I recently had the privilege of spending an evening with my friends from ACC’s Esther’s Circle where we enjoyed friendship and conversation with one another over fall festive snacks.  Our group is reading “Love Does” by Bob Goff and we shared stories of faith and experiences while discussing his book.  I wanted to share my thoughts with you…

Chapter 11: There’s More Room

•If “life is like a sweepstakes where you must be present to win,” what does present look like to you? How does one become fully engaged with Jesus?  Being present means to me living in the moment, trusting in tomorrow and thankful for the day before.  Present is engaging in life as it happens, accepting moments given to us by God.  Being fully engaged with Jesus, can be explained by recent changes I made to my daily devotional time with God, I began starting my day with my devotions and asking God to be with me as I go about my day, what an extraordinary  transformation this has been for me!  I used to do my devotions at the end of my day right before going to bed, thanking God for my opportunities and blessings but when I made the change to start my day with God what a difference it has made; inviting God to join me as I take on the day has by far been the best think I could have done for myself, it is the very act of sharing everything and having a true companion with me all day long.  God wants to be there through all our times, we need only to invite Him.  I continue my nightly devotions as well and I find I have less frustrations and more thanksgivings at the end of my day!  What a wonderful way to start and end our days, being connected to God! 

•Has “the Christian life” ever felt like the set of National Treasure 2 to you? Or have you ever felt like an outsider? What might Jesus do about this? I can’t really think of a time I felt like being on a set of a movie; but I have experienced feeling like an outsider.  Realistically, most of us have probably experienced feeling different or like an outsider at least once in our lives.  I can recall several times in my life where I felt very much an outsider, alone and forgotten a form of bullying back when I was a kid.  Children can be cruel and the saddest part about it is they have learned cruelty from someone close to them.  I can remember giving into “peer pressures” there was an incident when I was in the fourth grade and I was dared to do something and I did it so my friends would think I was cool, it was a harmless act where no person was physically hurt but it was wrong and then that lead to lying which only created more lies.  What a huge lesson I learned that day; the TRUTH always comes out! I believe that was the last time I recall being grounded and disciplined for bad behavior.   The truth will set you free…HaHaHaHa.  With Jesus, there are no outsiders!  All are welcome and He wants all of us to share in His glory and receive His blessings.  People and churches can made people feel like outsiders and inferior, but know this truth, GOD is always there for you, anytime and any place, always a prayer away.  “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,” Matthew 6:33 NIV.

 •Is “there more room” in your church? In your life? How can more space be made for those Jesus would have included?  Churches are merely buildings made of wood, brick & mortar, it is not alive, it is the people of the church that brings it to life!  I have recently decided to de-clutter my life, I no longer have cable and I sold my TV.  By deleting some things in my life that only served as entertainment, I know have time to engage in things that bring true happiness to me. like reading books and writing down my thoughts and feelings.  I now have time to attend classes and workshops at church, have time to volunteer at church and spending time with my friends sharing in conversation.  Jesus included everyone, no one was left out or treated as an outsider, He came to save the lost and the least and there’s always room to share God’s love!

Chapter 12: Wow, What a Hit!

•Recall some words of encouragement that really stuck with you.  How did they change you?  A few years ago after several years of searching for my college coach, in order to say “thank you” for the lessons she taught me, I finally found her on the internet.  When I played volleyball and basketball for her I always felt like she was always picking on me and pushed me harder than the others, but through all of it I can now look back with pride that she took the time to push me to perform to the best of my ability.  She saw something inside me and wanted me to be able to see it too.  It took me 20 plus years to locate her, I am glad I had the opportunity to finally say, “thank you!”  Most recently, I have 2 friends that were very inspirational in making this space possible and available to anyone on the internet, namely this blog.  I used to be very protective of my writings and I would pick and choose who I shared my writings with, but through their encouragement and suggestions I have been able to let go of some of my fears which has made this experience wonderful and fulfilling.  My writings have always been an outlet for me to pour my feelings out, thinking there was no one I could truly share them with, without putting myself in a vulnerable position but because someone cared about what I had to say and in many ways validated me as a person with something to say, someone to possibly understand; I am now able to share.  My hope and dreams are that my words will bring comfort and clarity to anyone seeking them.  God has blessed me with the ability to transform words and sentences into His work of reaching perhaps the lost and the least.  I am not doing anything extraordinary but I am using a skill that God gave me to spread His Good News, I am proud to be an active part of the Family of God.

