No more tears

Tyler and Chelsea 2001

I woke up at 3:30 this morning.  I really don't do that often. But when I woke up, I thought about Chelsea. 

I wrote this devotional after God kept putting Eternity in my head.  I've been feeling overwhelmed with all the pain that so many of my friends are enduring.  I know this is not our home, but it still hurts to see people suffer.

The devotional didn't come easy this morning.  I started out in one direction and this is where I ended up.  There will come a day - no more tears.

After I completed my devotional, Larry called.  As he was taking Tyler to school he had gotten a call.  The call we didn't want.  Chelsea passed away in night.  My heart is broken.  My prayer
is that Chelsea is running with her buddy Max, full of life and joy.  I have to believe God has a very special place for our pets.  They give more unconditional love than many of us ever experience.  That love is from God because God is love,  and I just can't imagine it doesn't live on.

http://youtu.be/k8gkDiTvloc - There Will Be A Day - Jeremy Camp

Isaiah 40:31 NLT
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.


http://youtu.be/fa8w7mGug0c - I will rise - Chris Tomlin

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

I don't like it when good people suffer. 

I know the reality is we live in a fallen world. Ever since Eve believed the serpent when he said "you won't surely die", this world did begin to die.  God created everything perfect.  At the end of each day of Creation, God saw that what He had created was good.  Then the serpent came along.  And the perfect existence that God created began to die.  The serpent was wrong.

Bad things happen - not because of God but because of the Enemy.  Because sin came into the world through one man - Adam, we all are sinners.  But praise God!  Because of one Man - Jesus, we can all be redeemed.

The Garden of Eden is no more.  Our choice - not God's.  We chose to believe the Liar.  But God is so gracious.  He made a way for us, to lift us up out of this fallen world.  He has prepared a place for us with Him for Eternity.  The price?

The perfect Lamb of God had to die for our sins.  Those who accept His gift are forgiven. Our old life died with Jesus on the Cross and was buried with Him.  Just as He was resurrected from the grave, we, too, are raised to a new life. 

In this world we will have troubles.  John 16:33 - "...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  Because of Jesus, I have a new life that will last forever.  Bad things happen in this world, and I don't like it.  I don't like seeing people hurt and suffer.  But we believers have a future so much greater than we imagine. Compared to my future with Christ, the worries and cares of this world will seem like nothing.  That's hard to understand when I'm in the middle of the pain.  But I hold on to that promise. I fix my eyes on things that cannot be seen.  I focus on the realities of my home in heaven - not on this temporary earthly life.  My real life - everything I thing, do or say, should be focused on my Eternal Home.


Colossians 3:1-3
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
1 John 2:15-17 NLT
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

http://youtu.be/k8gkDiTvloc - There Will Be A Day - Jeremy Camp


Father thank You for Chelsea and her sweet little spirit.  Please keep her safe in Your care until we can meet again in Eternity. Thank You for the hope we have because of what Jesus did for us.  Thank You for the home You have prepared for us with You.  Help me keep my eyes on that Hope and not be distracted by the pain and suffering we endure while on this earth.  Our future is with You.  In Jesus' precious Name I pray. Amen. 



Our grandson Bobby praying with Chelsea.  Bobby's sisters
had left him alone in the backyard and
he was asking God to help him not be afraid. 
It almost looks as if Chelsea has her eyes closed, too.



Jars of Clay

http://youtu.be/ar8m_m426KA - Inside Out

I found this short little video on YouTube.  It really spoke to my heart.  Many of us were broken just like that clay jar,  and we felt beyond repair, good for nothing.  But our brokeness opened our eyes to how much we need our Savior. 

The broken pot with the light pouring out is beautiful.    
 That's what I want to be. An empty vessel for
Christ to fill with His light. 

from youtube:
Uploaded by communityin1 on Feb 27, 2009



What if God shone most brightly through our broken places - our sins and our wounds? What if we let him pour his grace into us, and out into those around us? What if we were beautifully consumed by Him and transformed into His likeness?

Lyrics "Inside Out" by Hillsong United

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out


2 Corinthians 4 NLT

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.


7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.


11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.


13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.


16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Paul suffered through so many trials and persecutions.  Through it all he trusted Jesus to get him through those times.   "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 12:10 - "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for when I am weak, then I am strong."


We are nothing more than jars of clay - empty vessels with nothing to offer - until He fills us up with His light.  When we come to that place where we know how much we need Jesus, how much we depend on Him for everything, that's when we stop trying to do things on our own.  We get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit take control.  Then His light can shine. 

I am a jar of clay and I need my Savior.

