Worms...Exit Can, Please.

Do you or don't you know about it? Are you aware of the Twilight hype? I wasn't until a few weeks ago. As of last Wednesday I've been swimming in the sea of it. To get you up to speed in case you're wondering---Twilight is the first book in a series about vampires. It's written by a Mormon. Yeah. Me too. I was hesitant to waste my time on this book for those two facts alone. Originally this post was going to gush all over Twilight. I was preparing to be land-blasted by a few people who would comment in the negative about a Christian "promoting" a book about vampires. However, since I first turned the pages of the fiction book last week many thoughts have flooded my mind. The first being this--reading about a vampire isn't going to compromise my faith.

Lots--and I do mean lots--of teenagers at my church and those I know from Facebook from other places we have lived as well as several of my peers were just giddy about this book. My first thoughts were unfortunately judgmental. Come on--how could I justify a vampire book? For whatever reason, I chose to borrow book 1 last Wednesday. By Thursday morning I was sucked into the vortex of Edward & Bella. My friend brought by books 2,3, & 4 for my next fix. Had I become a sick-o? No. Twilight was just so alluring. Mysterious. Ethereal. Intriguing. I found myself entranced by the character of Edward--the vampire.

He was beautiful beyond description. He adored Bella as if no one else existed. He was always there for her. Bella found someone whom she couldn't quite figure out, but Edward seemed to woo her to himself. She found comfort in his presence.

Now, I'm not by any means making a vampire into a picture of Jesus. Wait. Maybe I am. Uh-oh...here it comes.

Reread those things I just said about Edward and then how Bella responded. I do believe Jesus fits that description. Don't you know we were created to long for God? To be in fellowship with Him?

There is that empty space in our heart that searches for something to fill it. You know you have it. Even if you are already a Believer, there is that place you can't quite articulate, but it is none-the-less insatiable when filled with the wrong thing leaving you still searching. It is meant to be filled by Jesus. It is the whisper you hear calling you to Himself. It could be the scream in your head telling you "NO!" when you are filling up that space with something other than the desires of God.

What lures you?

It's supposed to be the Presence of Christ.

He is beautiful beyond description. He adores me as if no one else exists. He's always there for me. I can't quite figure Him out, but He woos me. He is alluring. Mysterious. Ethereal. Intriguing.

THAT'S what happened when I read Twilight.

I found myself deeper in love with my Jesus. Believing He is right here beside me. Watching me just because I'm His and He thinks I'm beautiful. Watching after me when I don't even know what He's protecting me from.

I didn't get lost in the vampire world. For Pete's sake---they aren't even real!!!

I loved the book and am glad I read it. However, my deeper love of Jesus isn't the only reason I'm glad I read it. I have already had an opportunity to talk about it with some young girls. The author wrote this series geared towards teenagers. Did I mention the book is very sensual? Though Edward is a "good" vampire he is very much attracted to Bella yet he chooses to remain pure around her--BUT the electrifying sensuality is evident when they are together. Too much for teenagers to be reading. Believe me, I know teens see, hear and experience far worse with the media available to them today, but I just can't imagine WHY on earth the Mormon author wrote it FOR teenagers!!! I just don't get it. I guess she saw a money bath and wanted to jump in. Millions of these books have sold. The 4th book sold 1.3 million copies on the first day--BUT many of the books were returned due to the fact that the fan base disliked the author's ridiculous spin. I must agree. I drank (no pun intended...yes, it is!) the first book in two nights. I plowed through book 2 and didn't like it at all so I skimmed book 3 hating it and G*oogle*d 4 finding out that I wish the author would have called it a day at the end of Twilight. Total waste of my time.

Here's the cool part: yesterday when I was teaching my 6th grade girls in Bible study I was 100% able to connect--for the 1st time--with two Gothic wanna-be girls. They were trying to be sly by saying they dressed up as Alice & Rosalie Cullen for Halloween. The other adult asking them about it had no clue--not to slight her in any way--but I was instantly able to say, "I totally know who they are!" Those girls were now going to let me "in". By the grace of God, I have a connection to their world. That could be a different post entirely about how these affluent girls are being left solely to the influence of their computers to direct their paths...but I digress.

