Words To Live By

30 Life Principles By Charles Stanley

Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.

Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.

The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.

God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.

You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.

The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.

Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.

Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.

If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.

God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.

Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.

Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.

Whatever you acquire outside of God’s will eventually turns to ashes.

We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.

As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.

Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.

Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.

Obedience always brings blessing.

To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit.

You can never out give God.

To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

God blesses us so that we might bless others.

Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.

Prayer is life’s greatest time saver.

No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith.

We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.

An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.

Awesome Day At Church Yesterday

Yesterday at church was AWESOME! Our youth pastor brought the message and it was a good one. It was about faithfulness, service, tithing, and how we should be in the word daily. I know God was speaking to me and Stanley. We have said I don't know how many times, that we are going to get a daily devotional started, but we never do.

We also used to tithe like we were supposed to, and when we did. everything worked out like it was supposed to, but something happened and it got to be an every now and then thing and now things aren't working so good. I don't know how we tithed to begin with because there is never enough money to pay all the bills, much less tithe, but God works it out when your faithful and obedient to him. We have to get back to tithing like we are supposed to, but it will take total trust in God because money is so incredibly tight right now.

Last night we watched The Climb during the evening servive at church. That is a real good movie. I see nothing wrong with showing a movie at church as long as it is about God. Of course, someone always has to complain about it, and sure enough, one did.

Discussion

I accidently deleted this post when I meant to update it. We ( my family and I) had been having a discussion about preachers/ministers/pastors, on whether or not they had to be ordained or licensed to preach or marry people. Well apparently in KY you don't have to be licensed to preach or marry.

This is scary ... So basically anyone can perform marriages now. Anyone can claim they are a preacher, and they can preach. That would be like me saying I am a nurse an insert an IV in someones arm without training and without a license. That is WRONG in so many ways.

Luckily, I think most churches would require ordainment and seminary before hiring a person as a pastor.

A Great Christmas

The Stevenson family had a great Christmas this year. Stanley's parents came bright and early to watch the kids open gifts. The kids all got an mp3 player, a bicycle, three outfits a piece, shoes, socks and underwear, and another PS2. Austen got two PS2 games, Tanner got a CD player and a skateboard, Coty got a PS2 game, a skateboard, and a coat. Brianna got a karaoke machine and a karaoke Hannah Montana CD, and a coat. They got gift cards and other gifts from grandparents.

I cooked a big meal, bigger than planned. We had a ham that was to die for, a juicy turkey, wonderful chicken & dressing, Au-gratin potatoes, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, macaroni and tomatoes, green bean casserole, rolls that you have to let rise before you bake, and regular rolls too, and then my sister made two chess pies and a pumpkin pie. My sister and her family, my mom, and my best friend and her new boyfriend all came to eat and visit. It was great having them all here. Stanley's mom and dad was supposed to come and eat later in the evening, but they didn't.

I feel very blessed to have had most of my family with me at Christmas. I know many people are without their loved ones during the holidays.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Getting Things Ready

Tomorrow is a big day for several reasons. First we have church, then we have to get stuff together that we are taking to a very deserving family for Christmas. Then we have to go back to church; the choir is putting on a Christmas Cantata that I am a small part of. Then I have to start getting things ready for Christmas dinner.

I am cooking a small Christmas dinner compared to past ones. I am cooking:

Turkey
Ham
Chicken & Dressing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Rolls

My sister and her family are bringing a pumpkin pie and two chess pies. My mother is bringing drinks. My nephew may come with his girlfriend, but he probably will come only with a hefty appetite.

I wish all of my family could be here together, but unfortunately there are people in my family who cause so much "hell" for others that they don't want to be around them at all.

I am looking forward to the food and having my nieces and nephews here ... my nieces are the clowns in the family that keep us all laughing with their jokes and little skits they do. I can't wait.

But most of all I'm looking forward to celebrating my savior's birth and looking back over the year, counting all my blessings and thanking my heavenly father above for all of the gifts he has given me and my family.

I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas filled with all of God's blessings! Merry Christmas!

I'm Thinking ...

#1.
I have drowned in self-pity long enough, it is time for me to raise my head and think about the good in my life, and not dwell on what really stinks. Satan was showing me EVERYTHING that is wrong in my life, trying to convince me that I don't have anyone to turn to, and I started thinking "Why am I even here?" - He may make me feel bad for a little while, but he can't steal my joy because I have hope in Jesus Christ, and I can turn to HIM in times of pain and need.

#2.
If I had known raising teenage boys was going to be so hard, I would have petitioned for a puppy instead. I love my kids, I really do, but sometimes I just want to put them to sleep until their 20. You know what I'm talking about. I mean really, I know what my parents would have done to me if I said and did the things my kids say and do.

#3.
Our biggest problem (Stanley's and mine), is that we can't agree on discipline, and we go about it all wrong. I sometimes wonder why God even gave us kids because we really STINK at being parents. There are so many people in this world who can't have kids, who would raise godly children, but God gave us kids ... I'm beginning to question God's sense of humor.

#4.
My last post made my church look bad. My church is awesome! I love my church, I just think it is so big that the only people the pastor has time for is the people who work in or help run the church. There are a few people that have made it clear that they wouldn't spit on me if I was on fire, but hey, that's life. I don't worry about it, and leave it for God to deal with. - I do have several people I could turn to in the church, I'm just not so sure if that is a good idea. I think if anything, we need general counseling to help us raise these kids in a godly fashion.

#5.
When you don't raise your kids in church from birth, you really MESS UP! See I was basically taken out of the church I'm in now - I'm thinking at age 10 or 11, (because my mom had issues). I visited a few churches with friends as I grew older, but nothing regular. I just got so far away from God that it took over 20 years for me to come back. It's pretty sad when you've been a member of a church for 25 years, but only attended for three or four years (at the most). I can't make up for time lost, but I can do my best to raise my kids right from now on. Something that is proving to be very challenging.

#6.
I am no longer volunteering for anything while I am active in school, except for Revive. The only reason I will for Revive is because God called me to do that and it is something I am very passionate about and believe in. God has really pulled me into that ministry, I do a lot more than coordinate two walks, but God is in control; HE is doing it all. I am just allowing HIM to do it through me, though I have argued with HIM about it a few times :)

#7.
I was just way to busy with stuff at church this semester and ended up with a 2.692 GPA for the semester. Luckily God was on my side and my cumulative GPA is still "OK" with a 3.065. Thank you God! I have to keep my GPA up for the nursing program. I believe God called me to be a nurse, so I need to make sure I don't spread myself out too thin and ruin my chance.

Well that is all I have been thinking about lately. I will one day look back on this and think "Wow, God got me through it all" ... I can't wait. I am praising HIM already because I know HE will see me through all of my issues.

Frustrating

I was asking for prayer from my SS teacher when I came to realize that I don't feel accepted or worthy enough to ask for help from my church right now. That's really sad you know? When you feel like people don't have time to mess with your needs, something is really wrong.

My sister tells me how she talks with her pastor and how close she is to the people in her church. I am envious of that because I don't have that kind of relationship with my church. I have tried, Lord knows I have tried. But for some reason I can't get to that point.

I'm just going to give it to God, go read my bible, and see what HE says.

Prayer Request

I am asking for prayer for my family. We put on a big smile a lot of the time when actually things are pretty bad. Satan is playing a sick game with us and he is slowly tearing our family a part. Only God can fix it. Please pray for God's healing hand to intervene and fix this problem. Otherwise, I'm not sure how long it can hold together.

Revive Prayer Walks In Your Local Schools

Have you heard of Revive? If not than your in for a treat. Revive is a Christian ministry that goes around praying for local schools. This is a legal event because the prayer walk takes place when school is not in session and the school isn't the one who organizes it.