----------
from Power Prayers to Start Your Day - Donna K Maltese

LORD, when I hear what other people say You have done in their lives, their testimonies buoy my own faith.  It give me chills when I hear of the wonders of Your deeds.  Give me the courage to share my testimony with others, knowing this will draw unbelievers to You and strengthen the hearts of those who already know You.  Thank You, LORD, for hearing my prayer. 

http://youtu.be/wrRd-NZjdcg - Dependence - Jamie Slocum

All of Creation sing with me now...

http://youtu.be/O7bD02ZmTqk - All of Creation - Mercy Me



Tyler and Britton - Halloween 2000



Tyler and Britton have been best friends since Tyler was three and Britton was five.  It's been an amazing friendship and I'm so thankful that God put these two friends together.   Actually, they're more like brothers.










Tyler and Britton 2010

 This fall was difficult. Britton graduated and left for college.  Saying good-bye was not only difficult for Tyler, it was hard for Larry and me, too.  We miss Britton.  We miss hearing his laughter ring throughout the house.  Britton's not near in distance any more, but he'll always be close in our hearts.

Yesterday when  I checked my messages and Facebook for prayer requests, I saw a post from Britton.
His words touched my heart and just reminded me of what a special young man he is.  I asked Britton if I could share his thoughts on my blog.  He said that it would be fine but really God should get all the credit.  = )  He makes me (and his mom)  so proud.

Here is Britton's post: 

I just spent the past hour and a half upstairs in the art room working on a project that is due in the morning while listening to casting crowns, hawk nelson, and pillar on my zune. after finishing I walked outside to head to my dorm and looked up at the night sky. I saw a lone star (its cloudy and the light pollution blocks out all but the brightest) off to the side of a very bright, full moon. Instantly I felt humbled and at awe with the beauty of the Lord's creation as I gazed at those two great lights in the sky. Thoughts and feelings came to me that formed into words that I am feeling very strongly on my heart right now. more than I know how to write, but it's something like this:


God I see you in the sun, the moon and the stars. I hear you in the rocks, the wind and the running waters. I feel your presence in the mountains and in the forests. The power of your creation surrounds me and in the silence of the night I can't help but be stirred to thank you for every blessing you've poured out on me. Dear Lord, use me and my talents to show others your light. let my life be a testimony to your awesome power and love. May I never shy away from persecution and allow me to always be a positive influence to those around me. God you are truly wonderful beyond comprehension, all glory and honor be to you...


To my family and friends near and far, as well as those I barely know or haven't met yet. May God bless you in every good thing you do and I hope that he will always protect you and keep you safe.


Didn't I tell you Britton was a terrific young man?

I love those moments when it's just me and God.  There in the stillness of the night or early morning hours when no one is stirring, it's just me and God.  Like Britton, I can't look into the night sky without feeling an incredible sense of His Presence and Power and love.  I think at those moments, God draws us close to His heart.  God spoke to Britton - not in words but heart to heart, spirit to Spirit.  because Britton took the time to be still and let his mind go to the Creator of the Universe - even in the middle of the night.  Britton's thoughts turned to His Father.  And His Father reached down and gave him a little hug.

The night sky that proclaimed God's beauty and majesty last night, Britton, it was just for you.  He loves you so very much.  And so do we.

http://youtu.be/DcF75h4BHk8  - How Great Thou Art - Alan Jackson

Psalm 104
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.  He wraps Himself
in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters.  He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.

He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.  You covered it with the deep as with
a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

But at Your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of Your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over
the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place You assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross, never agian will they cover the earth.

He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:  wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine,
and bread that sustains their hearts.


The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers.

The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.


 He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.


The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.
Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.

How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.


There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.


All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.


When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.


When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath,
hey die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created,
d you renew the face of the ground.


May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works—


He who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
 I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.


May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the LORD.


But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more.


Praise the LORD, my soul.

Praise the LORD.

Why did God create us?

http://youtu.be/Pt7OZyBj5Ik - Who Am I - Casting Crowns

Why did God create us?  I guess we'll never fully know the answer.  But this article sheds some light on that age-old question.  http://www.icr.org/articles/view/537/215/  The article below is from the Institute of Creation Research website.

The answer to why did God create us might be easier to understand if we ask ourselves this question:



Richey, Amber, Jayce and Bryce



Why do we choose to have children?

My answer is not unlike God's answer in Revelation 4:11.  I decided to have children for my own pleasure.    As a parent, the love I have  for my children is probably the closest I'll ever get to unconditional love - to God's love.  Being able to lavish that kind of love on my children brings me immeasurable joy.  Watchng my children, interacting with them, loving them, all these things bring me great pleasure.  I think that's how God feels about us.   