•Do you really believe you are the apple of God’s eye? What evidence is there for this?  Absolutely, I believe I am the apple of God’s eye…Deuteronomy 32:10 NIV, “He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8 NIV, “For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.”   Psalms 17:8 NIV, “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” God created each person, He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb, and He most certainly loves each and every person!

•Bob describes his coach “telling me I was a real ball player—he saw it in me and was just calling it out.” List some opportunities you can make to do this for people in your life.  I believe the best thing we can do for one another is to be “honest” what is truly gained by not being truthful?  Honesty can and is also about “boundaries” this allows people to understand you and to know you.  God was not vague when He gave Moses and the Israelite’s  the “Ten Commandments,” and Jesus was very clear when He stated the only way to Heaven and to God was through Him, John 14:6 NIV “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  I have a relatively new friend that is the most purposeful and sincerest person I believe I have ever met, one of the very first conversations we shared she stated what our friendship could be and what it could not be, she was simply stating her boundaries and merely wanted me to know her,  she explained to me what friendship looks like for her.  And as odd as some might think this sounds, it has by far been one of the most valuable conversations I have ever had.  She cared enough from the very beginning to be honest with me, what an awesome foundation to build a friendship upon.  I know it was no accident that we met and that we met at this juncture of my life.  Can you imagine if all our relationships were grounded with honesty?  My life has not been a series of accidental encounters, God has been preparing me for this very moment and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share not just my life with you but to share the love of God with you.

•What’s the relationship between God’s encouragement and our humility? How does one inform the other?  Basically, all that we are and all that we have are gifts from God.  How can we not be humble concerning everything we have?  God promises to never leave us or abandon us.  Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  And, Hebrews 13:5 NIV, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

•Recall a time someone encouraged you despite (or even because of) your shortcomings—calling out something that may not have been there yet. Did their predictions come to pass?  I remember with great clarity how my friends encouraged me when I thought my life was over or at the very least be miserable forever. when I found out that the person I had dreamed of spending the rest of my life with, no longer wanted the same.  I literally thought my life was over, all I could do was think about what could have been and what might have been.  My friends encouraged me through the process of healing, I did not recognize it as healing and grief but it was most definitely!  God used my grieving to draw me back to Him, calling me home to Him, God has always been a part of my life; sadly I had put other things before Him.  I am only now able after four years to look  on that relationship and be happy for both of us, God had the plan I was just extremely stubborn in learning it.  My friends were 100% correct, I am fine and I am ok.  Because of this I am a stronger person and my faith on God renewed with new priorities, God deserves all the credit, He knows me because He created me and He has a plan and a purpose for me…I am filled to overflowing with the grace and mercy of God,  All that I am and All that I have are absolutely, positively a GIFT from God!!!  Amen!

 In closing, thank you for taking the time to read this entry, know that God loves you, you were created and you have purpose!