Watch the YouTube Video:



Many schools are involved, but if your school isn't involved, and you would like to get one started, please go to http://www.reviveprayerwalk.com/find/ and add your school. All it takes is to contact the school or school board, ask for permission, set a date, get someone to unlock the doors (if possible), and then get the word out!

God is moving in these schools and it is amazing to watch and be a part of. Go on and get one started in your schools ------> http://www.reviveprayerwalk.com/find/

See you on the battlefield!

God Bless You!

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker. (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1:5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted As God's child (Eph1:5)
I belong to God

'The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward youand give you peace.' Numbers 6:24-26

Thank God It's Over!

I am done with school until next semester! I still have to take my A & P final exam on the 13th, but now that I know that I can make a 68 and still keep my "B" in the class, I'm not stressing over it. I am stressing over my psychology grade though. I am hoping to get a "B", but it looks like I will probably get a high "C" instead. It's all good though, I am just thrilled that it is over!

Stressing Out

It is crunch time at school and I feel a bit stressed out and overwhelmed. I have a huge bone test tomorrow, I have a 4 chapter test on the 6th, I have a research paper due and a psychology test on the 7th, and then the A & P final is on the 13th. Yeah I'm a little worried here. I was really hoping to get another 3.5 GPA but at this point I will be happy just to pass.

Please pray that I can study and work on all these things with little interuption and objection from family. I may not go to church tonight because I need every minute of free time I have right now. I feel a headache coming on!

Updates - All Over The Place

Well we can now pray at WKCTC, PRAISE GOD! He worked it out and wanted us to know it was Him that did it.

I hurt my back Monday night, not sure how, it just started hurting. It got so bad that I had to go to a chiropractor Wednesday. X-rays showed several misalignments, including my pelivc bone was higher on the right and pushed forward on the right, and a few vertebrae were twisted.

I couldn't go to school Thursday and missed a test because of it. I was just so sore from all the adjustments. Today it was a little better, but I went back to the chiropractor, we found that my hip was still out of place, more adjustments hopefully fixed me right up. I feel better than I did this morning. I go back Monday to see how well the adjustments have worked.

Please pray for my friend "BW", she is starting to have seizures again, and those can be so dangerous to have, especially if she were to be driving or something like that. She went a pretty good while without having any, then they did a medicine change and she is having them again. Just pray that God will protect her from all harm and that he will heal her.

Also, please pray for my mom and her best friend's family. Her best friend died from cancer Tuesday night.

UPDATE

I am meeting with the president of the college tomorrow about the prayer walk. I believe God stepped in and worked a miracle! God is so good!

Shocked & Confused

Yesterday we went to WKCTC for our first prayer walk there. We weren't welcomed at all. Shortly after arriving, a security officer approached us and we were told to leave. The security officer said he had been given specific instructions to have us leave if we showed up to pray. Can you believe that? Here we are in the Bible Belt and we can't pray in a public place.

It just goes to show what this world is coming to when your told you can't pray. I mean what does prayer hurt? I could understand if we were there to protest or be disruptive or cause trouble, but we were there to talk to God on behalf of the college.

It's ok though because I know God has a plan. He wouldn't have put this on my heart if he wasn't going to see it through. He is testing me, or maybe the college, I don't know, but I know HIS will be done, and I am just waiting to see what God does with this. It will be amazing I am sure!

Happy Happy Happy

Yes I am happy, why? because the Democrats did good Tuesday night here in Ky. I wasn't really crazy about Beshear, but when compared to Fletcher, he was the lesser of the two evils. (IMO)

If Tuesday night is any predictor of our presidental election, then we will either have the first woman president, or the first black president(assuming he wins the primary). Either would be fine with me, but I'd rather have Hillary!

I have heard people say that you can't be a Democrat and a Christian, well I am both, so that isn't true! Democrats are all about saving our civil rights and upholding the Constitution, while feeding the poor and helping those less fortunate ... sure sounds like a Christian to me!

My Theological Worldview

What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists. Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 57% Classical Liberal 57% Charismatic/Pentecostal 54% Neo orthodox 54% Reformed Evangelical 50% Roman Catholic 46% Fundamentalist 43% Emergent/Postmodern 39% Modern Liberal 18%

The Politics Test

You are a Social Moderate (56% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (28% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat (28e/56s) Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Another test said I was a smaller government centrist toward the libertarian side while being on the line between conservative and libertarian. This is what it said:

Your views call roughly the same amount of government with just a bit more liberty than we currently have in the United States today. Your views are probably best served by a nearly equal mix of Democrats and Republicans in the legislatures, as long as you choose the correct Democrats and Republicans.

Or, if you want to make sure government shrinks a bit, you could throw a few Libertarians into the mix. But just a few. The Libertarian Party calls for radical cuts in government far beyond what you want. Think of a tub of cold bathwater. To get it warm enough to be comfortable, you can add scalding hot water to bring the temperature up to ideal.

Me About Four Years Ago

Fun & Fellowship

Last night we went to the "L" house for a Sunday School party. It was a lot of fun. We played volleyball, went for a hayride, had a bonfire, and ate a wonderfully delicious potluck dinner. Us women went inside and had a few interesting conversations I think the men talked about hunting and fishing out in the garage.

We all had a great time, and JL & BL were so gracious by hosting the party. I really enjoyed myself, and I know the rest of the crew did too.

Some people go to church and associate with people but don't like hanging out with them. My church is like a great big family, we like hanging out with each other. It's nice to know that you have people who support you and are there for you in time of need.

Stressing Out

When we bought this house, we were told that the taxes on it weren't bad, and when we seen what the previous owner paid, we new we could handle it. We got the county tax bill a day ago and I just about passed out. It is almost $500 and that isn't counting city tax! The taxes are due on November 30th, along with house insurance over $300, the city tax should be here sometime, and it should be close to $200, then I have $200 worth of uniforms to buy before school starts back in January.

All this on one income ... yeah I am freaking out! It is going to take a miracle from God to get this all paid. As if I didn't have enough to stress about with school and getting good grades, now I got to worry about over $1200 we have to have very soon.

I can't get a job, it would cause me to do poorly in school - which would be counterproductive. Our income taxes will be here in February, but that is too late. Stanley will work over as much as possible, but because they have had someone working over all the time and not getting much work done, they are trying to stop overtime completely because they feel someone is taking advantage of the company.

Christmas will be very skimpy this year to say the least, and we won't be able to spend any money that isn't absolutely necessary. Pinching pennies will be my new hobby. I can't wait! I'm gonna go cry and pray, have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Jibber Jabber

I feel like I have neglected my blog, but I have been so busy I haven't had time to post. My best friend tells me that I am the busiest person she knows ... I know I stay tired all the time from all the business.

I have had a couple of big tests back to back, and today I have a pretty big muscle and bone test. I feel good about it actually, I have studied so much that I am pretty sure I got them. I have to get started working on my psychology stuff. I have neglected that class and my grade reflects that. I have also got to get started working on my research paper for Eng 102. It is the last assignment I have to do in there (Thank you God). I have a A in that class though, so I am liking that.

After class today I have to go grocery shopping, then tomorrow is Kids-Fest at church and I'm helping so I am excited. I'm not going to dress up though ... I am so tired of Halloween and dressing up that I could scream. Just another Holiday to help rot your kids teeth, thanks!

I am hoping my life will slow down a bit now that Upward is over. I would have volunteered for Upward Basketball but I have been stretched so thin and time is hard to find these days, and my Bible reading and studies have suffered from it. Like our pastor said, we fill up our calendars with good stuff (like volunteering) when we should be filling them up with great stuff (like getting in the word and getting closer to God).

