Journey of Sisters

What quality?

2012-01-27T07:29:00.000-06:00

Genesis 25, 26 and Matthew 18: 1-20

This morning I that keeps going through my mind is write about prayer. It was as if the Spirit kept saying tell them to talk to me and then I read the passage from Matthew 18 and what grasp my attention was the story of the lost sheep.

Do you remember when you were little and questions just constantly flowed out of your mind to your parents, to your teacher, to anyone that would listen? How? Why? When? I mean it was constant. You were learning and you were growing and you wanted more and more.

What happened? Do you want more? When you read the Word does it come alive with I want to know more about that story? The Word tells us we must become like little children to enter the Kingdom of God. Well, what quality have you lost from your childhood? Are you still curious? Are you still filled with questions? Do you wander off looking around? Do you watch your friends that seem to not worry about time schedules and wish it was you?

The Lord will find you wherever you wander off to and I love the words found in Matthew 18:13 ~

And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about the one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that nay of these little ones should be lost.

What do you need to recapture? Is it awe and wonder? Is it wow, did you see that? Is it the time spot to wander off? Well, carve out a moment and let your mind flow...Talk to God about what's on your mind and allow the questions and the discussion to flow and wait with awe and wonder about what He will give you in return for pursuing this special time with Him!

Today, become like a little one and be curious!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I will go

2012-01-26T05:46:00.000-06:00

Genesis 23, 24, and Matthew 17

Well, I guess some of you realized that I wrote yesterday on part of what I was suppose to and part on today's...oh well! I guess I was suppose to do what I did and truthfully I've shared I'm not worrying about the little things anymore...so if you come here one day and it's on a totally different subject - GO WITH IT! If I feel lead to write about something else I will, if I don't write at all know there is a reason and I'll be back. (just thought I would share how this going with the flow thing is working so far)

Back to ...I Will Go

Today, the words that just jumped off the page at me were about Rebekah. A strange man comes looking for a wife for the son of his master. She meets him at the well and she takes him to stay with her family. He explains that his master sent him looking for a wife and they agree to this offer. The next morning he wants to head back home. The family wants a few more days, but they ask the girl and her reply is found in 24:58

I will go...

Now that is the Lord. No other way around it than the Lord. Otherwise, do you think this young girl is going to get on her camel travel with this older man about 85 years old across the desert to a foreign land around 450 miles without God being involved? I don't think so! Only the Lord would have her reply with I will go! What about her family? Again, only the Lord would allow this mother to let her daughter go now this brother is another topic...we will learn more about him in a few days. He would sell his own kids much less his sister for a dollar!

What about you? Have you ever replied to something and you then wonder where did that come from? or a little while later you think what did I just do? Well, perhaps the Lord had you respond with yes! Yes, I will step out in faith and do whatever it is...

When they arrived Isaac accepted her as his wife without seeing her beauty and we learn that he did love her. Indeed, the story of Isaac and Rebekah is a love story. Isaac loved Rebekah a lot! We will be looking closer at this love story over the next few days as well.

So, where will you be willing to go?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Humbled

2012-01-25T06:51:00.002-06:00

Job 41, 42 and Matthew 17

Imagine, hearing God saying things such as He looks down on all that are haughty; he is king over all that are proud.? After God reminding Job and his friends exactly who He is and was...

Job is humbled and immediately confesses and repents. He doesn't know why he had such terrible things happen to him, but he quit his complaining. Perhaps if we remember exactly who God is we would quite complaining too!

After all God knows all and He does have a plan! It may not be our plan, but He has got one and we may all be assured that it is way better than any plan we would come up with anyway. God is sovereign and often times we forget this fact. How because we are too busy with the focus being on ourselves rather than our Savior!

Last night in Bible study, Job 42:5 was brought up for us to think about by Priscilla Shirer My eyes had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Is it perhaps that we not only want to hear with our ears, but we want to see? Well, He is everywhere! I know myself this week without a doubt that God gave me an answer and I am awed beyond words. I know that God saw me and their is no other feeling like knowing in your heart that God sees you and feels your pains. Take heart that indeed God feels every feeling with you! He feels your pain, He feels your joy, He feels your tears, He feels your sadness, He feels your relieve, He feels everything. I just read a posting on facebook of one of my friends saying she felt her daughters pain and how it hurt not be able to make her feel better. Well, that is exactly how the LORD feels and look how many children He has ~ and we complain?

I love in Job 42 where we are told that the LORD blessed Job more in the latter part of his life and the daughters are named. I learned this morning that the daughters names are names of restoration that Job gave them. Look at the meaning of each of the names: Jemimah means "daylight", Keziah means "sweet smelling," and Keren-Happuch describes a beautiful color that women used to paint on their eyelids. Don't you love Job? Job is so full of life again after the awful things that happened to him and the only way this could happen is with the LORD showing the way!

Job had it all, lost it all, and God restored it all! God forgave the questions that Job ask, God forgave the rantings that Job shouted because the LORD is so filled with compassion and mercy! Give thanks!

The Matthew 17 reading today was awesome as well with the 3 closest disciples getting to witness the glory of God! Yes, the glory!

Place yourself in Peter's shoes for a moment. Yes Peter, because I think he represents each of us so well at times. So full of himself, so honest, so say without thinking sometimes...Anyway, just place yourself at the scene to witness Christ undergo this miraculous change into glory. You are in awe of this and then all of the sudden two more men show up that you have heard about all your life the stories of Moses and Elijah. The two men that represented so much to your history, your people's history and now they are here before you talking to Jesus. Peter gets so excited that he wants to do something special so once again he shouts out let's build tabernacles for all three of these men. Well...Peter once again should have waited to speak...but he was human and knew this was special, but he forgot or had not yet realized that Jesus was even more special than the other two men! God reminds him immediately even before he got all the words out exactly who Jesus is...they all 3 immediately fell to their down on their face to honor the presence of God!

Wow, is all I am able to say when I imagine witnessing God's glory! I still love Peter because he fumbles with words, he even fumbles a lot with his actions, but in the end he receives victory! It gives all of us hope or at least I can tell you it gives me hope, because I fumble daily, I fumble in actions and words as well and it is my prayer that I learn daily like Peter did and I know that Jesus died for me so I will receive victory as well!

Be blessed today and everyday!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Will you forgive me?

2012-01-24T07:41:00.000-06:00

The Lord has placed me on a path that truly isn't easy right now, but it is amazing about the things He is showing me through His Word and other people. I give thanks that even in the times that I feel the Lord is teaching me through a little discipline that it still gives me chills that I know without a doubt it is Our Amazing Lord!

I need to ask forgiveness from many people today...Let me explain

When the Lord placed me on the present path with Journey of Sisters it was amazing, but at the same time very heartbreaking. I was being called to step away from all that was familiar into a wilderness in which I was afraid and felt very alone. In my heart I knew that God was going before me, but being human I wanted everyone to go with me! Yes, I know life doesn't work that way, but that is what I wanted. So, I didn't like it when that is not what happened and some didn't like it when I stepped into this path either. I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be, but it wasn't without many tears, and a broken heart, but still with much love! I felt God's love and I felt Him leading me, but I was holding on to my past.

I have realized over the past several months studying about the wilderness times of our life that God doesn't call each of us to the same path. Now I know many of you are saying well - "duh Debbie". No listen for a moment when someone steps into such an unfamiliar territory they want everyone they love surrounding them and helping them, but what I forgot to take into account and the LORD has been showing me is just because He called me to this path did not mean He called all my friends right along with me. I've been reading about the Israelites and how they longed for the fish and cucumbers back in Egypt. It blew me away I'm like what??? Seriously, you long for the fish and cucumbers you ate while the slave masters cracked the whip over you? God has been amazing showing me the growth of standing on my own two feet taking the steps He desires for my journey and yet I was holding on to days gone by.

So I stand before you saying that I asked God to forgive me for not stepping with a pep in my step and almost with a run to see what would happen next, but I also ask forgiveness for those that I wanted to drag along with me on my journey. We each have our own journey and I realize that, but it was purely out of love and trust of each of you that I wanted you to come with me. I know God's plan is better, but I loved my fish and cucumbers...and I still do! I just know in my heart now that God's ways are definitely not my ways, but His way is so much better! Easy? No. But better for me. I have a peace finally in my heart and it has been so long coming with Journey of Sisters. Oh I love it, but to figure out exactly what it was that God wanted us to do was so difficult at times. I wish and I'm hesitant to say it, but that He would have been very direct like with Jonah. Jonah knew exactly where to go and he still ran the opposite direction. I took a step and two back longing for days gone by, but finally I get it. It was about me clinging to people here and not to God.

Thank you Lord for being patient with me and helping me to grasp your plan for my journey! Thank you Lord for the people you have placed on path all through my journey that have helped to teach me lessons that You desired that I learn and for the love that I always felt, but never totally get because it is such a huge love that I don't know if I ever will totally get how much you love each of us. I thank you for the hard days that taught me valuable lessons, I thank you for the good days that taught me the "Light" will see me through and most of all I thank you for the Son that you sent for me that I never will deserve, but by your grace I accept. I love you. Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Distracted beyond who knows where...

2012-01-23T07:39:00.002-06:00

Have you ever realized that you are distracted and you don't even know where you've been distracted to?

Thanks for all the sweet words of support after my last posting! Friends offering words of encouragement always help to heal the hurts. Also, being open and honest always break down the barrier to what is separating us from the LORD. Finally, I heard from the LORD about what was going on with us and I am shouting thanksgiving.

Over the past several months, I've been doing a little research on my to do lists, my study, my work, my family list and realized that what had happened to me was too much on all my list! I've mentioned before that I truly believe we all wear it as a badge of honor and power the more we have on our list nowadays that we might throw into conversations or mention in our blogs or just plain complain about to others is important! BUT you know what God showed me, everyone of us choose what we have on our to do list, what we actually do, and what we mark off. It is our choice! So why do we complain? After all, we have free will to pick and choose and yet we put ourselves in overload and then we complain, complain, complain...I also realized that truly nobody cares, because we all feel like we are in overload. Truthfully, we probably all are, but it is by our own doing! We just don't realize that it is our own fault. We blame our family. We blame our friends. We blame our job. We blame the country and truthfully it is our own fault. Maybe I should say MY own fault, but I work with women daily and I don't think I'm alone. If I am okay, I am realizing my choices haven't all been good for me!

I am sorry for those of you that have listened to my complaints! The distractions that have taken my eye off the LORD do not really matter. Oh, don't get me wrong each of you matter, but He is going to take care of you and me. I don't need to spend hours fretting about things, because He goes before me wherever I go. Recently, studying about the wilderness and God sometimes leading us into the wilderness Himself I've realized - it's true! He does, but it is also very clear that He goes before us! Read the words for yourself and listen to God tell you that He goes before us! WE are never ever alone and He only wants to develop the relationship with each of us. He has a very distinct plan for each of us. My plan isn't your plan and your plan isn't my plan, He plans for each of us. Each of us indeed as our own Promise Land that He offers us and I am so excited about where He is leading me.

So I've decided less distractions. If I get to something fine, if I don't - oh well. Anyway, unless I've told you how absolutely swamped I am and that I will never get everything done - how will you know? You won't and even if you do - it doesn't matter! I am finally getting it. It doesn't matter! None of that stuff matters except to me!

God doesn't care about our to do list, but He does care about our trusting Him with the next step into the plan for our journey! So, if I miss a time or place that I'm suppose to be - please forgive me because I'm throwing away all my to do list and making life easier and more enjoyable! Did you hear me? I am allowing God to take my life back to His way instead of Debbie's way and to do list aren't on the agenda... Do I get a Hallelujah or Amen?

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Debbie

Father, please return my sparkle

2012-01-18T08:27:00.000-06:00

No writing today from our reading together. Nope just a little bit more of being vulnerable among friends and being open and honest about where I am right now.

I'm tired. Okay, I admitted it out loud and now I'm going to say more...I let myself get so busy that I'm missing a big part of who I am and this morning reading from the Proverbs 31 Magazine Wendy Pope's article spoke exactly what I've been feeling for months...

I've been busy, problems arose, people were hurting, I got tired and I ignored His whispers...My prayer is from the NLT Psalm 13:3 - "Restore the sparkle to my eye or I will die." Don't get me wrong my physical health is fine, but my spiritual life is not where I want it to be or should be. I'm missing God and it's not Him that moved away it's me. He is still there pursuing me, calling me, holding me, but I've got myself so bound up that it's a challenge to hear Him! I've been taking care of me and JOS and not my relationship with Jesus. So, my prayer today is that my sparkle return to my eye. I miss the time spent only with Him and so if you hear me say no more often that is why. I am returning my priorities to the right order God #1 and that might mean less of being that yes girl to others.

So if I don't write here daily from the reading...Know I am reading, but it was for just the two of us...Know that I am working on Debbie and I will be back...I ask you to pray this prayer for me...Oh Lord, please restore the sparkle to my eye that only you give me...

I love you all,

Debbie

Look!

2012-01-17T07:53:00.001-06:00

Job 22, 23, 24 and Matthew 12: 1-23

Over and over in the Job reading we are taught that God is indeed sovereign, because he always returned to the fact that He was sovereign. Job taught us that when things go bad and we don't understand all the reasons to trust God anyway.

Job didn't understand the whys anymore than we do, but he trusted. Look at 24:1 Job ask a question that many of us might ponder. Why do you allow such and such to go and while doing nothing it seems to Job? Job believed that God knew the appointed time for everything to happen and he wished that God would just tell the rest of us. Could we handle it, if God did? I don't think so...God must be trusted in all things, at all times and we must know in our hearts that He knows all.

We turn to Matthew and once again, those Pharisees are trying to catch Jesus doing something He shouldn't be doing. Imagine, how they went through life Look at him now letting those disciples eat the grain and on the Sabbath! Well, there is no law about eating grain from the field on the Sabbath only working the fields for profit. The disciples were hungry, so they ate. They were filling an immediate need, which was okay!

Again, they try to mess with Jesus about healing on the Sabbath. What does Jesus do? He heals on the Sabbath. He explains how important mercy is and that it is always important to do what is good and right! Yet the Pharisees can't see who it is standing right in front of them, because it is so important to be right in their own eyes. The way they interpret the law rather than the miracles that Jesus is doing right in front of their eyes. Instead, they are plotting and planning rather than growing and loving with Jesus! Imagine Jesus right in front of you and missing out on the miracles, but most of all the relationship with Him. Did they ever realize what they did? Do we?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Come...

2012-01-16T07:49:00.002-06:00

Job 20, 21, and Matthew 11

Reading Job today was difficult, in fact for me reading Job is difficult. Here is a man that was doing things according the way God wants us to do and Satan wants a turn at him. (like he does us) The friends say things to Job and Job responds and with each chapter it gets harder and harder for me to read. How could Job not wonder some of these words from Job 21 - v. 9, or verse 14 Yet they say to God, 'Leave us alone! We have no desire for your ways. Who is the almighty, that we should serve him?' Job was human and he was suffering - truly suffering. I love that Job knows he can say these things knowing that God hears and understands. Job knows God loves him and that He can handle anything that Job wants to throw his way. At that moment, do I think Job was thinking how big God was and wow He can handle it? Probably not. He was in the midst of his suffering and was sharing his feelings, his pain, his hurt. What Job did know was that from his relationship with God before this happened was that God could handle it!

Job knew God before, he knew God during and he would know God after this part of his journey! He had relationship with God! In the Matthew reading today from chapter 11 Jesus shared some huge words with us ~ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

We are not able to save ourselves and we will only find rest in the LORD! Give it up! Admit it and fall into Jesus open waiting arms! He wants to help you. Until we realize that it doesn't matter what we do we will be emotionally, physically without until we realize that the only thing that will give us refueling is GOD! It is only in Him will we truly find rest. Search and eventually you will realize that the truth rest in Jesus!

Need refueling? Need refreshment? Run into Jesus and His Waiting Arms for genuine rest and love...

