there are MIRACLES all around us!!!

Happy Friday all, I pray this is your last work day of the week and that you now are on the down hill swing to a wonderful and fruitful weekend.

In prayer this morning I got on bended knees praying and I felt a disconnect as I have for days, my mind has been so occupied with my current situation and I feel hopeless and helpless. I sit here in worry, heck I think I worry over worrying as of late. There are huge changes coming in my life and I am scared, I am anxious, I am excited, I am nervous..yes an entire arena of emotions I am overcome with..I know what I am doing is right for I feel it when I pray, it is just a matter of getting on with it. I have been praying for a huge miracle and today went to the internet to see if there was a "miracle prayer" I DID find several but in saying them I did not feel as if I was doing anything but reciting another's words. I then came across this and felt it helped me more than any of the pre written prayers, it helped me to understand the depth of prayer...

There is nothing more worthwhile than to pray to God and to converse with him, for prayer unites us with God as his companions. As our bodily eyes are illuminated by seeing the light, so in contemplating God our soul is illuminated by him.

First remember this.... God created everything, God can have anything -- God Can Give You anything and likewise he can take anything he desires from you -- he is all powerful - he is Almighty - and the impossible can be done in his name.  Yet, because he wanted it as so, there is only one thing that you have that you have power over that he does not, There is only one thing that you can offer God that he can not get on his own.

Your Love for Him.

There is no magical prayer for a Miracle, there only exists a private conversation with God.  God will perform miracles, but you must ask and Trust in him and his will.

So as I sat here, I did what I do every day, several times a day, I had a private conversation with Him, he knows the desires of my heart, he knows my intentions, he knows my needs and he knows my love for him. I love you father God and I lay my faith and trust in you and your will. I ask that you provide calm, peace, comfort, strength, and great love to all. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask these things in humility and love. Amen

Get your tissues ready for this one my friends, what a heart felt story of a wonderful, beautiful miracle....

A Miracle

  by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. Then the labor pains came. Every five minutes ... every minute. But complications arose during delivery. Hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?

Finally, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in serious condition. With sirens howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl became worse. The pediatric specialist told the parents to prepared for the worst.

Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They originally fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby - now they planned a funeral.

Michael kept begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he said. Week two in intensive care. It looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are not allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her mind. She decided to take Michael whether they like it or not. If he didn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed. The mother in Karen rose up strong, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"

Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he began to sing. In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray --- " Instantly the baby girl responded. The pulse rate became calm and steady. "Keep on singing, Michael." "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away---" Her strained breathing became smoother.

"Keep on singing, Michael." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister relaxed as healing rest seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away."

The next day--the very next day--the little girl was well enough to go home! Woman's Day magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.

Does God have a headache?

 

  Aww, the wonderful chill of an early fall! 70 degrees with a crisp, cool, breeze. A cloudless sky and the sunshine is amazing! I continue to pray for all of those in need of rain, cooler temperatures, and relief from all of the negative juju that seem to have taken up residence over your home states!
     This morning in prayer as I sat chatting with our Father in Heaven I felt peace, a different peace than I normally feel, I felt that God was telling me that it was going to be okay, that whatever he has been waiting for has be done so now he can begin with the blessings he has in store for us! I felt that their was satisfaction in his "peace" that he had been waiting on something or someone and whatever it was has done what they needed to do to accept him into their hearts, or maybe already had accepted him but had struggled in really "accepting him" I don't know exactly what it was, but I know what passed over  my heart and I know it was "GOOD" I saw a picture posted the other day that asked a question..."I wonder sometimes if we ever give God a headache?" I had to laugh because I know my daughter has given me a headache or twenty:) I am sure God gets frustrated with us, when our children were small and we were trying to teach them right from wrong...we got frustrated and then when they finally "got it" we felt such pleasure and were so relieved! Why would God feel any different, we are his children, he is our teacher and we seem to keep "not getting it" He does not ask for much from us, less than we expect from our own children in fact. God only asks that we follow the commandments, that we love without condition, that we have faith in him and that we seek to follow in Christ's footsteps as our guide! How can we expect our children to be obedient if we are not being proper roll models....why would we expect our children to keep a clean room if we do not clean our homes, why would we expect our children not to use drugs and alcohol if we partake of them? Why do we expect so much when we are not willing to be examples of "right'? God gave us the example of what he wants us to mirror, Jesus Christ, but still we refuse as little children do, to follow the example. Sometimes he has to put us in "time out" not to hurt us, but to give us time to realize that we need to make some changes, that we need to make different choices and that we need to fall upon our knees and pray for forgiveness and strength!
     Today my prayer for you is that you slow down, that you get "on bended knees" and you look into God's eyes and see what he is in need of from you! We all know when we are doing wrong, we know when we are not pleasing him, I think sometimes we get so far off of the footsteps that we are lost and cannot find our way back...today I pray that you look for those footsteps, if you need counsel to find your way back ask for it, if you need special prayer ask for it, if you need someone to talk to, find someone! I pray that you not sit in your glass house any longer, we all make mistakes, we all break the rules and we all need guidance at some point in our lives! It takes more strength to say " Father I need you" than it does to just continue on in the path you are taking! God is love, he is forgiving and he is waiting on each and every one of us to dedicate ourselves to him, he gave his son for us, can't we simply obey his rules? I pray you take some special time with him today, find a quiet place and speak to him as a child to a father,  he wants to hear your heart, not a bunch of words that are meaningless! He has his arms outstretched and waiting for you to call on him, for you to weep and fall into them, for you to feel his love and know that his blessings are many and he has them waiting just for you! I love you all and pray that today you feel the peace I feel in my heart, that you open your eyes to the "son" and know that with him and God in your corner you will never lose! Pray for peace, for calm, for comfort and for strength, believe in his word and refuse to let satan become your tour guide!

