Life is an Adventure

Okay, Yeah, haven't blogged in a while, but had had had to share this...(and thanks to my friend, Trevor...i'm gonna blog it...)
So, this morning I wake up feeling horrible...head cold type stuff. I'm running late for work, and on my way to drop mom off, we run into some heavy traffic due to an accident. Genius that my mom is decides we should go through a subdivision to go around it. We wind up back-tracking because she had us going in circles through the subdivision. We finally get to a place that we both recoginze (which happened to be in the OPPOSITE direction in which we wanted to go). When we get to the place to turn onto the main highway, we get stuck behind a bus and a train comes through. Nice. If that isn't all, when we get to the road her job is on, we decide since we are already late, we are going to stop at McDonalds because by this time, I NEED ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE!!!! :) We drive in and all of Slidell had the same idea. The line was backed up almost to the road on the other side of the drive-thru window. We wait because bless God, I'm getting my coffee or SOMEBODY is gonna get hurt! :)
Needless to say, it took us 45 minutes to make a 7 minute trip to work...
It's amazing to me how God can take an ordinary blah day and make it interesting. No, the wreck wasn't a good thing, but i believe that God uses circumstances that happen in our lives to just show off His sense of humor. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I still feel bad, but my outlook on the day is better. Simply because my mom gets us lost in a subdivision on the way to work...

"Attack" Mode

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Corinthians 10:5This scripture came to my mind a few minutes ago. It has always been a great scripture to help me stay focused on what's truly going on. Our church has called a 21-day Daniel Fast. So, when you are doing something right, the devil thinks he has to counter it.It's so easy to fight something you can see, but the mind is where a lot of us get into trouble. We can tell ourselves that we are not going to watch a certain thing, go a certain place, do a certain thing, but when our minds get idle, we are open to the attack on our confidence in God, our faith in who He is, our confidence in our fellow christians and friends. He tends to bombard us by speaking into our minds that we will never get out of situations, that it will always be the same thing all the time, nothing can ever change for us. He will deceive and discourage us to the point that we want to quit.....The defense: Pray and GET INTO THE WORD! When we get into the Word, we understand the character of God. Who He is and His Will for our lives. God is not the author of confusion. We CAN be like David and "encourage ourselves in the Lord" (I Samuel 30:6). The more we know God, the better capable we are to fight our enemies. I heard Bro. Scisco say one time, "SO many people try to understand their adversary so they can counter his attacks, but the truth is, the more we know God, the better capable we are to fight our adversary." We understand the things that bombards our minds and that they go against everything we KNOW about God. It's great when we FEEL God, but when the high wears off...we must rely on what we KNOW!Know God. Be mindful of what goes into your mind and CAST AWAY THE JUNK! Defend Yourself...Call the Devil down and like Jesus and quote the Word back to him.

Back To The Beginning

I am currently reading a book by Dr. Patricia Bailey called Step Into Divine Destiny. She made a statement that sometimes in our maturing in God, we must go back to the beginning and it initiated a lot of thought...

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
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21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
cb(21,17);
21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

This great disciple was found by Jesus after he had denied him three times. Simon, Peter at the time of the denial, fishing. Many times when we disappoint ourselves or our God, we want to run from God. We want to return to our former lifestyle before Jesus called us. Before we knew what ministry meant. Before we knew the pressures of leadership. When we served God simply because we loved Him. Because we were in those "honeymoon" stages of just simply being in love with Jesus. We weren't worried about who was watching us. We weren't worried about if we "got it just right." We just LOVED Jesus.

When Jesus found Peter, He addressed Him as "Simon." The name he was called when Jesus first met him and called him to be a disciple. He wasn't "Peter" then. Jesus met Him and brought him back to the beginning. I believe that what God was saying in these passages was, "Peter, I know you denied me. You failed Me and you failed yourself. Get back up. Let's start over. I'm calling you to "feed my sheep" yet again. I'm calling you to be a fisher of men. You can't erase what you already know about Me. But you can clear the "junk" out of your mind. You can push past what you did and what you think you are and see yourself as the "rock" I called you to be. Just simply serve and love Me."

We are never the same after an encounter with God. He is a God of second chances. His mercies are new every morning. His compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.)

I was listening to a song by Fred Hammond this morning on the way to work and part of the verse said, "As I look back over all the years that I made it through, I can't imagine where I'd be now if it wasn't for You. Why your favor rests upon me I can never explain, but I'm so glad that I can say Your grace in my life lasts forever."

Let's go back to the beginning and just serve God simply because of Who He is. We were created FIRST and foremost to WORSHIP God.

Running on Fumes?

Colossians 3:15-17And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. I don't know about anyone else, but I have a serious issue with the word " wait." I don't like it. I feel spiritually lazy when I don't have my hands in something. However, I AM learning that there is a very good reason why God asks us to do that very thing. Bro. Kennedy, a preacher friend of mine, gave me this acronym a while back... W-Worship A-Anticipate I-Invision (the word is actually spelled with an "e" but u get the point. :) u really have to know this guy...) T-Tarry. Sometimes, we pour so much of ourselves into the work of God and other people that we empty ourselves and we are running on "fumes." That is NOT the Will of God. It IS the Will of God for us to just sit at His feet and let Him refill, refuel and refresh us. Give us a fresh anointing, a fresh word, a fresh vision. Psalm 23 says it best, " He leadeth me beside the still waters...He restoreth my soul." There is a strength and a renewed hope and faith that comes when we wait on God.Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalm 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him: (Rest...on of the 4 ingredients to abundant life...)Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.Although waiting is a hard answer to receive, see and accept it for what it is, God's way of getting you to spend some time with Him so He can empty us of us and fill us with Him. In our waiting period our Mode of Operation should be as Colossians states: sing, get into the Word, and whatever you do or say try your hardest to make sure it brings glory to God. We are made overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of our testimony. Testify. Has God been good to you? Be of good courage. God's got everything in control. He is God and He is good at it.

