Salvation has a name

Ok I am going to share yet another song with you. Can you tell I have a CD player in my vehicle? :-) I have never been a "hand lifter" when singing praise and worship songs, but I have to admit I am thankful to have a sunroof because these songs from my churches praise and worship CD make my hand jump right through the roof. I know people who pass me either think I'm crazy or trying to catch leaves. Enough of me, please read the words to this song. The group who sings this song is called : 33 Miles and the title is: Salvation Has A Name

I come to the altar and I bow before you
You are everything my heart desires
A friend that is closer than any brother could be
I’m so amazed I can call out to you and you hear me

[CHORUS]
Salvation has a name
Mercy has a face
Holiness was crucified
And rose to give us grace

Salvation has a name
Mercy has a face
Jesus our holiness
Worthy of all praise

Every moment that I come to know you
I find a new depth of love surrounding me
Deeper than oceans, higher than any mountain peak
I’m so amazed at the wonder you hold
I can hardly believe

CHORUS
Jesus, Father, the maker of time
Healer, Teacher, the maker or light
You are sustainer to every life
God our Savior
--------
Salvation has a name
Mercy has a face
Holiness was crucified
And he rose!

Jesus our holiness
Worthy of all praise
Jesus our holiness
Worthy of all praise

Salvation has a name

The part that says "every moment that I come to know you I find a new depth of love surrounding me" ... WOW. God loves ME just as I am; unworthy, critical, judgemental, selfish ... the list could go on, but since I'm not catholic I only confess my sins to Him :-) The point is in spite of ME, Jesus loves me and died for ME (and YOU). Isn't it wonderful to get to know Him more and more and more everyday. When I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart at 11 years old I knew I loved Jesus and I knew I wanted him in my heart and life. I knew he loved me and he died for my sins and over time I have learned so much more of his love for me and it never ceases to amaze me. If you are reading this and you've never experienced Jesus' love and you want him in your life please email me and let me share the plan of salvation with you. It's all outlined in my second blog. He loves you just as you are, he really does.

God bless you.

Oh, brothers...

Tonight I'm thinking about my brothers. I want to ask you to pray for them. I've posted their pictures above. My oldest brother Joey is in the first picture holding fish (my dad's knee is in the shot). The next picture is my second to oldest brother Jeff and our dad. The last picture is of my youngest brother and our dad. I am the baby of the family :-) No picture. Two weeks from today, on Saturday November 22nd, it will two years since the passing of our dad from this life to Heaven. I still miss him as much today as I did the day he died. Since his passing life has changed for all of us. We all grieve in our own ways. I guess writing down my thoughts is how I handle things. I am not sure how they grieve, but I know they miss daddy as much as I do. I would love to write about each one and actually started to, but they are all so private. I don't want to post anything they wouldn't want the world to read. They aren't as transparent as me :-) It's amazing how 4 children can be raised in the same house, by the same parents and turn out so differently. Regardless of our differences we are all saved by the blood of the lamb and we will all see daddy again. My only request is that you pray for them as the anniversary of daddy's death approaches. Thanks.

Blessings always.

I will NOT be moved

On the way home from taking Olivia to school this morning I heard a song on the radio that I've heard many times before. It is so powerful I just have to share it with you. It's on Natalie Grant's Relentless CD and it is called " I will not be moved". Here are the words:

I have been a wayward child,
I have acted out,
I have questioned sovereignty,
and had my share of doubts,

and though sometimes,
my prayers feel like the mountain of the sky,
the hand that holds won't let me go,
and is the reason why

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 a broken glass,
that I have kept restored,
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.

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

and chaos in my life,
has been a badge of war,
and though I have been torn,
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

Wow! It makes me want to SHOUT! Christ is my solid rock. It doesn't get any better than that; does it? Have a blessed weekend.

A lesson worth sharing

Below is a copy of a forwarded email I received from a friend yesterday. It was something that I needed to be reminded of and thought I'd share with whoever reads this stuff. Actually from the numbers on my counter I've been the only one reading my blog, but that's ok, it is for me to express myself and get things off my mind. Let's face it this is cheaper than a therapist. So if anyone reads this stuff I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.

$20.00

Sometimes we just need to be reminded!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill.
In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you, but first let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.
Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE.
You are special -

Don't EVER forget it."

Pray for revival

This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. We are told in Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 5 :14 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. "

Till Heaven and earth pass ... God is in control, He is here always. The election is over, the people have chosen and God is on the Throne . Psalm 118:8 says "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

Pray for our leaders, pray for our country, pray for revival. God bless our country.

Blessings to you.