This whole issue over these books and their lure to think about "other" worlds has stirred me to seek out the mysteries in the Bible. Ever read Revelation? Talk about being from another world! Little ol' vampires have got NOTHING on those creatures! Except that they are REAL! Now, let's not debate the literal or figurative here of Revelation. Let's just agree that whatever God has planned for us as Believers in Jesus Christ on the other side is too great for words of a mere mortal being. I count it a privilege to belong to Him and all He has waiting for me.

Perhaps it's time to look at the intriguing, mysterious, ethereal, heavenly beings and proclaim like them, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come." Revelation 4:8

As for the book? It's just a book. Fun read. The midnight showing on opening night with my girlfriends will be lots of fun. Is the book appropriate for teens? NO WAY. Will I pray for the very lost author? You bet. She's still searching for something to fill that empty space. Lord, let me be light in this dark world and bring glory to You.

A Must See

Call to Fast

Don't know how aware you are of what is going on with our brothers and sisters in Christ over in Ira**q, but one of our local Christian radio stations is relaying information about MANY Ira**qi Christians being killed JUST because they are Believers. One organization in particular is reporting 100's of text messages begging for prayers from within the country. These Believers are truly fearing for their very lives. We THINK we have fears, but as Westerners we don't even know the beginning of true fear JUST because we follow Christ.

Tomorrow, Friday, October 17--the radio station among others are calling for a one day fast from SOMEthing and pray for these precious people instead of partaking in whatever you give up. It's the least we can do as fellow believers.

Blessings

Was This Written for Me?

"Will Not Be Moved"
by Natalie Grant

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

[Chorus:]
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

[Chorus]

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

[Chorus]

Natalie Grant's newest song not only sounds great, but is everything my heart is screaming right now in the midst of finding God's will for our family. I LOVE THIS SONG. May God receive all the glory from whatever comes from our struggle to build our family. He is worth it.

update

You have to read the previous post to appreciate and understand this one. Sunday morning at church was amazing. The worship was all about God being my firm foundation and how He sees each tear that falls, He knows my name and there are No orphans of God. My most amazing and wonderful pastor preached the end of a sermon series from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. Little did he know that my life verse for the past 19 years has been Hab. 3:19..."The Lord God is my strength. He will make my feet like hind's feet and make me walk upon my high places." I read Hind's Feet on High Places in 1989 and was forever changed from it. That's where the verse stems from for me. God has a plan. We have no clue what it is, but He has one none-the-less. Thank you for all the sweet, genuine words you all commented to me. They blessed my soul beyond measure. I pray blessings on you in return.

Much love.

When the Bow Breaks...

...the cradle will...

You know the rest of the ridiculous nursery rhyme. What a harsh way to treat a baby.

Well, that is, if you can get one.

I am so sick and tired of this song and dance of trying to add to our family. We love PandaGirl so much and if God finally says she is all we get, then what a blessing. However, WHY has He put it in our hearts to have another yet we can't ever seem to get them?

Why all the yammering from me?

We found out the little boy we have a picture (not a referral) of from Haiti is not going to work out for our family. Turns out that he is VERY sick with several critical issues, struggling to hang on. It makes me cringe to think about not continuing the path to him after so much prayer, but we just can't go on with that adoption. Please don't judge. If you have never gone through an adoption process you have no idea how painstakingly awful it is. The decisions to accept or not accept certain aspects of a child is heart-wrenching at best.

I am at a loss. What do we do? God provided this new job for me to provide for an adoption. I certainly wouldn't have gone out just for fun and gotten a job. That in itself is stressing me out like crazy.

I cannot begin to tell how many times we have attempted to adopt since December of 2004. Our poor PandaGirl is so confused about who/when/IF she will ever have siblings. She is so faithful to pray for them and then::POOF. "Sorry, baby girl, nix THAT one off the list because we aren't adopting them after all." I guess it's just a front and center life lesson for PG to learn how our plans certainly aren't God's plans and that we must trust Him though we don't understand. She even cried last night when we told her we weren't pursuing "Name we've been praying for" because he was so sick we couldn't get him. What kind of message does that send? Is she thinking that if SHE gets sick we won't keep her either? Who knows what goes through her little mind? She can't comprehend the depth of his sickness and that it isn't just a cold to take medicine for and get better.