Story

“Charlotte had come to a hard time in her life. She was filled with discontent. Everything seemed wrong. … Her friends were commonplace; her home unattractive; her own personality unlovely, as she was well aware. The problem was too much for Charlotte.

To obtain help, Charlotte went to Margaret Ames, a lady who was leading the kind of life that Charlotte wanted to lead. “Charlotte poured out the story of her heartache over her frustrated, unhappy life. … Margaret after a gentle word of sympathy said, ‘You can change all that if you really have the will to do it.’ …

“[To begin the new life, Mrs. Ames suggested to Charlotte]: ‘Live for twenty-four hours as if Christ were right beside you, seeing everything that you do. Then come to me again, and we’ll talk it over. Will you do that?’

“… Somewhat … doubtful, she answered, ‘Yes, Mrs. Ames.’ …

“It was late afternoon when Charlotte went home. She knew that she was expected to help get the supper onto the table. She went to the drawer and took out a wrinkled tablecloth. When she spread it on the table, she noticed several soiled spots. And here she had her first thought of change.

“ ‘If Christ were going to eat with us, I wouldn’t put on a soiled cloth,’ she said to herself.

“She got a fresh cloth. And with the same thought she brought in a small bowl of flowers from the yard. She put the butter on a fresh plate instead of on the soiled one. She cut the bread with care. …

“ ‘Company tonight?’ asked her father. …

“ ‘Just you, Daddy,’ smiled Charlotte. …

“Her mother, worn and hot, … sat down, saying, ‘I don’t know what’s got into her to fix up so just for us. I suppose she’s expecting someone to drop in before we’re done.’ …

“… ‘I don’t know of anyone I’d rather fix things up for than our own folks,’ she said.

“The family simply stared for a minute. That wasn’t like Charlotte. …

“In the living room [after dinner] Charlotte slipped a magazine out from the bottom of the pile and began to read. She had brought the magazine home herself, and she kept it [hidden]. After a few minutes she put it down. … ‘I wouldn’t be reading this if Christ were sitting where he could read with me,’ she thought. And she carried it out, and put it in the wastepaper bag. …

“[The next day Charlotte] went to work again. … She disliked her job very much. …

“ ‘Christ beside me,’ she thought as she walked into the store. … She said good morning smilingly to all she met.

“… She was even able to solve problems with rude customers as she reminded herself of how she would act if Christ were beside her. That evening she returned to Margaret Ames’s home to discuss the experiment.

“… ‘I tried it, Mrs. Ames, just as well as I could, and—well, it made everything different. I think I can see what you mean. Of course, it didn’t change the things that are bothering me. I’m still poor, and can’t go to school, and I live in an ugly house. …’

“ ‘Ah, my dear! But you only started the seed-sowing twenty-four hours ago. … Can you keep on as you’ve begun? … You have the [key] word. It is Christ. Fretting … doesn’t change things very much; but Christ does. Just remember to keep your daily walk very close to him.’

As always, if you have need for special prayer let us know, if you have a special prayer and want to share leave it here, if you would like for us to pray with you or for you we stand in the light of Christ ready to pray, pray, pray. If you cannot leave a comment feel free to email me at dawfor@msn.com,  it is my honor to lift you and yours in prayer! God bless you all:) 

What has he done for you lately?

 

  Happy hump day! Sitting out this morning enjoying the gusty winds, 60 degrees, clear skies and beautiful, beautiful sunshine! I love the wind and we are forecast for 35 to 40 mile per hour winds today with wind gusts up to 50! I pray that your day is looking beautiful and that you are finding something that you enjoy!
      In prayer this morning, I sat and was so thankful that there were no flies to take my mind away from my quiet time with my Father in Heaven, I sat my eyes closed, my head leaned back on the chair, my heart open to his directions, and my mind filled with peace and calm. I prayed all of my morning prayers, and began to let my mind drift in thought to all of the amazing blessings that God has given me in my lifetime, my daughter being the most amazing, the ability to love without condition, the ability to have empathy for others, to feel their emotions and the wisdom of how to comfort and assist them. After "kissing toads" I have been blessed with a mate who is on a very spiritual level, who feeds my hunger for learning and understanding the bible and what it is to be a true Christian! I have been blessed with six little g-babes with whom I have given my heart! I have so much in life to give thanks for! I pray today that you will not look at the material things in your life for you know as well as I that they can be gone in an instant, look deeper and praise our Lord for the things that really do bring you comfort in heart! May he continue to bless each of you with your needs being met and may your faith in him never cease to exist. Remember if you don't feel great about the things you are doing...they most probably are not pleasing to God but are making satan grin from ear to ear! Pick your pleasure always asking "would my father agree with this?" ask yourself many times during the day " what would Jesus do? Follow the "son" and know that in doing so you are walking in the right direction! God bless you with joy and laughter today!