~Peace and Blessings~

 Footnotes and References:

http://bobgoff.com

http://www.avonchristian.org/

http://www.biblegateway.com

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206&version=NIV

http://www.thejourney2grace.com/index.cfm?i=11059&mid=1000&id=324730

Those three words have been used to describe me at various points of my life.  I was recently complimented on being patient, I was awe-struck for a moment because I have in the past been guilty of mild (lol) road rage and for stating that life moving too slowly.  I have been able to look back on my behavior with kinder eyes realizing now it was part of growing and maturing as well as with a bit of chuckling….at just how ridiculous I acted.  I am ever so thankful for the love, grace and mercy shown me by God.  My priorities in life have changed through the years and within the last decade reached a cross-road that could not be ignored.  Most of my life I believed that I was growing and maturing into a better person; however, the reality of that is, I was trying to fulfill the hopes, dreams and desires of significant people in my life while unconsciously pushing mine aside.  I thought providing for others would be enough for me but when I found myself alone for the first time in a very long time all I felt was empty.  For the first time in my life I didn’t have someone I could devote all my attention to and I felt lost and scared.  It has been a slow process but I have learned so much about myself, accepting my past, learning to live in the present and trusting God daily with my life.  My world was drastically changed during the spring of 2009 (when an almost 10 year relationship ended and I could not do anything to change that fact) and again in the summer of 2012 (my mother passed away suddenly) followed by surgery that kept me from work for a month.  During the entire time frame from 2009 -2012; I had been searching for answers and one particular area I concentrated on was finding a church where I could connect with people.  I had been attending and was a member of a church but the pastor had resigned and the new pastor and design of the services was not feeding me spiritually.  I started a search for a new church which was painful and difficult.  I did not want to meet new people, share my story or visit numerous churches.  My reluctance to move forward lasted a few years, I was periodically attending the church my previous pastor was now at, but I did not want to attend for the sole purpose of her presence or our previous connection.  I needed a church and a congregation that nourished my soul, not simply the pastor preaching.  Churches are only buildings, the people gathering, sharing and growing together makes it alive!  After visiting this particular church for over 2 years I made the decision to transfer my membership.  What an amazing congregation I have in my new church where I have attended workshops participated in the church newsletter and attend a women’s group celebrating the love of God while strengthening our individual relationship with God and bonding with one another, our neighbors, friends, family and community.   With regards to assertiveness, God had helped me to see that being aware of my likes, dislikes  and choices are just “that” assertion is not a bad thing, it is simply stating facts it is not judgmental in that one is better than another, just different.  Being assertive is your individuality, God’s perfect design just for you.  Psalms 139:14 The Message “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb.  I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!  Body and soul, I am marvelously made!  I worship in adoration—what a creation!  You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.  Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.”   Now, decision-making has never been a strong skill set of mine, I had always operated on the mindset that choices were not important to me, I always wanted to be open to what others wanted to do, thinking that I was being a good friend, partner or lover.  Sadly, I was wrong.  I have since learned that by always giving into whatever others want never really allowed me to truly be myself; therefore, not giving people an opportunity to really know me.  As my relationship with God has grown I am learning the value and merit of my life because I am not just a human being duplicated over and over, I am uniquely created by God with a purpose.  The Bible has numerous verses referencing decision-making and assertiveness as well as patience…Praise Be to God!  A favorite verse of mine is:  Proverbs 3:5-6 New English Translation “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  In closing, believe in yourself and please give people the opportunity to know you, you are important, you matter and above all…God loves you! 

~Peace and Blessings~

http://www.openbible.info/topics/decision_making

http://www.openbible.info/topics/assertiveness

http://www.openbible.info/topics/patience

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant,

His blood Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ, the solid Rock,

I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

—Edward Mote (1797-1874)

I have been thinking about my friends and friendships after attend church services this past Sunday. You are probably already wondering what the title of this has to do with friendship, sharing and selfishness. Looking back on my life experiences and the wonderful people who have come into my life, I am reminded of the opportunities I have had in meeting those individuals and the pleasure of naming each one friend. I am not going to try to name all the people who have been influential in my life and the people who I call friends, I hope they all know they did make a difference in my life and helped to shape the person I am today. What I want to share with you is my personal perception of friends and friendships as they relate to me and possible offer support for anyone that might have similar feelings and/or thoughts. My thought on friendship is basically I have been blessed with wonderful people throughout my life. Sadly, some friends come and go but I am learning that God puts and leads people to come into our lives when we need what they can provide. On Sunday I had an epiphany about friends and now I have a better understanding of this quote by an unknown author, “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.” Those words have brought comfort to me more times than I can count over the years but with my recent epiphany I had not previously considered its meaning in a reciprocal manner. Friendships are not one way relationships, they are about giving and receiving. Another great reference Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,