We haven't called off Haiti, but seriously, we are at a holding point. I think PandaPop and I have come to the conclusion if one more shot at getting a kid doesn't work out then we'll just forget it and move on as a family of three. Can't imagine that because, again, WHY would God have put it so deeply in the desires of my heart to have more than one child and not let us have them? Crazier things have happened.

To my church friends who read this: sorry. Sorry that you will see me at church with a smile and my usual giddy spirit and wonder "is she faking it"??? Well, nope. I have been really sad and down about this whole thing. Pity party for some time now. The only reason I can smile and be joyful is because of the hope I have in Jesus. I know God is in control. I can't possibly understand Him. Though I know the Truth-- I have to fight not being even a little mad at Him for "doing" this to me. I sat this week with a young teen in a speech therapy session at work who probably has drug-laden babies all over the place from all his unsacred relations with young teen girls whose babies will more than likely be neglected and abused. I can say this with confidence because he has literally fried his brain by huffing and sniffing glue as a kid.

But HE and some little girl can bear children??? Makes no sense.

But, then again, neither does my free salvation from hell.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12

Homeless

I've been bawling my eyes out for the last hour and a half finishing the last half of this book.

Literally tears STREAMING down my cheeks almost non-stop.

This book moved me more than any I have ever read. I encourage you to read it, too.

Making it even more real is the fact that PandaPop and I used to live very close to all the locations described in this book. When I would read about the Mission or any of the places in Ft. Worth I pictured it in my mind because I have been there.

God works in mysterious ways and we are all homeless until we--who choose to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior--get to the other side of eternity.

Huge Thank You!!!

There is no way I can thank Steffie at Never Too Many enough. She took it on herself to help with the unbelievable expense of our adoption. She did a post on her site for the past couple of days that led people over here to help "Chip In" with the widget over to the side. As if THAT wasn't enough....SHE personally is going to match that amount up until today at noon. Blessed. That's all I can say is that we are blessed to have friends and strangers who want to help bring our son home from Haiti. Mind you, she and I have never met and never even spoken on the phone! We have only been blogging since 2006! I am so grateful and have prayed God's blessings ALL over her and her precious family. Thanks, Steffie!

Today is my sweet PandaPop's Birthday!!!!!!!

Something Up-beat

I seriously don't know what happened. I have loaded the ring pic three times!!! I even took another pic, loaded it to the computer and tried completely over again. Maybe "the ring" isn't supposed to be seen? LOL! Don't have one clue as to why this one pic isn't posting. Go figure. If it happens to pop up on its own...then yay.

As per a couple of requests from bloggy friends...The Blingy-Blue Ring. It's much more blingy and sparkly in person!






Isn't it soooo cute?! Too fun to wear in honor of our little man in........wait just a minute......I haven't told you yet have I? Well, we started our home study on Monday night for a precious little boy in Haiti. We are so excited to see what God is going to do.

Over the last few days I have been overwhelmed with prayers for not only ourself in this whole process, but for so many of my bloggy friends who are also adopting. It feels as though there is an oppression pushing us all down into this deep hole of gloom. The adoption process is NOT for the faint of heart. It is hard, long, tedious, mind-numbing, expensive and heart-wrenching when there are unbelievable numbers of children all over the world who need homes and families who need children and yet because of lovely governments nothing gets done and the children go without families and the families sit longing for their child to come home. I have come to the realization that Satan is in a full blown attack on adoption. I believe it is a battle that can only be fought on our knees. Please continue to pray for my family as we seek God's BEST for us. Also, remember other adoptive families needing those same prayers.

I needed to post something light-hearted (these pics!) so as to not fall into the gloomy pit of despair that is looming at my front door waiting for an invitation to enter. I want our adoption process to be faith-filled, not broken-hearted and stressed. Thank you in advance for your prayers!!!!!


Right after watching Princess Diaries 2, PandaGirl went straight to her room, put on some princess attire and thoroughly enjoyed her princess self with twirls, giggles and make-believe. So sweet. (By the way, I never shared from a few weeks ago that we were in WalMart and PG said while walking past the DVDs, "Mommy! There's the Princess Diarrheas!!! Woops.) LOL!

