Isaiah 60:1-2

The Glory of Zion 1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.

Caedmon's Call - Lead Of Love

Looking back at the road so far
The journey's left its share of scars
Mostly from leaving the narrow and straight

Looking back it is clear to me
That a man is more than the sum of his deeds
And how You've made good of this mess I've made
Is a profound mystery

Looking back You know You had to bring me through
All that I was so afraid of
Though I questioned the sky, now I see why
Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view
Looking back I see the lead of love

Looking back I can finally see (I'd rather have wisdom)
How failures bring humility (than be)
Brings me to my knees (a comfortable fool)
Helps me see my need for Thee


This song is so powerful and so true for me. How incredible
what God has brought me through. And now I can see the
mountain view.

This weekend we went out to the beach to watch the Lunar Eclipse. It was quite windy and a little chilly. But a beautiful day to be out on the beach. So here are a few pic's of the eclipse rising up over the ocean. Now these were not the easiest pictures to take because of the low lighting and the wind was blowing so hard but we had fun anyway.

Amazing Grace by Chis Tomlin

I love this video!
Amazing Grace

Exodus 33:19
The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.

Our Day at the Beach

We spent th afternoon at the beach today. It was about 80 degrees. The wind was blowing and the air felt crisp. Very nice day to be at the beach. The water was still a little cold. I took a lot of pictures. I hope you don't feel like you are in the movie Water World from all my pic's. It was nice to get out for a while and forget about the world. We went to Packery Channel. It is nice there. There are always people fishing. There also were some pretty large waves today. We got splashed a couple of times on the Jettie.

As I was writing my last post my cat could not resist me being on the computer. He is so funny. It is just me and the cats tonight Doug is a the church helping with the new building. Anyway, it seems whenever I am by myself my cat socks just goes wild. Here some pic's of him being silly.

I really like this video of Hillsong. The words to the song are so true for me. All I want to do is sing to Him and tell God I love Him. There is nothing like feeling his presence within you. Even when things around me are so crazy right now. I have this peace that is indescribable! That everything will be okay and work out. I now understand what having child like faith is all about. It was only this year that I began to understand that and especially in the last few weeks. I just know now that He will take care of me. It will not matter if I lose my job, my home, my friends He will always be there saying here is my hand, take it I will help you. How awesome! I want to know Him deeper every day. I simply can't get enough. His spirit dwells within me guiding me showing me where I should go. I am listening to his whispers and His nudges to go here or there. I am following His lead and I have been on the most amazing journey. I look back at my life and I seem to understand why this or that happened in my life to get where I am now. What an amazing journey. I felt God calling me as a child around five years old and I accepted Christ at 7 years old. I remember praying the sinners prayer and I remember shaking and tears running down my face. Now I can look back and see that I was destined to make it. It all makes sense to me now. God was there from the beginning and has been there all along. Amazing!

Genesis 1:1-31 (The Message)

Heaven and Earth

1-2First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.
3-5 God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared. God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning— Day One.
6-8 God spoke: "Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!" God made sky. He separated the water under sky from the water above sky. And there it was: he named sky the Heavens; It was evening, it was morning— Day Two.
9-10 God spoke: "Separate! Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place; Land, appear!" And there it was. God named the land Earth. He named the pooled water Ocean. God saw that it was good.
11-13 God spoke: "Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree." And there it was. Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. God saw that it was good. It was evening, it was morning— Day Three.
14-15 God spoke: "Lights! Come out! Shine in Heaven's sky! Separate Day from Night. Mark seasons and days and years, Lights in Heaven's sky to give light to Earth." And there it was.
16-19 God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of Day, The smaller to be in charge of Night; and he made the stars. God placed them in the heavenly sky to light up Earth And oversee Day and Night, to separate light and dark. God saw that it was good. It was evening, it was morning— Day Four.
20-23 God spoke: "Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!" God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds. God saw that it was good. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean! Birds, reproduce on Earth!" It was evening, it was morning— Day Five.
24-25 God spoke: "Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds." And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good.
26-28 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."
29-30 Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was.
31 God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning— Day Six.

I took this picture when we left Germany shortly after take off from Frankfurt in October 2006.

Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado

This devotional was so appropriate for the day I had.

The Son does whatever the Father does
John 5:19

The crowning attribute of Christ was this: his heart was spiritual. His thoughts reflected his intimate relationship with the Father....Jesus took his instructions from God. It was his habit to go to worship. It was his practice to memorize Scripture....His times of prayer guided him. He once returned from prayer and announced it was time to move to another city. Another time of prayer resulted in the selection of the disciples. Jesus was led by an unseen hand....The heart of Jesus was spiritual.

This past week at work has been very hard for me. And it has been wearing on me and bringing me down a bit. And I have been praying about my job a lot. I work in a very faced paced environment. But God has given me this verse. It is Joshua 1:9. I also read this verse from The Message. It was very empowering to me.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9
The Message (MSG)

Joshua 1
1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant:

"Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

Passion of the Christ

This video really moved me. I have watched this movie and it was hard for me to watch it but it also opened my eyes. The song Awesome God on this video I really like. It takes me back to when I was going to an Assembly of God church in my teens. My friend Jennifer and I would always listen to this song. I will be forever grateful to her for inviting me to her church.

