting.

My roommate likes to watch MSNBC every day. I have learned so much in the last few weeks. Our country and the world we live in is out of control. God has shown me that it is so important to vote for those people that we feel would do a good job.

President Trump is not one of my favorite people. He is our President and we need to support him, respect and pray for him.  We also need to pray for other leaders. Senators, congressmen, mayors, governors, and all those in authority over us. They deserve respect for what they do.

I know that even King David did things that I don’t agree with. He was though, a man after God’s own heart. No one is perfect, we are all imperfect. God uses us to get things done in this world. Trump has tried to remind the American people how important God and his word are to its people.

At one time we were One Nation under God and our founding fathers based our laws and amendments on Godly principles. We were a very blessed country for many years. We have taken God out of our schools and our courthouses and we wonder why we are going downhill fast.

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

These people we vote for are working for all of us and need wisdom and guidance to do their jobs well. Even if we didn’t vote for them we need to support them when they are elected. We need to pray for them. We need to pray for our country and it’s people.

No one can do much alone. But with support and working as a team we are stronger. We can be unstoppable.

God needs us

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As part of my special needs class at church we love to sing. We recently learned a song we sing each week.’ I need you’.By Hezekiah Walker.  It tells us how important we are to God and how much he needs us to be his hands and feet serving people around us.

While we know God is all sufficient and he doesn’t need anything. He is able to do anything himself and does. He has given us the opportunity as his children to act like him on his behalf. To serve and love those around us. We are in essence his hands and feet to a lost and hurting world.

That doesn’t mean just overseas missionary work but to everyone we come in contact with. God accepts everyone, everyone whether black, white, red, yellow, or green matters to him. For all of us are sinners no one is perfect but he loves each and everyone of us. No matter what we have done. In his eyes we are either his children or future children of his.

He wants everyone to know him!

The song goes-

I need you, you need me; we’re all apart of God’s body.

Stand with me, agree with me; we’re all apart of God’s body.

It is his will that every need be supplied, you are important to me; I need you to survive.

He wants everyone’s needs met and to do that he uses us, his imperfect children.

I pray for you, you pray for me, I love you and need you to survive .

I will not hurt you with words from my mouth, I love you and need you to survive.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”   Matthew 25: 35&36 NIV

Each person has needs we can meet. Even if it’s just a kind word and a smile. Nobody is better than anyone else. It doesn’t matter where you live, how much money you have, your religion, your color, your education or lack thereof. We ALL matter.

We need to be willing to care about the well being of others, to put our neighbor first.

Which is the second most important commandment.

What can you do for a neighbor, someone you meet when you are out running errands. Even your own family can be overlooked when you are around them often.

We live in a violent and falling world. People are getting worse all the time. All week I have been hearing about the many pipe bombs sent to high profile figures and right now they are talking about a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue. So much bad is happening all around the world.

It’s time people start making the news for doing good humanitarian things to make this a better planet not worse. Even if they don’t make the news they will change the lives of others for the best.

No Regrets

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“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize.”   1 Corinthians 9:24. NIV

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”   Revelations 22:12 NIV

Have you ever done something you were not proud of? Something that you wished you had not done. It would eat at you forever. Why did I do that? I wish I could go back again and change things. We all make mistakes. Maybe we said something that hurt someone. Done something that hurt others.

When it’s done we feel bad. That ache inside us just won’t go away. Satan loves to remind us of our past mistakes and failures. ‘You are awful, you always screw things up,’ he says. But God loves us even when we don’t love ourselves. If we come to him and ask forgiveness, he will forgive.

That bad feeling will go and be replaced by peace. We don’t need to carry it any more. His love can bring so much healing. What if you were gone tomorrow? You know tomorrow is not promised. We could have a massive heart attack, or a car accident.

What if Jesus came tonight to take his children home. We are in the end times and it could be any day. We never know what tomorrow will bring. Today may be our last day. If you knew that it was your last day on earth, what would you do differently?

When we stand before God and he shows us everything we have ever done. Good and bad we will want to be ready. What will we say? That is when I do not want any regrets. I want to stand before him with a clean slate. He makes that possible.

We can be sure that he will see us in the light of his son and all his righteousness.

Either we can be perfect, or since that probably won’t happen, we can live everyday the very best we can. Seeking God’s will in our lives first.  Ask God’s help to say good things of encouragement. Lord help me to keep quiet if I can’t say something positive.