Miao cozied up inside a blanket on the floor with "Orange" the kitty placed by PG along with a picture of a drawn cat that resembles Miao. We like to coordinate.

Love these two peas!

Memorial Day 2008

Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”


So many Believers have gone on before us. They are experiencing life as it was supposed to be...in perfection. We have that hope so we continue this race here on earth for the glory of God. He has a purpose for each one of us. The Steven Curtis Chapman family, like many other families in our world are facing dark skies like the pic below, but the Chapman's, however, have HOPE in Jesus Christ to lift them from the pain of their loss in order to keep running the race.

We are not here on this earth to buy more things or make a great name for ourselves. Our pastor told us yesterday that there are two things which will go on forever:

1. The Word of God
2. Human Souls

What are we spending our time on?

On this Memorial Day I am grateful for the soldiers who have served the USA to provide my freedom. I am also remembering loved ones who lived a godly life and have gone on home. They are the cloud of witnesses cheering me on to finish the race I have set out to run. I am remembering the ultimate price paid for me when Jesus gave His life to pay for my debt making me free forever. Only by the grace of God can I keep running.

Tragic Loss

Please pray for this family. Steven Curtis Chapman is the most widely known and accomplished Christian music artist. He music is straight from the heart of God. He and his family were the final catalyst for us choosing to adopt from China. They have three biological children and three from China. Their youngest was killed in a freak accident by one of his teenage sons. All this is so heartbreaking and this family needs our prayer coverage. You can click on the link for the news story.
Chapman Story

Loud & Clear Update.

Just so we are all clear, I am not TELLING anyone they must go read this book from the previous post. The readers of this blog should be adults and can make their own decisions. I believe that when reading FICTION books one MUST take everything written with a "grain of salt" and KNOW that it is ONE person's attempt to express something within themselves. As I said before, this book is NOT the Bible. It certainly is NOT heresy. I brought away some Truth from it. Didn't say that I agreed with every word. I am no scholar, but I have studied Scripture myself under solid teaching as well as having a husband with a Master's degree in theology. I am sure that some people who consider themselves "reformists" won't like this book because God is taken out of his box for them and that is scary. NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON can explain God. His Word was given to all of us and we are to use discernment via the Holy Spirit, BASED on Biblical truths. I hope that I would not ever lead anyone astray from the Truth of God, but rather lead them straight to Him. Make sure you have read the book YOURSELF before solely relying on someone else's "review" just because they are in a leadership position. What they say might just be heresy, but you'd never know because you haven't educated yourself. Let's just say this post is a disclaimer for those who think that I have done something unbiblical by reading this fiction book.

More Than Thought Provoking...Life Altering

Many of the staff at our church have read this book. PandaPop said it was an absolute must for me to read. I am not a fast reader like him, but I just finished it yesterday. Many of you could read it in an evening. Can't even explain it in this small paragraph. Basically it is a poignant look at Who God is. It is not the Bible, but it certainly has given me a broader scope of Who I serve and Who I am the daughter of. Some of you might not like it. All I can say is that there are many truths of God in this work that are Biblically based concerning the character and heart of God. I hope you are as moved as I am. If you want more info then visit theshackbook.com

The line that got me: "Forgiveness is not about forgetting, Mack. It's about letting go of the other person's throat." That was the God character talking to a man whose six year old daughter has been murdered.

Make sure you don't put the book down before chapter 8. That's when it really kicks in like you've never read before. Let me know what you think---even if you don't like it.

I Told You So...

Back in February I posted some concerns over Oprah and her "new" leadership role she is taking on and all about her leading people away from the TRUTH of Jesus Christ. You can see what I posted here.

Then watch this little snippet of why I pray for her and all the dumb sheep being led off the side of the cliff. By the grace of God I hear His Truth. My job is to speak and live Truth straight from God's Word...be an example of a sinner saved by the Grace of God and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit with every breath I take, not a condemning person. I am to be salt and light in this dark world.

Father, please show yourself to Oprah and all the people blindly following her lies. We are all sheep. You are the Shepherd. We need You and are nothing without You and your Son, Jesus Christ. God have mercy on us. Kyrie eleison.

