Faith Hill - American Heart (Official Lyric Video)

Life is so good! My heart sings like a melody!!

Growing...

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen

It has been exactly 2 years  since my diagnosis of cancer. Yes that "c" word. Why my life was spared, I continue to ask. I am thankful for His grace and mercy on my life. I am so undeserving. I try daily to make a difference. I fail miserably. I get up and do it again. I feel like Jonah. I am, such a whiner! He continues to use me. There are times daily I see it. Do I take each moment and run with it. No, I feel so unequipped. Then I remember He equips me with all I need. So then off I go!

I promised the Lord if He chose to allow me to live thru this awful disease I would be the witness for this disease He wanted. He provided a career that is amazing. I am having the greatest time! I am selling insurance to the senior market. Now you may ask what does that have to do with being a witness. Well, I have to inquire about the health of the older geeration. It makes them feel comfortable when I share what happened to me. We talk about everything by the time I leave. We all know I have a gift of gab!! I have the most wonderful clients! I don't think anyone has any better. Yes, I completely fall in love with each and every one.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24

With all I have learned, worry is something that I have learned not to do! My hope is in Him. I have concerns, definitely. Worry used to be my middle name. I've learned I've wasted a lot of time! Time is precious. Each breath is a miracle. I love life. I love more deeply than I ever that I could. I appreciate all those who have come into my life since the cancer. I've watched some friends go and that is ok. I am concerned about other's health. I know what it is to look at death and wonder if you are going to see your children grow old, If I can give anyone advice it would be to take care of your body. There are others looking to you to take care of yourself. Soul mates, children, grandchildren, family, friends....You have a choice!
Since this has happened, I've known 3 children battle cancer. One lost the battle but was still victorious! She is in His glory now. Sweet Lauren was in my preschool class. The other 2 are still battling. Please pray for Justin and Courtney. I've had a friend Jeanette who was diagnosed after my last treatment and is now recovering from the chemotherapy.

Yes, I have gone to the Lord in prayer and asked why! Why the children?? The answer comes back, why not? He is using them!

Nothing is by accident. He allows things to happen. Maybe just so we will turn to Him.

Eighteen months cancer FREE!. Wow!! I don't take each breath for granted. I've grown that is for sure. He gave me a career that is absolutely unbelievable. I know people run from insurance agents but this is what God has chosen for me! So thankful He is using me. Thankful for family and friends.  Thankful for each day!

Mandy Gawley - "Let it Go" Official Video

When God Ran by Phillips, Craig and Dean

A New Day!

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken (Psalm 62:5-6, ESV)

I can honestly say that I have been shaken by much. There have been lessons learned and even relearned. I constantly ask God, again?? I know I can't be the only one but then I get in the flesh and I feel like the only one. This is when, once again, I turn to Him. He is my Rock. I shall not be shaken!!

I will start teaching "Where Was God When I Cried?" starting in March. To some students that are studying to be counselors. Interesting that He finds me able to do this. Actually, I am not able to do this. Only through Him am I able. 

For some time He has been my fortress. I can build my own and not let anyone in to include God the Father. The Lover of my soul. The one who loves me for me. He made me to be His. Even I close Him out, which is one of the things I do best. I can revert to my old self after being hurt and build that strong wall around me where I can't be hurt. Only thing is, I am hurt and all I am doing is licking my wounds. 

I have had a job. Lost a job and yet I am still standing. Actually, leaning right into His arms. There was a lesson in that. I found something I really enjoyed doing. So I will continue on in that field. I am currently preparing for another state exam. God has given me the time to do this. He is full of grace and mercy for me. I am undeserving of any that He has given to me but He continues to give it anyway! 

Jesus died for my salvation. He died so that I might have life in heaven with Him. With that He taught me forgiveness. He taught me love. He taught me to be open to what He has in store for me. I tell you all this because of something that happened. 

