Without God

Where would I be without God?

When I think about that, it horrifies me.  Yet, I know that there are many without Him in their lives.

He is my strength to start each new day.  He is my strength when I am sick or when I am tired.

He is my hope, my refuge, my counselor and my comfort.  He is my everything.

Each new day that dawns is filled with Him.  Each new day brings hope to a believer.  Each new day is a gift that He gave me.

May I bring the light of God's love to someone today.

Use me Lord to give the key to Your Kingdom to someone today.

Yet a Vapor

Yes, we are yet but a vapor in this world.  Too often I know that we do not realize that fact.  Our lives, our time is meant to live in honor of God.  It is meant for us to be witnesses to others but we selfishly spend our time satisfying our flesh.

Oh that we could realize how brief we are here.  That we could grasp every opportunity to share our Jesus with our fellowman.  That we would honor Him with our words and our actions.  That we would REALLY crucify our flesh in exchange for His sacrifice to be our punishment for our sins.

He is our Light in this dark world.  I shutter to think that a person can actually live from day to day without knowing that Light.  I shutter even harder to think that I have failed to take someone by the hand today and lead them to this Light.

But a vapor!  

Life Is Like These Flowers

The pictures of these beautiful flowers was taken yesterday, Monday September 7th and today many of those blooms are gone.  The beautiful pink one was closed and wilted this morning.

Much the same way it is with our lives.  In God's realm of existence we are but a vapor.  Just like these beautiful flowers were no more than a daily vapor.

We should never take our life for granted, we should live each day as if it is the last one on this beautiful earth.  All too often we speak of being bored and yet there is many people that are not here today that would love to show us how to "un-bore" ourselves.

A very good friend lost his father this weekend.  It was unexpected and that makes it tragic.  Oh, the many things, hugs and kisses left unsaid.  The many "I love you" embraces that will never happen.  The beautiful granddaughter that will now grow up not knowing that grandfather.  So much tragedy in the loss of a life.

God gave us this life to enjoy and to share with others and to spend time telling others that we love them.  The rat race style of life that we live now; the dog eat dog style we live, well....death comes and then we feel the tragic loss.  

We need to wake up, reach out and hug someone.  Tell someone you love them.  Offer to help another human being.  DO SOMETHING that makes us worthy of this life we have been granted.

Our heart goes out to my friend and his family.  YES, they were family and they are feeling this tragic loss today. 

Our God is good all the time, not just some of the time but every single second of your life.

I often stop and think of the blessing He graciously gives me everyday.  It is true that there is not enough time in a single day to thank Him for everything He has blessed us with.

I don't just mean me either, I mean you and you and you as well.  

All too often we tend to think of a blessing as being a "huge" gift, no, no no.  A blessing is the air you breathe, watching a hummingbird dart about.  Listening to the Cardinal doing his peeping in the evenings.  

Start now recognizing every blessing that your day holds for you.  Then, give thanks to the one who gave you those gifts.  Watch the change in your life, your day and mainly your attitude.

Depraved Movie

 Depraved as a Verb:  to make morally bad or evil; vitiate; corrupt.

Depraved as a Adjective:    corrupt, wicked, or perverted.

Synonyms: evil, sinful, debased, reprobate, degenerate; dissolute, profligate;  licentious,lewd. 

The movie titled 50 Shades can best be described by all of the above.  NO, I have not read the book nor have I seen the movie.  Do I plan to?  Absolutely not.  The saying garbage in/garbage out is very true.  Not exactly using those words, but we are told in the Bible that what we allow ourselves to hear and see, can corrupt our inner selves. When our flesh and minds are fed this deprivation,  our sinful flesh desires to act it out. 

Do you allow your children to watch this corruption?  Of course not!  Do you not realize that your Heavenly Father desires that we not watch it or be exposed to such corrupt, wicked and perverted things?  Believe me, He does not want His children exposed.  With every ticket sold, satan rejoices, because another person has chosen to come over to his dark side.  Don't believe that?  Well, think again!  This movie is the work of satan and his followers.

The sexual act was designed to express physical love between a man and a woman after their union in God's presence.  It was designed to reproduce this world.  It was designed as something to be beautiful and shared out of a deep love and devotion.  WOW, have we not totally messed that up.

When we participate in such lewd and often physically harmful acts, we are telling God that we have chosen our own way of pleasuring our flesh.  

