It is with great excitement, tremendous joy and complete reverence to GOD ALMIGHTY, that I celebrate this joyful time in my life.  I have had many occasions in my lifetime of over 5 decades to celebrate many things;  marriages for my 2 daughters,  births and birthdays of 4 grand children, pay raises, friends, family and loved ones accomplishments, miracles and great wisdom from my GOD that caused me to leap to the sky and set me higher on the "ladder of life" and countless other major and minor events that I celebrate. The list is endless simply because of the length of life God granted me.  Life is truly to be lived and enjoyed and when it is time to celebrate, I do so.  My GOD ordained 7 great feast for His people in the year and for each one, He commanded them to celebrate and be joyful, full of happiness.  He had joy in the mix the entire time. Why, it is even a fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience.....) My GOD is and awesome GOD!!! So I celebrate this important event with a heart filled with excitement!! This month is the 10 year birthday of  an event GOD Himself placed in my heart. This wonderful Birthday month of my Savior's birth,  nothing can top that! That alone is worthy of a lifetime of daily celebrations, not just on Christmas and Easter.  He is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in my humble existence, because I need Him.  No, this celebration is not even close to that scale.  I celebrate the 10 year birthday of this blog that the Holy Spirit dropped in my heart 10 years ago and named it," The Chaser."Think about it. The Birthday of The KING of kings and The LORD of lords. At about this time, everywhere on earth and all locations, people are celebrating this Birthday!!! Whether acknowledged or not acknowledged, whether called Christ = Jesus, Mas=Celebrate, or anything else, the whole world  in all nations, tribes, tongues, wherever people are breathing, mindful, or unlearned, know that He is the reason we Celebrate. As a matter of fact, no one else in and of this world can garner such an occasion.  No man, woman, boy, girl, animal, creature, insect, reptile, place, location, thing, item or event, would even come close to being Worthy of such PRAISE AND ADORATION!!Amen!  He is worthy so much, that the world He called forth, spoke into existence, commanded all the parts to work in perfect formation; to come  and go when it is time.  Day knows when it is Night's turn,  and Night knows when it is Day's turn. The sun knows and the stars.  All seasons come forth at their Appointed Times, as does every seed in the earth.  All these Creation elements have always obeyed and continue their obedience to their Creator for thousands of years, it has been so. GOD said it 1time and from then on it has been so.  GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!! I could continue, but the goodness of GOD and the work of GOD'S Hand, I am unable to thoroughly write about.  No, I would run out of paper (lol) because there is not enough trees that supply the wood to make the paper needed for such an endeavor.  John said such in his book. John 21:25.  So my celebration of the 10 year birthday of "The Chaser" can't touch that!  But I celebrate it because The Holy Spirit dropped these words and titles into my heart, and used a minimal talent I have (writing) and spoke it to me (1Cor.1:27, 28) and said write. So I did. I am grateful to write for Him and about Him and with blessed hope that readers receive something as it is read.  So HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY TO  "THE CHASER" in this month of Glorious celebration to  THE BLESSED BITHDAY OF THE KING OF kings. Praise GOD ALMIGHTY.   Psalm  150.   May the Blessings of a Merry Christmas saturate you and your family, precious reader.