     As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered.      

Don't be selfish...share your smile and be the first domino:)

   

 Hello and happy Monday!!! Today is a beautiful day outside, after the storm last night every thing seems clean and cheery, we are at 66 degrees, blue skies and sunshine with a forecast for 91 and sun all day long:)  I am praying for cool and rain relief for all of my friends in the south, some of the temperatures posted yesterday were crazy hot!
     This morning as I sat in prayer I prayed for each of you, asking God to bless you with peace in heart, comfort in body and calm in mind! I prayed for all of those who were effected by the hurricane, even though it was not nearly as devastating as it could have been, it still has left a multitude of people with so much loss, homes are flooded, and so many stranded and without electricity! Please continue to pray with me for the clean up crews, for the ones who will have to begin again and for patience and faith in all! I sat here in the quiet calm, chatting with my Father in heaven and felt so thankful that I am able to sit and chat with him each and every morning, each and every afternoon and each and every evening! No doubt this is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I am so thankful for each of you who continue to be such inspirations to me, for being strength and wonder in my eyes, we all have a story to tell and in telling our story we help others to know that they are not alone in the troubles they are experiencing in their personal lives. Today I ask that you take time to recognize those that are struggling and be a light to them, thank God for what you do have and pray for someone who is lacking! I ask that you lay down your woes and pray for others, quit living in the sadness in your life, raise your head toward the "son" and be the example and strength for someone who is in need! Give of yourself as God has given of his, and watch the miracle of friendship and relief on someone else's face. Be free from prejudice and nay,nay,nay thoughts and give of yourself! I know blessings are stacked one on top of the other just waiting to be given, but we have to be willing to work for them! I think giving a smile, a kind word, a prayer...etc...is a very small sacrifice for the wonderment God is willing to give to those who show him they want to be more like Christ! Join me if you will and lets make a difference in someones heart today, instead of being frustrated at others moods, at others attitudes...pray for them for you have not walked in their shoes and you have no idea what is going on in their lives! Positive produces positive, negative...negative....what kind of force will you be today???? I am going for the positive:)
Love to each of you and know that you can make a difference, it is like the domino effect, it only takes the first domino being pushed over to make the others follow suit:)

As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 

" It will work out!!!"

   

 Good morning and happy Saturday to you and yours! I pray that as you are getting up and out that this day will be one of great joy for you! I pray that a special prayer you have been asking will be answered for you this day and I pray that you recognize that all things are possible if only you as our Father in Heaven for his mercy and his blessing.
     In prayer this morning... I prayed for you, I felt on my heart the need to give these world..."it will work out!" I felt him prompting me to talk a FAITH...we must hold fast to our faith, we must..in these last of days....prioritize, we must categorize, we must look deep inside of us and do what it takes to cleanse our spirit and our soul. God kept impressing upon me that I just needed to say " it will work out" I do not know who this is directed it, it may be for me, I know I have thoughts and feelings that I am in need of understanding and resolve. I am sure most all of us have issues that we are praying for...so I will be obedient and say once again "IT WILL WORK OUT!" I trust that God will make available this message to the one who is so desperately in need of this word. I ask that you pray with me many times today for those in the path of Hurricane Irene, prayers have already been answered with it being downgraded to a cat 1, but can still cause a multitude of damage. I ask God to be the shield the cities need to keep them from being destroyed.
     Have a beautiful day and know that you are loved, you are appreciated, and that our Father in Heaven made this day for you, take his heed and do something that is pleasing to him,...share his love:)

     As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 
     

Don't let doubt, leave you out!! Join us in prayer and stand witness to his mercy!!!

   

 Good evening, wow another week is almost at its end...the time just seems to be flying by:) I pray that this day has been one filled with joy and laughter for you, for those who got some rain, I hope you got out and danced in it showing God your appreciation for his blessing! I pray that this evening will afford you peace and comfort and that you sleep deeply and dream beautiful dreams!
       I ask that you join me tonight to pray for all of those in the path of Hurricane Irene, she is huge and has the potential of causing much damage to many! Let us pray that those in the path not take it lightly and that they all make plans to evacuate the area. Let us pray that the storm wane in strength and not do the damage it could. Let us pray that our nation not be crippled, that many do not lose their world possessions and that all are safe in their decisions and diligent in following recommendations from their emergency officials in each state. God make a shield of protection around them and keep them from harm! I also invite you to read the comments in this mornings message "will your answers be pleasing to our father in heaven?" and stand witness with me at the miracles that are taking place. Prayer is so powerful, when you read the comments you will see just how powerful they are! Pray with me for our country, for our government, for those suffering from illness, both physically and mentally, lift in prayer those who struggle in their faith, those who feel the trials in life are not worth their strength to get through, those who are struggling with finances, with broken hearts, with need for heavenly intervention. Pray with me for all these things and lets pray in the name of Christ our savior, amen!
     God is amazing, thank him this day for the good and the bad in your life, we have to have the bad to recognize the good!!! I love you all and as always pray for you and yours:)

As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 

Will your answers be pleasing to our Father in heaven?