Resting in Jesus,

Debbie

Let's take a good look at ourselves

2012-01-13T08:05:00.002-06:00

Job 11, 12, 13 andMatthew 9: 18-38

Are we Spiritually “Blind”and “Dumb”

I ask the questionare we like the Pharisees that don’t really see and hear? Reading today of the miracles that Jesus wasdoing and how the Pharisees refused to see – are we like this?

I believe with all myheart God is working all around us, but are we seeing Him work? Are we sharing about the miracles He isdoing?

People need to hearthe stories, so that they will draw close to Him! The reading today went on about the workersare few, is this partly our fault? Do wemake it welcoming or unwelcoming for others to join us in the harvestfield?

Today is about selfreflection. Let’s all take a good lookat ourselves and ask ourselves are we helping to build the kingdom or not?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Being real will help to change others...

2012-01-12T08:45:00.000-06:00

Being real will change others

Job 8, 9, 10 and Matthew 9: 1-17

Today, I am only going to write about aportion of Matthew. The portion aboutMatthew being called to follow Jesus in verses 9 – 13.

I loved this portion today. Matthew was very real in remembering andsharing when he was called to follow Jesus. I want you to take a moment and turn to Mark 2:14 and Luke 5: 27 whatname was used? Levi. Both of these men were using the former nameof Matthew, the name he used while he was a tax collector. Matthew used his name that he was known oncehe became a disciple. We learn honesty,being real, open, humility by Matthew’s example right here in theseverses. He is teaching us to share truthwith others to help others!

Tax collectors were looked upon asterrible, despised people in this day. It’s not a happy day when they call today, but it is their job. During Jesus days they performed this rolefor their own personal gain as well as collecting for Rome. They did well for themselves in other words.

The Pharisees immediately pointed out thatJesus wasn’t in their own thinking hanging around with the right people. After all, the Pharisees looked at outwardappearances, the rituals, ceremonial parts of the laws and Jesus was looking atbeing transformed on the inside with thinking and actions. Matthew was an example of transformationtaking place in someone and he wanted everyone to know that Jesus changed him.

All of us should be like Matthew allowing “theLight of Jesus” to shine through our cracks! We must be humble and admit thatJesus is the reason for the change and yes that person was me and still is, butI’m different because of Jesus! I amforgiven and look what Jesus did!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Remember who God truly is...

2012-01-11T08:42:00.000-06:00

Job 5, 6, 7, and Matthew 8: 18-34

What does it cost to follow Jesus?

Reading Job this morning was difficult andthen I turned to the Matthew reading and the section to begin the reading wasentitled with the words “The cost of following Jesus.” It is difficult to put into words when wethink of the price Jesus paid for us, but yet the pain we sometimes findbecause we follow Jesus. Oh is it worthit? Definitely, but…it does not do awaywith pain. We must trust.

Job had such a real relationship withGod. He could say exactly what he felt,what was weighing him down and know deep down that God knew him. I believe Job trusted his relationship withGod to speak truth to Him.

Job was in pain and hurting and he toldGod. If we can’t tell God our realfeelings, who can we tell? Do theyreally care? We know God cares.

I love the story of the storm and Jesussleeping right through it. Recently, I heardBro. Billy Crosby preach on this passage about Jesus just performing manymiracles, people watching all of this and then the disciples quickly forgettingabout who was in the boat with them. Jesus knew they would be okay and was sleeping through the storm and yetthey questioned whether they would live or not…

How often is this true with us? God tells us He is with us, but we allowdoubt to creep in the boat with us and we start shouting at Jesus help us. He will help us, but we must remember exactlywho God is and always will be. He canhandle anything and we must trust just how big He is and remember it’s not ushandling anything it’s HIM!

Believing,

Debbie

Imagine traveling with Jesus...

2012-01-10T09:05:00.001-06:00

Job 3, 4, and Matthew 6: 1-18

Imagine traveling with Jesus for amoment. The crowds, the family membersbegging Him to heal their loved ones, the hurts that showed up everywhere Hewent, the love that He showed for the crowds to keep coming and building. People knew He was special after all, manywalked away from all they knew to travel with Him. Everyone wanted to be a witness to all thatthis special man did and said, they wanted to be a friend to Jesus!

Do we still? Do we want to be a part of somethingspecial? He allows each of us to makethis choice for ourselves. Jesus allows us to travel with Him everyday, but do we get it?

I imagine all the hustle and bustle ofeveryone moving wanting as close to Jesus as they can possibly get and yet thelittle bit of awe that kept them back at the same time. People are traveling with Jesus that Hehealed, the disciples, the women that are helping to pay the way for theministry to continue. They supportedin the background; did you notice it? Some of them are special enough for their name to be mentioned in God’sWord and I believe they knew they were special because of Jesus!

Jesus preached on good soil. When it comes to you “hearing” from God areyou getting a good signal? Is it full ofstatic? The soil in your life is itproducing fruit? Are you helping buildthe kingdom by sharing what Jesus is doing in your life?

I encourage you to share what Jesus isdoing right now in your own journey! Heis at work everywhere and once again you are special because of Jesus, justlike the women in the story. Because ofJesus, we are all special!

I ponder the Job chapters we read thismorning. Job was beginning to feel thepain of all he was suffering with and he was able to voice his pain. I believe he was able to voice his pain,because he realized just how big God is and that God would understand where hewas in the moment. WE all have momentsand always know in your heart that God is soooooo much bigger than any of uscan grasp that it is okay to voice your true thoughts and feelings to Him. He loves you and He knows already. It’s not a big surprise to Him and He wantsrelationship with you. In a relationshiphonesty is a must, so I believe God wants a “true relationship” with realthoughts and real feelings, the good and the bad and He will love us throughthe difficult times.

Did you find the friends words comfortingand helpful or what? I mean Job finallyopened up about his pain and do you think this helped him. Truly I am not sure how I feel about this andI’m going to leave it open for you all to respond. I am going to ponder it the rest of the day,but I do know that we are all special and that we are God’s children! He loves us through the good times and thebad. Always remember that Satan is prowlingaround wanting to attack when we are down, when we are at our lowest, when weare vulnerable, and that God will hold our hand if we allow Him to see usthrough! Take His hand and let Him leadyou!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Foundation of rock or sand?

2012-01-09T08:09:00.001-06:00

Job 1, 2 and Matthew 7

Job, a blameless and upright man, who feared Godand shunned evil; how many of us wouldbe described in such a wonderful way? Iwonder would it be a lot or a few?

If I were to ask you to name a song that describesyour house right now, would it be perhaps be one of the following: Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, BridgeOver Troubled Waters, Stormy Weather, or Nobody Knows the Trouble I’veSeen? Any of these fit where you areright now? I wonder what Job wouldsay? I mean things were going alongswimmingly until the devil got involved! Isn’t that always the case? Imean Job’s life was going really great and suddenly everything went out thewindow.

Isn’t that the way it is? We are going along things are super dooperand suddenly your world collapses? Jobhad to feel that way and yet in Job 1:21 these are his words –

…The LORD gave and the LORD has takenaway; may the name of the LORD be praised.

Did I read that right? Praise? How? Job is such a wonderful manand God knew it in His heart, so He allowed the devil to play havoc. Which seems odd to me in so many ways and yetwhat a testimony Job had for the world about how awesome God was and is in hislife. He was praising God and yet he hadlost his children, his livestock, his servants and yet he worshipped God.

The devil still isn’t satisfied and in chapter 2 hegives Job sores from head to toe. Covered and is no longer recognizable to his friends. Job was so awful to look at that his friendswept and tore their robes. Imagineit. You wake up one day everything rosyand then everything in a moment is no longer the same…Chapter 2 verse 10, Jobis speaking to his wife and he says these words –

You are talking like a foolishwoman. Shall we accept good from God,and not trouble? In all of this Job did not sin in what he said. I love Joband what he teaches each of us. Always praiseGod and always remember who God is! Jobbuilt his foundation strongly in the LORD! He knew who God was and is and is foundation was not going tocrumble. Oh it might tilt, it might geta crack in the wall, but it would not come down!

I thought it was so appropriate that today we readfrom Matthew about our foundations. Arewe building our foundation on rock or sand? Are we learning God’s Word, so that when our world seems to fall apartwe will know in our hearts exactly who God is and will continue to be and thatHe will get us through. We can call HisName and He will answer and take care of us. Will He know us before the bad things happen? Will we experience His mighty arms holding ustightly so that we remember exactly who our rock is?

Oh it is my prayer that we all will! Difficult times are coming and we are notpromised otherwise and the only way through is holding onto Our Savior. We are told in this same chapter in Matthew7, ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will beopened. WE must ask. WE must make the move towards God. He wants us to pick HIM! He wants us to KNOW HIM! Choose God. We must show our faith and believe God and Job is an example for each ofus to follow and learn from about praising God even in those very awful,difficult times.

Allow God’s Light to shine brightly through youeven in the difficult times like Job.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I am picking joy, joy, joy, joy!

2012-01-08T07:24:00.001-06:00

Everyday I am going to pick joy!

I purchased Angela Thomas new devotional book called "Choosing Joy" and I love it! It is about picking joy daily and is it easy - NO WAY!

How many days are we into the new year and I have to remind myself daily remember joy! Someone says something and the last thing you want to show is joy or someone does something and the last thing you want to show is joy! I am working on it...and yes its work to pick joy!

Sounds easy, it's not! The world we live in makes it a lot easier to pick bad attitudes, sadness, oh it's okay, but joy? Who wants anyone to delight in the LORD all the time? WE should all want this for each other and ourselves!

Again, this devotional makes you think about joy daily and making a conscious choice to pick it moment to moment, hour to hour, day to day and how the whole world could change, if we all decide to pick joy!

Pick joy today! Need a little help then pick up Angela's devotional. We have them at JOS office,but I don't care where you get it from Lifeway, Amazon, wherever pick one up and choose joy today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Weekends will vary...

2012-01-07T09:12:00.000-06:00

Surprise!

No writing from our reading today. Weekends will be about whatever topic I choose to write about or not write about...I believe that in some of my alone time I've been hearing the words to let go and spend more time alone with Him. No stress to go along with His Words. Sometimes the words are just for me and my relationship with Him!

Treasure your time alone with Our Savior! Take the time and listen!

So, enjoy your weekend! Share some special time with the ones you love and look for God everywhere!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Also, for those of you that might not know no meeting Monday it will be on Monday week at 4 or 6:00 Hope you make it!

No Perhaps be Certain!

2012-01-06T08:10:00.000-06:00

Perhaps?

Genesis 16, 17 and Matthew 5:27-48

Perhaps?

Perhaps it’s this or it’s that, butdeep in Sarai’s heart she knew! Ibelieve it with all my heart when I was reading the story this morning inGenesis 16 that Sarai knew not to send Hagar to Abram, but she did itanyway. Ever been there? You knew deep in your heart not to dosomething, but you did it anyway? Well,I think that is Sarai’s story in chapter 16. She tells Abram that the LORD has kept her from having children, so Go,sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her. Well, if Sarai had learned anything this faralong on the trip with Abram things could be certain not just perhaps.

God had told them that Abram would bethe father of many nations, so once again the little serpent began to seep intothe heart of Sarai with doubt! She wouldjust help God out. Well, I’ve been theretoo and His plan is always much better than me getting involved and helpingout! The case is definitely the samehere. I don’t know about you, but I’mjust not that willing to allow another woman to help me out and I’ve been whereSarai is…not able to have children! Women don’t forget things like this oh nothey build and build!

Look at it from Hagar’s position shehad no choice in the matter, she just had to do what her masters said and thatwas go sleep with Abram. She wasobedient and her attitude changed. Couldyou blame her? She didn’t have any sayin a pretty big decision for her life. Everything changed from the moment that Sarai said, Perhaps…

Don’t say perhaps; be certain in yourchoices! Always know in your heart thatGod is leading you and we will not end up in situations like this with athreesome that God is not the third person!

No perhaps for this lady,

Debbie

God Makes Us Special!

2012-01-05T08:46:00.001-06:00

Genesis 13, 14, 15 and Matthew 5: 1-26

Today’s reading spoke two veryimportant things remember who God is all the time and we should look differentthan others!

What do I mean?

Well from the Genesis reading today,God reminds Abram exactly who He is…Look through these 3 chapters. Arguments begin between Abram’s and Lot’sherdsmen and Abram called on the name of the LORD. The Lord told him in verse 14 - 17– “Lift up your eyes from where you are andlook north and south, east and west. Allthe land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust ofthe east, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could becounted. Go, walk through the length andbreadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”

Genesis 14

Lot got himself in trouble, Abram tothe rescue. Abram even made friends withthe kings, they blessed him, and then Abram gave the king a tenth ofeverything. How could this happenwithout God on your side? Abram wantedto be sure everyone knew that whatever he got came from the LORD. He wanted nothing from the king. Well, that is only God my friends!

Genesis 15

Verse 7

I am the LORD, whobrought you out of UR of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possessionof it.

Abram never forgot who God is, was,and will be…The LORD of all, the creator that was to be honored always. He offered obedience constantly to the LORD,He honored the LORD with his walk and words, and He offered sacrifices in honorand remembrance of the LORD.

Abram teaches us to remember who Godis always!

The reading from Matthew 5:1-26 is thebeginning of Jesus teaching on the mountainside. Picture the scene with me. Jesus saw the crowd and He wanted everyone tosee and hear the words He was about to share with them. So, He goes up on the mountainside finds agood place and He sat down. Thedisciples came and gathered around Him and you know the rest followed withJesus being in the center. Everyonewanted to see and hear, so the crowd would have gotten a spot where they couldsee what this special man wanted to share with them. Thoughts about we need to “be” kind of…TheBeatitudes…We need to have these kind of attitudes peacemakers, humble, thosewith mercy, those who care, those who shy, those who remember to rejoice and beglad! Show your joy!

Have flavor, add flavor, add a zestfor life, isn’t that what salt does to food? Well, that is what you and I should be to the world around us. We need to look different all while we honorGod and remember who He is!

So what did the reading say to youthis morning?

It reminded me that I serve a MIGHTYGOD, who is walking each step with me and guiding me along the way and that Hewants me to look and act a little different so that others will want what Heputs in me, what He adds to my life and they will ask what it is and I am ableto say It is all God! God makes mespecial! He is what adds that newlighting effect to my life, He is the one that gives me just enough zest thatothers say how does she do it and I’m able to reply It’s all Him, The Savior of the World.

Loving the Flavor,

Debbie

It's all in the timing!

2012-01-03T07:36:00.000-06:00

God’s Timing

Genesis 10, 11, 12, andMatthew 4

It’s all about God’stiming! It’s God timing and not ours andwhen we get this our world becomes a whole lot easier!

Genesis 10

Shows that Ham was the fatherof the Canaanites, Shem the Semite.

Genesis 11

Men began to build this towerand absolutely no where do we see where they talked to God about it. No, they just moved right ahead on theirown. God confused the people because theytook things into their own hands! Itwasn’t God’s words telling them to build this tower, so He messed it up.

Genesis 12

The call of Abram. Leave all that is familiar, leave yourcountry, your people, and your father’s household and go to the land I showyou. Pretty specific instructions forAbram. If you follow these instructions,I will give you the land, make your name great and bless you. Abraham obeyed, but not exactly and somedifficult things happened along the way perhaps because of the not exactlypart.

Do you find it odd that Abramwent to Egypt and then told Sarai to say she was his sister? I mean really!

Matthew 4

The temptation of Jesus.

Satan is cunning. He knew Jesus had been fasting 40 days and Hewas hungry so what better to tempt with than food?

The second was proof you areGod’s Son by throwing yourself down and He will surely save you. Next, showed Jesus the Kingdom of the worldand all they had to offer. Take them andthey are yours if you bow down and worship me…

The devil left. The world will offer us much, but it willonly be temporary. God’s angels came andministered to Jesus after Satan left. Noshortcuts allowed it is all about God’s timing and God’s plan. Don’t allow the devil to tempt you in to ashortcut that you know deep down will not work. If we take a shortcut it will surely trip us up!