Lord show me things I can do to help. I may be in a wheelchair and I may not speak eloquently but God has shown me I can do a lot more than I think I can. He has made me a good listener. I am very aware of the needs of others around me, and he lets me know what to do.

I am always trying to help. God has given me great awareness of others needs. If I can’t help I can find someone who can. He has given me the gift of writing. He gives me words to help others. Someone may have a problem. He can show me just what they need to hear.

It is not me it’s him helping me. The more I try to serve. The more he shows me to do.

He will do the same for you. When you are doing so much good you don’t have time for the bad.  Anger and hate just roll off me. I do not have room for them in my life.

Bitterness leaves me feeling so bad and I would rather feel good. So I just ignore comments meant to hurt . Nobody is perfect.

Every time we do something we know is wrong we need to come to him and ask forgiveness. At the end of the day we need to look back over our day. What good did I do? What bad did I do?

Keep the lines of communication open. Thank you Lord for this day. I am sorry for ….? You will sleep so much better with a clear heart.

Will you be rewarded for your actions?

Trust

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Do you haves worries, fears, anxious moments, stress, frustration and doubt? This life we live can be tough at any time. But the reason we feel out of control is just saying, “ I do not trust the one who is in control.”  God, the one who made everything just the way he designed it. All heaven and earth. He knows all. He knows all before it ever comes into existence.

That God loves you. He wants only for you to love him in return. But even still, when we are at our worst, he loves us more than we could ever imagine. He knows us better than ourselves. When we have doubts and fears He knows just what we are capable of. And what he wants for us.

He wants us to enjoy this life and wants us to be successful in our eyes. To be fulfilled and happy. He wants to lavish us with all good things. But he will also discipline us just as any lovin’ father would when we stray from what is good for us. Discipline is not done out of anger or hate but out of pure love.

A love that does not want to see us run out in front of a fast moving car or swallow a dangerous substance, something harmful for us.

In my life as I grew up my father expected certain behaviors from me. He wanted to see me have fun and enjoy myself but he also raised me to be responsible, respectful and to be of good character. I had limits. He loved to reward me for trying harder. Doing things that were good for me and helped me grow.

As I was busy living life and raising a family I never worried, “Oh God I don’t want to have a stroke.” It never even occurred to me. But as I was busy enjoying my life I had a massive stroke. It nearly took my life. Leaving me totally unable to speak or move at all.

I lay in the hospital totally helpless and unable to do anything for myself. Over the next few years I had lost everything that seemed to matter in my life. My husband, my home, my job, my favorite car and my airplane. All the things I had acquired in this life I thought I needed.

It was a very tough time and it tore me apart. I wanted them back. I know I had done things wrong in my life. Things that I was not proud of. Things  that I would do very differently if given the chance. But I had a new life I had to get adjusted to.

Thirteen years later I can say with zero doubt in my mind that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. God knew what he was doing. I love my life now. The people in my life now are wonderful. I love who I have become and enjoy the great relationship I have with Jesus. Each day is sweeter and sweeter.

I know people who worry about things everyday that could change their lives. What if this happens or that? Who is to say what really is good or what really is bad in my life.

Only he who knows the beginning from the end Knows what is best for me.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they.”   Matthew 6:25-26. NIV

Have you ever seen a worried crow? No, they don’t worry about their day. It just happens.

Can we really say something is bad in our lives? I love to see bad things happen just to see how God can turn it around. I get so blessed by his unusual answers to our prayers.

Over the last thirteen years I have read my Bible thru many times and seen God’s faithfulness time and time again in his word and in life. So many people I know have gone through so much but God has proved to be trustworthy. I now can pray your will be done good or bad. I can really mean it.

I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow in the palm of his hand.

Creation.

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I had the opportunity to go to the Odysea Aquarium in Scottsdale Friday. My daughter and her son took me for the day. I greatly recommend it for those who haven’t been. I was so in awe of all the creatures living in oceans and streams. I can not look at the great diversity and see how it just happened.

Everything in that place just cried out God is awesome. So very many fish and water animals of all colors and shapes. I saw tiny little seahorses about 2-3 inches long swimming among the plants in their tanks. They would hold on to the plants with their tails while they slept or ate. So perfect in detail.