 

   
 Good morning and happy Thursday, what a beautiful morning the Lord has made for us! The birds are singing and yes we are once again forecast for rain, I so keep doing the rain dance for all of my friends in areas that are desperate for it...but it keeps coming here! I continue to pray that it will wake up and go where it is more needed, however there is a reason for everything....in God's time your lands will get soaked and once again replenished of all it is in need of! Until that point I will dance and I will pray:)
     I came across a wonderful message yesterday and was going to post it but was deterred from doing so, in prayer this morning it came back on my heart and I realized why I never posted it yesterday, it was needed more to be posted this morning!...MYLANTA, God is amazing!!!

     THE THINGS THAT GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY

1)...GOD won't ask what kind of car you drove, but how many people you drove who didn't have transportation!

2)...God won't ask the square footage of your house but how many people you welcomed in to your home!

3)...God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many people you helped to clothe!

4)...God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to 

obtain it!

5)...God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your 

ability!

6)...God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend! 

7)...God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors!

8)...God won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character!

9)...God won't ask why it took you so long to seek salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven not to the gates of hell!

10)...God won't ask you how many people you shared this with. He already knows the answer! 

     Today I pray that when you read these 10 questions that you will think of yourself and answer them honestly, are you falling short of the mark, are your answers going to be pleasing to God? If you are falling short, let today be the first day of the rest of your life....you can clearly see what is important to our Father in heaven....I pray that today there be a situation that is presented to you, that you will think of these 10 questions and you will act according to the wishes of God, you will not believe the wonderful warm blessed feeling you will have in your heart when you are walking the straight path~! God bless each of you and know you are loved and appreciated in my life and in the lives of many! 

As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 

And their off!!!!!!!!!! Bless our babies as they go back to school:)

     Good morning, our skies are a bit dull this morning, the clouds seem to be smeared across the vast sea of gray. Hopefully the sun will come out and a nice breeze will blow the gray away and allow some crystal blue to shine through! We are forecast for a hot week this week to even hit  99 on Wednesday, something new for us here in Utah. Our summer has been unbelievably mild usually meaning our winter could be a beast of cold, ice and snow!
     Today many kiddos are starting back to school, four of my G-babes are up right this moment getting prepared to go. My two g-sons will be attending a new school this year as their mom will be teaching for the very first time, it is no doubt a nervous morning for the three of them. My oldest g-daughter is beginning Jr. High and was extremely nervous last night, she had more jitters than any of the younger kids. I promised her I would say a special prayer for her this morning and that I would ask each of you to pray along with me. So if you will I would so appreciate the love and support you offer.
     Our dear kind and loving heavenly father, I come to you "on bended knees" asking that you calm the hearts of all of our babies who will be going back to school this morning, that you will act as a shield of safety and will walk along beside them, each and every one, ensuring that they get to school and home without incident, I ask that you still the anxiety that is in my Teri's heart replacing it with ease and comfort, that you will lead her from one class to another without panic that she will find her way and that you will lay a calming hand upon her throughout the school day allowing her a pleasant experience this first day. Bless Sean and Paul and of course Taylor as they venture into new waters, may Taylor's new class prove to be eager to learn, filled with respect for her  and be allowed to feel what a wonderful blessing it is to have her as their teacher, bless Morgan our little dare devil as she begins 2nd grade, allow her to absorb what is being taught this year and to blossom from a rosebud into a full open beautiful flower. Father our babies are our future, they will one day lead this nation, they will be responsible for keeping prayer alive, I ask that you touch the heart of each parent this morning, that you wash over them the need to pray with their children, the need to speak your name in their day to day dealings and that they know with you all things are possible. I ask these special mercies and favors for all of the teachers, all of the students, all of the principles and counselors, in the name of our savior Jesus Christ, amen. Teach our children respect and love, in all that they do and know this is the only way we can get back what has been lost. I love each of you and pray that when the dismissal bell rings this afternoon that only beaming, smiling, laughing faces come from behind the school doors and that the kiddos will be eager to return each day!
    Parents may this day be a "deep sigh" after a long summer kind of day, may you take the time today not to do chores but to appreciate your time. Do something nice for YOU  and know that God is much pleased with the parent you are, this is your reward, take it and enjoy the quiet! May blessings be in abundance for you and yours and most of all may you feel our Father in Heaven's nod of approval and his never ending love! Have a gggrrrreeeeaaaattttt, day!!!!

As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 

If someone makes a difference in your life, tell them....perhaps if you don't, they will never know!!!