Mikey, Jill, Brooklyn and Presley

 When we make a decision to have children, we understand the risks.  And we know that eventually, they will come to the end of their lives.  Why do we decide to have a child when we know that child is destined to die?  They may even have to suffer through illness, disease, hurtful relationships, all kinds of hardship.  In fact, they will endure some of those things, yet we still decide to bring our children into the world.  Why?  So that we can experience the incredible love they bring.  We want to love them, and we pray that they will love us back.  That special relationship between a parent and a child is worth the risk.


I think that's why God created us.  The love He feels for us brings Him so much joy, it's worth the risks.

Love - that's the reason God created us.

http://youtu.be/oWnvmKoLWUU - The Love of God - MercyMe


"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."  Revelation 4:11

Why did God Create Us?


by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

Some things cannot be fully comprehended. Infinite things, eternal things, matters of God's sovereignty—these transcend our finite and temporal minds. For example, why did He create us? Certainly He doesn't need us, for He existed in perfect love and unity before He even created time. Furthermore, He even knew beforehand that His image, recreated in man, would reject Him and His Kingship over their lives, resulting in unthinkable pain and suffering and death of all things placed in man's dominion. He foresaw ruinous mutations, debilitating injuries, devastating cancer, etc., as consequences. We can only approach an answer to this unanswerable question by following the hints given in Scripture.

In a more ultimate sense, God knew that man's sin would force His only begotten Son to die an unthinkably horrid death in sacrificial payment for man's sin, and that ungrateful man would even carry out the execution, for Scripture identifies His Son as "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). In order to accomplish this fully sufficient sacrifice, the Son willingly set aside aspects of His deity, and "took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7), willingly limiting Himself to bodily form. Why would He do this? If we had not been created, it would not have been necessary. Why did He create us?


While we can never fully answer the question, it helps to recognize that the answer will come only as we recognize the character and attributes of God. First and foremost, God is a God of love, and love must be demonstrated by showering it upon the object of that love. His grace comes only to those who deserve punishment, and the demonstration of His love and grace and mercy stands without parallel among humans.

But in His love He desired reciprocal love, so He created man in His own image. Man was given the ability to respond to God's love or reject it. In the beginning man enjoyed full fellowship with God, but soon rejected Him, bringing the ruination of all creation. This wasn't God's intention, so He implemented His plan for creation to fulfill its intended purpose.

Perhaps the grandest statement of His purpose can be found in Revelation 4:11, where we see heavenly beings gather in His praise, saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." And there we have it! God created us for His pleasure, for His ultimate good will, because it is best in His estimation.

Unfortunately, the present world with sin and its penalty permeating all things and processes, temporarily experiences postponement of His ultimate plan, but it will not be forever thwarted. There will be the "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (II Peter 3:13) once again. This is His plan, purpose, and pleasure.

Thus, it makes sense that He would have created things as stated in Scripture, in an orderly, rapid fashion. He would not have used billions of years to create in His image, and He certainly would not have used death, pain, extinction, and survival of the fittest. These are the results of sin and bring Him no pleasure at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank You Father for creating us.  Thank You for Your immeasurable love and patience towards us.  Thank You for allowing us, Your creation, to call You our Father.  I'm so sorry for all the times I must disappoint you with my bad choices and rebelliousness. I could never stand in Your Holy Presence on my own merit but Your great love made a way.  Thank You for sending Your precious Son to save me.  Thank You, Jesus, for covering me with Your righteousness so that I can bow before the Throne of our gracious God, spotless and worthy of His love, not because of anything I've done but because of Your great love and mercy.  You are worthy of all my praise and devotion.  Be glorified in my life, LORD.  Use me for Your Kingdom.  I am Yours.  In the Precious Name of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, my Savior.  Amen.

http://youtu.be/ggGwDrxrC2k - God's love letter

I hit the ground running back to You!

http://youtu.be/gMn28AK99To - Move - MercyMe

Do you ever get the blahs? I think all of us do from time to time. I'm not talking about those serious bouts of depression that last several days or weeks. That type of Depression may require medical intervention. I'm talking about those days when you just don't feel like doing anything at all, and you might not even know why.

On those days, my mind needs to be renewed.

Romans 12:1-2


Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.



Not often, but too often for me, I get the blahs. They always come unexpected and unwelcomed. I'm a pretty up-beat, happy person. But when I get the blahs, I feel like the life has just been sucked out of me. I don't care about anything. I don't want to do anything. Nothing seems to make it any better. It's not a good place to be, and I'm very thankful that it doesn't happen very often. or last very long.