People who watch this filth only add another nail to the wall that separates humans from our Loving God.  Did you add a nail?

Jumping the gun!

I really want to be just that....Joyful Always.  But WOW, I do often fail accomplishing that.  

Yesterday I promised a gentlemen that I would help him bid a job for the USACE.  He really caught me off guard as I was getting ready to leave to go to the post office, get gas, grocery shop at 2 different stores, when he ask for my help....get my drift?  I agreed because I really was in too big of a hurry to find out more details about what and where he would be bidding the job for.

Fast forward, I was regretting my hasty decision.  Ill with myself and the unknown person who told him I was an expert at bidding job.  I was not "being joyful" at all.  I had made a date of 2PM today to help him. I was dreading the approaching appointment when he arrived.   Funny, how we "anticipate" what will happen.  Turns out the gentlemen was very nice and really appreciated what help I could give him.   Although I was not familiar with the district he was making a bid for, just a little knowledgeable reading and I had it figured out. 

God wants us to slow down and help others, His word tells us that.   I was jumping the gun and almost lost my blessing from being able to help a fellowman.

Sweet Words

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones".

Proverbs 16:24

How often do we use these gracious words with our friends, strangers and co-workers?  Always?

Yes we do.  But then when it comes to family, the honey supply has depleted and the gracious words all used up.  We snap, crackle and pop at them.  The difference?  We think they have to love us because we are sister, wife, mother and best friend.  These are the people that we should never hurt.  One needs to learn that we can not take the love of another for granted.

Save that "honey" for home.

I Pray

One day we are young and then suddenly,  it seems that by the time we lift the mirror to see our reflection, staring back at us is a much older person.  Time stands still for no one.  I pray that everyday of my remaining time, is spent telling others about Christ and what He has done for me and what He can do for others.  I pray that His light shines through me.  I pray that when I finish my days here, God will say welcome home my child.  You have served me well.

P31 OBS Keep It Shut

I am so excited to begin this Bible Study on January 26th along with around 30,000+ women from around the world.

So thankful to Karen Ehman for writing this book.  I admit, I have a problem with saying harsh things to my loved ones.  The problem continues with my mouth giving out unwanted or un-requested advice.  Gossip has left these lips....oh my word, it just goes on and on.  

I do not spend enough time thinking before my tongue starts wagging.  I pray that this study will open my eyes to see how others see my mouth.  I want to learn to be slow to speak which in turn, will cause me and others to be slow to come to anger.  I especially want to learn to "say nothing at all".

It is not too late to join the study.  You won't regret it!

Living without Labels

Married, divorced or single here, it’s one family that mingles here.

Conservative or liberal here, we’ve all gotta give a little here.

Big or small here, there’s room for us all here.

Doubt or believe here, we all can receive here.

Gay or straight here, there’s no hate here.

Woman or man here, everyone can serve here.

Whatever your race here, for all of us grace here.

In imitation of the ridiculous love Almighty God has for each of us and all of us, let us live and love without labels.

BAM

I felt like I was literally hit by a freight train yesterday.

Talking to my daughter on the phone and learned that your husband of 22 years told her that he had not loved her for the past 7 years.  WHAT????  Out of the blue, his words came to her.

The marriage produced 3 wonderful grandsons for me.  Ages range from 21 to 15.  Always such a loving and happy family; or so we all thought.  She has practically raised the boys by herself as her husband spent many weeks away from home at a time, trying to further his career.  Always the selfish of the selfish.

Why does a person wait for 7 years to tell someone they no longer love them?  Why do you lead that person along, talking about and planning for later years?  There may be answers but they are very slow in coming.

Infidelity???  Quite possibly.

I pray that God serves His revenge on this man who has destroyed my daughter's heart, spirit and self worth.  I pray that God allows her to see the revenge.  I pray God gives her peace of mind, strength and comfort.  I pray that she can learn to accept the fact that she is not a failure.

Father God, hold this family together during this time.  Allow my daughter and grandsons peace, hope and comfort as they try to move forward into the unknown.

How are you wound up?

Each of us are wound in different ways each day.  A lot of it has to do with our choices.  Are you a fast paced person?  A slow paced person?  I am sure there is an in between or two, but not sure of the reference.

Most every day, I am the "fast paced wound woman".  My husband tells me all the time that I can not move 20' from point A to point B with speeding.  Why?  My nature has always been fast.