I watched otters frolicking around and found out that they are very excited by anything with wheels. They would get so excited at a stroller or even my wheelchair. The are so cute. They drew a large crowd. There behavior is so fun to watch.

So many different size and shapes of fish and such funny names. It looked as if they were making odd faces at me. Most very grumpy looking. I really enjoyed just watching them. One tank had sea turtles and my grandson spoke up. “Hey these are special needs turtles.” Most of the turtles were missing limbs.

Later in the day we heard that many turtles are hurt by boaters and debris in the water. They can no longer survive in the wild so this kind of home is perfect for their rehabilitation. Being in a wheelchair myself I can relate to what it takes to adapt. But God helps all creatures whether man or beast relearn the way they do things.

The way they learn to survive in their environment by coloring and the way they were designed. It is all so well thought out. How could something that perfect just happen. My mind just can not see anything about evolution as being plausible. I just got a magazine from the NCI. National Creation Institute in Dallas Texas.

This Institute is doing great things about building creation museums and educating people on true research that shows real facts of Creation. These aren’t just theories but actual researched facts that support the Bible’s history and timelines. Their magazine is called ‘Facts and Acts’. Great name.

There are so many scientists and researchers that are strong Christian authorities. They are striving to show truth. For so many years we have been programmed to think one way, evolution. But more and more wholes are being found in those theories.

I noticed this morning so much more than I normally do. So much beautiful landscaping. A beautiful golf course with so many different trees. Every shape and color. Man has done a great job of taming and designing around nature but give God the credit for all he has given us to work with.

I know of a new exhibit near my daughters home that has a life size recreated example of what Noah’s arc would have looked like. They got to go there this summer on their vacation . I guess it was massive. They really enjoyed it. I have no idea how all those animals got along for so many days. It must haves smelled too.

I am so glad there are places like that for my grandkids to explore. Things that finally give credit where credit is long overdue.

Chosen

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“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special possession, that you may declare the praises of him that called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

“You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:6 NIV

We have been chosen by God before time began. Before we were ever formed we were called out to be his chosen people. Not everyone is chosen. We are called to be the sons and daughters of Christ. We are called to serve our king.

We are to be the image of Christ. To be Jesus hands and feet to our communities.

We must accept this gift he has given us. It was given freely by Christ as he suffered and died on the cross to give us the chance to be made right with God. We have been given free will to choose for ourselves who we will serve.

Once we have chosen to serve the Lord we need to begin every day with that commitment. We live every day in this world but this is not our true home. It is with Christ in heaven. Each day we need to choose him. To follow his ways and serve him with our whole being.

As part of the special needs community it is very important to be chosen and accepted and loved. I had the privilege to go to camp all last week up in Williams, Arizona. Along with sixty or so other handicapped individuals we got to spend the week with Special Touch Ministries..

It is a wonderful environment for all ages. All different physical and emotional needs. We are loved on and accepted for who we are. We learn who we can be in Christ.

We are called to be priests. Jesus no longer lives on this earth. The only way people can see Jesus is through his children, his priests. We are very special to him. He is with us the whole way and will help us.

For me personally I learned that God has called me to be an encourager. The words I speak are not mine but God’s words spoken through me. This is one reason why I started this blog. I always had a desire to help people. I am a fixer. I like telling people how to fix themselves.

I had many opportunities to speak to people at camp and show his will for them. It was great but it was him not me talking. I am just willing to be used by God. He is not physically walking on earth but we are. The only way for others to see God is through us as we serve as his priests.

He has brought us out of our past of darkness and sin and given us light a future, eternal life with him. We have so much to be thankful for. His Glory and Mercy and his greatness is so manifest in our lives. The more we give the more he gives.

Peace wonderful peace.

Many people accept the gift of eternal life. And then go about life on their own doing whatever they want. Theirs is a wasted life and they don’t know all they are missing. I was one of those people for forty some years before I really got to know Jesus Christ and make him my personal friend and King.

My life has changed drastically and I never want to go back. Life is not about me but about Jesus Christ in me the hope of glory. He has made my life complete. Come join me.

In His Presence

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In Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near” and in Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled,” we are given very important wisdom for a full life. Throughout life we all strive for peace, joy and acceptance. We go to great lengths to get this. God tells us that in His presence is fullness of joy.

That sounds so simple. Can’t be that simple, right? What is the meaning of life and how can we be satisfied and fulfilled.