HE STILL MOVES STONES by Max Lucado

The Lord is Close to everyone who prays to Him,
to all who truly pray to Him.
Psalm 145:18

Healing begins when we do something. Healing begins when we reach out. Healing starts when we take a step. God's help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it. Nothing results from apathy...God honors radical, risk-taking faith. When arks are built, lives are saved. When soldiers march, Jerichos tumble. When staffs are raised, seas will open. When a lunch is shared, thousands are fed.

Feeling Needy

I get several devotions a day and sometimes I read them and I can really feel God speaking directly to me. This one is a womens devotional that I get every Tuesday and this one I can identify with. She wanted God to heal her and in return He wanted her to tell her story. And when He healed her He also healed her spritual wounds by knowing Him and his power. I have experienced this myself over the last several months. While He is healing my back in his own time, at the same time He has come into my life and filled the void in my heart that I was so longing to be filled. So in return He wants me to tell my story. So this blog of mine is just that. My story.


Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and told him what she had done.
Mark 5:33


We live in a culture that idolizes health, independence, and strength while it shuns illness and weakness. Yet at some time in our lives we all find ourselves in real need of someone’s help. In some cases, we must swallow our pride and humbly reach out to receive the help offered, because we find ourselves in an extremely desperate situation. That’s when all pretenses of self-sufficiency have to be discarded.

The woman in Mark 5 had been desperately ill for years, spending all she had on doctors, without success. Although she tried her very best to take care of herself, she found herself without resources and without hope—except for Jesus. In desperation, she secretly reached out to touch not Jesus but just his clothing. She believed she would be healed and hoped she would be able to slink away afterward, without anyone noticing her presence.

Miraculously, the woman was healed by the power that simply went out from Jesus at her touch. He felt the release of his power at the physical connection—but did not let the woman disappear without offering that deeper connection. Before she returned home he asked one thing of her: the one thing she wanted to avoid. He asked that she show herself, tell her story, and in so doing allow Jesus to encourage her. Instead of letting her feel like she had stolen her miracle, Jesus wanted her to understand that he was delighted to heal her. He offered this woman much more than the physical healing she expected! He offered the gift of healing from her spiritual wounds and the privilege of knowing him.

When we come to Jesus in prayer, we may be confident that he has the power to help us, but are we encouraged that he delights in hearing all about it? When we tell our story to the Lord and allow him to heal our hurts, our faith is strengthened and our joy is increased as we see the kindness of our almighty God.

But what about accepting help from others? This step can still be very difficult. As believers in Jesus, we are called to be his hands and feet here on earth. Sometimes we will be the one bringing aid and comfort to others; sometimes we will be the ones on the receiving end. The amazing thing about God’s family is that we share his healing touch as we share our stories of his love in our lives and help each other through difficult times.

I read this tonight and it just blew me away.

Expect a move of God Suddenly!

By Joyce Meyer

When the time was right,
man and woman were created,
the flood subsided,
Jericho's walls were defeated,
the lions' mouths were shut,
the baby was born,
water became wine,
the storm was silenced,
blind eyes were opened,
the tomb was emptied,
He ascended to heaven,
tongues of fire came down...

And when the time is right,
the King of Kings will return.

God is never early
and He's never late-

He's always right on time.
His plan for you is GOOD!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

All this I read tonight then I went to barb's site after having my prayer time and well I was overwhelmed at the devotional she had posted. God just has been working in my life and I am overwhelmed! The depth's of my soul has been touched! And my heart is just overflowing. It is so awesome that God knows our every need and His timing is perfect.

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and
purifier of silver."


This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study
and they wondered what this statement meant
about the character and nature of God. One of
the women offered to find out the process of
refining silver and get back to the group at
their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and
made an appointment to watch him at work. She
didn't mention anything about the reason for her
interest beyond her curiosity about the process
of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece
of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He
explained that in refining silver, one needed to
hold the silver in the middle of the fire where
the flames were hottest as to burn away all the
impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a
hot spot; then she thought again about the verse
that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of
silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he
had to sit there in front of the fire the whole
time the silver was being refined. The man
answered that yes, he not only had to sit there
holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes
on the silver the entire time it was in the
fire. If the silver was left a moment too long
in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she
asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the
silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and
answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my
image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire,
remember that God has His eye on you and will
keep watching you until He sees His image in
you.