Two fishermen were casting anet trying to make their wage, when Jesus called out Come, follow me. Does this not just amaze you? They were busy trying to perform their jobwhen this special man calls out come, follow me. How did they know? How did Jesus look that at once they threwdown their nets and went with Him?

Immediately! Immediately! Abram and the disciples left to follow God’s timing for their life! No hesitation they just left. I wonder what their families thought whenthey took off with this man that just happened along the shore? I wonder what Abram’s friends, familythought? After all, either situation wascalling for huge changes not only by these men, but by everyone around them,but yet immediately they responded!

Share your thoughts with uson God’s timing and responding immediately. How do we know its God calling us and not our own desires?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Preparing the Way

2012-01-03T07:34:00.000-06:00

God Prepares the Way

Genesis 7, 8, 9 and Matthew 3

Today, what strikes me withthe reading is that God takes care of everything it is a matter of whether webelieve or not!

Genesis 7

Noah followed all of God’sinstructions and I always every time I read it love verse 16..the words thatclose this verse.

Then the LORDshut him in.

The Lord protected them andshut others out that did not trust and believe his words. Noah had been sharing we are told in 2 Peter5 that Noah had been the preacher of righteousness. What do you think Noah was preaching while hewas building that ark? How did thesepeople not realize that Noah knew something special, different and that he wastaking drastic steps? Why didn’t theybelieve?

Genesis 8

But Godremembered

God’s grace and mercy onceagain shown in that He remembered Noah and his family. God blessed Noah and hisfamily and the family worshipped God. Immediately they worshipped God by building the altar and offeringsacrifice. Noah knew who God was and hewas honoring God for His grace and mercy.

Chapter 9

What grasp my attention isthat sin so quickly reared its ugly head after the blessing and deliverancefrom the flood. Ham brought about acurse on himself and his family. Shemwas the son that the line of Abraham came from and this was because they showedhonor and dignity.

Matthew 3

John the Baptist prepares theway for Christ. John the Baptist wasdifferent, he looked different, and he acted different. He made the people aware of their need forrepentance. He was honest,straightforward and didn’t mind calling people out. John the Baptist was preparing the people forJesus. They were ready for Jesus and hiswords about God’s Kingdom.

I think what really spoke tome from the reading today is that we must be willing and prepare to lookdifferent, act different, do things God calls us to do that may look crazy toothers. WE must act immediately and beprepared by sharing relationship with God to be able to make it through becausesin is still crouching waiting to pounce behind the door!

What spoke to you?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Crouching behind the door

2012-01-02T08:53:00.000-06:00

Crouching at yourdoor!

Genesis 4, 5, 6 andMatthew 2

The words make mewant to get up and go see what is crouching at my door! Sin crouches at all our doors, it’s justwhether we admit it or not…

Today’s reading inGenesis and Matthew deal with sin constantly. Two verses just grasp my attention. First is Genesis 4: 7 ~

…Butif you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires tohave you, but you must master it.” Sin is always right there and it is our choiceto allow the sin around the door where it is lurking, waiting on us or slam itshut! The words here remind me of thescripture where the Devil is described as a prowling lion waiting to grab makessense that sin would be described as crouching and lurking and the maker of sinjust prowls waiting.

The next verse isin Genesis 6 with the scripture about the flood and Noah. The world is described as only evil all thetime. Lots of bad stuff happening withthe people only concerned with their own agendas, their own desires with nothought of right or wrong. Doesn’t soundtoo different from right now, does it? Anyway, verse 6 tells us that The LORD was grieved that he had made manon the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

Reading this versejust grabbed my attention. I don’t knowwhy I’ve not really paid attention to it before, but today it hit me rightbetween the eyes. God made humans in Hisown image and He rested because it was all good. Remember, and He is God – He makes nomistakes, but here we learn he grieves because He made man and the choices thatman made. It’s hard for me to graspother than to think of a parent and when a child makes a mistake it breakstheir heart, but they don’t regret having them or maybe for a moment somedo…God was broken hearted because He loved so much.

In verse 8, we seethat Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. In the original language, favor in this verse means grace. The world was undeserving, but God showedgrace to Noah. Noah was righteous andblameless, but he made mistakes. Godshowed him grace. We also see that Noahwalked with God. Imagine walking withGod. I wonder if this was physicallysomehow or like we walk with God by our actions?

The world wascorrupt and God told Noah to build an ark. Now this I always love thinking and pondering. Did Noah immediately start to work on thismassive boat in the backyard? What didthe neighbors say? What did his familysay? Whatever was said and done didn’tseem to bother Noah because in verse 22 we are told that Noah did everythingjust as God told him to do. Noah wasobedient regardless of whatever anyone else had to say!

Obedience is thekey word for Noah and Joseph! Joseph isagain a central person in chapter two of Matthew. The wisemen come to visit baby Jesus afterthey stopped by King Herod and shared about the star and the special baby thathad been born with him. Joseph again hada dream and he was obedient following the instructions to flee to Egyptimmediately to protect Jesus.

King Herod is sofilled with pride that he orders the murder of the babies in Bethlehem underthe age of 2. Talk about sin all fromfear of a “New King” getting in his way! Sin caused the death of innocent little boys.

Today’s reading hadmen like Noah and Joseph that were obedient and trying to be aware of thecrouching sin waiting to jump on them vs. the men that could not resist thetemptation. A world filled with allowingthe crouching sin to come right on in; almost throwing the door wide opensaying come on in and welcome!

The mostfascinating part for me today was the scripture from Genesis 6:6; which I amstill pondering knowing that God doesn’t make mistakes, but yet He regrettedmaking man at this particular moment enough to want to wipe them out. I am going to ponder on this somemore…another fascinating thought to me is again found in Genesis 6:20describing the animals…they will come to you. God prepares everything. He madethe animals move toward this boat. Whenyou watch animals in the wild this just blows your mind, how this wouldhappen? Did He put them in a trance andthey just walked onboard? Wow, what animage of God’s awesome power of getting 2 of every kind of animal on that arkand all the food that will be needed!

My takeaway thoughttoday is to be more like Joseph! I wantto be able to have the trust and obedience that I will immediately followthrough with what the Holy Spirit tells me to do. I don’t want to wait for months wondering amI getting it right, I want to know in my heart without a doubt that I am so intune with the Spirit that I get up and leave immediately in the middle of thenight just like Joseph!

Pondering,

Debbie

New Beginnings

2012-01-01T08:29:00.003-06:00

Today, we begin a year long look at God’sWord! It’s exciting and challenging tothink about the study of God’s Word! Ilove both excitement and a challenge, so let the fun begin!

Genesis 1, 2, 3, and Matthew 1

Each day I will post the scripture we arelooking at give a few thoughts of mine and present a few questions and perhapsanother scripture that will allow us to ponder the thought even more than thescripture for that day.

Genesis 1, 2, and 3

First and foremost, God! God the Creator is the focus of chapter1. Do you know that the majestic name ofGod is used 32 times as an active verb in most cases? I love this fact, right from the beginning welearn that we serve “a living active God”! In Chapter 1: 1-3 God is forming and in verses 4 -6 He fillsthings. God lays the foundation ofexactly who He is in the very first chapter of His Word.

We learn that He creates, He speaks, He sees,He separates things, He makes, He trusts, He blesses, and He loves each of usso very much. How do I know from thefirst chapter look at verse 27? Who didHe design to be made in His own image? Yes, male and female! Us!

Another thought from chapter 1 is that Godstarted something, He developed something and He will see it through. God knows the whole picture. He is telling us how He started the wholething with the words – In the Beginning…a lot of people get sidetracked withthe time element – don’t please. Focuson God not whether the days were a day like ours or years. What does it matter? After all, God is capable of doing it in aday or a day representing a thousand years. Check out 2 Peter 3:8.

Genesis 2

So much good stuff! Be reminded that even God rested. (Verse 2) If God needed to rest, then we definitely need to rest! It is a new year, so start a new tradition ofsetting aside a time of rest.

Everything was perfect at this point. The world was perfection designed byGod. Everything in it was perfect. Imagine, Eve the first woman before sinentered the picture. So, she had the perfecteyes, the perfect figure, the perfect hair, everything was perfect! Adam the same! Also, I read about a Jewish thought on thefact that God made woman from the rib of man, not the foot to be dominant overor stomping on, but to live your life side by side. Sounds logical, doesn’t it? So leaving chapter 2 remember perfection wassurrounding Adam and Eve before we get to chapter 3.

Genesis 3

The fall of man! How? Doubt entered the world from the lips of a serpent! He still places doubt around each of us dailyto cause us to sin! WE are no differentthan Adam and Eve we allow a twisted word to place that small seed of doubt andimmediately the trust goes out the window! Look at verse 1 and chapter 3 and sin enters the world and perfection isgone – out the window!

Sin brings consequences. Verse 8 and 9…Adam and Eve suddenly realizedthey had messed up and they hid. Doesthis sound familiar? Does to me! I hate to admit it, but I want to hide whensin rears its ugly head in my life, but instead of running and hiding we mustrun to God not away from! Don’t run andhide! Flee to Him for help after alllook at verse 21 God makes garments of clothing for Adam and Eve. Imagine, the Creator of the Universe madetheir outfits even after their failure.

Matthew 1

Matthew is a good Jewish man and He is goingto make sure that the records of Jesus go back to Abraham and David. He is going to fill in all the gaps and leaveno room for questions that Jesus is the answer to the prophecies. Jesus is the Messiah! In the people listed in Jesus line look atthe five women. Five women! Four ofthese women had sins connected to sexual sins and yet they are listed in thelineage of Christ! Talk about showinghow Jesus shows forgiveness even through his birth history!

Joseph. Joseph. What an important man inthis story of Jesus is this man named Joseph. Why? Because He believed. Joseph teaches us to believe. An important key to faith taught to us isverses 22 and 23! WE must believe theseverses to show our faith. Do you agree?

I will ask you two questions at the end ofeach day to respond to in your comments ~

1) What’sthe most fascinating part of our reading today?

2) What new thought did God give you today?

You read some of mine above. I want to close by asking you to read Psalm104. The writer of Psalm 104 knewexactly who God was and is…Do we? PraiseGod today remembering He set the earth on its foundation and it can never bemoved. Verse 24 –

How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth isfull of your creatures…

Indeed, I sit in Colorado surrounded by themountains and the animals of your creation and once again I am reminded of justhow MIGHTY YOU ARE GOD! I give praise toYou and You alone! I praise you LORDwith all my might and I thank you Lord for the Gift of your Word!

Praising God,

Debbie

Shipwrecked?

2011-12-26T06:35:00.000-06:00

Reading from Jude this morning I was struck with the passage beginning in chapter 1:12 the visuals that the author put in my mind of certain people. Are these people trying to help us or hurt us?

Jude is warning us about certain people and in verse 12 he brings to mind several metaphors that help us visualize people that eat and fellowship with us sharing about the LORD'S love, but yet they are dangerous as a reef that can shipwreck you, or they are like shepherds that only care for themselves, or clouds that pass over but don't give any rain, or trees that bear no fruit. Do you know these people? Do you wonder if any of these people surround you?

Be strong! Be faithful! Read God's Word and know in your heart the words are true! God's Word is God Breathed and He provides the guidance to our ship's path! He is our GPS system for life! WE need no other director. If we are tuned in to Him, the ones that are dangerous will not be able to penetrate and place doubt in our small brains. Tune in to the right frequency and we are able to shout no worries mate!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Love another

2011-12-24T09:55:00.001-06:00

Christmas Eve is here and people are rushing about to and fro. Checking list to be sure everything is done and the craziness is everywhere. Horns honking, sign language in a whole different way, and just not feelin' the love, when you get in your car to go anywhere!

I picked up the Word this morning and these words just touched my heart from 1 John (and there were so many today)

Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions.

Today, show the truth of love to others. Let today be a new beginning of walking the talk and sharing Christ's love with others through something as simple as a smile, a pat on the back, allowing someone over ahead of you in your lane...that's a big one! Remember, that more than likely you will still get there at the same time!

Merry Christmas to all! Love you and remember the reason for the season as you go through this special day. Remember that night long ago in a manager where that special baby was born and the angels appeared to the shepherds. The shepherds people that all the elite looked down on, but that is who the news was announced to - one of us! Think about it - the news of Jesus was announced to someone simple, that needed a bath probably, but believed what they heard!

Believe today and celebrate the birth of Jesus,

Debbie

Secure footing

2011-12-23T07:21:00.000-06:00

I loved this photo! It spoke to my heart about the passage I wanted to write about this morning from 2 Peter 3:17 and 18

...Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

The lady above made the choice to climb that rock ledge and her footing is definitely not secure. She might say it is, but I don't think a little piece hanging out is big enough for my foot to rest on and one thing I have is small feet. Small feet still wants big ledge! Along with the rest of me!

Our choices sometimes cause us to have insecure footing. We allow others thinking to influence what we believe God's Word tells us. We think they know more and we love them, so we take their word for it and what they believe is not what God's Word tells us! Did you pick up on the words be on guard? Do you remember God's Word telling us that Satan is like a prowling lion waiting to pounce on us at all times? Well, sometimes he uses people that we least suspect and they don't realize to cause us to become unbalanced on our feet and fall!

We must know God's Word for ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide! We must trust the Spirit to lead us and show us the way! When we follow the guide we will be on firm, solid ground and know exactly what we believe. We will grow and in grace and knowledge and know that our feet are based solidly only in God's Word!

Today, pick up God's Word for yourself and allow the Spirit to grow you! Don't be hanging on the edge insecure in exactly what God's Word says - know it! Allow His Word to be your life line!

Sweet blessings,

Life's Uncertain Path

2011-12-21T07:14:00.002-06:00

One phone call. One Doctor visit. One letter in the mailbox. One wreck. One anything and your world is turned upside down - just like that...

A friend's bad mood and words are spoken that you will never be able to take back, or a relative that just speaks words that drives you crazy and once again words are shared and it's never the same, or the boss tells you something in a tone that today you just can't stomach and suddenly forever your world is forever changed. Any of these things happened to you? If not, wait it will.

The photo above is titled Life's Uncertain Road and that is exactly what it is...we take so much for granted that tomorrow we might be able to fix those words that just flew out yesterday, but we don't get the chance. Everything in this world is ever-changing except for the words shared today in Hebrews 13:8 ~

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Give thanks today that Jesus never changes! He loves us yesterday, He loves us today, and He will love us tomorrow in spite of ourselves. Celebrate Jesus birth that He came into this world to save each of us an act that we are all so undeserving!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Let us think...

2011-12-19T07:59:00.000-06:00

Do you wonder what she might be planning? Isn't it, wonderful trying to figure out a way to surprise someone with a wonderful encouragement? I love to encourage someone that needs that special surprise that they aren't expecting!

Today, in Hebrews 10:24 these words were shared with us

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Have you ever considered that perhaps with a little prompting by you to someone else that they might be encouraged to serve in a way they never dreamed? Perhaps all they need is that friend that believes they can do it...Step up and speak out is going to be the motto today! Encourage others in their gifts, so that they will stronger in confidence to get out of their comfort zones.

Another believer encouraged me to take a huge step out of my comfort zone, because he saw something I didn't. He encouraged me to rock my world, just by his suggestion to walk away from all that was familiar and comfortable to me. I will never be able to thank him enough just for the vote of confidence by asking me to take a new job with the local church. My life was forever changed and I haven't even gotten to my walk with the LORD and how it's changed, because this opportunity changed everything about me! Thanks Dave!

Daily we are given opportunities to look deeper into someone and share how they help others through the gifts God gave them. If we share this with them, God will use them in ways they never imagine! Our box of comfort keeps getting bigger and bigger, because we are encouraged by not only others, but God!

