Just thinking about 9/11 today. I remember I was driving to work in Memphis, TN and not thinking what I was hearing on the radio was real but I soon found out when I got to work it was very real. My heart just sunk. It was the worst feeling. We watched T.V. at work all day and had alot of patients cancel their procedures. Again today they had the T.V.'s on at work with all the memorial services going on for all the people who lost their lives that day. I could not believe what I was seeing that day. I never thought that anything like that could happen here. I was just in disbelief. I pray for all the people in the Armed services serving our country and to the people that lost their lives that day and their families. My heart goes out to all of them.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God as the other prisoners listened. ACTS 16:25

Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation. It wasn't logic that caused Moses to raise his staff on the bank of the Red Sea...And it wasn't a confident committee that prayed in a small room in Jerusalem for Peter's release from prison. It was a fearful, desperate, band of backed-into-a-corner believers. It was a church with no options...And never were they stronger. At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear.

I read this a couple of weeks ago and I could identify with what it said. Thought I would share it. I am not a morning person and it seems no matter how hard I try to get up earlier to try to spend time with God it never seems to happen now that I am back at work. I often find myself spending time with God on my five minute drive to work in the morning and saying a quick pray before I get there. Anyway, I thought this was a good article and the story that is at the end of this article I thought was beautiful and well said.




I have a hard time worshiping God on Monday mornings. For some reason the inspiration I had on Sunday starts to fade as soon as I begin the slow grind of the week. It's not that my cup is never filled; it often overflows. But I think it's leaky!

On Sunday night I have no troulbe worshiping God. On Sunday night, I'm on top of the world, relaxed from the weekend. With the message from chruch still fresh in my mind, I'm inspired to live enthusiastically for Christ. The fellowship of friends has encouraged and refreshed me. This week, I tell myself, will be different. This week I will be more joyful. This week I will stay foused on my walk. Every day will begin with prayer and devotion.

Then Monday morning comes. For starters, I'm not really a morning person. In fact I'm not really even a person in the morning! Of course, it's not my fault. As a teen I believed this problem was the result of a serious disease. I had heard of something called morning sickness and thought I must have it. My mother assured me that I couldn't get it; instead, she diagnosed my condition as L.S.S.(Lazy Slob Syndrome). The disease not only ravaged my body in the days of my youth, but it also continues to be a problem.

So how can I keep focused on God as I battle this brutal condition? I have difficulty matching my socks in the morning, let alone comprehending the Trinity!

When it coines to mornings, I wish I could identify with the psalmist when he wrote, "In the morning my prayer meets You" (Ps. 88:13). Often in my nighttime excitement I have promised God I will do just that, only to slap the snooze button and sleep through the seeking.

Maybe you're different. Maybe you belong to that annoying segment of the population known as "The Morning People." As the day winds down, so do you. But when it starts up again, you're as chipper as a ground squirrel.

Well, no matter what time of the day we are at our best or what mood we find ourselves in, as Christians we all have a similar calling. We are called to live in the light of eternal truths.

I have to admit that on Monday mornings God doesn't feel very real to me. I look at my to-do list.This is what is real, I think to myself. Phone calls, tasks, and deadlines. God seems so far away.

But I remind myself that I am not a Christian because of some passing feeling. My faith is based on the truth of God's Word and my relationship with His Son, Jesus. As a result I am a member of a kingdom that Jesus Himself warned is "not of this world" (John 18:36).

As members of this invisible kingdom, we have a difficult calling-to set our sights above the things we can see. We strive to behold a supernatural kingdom while still living in this world.

This is not an easy task. Many times we drown out the voice of God with the loudness of our lives. Yes, Jesus is in our hearts, but the world is in our faces. As a result, it takes time and attention to search for God. But I've found that it is well worth it, for He is a God who waits to reveal Himself!

I was reminded of this truth in a story I read recently about a young girl. The girl with deep blue eyes had been blind since birth. When she was 12, doctors were able to perform a new type of surgery would give her the gift of sight if it was successful. After the bandages were removed, her eyes had to be protected from the light for several days. So she sat in darkness, waiting.

The mother spent long hours answering her daughter's questions about what things looked like and what she should expect. They both were so excited about the possibility of her being able to see that neither of them slept much. Over and over they talked about every lovely thing they could imagine-colors, shapes, beauty of every kind.

Finally the moment came when the young girl's eyes could endure enough light for her to look out the window. She stood there for a long time without saying a word. Outside, the spring day was ideal-bright and warm with fluffy, white clouds decorating the blue sky. Lacy blossoms stirred the cherry trees. Yellow crocuses lined the brick walkway that wound across the grass.