This was my devotion I read today by Charles Stanley(On Holy Ground)

Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

How do you respond when presented with a challenge that calls for a surge of faith in God? Hesitantly? Tentatively? Fearfully? Optimistically?
The key to breaking the faith barrier and anchoring our trust in God is an exalted view of God Himself.
"But I thought to have more faith, I had to work at it more,: you say. You do, but your work is to see God for who He really is, not to struggle to obtain more faith or have a more positive mind-set.
When the disciples thirsted to have more faith, Jesus told them all that was necessary was faith the size of a mustard seed. "Use what you have," Jesus was saying, "and your faith will grow in the process."
We use what faith we have, as little as it may seem, by magnifying the heart's view of God. When Moses was scared to go to Pharaoh, God exploded Moses' worries with the revelation of Himself: "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you" (EX. 3:14).
We grow in faith by seeing God in a new light. Our faith is as big as our God. If your notion of God is grand, your faith will soar. If it is little, your faith will sag. How big is your God? See Him as He is, and the faith barrier will shatter before you.

Dear God, let my faith soar. Grow faith in me that is as big as you are. O God, I want to see You as You are. Shatter the obstacles of fear, disobedience, and faithlessness in my life. I want to break through the faith barrier.

I prayed this pray today and God just showed me that He is with us and He is the I AM! It did not take very long for Him to answer my pray. Shortly after praying that prayer I was looking at some of the other blogs that were out there. The first blog I could not read it was in another language so I went to the next blog and there was my answer to my pray at Eddie's blog at Kingdom Fellowship with a post that coincided with my devotion. I was overwhelmed when I read his post for January 11th on Exodus 3:12.

This pic is of my sister and her daughters. My sister is the one with the baby. My other two neice's are growing up fast. The oldest Brittney is already taller then me. I like the other pic of Brittney and Dixie.

These are some pic's from Christmas in Arkansas. This is at my Aunt and Uncle's house. I enjoy going here. This is where I can go to get away from it all. We always end up on the front porch. My Aunt always decorates the house so nice for Christmas. She makes everything herself. All the quilts are made by her. They have recently built a new house next to the old house my grandpa built in the 1940's. We got to stay in the new house. I got a chance just to sit on the back porch to read and just spend some time with God. It was cold and raining but it felt good since we don't get much cold weather here. I wish I had more time to spend there. This is where I got my christian background from my grandparents.

This is the lyrics to a song called His love is Reaching by David Meece.
This is such an awesome song. It is very personal to me. It really sums up my life. I did not realize it but God was with me along when I thought he was not. It just amazes that he loved me so much to get me where I am now. He knew where I needed to live and he knew the people I needed in my life. He knew me that well. And his timing was perfect. It was his Hand that was reaching for me and I grabbed on and I am still holding on with no intentions of letting go.

HIS LOVE IS REACHING ( Odyssey)

Lyrics by Gino Vannelli and David Meece
Music by David Meece
Copyright, 1987 Meece Music (admin by) Word Music/Black Keys Music

Where should I begin to tell my thoughts
What can I say that would do
Where are the words when I need them most
To show my gratitude

Though the times I was burdened
Yet I did not fall
Though the times I was certain
There was no one at all

His love was reaching
An invisible hand pulling me through
His love was reaching
Touching my life in more ways than I ever knew

As I lay beneath the southern cross
The stars tell more than I could
And if the words don’t say want I really mean
I pray I’m understood

When I thought I had nothing
Yet I had so much
Though the years when it seemed
We were out of touch

His love was reaching
An invisible hand pulling me through
Touching my life in more ways than I ever knew

How could I think I was living alone
How could a man be so blind
How could I have come so far
Without His hand in mine

His love was reaching
An invisible hand pulling me through
His love was reaching
Touching my life in more ways than I ever knew

"The mystery of the Holy Night, which historically happened two thousand years ago, must be lived as a spiritual event in the ‘today’ of the Liturgy," the Pope clarified. "The Word who found a dwelling in Mary’s womb comes to knock on the heart of every person with singular intensity this Christmas."
Pope John Paul II

Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

This was the devotional I read this morning from my Grace for the Moment daily devotional.This verse has a very special meaning to me.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

Jesus goes from heart to heart, asking if he might enter....Every so often he is welcomed. Someone throws open the door of his or her heart and invites him to stay. And to that person Jesus gives this great promise...."In my father's house are many rooms"....What a delightful promise he makes us! We make room for him in our hearts, and he makes room for us in his house.

Sharon’s Microwave Fudge

I am making this fudge for gifts this year. This is my sister's recipe. This is the best fudge I have ever had. It melts in your mouth. I like it without the nuts. Enjoy!

1 lb powdered sugar

½ cup cocoa (I used nestle's cocoa)

¼ tsp salt

¼ cup evaporated milk

½ cup butter (1 stick) (I used unsalted real butter not margarine)

1 tbsp vanilla (I like the imitation vanilla better than pure vanilla)

1 cup chopped nuts

Combine sugar, cocoa, salt, and milk in a microwavable bowl. Stir together and place the butter on top. Place in the microwave on high for 2 minutes(I had to do 4 minutes until the butter melted). Stir together add vanilla and nuts stir again(it will be somewhat stiff). Spread on wax paper and chill in the refrigerator for one hour or freezer.