Ponder today the way you might encourage someone to step out and grow!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Better Hope

2011-12-18T07:30:00.000-06:00

The picture fit perfectly this morning! God is just amazing how He helps even in the little things of everyday life!

Reading Hebrews 7:19 just spoke to my soul this morning -

For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

We are able to all draw nearer to God. We don't have to allow someone else to do this for us, we don't have to - we may draw nearer to God! The law saved no one. Jesus saved us all, if we believe all He did for us! Jesus came into this world as a baby, walked and talked on this earth like each of us, was condemned and placed on a cross to die for you and me...he arose and lives again! Do you believe it?

Confidence is the right word to use, if you believe the paragraph above. Say with confidence that it is true and you know because of this where you will spend eternity. Spend time with Him and you realize it more and more that we don't have to wait till death to know. We have the hope right now because we draw near to the one that knows. Don't stay behind the bars break through into the LIGHT!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Rest

2011-12-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

I love the beautiful words of Hebrews 4:1

God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

Just yesterday, Frankie and I were discussing that is why we are in ministry to women is to help them gain the peace one experiences when we get it! We trust God, we believe His Words and we Know Him daily through His word and a peace that truly passes all understanding now is in our life.

I remember the days before I truly trusted, I believed who God was that He sent His Son, but I didn't have the relationship through His Word that provides the love, the intimacy, the understanding of God. So, I didn't have peace. I was filled with worry of every move, of every decision, of every moment, and of death.

Indeed, according to this whole section of Hebrew 4 we may be at rest. Study it for yourself and practice the words. It is true! I am an example. We may feel this right now, don't wait too late!

It's a promise from God to us to experience HIS REST.

Need peace? Pick up God's Word and truly share time with Him and the peace will overtake you before you know it. Claim it! Live it!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Do we all have itchy ears?

2011-12-16T07:22:00.000-06:00

Are we like the big guy in the photo? We close our ears to things we don't want to hear? Do we only go to church where they make us feel good or where they tell us truth? Do we only hang with people that feed our own egos and not God's Word?

It struck me this morning reading from 2 Timothy 4:3- 4 ~ For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and whole some teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase their myths.

Is the above not true? Truly search your heart and see if God isn't speaking to all of us about our whole life!

If kids don't like what their parents tell them, they rebel. If you don't like what your boss says, you quit or make trouble. If you don't like what your spouse says you look for someone else. If you don't like what your friends tell you then you find new friends. If you don't like what the church says, you don't go back. If you don't like God's Word, you don't open it. Oops...

I wish I could remember the statistic I read the other day about how few people are actually reading God's Word, it's terrible. Google it for yourself, ask your friends, ask where you work - you will see people are only moving further and further away from God's Word and listening to only what makes us all feel better. We all want a feel good religion, don't dare give me truth. I can't handle truth, I want to feel better. So what ,if it isn't the truth according to God's Word, if it makes me feel better that is all that matters...not true, but it's what most people want nowadays.

Give me truth. Do I always want to hear it no, but moment to moment I need God's truth to get ME back where I need to be. To get me back according to His Will and not my own! I have a strong will and believe me I would rather it be my way and the words I like, but that is not what I need or desire in my heart - no only in my itching ears!

Today, ask for God's truth and not something that will just give you a momentary feel good moment that is fleeting. It will not last. Only God's truth last forever and ever and that is what I want!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Shepherds living out in the fields

2011-12-15T09:09:00.001-06:00

Shepherds with their sheep really impress me and especially after this past summer when we came upon a shepherd at the top of Cinnamon Pass and Engineers Pass in Colorado with his sheep all down in a valley below. Sheep filled the valley and this individual was all alone with the sheep. So many and they covered such a huge area of land there in the mountains. Absolutely breathtaking and I am only able to imagine the scene described in Luke 2 of the shepherds being out in the fields nearby watching over their flocks.

Suddenly an angel appeared and the glory of the LORD shown all around. Imagine, the beauty and the feelings of awe these men felt when suddenly the news of Jesus was given and suddenly a heavenly host appeared with the angel and began to sing praise to God.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Imagine it! Imagine the honor of being one of those shepherds that was working that night! How these men could even speak afterwards amazes me. I wonder how long they were quiet after it was over before they spoke the words - Let's go...they left and found the baby laying in a manager.

Special people to God that they were able to share such an awesome moment! God uses all of us whether we rank high or low in other peoples estimation. Only God picks those He will use, but I think it is really about who is willing to say "YES"!

He knew the shepherds would leave immediately and share the moment!

He knows!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Waiting Forwardly

2011-12-14T07:50:00.002-06:00

Okay, how many of you want to correct the title? Well, don't! A reason awaits for the title, but not yet.

Today, I felt lead to write about something other than our reading in the Chronological Bible. I hope this is okay with those that follow, but if not oh well....

When I say the word anticipation, who or what do you think of? What times in your life were filled with eager anticipation? Waiting the day you got married to walk the aisle? Waiting for the ept test to show you were going to have a baby? Waiting for the baby to arrive? Waiting for school to be over? Waiting for the teenager to walk through the door okay? Waiting on your spouse to walk through the door and reassure you everything is fine? waiting for the parent to say you did good? Do you remember waiting for these things to happen?

Do you remember in Luke 2 the man "Simeon" that was waiting at the temple? In fact, he had been waiting to see the Lord Christ. The Spirit revealed to him that he would not die until this had happened. We are told in chapter 2:25...he was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

I learned something so important this morning about this story from Max Lucado. Max Lucado stated that Simeon's looking was as "waiting forwardly." The original word used to describe Simeon's actions was prosdechomai. Dechomai meaning to wait and Pros meaning forward. When you combine them you have a wonderful image of "waiting forwardly". Terrible grammar for teachers or others that mark papers up in corrections, but a fabulous picture of Simeon for us! A picture of a man eagerly waiting, not wanting it right now, not hurry up, but just waiting for the LORD to appear!

Imagine the joy that went through every fiber of this man, when Jesus and his parents came to the temple on the 8th day. The words that Simeon and Anna said about baby Jesus!

I want to close this morning with this question for all of us to ponder today; What are we looking forward to in life? Is it temporary or eternal? In Luke 2:25 the consolation of Israel was speaking about Jesus. Is He alive and at work in your life? Is He our hope and comfort?

It is my prayer that indeed He is our hope and comforter! In the coming days, cling to Him!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Error! Error! Try Again!

2011-12-12T07:35:00.000-06:00

Don't you love those flashing red lights coming up behind you in the rear view mirror, indicating you made a error? Or when you were in math class at the board, much like the photo above and you got it wrong?

I was reminded of such times this morning reading James 1: 22-24:

away, and fBut don't just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey it, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, forget what you look like. Oops...

We must be doers of the Word. We must be careful with this scripture though. It's not about simply doing. We do because we are forever changed. We are not able to earn anything for doing it - it's the Word, it changes us and we must act because of the change. Just like when you get stopped by a police officer, you learn a lesson that you try very seriously not to repeat. You change to do better, hopefully!

Your entire being changes, because of God's Word! The word in the original context meant deceiving or reasoning beside or alongside. Meaning if we are just content to hear the Word and not live it we are making a very serious adding error! WE messed up the equation.

God's Word definitely changed me and does change me daily. I goof up moment to moment and God's Word reminds me in a very loving way to get it done! To try again and that I am forgiven, if I'm truly sorry.

Do you know that mirrors in the early days were made of bronze or silver, no glass? It would be pretty hard to get a clear picture of how one would look, wouldn't it? It would have been pretty easy to forget what they look like looking into an imperfect background. We must act quickly to change our ways after reading God's Word to allow it soak in and become a part of us, we need to be able to reflect about it before we put it out of our minds!

Thank you Father for your Words that definitely Light the Way for each of us to go!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Looking forward

2011-12-11T07:35:00.001-06:00

I loved this photo to capture what looking ahead might look like to some us at times! At times we may feel so uncertain that it makes us feel as though we are about to step of the edge of a cliff high above the ground.

The words Paul shared this morning from Philippians 3, really hit me between the eyes! I struggle with looking back and longing for things gone by at times. I make them look really rosy in my memory bank rather with the real issues that might have been involved. I remember the good and none of the bad. Anybody with me? Does it cause you at times not to be able to really move forward with what God might be calling you to do? Well, it happens to me.

Paul's words reminded me to focus on one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. I love it! We must daily make a choice to forget the past and move ahead. It's not as easy as it sounds, but a good thing! We must move towards whatever God is calling us to with excitement and the willingness to step right off that cliff into the unknown!

Adventure! The path Christ calls each of us to can only and should only be called an adventure! It is filled with thrills, upside down choices, mixed up turns, uncalled for bumps in the road, but when we arrive oh what a glorious day it will be...Hallelujah!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Letter in the Mail

2011-12-10T08:39:00.001-06:00

It saddens me that hand-written letters are a thing of the past, it seems! I love to find a surprise in my mailbox handwritten from a friend telling me something special.

Imagine, Philemon receiving a letter from Paul. Now it would have been hand delivered by a two men one Tychicus who is traveling to Colosse with the letter to the people of this city, Colossians and another man by the name of Onesimus. The letter handed to Philemon is personal from a man that he respects greatly and probably loves - Paul.

Paul is imprisoned and meets a man that he leads to Christ. Onesimus who is the former slave to the man receiving the letter is the man Paul leads to Christ. This same man delivering the letter once stole from Philemon and ran away to Rome. He meets Paul is forever changed, but Paul and "O" realize that he must make things right by returning to Philemon and facing the wrong.

I wanted you to have a little background on the story behind the letter. The man begins to read the letter and he comes upon these words - I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all of God's people. It struck me how powerful these words were to this man's ears. Imagine, hearing from a man that you admire, you respect, you learn from, these amazing words. Pause for a moment and place yourself at your mailbox, open the door and in it is a hand written letter. You smile and so excited that it's not a bill, that it's a hand-written letter by someone you love, and you immediately tear it open. To find the words from your loved friend, teacher, mentor, saying

I always thank my God when I pray for you, __________, because I keep hearing about your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all of God's people. What wonderful words to hear from anyone much less someone that you look up to, you respect, you know truly knows the Man Upstairs with all His heart. Wow...don't you think Philemon was dancing in His driveway with that letter? I would be! What a reassuring word to remind you about your walk and talk when you are least expecting it. Encouragement to last for days!

What do others say about you? Are they hearing of our faith? Are they hearing about our love for others? Oh I hope so! It is my prayer that this is true of all of us as it was Philemon. He goes on and tells Philemon that his love has given Paul so much joy and comfort and that his kindness refreshes the hearts of God's people. Is our love refreshing the hearts of others?

What could Philemon do after receiving such an opening to a letter asking him to show forgiveness to this man? After all, Paul reminded him who he was and who he currently is suppose to be and this would mean forgiveness shown! Wow, what an approach. I think all of us should follow Paul's example.

Oh, for days gone by and hand-written letters expressing sweet wonderful words of wisdom to each other...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Rescued

2011-12-08T08:48:00.001-06:00

Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

What an image of going from the Kingdom of evil, darkness, satan to the Kingdom of Christ filled with light and love! Yes, LORD!

The Greek term for delivered means to "draw to oneself" or "rescue" we are spiritually liberated by God from Satan's clutches! In verse 14, it goes on to tell us that Christ literally delivered payment for each of us. In Greek that is what it means Christ paid for me and for you. Christ paid the price freeing of from our slavery to to sin without Him we are filled with sin with Him we proceed to be more and more and more like Him!

The chains are broken! We are freed because of God's love for each of us! During the Christmas season, always remember why Christ was sent to be born in a manager it was for each one of us to be freed!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

How deep is His love?

2011-12-07T07:37:00.001-06:00

Beautiful words from Ephesians 3 this morning about God's love for us! Words that we are unable to fully understand or comprehend, pretty much like the trees above, how? How did these trees form a heart? Well, maybe the trees had some help, but God's love is just a WOW!

The words that touched my heart this morning were verses 17-19 chapter 3:

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as your trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love. is. May you experience the love of Christ, through it is too great to understand fully.

Indeed, WOW!

His love is too great for us to understand! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Are we all dancing yet? We should be! His love is huge and absolutely beyond our comprehension. Yes, LORD!

Nothing more to say other than Thank you LORD for loving this short, lady that loves you, but she is so happy that you love her way more than she can possibly grasp! Don't all of us want to be loved like that? Well, we are! Hallelujah!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A Gift from God

2011-12-06T08:10:00.001-06:00

Gifts to find, gifts to purchase, gifts to deliver, gifts to return, gifts, gifts, gifts...

Do you ever think about how much the "true meaning" of Christmas is lost, because of the focus on buying each other gifts? We hurry to find just the right gift and we worry whether it is the right gift and it becomes a huge job for everyone. No longer is the joy of Christmas being felt, instead it becomes a jumble of emotions that Christmas is not suppose to be about...

Reading from Ephesians 2:8 this morning these words -

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Indeed God gives us the gift of grace that we are so unworthy of, but because He sent His son so many years ago to be born, to walk this earth, to share His Words, and then to the cross to die for me and for you; we are able to be forgiven. It is a gift that we are each allowed to open for ourselves. It is our choice to open or leave unopened . A gift that is so hard for all of us to grasp. How? How can God forgive us? We don't have to understand it, we just have to accept the gift of love and open it. The only explanation are the words that are shared with us in John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Nothing we have done or will do earns us grace. Absolutely nothing other than to believe God and open His amazing gift! Once we open this gift the "true meaning of Christmas" is opened as well. It's not about the gifts under a tree; no it is the baby born a long time ago in a manager. A baby sent by His Father to show His Amazing Love to all who open the gift of grace given only by Him!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

For I Believe God

2011-12-05T08:03:00.001-06:00

Reading Acts 27 today, I continued to think who do we believe?

Who do we really believe?

When you are in an airplane and suddenly it hits bumps, do you trust the still small voice that reassures you that it will be okay? Or perhaps that crazy, screaming woman across the aisle?

When you are on-board a ship when you hit waves that make everyone on-board sick do you trust the voice or those around you?

Acts 27 is a lesson for all of us to hold on to about believing God.

Rough seas, strong winds, dangerous weather and Paul's words were God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you. So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island. Paul knew and he believed. The word goes on to show all of this true! Of course!

I loved that the men began to want to get off the ship, Paul encouraged them no to do this and of course they finally began to see Paul knew what he was talking about. He encouraged them to eat and He took the bread, gave thanks and all 276 people ate. After two weeks of not believing God they finally believed and trusted enough to eat.

Believing God allows all of us to relax in knowing that He is in charge! We trust and it doesn't matter how big the waves of life are; we know we are okay!

Today, imagine yourself on that ship with this man named, Paul encouraging you that everything is going to be okay - just trust! Are you able to say the words it's okay for I Believe God!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Annouce

2011-12-04T08:11:00.001-06:00

Announce God's Light! I loved the words Paul used this morning before King Agrippa, when he was sharing about being obedient to God's command on his life and that he was to announce God's Light to Jews and Gentiles alike that was shared in Acts 25!

When I think about announcers from events I've been at some of the most profound that really stick out in my mind are the ones from NBA games with their deep voices, or truly announcers from any sporting event. They grab your attention and they do not let go. Paul was this way. He spoke with confidence, he spoke with honesty, he spoke with knowledge, he knew the subject he was talking about with others.

It hit me this morning perhaps we announcers about God's Light need to get to know Him more personally like Paul did. Do we know that His Word is a Lamp Unto Our feet? If we know His word; then we know the route we should take in life and we also are given the word to help others. I love God's Word. I immerse myself so deeply in the stories that I almost feel them unfold before my eyes.

Picture the scene of this story ~ A great outside auditorium with a lot of pomp and rules with all the important people of that day and age that were in that town up front, center, and the smaller, less important in society standing perhaps standing along the edges just wanting a peek at the event. A King with all of his folks that attended him very regal, very important all eyes on him commands that Paul be brought in. Paul enters the room from a side door possibly with chains - at least lead by guards. The King begins to tell Festus to speak and he listens and then he gives Paul the floor.