When the girl turned back to her mother, tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Oh mother, why didn't you tell me it would be so beautiful?"

This story mirrors our relationship to the eternal realm. We have heard the descriptions of what our eyes will one day see. We have read about the wonders of God and heaven. Yet when we get to heaven, I wonder if we will have the same question for God that the little girl had for her mother, "Oh, why didn't You tell me it would be so beautiful?"

I know that heaven holds beauty that far surpasses any description. That is an exciting truth.Yet my excitement fades when I realize that in this world all too often we live with bandages still tightly wrapped around our eyes. Barely any light any light gets though. But instead of accepting darkness, we can let Jesus gently unravel our bandages and flood our lives with His light, power, and love.

If we focus on Him, we will have lives that transcend what our earthly eyes can see. The Father of Light longs to dispel our darkness and heal our sin-scarred eyes, even in the morning.

Storms of Life

The Bible uses the storm as a picture of hard times in our lives. These “life storms” may include danger, sickness, persecution or the death of a loved one. When hard times come, people sometimes feel as if their circumstances, like giant waves or howling winds, are about to destroy them.

David experienced these feelings many times. One time, as he ran for his life, he felt especially desperate. “The waves of death swirled about me,” he later said. “The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me” (2 Samuel 22:5).

But in the midst of terrible danger, David made an important discovery: God was nearby, ready to save him. David called out for help and God answered.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me” (2 Samuel 22:17-18). David not only escaped death, he later became Israel's king.

Just as God uses physical storms to accomplish His purposes, He may use difficult times in your life to strengthen your faith or draw you closer to Him. Like Jonah, Paul and David, you also have an important place in God's plan.

No matter how big the storm is, God is right beside you. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” The Lord offers His children protection from life's storms.

Next time you hear thunder, feel the driving wind or watch ocean waves crash against the rocks, remember that God controls every storm—just as He controls your life.

A Different Book Meme

A Different Book Meme

Okay, I found another fun meme at Susie's site and I wanted to join in too. Here is how it works.

1. Grab the book you are currently reading. (which is hard if you are like me and are reading several at a time- which I don't recommend)
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Scroll down to the 5th sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences, the name of the book and the author.













You must listen and follow, like the sheep for their shepherd, without question.
"And when (the shepherd) brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice" (John 10:4).
What a comfort--to have the Lord go out before me so that I can follow in complete trust, with my heart.

This is so weird that this happened to be the three sentences. What this says is so close to my heart and what is going on in my life right now. So I am glad I decided to do this. I actually just got through reading this book. And I have not started another book yet.

Your disappointments too heavy? Read the story of the Emmaus-bound disciples. The savior they thought was dead now walked beside them. He entered their house and sat at their table. And something happened in their hearts. "It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us" (Luke 24:32). Next time you're disappointed don't panic.
Don't give up. Just be patient and let the God remind you he's still in control.

Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed, because we can trust God to do what he promised. Hebrews 10:23

Here are a few pic's from the mission trip from this weekend. It was a great weekend and a awesome experience. God just seems to show me more everytime I go. This is my second trip here and it such a blessing to help the needs of the people there. I plan on trying to learn spanish so I can commuicate with the people better. I feel that God has put it on my heart to learn the language. So I will be spending my time now trying to do that. It is so awesome to be able to serve in this way. I know that this is what I am suppose to do. It is in my heart and God is in my heart and this is where he is taking me. I am excited for what the future holds for me in missions.

Your heart will be where your treasure is. Matthew 6:21

The most powerful life is the life that knows where its going, that knows where the source of strength is, and the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness. Being busy is not a sin. Jesus was busy. Paul was busy. Peter was busy. Nothing of significance is achieved without effort and hard work and weariness....But being busy in an endless pursuit of things that leave us empty and hollow and broken inside that cannot be pleasing to God.

Monday 8/28/2006

You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Psalm 73:24

I found these questions on another friends blog that I like to read.

What was your favorite thing about being a kid?
Playing outside. We always played outside we never wanted to go inside. We would play till dark. My sister and I liked to ride our pink banana seat bicycle's, jumping on our trampoline, playing on a tire swing, and we would always make houses out of the pine needles that would fall from the tree. We had no worries. I also remember trying to catch lighting bugs with our Dad. We stayed outside as much as we could.

What was your favorite subject in school?
I really hated school. I really did not have a favorite subject. I know that sounds awful.

Who was your best friend when you were ten?
My friend Kristy. We always played after school while waiting on our moms to pick us up. I actually ran into her again a couple of years ago and had dinner with her but we are different people now.

If you could be any animal what would you be?
A cat of course.