*In order to hear the video you have to click the pause symbol on the music playlist at the bottom left of my sidebar to stop the playlist music first, then click the video.

Tribute to a Friend

The first girl on the front left side of the table went home to be with Jesus early this morning. Susan fell asleep and woke up in the arms of her Savior. Her husband noticed her hand was on his side of the bed and cold. He is an EMT. He knew. She leaves behind and amazing husband and a precious little girl who's 6th birthday party is this coming Sat. Susan was on the mission trip with us this past February and I got to know her well over those eight days we were together. She was very active and involved in our church's preschool ministries, a firefighter and EMT, kind-hearted, a diligent worker, servant's heart and loved Jesus. She will be dearly missed. Please pray for blessings over her family while they wait to meet her someday in perfection. Susan, you are whole now...enjoy heaven, sweet one.

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Just Like He Said They Would...

Where do I start without sounding like I'm ranting? I am cringing at the latest "Oprah" junk. She sooo claims to know God, but her foundation has cracked so much that I honestly question her salvation. May I be so bold as to even DO that? I am not being arrogant, just watching the fruit growing off her tree...and it shows NOTHING of being of the God of the Bible.

Now she has the whole world at her fingertips and spoon feeding them a book called, A New Earth. I looked it up for my own research to see what all the hooplah was about and sure enough---the author is a New Age dude who throws in some Bible lingo and a few Scriptures here and there with his ways to better yourself and become the person you are supposed to be...blah...blah..blah.

In light of heading out for a mission trip where the TRUTH of God will be lived out, talked about and proclaimed, I just can't shake the eerie feeling of how the words of the Bible ring true in our day and age of Christians being dissuaded from the Truth which saved them in the first place. How SHALLOW have we become?!!! It is so scary when I hear very public pastors missuse Scripture by twisting and turning the real Truth into something to fit their agenda or WORSE---flat out teaching heresy (false teachings and calling it from the Bible). Then what REALLY gets my goat is the born-again believers
F-A-L-L-I-N-G
for all the crap and lies like cows to the slaughter!!!!!! Can I SCREAM THAT ANY LOUDER THROUGH THIS BLOG!!!!!????? Why, oh, WHY are believers led astray by false teachings? I am NOT claiming to be perfect by any stretch, but I do believe that I purposefully keep my eyes and ears attentive to any false teachings which go against the teachings of the Bible.

After clicking through a few websites and after watching Oprah yesterday (I never even watch TV during the day, but I clicked it on yesterday and listened to the most ridiculous hoo-hah ever!), I find myself more-so-than-ever wanting to live out TRUTH in my life. God is who He says He is. Period. The "Law of Attraction" was a phrase thrown around on the show about how whatever "vibes" you put out in the "universe" is what the universe will give back to you. So all these people (half were believers in "God") started thinking happy thoughts about themselves, made posters or lists about things they wanted in life and BOOM! A while later these things came true for them. Hear me, I believe that we can change our life experiences and emotions by focusing on our blessings rather then what we DO NOT have, but God is the One in control of those things not the "inner-self" of our wicked and depraved selves.

Think for a minute if you have personally "fallen" for false teachings. Ten years ago I did and it made me SICK when I realized it. I was dumbfounded that "I" was deceived. We HAVE to be watchful and careful about EVERYthing we allow into our mind and heart. Has anyone ever read a popular book about your "purpose" in life? I cringe at the very thought of how many people are being fed such shallow and sometimes twisted theology. There are so many to name and I don't want to look critical or hateful. I just hope that believers will stop falling for every little new thing that comes out as a "self-help" device.

My heart was sent straight to Scripture to see for myself what God has to say about these kinds of things. Well, whatayaknow, He has ALOT to say about it. Here are just a few:

Jeremiah 23:16--This is what the LORD Almighty says, "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD."

Matthew 24:24-25--"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time."--Jesus' words

II Peter 2:1, 18--But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They secretly introduce destructive heresies even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. V. 18--For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.

I John 4:1, 5-6,--Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. V.5-6:They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Now for the BEST part!