Paul probably took control of the room. Moved with confidence speaking to the King first and foremost, but also to that person standing against the wall that didn't think he mattered. Probably that man began to feel like he was the only one in the room, because Paul was speaking to all lost souls in that auditorium. Paul was not just speaking to the King. He was sharing his testimony of being lost and now found to everyone in attendance. He was announcing God's Light!

Do we announce God's Light?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Encouraged

2011-12-02T07:44:00.001-06:00

Now I don't know about you, but this little guy walking towards me with his shades, hat, and a bunch of balloons would definitely bring encouragement! He is adorable!

Reading today in Acts about Paul being attacked by his fellow citizens and then being threatened with the whip, then the plan to kill him. Paul was under attack and he had to be feeling pretty low. Waiting alone in a prison cell, but he wasn't alone. In Acts 23:11 these words were shared, "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well." Now not just any messenger brought this news the Lord brought this good news to tell Paul you will return to Rome your desire will happen. The is one of Paul's visions that he experienced at very crucial points in his ministry. What a gift God gave him! Imagine at one of the lowest points, the LORD shares news of your heart desires with you! Happens doesn't it? If we are paying attention, God does this for us too!

Today, reading I was encouraged that on the tough days He sees me and He brings me a good word, just like He did Paul! He saw me today through His Word. What happens if we aren't reading His Word? Do we miss His encouraging Word that fits that moment in your life that you so desperately need HIS WORDS not that of a friend, but the Savior of the Universe is who you need!

Paul was alone in a cell. Cold, Dark, Concrete, not a luxury cell - no this is a true cell! No comforts were in Paul's cell. It was hard, it was lonely, it was cold, it was dark - kind of like the world that surrounds each of us, but God does show up to offer encouragement! He does not leave us alone!

Lord, Thank you for the gift of Your Precious Word. The Word that tells me that indeed you see me and that I am not alone to face the path that is ahead. You are holding my hand to accompany to the dance of life that is sometimes hard, but I am never alone because YOU are always with me. I love you.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Why?

2011-12-01T12:07:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, I was speaking with a friend that went on a mission experience to Africa. I ask many questions that I had waited a little while to ask such as: What shocked you the most? Where have you seen God the most? Even about bathrooms, but I'm not going to share those details!

Some of what she shared with me broke my heart, but it opens my eyes to things going on around the world that I try to shut my eyes to. One thing I was told was how the street kids walk down the street with glue bottles sniffing it to get high to try to forget just how hungry they are; when I think about the last time I was hungry I still could not relate. I can't place myself in their shoes, because I've never been there and yet we want to say we understand, but we don't.

Where God is seen the most was in the beauty of Africa. The animals, the street kids, and the country itself. One moment that really grasp the attention of some of the people was when a woman purchased a soda for one of the street kids. A simple act, but such a big act of kindness for this child.

I ask what are you doing with your time? 13 books so far read and working on another. I stated that might be easy with no family, friends, school, tv and such. I was quickly corrected that they had 2 tv channels, but they were in Swahili. So it doesn't do much good to watch.

God is continually opening my eyes to the world surrounding me and it shocks me the way some of our brothers and sisters live daily. Oh, you don't have to go to a foreign country to see it; no it's right around the corner from each of us. WE just choose to shut our eyes to the things going on, perhaps, because we aren't directly involved. Well, watch out because God will involve you in things that break your heart and when you lie down at night you are no longer able to sleep. You worry, you fret and you pray because God is the only one that will solve these problems.

I am reminded of God's Word in Matthew 25: 35 ~ 36

For I was hungry and you gave ME something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.

Are we feeding the hungry? Are we giving them water? Clothes? Taking care of the sick? Prison Visits? How did you do on the checklist? I didn't fare so well...

Father, forgive me the times I fail to open my eyes and see my brothers and sisters that are hurting. Please Lord help these children be provided with the food they so desperately need and let each of us wake up to do something. I know Lord we can't all do something big, but we can all do something! Open our eyes to the something that each one of us are able to do. Help us Lord to see the One thing! WE love you.

Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Ambassador

2011-11-29T08:33:00.001-06:00

Who do we represent? Who are we an ambassador for? Do you know that an ambassador is a representative for something?

Okay, I know all of us sport the proud jerseys for our teams! My jersey win or lose is always Arkansas Razorbacks - Go Hogs Go and I am surrounded daily by LSU Tiger fans that rather loudly, constantly remind me that they are tiger fans (like I can't read your shirts) I know I may have blond hair, but I know who you support! It is written all over us who our sports teams are and I tell you proudly that if my nieces or nephews are playing I am probably next to the loudest in the stands. (Pam wins) We get loud with the support of whomever we represent in the sports arena.

When we love a particular person that is running for office, some of us will put stickers on our cars, banners in our yards, and let our names be printed on materials. We support them rather loudly. I don't really want to even go to far in this area, because truthfully I think we all need to send most everyone of them home and start over with all of them. We are way past supporting a particular party or whatever...we just need to clean house like we do in the spring! Anyway...no one wins this discussion just turn on the news.

Recently, someone dropped by my office and we have the cutest t-shirts with Scripture on them. She loved them, but stated very simply no need to buy those. I said, really? Yes, young people don't want to offend anyone by wearing scripture on their backs. What? You will wear a sports team that I don't care, if you are a hog, a tiger, a longhorn, a buckeye, a sooner, a gator it offends someone somewhere, but you wear it proudly! Where are we folks? What is happening to us?

Christ came and died for us and yet we don't want to be ambassadors for His Kingdom? Today, from 2 Corinthians 5 we are told to be ambassadors for God and that He knows if we are sincere! Oops, we don't want to offend someone, but we call ourselves ambassadors? Now, I know we need to be careful with our approach sometimes and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct, but what is easier than wearing a t-shirt that states who you belong to? Nobody, but you picks the clothes you wear each day. I don't comment on other peoples clothes, do you? Unless, I like it. Perhaps, it might cause someone to pause and think, but offend? I don't think so and it if does...let it! Start offending for God after all we don't mind offending others about our teams, do we? Ponder this thought today.

Choose to be an Ambassador For the Kingdom. Next time you reach for your team's t-shirt pick the Kingdom building one. We never know when game day is going to happen!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

YES!

2011-11-28T06:33:00.001-06:00

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I'm always telling people we just have to answer Yes and it will forever change our journey to an adventure! The key word is Yes! God allows us to say yes or no. The free will thing gets a lot of us in trouble, it would be so much easier if He made the choice for us, but He wants us all to say Yes we pick you LORD!

In 2 Corinthians 1:19 these words just spoke to me this morning ~ "For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between "Yes" and "No". He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God's ultimate "Yes," he always does what he says. For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" and through Christ, our "Amen" (which means YES) ascends to God for his glory. Don't you love this? No wavering back and forth, nope it is a firm YES and His firm YES was definitely a firm YES for all of us!

No flip flop answers from Jesus, No maybe answers from Jesus, No no's from Jesus - HE SAID YES for you and for me! Thank you Jesus for your resounding YES!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Stumbling

2011-11-27T07:50:00.004-06:00

I love it when God shows you that without a doubt He wants you to look at a certain thing, a certain topic, a certain choice, a certain scripture, so He reinforces it for you! It always sends the chills up and down my spine, when I realize that the Savior of the Universe sees little old Debbie. What about you? Does it send the chills up and down your spine? Have you forgot to look for these moments lately, because you are so caught up in everyday living? It's so easy to do, but don't miss out on these special moments.

Reading from Romans 11: 11 this morning this verse caught my attention and gave me such hope. Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. God made the way for our poor choices or another way to put it our stumbles! When we step on the banana peels along our path and we are truly sorry and ask forgiveness God provides the way through Christ and this always just humbles me beyond words. I mean really think about it for yourself. It wasn't something easy, no He sent His Son for you and me. I truly can't even wrap my little, small brain around that fact, but I know it is true! I believe it with all my heart and I thank God for His provision, because without it I would be forever lost in all my stumbles.

I went on reading and came to Romans 14:12 - 13 which stated, "Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." Indeed, let's don't throw a banana peel along someone else's path to cause them to loose their footing! So easy for us to entice another to join in our poor choices after all we all like company even if it's when we are able to take our tumble on the banana peel. Instead, we need to remember that encouraging another to stumble will cause us to answer for it when the time comes before God. I don't know about you, but I have enough that I will be taken to account for, but thank God - He loves me and I believe His Word that He forgives me, because I believe that He sent Jesus!

So, if you take a stumble today remember that God provides the way to recover!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Groanings...

2011-11-26T08:57:00.002-06:00

Reading Romans gives each of us so much hope. Hope that is needed in a world that is in a hurry to get to the next point. We get to one point and it's on to the next and so on and so on.

The earth is groaning and so is everyone in it. Have you thought about recently how many earthquakes this old world is having? How often they are happening? The earth is groaning. Do you listen to the television and hear all the groaning happening around us?

I want to encourage you to read the Message from Romans 5 -8 it says it so beautifully! So many verses that speak to me...Romans 5:18-19 - Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right!

Another, I love is Romans 6 - Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us! Hallelujah! I love Romans read it for yourself!

We live in freedom because of God sending Christ for each of us! WE have hope, we have light, we have eternity and freedom! Indeed, Romans reminds us to quit the groaning and start the shouting hallelujahs!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Parts

2011-11-21T07:09:00.003-06:00

When I teach in a class with lots of older people I am always amazed that they have begun to feel that their time is done in kingdom work. We've done our time, so to speak is the message that I get from some, not all.

Reading this morning from 1 Corinthians 12 beginning in 12-31 about how many parts make up the body, it struck me it takes every last one of us! Verse 18 says it beautifully, "but our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it." The Kingdom needs all of us!

When our car's motor messes up? Will it run? Nope, not without the repairs. It needs all of its parts to run. The same is true with the body of Christ. God developed a plan that includes each of us in a particular role. He doesn't have to use us, but He wants to use us. So His plan does include you and me. Do we want to let Him down? It makes me think of when we disappoint our parent or another loved one and the pain they feel because of our disappointing them. God gets disappointed with us and I hate to think about how often...but we will not even go there. No, we will stick with how it takes each and everyone us with the plan that God developed with each of us in mind.

Today, use the gift that God gave you. If we each use our gift, the world will shine brighter today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Mystery

2011-11-19T08:23:00.002-06:00

Mystery books, do you love them? I love a good mystery. One filled with how, when, where, why, and so many other questions.

God's mysteries are good too. Oh, we will never figure out the answers, but it is fun to discuss and toss around. I wonder if? I wonder how?

I love that God is sooooo big, sooooo much more than our small brains can possibly comprehend that never ever will we figure it all out. God doesn't need us to figure it out. He just wants us to trust and believe in Him. He knows the hows, the whys, the ifs and we don't need to concern ourselves with it!!! I love it!

If you are wondering one word jumped out at me this morning it was mystery from 1 Corinthians 4 about explaining about God's mysteries. I don't think any of us are capable of explaining His mysteries and that gives me a great comfort! A comfort in knowing that we serve a MIGHTY, POWERFUL SAVIOR who doesn't need to explain anything to anyone!

Trusting and walking by faith,

Debbie

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The Same or in Harmony

2011-11-18T07:52:00.003-06:00

I love this photo! The tulips are in harmony with one another.

Reading from God's Word the verse from 1 Corinthians 1:10 about living in harmony with each other just grasp my attention. Do we as a people exist in harmony about anything anymore?

Pause think about the United States is it an argument about everything? I refuse to watch much of the television news anymore. I don't watch the debates, I don't watch the commentary on Fox or CNN...Why? Everybody wants their own way and it is just a shouting match! Truthfully, I just see a bunch of people that don't really care about where we are as a country it's about where they are as a person. They seem to want more power and this is the way to achieve it. It's not about where is our feelings SHOULD BE with we are ONE NATION UNDER GOD. When we as a nation were great we were definitely one nation under GOD! Look back over history our nation was formed to find religious freedom and now if we even mention God we are nuts...we are crazy...what does that have to do with anything? Look back...let history speak for itself. Our forefathers didn't force anything on anyone yet they knew that GOD was leading us and we consulted with Him. Now I wonder if our leaders consult God before making decisions that cause us to fight rather than live in harmony. Or perhaps we as a group aren't praying for our leaders? Today, pray for Our President, pray for Our Congress, pray for anybody that is in a role of leadership to come together and back where we stood as a nation once upon a time - ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Be a cheerleader today!

2011-11-16T08:32:00.002-06:00

Did you ever want to be a cheerleader, but just didn't fit the requirements? Well, you do now!

We are all able to offer words that help those that cross our path everyday! WE might offer you look fabulous today, your smile is just contagious, I love your outfit, you always make my day so much better just by being in my life...so many ways to encourage those around you! Today encourage someone!

The reading today from Paul was to the people in Thessalonia and he was encouraging the people. Days were going to be tough, but they could do it! Always keep thanking God and keep pleasing Him not the people. Paul warned the people tough times were coming and soon and you know it! Be strong and be strengthened by God's Words. Encourage, Encourage, Encourage share God's love and be a friend today!!!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Inside our jail cells

2011-11-15T07:14:00.003-06:00

We make choices daily that forever affect our journey! We makes some good ones and others it feels like we place ourselves inside a prison cell.

A cell where we wonder, if we will ever be freed again. Reading, this morning from Acts 16 where Paul and Silas find themselves inside a prison cell for talking about Jesus I was struck by their actions while inside the cell. What did they do? They prayed and sang hymns to God!

When we find ourselves inside our prison walls for whatever reason, do you find yourself singing hymns and praising God? What a witness these two men were to all around them and then God provided and earthquake to open the doors and chains to fall off and still they set an example for all of us to learn from they stayed put...They did not run! Knowing a man's life would be at stake they stayed put and witnessed by their example. Imagine, this scene in your head. Wow, what a testimony this jailer had to share with all that would listen. A man that was about to kill himself knowing the price was going to be his life, if these two men had escaped. He just knew they had and was about to take his own life, when suddenly this voice shouted, "STOP!"...

Are we allowing God's Light to shine through our prison cell?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

2011-11-13T07:56:00.003-06:00

Today, reading from Galatians 3:23 reminded me of the old hymn Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know...

Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak until the way of faith was revealed.

Thank you Jesus!

Sinners all of us. Oh our sin may be different, but we are all sinners! Only way to Our Heavenly Father is through His Son and we must believe. We cannot earn it, we cannot be good enough, we cannot do anything Jesus did it all on the cross for each of us.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

How?

2011-11-10T07:38:00.002-06:00

How can I?

What a question that each of us should give some thought to - what is the man saying in Acts 8?

The man only knew of the old testament no written word about Jesus yet. No one had spoken about Jesus with him, but still his heart was searching for answers. Jesus was pursuing him.

Today, we have people all around us that don't know Jesus. Some think they do, Some don't want to, Some have never even heard of Him, Some balk at the thought of Jesus, Some love Him with all their might, but are afraid to stand up for Him, so do they really believe? So many thoughts went through my mind when I read this statement. "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" The original greek word was Hodegeo which meant leads on ones way. Are we leading any one on their way? Are we leading them the right way?

I guess what was really placed on my heart is are we leading people along the way? Are we sharing Jesus with others by our walks? I love WWJD, because truly our actions sometimes speak louder than our words. Are we truly walking the talk or just running at the mouth? I ask these questions aloud, because I am searching my own heart for truth as I write. Any time, I write I am also asking the same words of myself. Never ever do I want anyone that reads this blog to think I think I've got it all together. I fail moment to moment, but I want to improve moment to moment as well. I want to share what Jesus did for me with others. Yes, He died on the cross for me. My Sins cost Jesus His Life. He would have died just for me or just for you! He loves each of us this much.