Well I am off to do more studying (I want to get an A), so I hope you have a great, glorious, and blessed day! Don't forget God in your busy schedule today!

Prayer Request

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was trying to get a prayer walk (http://www/reviveprayerwalk.com) started at WKCTC in Paducah, Ky. Well as you know, I was told that we could "Pray at our own risk". I was also told that if I posted flyers about the date and time of the walk, that they may be taken down. I really thought they were just trying to cover their backs because they receive state funding ... I guess I was wrong because every flyer I posted or put on tables, was gone the next day I went to the college.

It looks like they, and Satan, are gonna fight this prayer walk I scheduled for Nov. 11, 2007. Guess what? I'm gonna fight back too. I'm gonna hang more posters/flyers, and tell more people about it.

Let's see what God does!

God Has Really Blessed Us

Last night at church we had to tell something about the mission trip we went on. I was very nervous because I don't do well speaking in front of people like that. I said something unintentional and made everybody laugh, which took my nerves away. I would have said something else if time would have allowed.

I would have said that God has truly blessed us with awesome friends, like "J" & "BL" When we went out to eat that Sunday night in NO, the restaurant was pretty expensive and I was about to freak out because we can't afford places like that on one income. I had tears in my eyes because I was truly worried. "J" told me that he would get the kids, and we could just get mine and Stanley's. I said no, but he insisted. That really got me choked up and then I got something in my eye which really got my eyes to tearing up.

It ended up that "J" payed for it all because the place added so much extra for the tip and seperate checks. Stanley and I decided that we couldn't let him pay for the kids or us because our bill had to be over $100. I was calculating what ours was and gave him a check for $90, and then realized that amount was wrong because our drinks and tip was probably more than I figured. It didn't matter though because "J" never cashed the $90 check.

I emailed him last week telling him to cash the check, then last night I told him again, he told me that they through it away. I told "B" that I was going to have to figure something out because I didn't want them to pay for our food. I don't know how to get them to take the money, but I got to think of something.

I just feel so blessed to have friends that are so self-less that they would offer to pay for and then pay for such a big food bill. I hate it that they did, but it just goes to show what kind of people they are. They are awesome people and I feel so blessed to have them in my life.

"J's" birthday is coming up and I'm gonna have to pay him back with his birthday gift. That is the only way I can think of that he will take the money. I'm thinking gift cards to his favorite restaurants :)

Exciting!

We are starting to register for spring 08' classes and it is so exciting, in just a few months I will be starting nursing classes! I cannot wait!

What A Blessing

This past weekend we were in New Orleans on a mission trip with our church. It was an amazing weekend, I really enjoyed it. We put on a block party for the Gentilly community and it was a blessing to be a part of it. The kids were so precious!

On Sunday evening we took a road trip to see the lower 9th ward, it was sad. One person said that our tax money paid for the flood wall like it was a bad thing ... I don't care to help pay for it, I just wish we could have before the hurricane hit.

We also walked down Bourbon street ... I don't know whose idea that was, but that is not the place to take a church group or kids. I could not believe the things we seen there. I guess it was good in a way, because we got a glimpse of what hell looks like. No really. I have never seen the "f" word on so many shirts in my life. Scary!

"Pray At Your Own Risk"

That is what I was told when trying to start a prayer walk at my college. That is ok, I WILL pray at my own risk ... I WILL take a stand for Jesus. Will you? http://www.reviveprayerwalk.com

Busy-Busy-Busy

I have so much going on this week that I feel a bit overwhelmed. I have a final exam in my Art Class I can take tomorrow or Friday. An essay to write by Friday. A test in Psychology I can take from Sunday to Wednesday. A lab test Tuesday, and I was suppose to have an A&P test on Tuesday too, but apparently they are not supposed to schedule lab & lecture tests on the same day, so we have been told lecture will move to another day.

I am also trying to get REVIVE started at my college. So far I have been told that "This is a state school and therefore we cannot promote religious events" ... HOGWASH I tell ya, pure hogwash! I am not giving up though. My Nursing advisor (Dean of Nursing) seems to love the idea and is going to talk with the leaders of the school, so I still feel good about it.

Pray that Revive makes it to WKCTC! College students need prayer too!

Learning What God Says

Sometimes something keeps coming up over and over again, and I feel like Satan is just trying to cause trouble, but then I talk with someone who tells me that the Bible says:

In Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

So I guess it was God.

Thank You God!

Another answered prayer - I am in total awe of how God has worked this week! My friend Chris is ok. Her test result was fine. I am so thankful to God and for everyone who prayed for her.

God bless you and yours!

Ask & You Shall Receive

It has taken a lot of prayer and a lot of determination, but last night we finally got to do a family devotion. Thank you God! I read a few chapters from Romans and then we got in a circle, held hands, and prayed.

We had family devotions when we lived at the other house, but it got lost with the move and the busyness of everyday life. I want so much for my entire family to be in the word every single day and us to pray together several times a day, not just meal times.

God has really been working this week, he has answered many prayers, even little ones that seemed so pointless to pray about, but I did anyway. I am in a praise and worship state of mind, and I am so excited to see what God is going to do next.

I pray that you get excited about what God is going to do in your life! Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

God Vs. Satan

God has really been at work around me this week, it is awesome. I have had the opportunity to witness to someone who may be lost. I know this person is searching for God and answers and God says if we seek him, we will find him. I pray that this person searches until they find him.

God has answered several prayers this week and I just feel like I am back with a loving relationship with him, and I am so thankful! I have been trying to get daily family devotionals going for some now, but like our Preacher's wife said, sometimes Satan doesn't get you to do bad, he just distracts you with good things (like Upward football & cheerleading, and volunteering for everything), that it takes your focus off the really important things like reading your bible, praying, and having family devotionals.

I have been reading my bible everyday for a few days now, and I pray all the time, but it is vital that my family get into a family devotional because it seems like we are falling apart. The kids have been fighting like crazy, they have been disrespectful to us and other people, they have gotten where they don't think they have to mind. I pray that God helps us to get it under control.

My best friend is moving back to Murray. I had the feeling she wouldn't stay long, even if things worked out, which they didn't ... it just breaks my heart because I'm one of few friends of hers who is in church and has a relationship with God. I was hoping if she was here long enough I could lead her to God. I have witnessed to her and have been praying for her on a regular basis, so I have done what God requires of me. I just wish I could know that she was saved and going to Heaven when she dies. UPDATE: Looks like things worked out, and for now she is going to stay. THANK YOU GOD! Another answered prayer!

Satan showed up this morning and caused my kids to miss "Pray At The Pole". He also put in my mind someone who I have felt for a long time doesn't like me. Last night I was at the jewelry party and this person was there. Every time I am around this person I feel like they don't like me, and that's fine I guess, I just wish I knew what I did to them so that I could apologize for it.

I pray for this person a lot and hopefully one day I will have the courage to ask why they don't like me. I am pretty sure that I haven't done anything to them, but a lot of people choose not to like someone for petty reasons, or no reason at all. I just pray that God will fix it, that's all I can do. I can't make someone like me. There are even people who just act like they do like me (I can tell), even though I'd rather them not like me and me know it than act like they like me. I can't stand "fake-ness" in people, it drives me crazy.

We all know that God will win over Satan. Satan is just a pain in the neck that we have to deal with until Jesus comes back. I hope that God has blessed you and kept you safe from harm. Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

I'm Excited!

Tonight a friend and I are going to a Lia Sophia party that is being held by a friend at church. The jewelry is so beautiful and it has a lifetime guarantee (something you don't get with a lot of other jewelry). It is a bit expensive but I am going to try to buy a couple of the cheaper priced pieces. I think all the ladies at church are coming, which is really cool. I love getting together with the women at church. We have some really funny ladies, let me tell you.