I John 5:20--We know also that the Son of God (Jesus Christ) has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

John 8:31-32: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

John 14:6--"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."--Jesus

I will be gone for a week. All of these Scriptures have happened just like God said they would. Think about these things and rant all over the comments if you want. I WANT to know what people think about these things. I walked into my church building yesterday and was overwhelmed with thankfulness for a Bible-believing, God-fearing, people-loving body of Christ followers. We are not perfect, but PRAISE GOD--Truth is being taught here. Amen and Amen. To God be the glory!

Back to Bloggy Land & the Jesus Meme!

HELLO EVERYONE!!! I've missed you! ; ) Let me say that it has been a crazy-busy two weeks! All good, just time consuming. I picked a good time for a blog hiatus because I wouldn't have had time to post anything anyway! While I was out of the bloggy-loop Ashley tagged me for a wonderful meme...The "Five Things I Love About JESUS" Meme. How fun is that?! I wanted my new blog year to start off with the whole reason I live...Jesus. Tomorrow will be my one year anniversary of starting this blog and I must say, though it DOES take up time, it has been a HUGE blessing in my life. I have come across many people who have made me better for just reading about their life. Cool how that works through cyber-space, huh? I can't wait to meet up with some blogging moms who live 20 minutes from me and who also have daughters from China. I love keeping up with friends and family all over the place and I really enjoy seeing how other families DO things. We are all so different and yet so alike, too.

This darling pic of my PandaGirl with Judy the Elf from the movie "The Santa Clause" is just a smidgen of the time consumed during the past two weeks. We love watching Christmas movies in the summer-time to ooo & aahh over the fun things awaiting us come Christmas-time. Ever since we had PG, PandaPop and I thought her little round face and full cheeks look just like "Judy" from this movie. One of PG's friends had this princess cap with the flowing sheer fabric and WAHLAH!---she looks like PG the Elf! Thought you'd get a kick out of it, too. Maybe you don't see it, but we do and well....that's all that matters now doesn't it? LOL! ; )

There has been some drama happen over this summer and it culminated this past week causing us to...well, you'll just have to wait until tomorrow's post to get the scoop. For now, here are just a few (there are supposed to be only FIVE I can list!) of the reasons I love my MAIN man, JESUS:

1. Jehovah-Jireh: This is one of the names of God which means "my Provider". Oh, how He has provided for me over and over again in my life. From little details in my personal being to huge things affecting me and others around me....He has always provided me with exactly what I need...even if I don't fully understand it all.

2. My Shelter: I have always thought of God as my refuge, shelter, hiding place. When those emotional attacks come from the enemy, life seems too complicated or someone hurts me badly, He is who I run to. It is unexplainable. Only HE can protect me and give the true comfort needed in times of distress or fear. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song called "Hiding Place" a long time ago, but it remains one of my very favorite songs because it is so powerful and true. Many times in my life I have found myself resting in the peace this song gives via Jesus.

Hiding Place lyrics:

In the distance I can see the storm clouds coming my way,
And I need to find a shelter
Before it starts to rain,
So I turn and run to you Lord;
You're the only place to go,
Where unfailing love surrounds me
When I need it most.

CHORUS
You're my hiding place;
Safe in your embrace,
I'm protected from the storm that rages
When the waters rise,
And I run to hide;
Lord, in You I find my hiding place.

I'm not asking You to take away
My troubles, Lord,
'Cause it's through the stormy weather
I learn to trust You more.
And I thank You for Your promise;
I have come to know
Your unfailing love surrounds me
When I need it most.

(chorus)

So let Your people seek You
While You may be found,
'Cause You're our only refuge
When the rain comes pouring down.

3. Top Six Riches: When I went through the "Believing God" Bible study by Beth Moore last summer I learned something that has changed my daily life. In Ephesians 1:3-8 there six aspects of life in which we as Christians can boast because of the LOVE of Jesus becoming the sacrifice in our place to bridge the gap between us and God caused by our sinful nature. I repeat these to myself daily as a reminder of WHO I am in Christ.
~Blessed
~Chosen
~Adopted
~Accepted
~Redeemed
~Forgiven
All these are in LOVE. I can claim these truths as WHO I am! Just imprinting these on my heart has put into perspective how insignificant I would be without Jesus as my Savior. Petty things that used to bother me seem so ridiculous now as compared to the riches I have in Christ.