As I tell you this, don't think I am trivializing what Christ has done for all of us. Several weeks ago a puppy was found on a doorstep. Bruised and battered and in need of love and care. Have you ever felt like that and just didn't know who would take care of you?  He was at the right place at the right time. The right person found him! He was given medical attention and fed. He was given time to heal and allowed someone to love him. Does this sound familiar in your life? Well, the little fella really needed a permanent home. He needed someone who would continue to love him and take care of him. He need a place to call his own. His home. As many of you know, I have one of those hearts that can't stand to see anything hurt. Abuse outrages me. Off I hop in the mom mobile and go to get this sweet fella. To my surprise, he looked terrific. His temporary owner, Kathy, loved him back to a healthy life. Yes he had medicine but we all need love. We all need that Rock, Fortress and Salvation. I loaded that sweet  puppy in my car and brought him to his permanent home.  Rob, Lori and Carson will give him all that he had at Kathy's and what he was lacking prior to meeting Kathy. Kathy gave her all to Bean...I call him Schroeder. He is a maltese like my Linus. Thus the name Schroeder. The day he went to the vet, Dr Lambert, we were told he was healthy! He was healed from the disease he had. He jumped into Lori's arms and nuzzled with her, exactly where he belonged. He received the love he was so desperately looking for the night he was found on Kathy's brother's porch.  Are you where you belong? Today is a new day for new beginnings. That my dear friends is a gift from the Father. 

Medicine helped but love healed this fella. We can take all the pills in the world but you have to have the love. I couldn't have made it through my life without the love of so many. Especially with the love of Christ, I can endure all.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13

Laura Story - Blessings

Always Looking

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This has been an interesting year.  After being diagnosed with lymphoma, I have found it hard to express how I feel. I was looking for my voice. I am still looking. I reverted back to my old self. The self who couldn't speak. Each day I get better. 

Many years ago, I learned to build these walls. Huge walls that no one could get thru. I unknowingly built these walls to keep out all that I feared. I had a hard time with intimacy. I wouldn't let anyone get to know the real me. There were just a few that I trusted. I really didn't understand the love of God. I still struggle with that. He who loves me more than I can even imagine. He that wants a relationship with me. 

In order to understand His love, you need to allow Him to have that intimate relationship with you. He wants to be in that quiet place that only you and Him share. He also wants to be in that place where everyone sees you. I have heard people say "I've been looking for Jesus." "Where is God in all of this" is one of my favorites. The thing is you don't have to look for Jesus, He is right there. Your question of where is God in all of this, He is right in the middle. 

Are you looking for Him? He is here and He is where you are! That is the great thing about it.  To understand His love, you need to remove the things that blind you to His love. I tell you all this because I have to remind my self of this. I am a great wall builder. I am constantly reminding myself those walls aren't meant to be there. God wants that love relationship with you and me. Agape love. The love that is selfless. Jesus died because He loves us that much! Can you count on one hand how many love you like that. The amazing thing is you don't have to look too far. He is waiting just for you. 

As all you know, love relationships require contact. Have you ever had a love relationship where you had no contact? Can you have a relationship with someone with out communication? What is prayer? Talking to God. Now my favorite part of the Hebrews 4:15..."come boldly to the throne." Growing up, I never went boldly to the throne. This year I've learned boldly. 

I have never been more scared than I was this year. I have "obtained that grace and mercy" in that time of need. I received that favor from our Lord. I was looking for it. I didn't deserve it. I am a sinner but He gave it anyway. That is the kind of love He gives! 

We are like sheep and the Shepherd shows gives us grace and mercy.  Next door to me is a field with sheep in it. Here in the upstate we have an issue with coyotes. The farmer has two Great Pyreneese. They would snap my maltese, Linus, in two. I call them Grace and Mercy because they are gentle and loving with the sheep. What have those sheep done to deserve that? Nothing...What have we done to deserve a gentle and loving Shepherd? Nothing. He only shows us grace and mercy. He protects us just as Grace and Mercy do.

None of us are deserving of His love, however, it is there. He is always there in our time of need. None of us are better than the other. We are all equal in sinning. The difference is if you believe in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then in John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." Now those are not man's words but the words of Jesus. You can keep looking but it is right there for the taking. When you accept it, accept it boldly. We are sinners and He gave us grace and mercy so that we might spend eternity with Him! He loves you that much!