I know people who are moody. They let the cares of the world just put them into a funk. They get into a bad mood and seem perfectly fine with making everyone else feel just as miserable as they feel. I hate that! I don't understand why they don't just "snap out of it!" Right? Why don't they just decide to be happy? But then I have one of my "blah" days, and I realize it's not that easy to just "snap out of it". It takes more strength than what I have. I need help.


Why do we get the blahs?

There are several reasons we get the "blahs". Life can be overwhelming at times. All of us have so many things we need to take care of. Some days I feel like a really bad juggler. I try so hard to keep all the balls in the air, but then I drop one, and then another,,, and suddenly, all the balls are on the floor, rolling around everywhere. I begin to feel out of control and hopeless.

Fortunately for me, those days don't happen very often, but when they do happen, I have no energy, no motivation, no desire to get up and do anything, and when I do move, it feels like I'm trying to walk in two feet of mud with boots on. The worst part is I just don't care about anything. That is not what God wants for me.

Long bouts of illness, our own or someone we love, can cause us to feel that sense of dullness, and boredom. We become lethargic and even a tiny move seems to take every ounce of energy we have. Medications can cause depression, too. It's hard to get well physically when our bodies are fighting depression.

Difficult Relationships can also create a feeling of defeat. Maybe you have a co-worker or employer, a classmate at school, a family member, a neighbor, or maybe even a fellow church member who just seems intent on making your life miserable. You'd like to just remove that person from your life, but circumstances force you to interact with him or her. If you have to deal with that person very often, you may find yourself in that "I don't care" mode. Maybe that's the only way you can get through the day.

Lack of Sunshine - Many people suffer from the blahs during the winter months. The lack sunshine can affect our sense of well being. We just want to crawl back into bed and sleep rather than face the day. There are physiological reasons for winter blues - lack of vitamin D and exercise (we don't get outside and move around as much during the winter months) can be a big contributor to our outlook and attitudes.

Unconfessed Sin - I think, too, the blahs can come when we have unresolved sin in our lives. Maybe it's unforgiveness or bitterness towards someone; or maybe we're doing something that God doesn't want us to do. For me, when I fail to do something I know God wants me to do, I begin to feel a distance from Him. It's not God creating that distance, but me. I know what I should be doing, and when I'm not doing what I know to do, I feel guilty. If I'm not careful, I'll begin to believe the lies that the Enemy is whispering in my ear. I'll start believing that I'm unworthy to spend time with God. After all, how dare I come into His presence when I'm willfully being disobedient to what He has for me to do! But that is not from God! During those times, Satan tells me to pull away from God, but God tells to draw near to Him, and He'll renew my spirit.


What can we do to "snap out of it" on our "blah" days?

Slow down - Rest - If I'm sick, tired or overwhelmed, maybe I do need to craw back in bed and just rest. Maybe God's telling me to slow down, to stop stressing and just rest in His Arms. When I choose this cure, I try to imagine that God is holding me as I sleep; that I am resting in His love and protection. If I can't sleep, I focus on all the blessings He provides. It's hard to feel bad when I think about all the good things HE has done for me. Sometimes, I listen to my Bible CD. Hearing God's Word spoken over me can be soothing, too.

Listen to uplifting music - Usually, uplifting music can get me moving in the right direction. Mercy Me's "Move" is a great song that lifts my spirits every time I hear it. The song speaks God's promises to me; it encourages me and reminds me that brighter days are coming.


Exercise - Get moving. The link I included above is a YouTube video of a young lady using the song MOVE with a Zumba routine. If you're feeling lethargic and have no energy, I highly recommend that you watch this video and try to exercise along with the instructor. I generally end up laughing my way through the song because I haven't quite mastered "Zumba" yet. And NO!!! I will not be including a video of my Zumba experience. = ) But still when I get up and move - whether it's doing an exercise video, running, walking, whatever it might be that helps to get me up off the couch, I feel more energetic and more optimistic. It doesn't work every time, but it's one of my favorite options when I'm struggling to feel happy again.

Prayer and Time with GOD - This is always my first option. When I start feeling a little down, I pray and ask God to renew my spirit. I know He has promised that He will do that for me.

I can sit in my backyard or go to the park and just sit still and watch all of nature. I see God's provision and His creativity, His attention to the smallest detail. Even with tiny little insects, He has shown us His love and care. I am always comforted by just sitting still with God. When I do that, He renews my spirit - my thoughts and attitudes begin to change. But note the verse below. Paul tells us that we should let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, and we have full access to His power and strength, but we can stifle that power if we don't allow Him to work in our lives. We must be willing to give Him control if we want to be fully renewed.