Not worth a penny...

So, This past week has been interesting to say the least. :)
I have learned a lot, met new people, and set some goals in my life and in my ministry.
The commandment of "seek ye first the Kingdom" has been my lesson of late. There are some things I have been asked to take on, give up, or ponder on. It is an experience. I'm learning also the significance of the answer, "wait." You know, I've always heard that God will keep putting you through tests until you pass them. YEA! For me... I guess that's what I get for being so stinking Hard-headed. :)
Okay, so my genius plan is this:
1) do what God says...OBVIOUSLY, then maybe I can stay out of "trouble" :)
2) Get into the Word more. STUDY, not just read it.
3) Be mindful of what I listen to, watch, and SPEAK... Did you know that you can abort the prophetic destiny in your life if you speak things that are contrary to the promises God has given you? (That was courtesy of the book I'm reading called, Step Into Divine Destiny by Dr. Patricia Bailey.)
4) Be VERY VERY careful about who speaks into my life.
5) Work on my ministry strengths. I teach Dramatic Sign Language, so I'm developing a strategy to get my team more motivated and am on the lookout for more material.

On a more carnal note:
I have this SERIOUS addiction to coffee...trying my best to go from taking it intravenously to just 2 cups a day... :) it really is that bad. LOL
Trying to read more...just bought the new Terry Blackstock book (I own almost all of them). and waiting on Dee Henderson to come out with a new one...anytime, now sister! I mean, really how long does it take to write a book anyways....ugh.
Just trying to get through this day...it's so slow at work...I could think of about 10 million other things I could be doing right now...like sitting by the pool at Susan's (my best pal and co-worker)... :) or shopping with Eva...
Who knows....
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Above and Beyond...I am Blessed Beyond Measure!

I Am Bad To The Bone All By Myself

Isaiah 43:10-1310: Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.11: I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.12: I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.13: Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?So, I was reading a book the other day. I LOVE Christian mystery/suspense. Some of my favorite authors are Mindy Starns Clark, Dee Henderson, and Terri Blackstock. In this particular book I was reading an FBI agent was trying to solve the crime. Well, the other party involved who had no training in this area, was trying her hardest to "help" him. He said this, " I am trained for this job. I know what I am doing. Let me do it. You're being in the way is going to mess it up and lead to someone's getting shot or killed."That stuck with me and parallels with our walk with God. God will lay a burden on our hearts sometimes for people or things, and because of it, we want to try to "put our hands in it." God says, "I've been God a long time and I'm good at it!" In fact in today's language, the verses above could be said, "I am God, and I am bad to the bone ALL BY MYSELF! I don't need your help. Just cheer me on." If we try to do it and the work succeeds, God doesn't get as much glory because we show up to get our picture taken for the effort.God's got a plan. If He chooses to use us, He will let us know. Until then....PRAISE LIKE YOUR BATTLE'S ALREADY WON! The battle is the Lord's. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that worketh in us." Our prayers are heard. God has answered. Praise Him for the victory!

I Believe I'll Testify

So, I have noticed in my bible reading of late that when God commanded His Children to go to war with praise and worship, the most commonly used phrase was "for his mercy endureth forever." I don't know about anyone else, but God has brought me through some things...This is my version of Psalm 136
1) Thank You Lord; you are good: your mercy endures forever.
2) You have proven yourself God to me: Your mercy endures forever.
3) You have looked beyond my shortcomings: your mercy endures forever
4)And made me Your child and heir: your mercy endures forever.
5)You have been my shelter and provision: your mercy endures forever
6)You have saved me from Hell: your mercy endures forever.
7)You have saved me from myself: your mercy endures forever.
8)You have bound up my wounds: your mercy endures forever.
9) You have healed my hurts and sickness: your mercy endures forever.
10) You have looked beyond the mask of "I'm just going through the motions:" your mercy endures forever
11) And interrupted church services to strip me of that mask: your mercy endures forever.
12)You have broken me in pieces: your mercy endures forever
13) So you could make me more than what I had become: your mercy endures forever.
14) You have tried me in the fire: your mercy endures forever
15) So I could become an usable vessel: your mercy endures forever.
16)You were my companion in my lonely times: your mercy endures forever.
17)You have taught my hands to war: your mercy endures forever.
18) You have given me peace and joy beyond understanding: your mercy endures forever.
19) You have taught me to praise and worship in ALL things: your mercy endures forever.
20) You have become my strength in weakness: your mercy endures forever.
21) You have been my refuge in the storms: your mercy endures forever.
22) You have taught me that You alone validate me: your mercy endures forever.
23) You have proven that through You nothing is impossible: your mercy endures forever.
24)You have been the friend I could ALWAYS count on: your mercy endures forever.
25) You have taught me that Your Word NEVER fails: your mercy endures forever.
26) Lord, YOU ARE AWESOME! YOUR MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!

I'm sure many if not all of you can relate! There's no testimony without a test! Hang in there! HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!