I was born into a wonderful Christian home. Before I was ever born God had a plan for me. He had a call on my life and knew just how it would play out.

When I was just five I came to know the Lord one day in kindergarten. When I was a teen I went to church camp and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

My life was blessed even though I thought it was normal. My dad always told me how important it was to be at church whenever the doors were open and i was from birth. I always tried to be good and do what I was told. I went to vacation Bible school each summer and won prizes for learning all the books of the Bible, memorizing scripture, and knowing different Bible characters.

I always did great because my dad had us read the children’s story Bible during dinner time. Heck I knew all the stories and all the characters. I still struggled with doing all I should. I always forgot to pray and after I got married I tried to read my Bible regularly but life was just so busy, husband, kids, job, and living life seemed enough.

It wasn’t till I was 45 and had a severe stroke that I finally had plenty of time on my hands. Laying flat on my back, unable to move or speak, God had my attention. What was going on. I was calm and not really worried because I knew God was in control but it was hard.

A friend came to see me and offered to read the Bible to me. That made a huge impact on me. When I could I vowed to start reading my Bible every day, I had the time. I haven’t missed many days since. Missed days tend to be bad days so I remember to do it first thing.

Struggling to live in a nursing home I learned so much about God and his ways. I had a Chaplain that was on fire for the Lord, telling us all about Jesus changing her life and always doing things, miracles, for her like he was her best friend. I wanted more.

I started reading every book about God I could get my hands on. We would take trips to Savers and I would bye books for $2.00 and many. I had so many trials in my life but I wanted more of Him. After a perfectly tuff time where I had been in the hospital for a while and was unable to read my Bible I committed to praying every day to get more of God.

The more I got, the happier I felt, and the more I wanted. I would sit and listen to praise music out on the back patio where I was alone. I also prayed a lot and sang hymns out there. It felt good. I had no trouble doing this I just loved doing it.

That’s when I started going to the church. Man it felt so good and I was hooked.

Just to be around people who believed like me and loved me. Singing in church was so alive with passion. They talked about going to camp for a whole week. So I tried it. That was the closest I think you could get to heaven here on earth.

I mean here I am with only Christian brothers and sisters, in the mountains, for a whole week, doing and being with God 24/7. Awesome.

These things have made me so happy. I truly am happier than ever before in my life. Jesus now is my very best friend and some day I’ll go to be with him forever. But right now I just want to be in his presence.

The happiest place I’ve ever known.

Forever

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“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Mark 13:7. NIV

We have been hearing these things for years, but the end is sooner than we think. It may be twenty more years or tomorrow. It will come though so where will you be? Where will you spend eternity? This life we live in is really very short. It all depends on how we live this life as to where we will end up.

“By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35. NIV

“If you love me, keep my commands”. John 14: 15. NIV

It is easy to love God but not always easy to love others. It is not a request though. God has commanded us to love him as well as those who hate us. If we love Him, we will keep his commands. Boy we are extremely lucky we live in this day and age because back when Moses was in charge there were so many more commands to keep. You could hardly breathe without screwing up.

Now that Jesus has redeemed us it is so much easier, but our actions are so important. Imagine with me for a minute that the doctor just told you that you only have 24 hours left to live. How will you spend that next 24 hours? Where you will end up for eternity is in the balance.

We watched Scrooge for years turn from the Scrooge he was to the loving person he was meant to be. Yet we never really take it to heart. Every action we make has long lasting consequences. This life is but a blink of the eye compared to 10,000 years in eternity.

Back to my imagining. Would we not take seriously our actions for 24 hours? Do we obey his commandments or do we really need his forgiveness. All sin and all need forgiveness from those sins. One sin is not any worse or less than others. That little white lie is as bad as murder. Sin is sin.

Am I close enough to God. Is my relationship as good with him as I can make it. Many of these same questions would be going through your mind. We need to spend every day with him as if it will be our last, because it may. Nobody knows if they will wake up tomorrow or if we will be in a tragic accident.

We need to spend time with him every day. Get to know him just as a loving father and close friend. The more we know him, the author of love, the more we will be like him and be full of love. Love for him and all men. He will help us to love even the unlovely.

Then we can know for sure that we may close our eyes in this life, but when we open them again we will be in heaven. Spending forever in his presence. In that perfect place where no sorrow or pain exists. Only joy and peace forever.