Quiet time with God is when I need to ask for forgiveness for any sins in my life, specifically, those I know about, and any sins I may not even be aware of. I need to ask God to purify my heart, to make me more like what He wants me to be. I want Him to change me, to mold me and make me to be more like Jesus. More of Jesus - less of me. That's my prayer.

I also ask God to give me wisdom to make good decisions and to prioritize according to His plan for me. When I'm feeling down or discouraged, usually that means I'm thinking way to much of myself instead of others. When I seek to comfort others more than to be comforted myself, God does this amazing thing: He comforts me Himself!

Ephesians 4:22-24 - .throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Depression, discouragement, feelings of being overwhelmed, boredom, feeling like nothing matters - all those things are from our sinful nature. Paul is saying "remember who you are. You have a new nature. You are not slaves to the old nature anymore." Those negative thoughts are not from God. We must stand firm against the Enemy because he will grab any tiny little foothold he can to bring us down. He wants us to dwell on the negative thoughts and emotions; he wants us to wallow in our despair. How do we win this battle? By taking every thought captive to see if it lines up with what Christ says is true. If the thought is not from Christ, we must not let it stay in our heads. We give it to Christ and let Him take it away.

2 Corinthians 5:10 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

When we refuse to let those thoughts which are not from God stay in our heads, we must also be proactive in filling our minds with positive messages from God. When a negative thought or attitude creeps into my brain, I ask God to take away, and then I intentionally replace that negative thought with things that are of God. I start listing my blessings or singing a song of praise or maybe I'll read one of David's psalms. I fill my head with God's word. If I don't replace the negative with something positive, the negative thought will come back stronger and bring some of his buddies. = (

Luke 11:24-26 - “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”

Philippians 4:8                                                                                                                                  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I have to remember that God has a plan for me, and it's a plan for good and not evil, a plan to give me a hope and a future. I can trust Him to provide everything I need to rise above the negative thoughts and attitudes that threaten to bring me down. I can rejoice even when I'm feeling weak because when I feel weak, that's when I turn to God. His power can work best in me when I rely on His strength .I cannot do this life on my own. I need my Savior.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Father God, You are my safe place. When this world tries to drag me down, You are the One I run to. I feel Your Protection and Your Provision every single day. I praise You, LORD, Creator of heaven and earth! I'm in awe of Your majesty, Your power and might, but most of all I am blown away by Your great love and mercy towards me. Thank You for redeeming me through Your precious Son. Thank You for forgiving me and making me whole by the power of His blood. Holy God, use me however You see fit to bring glory to Your Name. Help me to turn to You when I feel discouraged. Help me to quickly recognize the lies that Satan would have me believe. I am Your child and I am worthy, not from anything I've done, but all because of Jesus. I love You, LORD, with all my heart.

http://youtu.be/N0HozFRRp9Y - Back to You - Mercy Me

                                                                     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


As I was research this topic, I came across this wonderful website: www.JeffRandleman.com . Jeff is youth minister for Mountainview Christian Church in Missouri. He listed 16 proactive tips on how to beat the blahs.

To read the full article, please go to http://www.jeffrandleman.com/16-things-you-can-do-to-beat-the-blahs .

So I’ve put together a list of things that I’ve found helpful in beating the blahs.

• Run away from your moods. When you recognize that you are in a funk, intentionally run away from it. Make it a point to eliminate this attitude from your day.
• Celebrate the good. My summer has been so hectic and traumatic. One way to get past that is to celebrate the great things that have happened. Positive thinking can have a huge impact on both your attitude and energy.
• Boost your energy. Exercise. Run. Bike. Walk. Hike. Whatever. Exercise can help. My personal favorite is geocaching. It gets me out and moving. I find it relaxing, and yet mentally challenging as well. 
• Treat yourself to a snack. Make it a comfort food. Or choose a healthier option. Either one is ok. The point here is not to gorge yourself, but to eat something you enjoy in order to help change your attitude.
• Read a good book. Grab a great story, or something inspiring. Or sit down with your Bible for a while. Just a suggestion… don’t read Lamentations at a time like this.
• Appreciate something beautiful. Step outside and look around. Look at the sunset, the clouds, the leaves on the trees, the butterfly that just floated past. Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
• Release your emotions. It’s ok to cry if you need to.
• Go to a friend. Grab a trusted friend and go to lunch. Let them know how you are feeling. They may have some great suggestions. And if not, at least you know someone is there to lean on. That in itself can be a huge help.
• Do something for someone else. One of the best ways to change a bad attitude into a better one is to look beyond yourself and help someone else. Trust me; this works.
• Spruce yourself up. Dress sharper. If you look good, you’ll soon start to feel good.
• Journal it. Write down how you are feeling, and be detailed. It may be helpful to step back and look at the big picture. Plus, later, you can see how God stepped in and changed things.
• Listen to some inspiring music. Music has the power to lift you up. Turn on something positive and encouraging. My personal choice is Howard Shore’s film score to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
• Do something different. Step out of your normal routine. Do something you don’t normally do. Changing things up a bit can be helpful.
• Laugh. Nothing can lift your spirits like a good laugh. Go find someone who can make you laugh. Watch a funny TV show. Read a few great jokes. Spend time with your kids, watching them. My kids are a constant source of smiles and laughter for me.
• Rest. Sometimes the best thing you can do is rest and relax for a while.
• Look for balance in your life. Try to eliminate things that elicit the negative; focus on the things that bring more positive thoughts and attitudes.