I am also excited because God has answered two prayers this week. One was that a little girl in our church was saved on Sunday. I have been praying for her and another girl for a while now, and it is wonderful when God hears a prayer and answers it! The other is that God kept our cheer leading squad together. I know I haven't had a lot of time to practice cheers with school and four kids. I realized that I had bitten off more than I could chew, but I still try to do it.

Saturday we only had one girl to cheer and another girl went to a different squad. I was worried that because of my lack of time and effort that it was gonna fall all apart. I prayed for God to give us another chance and be in this squad and let us be an example to these girls. He said yes because all of the girls showed up last night for practice and pictures. I just pray that they all show up on Saturday too.

Our God is an awesome God! I praise him for all that he does, even when he lets me fall flat on my face, because it is those times when I grow the most.

Revive Prayer Walk

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Start praying for your school or your kids school by going to http://reviveprayerwalk.com.

The Truth In Romans

Romans 3:19-20
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Romans 3:21-23
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:27-31
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Most Christians try very hard to keep the 10 Commandments, even though it is nearly impossible. We try because we love God so much for sending Jesus to die for us, not because we think we are better than anyone else.

Tonight at church, God spoke to me so clearly through our Youth Minister. I have been so busy that I have slipped into religion and out of a relationship with my Father in Heaven. I thank God for speaking to me and I pray that my religion flies away but I get closer with Him in a relationship so that I can be more like Jesus, show more love to other people, and be someone He can use for His glory. Amen!

Have a great, glorious, and blessed week. If you don't have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus, I pray that you will before it's too late. Just call on Him, He will answer you.

Romans 4:8
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." (a saved man)

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for my best friend. She had some tests come back that weren't in her favor and she is having more tests run. Pray that God will protect her and keep her from harm. She doesn't have a personal relationship with Christ and she is studying other religions. I am only one person trying to compete with so many other things that I feel so helpless and hopeless.

I mourn for her soul and I mourn for what is going on with her right now. I have been so emotional since this test came back. It is like it is so much more important for me to get her saved, but I don't know how to get her there without pushing her away. She seems so believing of other religions but doesn't believe Jesus Christ is the only way to get to God. I just feel like I am failing God by not leading her to him.

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for this beautiful day and all that I have. I love you so much and want so much to be more like Jesus. Please help me to be more patient, more understanding, have more self control and more love for others. Lord I know I have failed you many times this week. Lord I ask for your forgiveness for all the ways I have failed you, including those I don't remember. Lord I have a heavy burden that I need to hand over to you. My friend is in need of your love, your mercy, and your forgiveness, she just doesn't realize it yet. Lord I pray so strongly for her. She needs to be saved and she needs for this test to come back ok. I give it to you Lord, I pray for your will to be done. I may not understand what is going on, but I know your way is the best way. Help me be a tool that you can use. Give me wisdom and strength. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Prayer Requests

I have two people in my life who are trying to quit smoking. One is my best friend, the other is my brother-in-law. Please pray for both of them, that God will give them HIS strength to overcome this powerful addiction.

I tried to quit smoking several times, and it wasn't until I leaned on God and asked for HIS strength that I was able to quit, and that was almost two years ago. I praise God for helping me quit. Smoking is the worst habit anyone could have.

God is good and he will help us in our times of need if we will just surrender to him and ask him for his help. Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

A Great Weekend With God

I have been praising the Lord God Almighty all weekend long down at the Four Rivers Will Graham Celebration in Paducah, Ky. It has been an awesome, and amazing weekend. God was there, people got saved, and Christians were revived! Praise God for all that happened this weekend!

I was a counselor, but unfortunately didn't get to counsel anyone. I was willing though, and that is what really matters. I am still just in total awe of how God moved. There were amazing performances by Christian entertainers like; Nicole C. Mullen, Go Fish, Tree 63, Tait, and Steven Curtis Chapman. All of them were great and told the Good News with music.

I think I am becoming Bapticostal though ... I was dancing and had my hands held high praising the Lord with all that I had. I don't do that in church because I'm scared of what people might say (which I shouldn't do). I should never be scared to praise God even if it is in a Baptist Church.

If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, I pray that you will before it's too late. Have a great, glorious, and blessed weekend.

We Shall Feed The Poor!

Psalm 132:15 I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.

Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 21:13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Luke 11:41 But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

Luke 14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

Say A Prayer For Me

Today I have my lab exam for A & P, I'm a bit nervous about it and would appreciate your prayers. Tomorrow my Psychology exam opens and stays open until the 15th. Thursday is my A&P exam, and Friday my essay is due.

I feel like my brain is gonna explode with all the information I'm trying to get in there. I just pray that I do well, I don't have to make a perfect score, but I would like to start off the semester doing well.

Tomorrow my oldest son turns 15. I can't even believe that! My babies are growing up on me. Today I am going to LifeWay to buy him a teen study bible and a case that has his name on it. There is no better gift than the word of God. He has a bible, but he doesn't like it, and I have looked at this teen study bible, and it is really good, so that's what I am getting him.

Well I pray that you will have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Very Busy Week Ahead!

This week is so busy that the only way I will accomplish everything, will be with God's strength. Just take a look ...

Monday- Have to study for exam on Tuesday and my Psychology exam opens online the 12th-15th, plus start writing an essay that is due on Friday. Grocery shop, Housework/Laundry.
Tuesday-Have to study more for exam, take exam, plus go over study guide for another exam on Thursday and the one online. Housework/Laundry
Wednesday-Study for exam on Thursday and online, prepare for TeamKid, Wish my oldest son a happy birthday (15 years old), go to church.
Thursday-Study for and take exam at school, study for and take exam online, do final touches on essay. Go to counselor's meeting for Will Graham celebration.
Friday- Turn in essay. work on another class/study for exam on Tuesday. Housework/Laundry. Will Graham Celebration
Saturday- KidzFest/Will Graham Celebration
Sunday - Church/Will Graham Celebration

Then Monday of the next week, I have to give blood at the local blood drive.
Tuesday-Another exam.

Please say a prayer for me this week, whenever you can remember. I would greatly appreciate it. I feel a bit overwhelmed just thinking about this list, but I know God will get me through it.

Continue to pray for my best friend. I have invited her to the Will Graham Celebration, and I am praying so hard that she will come and be saved. I would be so very thankful to God if she got saved. She means the world to me and I want her to be in Heaven with me.

Pray for AJsmom's sister too, she is going through some health and emotional issues. Pray that God will see her through.

Prayer does work folks, so pray for the people you love and pray for those who need Christ. You will be blessed if you do.
Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

I Love It When ...

I'm feeling like dirt and my best friend gives me one of the best compliments I have ever had.

A small child hugs my neck and tells me "I wuv you", see you next week".

I come home and my two dogs are excited to see me.

My children listen to me.

My husband puts his arms around me.

God answers my prayers about other people.

Dear Lord I want to thank you for the few true friends I have. The people who uplift me, make me smile, and love me unconditionally. I want to thank you for a family you have put in our path. You put them in our path when we wasn't ready, but now we know why you have put them there and we will help them the right way. I want to thank you for my family. I want to thank you for my husband. He is my safety net, and my one true love. I want to thank you for both answered and unanswered prayers. You know better what is needed than I ever could. Lord I just ask that you continue to be with my best friend, you know what she needs. I ask that you give me the words to say, or the action to perform that will help her. Lord I pray that she accepts Jesus before it's too late. Please forgive me of my many failures, and guide and direct my paths. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Prayer Request

Please pray for my best friend. I am not going to reveal her name due to privacy issues, but God will know who your talking about.

