Forgetting the Past!

Hebrews 10:16-18 (New Living Translation)

16. “This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds"
17. Then he says,

“I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.”

18. And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.


It is so hard to keep up with granddaughter's! My goodness, we just had one this week and when she left today, I just curled up on the couch and took a nap. We have painted, made a floral arrangement, shopped and she even helped clean house. I stay busy, but this was a different kind of busy. She is only 10 but is very creative, so she wants to know how to do everything. We even discussed paint colors for her house she would have one day. Talk about planning for the future! Wow, but we did have so much fun and I did miss her the minute she left. It is wonderful being a grandmother. When my girls were little, it was work and lots of troubles in our family made it very stressful. Life kept me busy and seems like I just didn't have the time to do everything I wanted or needed to do. I suppose this is normal, I have heard many women say they enjoy their grandchildren so much more. I also suppose we all live with some regret over the past. There are so many things I for one would like to go back and change. You know, "why did I do that" or "why didn't I do that"? But we can't, can we? The past is the past, and we can't change it. Just breaks my heart, you know, one of those face on the floor type things. Oh that it was possible to go back, and change those decisions I made, to have focused on God and not on everything going on around me. To have done what was right and pleasing to God, NO MATTER WHAT!!!!! So now that we know we can't, what do we do? Believe what God tells us as in the scripture above (there are many more). We must trust Him and believe that He forgives us and has truly forgotten. Of course we can't, but sisters and friends this is Grace, loving and merciful Grace. It really is time to quit beating up on ourselves and move on with Christ. We have such opportunities with our grown children and especially those precious grandchildren. Each and every day is a new day with them. A time to make a difference in their lives. Praying and holding them up to the Lord is something we can certainly do. I hope and pray you don't spend to much time back there, but are moving on, forgetting those things which are behind. And making a difference in the lives of your family. Have a blessed Lords Day, (don't forget to go to Spiritual Sunday and check out all the wonderful posts, link is on the sidebar) In love and praying for you!

Listening for God's Voice!

Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)


5-12.. Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

Do you ever try to figure out everything, and I do mean everything? With our own reasoning we sure can come up with some stuff can't we? There is no way we can put God in a box as the old saying goes and know what is going on. We sure can't predict the future, but we do like to try don't we. Why do we do this instead of trusting God? We need to remember first of all that with God we are talking about supernatural, and of course we deal only with this reality we have here on earth. This faith walk takes us places we don't know where we are going, just like Abraham, but if we are walking in faith, then God is leading the way. I get off track sometimes, (more than I want to) because I am not asking and then obeying. God doesn't make it hard, we do! We are all a stubborn lot, aren't we?
Why there is even a promise of good health in these scriptures! That should excite us and give us hope. If there ever was a time when we need to stay tuned to God, sweet friend, it is now. The enemy of our souls is working overtime, there is no time to be lax in our commitment to God. I hope this scripture blesses your heart today as it does mine. Lets just stay focused and pray for each other. Remember where our help comes from and when the discipline comes and it surely will, lets not be upset with God and try to get out of our situation. Ask Him what He wants you to know, this is just one of the many promises that He will do just that! I pray you will be blessed and have a wonderful day!

Jesus Will Come in the Clouds!

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (The Message)

15-18. And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master's word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they'll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they'll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.



My daughter took this picture this morning before the storm moved in! Isn't it amazing? , I heard even the news team from Springfield Missouri had taken some. I have never seen anything like this before and from what I have heard since then, many others hadn't either. One of my friends on facebook posted some and had several replies, one of them being "Well, it just looks like Jesus could come back in those", I have chill bumps now just thinking about it. Maybe the clouds this morning are a reminder that we need to be ready to meet Him. Can't you just picture this in your mind, rising in the air to meet Jesus just as He told us that one day it would happen. Being with Him forever and ever. It just overwhelms me, this is one of those face on the floor moments for me. You see, I believe the Word of God, Jesus said we would have to make a choice between life or death. We would decide where we wanted to spend eternity. I pray you have decided to follow Him! I know how easy it is to get caught up in the things of life, been there done that and wasted a lot of precious time. (We all realize how fast time goes by, don't we?) But, we need to remember what season we are living in and be ready to go! We also need to desperately pray for our loved ones that they would be ready to. I will leave you with this thought, "Just what if this is really true, what if Jesus really does come back for His children? Will you be going?

Do We Believe God?

Romans 8:28 (New Living Translation)

28. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Do you really believe that "everything" works together for our good? Is it a far fetched idea that we can really believe this is what the scripture means or could it be somethings else? Do you believe that when something horrible happens to a person that God can take that and use it for good? I know this is a hard thing and we will never fully understand, I certainly don't. But I have been a Christian long enough to actually see over a period of time a working out in Gods Will for a person. Some things that were just unbearable, for instance a rape of a beautiful young woman that loved God with all her heart, then to realize that there would be a child conceived. Life changed for everyone in the family, the thoughts of abortion and then to adoption if she chose to keep it. Months of uncertainty and much soul searching resulting in a little boy being born, then reaching the decision to keep the baby and trust God to help her raise him. Questions from every side as to why this happened and surely everyone would be ruined and marked forever was overwhelming. But all the while God was working, did He choose for her to be raped? Of course not, would He turn it around and use it for good as stated is in His Word? Oh yes, he surely did. I can't begin to tell you the hearts that were healed due to a little one that was conceived in such a violent way. I know we will never understand everything, but I can tell you no matter what, we need to stay focused on God. We have to trust and believe that He means exactly what He said in His Word. Is it easy? Not hardly. But it comes down to making decisions every day that we live on this earth. Each day when we get up we can choose to serve God or not, it is up to us! If you are facing something in your life that has your face on the floor, ask God and then expect to hear from Him. Be patient as you grow in knowledge, knowing in your heart that God knows what is best for you. He created you, He knew you before you was born, He will not leave you! Trust Him, you just have to TRUST HIM! I am praying for you as you read this that the Blessings of God be upon you and your family. Have a wonderful Lords day! (If you get a chance go to Spiritual Sundays, the link is on the side bar and check out other encouraging blogs. You will be strengthened in your faith.)