The blahs are normal. Everyone experiences them. In fact, they may even be somewhat beneficial. They can be an indicator that you need to slow down or stop. They can indicate that it’s time for a break from the steady routine of life.

But the blahs can be beat. This list is just the beginning. I know there are many, many more things that can help overcome the blahs. These are just some of the things that I’ve found to work in my life. Give them a shot. Maybe they can help you as well.

What do you do to beat the blahs?




from http://www.jeffrandleman.com/16-things-you-can-do-to-beat-the-blahs .



Thanks, Jeff, for letting me share these great ideas!

He knows my name

http://youtu.be/7C2o0jHNRuU - Beautiful - Mercy Me

When my grandchildren were learning to talk, I wanted them to learn how to say my name - "Nana". My trick was to hold up a banana (because all babies learn to say "nana" for banana, right?") hoping that they would  say "nana" and I could pretend that they actually knew my name.  A funny thing happened along the way.  My sweet little nephew had seen me perform this trick with my grandkids, so he put two and two together, and decided my name must be, Nana Banana!  

I love that name!  I love that my nephews still call me Nana Banana sometimes.  They know my name.
There's just something special that happens when someone calls me by my name.  When someone cares enough to know my name, that makes me feel good.

God knows my name.  He knows everything about me.

Psalm 139



O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place Your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!


I can never escape from Your Spirit!
I can never get away from Your presence!
If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
but even in darkness I cannot hide from You.


To You the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to You.

For You created all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in Your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, You are still with me!


Every time I read Psalm 139 I feel a great sense of being loved by God.   
The Creator of the Universe knows my name.  He cares about everything that concerns me.

http://youtu.be/CC8puwexBBo - He Knows My Name - Paul Baloche


Isaiah 43
But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.

John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.



There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.  But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Sometimes, I forget that Jesus was there with the Father, in the Beginning. He was not just sitting on sidelines, watching His Father create the Universe. God tells us that through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  Somehow, I forget the God, the Son, put on flesh and came to earth to live with man so that we could not only be saved through His sacrifice, but so that we could know that He understands what our human existence is like.  He knows our struggles and our temptations because He became man and experienced those things, too.  He showed us how to live a life that honors the Father.
 
When I read Psalm 139 I usually think of God the Father creating me, knitting me together in my mother's womb.  But Jesus was there actively involved in forming my body.  Go back and read Psalm 139 and think about Jesus being Creator God - because He is.  When I do that, His sacrifice becomes more awesome, more unimaginable!  To think that the Creator of the Universe laid down His rights as God to come to earth, not as a royal King or Ruler over everything, but as a lowly man who didn't even have a place to lay His head.  He didn't come as a strikingly handsome man. There was nothing special about His physical appearance. If I were God and decided to come to earth, I think I would make myself beautiful and perfect in appearance - isn't that we all seek after?  We all want physical beauty.  But Jesus had beauty that came from the inside, from His heart.  And people were drawn to Him, not because of His outward beauty.  They were drawn to His beautiful spirit, His love and compassion.
 
Isaiah 53 
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.  He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. 
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.  But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. 
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
 
This is Jesus, my Savior, my Creator, my Advocate.  He knows my name.  He sees each tear that falls.
He suffered extreme persecution and humiliation and finally, sacrificed His life for me.  The LORD God in Psalm 139 died for me.  Father God suffered right along with His Son, because what parent would not feel every blow, every nail being driven into his child's hand? 
 