She is going through a very rough time right now. Things have happened that I cannot even imagine happening, much less go through. I found myself struggling for the words to say to her because I really don't know the biblical answer to her problem.

All I know is that she is standing at a crossroads and the path she chooses may very well be the path that leads her to salvation, the other may be the one that leads her to a life of misery ... I just don't know which path to tell her to take. Yes, it's that bad.

Dear Lord I thank you for my best friend's friendship, and Lord I come to you today to ask for your guidance in this matter. I don't know what to tell her, I don't know what she should do, but I pray that she does what YOU would want her to do, and that she will be saved. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Getting Back

I'm glad the holiday weekend is over. We had some good family fun, we went bowling and to Mr. Gatti's on Saturday night. Sunday we had church, and then yesterday we all were lazy and just watched tv or took long naps. It was a good weekend though.

Pray for my family this week as we try to incorporate some changes in our daily lives. If we can make these changes a habit, we will be doing good. Seems like the closer to God I want to be, the more Satan steps in and causes havok. Hopefully these changes will help to combat Satan.

Well, I am off to read my Bible and get ready for class. Hope you have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Startin' With Me

This is a few lines from a song sang by Jake Owen. I heard this song and thought "Wow, isn't that the truth".

If I had a dime
For half the things I did
That didn’t make no sense at all
I’d be living a little higher on the hog
If only I had known
That later on down the road
I’d look back and not like what I see
I’d've changed a lot of things
Startin’ with me

Prayer Request

My friend "JL" called me yesterday and told me that his wife's dad died. Please pray for my friend "BL" as she mourns the loss of her dad. Please pray for her whole family, her mom especially. It is hard to lose a dad, I know, but it's probably really hard to lose a husband.

As I opened my Bible this morning, I was led right to a passage I would like to share with you.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-3
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

Isn't it amazing how God can lead you to a passage that fits what you or someone else is going through?

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with all of God's blessings and his mercy.

A Quick Question

Can you stand up for yourself with a fellow Christian/church member? Can you tell them to to leave you alone? I had to ask my pastor this question because the more I think about a situation, the more upset I get.

Stanley doesn't say anything to this person, so I feel like this person takes advantage of that. I think if Stanley told this person to stop, they might realize that he isn't going to lay down and let this person walk all over him.

What do you think? Can you tell a fellow Christian to leave you alone? Can you tell them you don't appreciate the way they treat you? I'm really struggling here, so please respond.

Answered Prayer

I was supposed to work all this week and then Saturday was going to be my last day. I have been bombarded with homework, most of it due by Friday, and was stressing out about how I was going to be able to my homework while at work. I talked to God about it and guess what God did? Well the lady I worked for decided to go visit her daughter in Nashville for the rest of the week after her daughter invited her. So, I guess you could say that God took care of my problem for me.

Our God works in ways we could never comprehend, but I am very thankful for all the prayers he answers, and even for the ones he doesn't. I know there have been a couple of times if he had answered my prayer that I would be in a big mess. He knows the outcome, he knows what we need better than we do. We all need to learn to trust him more.

I'll keep praying about the other problem (below), and I am positive he will take care of that one too because he said it in the Bible ... Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

I hope you have a great, glorious, and blessed day full of God's grace!

Thank you Lord for your many blessings in this life. Your an amazing and wonderful God who loves us beyond our imaginations. You work for our good even when we don't understand. Thank you Lord, Thank you!

I Need Help - Laryngitis Would Be Great!

I found out this morning that the person who always causes Stanley trouble at work, managed to whine enough about some overtime that Stanley was getting (even though this person gets a lot of overtime), so now Stanley won't get that particular overtime anymore.

It's a shame that someone who makes more money than us and has three less mouths to feed, who works almost every Saturday and any time he can to get overtime, would concern himself with our business, and be so envious of a measly 30 minutes a day of overtime, that he would make sure Stanley lost it. That is kind of like taking food out of my kids mouths, which upsets me greatly.

This person steals Stanley's food, gives his food to other people, goes to the office and whines about everything Stanley does, and has even tried to get his job. Yeah folks, this is what Christians are starting to look like. No wonder the lost are running as far away as they can from Christianity, you can't tell the difference between Christians and the lost anymore. (And I'm talking about a lot of Christians, myself included).

I just keep telling myself that Psalm 37:8 says: Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Because I feel a storm brewing in my mouth and if I see this person, Hurricane Cindy just might make landfall. I can't deal with this person anymore. I need to distance myself from this person as much as possible because Stanley won't say anything to him, so he thinks he can just keep walking all over him, and he needs to know he can't keep doing this and Stanley & I continue to ignore it.

Dear Lord, I thank you for everything that we have, and even for the things we don't have because you know more than we do what we need. Lord I need your guidance, your strength, your mercy, I need your wisdom...I ask that you please help me with the above situation. You say you won't give us more than we can handle, and I know you mean what you say. Lord please help me show Christ in me, help me to say only good things and not bad things. Please forgive me of many many failures. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Just Stuff

Well I just got on here for a few minutes before I start doing my homework and going over cheers for practice tonight. I have a ton of homework to do, and most of it is due by Friday. I have a full plate this week, so I'm not sure how often I will be able to blog, but I will try to everyday.

This is my last week of work, so hopefully things will get back to normal, and we will be able to implement a daily devotional into our busy schedules. Saying your going to do it and doing it are very different things. We always say we will, and we may even start it, but then something happens and we don't continue. I believe a family devotional is just what we need.

I have been having issues the past few weeks. I've decided to just let it go and let God deal with it all. I am going to focus on him and what I need to do and then I won't have to stress over the other things because I know he will take care of it.

I hope you have a great, glorious, and blessed day.

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day and the many blessings you give us each day. Lord I give you all my troubles and issues, I ask that you deal with them, do your will with them, and let me let go of them emotionally. I pray that you work on me, guide and direct me, make me more like Jesus, and let others see Jesus in me. All this I ask in Jesus' name, Amen!

Etc. Etc. Etc.

We have a new addition to the family, Brutus - a full blooded Chinese Pug who is the most loving little/fat thing you have ever seen. He was given to us by my sister's friend. He came with a big pet carrier, shampoo, brush, dog bowl, food mat, breath chews, puppy food (the only food he will eat),a leash, and two dog toys ... All free! The kids love him and he loves the kids. Now we are back to three dogs, two of them are in the house, one outside.

My first week of school was good, other than about a months worth of homework from 4 classes that I have to finish in a week - yeah I'll be busy for a while. The bad thing is that I work tonight and Saturday this week, and then Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday next week. I'm not going to have enough time to do my homework. I will just have to take it to work with me and do it when I can.

I was starting to feel better about a few things that was bothering me when my husband came home to tell me that someone was trying to cause him more trouble at work again. This is something that goes on regularly and I'm really getting tired of it. Mainly because this person will act like nothing happened in a day or two and expect us to do the same.

Just please pray for me, that I don't say or do something stupid. Pray that I will read more of my Bible so that good things will come out of me when I'm upset. There is a lesson here somewhere - pray I figure it out and learn from it.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

TeamKid

Last night the kids played outside, so I decided to help with snacks instead. I should have went outside (even though it was hot), because sometimes I let my mouth override my brain and say things I shouldn't ... Last night was no exception. The Lord showed me the error of my ways and hopefully I will learn to keep my mouth shut.

I don't know what is wrong with me lately, I just keep blurting things out that get on my nerves. It is good that I talk about my problems, but not exactly the way I have been doing it. I am just really sick of some things that have been going on and I guess it's my way of dealing with it. I need to learn to pray and talk to God about it and no one else.