a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I have realized that as much as I want to hang onto friends, the truth is they are or were in my life for only a season. This is a subject that has haunted me for a very long time, I find it difficult to grasp why some people come into my life and then leave leaving a gap, empty space in my life. It becomes an obsession of “what is wrong with me?” or “what did I do wrong?” I believed that I had found a method to deal with this by telling people I meet and I wish to friends with, that  “I tend to want to spend lots of time with new friends that “feed” me emotionally, socially and intellectually.” Not sure if this is a viable method of beginning a friendship? Honesty is the best method but this might be extreme. The truth I have realized is I seek solace and companionship in friends and I become selfish with their time. I want to share everything immediately as if there was urgency in learning about one another. My assumption that people want to give up all their free time to spend it with me, as if I were their only friend leads me down a lonely road. A mentor of mine shared a valuable piece of information with me a few years ago when I was struggling with the loss of a friendship, she said to me that someone may be 1 of 5 friends to me; therefore, making it easy for me to share and spend time with each one without neglecting one; however, I may be 1 of 20 friends to someone else making it more difficult to spend extended periods of time together on a regular basis. Additionally, just because my life is easily rearranged that is not a luxury for everyone. As I am remembering my friendships from my childhood to now; I can see the diversity of people God placed in my life and can look at those individuals with kinder eyes now that I have a better appreciation for what they added to my life. I am the person I am today because of all the people I have shared a season of friendship with. Sometimes friendships are renewed through the years while others are fond memories that seem to not fade over time. God continues to place special individuals in my life to share with, to learn from and to just be present with them if only for a season. God has blessed me with the spiritual gift of “giving” I love to give it makes my heart happy but even with this gift, I must be responsible and recognize healthy boundaries. Boundaries are critical in that they define who we are; they say what we want and what we don’t want, it’s a plan. Boundaries provide benefits to knowing our limitations and keeps us from overextending ourselves so that we can manage our health, safety and spiritual needs.

A note to my friends and family, I love you all and you have all added love and laughter to my life. I am learning to seek God for comfort and understanding for the emptiness I feel at times; realizing it is not the responsibility of my friends or family to fill the voids in my life. This is a process and I thank you for your love and patience as I learn and grow into the woman I was created to be.

Lessons learned:

−Recognize my neediness

−Respective of others time

−Friendships growing over time

−Friends are not possessions

−Free time is not a luxury for all

−Stop seeking validation from others

−Believe in myself

−Accept truth as truth

−Trust God

~Peace and Blessings~

Several weeks ago I started participating in a workshop entitled, “Pursue You UNIQUE PURPOSE.”  The workshop was led by a phenomenal professional Leader of Ministries Coaching & Training; she was able to share her knowledge and understanding of the topic in very real circumstances for us to see and use in our own individual lives, as well as our families, communities and our church.  The group of women I have had the pleasure of learning and growing with is invaluable to me not just as a person and woman, but deeper in the fact we share in community together through our church and our faith in God.  When our workshop came to a close many of us in attendance were saddened, as a result we committed to one another to meet monthly to discuss our progress, our struggles and most importantly to be in fellowship with one another.  In a world focused on the next big thing, how refreshing to connect with other women of faith to learn and grow not only individually but as a community.  Faith and belief in God is more than a religion and more than a fad, we are committed to be followers of Jesus Christ and to use the gifts He blessed us with for His glory.  This world was created by God, we were created to glorify God and we want to live into all that He created us to be.   Defining and exploring my spiritual gifts has provided a sense of freedom and elation as well as concerns; concerns of my humanism, the constant battle of being in the world but not of this world.  Knowing that my future is not this place but I am here to share the “Good News” of Jesus and the love He has for all.  I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend church from a very young age hearing and learning bible stories.  My parents made many sacrifices to send me and my brother to a Christian School, paying tuition and providing transportation to and from school for 7 years.  What a great example of love!  I was also blessed with the ability to attend a Christian College.  After College, I began searching for my place in the world and making choices trying to be an adult.  My Christian walk went on a hiatus, not that I am proud of that merely the truth.  God never stopped loving me and blessed me in spite of myself.  I never stopped believing in God I selfishly stopped talking with him, I continued the usual church going on holidays but I pretty much set out to find my own happiness all on my own.  I met interesting people and was exposed to different ways of life I had never really given any thoughts to, I experienced people of varied opinions politically, religious differences regarding denominations and practices, ethnicity  and sexual orientation.   I was interested in the differences in people and silly in a way, I was not scared of learning new things.  I was young and naïve just trying to figure life out, thinking I found the right people to teach me.  Looking back I don’t and well, shouldn’t have any regrets.  Those instances are what one might call regrets, I call lessons.  Some lessons required me to repeat them a few times but eventually I was able to grasp the knowledge I needed to become successful.  Looking back on those experiences it is so obvious that God was with me the entire journey; I can stand before my friends and family today knowing that I am a child of God and He never left me alone.  Only through the grace and mercy of God am I saved with the promise of life eternal.  Life is messy, life is difficult, life is learning, life is sharing and it is through all these things we can truly see the value, purity and unconditional love of God.   Life is good…it is because of sadness that we experience true happiness; it is only by losing something we are able to appreciate its value when found; growth requires a bit if rain and storms in order to see radiant colors, beautiful skies…Our creator is the Great Creator and He wants to share and spend eternity with all.  His love endures for all and His grace is sufficient for all!  Thanks for joining me on this my journey, I am still learning and growing and it is my hope to reach out to you, and tell you God is still performing miracles today; He loves you and has always loved you!  I am thankful to be a messenger sharing His love with you this very day. 

*A special note to my “Women of Purpose” I truly love each of you and I am so happy to be sharing my journey of purpose with each of you!

~Peace and Blessings~

 Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” NIV

Psalm 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.   My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Genesis 1:31, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.  And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” NIV

Hebrews 12:6, “because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” NIV

2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” NIV

Websites for Spiritual Gifts Assessments:  Also, just Google or Bing (spiritual gifts)

http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/

http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/

http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.8051415/

Websites for Scripture passages:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

Chaos surrounds me from within me and around me

I need an outlet to scream, shout, yell and cry out for peace

Darkness covers everything within my sight

My skin is cold from the loneliness of this place

My heart is pounding I feel the blood like fire rushing in and out

My eyes see the destruction; my tears sting my raw and tender skin

When will the fight be finished, no human will win this battle

Only God Almighty is the Victor, I am powerless without my Redeemer.

~C. A. Robinson

   October 4, 2013

   4:59pm

I can’t be you and I’m finding it difficult to be me,

Wanting to be the child but needing to be the adult,

I am lost, not knowing what to do,

Sensing things that I need to do

Life is reciprocal, that’s what I’m told,

Living is more than existing…I’m tired,

I don’t want to let you go, I still need you,

I miss you I’m trying, weakened by selfishness

Your memories fill me when I’m feeling empty

Your strength, bravery and love sustain me

~C. A. Robinson

  October 2, 2013

  12:37am

  

If you have never read anything by Mitch Albom, I encourage you to try just one.  He is an amazing writer and his stories invite you into the scenes of each page.  You will find it difficult to put the book down, not wanting to wait to finish the story.  He has his own web site and if you prefer watching his stories, most have been made into movies.  He has a new book release on 11/12/13!  My favorites are “Have a Little Faith” and “The Time Keeper.”