4. My Perfectly Timed Prince: Throughout Scripture we are told that Jesus WILL return for His own someday. After studying His Word there is no doubt this will come to pass. It is so exciting just thinking about it!! In light of His perfect timing LATER, He has such perfect timing NOW! For example, things like meeting someone at JUST the right time. Being at exactly the right place at the right time. Waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for something that I think is so LATE and yet when it happens it is so perfectly timed to work just like He planned. I just LOVE how He orchestrates so many details just to bless me. He sees the big picture. His timing is best no matter if I choose not to trust him and fall into a pity party thinking He has everything wrong or not. He is perfect and needs no watch. Just when I least expect it...someday my Prince will come.

5. Revelation 4:8--"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come."

Forgive me if some of these seem to ramble. I am completely fatigued and my brain is blonder that usual....more details as to WHY I am so tired on tomorrow's post! Glad to be back with you!!! ; )

Rally for Prayer

Please join me as I lift up my bloggy friend Jane at Much Ado
to our heavenly Father. She got news today that their Chinese adoption, which has been an extraordinary WAIT and was expecting to be in the very next batch of referrals, has possibly been extended for another YEAR!!! It is so hard to know God's plan when awful setbacks happen. PLEASE pray that God's will be done, but I do believe that as His children we can ask for our heart's desire. I am praying for God to open up doors that have been seemingly closed for Derek and Jane and their precious baby. Prayer changes things and I want to see God move in this situation!!!! Please be a part of helping interceed for a sister in Christ.

JESUS: The HOPE of EASTER!

© Chris Harvey - FOTOLIA



Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (NIV)

I Hear You, Lord.

If any of you read my sappy post from Friday you know that I was pretty bummed about the whole adoption thing. Over the weekend we just decided to not think about it for awhile. Put it on a back burner. What's the rush? We can't rush God and His timing anyway. I also was given that peace that passes understanding promised to Believers who present our requests to God. He is so amazing...reigning in my emotions the way He does. Several things over the weekend brought my eyes into focus on how everything in my life is in the Lord's hands. I don't need to sweat it, worry over it, or fret about it. When we DO get bogged down with the harshness of this world He is always there to pick us up, turn things around, make us new. This song by Steven Curtis Chapman was playing yesterday before our church service started. We NEVER have music like this playing before the service. Other stuff, but not SCC. I have the CD, but haven't listened to it in awhile so I got it out and popped in the CD player on the way to our Monday playgroup. I listened to the words that I had heard so many times before and was so moved that the Lord was playing them for ME. Right now. For these crazy issues we are facing. I looked up and just said, "Thank you, Lord. I hear you." It was such a sweet reminder that I am always in His care. For those times when God seems silent and I feel like my prayers are just echoing into neverland He gives me these PRECIOUS times to recall and remind myself that He hears me. All the time. He renews and He restores. He transforms our broken hearts into something new and beautiful. Hallelujah.

This YouTube video was the only one "out there". It's ok, but the words and music are what I hope you imprint on your heart. If you are reading this and have NO IDEA what I am talking about...this peace...then click my first link called Wanna Be Free? It will lead you to how you become a Believer in Jesus Christ. He is our only Hope and the only way to be made new.



Steven Curtis Chapman - "All Things New" Lyrics

You spoke and made the sunrise, to light up the very first day
You breathed across the water, and started the very first wave
It was You
You intoduced Your glory, to every living creature on earth
And they started singing, the first song to ever be heard
They sang for You

You make all things new
You make all things new

Then the world was broken, fallen and battered and scarred
You took the hopeless, the life, wasted, ruined and marred
And made it new

You make all things new
You make all things new
You redeem and You transform
You renew and You restore
You make all things new
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

You turn winter into spring
You take every living thing
And You breathe Your breath of life into it over and over again

You made the sunrise, day after day after day
But there's a morning coming, when old things will all pass away
And everyone will see

You make all things new
You make all things new
Come redeem and come transform
Come renew and come restore
You make all things new
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

Now and forever You are making all things new
You're making all things new

Hallelujah...