What would you change about your school, occupation, or life right now?
I would not change what I do really. I am a nurse and nursing is a fast paced job and you never have enough help. I enjoy helping people getting through whatever they are dealing with. If I could do anything else and not have to worry about money or anything else I think I would like to be in full time missons somewhere in a differnet country.


What is your favorite color?
Pink and Red

What is your favorite crust and your favorite pizza topping?
Thin crust pizza from pizza hut with pork sausage and pineapple. I know that sounds weird but I tend to like weird things anyway.

I really like how this word cloud works. It pretty much sums up my life in one little box.

Luke 7:11-17
When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" He said (Luke 7:13, NLT).
The scene in today's passage finds a mother preparing to bury her only son. She's already lost her husband, and now her child. If you've ever lost a loved one, you're familiar with the grief and sorrow this woman must have been suffering.
Know what? So was Jesus.
The Bible says that Jesus' "heart overflowed with compassion" when He saw the grieving mother. He was moved emotionally to see her heartbroken--that's amazing! I mean, Jesus knew He could walk over and bring the young man back to life with just a touch or a word. He knew this woman wouldn't have to grieve for long. Still, He not only saw her pain, He felt it as well.
Did you know the same is true with you? When you hurt, when you cry, when life gets really tough and you think no one understands what you're going through, think again.
Jesus loves you more than you can even begin to fathom. He wants to walk with you through the dark moments and cry with you when your tears begin to fall. Yeah, He may know that everything's going to be OK in the end and He may understand things you don't, but that doesn't keep Him from hurting when you do.
It's so cool that we have a God who's not distant or cold-hearted, who just shouts out a bunch of "thou shalt nots" and cracks the whip when we get out of line.
We have a God who's full of love and compassion, who can relate to us and comfort us when all we can do is throw ourselves at His feet and cry.

An Outsider's Faith
August 26, 2006
Jesus; Faith
Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!" (Luke 7:9, NLT).

This passage may not seem so astounding at first glance, but read it again and look at who showed faith in Jesus. You may be as amazed as Jesus was.

A Roman officer asked this Jewish teacher, Jesus, to come to his house and heal his servant. Typically the Romans were political and religious enemies of the Jewish people. But this Roman wasn't like other Romans; he was kind to the Jews.

But more important than his kindness was his faith in God.

When he heard that Jesus was in the neighborhood, he asked some Jewish friends to go talk to Him. But his great example of faith came when he sent a second group to tell Jesus that He didn't need to come to his house. The officer knew that if Jesus spoke from where He was, his servant would be healed. He recognized Jesus had great authority. And that was something he was familiar with since he told Roman soldiers what to do all day.

You may think that you have to be in church or deep in prayer for God to touch your life. That you have to "feel" God close to you.

But feeling doesn't come before faith. You could be miles away from church, and maybe feel miles away from God, but if you ask Him to speak from where He is, you know that He will hear and do whatever you ask of Him.

When you recognize God as Creator, you will admire him. When you recognize his wisdom, you will learn from him. When you discover his strength, you will rely on him. But only when he saves you will you worship him...Before your rescue, you could easily keep God at a distance....Then came the storm....Despair fell like a fog....In your heart, you knew there was no exit....Suddenly you are left with one option: God

These two devotionals were sent to me today. I get a couple of them sent to me in my email everyday and they always seem to have something I need to hear. And these two are about something I have been dealing with the last couple of weeks.

Love Without Refunds
August 22, 2006
Jesus; Love; Christian Living/Situational
Luke 6:27-36
"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you…Pray for those who hurt you" (Luke 6:27-28, NLT).
We all have enemies. We all make them, we all hold grudges, we may have even gotten into a few fights in our lifetime. If someone hits us in the face, we'd like to return the favor.
But Jesus had different ideas concerning our enemies. He told us to love them.
Love them?! Is He serious?
Of course He is. If someone insults us, we shouldn't respond with similar behavior. We should get on our knees and pray for them. If we practice the same behavior they do, we aren't expressing God's love and forgiveness.
Jesus tells us to give freely what we have, not worrying about whether we get something in return. God lovingly offers the gift of eternal life, knowing that some people will never give Him anything back in return, namely their lives. We must "be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate" (Luke 6:36, NLT). We should hold ourselves to God's standards--to express love as an action, not just an emotion.

Jesus tells us to give freely what we have, not worrying about whether we get something in return. God lovingly offers the gift of eternal life, knowing that some people will never give Him anything back in return, namely their lives.
We must "be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate" (Luke 6:36, NLT). We should hold ourselves to God's standards--to express love as an action, not just an emotion.