   

Good evening, it is hard to believe that it is already Friday, the days seem to be flying by. It was a difficult day for me so all of the nice things that were said on my facebook page were in such good time. Try as I may I have not been able to get rid of this headache I have, one thing after another has been thrown at me and it seems I need to be an octopus to catch them all! Thank God I have Wayde, not only the love of my life, my forever partner but also a massage therapist and today I relented and let him give me a massage...what a way to "leave your worries at the office" he has the most wonderfully electric hands and can take any stress you are holding and turn it in to jelly. I am so blessed to have him in my world.:)
     Today I have been humbled down to nothing, setting the negative aside..( I refuse to hold it in my hands and let it ruin the day the Lord has made for me) I received some of the most heart touching posts on facebook, when my day is overrun and I have to literally stop mid stream to keep this blog going...and I receive little to no feedback I begin to get discouraged....not from the lack of action on it but that maybe I am not receiving God's promptings the way he needs me to and that I am letting him down by not writing what someone is in need of. This week has been a week when I have felt like I really was missing the mark and I began to think about letting the blog fall to the wayside when boom this morning so many of you came to me and let me know that it does make a difference...thank you Father for allowing this perfect timing!
     As I do off and on, I would like to spotlight a few people who are inspirations to me on a daily basis, I know that they are in my life for purpose and reason and the example they give of being true Christians is such a comfort to me and makes me want to walk a bit straighter! My daughter is one of my biggest inspirations, she is so filled with the spirit, so in tune with the love of God and so open to the Holy Ghost. She has been that way since she was a little girl, she has always possessed a love for people, mainly the elderly and special needs angels. She has a heart that is bursting with love for them, she is patient and kind, she is nurturing and gentle. Megan never meets a stranger and is always eager to give one of her beautiful smiles to everyone, her spirit radiates and is contagious to say the least. I am so very blessed to have had the opportunity to be her mother, and to be her friend. She is a grown woman now and I am so very pleased with some of the routines and practices she has instituted into her life. She is a wonderful person and I pray that each of you will have opportunity to know someone like her in your lifetime. I love you "daughter of mine" and praise the Lord each day for giving me the gift of "YOU"
   Another person that I look at with wonder and amazement is a person I have only had the opportunity to meet but once, she is such an inspiration to me with her never ending spirit and her zeal for life. You know the saying, "when life gives you lemons...make lemonade" Well life has certainly given her a bushel of lemons and no matter how tart they are she seems to make the sweetest lemonade there is. She has been dealt an ugly hand, but has taken it in stride and continues to praise the Lord and keeps her eyes on the prize! Darla, you are amazing to me, you are a great mom, such a wonderful friend to Megan, a wonderful sister and a beautiful daughter to our Father in Heaven. I know that he has an amazing plan in the works for you and that you will receive an abundance of blessings for holding fast to the rod and allowing God to carry you when you cannot seem to find your feet. Thank you for allowing me to see that life is not about the hard knocks, it is not about the bad stuff, it is about overcoming and being stronger after the storm.
     May this evening be filled with only good things for you and yours, may it be filled with reasons to "belly laugh" may it be an evening that makes the long, tedious week worthwhile. May this weekend be filled with rest and relaxation, with love and joy and peace and comfort. God bless you all, each and everyone, with his love:) In Christ, amen.

As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 

I am a cracked pot, but its okay because I know God loves me just the way I am:)

The Two Pots

THE CRACKED POT
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a
pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in
it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion
of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house,
the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only
one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the
perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for
which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own
imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of
what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a
bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side?
That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.
In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.
So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws.
Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.
Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."

I am so very blessed in the knowledge that I, like the cracked pot, am an instrument in God's good grace, that he loves me just as much as the flawless "pots" around me. God is amazing and I stand tall in my imperfections, in my "lack of" and in my 'lesser than others" I stand tall because God made me with a purpose in mind and he has a special, specific plan for me. even if you are a cracked pot, stand tall and revel in the love he has for you!

Now I lay me down to sleep, but before I do, I will humbly pray for you:)

     Happy Monday evening to all, I just had a lovely dinner of grilled salmon and the fixins, yum yum, a wonderful visit from "my boys" I refer to Wayde's sons as "my boys", they are a huge part of my heart and I love, love, love visiting with them. James the younger is such a gentle spirit, he is very quiet and so lovable. He makes my heart smile when we chat, he is intelligent, handsome and a very deep thought young man. Last evening we were having a lightening storm that was amazing, many of my friends do not like the lightening, in fact they run for the covers and politely cover their heads as for protection. I enjoy lightening very much, I think it is mesmerizing and beautiful, especially on very dark nights when the flash of light seems to come from no where and go to no where. James made a comment that was very touching to me and showed that he likes it as much as I. He said "The thunderous sounds complementing the glorious bolts of light in the night sky are like poetry to the senses." When I read this I felt like a light had been turned on and I could not have found words to better liken the way that I feel! John is a bit more talkative but still quiet, he is very deep thought as well and has a smile that just tickles my heart. I could not have picked to young men to be in my life that I would have loved more!
     Tonight I ask that you continue to pray for me, for those who are continuing to struggle with surgeries and recoveries, with those going through the treatments for cancer and all of the ill effects that the drugs cause. I ask you to pray for those struggling with mental health, with depression, with bi bolar disorder. Remember those suffering loss, those suffering heartache and pain, those riddled with indecision and the list goes on and on. We need to pray for all. Join me won't you please and know that you are included in our prayers. God is amazing, allow him to be amazing through you! Mass prayer produces miracles, lets never forget this.
      May this night be filled with restful sleep for you, if you are missing someone may they be manifest in your dreams and allow you comfort in your heart.