Today, ponder are we leading people the right way? How do you define the right way? I am very Kingdom minded and I know that God loves me enough that He sent His Son to die for me and it's not much to ask of each of us to share this with others by our actions, by our words, by our journey! Go today and lead!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Oh to be different

2011-11-09T05:51:00.003-06:00

Reading today it wasn't a particular passage that just took my breath away it was a person and that person was Stephen. Yes, he was unique! Yes, he was brave! Yes, he was special! Yes, he was different! He stood up for what he knew in his heart was true!

When was the last time that we did that? Oh, I like to think I will stand up, but would I really? If my life were on the line like Stephen's would I still stand tall? It is my prayer that I would, but we never know until we actually are in those shoes! Imagine, yourself in Stephen's sandals for a moment. You are shouting to a crowd that doesn't like what you are saying, but you give the history from many, many years to people that knew the history themselves, but refused to believe one part of the history. Christ the Messiah.

He called the leaders of the day out in front of everyone. He was going to make them take a stand. Could you be that brave? Could I? He tells them they are deaf to truth and a heathen! Imagine it! An angry crowd with everyone against you. Shouting their anger and they were enraged, but Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit saw the glory of God with Jesus at the right hand of God and he told them! Knowing full well what this would mean for him. The rocks begin to hit him and he is shouting for God to forgive them of this sin! Do you feel the rocks hitting you? Do you feel the pain with each one? Do you still beg forgiveness for the ones throwing them?

Going through this imagine this morning I knew full well that indeed I felt the pain of the rock being thrown, but I also felt the pain of the realization that indeed I don't beg forgiveness for the one throwing them.

Lord, indeed I ask you to help me be more like Stephen and ask forgiveness when I feel the stone come against me. Only through you will I be able to forgive I need your strength to show forgiveness never on my own will I be capable. I love you Lord and know that through you I will be able to forgive. Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

That's your problem

2011-11-02T07:18:00.002-05:00

Have you ever had a situation and you wanted someone to understand, but it seemed no one cared? It wasn't their problem or situation - it was yours?

Well, Judas betrayed Christ. He realized it and went forward declaring he had sinned and that they were about to kill an innocent man. The response was your sin is your problem not ours. Judas realized what he had done. I don't think this ever captured me before today oh I knew he went forward and tried to change things, but the words caught my attention today. Judas admitted his wrong and tried to change things, but it was too late for the others. Judas was so grieved he hanged himself, but he admitted his sin before everyone. Do you think he was grieving being found out as a betrayer not what he actually did? I do and here are my thoughts as to why he was grieving and begging them to see thew wrong he had done.

Judas was being treated like an outcast. He was outcast from the disciples. He was now outcast from the people that purchased his betrayal. Judas made his own choice of betraying Christ and his remorse wasn't truly about receiving forgiveness from Christ or at least this is my thinking he wanted forgiveness of the group that allowed him to complete the betrayal or to appear to the disciples that he was sorry. If he were truly sorry, wouldn't he have spoken directly to Christ? Wouldn't he have hit his knees begging forgiveness? Instead, he runs out and hangs himself.

Our choices may cause us grief, but do we ask forgiveness truly because we want forgiveness or is it about something else entirely? Do we truly ask Christ to forgive our wrongs or is it about appearance?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Who guides your path?

2011-10-31T08:03:00.002-05:00

I loved the picture today! It went so along the path that the Holy Spirit was leading me this morning.

Who is guiding you along the paths of life? Do we ask the Spirit for guidance on some things, but keep other things to our own judgment? Perhaps because we are afraid of the answer that we might get?

After having just returned from a trip filled with tour guides. Follow this way, no this way, go this way, don't do that, can you hear me, to just plain getting bored with the directions it hit me that indeed sometimes we go our own path just because we want to! Nothing more needs to be said we don't consult God's word, we don't ask in prayer we simply do what we want to do and maybe it's just me. I kinda of doubt it looking at the world around me. We aren't doing so well, so truthfully I don't think I'm alone in making my own way without the help of the one left to guide us.

I loved the reading this morning about Jesus sharing about the Advocate that was going to come in John 18 and also in John 16. The advocate is our comforter the one who plead's another's cause is the definition from the original word that was used. Now I don't know about you, but sometimes we need someone to plead our case! We also need a comforter that only wants us to pick the right path!

I have to share the verse that truly touched my spirit this morning was John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. Isn't truth what we all need? I don't want anyone to guide me on the top of the mountain or on level ground that doesn't speak truth! Let's listen for the Advocate and follow this lead along the right path.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I think I can. I think I can...

2011-10-29T06:56:00.003-05:00

Remember that children's book? I loved it about the little engine that could...

Well, this morning I woke up feeling terrible and I am repeating these words over and over in my head when God gave me better words...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Yes, indeed!

Don't feel good, but I know Christ is going to help me get it done and headed home today to my babies.

Sweet blessings,

Deb

Whose your neighbor?

2011-10-26T10:20:00.002-05:00

Today I have to write about love your neighbor as yourself.

How good are we at this? Let's be honest with ourselves, if not each other.

Sometimes it's just not easy to love our neighbor. We don't look like them. We don't act like them. We like to be in groups that look and act like we do. Let's don't rock the boat by bringing in neighbors.

Ever thought about it? Who is your neighbor?

Is your neighbor the person that you love or hate? Wouldn't it be anybody other than you? Life just isn't easy sometimes and then God's Word makes it more difficult with Jesus telling us to love our neighbors as ourselves. WE don't even like ourselves half the time - much less our neighbor. Yet Jesus is pretty clear about this in Mark.

Ponder loving your neighbor as yourself when you sit at the red light today, as you ride the elevator with the stranger, or this afternoon when you pull into your driveway and your neighbor is standing there getting their mail...how do you love your neighbor?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The God of the Living

2011-10-25T10:35:00.003-05:00

I loved this verse from Luke 20:38 - 39

So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.

Well said, Teacher! remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there.

I loved this often times you hear people refer to God as the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob. I really never gave it much thought until today with thinking of resurrection. I love it!

God is living always and that we are all alive to Him! Yes, Lord!

God is simply beyond our wildest imaginations!

Thank you Lord for being way beyond our small brains or thought processes! So much more than we are able to comprehend and honestly this gives me a peace beyond words. I don't want people to be able to explain You. I love that You are just way bigger than everything, everyone, and after all the Creator of all of us, shouldn't it be? Why is this hard for us?

Again, thanks Lord for ALL you are...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Have faith

2011-10-24T06:57:00.002-05:00

Mark 11:22 ~ Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God, I tell you the truth you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

No doubt. Someone plants one little seed and it grows and grows - the doubt. Why doesn't it happen that when someone plants one seed of faith that it grows and grows?

Traveling this week in New York has been very interesting and sad in a lot of ways. After all, we know that everyone from everywhere comes to New York. I have seen so much anger, so much frustration, so much impatience, but very little happiness, very little faces filled with smiles and it hit me how our faith isn't showing our doubt is...YES it is spreading fast! The streets are filled with protesters and the words are filled with anger.

We and I do say we are not sharing words of faith and truly believing it. Perhaps we share the words, but we are truly believing it! We, Christians must believe, truly believe and then it will spread! Let's spread belief in what is going to save us - Christ!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Didn't I tell you?

2011-10-20T07:56:00.002-05:00

How many times to you get frustrated a day, when you have told someone something three or four times?

You realize they just aren't paying attention and it frustrates you?

Well, in Luke 11:38 this I believe is what Jesus was feeling...He had told them over and over who He was and they had witnessed His miracles, but yet they weren't getting what He was telling them. We are told Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb and he told them to move the stone. Martha suggest that the smell might be really bad after all it had been four days. Jesus responded with, Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory?

Jesus knew His time was short and He was realizing that people that were around Him all the time weren't even getting it and how were others going to? Imagine, his feelings of frustration, worry, concern, anger, and list could go on and on. We know how we feel when we tell little things three or four times and Jesus was sharing the story over and over.

It helps me to realize that Jesus felt the same feelings I do at times. Oh, He definitely had way more patience than I do, but He walked our shoes. He felt our concerns, our worries, our love, our feelings...He felt them! Such a peace overwhelms me when I truly realize how much Jesus felt for me and you. He felt such suffering for me and you and He took away that feeling that we would never have because of His love for us. The separation from God because of sin - Jesus took it away with His blood. How lonely Jesus must be beginning to feel knowing this separation was coming shortly. How alone knowing that these people just weren't realizing and yet He spoke the Lazarus, come out! And then these words "unwrap him and let him go!" He unwraps all of our bandages and heals them for us as well. He frees us and yet at times - He must feel these same feelings with each of us!

Yet, He frees us! Yes indeed!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Narrow door

2011-10-18T08:15:00.002-05:00

The Narrow Door

How many people do you think would fit through this door at one time? Do you remember when you were young and a lot of kids would try to get through a small space all at the same time? Fun days, but the narrow door I'm speaking of will not be a fun day for those that don't get through...

Luke 13 talks about work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter, but many will fail...Huge words and we all know that it is nothing about working and good deeds. If we could have a check off list of things to do that would get us through that might help rather than the things that truly make it hard for us to get through that narrow door.

Things like our pride and our natural love to sin will keep us from passing through this narrow door. Believe me I am certainly not pointing a finger because every human walking struggles with these issues daily - in fact, probably moment to moment! Only through grace will we ever make it through this narrow door knowing that Jesus died because of our pride and our sins, so that we would get through the door.

Next time you pass through a narrow door think about this passage of God's Word.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

How she praised God!

2011-10-17T08:08:00.003-05:00

I read the words this morning from Luke 13, being healed of her illness and the words just jumped at me - HOW SHE PRAISED GOD!

How are we praising God?

Are we praising God?

Do others know why we praise God?

Is the praise important?

Are we like the people in the story that were indignant because Jesus healed her on the Sabbath? What better day? Are we busy trying to look right that we don't give God the praise He deserves?

Praise God today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Beautiful words from Psalm 27...

2011-10-16T08:10:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I picked up The Message and these words touched my heart and I've held them close pondering and wanted to share them with you...

Psalm 27:1 - 4

Light, space, zest-that's God! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.

When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.

when besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool.

I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study his feet.

David wanted to live with God, study and grow with God, all while worshipping God!

David did indeed have a heart for God! It is my prayer that the same is true of each of us.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Light of the World

2011-10-14T07:53:00.002-05:00

When Jesus declared himself the Light of the world many think it happened during the Feast of the Tabernacles. One of the nights during the feast would happen in the temple's court for women where they would light four large lamps and they would dance under the night sky with the lamps lit and sing praise songs and worship!

Wow!

Don't you love this image in your head?

I do!

Jesus lights the world, but also the night skies for each of us. Some days are so dark that the only way through is the LIGHT of Jesus...we cling to His Light, His Promises, His Love and we make it through because He lights the way! He is the Way!

Today remember who lights the path day or night!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Run...run...run

2011-10-12T08:36:00.003-05:00

I've read the past several days, but not posted. Very unusual action for me to miss blogging what I believe the Holy Spirit is teaching me for the day. I've still been having the lessons, but I felt it was a time for just me and God! Treasured special moments.

This morning I felt lead back to something from yesterday that I wanted to write about and get your thoughts about it is found in the reading from Mark 8 about Jesus feeding the four thousand. The words just jumped off the page that Jesus said to the disciples...I feel sorry for these people. The people were so hungry to be spiritually fed that they had been with Him for three days and eaten nothing! We miss a meal and we are shouting - I'm starving! These people were picking Jesus over physical needs.

Jesus actually used the words meaning himself this time and in Matthew in the same passage about this time. Jesus felt their need. He knew their need because He walked here on earth! Jesus sees our needs and feels our pain.

He feels compassion for us! Today whatever you are feeling know in your heart that Jesus knows and He cares! Cling to these special words!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Laughed at him

2011-10-07T07:40:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been the one that others were laughing at and you knew it?

It hurts, doesn't it?

The photo really grasp the feeling of being laughed at or ridiculed.

I wonder how Jesus felt. We are told He felt feelings that we felt, but He made them leave and went on with His duties.

Look at the story found in Mark 5 about the young girl that Jesus brought back to life. Jesus had just healed the woman with the 12 year bleeding issue, because she knew if she just reached for His robe it would happen! A father knew is daughter was very ill and close to death, so he was pleading for Jesus to come to his home. He healed the woman on the way to this man's home.

When they arrived at the home a lot of weeping and commotion were happening and Jesus responded with Why? She is only sleeping. Jesus was telling them its only temporary and they laughed at him.

First off weeping and commotion were a sign that death had occurred in this culture. Most of the people would have been paid wailers..I found this interesting that you paid people to come and wail and carry on. Burial happened fast, so these folks came quick.

Laughed at him in the original language actually means "were laughing in his face" or "laughed Him to scorn," not a good feeling, if you were the receiver of such an act. We all know it. We have all been on the receiving end of it. Jesus made them leave and with a lot of force. He wasn't happy with their reaction of being shallow and unbelieving, so He was forceful and showed His authority with orders to leave! Imagine this gentle man of healing knowing what He was about to do and these people laughing at Him ~ but He backed it up! He didn't want them to witness this miracle first hand, so out with you...What do we miss because we don't believe?

The original Aramaic words Jesus said to the little girl were Talitha, cumi which meant "lamb" or "youth arise". He talked to this little girl as if she were already living not dead. Absolutely no question you are alive rise....

I wonder how the ones that laughed felt when they saw this little lamb walking and talking? Believe today and don't worry with laughter!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A lamp is placed on a stand...

2011-10-06T07:38:00.002-05:00

Mark 4:21

...A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.

When you enter a room and the lamps are on doesn't it add a sense of welcome and hospitality? I never use to pay attention to things like that, but recently I've noticed how much a lamp sets the tone for a room.

Reading this morning, I was imagining Jesus sitting in a room with the disciples explaining all the stories about the seed, the lamp, the yeast with a lamp lit across the room lighting it for them to talk or around a campfire. A light that without it lit would have made it a dark setting where it would have been hard to grasp exactly what Jesus was saying, because their minds would have been wandering with the sounds that would have been happening, the darkness would have surrounded them and everything would have taken on a different tone. I believe with the lamp lit the mood was set for them to understand. Think about it for yourself and see how you imagine the scene set. After all, we were told yesterday that the disciples ask for Jesus to explain the parables to them. Bringing a light into the setting would have helped them to understand what He was saying...I don't know, but that is how I picture the scene.

A lamp in those days would have been referring to a small clay bowl made with a spout to hold a wick with oil that served as its fuel. They would then have them either coming from a place in the wall that was made to hold them or in a wealthier home a special table would have been holding it. They were suppose to share the message nothing hidden. Darkness hides things. Secrets are told in the dark. Things we don't want others to know are hidden in the darkness, but turn the lamp on and all will see and understand!

Share the message today! Turn your lamps on and share God's Word with one another!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Planting seeds

2011-10-05T07:27:00.004-05:00

I've never been much of a farmer or gardener! In fact, I can say that again. I've never been much...

Anyway, I love plants, I love flowers, I love green growing things especially this year with the dry and dying grass and plants! We realize how much we love these things when the water doesn't arrive to keep them beautiful. I digress, but it is so true!

I love all these things as long as I am not the one tending to them. I don't like dirt. I admit it. I don't like dirt under my nails, or on me period so it makes this difficult for me to achieve. One must be willing to dig, sweat, and work the ground to watch these beautiful things grow! It's not my gift, but I love them.

Upon arriving at the words this morning in Mark 4:14 ~ The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others. I realized that I am a farmer. I love to share God's Word. I love to talk about God's Word. I love to learn about God's Word. I love to study God's Word. I love God's Word! I'm a farmer!!!! AT LAST, I get to watch something grow and it is so true! Through the Bible studies I love watching a woman's face get excited when she begins to just wet her appetite for more and then more of God's Word. The light has it begins to shine through her eyes with wonder and awe that she knows that The One True God sees her and loves her! I love to plant a seed and watch God do the work!

Thank you God for allowing me to be a farmer!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Jesus answered his thoughts...