Family Fun!

Christa (one of the twins) me, Candace (the other twin)

Karen and Kathy. My daughters!

Proverbs 8:22-31 (The Message)


22-31 "God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic—
before he did anything else.
I was brought into being a long time ago,
well before Earth got its start.
I arrived on the scene before Ocean,
yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes.
Before Mountains were sculpted and Hills took shape,
I was already there, newborn;
Long before God stretched out Earth's Horizons,
and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather,
And set Sky firmly in place,
I was there.
When he mapped and gave borders to wild Ocean,
built the vast vault of Heaven,
and installed the fountains that fed Ocean,
When he drew a boundary for Sea,
posted a sign that said no trespassing,
And then staked out Earth's Foundations,
I was right there with him, making sure everything fit.
Day after day I was there, with my joyful applause,
always enjoying his company,
Delighted with the world of things and creatures,
happily celebrating the human family.



Spending time with family! What could be better? I have one brother and one sister, our mother has been gone for many years, and dad about 12 years ago. Things have changed and time has rolled on. Now we are the older ones at the family gatherings. Seems strange to me that I am here at this point in my life. I remember one time not to long before my dad passed away, he was standing in front of the mirror and asked himself who was that old guy he was looking at, he said he just never felt old in his heart. Just makes me cry now as I remember him. He was my hero to be sure. He was the ripe old age of 39 when I was born, so I was a bit spoiled (my brother and sister would tell you a lot more than a "bit"). I loved my parents dearly and miss them so much especially at family times. With my daughters and their families and the rest of the bunch, there will be many mouths to feed and lots of fun to be had. Some will go floating, some will be cooking, and there is even a trip planned to the old home place. We have many good memories, life was so different then than now. We were secure and happy growing upon a farm out in the hills of Arkansas. I don't remember being afraid at night, crime was null and void there. Our parents were wonderful hosts and we always had company, and lots of kids to play with to. At church we learned about God, and I was saved and baptized at the age of 12. My brother (who is 9 years younger than I) is a preacher and lives not to far from where we were raised. Sis lives farther away and of course we live the farthest, so we don't get to visit much. So Saturday will be filled with lots of laughing, eating and having fun. I am really looking forward to it, but a part of me is also quiet and thoughtful before God. Having good memories are such a blessing, aren't they? I hope you have a wonderful day, please be careful and don't forget to thank the Lord for all His goodness and mercy!

Going Through a Rough Spot!

(Another one of my places for quiet time. This sunroom looks out
onto the river in the front of our house.)

Ephesians 3:20 (New Living Translation)

20. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.


(Remember it is how much of Gods power that works in us that gages how much He is able to do through us)



No one likes to be discouraged or listen to someone murmur and complain, so I won't stay here long. But on the other hand we all know life is not going to be upon that mountain all the time, we must have that valley experience. So here is my heart today and for the last several days. Not anything really wrong that I can put my finger on, just struggling big time. Struggling with life is hard these days, of course we all have our personal struggles and if we are not careful we would live a defeated life. So what do we do when we have these days that last longer than a few? For one thing, ask the Lord if there is any unforgiveness in our life, do we have any root of bitterness against anyone? Second thing is what He would have us learn from this trial, the next thing that I need to do is keep a guard on my lips. It is a time when we could say the wrong thing if we aren't aware this is exactly what the enemy of our souls would have us do. Then it is important to get in Gods Word and spend some time with Him, praying in the Spirit, and singing songs of praise!!!!! This is my goal to do this things, I don't believe there are any magic formulas, it takes hard work and we are in a battle. We must never forget that! I am praying for you today as you read this, you may be going through a rough spot (as we say in the hills of Arkansas) but I also know in my heart and in my mind and most important because of what God tells us in His Word, that we will come through this and we will be strengthened in our spirit and renewed in our minds. God bless you richly this day!

Mornings and Quiet Times!

My back porch is where I spend my quiet times of a morning!

Psalm 59:16 (New Living Translation)

16. But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress



I love mornings! My first cup of coffee, spending time with hubby and then my quiet time. I also love to journal, I have to admit though I am not consistent. Why is it so hard to be faithful with some things? I do really well for awhile, then I get busy. This is also the way we can get in serving the Lord. We may be really inspired by an event at church or something else then we get lax. I just listened to my daily devotion and it was talking about spending time with God instead of listening to the news which caused seeds of doubt and fear to enter in. I know we need to know what is going on, but most of the time we will not hear the truth anyway. Life is scary right now, people are unsure now more than ever (in my lifetime anyway) what is going to happen. But we must not dwell on negative things, but keep focused on God reading His Word and following Him. It can also be a very exciting time as we watch people reach out to God. Sometimes we have to be in that hard place before we see our need for Him. Hubby and I have family members that our not saved so with fervent prayer we are banding together claiming them for the Kingdom of God. As we begin a new month, lets join together and pray for the lost. Standing in the gap and lifting them up to our Father. Lets also pray for strength and determination. We must stand firm! I am praying that God will reveal His will for you also as you read this. Have a blessed day sweet friends!