VOTE

Today is Election Day ( another school holiday :-) Olivia and I have been dancing in the kitchen. I sure love her spunk. She is something else. She told me that her school held a mock election yesterday and Obama won. It remains to be seen as to who will win the real election, but I can tell you one thing FOR SURE, Jesus Christ is on the throne. He died for my sins, your sins, McCain, Obama and the worlds sins. We don't need to have any fear in this election. Jesus wins no matter what. He may allow our country to take a nose dive; like I mentioned in yesterday's blog sometimes God takes us down, to set us apart. BUT God is always here and He is in control (even when everything seems out of control) God is here. Did you get that? God is HERE. We have rights and we have to stand up for them. Take time to vote. Take time to spread the news of Jesus and his love. We CAN change our world, one person at a time. Our country needs revival. I pray, Lord, let it start with ME. Father I pray for our country today and for the leaders that get voted in. Father you are in control whether the world believes it or not. Lord I love you and trust your guidance. Father I truly pray for your blessing on America. I truly pray for revival. In your precious and Holy name I ask these requests. Amen.

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."Deuteronomy 31:6


Blessings to all who read.

Don't you just love fall? I do. My mom and I can't have a conversation these days without talking about how gorgeous the leaves are. I decided to capture their beauty in one picture. I couldn't help but to take a picture of the stump in our front yard as well. It used to be a gorgeous tree, but when it started to cast a shadow on our home we had to take it down. You know sometimes God has to "take us down" and remind us that He is in control and we are nothing more than stumps without Him. It is when we truly realize that He is all we need that we begin to live. If you are going through a difficult day and wonder how you will get through it or maybe you are wondering why God is taking you down a new path ? Just remember; He is ALWAYS with you and He only wants the BEST for you. Look at the brilliant colors in all of those trees. In the summer they all blend into one green image, but for some reason during this season of the year the Lord decides to set them all apart and the true colors shine through. Maybe He is doing that for you in this season of your life. Maybe He wants the true you to shine for Him. I really do want to shine for Jesus. Forgive me Lord, for wanting to shine for myself sometimes. Help me Lord to shine for you. I love you Jesus.

I want to end with one of mine and my mom's favorite poems: Trees by Joyce Kilmer

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Halloween History

How did the name 'Halloween' come about? By the 800s, Christianity had spread into Celtic lands and Pope Boniface IV named November 1 "All Saints' Day." It was a day to honor those who died for their beliefs. The celebration was also called "All-hallows" or "All-hallowmas" (from an old English word "Alholowmesse," meaning All Saints' Day). People began to call the night before it "All-hallows Eve." This name eventually became Halloween.

Why did people start trick-or-treating? Trick-or-treating most likely dates back to early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor people would beg for food. Families would then give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. Children eventually took on this tradition, known as "going a-souling," and they would visit houses in their neighborhood for drinks, food and money.

Where did the idea of wearing Halloween costumes come from? Dressing up in Halloween costumes also has European origins. Hundreds of years ago, people believed that ghosts roamed the streets on Halloween night, so they wore masks when they left home to fool ghosts into thinking they were other spirits.

So ... those are a few facts I found about Halloween. Have a blessed day, however, you choose to spend it. Halloween or not this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thanks to a friend who mentioned putting tracts in treat bags. I grabbed a hand full of tracts at church Wednesday night and stuffed them into some cute candy cone shaped bags with candy. So not only are kids leaving our house with God's word they are also getting the plan of salvation. We can make a difference. Love to you all.

The Greatest Gift

1 Corinthians 13: 1-13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

A sweet hymn ~ enjoy

“Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.

If the place you’re called to labor,
Seems too small and little known.
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.”


I've had a really difficult week where Satan has been throwing all kinds of darts at me. I would give examples, but all is to complicated to say. My point is a friend shared a portion of a hymn with me just a little while ago and I feel led to post it here for you. It has encouraged me and I plan to memorize it for those moments when I need a little boost. OK I probably won't be able to memorize it because my mind isn't what it used to be, but I will stick it on my frig with my other favorite and uplifting verses/saying. Let's keep praying for each other, we all need it.


Blessings always ~

No school :-)

Didn't you just love teacher workdays when you were a child? I still like them. Olivia and I got to sleep as long as we wanted to this morning and considering it's raining today made sleeping in perfect. We had a nice breakfast together and enjoyed an episode of Little House on the Prairie. One of my friends called and invited Olivia to go with her daughter to see the new High School Musical III movie for the first showing at 12:20 so she jumped all over that plan. Now that she is home from the movie her friend from next door came over and now she is across the street playing inside. So ... it's me and the guinea pig. Oh I do miss her, but I am so glad and thankful she is having an exciting day off from school. Friday is our family fun night so when Chris gets home from work will all go out together for quality family time. I have to admit it is my favorite event of the week. I love my family so much and am so blessed to have them. I hope you are enjoying time with your family. More another day.

Have a blessed day.