My Creator is also my Savior.  He took great pains in forming me to be just who I am.  In His eyes I'm perfect. He could have made me any way He wanted.  I'm not an accident.  He didn't mess up by making me too short or too tall.  He made me just like I am for a reason.  And He looks upon me, His very special creation and says  "it's very good". 
 
I know that God has a very special plan for me, a purpose that He designed since before I was born.
He formed my body and my mind, providing me with every physical and mental tool I will need to accomplish the purpose He has for me.  I know I'm His perfect design, even down to the number of hairs on my head - Luke 12:7.  So why do I try so hard to be different from how He created me? 
 
My prayer comes from Psalm 8 and part of Psalm 9.  David gives the thoughts of my heart beautiful words of praise.
 
O Lord, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the earth!

Your glory is higher than the heavens.
You have taught children and infants to tell of Your strength,
silencing Your enemies and all who oppose You.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers—
the moon and the stars You set in place—
what are mere mortals that You should think about them,
human beings that You should care for them?
Yet You made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You gave them charge of everything You made,
putting all things under their authority—
the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.
 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

I will praise You with all my heart, O LORD.  I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High.

http://youtu.be/tcJXe0fbuWE - Wonderful Maker - Chris Tomlin

Jesus - Others - You - JOY

This photo was taken about a two years after I started communicating with Emma
and Oscar.  Oscar is top row far left, Emma is holding baby Carol - on top row, 
next to her is Timoland who was about 14 at the time.
is next to her left.





This is the first photo I received of the children with Oscar (in the blue shirt - back row).

The building in the foreground is where the children slept.  It offered  little protection from the

weather.  Oscar and Emma had a dream of being able to build a new hostel, a new, safe latrine,
and a new kitchen.  They believed God would provide.  And He has.

Christmas 2010 - Oscar's kids along with some of the children from the village.
They are standing in front of the new hostel which was completed this year.
Timoland is in the black shirt - back row.  This young man is following in Oscar's
footsteps.  He will complete high school  in a couple of months and hopes to attend a university.

When I first met Emma and then Oscar, I asked them what they hoped to be able to accomplish in the future for Happy Choice Ministries.  Emma gave me a detailed report of what they envisioned for the future.  Her outline included a new kitchen, a new latrine, a new hostel, and various programs to be put in place to help train the children with skills such as sewing, farming, mechanics, etc.  I must tell you, I couldn't see how in the world all this could ever happen.  They had no support - not even their local church was able to help much since most of the members were elderly, widows and poor families who barely could survive themselves. 
But Oscar and Emma believed God's Promises.  Six years later, God has provided through the generosity of his children.  Happy Choice now has a new latrine, a new hostel and a new kitchen.  Oh, yeah, they also have piped water coming right into the kitchen now.  Another of God's amazing blessings.

http://youtu.be/7fwI4qbLpxE - Just Another Mountain - Jamie Slocum

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.


Proverbs 11:25 .
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.  (NIV)

Proverbs 13:7
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

This is an email I received this morning from my friend, Oscar:

Praise God ,this Morning



I just wanted to thank God the Almighty for His great love unto us .


We are all doing well and God is good .


Thank God so much for the work He has called us to do, caring for the orphaned and all the needy children.


Yesterday i met my former friend who is working in Nairobi .We discussed alot but when i told him what i do, caring for the orphans and needy children, my friend told me that i am wasting my time and resources. He asked me ,''who will care for your children?''


It was a blessed day for me since i took my time to preach the living Word of God to my friend, and at long last he was weeping tears after hearing part of my life stories which he didn't know. I told him i am not interested in owning any thing big here but instead am working for God and to own something in heaven .

The only thing i learnt from him is that there are many people who do not understand what God has called us to do, and we are not doing this work to please any man, but God our Heavenly Father has called us purposely to serve these little ones .
 
Oscar loves to share God's message to anyone he meets.  He and Emma also provided bibles to one of the local schools.
 
 
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”


Oscar and Emma don't give to receive, although I know their reward in heaven will be great. They may never have many material blessings on this earth.  Their treasures are laid up in heaven.  They sacrifice daily for the 12 children God has entrusted to their care.  If all they had to do was care for their three, their lives would be so much easier.  But Oscar knows what it's like to be left alone on the streets. Oscar was orphaned as a young teen and he remembers very well ,feeling alone, until he met his friend, Jesus.  His heart is full of compassion towards homeless children.  He wants them all to know his true Friend. 

When I first began communicating with Oscar and Emma, I  was uplifted by their words of faith.  They taught me about trusting God and believing in His provision and protection.  No matter how tough things got for them, their faith was strong and unwavering.