As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 

this little light of mine, i'm gonna let it shine....shine, shine, shine, let it shine:)

Another start of a new week, in reading posts this morning my heart smiled, I did not see one whiney post about how bad Monday is, I did not read one post of negativity for this day:) Yippee!!! So many positive posts this morning, so many well wishers to others for a  great day, so much joy and happiness oozing from the page:) I am sure that our Father in Heave is much pleased with this turn of events:) We had a most fantastic lightening and thunder storm last night then the bottom feel out and it rained for hours. This morning it is as if the birds are singing a new song, one of clean, pure, joy. The sky is filled with cotton ball clouds with some darker more ominous ones in the distance, it looks like more rain might be in our future, I so wish I could bottle it up and send it down south to those who are so desperately in need! I will continue to pray for this! We are at 68 degrees this morn, a bit more still than usual, the sun coming and going as the clouds make their way to other areas. I praise his Holy name for being afforded the opportunity to sit out and get this blog piece done. 

     In prayer this morning, I was sitting here conversing with my number one, enjoying the beautiful canvas he has made for us today, I was praying my usual morning prayer, one filled with only good things for all, I prayed for less pain, for healed hearts, for health, for our country, for our soldiers both on foreign and home soils. I prayed for peace, calm and comfort, for strength in all that we encounter today and special specific prayer request that have been posted. I lifted these issues up in the name of Jesus Christ and said my amens. I waited for special instruction from our heavenly father as to what I needed to write about this morning and nothing came, I asked what I could do to make a difference today and nothing crossed my heart. As I sat here waiting, nothing..I laid my head back and let the sun shine on my face, the warmth was amazing, it seemed to absorb in to my face and run down the length of my body, my heart felt warm and full of happiness the feeling of "awww, does it get any better than this" crossed  my heart. Really, what more is there, I have freedom to sit outside and worship my savior and my father in heaven, I have a roof to shelter me from the elements, food to nourish my body, all of my basic needs are met and I have a heart filled with love for all. Sure I could have nicer things, I could have a fancy home, I could have expensive automobiles, I could have filet mignon every night for dinner, I could, I could, I could....I also could have NO shelter as my residence, I could not have the freedoms that I have, I could be hungry with no hope for food, I could be, could be, could be...So I just want to bear testimony this morning that I know Jesus lives, I know that he works in my life, I know that our Father in Heaven gave us his son so that we could have eternal life, I know that even in my times of strife and unrest that I am shielded by him, I know that as long as I have faith in my soul, I have love in my heart and I have hope he will never leave nor forsake me, I know that in all things there is beauty, I know in all people there is basic goodness, I know that I am here as a helpmate to any and all that need a friend, someone to share concerns with or just ears to listen. I pray that this day your testimony of our Lord and savior is full, that you know exactly who he is and that he resides in your heart, I pray that your spirit is a light today and that any storms you encounter today will be lulled. I pray for your peace of mind, for your spirt, and for your tenacity to keep on keepin on. Share your love for Christ with someone today, you never know when you will earn another brick for your house in heaven. God is love, share it with someone new today:) May blessings be in abundance for each of you and yours! 

God for everything that we need, that by it we praise him in the very best way; that by it we lift up our souls from earth to heaven and unite them closely to God." "Our Father Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And Forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. Amen For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen" A simple prayer of 'Thanks Be To God' when we wake up starts the day with His name on our lips. Dedicating the day ahead to the Lord will result in a calm and peace in all we do and a fruitful day's work, yes even when things seem to go wrong. Rather than curse the mishap, say 'Thanks Be To God' or 'Praise You Lord'. Here are a few nice little morning prayers to set the tone for the day: "God of my life, I welcome this new day. It is Your gift to me, a new creation, a promise of resurection." "Dear Lord, I thank You for the Grace of being alive this morning; I thank You for the sleep that has refreshed me; I thank You for the chance to make a new beginning." "Dear Lord, I give you may hands to do Your work; I give You my feet to go Your way; I give You my eyes to see as You see; I give You my tongue to speak Your words; I give You my mind that You may think in me; I give You my spirit that You may pray in me. Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me - love the Father and love all humankind. I give You my whole self, Lord, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works and prays in me. Amen." Angels are spoken of frequently in the Bible and we should be aware of their existence. Jesus was supported by the angels during his trials in the desert before He set out on His work. We each have a guardian angel and a lovely little prayer for both morning and night is one to ask our guardian angel to watch over us. "Oh Angel of God, my guardian dear. To whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and guide me. Amen" A lovely way of giving the day over to the Lord is in simple conversation with Him, chatting as if to a member of the family or a good friend.: "Good morning Lord, it's great to be with You again today. I'm glad You are going to be with me today. Help me in all I do and say today, bring a smile to my lips for all I meet today, place on my tongue kind and gentle words for all I speak with today. And when the day's over bring me home safely." By getting into the habit of chatting with God like a child chats away to a parent, we will bring God's presence within us to the surface and enjoy His company. May Jesus and our Father in heaven bless you this day:)

Is your tank full???