I don't like wasting time.  I don't like seeing people "drag around".  I have no idea why I am like this but sadly, I am.  I am the loser here, in my fast pace, I am running faster than God can heap blessings on me.  

I make myself tired with all my rushing.  Life would be so much more enjoyable if I could just learn..... to.....slow.....down......the.......fast............pace.

I see beauty all around me that my eyes, heart, mind and soul could spend time enjoying....but there is no slow times to meditate and reflect.  No time to enjoy the gifts of God.  

Today I choose to slow down the pace of my life.  God Help Me! I want slower, I need slower, I beg for slower.  

I will start a Bible Study on "Living, so that" by Wendy Blight" this month.  I do SO need this study to help me slow down, reflect and meditate on His word.  To learn and listen to what He is saying to me.   I want to hear Him saying to me.....Charlotte, you are living, so that..."

He wants to talk to me and I know it is a daily attempt on my Father's part to have conversation,  but my "fast paced being" has broken the lines of good and solid communication.  

This is about to change and I so need this change.  Time to shut out the outside noises, time to slow down my life and just "be in my Lord's presence".

Living too fast??  Want to slow down??  Join me and we can blaze a new path together.

 

 

 

Grace.  Where would any of us be without Grace?  Without God's Grace.

 

I can not begin to imagine what my life would look like,  had it not been for the Grace of God. 

His Grace sets me free from condemnation.

His Grace set me free from my sinful life.

His Grace gives me strength, hope and promise for a better life.

Grace.  Where would I be without Grace?

Heart Words

 

 

Do you ever feel like this?  I do.  Real often, I feel like this.  Why?  Because of overwhelming love.

You see, I am so in love with my Lord and Savior that I find it difficult to find the proper words to tell him, much less, describe that love.  That is why I am so thankful that He can see, hear, listen and read my heart.

I can almost feel and taste the words but my tongue and vocal cords can not form or put sound to those words.

But God knows my heart, Jesus knows my heart, the Holy Spirit living within me knows my heart. 

To often all I can say is a simple, "I love you Jesus" or a simple "I love you God".  These words I say while my heart is bursting at the seams with genuine Agape Love.

One day I shall stand before my sweet Lord, and He will teach me the words to describe my love for Him.  Until that day I will go on saying the simple "I love You" words because I know He can hear the other words through my heart.

No Quick Fixes - Unglued Bible Study

I am doing a Bible Study on the book Unglued, written by Lysa TerKeurst.  Lysa is President of Proverbs 31 Ministry.  This is one godly, energetic, enthusiastic, encouraging woman who does not mind taking her mistakes in life and sharing them with millions of woman in an effort to help them not make the same mistakes.  For the readers who have lived the life of a sometimes Unglued mother, wife and friend, she want to help them be over comers. 

When I read a book by Lysa, I can visually imagine she and God walking hand in hand as he tries to console her.  This is just after she has had one of her Unglued, word spewing hissy fits with whoever has pushed her too far. 

Lysa is so straightly led by the Lord in her life and in her books.  This woman talks to God, she hears God speaking to her through His Spirit and then she acts on his leading. 

She shares her ups and downs on becoming unglued, boldly sharing as she leaves herself exposed for others to read about.  All of this she does with one goal in mind, to save others from the pain and regret that comes from becoming Unglued.

There is currently around 15,000 women in this Bible Study that is taught by Melissa Taylor, who is the Online Bible Studies Leader, another amazing, godly, energetic, enthusiastic and encouraging woman.  When you watch her videos, you can feel her excitement about leading others in these studies.

While you are at it, check out the Proverbs 31 Ministry website.  I have added the link below.  There are many godly women working for this Ministry located in Charlotte, NC.

This book will have you wondering just when Lysa was in your house, watching you, hearing you become unglued.  Because friend I do promise you that you will see yourself in almost every episode that she talks about in these first couple of chapters that we are studying this week.

There is so many wonderful quotes from Lysa in her book.  Everything is backed up with scripture that she teaches us.  Some of my favorite quotes in the first chapter is:

Progress. Nothing More. Nothing Less. No Quick Fixes.
 

“Imperfect changes are slow steps of progress wrapped in grace…imperfect progress.”
 

 “God gave me emotions so I could experience life, not destroy it.”

“We can’t always fix our circumstances, but we can fix our thoughts on God.”

“I can face things that are out of my control and not act out of control.”