Oscar and Emma have three children of their own, Bobby, Bonny and Carol.  Providing for three children can be difficult in Kenya, however, neither Oscar nor Emma are afraid of hard work, and they do everything they can to have enough income to take care of their children. 

But God has given Oscar a heart for the homeless children he sees every day on the streets and in his village.  Oscar remembers too well the hardships he faced when he was left to care for his own needs.  He has taken in several children over the years.  Oscar cares for many of the children in the village who live with a grandparent or sick mother.  They have a roof over their heads, but not much else.  When Oscar has extra food, instead of saving for a rainy day as we might do, he shares his extra food with these other children.

During the elections in Kenya, there was great violence in the streets of Kisumu.  Businesses shut down.  Food was scarce. It was a very dangerous time for everyone.  Oscar's best friend was killed as he traveled on the road between their village and Kisumu.  Oscar was even attacked as he came back from Kisumu with some food for the children.  It was a horrible time.  But God protected the children.  Oscar said that there were breakins in the village.  Young men were roaming the area, stealing anything they could find.  It was if suddenly there was some bio chemical in the air that made people crazy and evil.  I knew Oscar was concerned for the safety of his family and the orphanage.  But he continued to trust God.  I hadn't heard from him for a while, and I knew what was going on in Kisumu from watching the news.  Finally, I received an email from Oscar.  He had some scary things to say.  But once again, I saw a man whose faith was steadfast.  He told me that break ins had occurred in several of the homes in his village. But God had protected the hostel ( the childrens building ) and Oscar's house from attack.  He said some of the homes that came under attack had protective walls surround them.  Yet, the hostel and his home had no walls of protection.  God was their shield.

During this time, one of the young boys who had recently come to live in the hostel decided he could take care of himself.  Food was very scarce and the children must have been hungry.  Oscar said that this young boy had lived on the streets prior to moving into the hostel, finding food any where he could. He probably felt his chances of having enough food was greater out on his own, rather than having to share with 12 other kids. He hadn't been at Happy Choice long enough to see how powerful God works in this ministry.  In desperation, he set out to find food on his own.  Oscar tried to find him, but he never did.

I thought how much we are like that young boy.  When times are tough, and God doesn't seem to be hearing our prayers, we sometimes seek to make our own way, just like this young boy.  If God doesn't provide an answer immmediately, or at least as soon as we think He should, we take matters into our own hands.
But if we trusted God like Oscar does, maybe we would wait for God's timing.  I don't know what happened to the young boy who ran away from the centre, but I am sure the children who stayed and waited on God's provisions are much healthier both physically and spiritually.

Faith is beilieving when we can't see.  It's easy to trust God when everything is going our way, when life is good, and we have everything we need.  True faith is trusting God when you have nothing.  I love this passage in Habakkuk:

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. 

This is how Oscar lives his life.  He rejoices in the LORD regardless of his circumstances.  He cares for 12 children who were not born into his family by  natural means.  These children were given to Oscar by God.
And Oscar loves them as his very own. 

I know Oscar must make God smile.  I'm honored to know him and to sit at his feet as he teaches me about faith and trusting in God - no matter what the circumstances.

Father, You are our great Provider and Protector.  I'm so in awe of how You reach down to us with love and kindness, providing for all our needs.  Your compassion is evident throughout Scripture, and I have witnessed it first hand in my life, in the lives of Oscar and Emma and so many others.  I know You are with us.  I know You care and want the best for us.  Thank You,  LORD, for taking care of us and giving us just what we need.  Forgive me for those times I try to do things my way rather than waiting on You.  Father, please direct my steps, help me to follow where You lead me.  Help me to hear Your truth and quickly recognize the lies of the enemy.  Thank You for saving me through Jesus, my Redeemer. I'm so thankful to know that You are with me always.  Father, please continue to bless Oscar, Emma and all the children of Happy Choice ministries.  I know You will provide for them and protect them as You always have.  Father, give Oscar everything he needs to speak Your truths to those you put along his path.  Give him influence in his community and among the children, so that others can see Jesus living in Oscar and be drawn to our Savior. Today, help me to give You control over everything I think, say or do.  Everything I am, LORD, is for your glory.  In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Top photo is some of the poor widow women who Emma helps standing
in front of the new hostel with Zack and Michael from Lost Orphans
when they visited Happy Choice in August.

The bottom photo is the new kitchen. Oscar wanted Zack
and Michael to cut the ribbons for the grand opening!
This kitchen has a sink and a fireplace for cooking - even storage area
and counter tops.  Looks a little different from the old kitchen seen below.



This was the old kitchen where Emma
prepared meals for the children.