    

 Today as I sat and reveled in the joy in my heart, as I sat and appreciated all that God has done for me and continues to do for me on a daily basis, I am filled with AWE, I am so thankful that he cares enough for me to keep me up and going! I will not try and say that everything in my life is peaches and cream, but he meets my needs, he always provided a way for me and I know if I keep on keepin on, he will keep on making a way for me. Today I am filled with joy at the news that my two little g-sons have decided to be baptized, they went to vacation bible school last week and we so enthralled with the lessons of baptism that they both wanted to learn more, my oldest g-son then came home and told his mom.." I want to know more about how I can get eternal life and salvation" He then told her he wished to be baptized so he can be closer to Jesus and God. Praise the Lord on high that these boys are feeling the spirit and wanting to stay in the arms of our heavenly Father. 

      Tonight, I come to you to join me in prayer. I ask God to be as a shield to each of you in protecting you in all that you do this week, I ask him to nudge you when you begin to climb your mountain to stand behind you and catch you if you should begin to slip. May he be the wind beneath your heals as you jump that hurdle, and stand in front of you if you should stumble. May he be the bridge you need to cross that ravine and be beneath you if you should slip..God is amazing, reach out your hand to him and allow him to be your everything! May the blessings of his love, comfort, calm and peace be with each of you, may broken hearts be mended, may pain be lessoned, may life be easier and may you be filled with the light that someone needs when they are in the darkness. In the name of Jesus our savior, amen..

I ask if your tank is full because as we get closer to the last of days, we will need all of the faith and obedience we can muster, we will need to fill our tanks each Sunday to make it spiritually all the week long! God's blessings upon you! I fill my tank with my chats with our father in heaven, scripture study and inspiration from others! God bless you all, each and every one! 

As always please go to the comment section and feel free to let us know of any specific prayer requests you have, we stand ready to lift those in need in prayer many times this day! God is love, he is merciful and if we go through our savior Jesus Christ all of our prayers will be answered. 

Are you a lighthouse or are you a storm????

     Good evening, as another day comes to a close I cannot help but think about the wonderful story I posted earlier about the threadbare quilt, our book of life was written before we gained our earthly bodies, he knew everything that we would do, every turn that we would take and every hurdle that we would be faced with before he let us leave our heavenly kingdom as the pure spirits we were. He knew the trials and tribulations that would face us and he was hopeful that the faith we possessed would be enough to carry us through. I pray that my quilt is threadbare and filled with holes when I return home to him, I pray that my scars will be enough to make him pleased with the person I have become, with the decisions I have made and with the obedience I have had to him. My life has been filled with ups and downs, mostly downs, not by his hand but by the choices I have made, by my inability to stay on the straight and narrow and by my thinking I know better than HE when it comes to  mucking through. It has taken me many years to "get it" to understand that I do not know it all, that only HE does. My life would have been so much easier if I had, in my youth, figured things out and depended upon him to lead me. Many people say I am hard headed, I am stubborn and I am like a bull when it comes to getting my way! I do not like being likened to a bull but in looking back on my "day" I must confess that it does not miss the mark! Today I like to think that those negative characteristics have been pushed to the wayside and that, thanks to God's patience and understanding, I am on the right track, I see more clearly and I am pushing up hill to secure my right to passage when my time here is done.
    Tonight I bow my head humbly, I pray for each of us, for our salvation, for our ability to "see the lighthouse in the storm and know if we keep it in our view that we will make it to the glorious shore safely, that we will all meet there, a song on our lips, a smile on our face and so much love and awe in our hearts that our light shines as bright as the northern star. God please shine a light in us tonight that might get us, each and every one of us, back on the track, back in your footsteps and walking up straight and tall. I ask you God to bless those who are in dark caverns, that they might begin to realize that just past the cavern wall is a light, a beautiful light, one that has been made just for them. Father please allow each of us to be more aware of those in the dark, allow us to be more empathetic to those who have lost their way, allow us to be your eyes and ears here on earth and send us where we need be so that we might be a light to bring the darkness to a halt for them. I ask that you bless all with their needs father, you are all knowing and all seeing, look into the hearts of each earthly body and supply us with your light. Father God I ask these mercies in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen again!
     Might you be the light of a person who feels that there is only darkness, take time to listen to the still quiet voice of our Father in Heaven and be the instrument he needs. Stop, look and listen, he will always provide you with what he needs you to see and hear! Love in Christ to each of you. 

I prayed for you this morning! May you receive great blessings:)

     Good morning and happy Saturday, I pray each of you is having a great weekend that it will be filled with lots of love, grins and giggles:)  The morning is beautiful, you know me, I love sitting out in the yard in the morning. This morning the birds are chirping, there is a wonderful cool breeze, 64 degrees, a big cup of steamy hot coffee in hand and peace in my heart!
     This morning in prayer, as I sat with my face toward the heavens chatting with Father God, I prayed for each of you, I asked God to bless you this day, to take a problem that has been smoldering  in your life and solve it for you. I asked him to allow you the peace and knowledge in your hearts that with him all things are possible! I prayed for the families that suffered loss this week, that they might be awakened today with rational thoughts, with a better understanding of what has taken place, with a renewed faith and a knowledge that this is not the end, that their loved one has crossed over to heaven and will be healed of any maladies. I asked God to touch each of them with his healing hands, to lay them upon their hearts to take the intense pain from them. I prayed for our country, asking Father to come back and take over, it seems since he has been put on the back burner that we get deeper and deeper in the mud pit, I asked that he bless our children old and new with strength and faith. I asked that he bless you with rain and cooler weather in the regions that are drought ridden. I asked him to bless me with health, with no pain and with better kidney function. I pray that you will chat with him today and relieve the ails of your heart in the name of Jesus, that you will give your problems and concerns to him and allow him to bless you!
     I think in this day and time that many have given up on prayer, that they feel it is in vain, please never give up on God, he is in all that we do if we allow him, he is the comforter we need in times of sadness and woe, he is the strength we need in our weak times, he is the healer we need when we are sick and he is the love we need when we are lost and confused. How can we turn away when perfection is right there in front of us??? I love each of you and hold you close in my heart! Have a beautiful day, live, laugh and love for you never know if there will be a tomorrow! God bless you abundantly:)