Quotes by LysaTerKeurst

 

I love this because anytime we go from Pit Black angry to Snow White calm, there is lots of gray shades to travel through from the black to white, it takes progress, lots of Imperfect Progress.  But as long as we are making progress, we will get there, we will learn to stop speaking, before we start spewing. 

God's love and light shines outward from these 2 ladies.  They take their wisdom and share with you and me in these Bible Studies. 

All you need is a computer and a book.  Hey, if you have a computer it is easy to find the book.  Checkout Proverbs 31 Minister as they have the book available.  As does Amazon and I have not check but even WallyWorld might have them.  And of course, all of the local Christian stores most likely have them on the shelf.  After all, it has been on the Wall Street Journal Best Book #1 slot for weeks.

It's all about learning, having fun, fellowship and worship.  God is Good.  Join us.

http://melissataylor.org/  (look for sign up info on the right hand sidebar)

http://lysaterkeurst.com/  (The amazing author of Unglued)

http://www.proverbs31.org/

Geez, how many times can you say amazing in one blog post???

Thanking God

Giving God Praise and Thanksgiving

I have taken up the challenge of writing down things that I am thankful for during each day.  I first read about this challenge on a journal blog entitled Holy Experiencee written by Ann Voskamp. 

Ann Voskamp wrote the book titled One Thousand Gifts.  I recently purchased the e-book and have been so blessed with each page.  Ann Voskamp has a very unique writing technique and I am a big fan. 

I would encourage anyone that hasn't read or doesn't own the book, rent it, buy it or borrow it.  Just read this book for a wonderful blessing.





Words Like Flames

Good advice but all too often we fail to follow our own advice.  How quickly a simple litte difference of thoughts and opinions can become sharp and ugly words spewing off the tongue, past the teeth and burning the lips as they are hurled at someone.

ZAP! that fire covered word slaps the person you love smack in the face.  You see the pain that the flamed word causes and at first, your face smirks with pleasure.  But all too soon that smirk turns into pain that is mirrored off the face of that person you love. 

What Happened???  How did it go this far?? After all, it was only a little difference in opinion just a few minutes ago and now two people are covered in pain.  No one, especially her, likes to admit that she have made a mistake.  As well, no one else, especially the one that she loves, is willing to admit that he made a mistake.  So...the pain goes on....

No one want to speaks first, but just a few minutes ago, TOO much speaking was going on.  The silence goes on, the pain goes on. 

Both are wrong, but neither will admit it.....PRIDE has reared it's ugly head.  Satan is happy that his main weapon of choice has found it's target.  The silence goes on, the pain goes on. 

Godly esteem vs. Self-esteem, Excerpt from “Refreshment in Refuge”

Godly esteem vs. Self-esteem, Excerpt from “Refreshment in Refuge”

Poem by Julius Sturm

Pain's furnace heat within me quivers, God's breath upon the flame doth blow; And all my heart in anguish shivers And trembles at the fiery glow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And in the hottest fire hold still.

 He comes and lays my heart, all heated, On the hard anvil, minded so Into His own fair shape to beat it With His great hammer, blow on blow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And at His heaviest blows hold still.

 He takes my softened heart and beats it; The sparks fly off at every blow; He turns it o'er and o'er and heats it, And lets it cool, and makes it glow; And yet I whisper, "As God will!" And in His mighty hand hold still.

 Why should I murmur? for the sorrow Thus only longer-lived would be; The end may come, and will tomorrow, When God has done His work in me; So I say trusting, "As God will!" And, trusting to the end, hold still. --Julius Sturm

Jehovah Nissi

You are the Lord our Banner, Jehovah Nissi.  You give us victory against the flesh, the world and the devil.  Our sins are done! Our victory was won on the cross.  Out battles are Your battles.  We have only to be still and believe that the battle is already won!


What a reassurance that is.  Just imagine the life you can live when you live it for Christ.  He has taken care of everything.  Jesus did it all!

Peace that surpasses all human understanding is ours.  We do not have to count on ourselves to take care of battles, whether they are battles again the flesh or battles against the dark forces of evil.  Christ did it all!

The battles are won as Christ walks before us clearing our paths of obstacles.  He did it all!

He died on the cross so that you, me, all His children could be free from the stronghold that sin had over us.  He sacrificed His life so we can live!  Father God did it all!

I strive daily to live a life pleasing to my Father so His sacrifice on my behalf was not done in vain.  Father, Son and the Holy Spirit did it all!