2011-10-04T08:47:00.002-05:00

I love the moments that Jesus answers my thoughts through a friend, through His Word or some other way...

I wonder how Simon felt in Luke 7, when Jesus answered his thoughts of how this woman was unworthy to be in their company and that she was so much less than them? Do you think he realized who Jesus was? Do you think He admitted it?

Couple of things to keep in mind reading this story this dinner would have been open to spectators because of the people's importance having the dinner. Certainly no one expected this woman to join them, but she did! She took a huge risk because she needed forgiveness so badly. She was willing to risk it all..

The woman knelt behind Jesus...she didn't feel worthy to even kneel in front of Him. Jesus would have been sitting at a table low to the ground or lounging there and she came in from behind Him. She desired forgiveness so badly she was weeping enough to wipe Jesus feet with her tears! She was truly sorry for all she had done...and again she probably did not choose this way of life all on her own! Women did not have much choice in those days, but she knew she was wrong for allowing the choice to be made and her doing it...Jesus allowed Simon to realize who He was because He told him I know your thoughts Simon...Simon you were so filled with your importance that you did not even do the host duty of cleaning my feet upon arrival. You were so ready to throw things at me to perhaps disprove who I am that you forgot your host roles...In fact you insulted me!

The host with everything forgot how to treat guests, but the woman who really knew who the guest was showed true faith! She was willing to risk it all for Jesus by entering that room!

Are we willing to risk it all to enter a room Jesus calls us to?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Much needed Light

2011-10-03T08:12:00.003-05:00

Where does our Light come from?

Is it the Light from God or from the world?

Do we allow the darkness of the world to overtake God's Light, so that we are really in darkness?

Today, the words from Matthew 6 ~ your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. It hit me...

Does our eye deep within us have light or darkness? Are we truly focused on Jesus and His desires for our life and our light shines for all to see or is it so dark surrounding us that everything is dark?

MacArthur commentary states it something like this Jesus indicates that superficial earthly religion leave's one's heart dark...So are we real or not?

Are we the real thing? If so, our light should shine from deep within and all around us will need sunglasses...

Seriously, are we real or fake? Serious food for thought...

It is my prayer that we all stand with light shining from within and around us ~ Jesus light nothing else like it!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Realize?

2011-10-02T09:48:00.004-05:00

Do we realize what we need?

Or should I say who we need?

Today, from Matthew 5:3 these words were striking to me ~

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him.

Are we happy?

Perhaps we haven't realized exactly what we truly need...

realize - to grasp or understand fully...

I don't know, if we will every understand God fully....after all He is so big that our little minds just aren't able to comprehend all that He is or has done...

Travel to the mountains and truly look around. You begin to have a small understanding of God's majesty when you are surrounded by the mountains and nature. Take a really good look at a baby the next time you are around one and perhaps you will once again be able to understand a small part of God's being...the list could go on and on

Do we realize?

It is my prayer that we begin to realize how awesome God truly is that He sent us Jesus to walk among us...to walk the earth and feel the things of this world and yet still He went to the cross to save me and you ~ Do we realize?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Reached out and touched him

2011-09-30T08:25:00.002-05:00

How often do you just need the touch that someone else cares?

Today, in Mark 1 and Luke 5, the words Jesus reached out and touched him - were written.

Imagine, the love this man with leprosy felt! No one had touched him in a very long time. We don't know how long, but we know he was treated like a leper...yes, the old saying like a leper. Now we know where it comes from...alone, without touch, without notice, without words, without family, without...

Yes, that is how they lived without all the things that matter the most in life.

The words moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him...

How long has it been since you were moved with compassion?

Search your heart and today and respond to this question. If it hasn't been long, good for you...If it has then change it today! Let someone know that indeed you see them and so does God! Be His arms and feet today and let someone know that they matter...they make a difference and touch them! Touch their heart with a word of encouragement, touch their spirit with a smile, and touch their very soul with a hug!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The father realized

2011-09-29T09:14:00.002-05:00

Do we ever realize?

We go through life making decisions that we don't even think about all the other people it might affect...

Reading today from John 4: 46-54 I was struck with the father's plea to Jesus for healing for his son. Jesus replied - will you ever believe?

A few verses down the father was met by his servants telling him that his son was healed the moment Jesus spoke the words of healing. Do we ever get it?

We find it easy to believe politicians that almost never tell us the truth...they only share what they want us to believe and we do...

We believe the news...and how could we?

We believe what Hollywood wants us to think and how???? What authority do they have?

And yet we don't believe with all our fiber that Jesus will do exactly what He says!!!

BELIEVE TODAY! Let's all take one step at a time and believe with each step today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Stored all these things in her heart

2011-09-26T07:56:00.002-05:00

Twice now we have read where the mother of Jesus treasured the things about Jesus in her heart. I am always touched when I read these words, because we all know she is going to cling to these treasured memories.

Reading these words I felt like God was giving her a gift to realize that one day she would need these treasures badly. Treasures of the day the shepherds came and how the angel had told them about the sweet baby and how the angel was joined by a vast host of others praising God! Imagine the memory of this being about your baby.

Today, it was the time that a mother and father lost their 12 year old son. How? Well they were leaving Jerusalem after the Passover festival heading home and probably thought that Jesus was walking with friends or other family. Three days later they finally found him in the temple; I would think today a lot of parents would be so happy to find their son at the church worshipping and learning, but still they had lost their son for 3 days. The worry, the concern, the heartache for fear of what had happened and what did Jesus say? But why did you need to search? Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house? Well, He was Jesus, but they were still His parents and I just know that this mom was proud, but at the same time wanted to hurt Him! Yet, she stored these in her heart. I imagine the things she stored were the love of the moment of realizing what Jesus picked, the awe of realizing who are son was, the laughter of mom didn't you know, the sadness of realizing who He was, and yet the fear of what was ahead.

Original words of Hebrew meant she would keep these things continually treasured for herself. She would keep all of these wonderful thoughts deep inside her heart knowing just how special her son was and is...

What do we treasure in our heart? Do we realize how special Jesus is to us? Do we keep the things of Jesus continually in our heart to ponder? Let us learn from His mother to keep these special moments continually in our heart!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

For He took Notice...

2011-09-25T08:11:00.002-05:00

Today, reading from Luke about Mary; I was taken with her song of praise.

Here we have a young girl about fourteen that has been overwhelmed with all that she recently has been told and that has happened to her. Yesterday, the birth of Jesus was foretold to her by an angel. Yes, Gabriel appeared and the first words he shared were Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! I am always slightly amused reading these words, because I picture this young girl filled with fear and this angel so excited to share that the two just make an amusing image in my head. Even Gabriel realized that Mary was uncertain, perhaps afraid, about to run...because then he says "Don't be afraid". Now I break out into laughter at this point, because really????? Who wouldn't be afraid?

Anyway, then she travels to visit her relative Elizabeth that Gabriel happened to mention in the visit above. Imagine, this young girl receives the word that she will have the Son of the Most High and all the thoughts that are going through her head. I am going to die. I'm not married, I'm engaged to Joseph this baby will not be his and how will all of this work out. So, she takes off to a village where Elizabeth lives. Immediately, Elizabeth encouraged her with words of how special her baby really is...and Mary breaks out into a song of praise.

Do we break out into songs of praise when God gives us wonderful news, but news that is going to change our world? Perhaps cause others we love to be angry with us, perhaps cause more problems in our life than we ever dreamed? Probably not, but Mary did!

The words that caught my attention were from Luke 1:48

For He took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

Imagine, this young girl knew God saw her and that He knew her future! She trusted and she believed!

Lord, let me learn from the words that Mary sang that indeed you do see us and you see our future! You know the plans and that it will all be okay, if we just trust in you! Forgive me for the days that I have doubt and uncertainty and let me learn from these special words of Mary that indeed you see me and know the path! I love you and I thank you this morning for these special words! Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Tell about the Light...

2011-09-24T10:32:00.003-05:00

Why is it so easy to share the latest recipe?

What about the latest football game details?

Or what about telling the latest knowledge about the economy?

Or the newest place in town to buy the best outfit?

Or what about the best restaurant?

So, easy to share things that happen in everyday life, but what about your relationship with God? Why is this so difficult? We don't have to force it, but we can share you know the coolest thing that I know God did...such as something you know without a doubt it was God. You had not shared details with anybody, but God your prayer concern and it happened! Share it! So what if they don't believe you...a seed is planted! Slowly, it will begin to sprout and grow...They will see your light and ask more questions!

If God is truly where He should be in your life, then you cannot help but share all the cool stuff HE is doing! He alone is doing amazing things in this world and we need to share it!!!! We can mix it in the discussions the same way we mention the cool things our nephews or nieces did yesterday or your grandkids did...It is a part of your life, just like your other loved ones, so share THE LIGHT WITH THOSE AROUND YOU!

Today, when I read John 1:6 the words God sent a man. John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe...

We need to take these words to heart and be like John the Baptist and tell about the light, so that everyone might believe!!!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Never change

2011-09-23T08:38:00.003-05:00

Change is not easy for all of us yet it is something that happens all the time. Our moods, our habits, our thoughts, our circumstances, our situations, our seasons, our journeys...always changing. Often times we hear or we say ourselves I don't like change and yet it is a constant surrounding us! It is going to happen - change! Whether we like it or not change is coming.

Presently, I am in Colorado and the leaves are beautiful. The most beautiful yellow, but they have changed from when I was here in August. The snow covers more of the top than in the photo shown to the left, the season is changing and so are the surroundings. We can't stop wow, look at that or ooh, look over there, but yet things have changed.

When I got up and picked up the Word this morning the words I read were such a comfort to my soul from Malachi 3:6 - I am the LORD, and I do not change. It comforts me that the LORD is steady and firm, that He knows His desires, He knows He loves us, and that He forgives us. I cling to the words and the promises of the LORD, so it is a comfort or a healing balm to my soul that the LORD does not change! Always we have Him and His Love, if we pick Him! If we choose Him, He is ours and this is an awesome promise that I cling to and never worry with fear that His love is not with me!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Leftovers

2011-09-22T09:13:00.003-05:00

Today reading from Malachi 1 when the words about the animals that were stolen, crippled or sick being offered to God as offerings and it struck me - am I giving God the things that aren't 100% the best including me? What am I offering God?

We should offer to God the very best even if it hurts us...We should never give God the leftovers of ourselves or our offering. How often is this exactly what we do?

Do we make sure that we have our to do list done?
Do we make sure that we purchase all our wants before we give to God?
Do we make sure our desires are met before we present our offering?

In my bible I wrote the words, Do we give God our leftovers? It pains my heart that some days that is probably exactly what I give God! It hit me hard when I knew in my heart that its true...

Oh I can put on a good show of all I am offering, and you might be able to do this to, but God knows! He knows just like he knew when He ask in Malachi these words - Should I accept from you such offerings as these?

Your amazing grace and love never cease to amaze me LORD! Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me indeed!

Sweet blessings,
Debbie

Standing for 6 hours...

2011-09-20T07:17:00.003-05:00

Amazed is the word that just flew across my mind, when I read from Nehemiah that the people stood for 3 hours listening to the word of God be read and then 3 more hours for confession!

Amazed!

Today, if you run 5 minutes over people are complaining. Having worked for a church and listened to the congregation list their concerns and issues it surprised me when I fell upon these verses. These people stood. These people were not seated in their own favorite pew daring anyone to sit down in their seat - no they stood in honor of God's Word for 3 hours!

Do you think it was because of all they had been through? Do you think they were so excited to be back after captivity in Babylon?

They felt as if they were honoring God by standing and as if He were right there with them and I am sure He was...

Imagine, the scene unfolding before you...first the reading after having celebrated the festival of the shelters for the first time back near the temple. Imagine the joy! Imagine the happiness! Celebration like none had ever witnessed...In fact, none like this had happened since the time of Joshua! A very long time! Reading, studying God's Word for six days and then the solemn reading on the 7th day of 6 hours standing and listening to God's Word. It takes my breath away just imagining the whole week in my mind. Remembering all they had lost, but now they had once again all because of God.

No one tapping the watch face, no one leaving because it was time - no only people that wanted to share this special gift that God had given them and to honor Him with all they could themselves! Today, honor Him with yourself!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Ahh haa!

2011-09-19T07:51:00.003-05:00

Nehemiah 7:5

So my God gave me the idea...

Ever wonder where you get the fabulous new thought or idea?

Well, duh!

God is so amazing and I love it when He places something on your heart and you are like where did that come from...well...

We serve a Mighty God that uses the least among us...me and it looks like we come up with these really cool ideas. I love how magnificent He truly is!

Thank you Lord for using me!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Always hope...

2011-09-17T06:21:00.002-05:00

Ezra 10: 2

...But in spite of this there is hope

I smiled this morning with the reminder of just who God truly is...

compassionate, caring, loving, forgiving, full of grace the list goes on and on...

In spite of unfaithfulness to God we always have hope just like the people in the Bible!

Thank you Father for grace, grace, grace and more grace!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The Hand of God was upon him

2011-09-16T07:55:00.002-05:00

Ezra is an interesting book that I've missed so much in the past when we have read it. God is pointing so many things out to me this time around...

1) His hand is definitely on Ezra - Ezra knew the law by memory and could write it all from recall; only God's hand being on him...It had been 1000 years since the law was given.

2) It would take four months to travel 1000 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem

3) Dangerous route; everyone traveled with messengers or guards due to the thieves that to live would steal from the caravans, but to show their absolute faith in God they traveled with no one protecting them but God! What a statement about their faith! They fasted and they prayed for all the protection they needed!

4) Do you know that the 7500 pounds of silver, 500 bushels of wheat, 550 gallons of wine, 550 gallons of olive oil and unlimited salt weighted more than 4 tons? Think about that one folks...no trailers, no cars, no trucks, nope they had a HEAVY LOAD without trailers to carry!

5) The travelers would have numbered around 7000 to 8000 people returning; some were accustomed to the life in Babylon and did not return.

Ezra's faith is an example for all. We don't hear a lot about Ezra, but WOW! I am amazed by the load, much less the faith that Ezra showed!

Thank you Father for sharing the faith of such wonderful men that you called to step up and they did! Thank you for allowing us to see through these ordinary people great things happened as reminders that this can still continue today! Amen

Sweet Blessings,

Debbie

Trouble sleeping

2011-09-15T08:16:00.003-05:00

Esther 6:1

That night the king had trouble sleeping...

I love the way God works!

I had trouble sleeping myself last night, so I was studying for a retreat this weekend. During the time awake I was reminded of God's timing!

Things do not happen until God wants them to happen. Don't you find it interesting that the night before Esther would share with Xerxes what was going on the King could not sleep, so he ask for the book of history. He wanted to read about everything that had happened during his reign. Do you know the particular event he read about was the one of Mordecai saving his life? Do you know that 5 years had past and this deed had gone unnoticed until this very evening?

I had been pondering how I was suppose to bring some things together for the retreat this weekend, so God helped me get out of bed and study. He showed up! He tied it together for me and it was amazing once again!

God's timing is amazing!

So, next sleepless night you might get up and see what God wants to share with you!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

He set the royal crown on her head

2011-09-14T07:34:00.003-05:00

I remember several years ago, when I toured this palace with my mom in St. Petersburg, Russia and the awe and wonder of the grandeur and opulence. I thought about young people that some how ended up in a palace and became royalty. The lawns were kept to a tee, the fountains were scrubbed to shine and glow, it was just beyond words.

Today reading from Esther, the story of a young lady swept up one day and taken to the palace. A young lady that was a foreigner to the customs, ways, especially palaces, and for one year went through special training to perhaps become the Queen. Did you catch it perhaps she would be queen? Her whole life was turned upside down and inside out to perhaps one day be queen otherwise she would forever live with a lot of other women in a harem.