We have a meeting on Sunday to figure out who is doing what in TeamKid this year. Last year we did two things, the warm up and the recreation. I'm not sure we (Stanley & I) want to do those again (mainly the warm up), but I would guess that if no one else chooses them, we will have to. I think we may have enough help this time that we should only have to do one of those. I hope so because we are also doing the bus ministry, and though I want us to do all that we can to help, I don't want to overload myself either because of school.

Well I hope you have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Books, Paper, & Homework - OH MY!

Yesterday was HOT, and I had to walk very FAR to get to my classes. The first day was crazy, there was a scheduling conflict with classrooms and so one of my classes was moved to another building, but it could be moved back by next week, who knows.

I like my professors, which is good. I am really going to have to hit the books this semester. No more putting homework and studying off until the day before it's due ... I will have to put in two hours every single day just in my Anatomy & Lab classes just to keep up, that's not counting my three online classes.

In one day I managed to get more homework then my kids do all week ... yes, that's right, I'll be lost in books and possibly in thought somewhere in my house today. If you don't see me by Sunday, please call a search party.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Back To School

Today is my first day of on campus classes. I have Anatomy & Physiology and then the lab that goes with Anatomy & Physiology. Prayer would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Have You Thought About It?

***UPDATE*** 8-21-07
This post came from something I have been dealing with and praying about that Satan tends to bring up when I'm feeling really good about my life and the changes I want to make. I thought if I posted it and prayed about it that it would go away.

This post isn't about any one person because I tend to let what people say to me or how they act toward me influence my decisions(which is wrong of ME)...Even people in my own home and family discourage me, but they don't realize it I am sure. Like I said, even I have said or done something that discouraged someone else.

If we all acted like God wanted us to, we would quit trying to be popular, quit acting like we are better than others, and start encouraging and supporting all of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and even lost people too, especially lost people.

Have you ever thought about how the way you act can impact someone else's life by discouraging them? In church, at home, wherever... how something you say or do can prevent someone else from doing something they thought about doing for someone else, or for Christ because you have discouraged them.

For instance, let's say you want to be more involved at your church, but there are a few people that don't think your qualified, or give you funny looks or say something sarcastic when you talk about it. Maybe they let power go to their heads and act like they are above you, that you work for them.

Maybe you want to be good friends with someone, but they act like they don't like you. They don't want to be around you, and it's noticeable.

You want to sing in the choir but someone laughed at you because they think you can't sing. Maybe you want to sing a solo but someone said something that changed your mind.

Maybe you thought of a great way to help people who desperately need it, and then were told no, not by words, but by someone ignoring the situation.

Maybe you have great ideas about things and want to share, but no one takes you seriously, so you chicken out.

None of us should care what others think about us, especially in times when we feel we are showing the love of Christ, or that God led us to do something. But, too many times I think someone else discourages us from doing something we feel strongly about with their words, their actions, and things they say.

I know this has happened to me many times, matter of fact it does all the time. Not necessarily the things listed, but from other things, by people who I can tell don't like me for what ever reason. I try so hard to be nice to them, try to befriend them, but I guess I'm not good enough for them, or whatever the case may be. They pretend to be my friend, or will be nice to my face, I'd rather them be ugly to me, rude to me, or ignore me then to pretend. Regardless, I let them discourage me from doing things that I know God has called me to do a couple of times. Something I shouldn't do, but I do.

I'm sure I have also said or done something that discouraged someone else. I pray I won't ever do it again! It doesn't feel very good.

Praise The Lord!

I can't even begin to explain Sunday at church, it was awesome! God spoke to me and my family so strongly on Sunday. We have decided to make some more changes in our life/family to help fight Satan and all his followers.

Putting God first in everything is our number one goal. We also want to serve in the church as much as we can. We are also going to start a family devotional every night. I am working until Sept 1st, but after that things are really going to change around my house.

I am so exited about what God is doing in my life and family, I pray your excited about what God is doing in your life and family too!

Disappointed

Apparently the Upward program won't let boys and girls play on football teams together, because it can cause self esteem issues if the girls run faster than the boys. I guess they didn't think about the self esteem of little girls who are told they can't play because of that reason.

My daughter is so upset that there isn't enough girls to play football. She was really looking forward to playing football. I guess she will have to be a cheerleader instead. I guess Upward isn't that different from regular football other than they use flags and have devotionals.

Regardless, I hope kids are saved, and even some moms and dads too. Have a great day!

Moving Upward

I am really excited about what God is going to do through Upward Football & Cheerleading at our church. It is a great outreach opportunity. I got the phone call last night that I am a cheerleading coach for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls. That's exciting! I had to ask off for Saturday at work so that I could attend the meeting and meet the girls I'll be coaching.

My oldest son is going to be a referree for football, my husband was going to try to help out, but he isn't big on sports so he doesn't know enough to be a coach or referee. He wants to help out in any way he can though. I'm sure with nearly 100 kids, there will be room for helpers :) I just pray that through the Upward program that God will be glorified and that others will see Christ in us and kids will be saved.

Sowing Generously

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Anger

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
Proverbs 22:24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Anger can tear a family apart. It can eat at your insides. It can cause so many bad things.

I Think I Got My Answer

Family issues have forced me to give my notice. I can't be working when I am obviously needed at home. God, family, and school are much more important than money anyway. Some people just aren't meant to have money, and I guess we are some of those people. That's fine with me I suppose, I just needed the money to fix my teeth, get mine and Tanner's glasses, pay around $5000 in medical bills, buy all the medication I'm supposed to be taking but can't afford, buy clothes for the entire family, and have a few dollars put away for emergencies ... I guess just enough money to pay bills, buy groceries and put gas in the car will have to do. If groceries and gas prices continue to rise then we are really out of luck.

I know, it sounds like I'm complaining, and I guess I am. It's just so frustrating.

Decisions To Make

I have been working pretty much the whole summer so that we could buy the kids school clothes and hopefully pay some medical bills that we owe (and we owe a lot). I have bought some clothes but that's about it. My online classes start today and my on campus class starts on Tuesday. I'm not sure I can work and go to school too. If I do I will have to cut my hours down significantly, and then it won't be of much benefit.

We need the money, but I also need to focus on my schooling and putting the Lord first in my life. He is, after all, the reason I am able to go to school and do as well as I do. I guess I will pray about it and see what the Lord wants me to do.

Answered Prayers

Isn't it amazing how a Sunday morning at church can be God's way of answering your prayers? I have been dealing with issues this week. Issues like having so many responsibilities that I feel overwhelmed, to dealing with Satan coming at me through people I love or encounter in my life. Today our Sunday School teacher and our Pastor covered both of these issues. The answer, of course, is to look to God, not only in prayer, but by getting into His word as well. Something I have been neglecting to do. I pray all the time, prayer is easy, but sitting down to be still and quiet long enough to read my Bible isn't so easy.

God really spoke to me this morning, and I feel so blessed to have a Heavenly Father who forgives me for my many failures in this life. His mercy and love are an amazing, wonderful, and sometimes overwhelming miracle. I feel so useless sometimes as a child of God, that I'm not doing enough to bring others to Christ, or that I don't serve in every way I can. I try so hard to be a tool that He can use, but still I know I don't do enough.

I have a few people in my life that I would love to see come to Christ. I pray for them continually. I talk to them about God and Jesus, yet I haven't gotten anywhere. I am going to be a counselor at the Will Graham Celebration, and hopefully and prayerfully I can get them to come. I pray that God speaks to them so strongly that they can't deny Him anymore.

I pray that your day is or will be as big of a blessing as mine has been! God Bless You!

Trying To Understand

Have you ever wondered why people want to hurt other people? I'm not talking about unintentional mistakes, I'm talking about deliberate, purposeful actions. I have been trying to understand this for a long time, and I have actually been dealing with people like this in my own family. I think this is partly how Satan got a hold of me the past few weeks, because I have been talking with someone who regularly does mean things to people on purpose. This person isn't in my household, but they are apart of my family.