If I have no love
by John Fischer

In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren makes a very radical statement: “If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, I should question whether Christ is really in my life.”This bold assertion comes from something John said in his first letter: “If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead.” (1 John 3:14)

The presence of love in your heart for others and the realization of what you can do to serve them is evidence that you have been born again and Christ is in your
heart.The absence of any such sensitivity suggests that you may still be the center of your universe. It may all still be about you.

Can you look at your life over the last few days and see evidence of the fact that you have cared about someone other than yourself?Can you point to some examples of how you have served a brother or a sister in some way?If you can, take heart.If you can’t, it might be a good time for some soul searching.

I have tried this little test on myself, and I must admit I don’t always do very well. Even though I spend a good deal of time serving others through my gifts of speaking and writing while I am on the road, you could also say that this is my work. This is what I’m expected to do. I do this for a living. I am “on” for these moments of ministry.But I can get very selfish with my “off” time.I isolate myself in a hotel room or an airplane seat.I make myself unavailable to the needs around me.I might not even call home, because that would only remind me of those there who need my attention.

Sometimes, I think we need to step in and serve even if we don’t feel like it. Once we do, Christ energizes us and gives us not only the strength to do this, but the desire to do it again.Ask God to open your eyes to those around you and show you ways in which you can serve them in love.That’s being obedient to what he asks and finding his power to do it all at the same time.

How about this?I’ll pray for you right now and you pray for me that God will awaken us with hearts to serve, the wisdom to see the need, and the power to follow through.

Luke 6:20-23
"God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man" (Luke 6:22, NLT).
Weird, isn't it, how it doesn't take much more than the name of Jesus to stir up controversy?
If you're having a conversation with your friends about religion, faith or spirituality, do you ever hesitate to be real about what you believe? Hey, if you answer "yes" to that, you're not alone. The truth is it can be difficult to identify with Christ. Look at Peter in Luke 22:54-62. In one evening, three different people asked if he was with Jesus, and each time he was like, "No way--I don't even know Him."
And Jesus knew--he knew Peter would deny Him, and He knew you and I would encounter some opposition as we walk with Him and identify ourselves as "Christians" or "Christ-followers."
What is it about Jesus that makes some people freak out? It could be that some feel like you're "judging" them if you talk about following Christ and that's not a choice they've made. Or they might feel like you're trying to force them to believe what you do. Still others might feel a sense of conviction, knowing that God is pursuing a relationship with them, but they keep saying "no" to Him. Whatever the situation, you can know this for sure: If you keep your eyes focused on Jesus and determine to follow Him, no matter what, you'll be rewarded for that--according to today's verse, you'll be "blessed." Maybe not today, tomorrow or even five years from now…maybe not even until you see Jesus face to face in heaven. But eventually, your commitment to Christ, especially in the face of adversity, will be rewarded. Hold on to that hope--it'll get you through the tough times.

You've been there....You've stepped away from the masses and followed the Master as he led you up the winding path to the summit....Gently your guide invites you to sit on the rock above the tree line and look out with him at the ancient peaks that will never erode. "What is necessary is still what is sure," he confides. Just remember. "You'll go nowhere that I haven't already been. Truth will still triumph...The victory is yours...."

Luke 5:1-11
Standing at her bedside, he spoke to the fever, rebuking it, and immediately her temperature returned to normal. She got up at once and prepared a meal for them. (Luke 4:39, NLT).
One of the key components of Jesus' ministry was healing the sick. Wherever he went, crowds followed Him asking to be healed. From this alone we see that Jesus was patient and compassionate. How long would you tolerate being trailed by the sick and diseased?
But Jesus never healed anyone as a magic trick saying, "Hey! Look what I can do!" Like every blessing of God, the healing Jesus provided was meant to bring a person to a place where they could serve God better than they could before.
Look at Peter's mother-in-law. (Yes, Peter was married.) As soon as she was healed she immediately went to the kitchen and made a meal. The timing tells us that she really wanted to serve Jesus. The only thing holding her back was her illness.
Peter's mother-in-law shows us that we need a heart that desires to serve God and that He is worthy to be served. Are you suffering an illness that is preventing you from giving honor to God? Ask God for His healing touch. On the other hand, God may know you're best able to serve and honor Him as you are. But don't let anything hold you back; sick or well, your life is to be lived to His glory.

More pic's of my trip home last weekend

These pic's are of me and my cousin shooting my my nephew's crossbow. That is the first time I have ever done that and I did not like the power that it had. One time shooting it was enough for me. My uncle is in the pic above. Above is the new house that my aunt and uncle are building. My Dad is in the pic above. The other pic is the gate going to the pond. This is were I spent most of my time growing up. It is a slower pace there. There is nothing to bug you much there and I am just happy just spending time on the front porch swing.