Imagine, the thoughts going through her mind. How? Who me? I wanna go home! I learned just this morning that her Uncle Mordecai that was raising her actually had family lines that go back to another King. King Saul, which I found interesting and wanted to share. Esther we don't know if she went voluntarily or against her will, but she went. We know that God always plans and a part of His plan was for Esther to save her people. I think of all that went through this young ladies' mind the loneliness, the doubt, the fears, the hows, the whys and did she eventually fall in love with this king? Did she find happiness in the palace? Was she the Queen that actually loved her King?

We don't know the answer to all of these questions, but there is one thing we know...

God had a plan for Esther and it was her choice if she followed through with God's plan in Esther 4: 14 - ...Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" God knew and it was Esther's time to step forward in faith...

Today, step forward in faith! Make a difference for the KINGDOM!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Come running!

2011-09-13T07:29:00.003-05:00

When I whistle to them, they will come running, for I have redeemed them. Zechariah 10: 8

Reading this morning this scripture and then knowing this afternoon we begin a Bible study on Ruth this verse just got me! God is telling us that we must never stop short, we must go in haste and HE will redeem us! It requires us to respond, we must take the steps!

Is God stirring your heart?

Is God asking you to step out in faith in something new and different?

Is God asking you to respond?

Don't wait!

Lately studying Ruth I've often thought what did she take with her? Did she take anything to remind her of home? Did she want a clean break, so she left with nothing? Was she barefoot like the woman smiling in the photo running toward her new life with God? Did she hesitate at all? What about you? If God called today, told you leave all that is familiar right now...would you be running with a smile on your face saying okay?

Lord, it is my prayer that when you whistle that I will come running...I know that it isn't always so, I beg forgiveness for those times. I know that You alone redeem me and never do I want to fail you, but then in my heart I know just how often I do. I am so sorry. I love you LORD and it is my prayer that my courage and strength in You will give me the courage that it is YOU and not me anyway...so I just need to take the step! Amen

In closing, I was reminded of the old saying...about whistling while we work! Well we are doing God's work so let's whistle on the road to redemption!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Messiah

2011-09-12T08:08:00.003-05:00

Today, reading Zechariah 6: 9-15 the picture and words of the LORD were so telling about the coming Messiah.

God gives detailed instructions and things mess up when we do not follow the instructions given. Once again, we are reminded of when Uzziah mingled the office of the priest which come from Levi with the house of David for kings. Very distinct lines with very distinct duties and they were not suppose to change them, but oops...he did! Trouble started!

In the reading today God instructs to make a crown a very ornate crown much like the one talked about in Revelation 19 that will be placed on the head of Jeshua. Now this is a just a symbol of the future Messiah and this is showing that the Messiah is the one that will unite the two lines!

The Messiah will come from Israel, he will build the eternal temple, He will be glorious (13) He will be king and priest, He makes peace, He opens the kingdom to all, He will fulfill God's Word, and He will demand obedience! Reading this this morning reminded me of the crown of thorns and all that Christ did for me and for you! He cleans us up! He had to for us to ever be made clean and yet we still cannot comprehend all that He did for each of us! The price He paid...The pain...the Love...all for you and for me!

God gives instructions with details and they do matter, don't let any one tell you that God's Words do not matter. Yes, Christ came for you and for me and He took our sins, but God still wants our obedience! He knows the plans, we take detours, and God must clean us up after our detours! Open My heart and ears to hear your desires for me and the courage to step into your plans and not my own!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Frustrate

2011-09-09T07:51:00.003-05:00

I wanted a picture of an ancient altar this morning, so that we might have a better visual. Imagine, the excitement of being back building an altar and sacrificing to the LORD!

I found Ezra interesting this morning after I learned a little more background that I want to share with you. In chapter 4: 5 we are told that the people became frustrated in the plans. Do you know that this frustration delayed them another 16 years? Did you wonder what is this about? Well, I learned this morning that the enemies they are speaking of was the beginning of the Samaritan race that occurred between some of the Babylonian colonists and the remaining Jewish women.

When they were asking to worship with the people. The people were afraid because the reason for their slavery was idol worship and they wanted no part of this again. So, they replied no. They rejected them being a part, but were frustrated out of their fear to avoid that once again they lost their focus on their spiritual life! Once again their personal affairs got in the way and delayed the furthering of God's KINGDOM!

Wow, we get in the way all the time - or let me speak for myself! I get in the way with my frustrations and fears of helping to build God's Kingdom!

Sweet blessings,

Deb

Will I be strong or will I be their next meal?

2011-09-08T07:39:00.002-05:00

Daniel in the lions den is always a fascinating story for me to read and imagine. Today, I realized that Daniel wasn't a young man he was about 80 years old when this event occurred! Eighty years old!

I have never realized this before, so Daniel had wisdom of having lived, but still look at the teeth on those lions - and they were hungry! Would your faith stay strong or would you doubt just a little bit when they showed their teeth?

Another thing that really caught my attention was the King's words in verse 16 - May your God whom you serve so faithfully rescue you. The King valued Daniel's faith. The King was growing because of Daniel's faith and the king went back and fasted...Daniel was making an impression on the king or should I say God is working through Daniel to change the king! The King had a personal trust in God!

The King issued a decree about the living God that would live forever...

The God that rescues His people!

The king trusted Daniel we are told in the first part of chapter 6 that the King made plans to place him over the entire kingdom. The king knew Daniel was a good man and that he was loyal by the things Daniel had done in his strong love of God. God placed Daniel in a role of influence with the king and they were doing great things together!

Daniel walked the talk and others saw all that God could do, because Daniel truly believed! Do we truly believe like Daniel? Are we allowing God to use us like Daniel did to change the world? Believe today and allow God to use you to change the world...it starts with each person! Be the one today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Writing on the Wall

2011-09-07T08:06:00.003-05:00

Do we see the "writing on the wall"?

I love that old expression and reading God's Word this morning it hit me do we see when God writes on the wall for us?

I know He sends messages very plainly. He speaks through His Word and others, but do we get it? Do we realize and listen?

Here this King knew these important vessels were brought from God's temple and yet they were using them actually drinking from them while praising other gods! Imagine, how awful that action was to God!

Read the story in Daniel 5 for yourself and be reminded that God does warn! God does write on the wall in warnings and imagine sitting in that room as Daniel shared the meaning of the "writing on the wall."

God numbered his days, he didn't measure up, and his kingdom was going to be divided! Talk about quieting down a party! I imagine they quickly remembered all they had heard of the things God had done and knew in their hearts they were about to witness some of this themselves!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Center

2011-09-06T08:24:00.004-05:00

What is your center?

Reading today from Ezekiel 48, I was reminded that the temple is at the center of the vision that was given to Ezekiel. The city will be "the LORD is there."

Where is your focus?

How do you find your balance?

Chaos surrounds us, so how do you keep your heart and soul at peace?

My prayer is that you answered that just like the temple and God being there in the center your center is God! You keep your heart, your soul, and your eyes centered on God's Word and on Him to drown out the chaos surrounding you daily!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Details do matter

2011-09-05T07:12:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, we began to read about this vision that God gave Ezekiel and is shared with us beginning in chapter 40 - 43.

the LORD took hold of me...

Imagine, such a vivid vision of the LORD taking hold of you. I know at times in my journey I've felt the Lord taking hold of me and without a doubt I know He is guiding me a certain way or along a certain path, but imagine that God was about to show you the future. A time when "the Messiah" will return and destroy the ungodly and this is where Israel will live and worship. (Rev. 19) Gentiles will be among them.

God knows His plans. He is very exact with His desires and knows exactly how He desires things to be...So, why do we not trust Him with our details? Those times when He wants something and we shout "Who Me?" Forgive us Father for our weakness of not grasping just how and who You ARE!

The Gateways, The Courtyard, the rooms for sacrifice, the rooms for priests, the inner courtyard and temple...when they got to the east courtyard...Suddenly the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory....God's glory departed to the east when He judged them earlier and it returns from the east...He will regather and restore ALL!

All of these plans and reminders of all that was lost because of sin. Never again should any of us forget what was lost because of sin. God's glory will return and He will be among us! Oh, what a day it will be...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Cried out!

2011-09-02T07:50:00.002-05:00

1 Chronicles 5:20

They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him.

Reading this morning it hit me how often we cry out to God when we are drowning, when we are fighting a battle that we are so afraid we lose, when we think we might die...but do we cry out in the moments that things are going good? Do we talk to Him daily about the joys and ask Him to share those with us as well? Are we like the people in this part of the Scripture that shouts out in the throes of battle and the moment they win they go back to their old ways of sin...of placing other things before God?

So many questions, so many things for all of us to ponder and take a good look at ourselves. Honestly looking at myself I definitely share the drowning moments with Him; no doubt about it. The joys when I honestly look at myself not as much. Do I think He doesn't care about the joys as much as the battles? No, I don't think it's God I'm thinking about - it's me. I feel more ability or is it pride during those joyful times where in the battles I know exactly who I am and who God is?.?.? is that perhaps it...we truly realize exactly who God is and He is truly the only one that can conquer the battles we face?

Over the years I am realizing that He wants to share every moment with us - not just the good and not just the bad. Every moment and I've realized this because I have been in His Word. I have begun to really know Him more and more and just how much He loves me and you!

I was looking at a devotion this morning and these words were shared with me -

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)

Do you tremble when you read some of God's Words? Does it cause you to have a fear of His Awesomeness? It should...you should tremble! We should all tremble!

Tremble is defined in one commentary as we should "stand in awe" another is we should "careth anxiously for God's Word." Definitely, we should stand in awe and we should care...but most of all we should pick it up and read it! We begin to grow into the People - He intends us to be with Him moldly us along the way through His Word.

God is so big that we just cannot comprehend How Big He Truly is....

So, today share the joy, share your fears, share your life with the One who truly loves you -

Our Father!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Don't! Stop! Wait!

2011-09-01T08:49:00.006-05:00

Watch out!

Have you ever heard one of these little critters warn others something is headed their way? It's pretty loud!

When you see someone you love about to step off a cliff do you warn them or let them fall?

When you see someone about to hit the car in front do you warn them or just sit there?

Of course, I hope you warn them! Is it easy? Sometimes, but not always.

Yesterday, I had to say no to someone that needed help. A help that I am unable to provide because I can't give them what they need. I was able to warn them that they needed to take steps to help themselves and gave them options, but I wasn't able to provide the answer. I hung up feeling afraid of what might happen to them, but knowing in my heart that I could not enable the person by giving them help, but not the help that is needed.

God is so good! When I read the story this morning from Ezekiel 33 calling Ezekiel to be the watchman for the people of Israel I knew God saw me. I felt Him telling me Debbie you are only to warn them. You can't give them what they need only I can give them what they need and they must take the step. You - Debbie are to warn and this you did. Give it to me and know that you gave the warning. Did the heartache go away for the person? Nope, but I knew God was trying to say by this word being on today's date - the day after I had to give tough love to the person that He saw me. He was trying to help me understand that He alone is the answer to difficult situations that we are just not able to handle.

So, warn the ones you love. If you see a bad choice, warn them and then give it to God. Let it go and don't carry it with you.

Thank you God for allowing me to know that indeed you saw me this morning. Thank you for giving me the words that I am to warn and then they must take action towards you for healing. Thank you for always bringing your Light and Hope into difficult situations on this earth when it seems we are surrounded by darkness. Lord, I ask you to be with this person and give them the strength to take steps toward you for healing. To lay down their scars at the altar and feel your healing love covering them constantly. Father, forgive me when I fail and direct my path and words to be the one you desire me to choose. Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Breathe into these dead bodies

2011-08-31T07:03:00.003-05:00

Anybody else feeling dried up and parched?

Our summer here in Louisiana has been sooooo hot and this doesn't even describe exactly how hot! We have all been sweating, agitated, anxious,dry, exhausted and the list could go on and on with the feelings we have felt just because of the heat! We have felt lifeless at some point this summer; I would venture to guess that we have all felt it at some point. (lifeless)

Reading this morning from Ezekiel 37 about the dry bones vision that God gave Ezekiel; I was reminded that the fresh cooler breezes of fall will help each of us to breathe again! The words God used were Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again. So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet- a great army. Wow! Envision standing in this valley with old bones laying around and God's Spirit was taking you on this tour of these bones spread out everywhere. He begins to tell you that they will live again and all come back together!

Imagine, when God brings Israel all back together. All His people return together to Him! Oh, what a glorious day it will...

The fresh cooler breezes are right around the corner and all of us will have more pep in our steps and we will begin to feel more alive again...almost like dead bones returning...Imagine it! God is so good and we know He keeps His promises...now that is a indeed a wonderful vision of one day truly having pep in our step! Dancing in heaven...all alive again!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I Will...

2011-08-30T07:10:00.002-05:00

Ezekiel 34: 11-24

The Lord shares what He will do for His lost sheep - US!

He will look for us ...

He will find us and rescue us...

He will bring us home.

He will feed us and give us land to lie down in peace. He will tend to us! He will judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep...Did we push the scrawny sheep away or reach to help? Did we help others?

God provides for us always! He pursues us, when we are lost and even provides the way back to His fold.

In Ezekiel 34:26...I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing.

27...When I have broken the chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, they they will know that I am the LORD...Yes, Lord it is true! When we realize the things that hold us hostage and we are unable to do anything about it...only when we turn to you and allow You to free us do we realize really just Who You are....Our Savior!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Pretending to listen

2011-08-29T07:51:00.002-05:00

Are we pretending to listen?

It struck me reading Ezekiel 33: 30-33 this morning, is this us? Do we go to church and hear the message, but don't hear it? Do we tune out the pastor thinking he is sharing a word for someone else?

Are we guilty of pretending to be sincere and hear the message, but our minds are at home with our to do list? Are we busy with our thoughts about the meal?

We listen, but have not intention of doing what the Word tells us to do...then are we like the people of Israel?

The people of Israel knew Ezekiel spoke the truth. Time and time again it was proven, but yet they refused to truly listen. Do we like to listen, but just not act of the words? Is it easier to go along with every one and not stand up for God's instructions? Are we so weak that we are afraid to stand out like Ezekiel and Jeremiah? After all, look at all the things that happened to these men when they stood out for God...

Yes, things happened...God was right there with them. He spoke with them, He held their hand and never ever were they alone. Imagine, the relationship that these men had with God...the struggles were real, but God helped them. The hurts were huge, but God bandaged their wounds and broken hearts...because they knew God! They were sincere when they listened, they were not pretending!

Are we pretending to listen? Oh Lord, open our ears to hear and our eyes to see the truths that you share with each of us...Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Proud will be brought down

2011-08-28T09:03:00.003-05:00

When we look at the picture the scripture from Obadiah makes sense to us.

You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. "Who can ever reach us way up here?" you ask boastfully.

Pause and study the photo a moment. It was hard to fight Edom. The location was hard to get to and their homes were built in rock, but still God could bring them down.

Edom is the land of Esau. Esau, the proud brother that sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. Esau, who was tricked by Jacob and did not receive his father's blessing. Esau who we are told God - Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. So, this is where Esau went to settle and build his home. A man that God hated built this land.

Obadiah and Jonah are the only two minor prophets told to go to someone other than Israel and Judah and give a message. He wasn't going to deliver a welcome message of impending doom for Edom. God rules everyone; whether they believe it or not!

Edom was filled with wise men and sages. It was located on the kings highway and much wisdom from India, Europe, and North Africa all passed through this way. We are told in verse 8 - At that time not a single wise person will be left in the whole land of Edom...God didn't think they were too wise! Even in verse 9 we are told that the mighty warrior of Teman would be terrified. The name Teman is derived from the name of Esau's grandon. So the terror would run deep...way back and the land destroyed!

How wise are we without God?

We will be like the Edomites and loose it all without the One True God!

Lord, help us all to gain the wisdom that you desire for each of us. The wisdom that only You are able to provide. The wisdom of helping each other, true compassion for others, that you alone sent your Son to die for each of us and that this is the only way to walk through that narrow gate. Thank you for loving each of us sooooo very much and for the grace and mercy that absolutely no one deserves or understands! Amen

Sweet blessings,

Debbie