I can't take it anymore! I can't stand the division this person has caused in my family, the pain, the lies, the constant bickering with someone. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

Dear Lord I can only pray and hand this over to you, I can't deal with it anymore. Satan uses this person to do his dirty work, and it seems to be doing the trick. Only you can stop it. Only you can change it and make it better. I ask that you put your hand in this situation before relationships are ruined and more of my family is divided. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Feeling Out Of Touch

Things just seem to be working against me the past few weeks and I figured out why. I haven't been reading my Bible like I ought to and so I'm feeling out of touch with God. It's amazing how reading your Bible can make you feel better, but it does. I have been so busy working and getting things ready for school that I haven't made the time for reading my Bible or even walking for that matter. It has been too hot to walk, but I can read my Bible from the comfort of my living room.

Satan has really stepped in lately and it's my own fault. I don't have my sword ready for battle. I am posting this and then I am going to spend some time with God. I want to feel that fellowship and that closeness with Him.

I pray that you will do the same. Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Happy 4th Anniversary Stanley

These four years have been the best out of the 16 total we've been together. Together (and with God's help) we have changed our lives and ventured on the right path. I love being your wife, I love knowing that I have a soft place to fall, and loving arms to hold me. I feel safe with you. You are home to me, my comfort, my love, and I love you more than words can say and emotions can express. I love you more today than I did the first time I married you.

May there be more laughter, more hugs and kisses, more tears of joy, and more great times ahead. May we never take each other for granted, but spend each moment together as if it were our last. May we always put God first, may we always follow him, and may we always know that he is our strength and the force that holds us together. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

A Little Bit Of Everything

Today is the last day for sleeping in and going to bed late. Tomorrow all of my kids will be back in school. Seems to me like school starts earlier and earlier every year and gets out later and later. I have enjoyed the time with them, but I am ready for things to return to a schedule. I do well with schedules, I like them, and they make me feel more comfortable.

I am excited about Upward Football & Cheer leading this year at church. My two youngest boys and my little girl will be involved, and I'm hoping I can redo my work schedule so that I can be a cheer leading coach. I just hope they don't expect me to do back flips and cartwheels. (LOL)

Wednesday, Stanley and I will be celebrating 4 years of marriage. If you read the side panel at all, you know that we have been married twice and even while divorced, we still lived together. July marked 16 years that we have been together (since our first date). I always think about our later anniversaries ... like 25 years, we would actually be together 37 years. It's interesting to say the least.

My Internet classes start on the 13th and I have to get my books on the 10. One of my books may have to be ordered. All of my classes are online this year but my A & P class and the lab that goes with it.

The AFA sent out an email not so long ago that said that Ford's sales went down over 9% due to the boycott they started. Well I was watching CNN the other day and they said that Chevy, Dodge, GM, and a few others, all had a 9-11% drop in sales this last quarter due to people buying hybrids to save on fuel costs. Funny how that was left out. I'm not a big AFA fan if you haven't noticed.

Well I think I have bored you enough for one day. Have a great, glorious, and blessed day.

College/School/Church Happenings

I changed my fall schedule at college. The Assistant Dean of Nursing advised me that trying to take English 102 while taking nursing classes and medical microbiology would be a full load. She told me that I should cancel my Phlebotomy class and put English 102 and Intro To Art in its place. This will also help me to be home around 4PM instead of 8PM, and I'm sure my husband and children are delighted with that.

The kids start back to school August 7th. I have enjoyed them but I am ready to have my peace and quiet back. My grocery bill will also go down and that's always a plus. They are excited and I am excited for them. I cannot believe that my youngest boys are going to be in middle school this year. My how time flies!

Tomorrow is our Homecoming at church and I cannot wait. The singing and the music put you in the proper worship mood, and then the preaching puts you back on the right path. I am fixing broccoli and cauliflower casserole and "Heavenly Eggs" (as my Sunday School teacher calls them) We have a big potluck meal afterwards, last years was awesome!

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

This That & The Other

We didn't go to church last night because Stanley was so tired and overheated from work. I wanted to go but he wanted me to stay home with him...he told me that key people in the church missed more church than we did. We don't miss church much, I can count on one hand how many times we've missed, but that's beside the point - I love church and hate to miss it, and my day started going downhill after not going.

Today I have a conference I MUST attend or I forfeit my spot in the nursing program. It is from 2:30-5:00PM. They will tell us about the schedule, uniforms, immunizations, grades, etc. I am so excited about January when I will be in the nursing program. Not many people get excited about their career, but I know that this is my true calling.

There is someone in my family (and I won't mention their name), that needs prayer, and lots of it. I won't go into specifics, but they are entangled in Satan's trap, and need to find their way back to God. I have invited them to church-they always have an excuse why they can't come. I have even quit talking to this person because I couldn't deal with the lies they spew-it doesn't work. This person is so vengeful, spiteful, and full of hate for their own family-It makes the rest of the family not want to be around or talk to them if they can keep from it because you never know what this person will do or say out of anger or revenge if you don't do or say what they want you to. Lord please help this person in my family-you know everything they need, you know how to fix it, I pray you do what needs to be done according to your will, In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Praise God

My oldest son's 7 day blood sugar average is 184, and the 30 day average is under 300! Thank you God! This will definately help get his A1c down, but more importantly, get him in a safer level so that he doesn't do more harm to his body.

Thank you God for helping Austen care about his body more, and for helping us watch him more closely and be more supportive. Your an amazing God and I praise you for everything you do!

Money-Money-Money-Money

I am trying to work a lot of hours this week because school shopping for four kids is quite expensive. Thank God I'm not one of those that has to buy only name brand clothes for my family or it would be real expensive. Stanley should also thank God because I'm not a high maintenance woman. I go get my hair cut maybe three times a year, I don't get manicures or pedicures. I don't spend much money on myself at all, matter of fact there are things I need right now, but we can't afford it. I have four cavities and no dental insurance...two of the cavities need to be cut out, and two need filled. One of them is in the front of my mouth and when it falls out or breaks, I am afraid I won't go out into public anymore. I need an exploratory surgery to see if I have endometriosis, but that is another bill we just don't need right now. I need clothes, I have only a few pairs of pants and shirts to wear to school.

I can't imagine spending much money on myself...or even on my family for clothes and such. I have a friend who spent $800 on one suit and I said to him "Do you know how many outfits I could have bought with that much money?" I mean really. It seems like such a waste to me to buy expensive clothes. I can look nice without paying a fortune, and really, who cares if your shirt cost $10 or $100? I don't try to please others or impress others with my clothes...I have a personality for that.

I won't be able to work much after I go back to school and that hurts because the extra money has sure been put to good use...matter of fact it hasn't even felt like extra money. I can't even pay our medical bills from three in the family having surgery this year...groceries and gas are also killing us financially!

I just pray that God will meet our needs, help us to pay medical bills and tithe, and I'll be happy.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day ... and don't spend $800 on one suit!

What A Blessed Sunday!

Wow! I can't even begin to describe Sunday at our church. It was awesome to say the least! When you have a lot of people truly worshipping the Lord, you can feel his presence so strongly that it just does something to you.

Saturday I had worked 10.75 hours, and while I was working I started feeling really bad. I get bad cramps for no reason, doctors think it's endometriosis, we got to do some things to find out for sure. Anyway, the cramps make walking a chore. I came home, Stanley and I went to the store to buy easy stuff so I wouldn't have to cook, we got a couple of movies and came back home. I was still cramping. We ate and started watching the second movie and I fell asleep.