Website: http://mitchalbom.com/d/

New Book: “the first call from heaven”

 

While having lunch with a friend last week she suggested that I share my decision to disconnect from TV with all of you, my friends and followers, so here goes… About a year ago I was plagued with a question and I did not like my answer…I was a TV “junkie” and to be honest I still enjoy watching a few programs through my internet connection and I do see TV (news) on a regular basis as it is part of my job.  My dilemma was too much TV.  I recently joined a church and have been gradually getting more and more  involved, when I realized that I knew more about current TV plots than the stories in the Bible. The Bible tells me my history and my future, TV shows and this world in particular with all pass away, are you seeing the point to my story?  There was a time when I was able to quote verses, I was raised in a Christian home and attended church on a regular basis and even attend a Christian College but I had allowed my life to become cluttered with the things of this temporary home.  Life was good at times and had been very bad at times, I had unknowingly put God in a corner and I would occasionally remember to say “hello” and “thanks” but mostly, a reminder that caught the corner of my eye from time to time.  I made a declaration that I needed an intervention!  I was DVR(ing) several shows each week and basically used my 2 days off work to sit in front of a TV!  I no longer wanted to be a slave to my TV and furthermore, what was I really gaining from that experience?  The answer, absolutely nothing!  Sure I could join in conversations about who was seeing who or who did what…but it left me feeling very empty.  So, I starting reading my Bible more, started reading more books and the best part of it all, I was allowing myself to meet new people (thanks Brandi for the encouragement).  The past 6 months or so have been remarkable, I am sharing my life experiences with my friends and family on a more regular basis, I started attending classes and workshops at church and I have been an active member of a couple of groups at church. And bonus, I started this blog (thanks Jan).  God is blessing me beyond anything I ever imagined.  I just wish I had not been so stubborn and resisted the call to come home, but God never left me and He welcomed me back with grace, mercy and unconditional love.  Unplugging may not be for you, find what works for you and spend time with God, you will not be disappointed, I promise. I cherish my devotional and prayer time with God, He wants to share in my joys, my struggles and my life.  No matter what the weather is like outside or the state of the world’s affairs, knowing God walks with me makes every day beautiful!

Peace and Blessings~

Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth:
unite my heart to fear thy name.
 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:
and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
 For great is thy mercy toward me:
and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Psalms 86:11-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2086:11-14&version=AKJV

http://youtu.be/_ATftuXf2KA

Wow, it’s been almost a week since I’ve updated my blog.  So many things are happening within me and around me but I just have not made the time to sit and write.   This past week I have been acutely aware of just how blessed I am, God has poured His blessing upon me and I am in awe of His love.  As I speak daily with God I know that I have not done anything worthy of the things I have.  Things that are often taken for granted like the air I breathe, the clothes I wear, the food I eat, my shelter and my nutrition…the list goes on and on.  Only by God’s grace and mercy am I able to enjoy such things.  Life is difficult and lessons are sometimes repeated until we grasp and learn the skills necessary to triumph over the task we face.  I am here to encourage you to stay in the fight, you will have victory!  God loves you and He will never leave you or forsake you, turn yourself around, seek God!  God welcomes His children back into His loving arms!  Have ever experienced losing something and do you remember the joy that came over you when what was missing was found?  Multiply that feeling by the highest number you can imagine and it will still not come close to the joy and celebration that God feels and shares with His angels in Heaven, when we return to Him!  Luke chapter 15 provides 3 separate stories of things that were lost and found.  I have provided a YouTube video below that speaks about Luke chapter 15.  Friends, you are loved and you were uniquely created by God!  Peace and Blessings~

Sermons:   http://www.avonchristian.org/worship/

Sermon Lost and Found dated 09/15/2013:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LduVUmEpmh0

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015&version=MSG