If Christ reached out to you, would you reach back?

     Good morning and happy Wednesday, 62 degrees, breezy, sunshine, no clouds, blue skies, coffee in hand, birds singing, loving life....you might think I would get tired of writing pretty much the same words each morning, that I might begin to take for granted the similar words that I write daily, that I might begin not to add them to my writings as they repeat, repeat, repeat! But each morning when I awake, each morning when I collect my things from inside and find my place on the porch, I look around, I listen, I smell, and I appreciate another beautiful day I get to witness! Many times my posts here are much alike, I do not go by a lesson plan, I do not go in any order, I go with what God impresses upon my heart, what he needs me to chat about so that someone in need might come across my words and feel his spirit in them. I do not pre-write these messages, each morning when I sit down and begin my morning conversation with him, I ask him to show me what I can do to honor him this day, what I can say to bless someone that is in need this day...in reading the feedback from my posts, he is answering me, he is getting through,  so I will keep on repeating as long as there is need for someone to read it! I sit, I look, I listen, I smell and I love it!
     This morning I was sitting here in deep conversation with God, saying my usual morning prayers, lifting those who have come with special requests of prayer, asking God to once again lead me through this day and to lay in my path someone that is in need. I felt his love running through me, and I felt peace and calm! In sitting there I had the thought of "heartbreak" and "empathy" come into my mind...HEARTBREAK???? EMPATHY???? I never question what comes to mind, I sit in his quietness as I know he will show me what I am missing. I sat there and rested my mind, I sat there and tried to hear what part of heartbreak and empathy he was needing me to feel and to share...I have several friends who have suffered loss of a parent, a sibling a spouse,  some have been married for 25 plus years, some less but the pain always seems to be the same for them, I have friends who have lost children, either to illness, accident, war...no matter the way the loss occured the pain in each of them the same...I have friends who are going through divorce, knowing that it is the right way but still seeing them struggle with the pain of it, I have friends who struggle each day with heartbreak and I see so many in need of empathy from others but not receiving it...At first when the initial loss occurs so many rally around to offer love and support...but as time goes by the visits and the calls become less, the memory of the loss for them becomes smaller and soon we are going about our busy days, moving on to the next tragedy, not realizing they are still hurting, they are still struggling, they are the ones that are still alone...they get up every morning only to realize it was not a bad dream, it is reality and as the world continues to spin, their world has a broken spoke that cannot be replace, that can only be mended to be made usable, but cannot be brought back to its original condition! We move forward but they seem to think that they are stuck in time, that they cannot! Today I ask you to join me in making contact with someone who has suffered loss, who you rallied around at the time of loss. Check to see if they are okay, offer special prayer in their name for peace and understanding, let them know that you still care, that you still understand that they are hurting, that even though they are putting on "the happy mask" that the pain is still with them. Let them know that you care! Life continues and so many who have encountered loss seem to be in limbo...they appear to be "handling" it but in reality cry themselves to sleep at night, have bouts of anger during the day, are reminded by simple things and their worlds come crashing down on them again! It may be a week, a month or several years and we think they are fine, they no longer need us, they have moved forward..but have they??? Today I pray that something will spark a memory for you of the moment when you first heard the news, today I pray that someone will be on your heart that is still in need of your words and your comfort. I pray that you will take the prompting and make contact if only to say...I am thinking of you, I love you, I care..."how are you, no really, HOW ARE YOU! Someone is in great need of your love and empathy today, go the extra mile to make contact! God is love, he provides us our needs each and every day, he provides us a beautiful path to walk hand in hand with him, we waiver and get off into the rough at times, but with our faith we can get back on...some feel lost and alone and have wondered far off into the woods, I think we should all be helpmates this day and offer ourselves to be like his hands today, reach out and help them get back on track! Don't ignore the situation, God does not ignore us. Love to each of you, may this day be an eye opener and may Christ's light shine through you and you make the difference!

Jesus teaches us to empathize with others by His Own loving example.

• Isaiah 53:4a Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
• Matthew 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
• Matthew 8:16,17 When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
• Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.
• Mark 1:41 [Jesus healed the leper:] And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
• Mark 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with Me three days, and have nothing to eat.
• John 11:33-35 [Jesus was summoned by Martha and Mary to raise up Lazarus, their dead brother.] When Jesus therefore saw [Mary] weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the Spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. [Then Jesus prayed, and Lazarus, who had been dead four days, miraculously arose from the dead.]
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.