I didn't sleep well all night though because of the cramping, I woke up Sunday morning feeling really bad, and was planning on staying home. All of a sudden I jumped up to get ready, mainly because I thought we were singing a certain song in the choir and I didn't want to miss it, (I rarely miss church)...we didn't sing that song, but I am so glad I didn't miss church because I would have missed out on the blessing of worshipping God.

Sunday night was full of worship as well. The songs and the scripture really touched me. I pray every Sunday is like this. That we don't just go through the motions, but truly worship the Lord and watch him work.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

R.I.P. Shadow

Just a few minutes ago my precious lab died. I called the vet this morning, they were sure it was Parvo and said I could bring him in and they would give him IV fluids, something for vomitting and the other thing, but no guarantee it would work, or I could give him Pedialyte, Pepto and something for fever at home. I decided to try it myself and went to get the Pedialyte right down the road, came back and he had bled all over the floor from his behind. I poored Pepto down him, Pedialyte, and a child's tylenol and put him out in the garage. Checked on him a few minutes later and I could tell he was dying, I tried more Pedialyte and Pepto, poored it down and he swallowed it good, but a few minutes later more blood came out and he started moaning. A few minutes later he died. I tried so hard to save him but he was too far gone.

The only thing I can figure is that he had it a day before we found him, because it didn't take 24 hours to kill him once we realized he was sick. I just pray it doesn't get the other dogs.

One Sick Puppy

Tuesday a kitten that my kids adopted about a week before, died, I thought my boys torchered it to death but now my lab is sick and has many of the same symptoms the kitten did. I found a dead bird in the back yard, and after investigating all around for a possible cause of my lab's sickness, I found part of a bird in his waste. I wondered if the kitten and the dog didn't catch something from the bird, but now my lab seems to have symptoms of Parvo. I am taking him to the vet today after me and the boys get our shots for school.

I sure hope my lab makes it, he is so sick. All he does is drool, vomit, and the other thing. He wouldn't drink anything yesterday, I had to force liquids down him, but last night he started drinking water, and as long as he doesn't eat, he doesn't vomit or the other. He has lost so much weight already, he looks like he hasn't eaten in days.

Saturday he was full of life and playing like he always does, today all he can do sit and drool on the floor, he doesn't have much energy and he sure doesn't feel like playing. I pray that my lab makes it, his name is Shadow and he is the sweetest lab you will ever find. Barely over a year old. I love him so much! My dogs are like my kids to me.

Please pray for Shadow! Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

The Little Things

Sometimes it's the little things that get to me. Little sarcastic comments, little empty threats, little dirty looks - right now I've had about all I can take. I pray that I can let it go without a fight, because I feel one brewing. I pray that the little empty threats are just that, because if not some real trouble could be heading my way.

Dear Lord I pray that you will give me patience, strength, and the ability to ignore so that I can deal with this issue. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

My Walking / Exercise Journal

I drink 32-64 oz. of water daily and have cut down my calorie intake considerably and have only lost 4 pounds. I had lost 9 pounds but I gained 5 back. I have lost inches though, and my clothes are looser and I feel better and stronger. I just wish the weight loss was more, but 4 pounds in a little over a month isn't bad. It will take me quite some time to lose all the weight I want to lose though.

6-06-07 walked 1.1 mile
6-07-07 walked 2.2 miles
6-08-07 walked 3.3 miles
6-09-07 rode bicycle .4 of a mile
6-10-07 walked 5.2 miles
6-11-07 walked 5.2 miles
6-12-07 walked 5.2 miles
6-13-07 walked 5.2 miles
6-14-07 walked 5.5 miles
6-15-07 walked 2.5 miles / rode bicycle 1 mile
6-16-07 walked 3 miles
6-17-07 walked 1.1 miles
6-18-07 walked 5.2 miles
6-19-07 walked 2.2 miles
6-20-07 walked 5.2 miles
6-21-07 walked .8 of a mile (very hot outside)
6-22-07 walked 4.8 miles
6-23-07 walked 4.4 miles / rode bicycle .8 of a mile
6-24-07 walked 4.4 miles / rode bicycle .4 of a mile
6-25-07 walked none
6-26-07 walked 5.2 miles
6-27-07 walked 2.4 miles
6-28-07 walked none
6-29-07 walked 4.9 miles
6-30-07 walked 3.3 miles
7-01-07 walked 2.2 miles
7-02-07 walked 1.9 miles (feeling bad)
7-03-07 walked 2.2 miles (sick)
7-04-07 walked 1.1 mile (sick)
7-05-07 walked none (still sick)
7-06-07 walked none (at mom's)
7-07-07 walked none (had company)
7-08-07 walked 2.4 miles
7-09-07 walked 4.9 miles / used weights & exercised whole body
7-10-07 walked 4.2 miles / rode bicycle .8 of a mile / exercised whole body
7-11-07 walked 4.9 miles
7-12-07 walked 1.1 miles (on a juice fast)
7-13-07 walked 2.2 miles (still juice fasting)
7-14-07 walked none (still juice fasting)
7-15-07 walked 2.1 miles
7-16-07 walked none (started new job)
7-17-07 walked none
7-18-07 walked none
7-19-07 walked none
7-20-07 walked none
7-21-07 walked 1.4 miles
7-22-07 walked none
7-23-07 walked none
7-24-07 walked none
7-25-07 walked 1.9 miles

Grand Total: 118.2 miles

Thank you God for giving me the energy and strength to walk. I pray that you will help me to walk every single day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

I Don't Know What To Do Anymore

I had to take my oldest son to Vanderbilt yesterday to see his endocrinologist. His A1c was once again over 14%. The doctor said it was a huge safety risk for him to be that high, so we can no longer leave him alone, nor can we trust him to check his sugar and get his shots. We have to watch him do it all, or do it for him.

It's a shame that a kid that is almost 15 years old won't be responsible enough to check his blood sugar and get his shots. We have taken everything away from him, phone, church activities (which he loves), going anywhere, doing anything fun, and nothing has worked.

How does he learn to be responsible and take care of himself if I do it for him? I won't always be around, he has got to learn to do this himself. He has got to start caring about himself enough to want to do it.

Lord I can only thank you for keeping Austen as healthy as he has been under the circumstances, because he seems to be trying to hurt his body by not taking care of himself. Lord I am begging you to give me the strength and the guidance to get his blood sugar to a safe level. I also beg you to work on him so that he will care enough to manage his own disease. Just help us all Lord, please just help us all. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

This & That

I started a new job Monday. I am really enjoying it, I just wish it wasn't so far to drive. I am taking care of a 91 year old woman who is legally blind from macular degeneration. This lady can get around good for a 91 year old blind woman let me tell you. I pray that I do that good at that age, and live that long.

Because of my new job, the heat, and personal reasons, I haven't been able to walk since Sunday, and if I don't walk sometime today, that will be 5 days without walking. I was planning on walking last night when I got off work, but it was raining pretty hard so I didn't. I have to start back, I miss it. I talk a lot to God and pray when I am walking, and because I am quite during that time, I can hear him talking to me to. I feel like I haven't talked to my best friend in a while, even though I pray all the time.

I am excited to start back to college this fall. I will have a full plate with my hours of school on Tues. & Thurs. being 11AM-8PM, plus if I still decide to work, I won't have time for anything at all. I will be a walking zombie. I don't know if I will be able to handle it all, I guess time will tell. With God's strength I can do anything, so hopefully he will equip me (if this is his will for me to do all this).

Praise God! My friend "B" is doing good. Only one seizure during her med change, she is a little dizzy headed and all, but hopefully that will go away as she gets used to the new medicine. God is so good!

Well I hope you and yours are doing well. Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!