JESUS SAID, "HANDLE ME.... "FEEL AND HANDLE ME (AMPLIFIED VERSION)

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard; which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have  HANDLED, of The Word of LIFE..." 1 John1:1 KJV what words the Apostle/Disciple John spoke as he preached on the resurrection and appearing of Jesus Christ. He wanted all who listened to know the ONE who rose from the dead, that HE lives and they touched HIM, ate with HIM and later watched HIM ascend into Heaven, home to THE FATHER, GLORY!!!!  Jesus Himself said, ..."HANDLE ME (FEEL AND HANDLE ME (AMP)) and see"....Luke 24:39. He looked faithless right smooth in the face, and spoke to it!! But it wasn't until He opened their understanding, that they could understand the Scriptures (v.45). Look at what Jesus is saying. Blessed are those who believe and have not seen (John 20:29). It is more so for us today than back then. To have our understanding opened by Him, we will have to HANDLE HIM.  How?  By relationship with Him, In communicating with Him, praying, talking to Him, and most importantly walking in love. Yes, walking by faith. Faith works by love, so you can not do one without the other. They are not independent of each other, each depends on the other, for the success of it. The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His Glory, the Glory of the only begotten of THE FATHER)  full of grace and truth, John1:14. As flesh, The WORD became HANDLE- able by any and all who made the choice to. Dwelling amongst us makes it easily available to HANDLE,  by choice of course. Those that chose to HANDLE HIM, did so by choice and received goodness, grace, healings, precious lessons learned, faith-filled promises, resurrections, love, guidance, being set free from life long, generational bondages, so much, from HANDLING THE WORD. We may not know  all that Jesus did in one lifetime, as the Apostle indicated (John 21:25)  but what we have in the Scriptures does make it clear that Jesus is to be HANDLED. He came to do the will of His FATHER.  Our FATHER, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Matt. 6:9-10. This prayer that Jesus taught tells us so much:  1. Our FATHER (God belongs to all of us),2. His will is for Earth - where His children are, 3.Like it is in Heaven - where He is, 4. There is no Name Higher than His Name (Philip. 2:9).  More can be said, but FORWARD I go. Some of the people that HANDLED  Jesus as He walked  this earth, expected and received from Him. He constantly said He came to do the will of MY FATHER.  So the receivers came and got the FATHER'S WILL for them. I want to write about a few who did  the unexpected, unheard of, unlawful, extraordinary, and sometimes, sneaky receivers who made the choice to approach Jesus with what they had, although they did not know they had it, but Jesus saw it and told them  that what is done is because of it; their FAITH.  Many came and received from JESUS  as they HANDLED HIM.  For this post, this list is no where near close to ALL, that He did as John said at the end of His book.  These  choices from the Scriptures serve a purpose for now (21st Century) to remind us that in a world where qualifications and approval determine success for earthly things, they mean nothing to GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.   Faith is what it takes to please GOD, and all humans were given a measure of it. Rom.12:3, Heb.11:6.  Accepting Jesus in your heart is all it takes for Spiritual success which overrides earthly success.  One of my faith favs  who HANDLED Jesus in an extraordinary way was Blind Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus)  sitting on the side of the road begging.  With all the commotion, he asked, what's up?  The crowd told him Jesus was passing by.  He immediately called out to Him for help. The thing that is extraordinary is that Bartimaeus called Him  Son of David  as he sought for Jesus attention.  He worshipped GOD  as he honored  Jesus knowing that the Scriptures were preached that the Messiah would be given the throne of David.  Calling Him the Son of David, told Jesus that this man, blindness and all, was a true seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and an heir to the promise. Deut.28:1-14.  He had a right to be heard (healed)  and he HANDLED Jesus with what he was taught as a seed of Abraham. His Faith made him be loud about it, even when the crowd said, "Be Quiet".  The crowd  thought him unworthy of Jesus and unimportant, after all he was begging.  But Jesus considered him worthy and valued,  as He does ALL GOD'S children, no matter their station in life. Mark 10:46-52.  Likewise, Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector, ran ahead and climbed a tree to get a look at Jesus.  He was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd.  He did what he could to get to Jesus and the goodness and kindness of Jesus made it easy for Zacchaeus to HANDLE HIM.  Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus' house for  dinner and Zacchaeus was delighted, and that encounter caused Jesus to declare that Salvation has come to this house, PRAISE GOD ALMIGHTY!!!  Jesus said, "I came to seek and to save those who are lost".  Thank GOD!! (What if Zacchaeus had not climbed that tree?...)  He  HANDLED  JESUS. Luke 19:1-10.  What about the crowds?  Everywhere He went, crowds followed Him.  Many were healed, delivered, set free, raised  from the dead, fed and taught.  The crowds HANDLED JESUS.  The disciples  HANDLED JESUS, Jairus, Mary, Martha , HANDLED JESUS.  The Samaritan woman and her entire village  HANDLED JESUS.  The Roman officer, the bleeding woman, the bent over woman all HANDLED JESUS.  So many  HANDLED JESUS.  But, there were those who would not nor did not  HANDLE JESUS.  The Pharisees  would not, in spite of all the good works He did right in front of their faces, they would not HANDLE HIM.  They sought to destroy Jesus from the 1st mighty work He did.  His hometown people would not HANDLE HIM.  They thought they knew Him therefore He could not be so important.  As a result , no one there could  receive any mighty work because of their lack of faith.  He wanted to do some mighty work there and laid hands on a few sick folk. Lack of faith shut it down.  It takes faith to please GOD, and when GOD is right in front of you, you will need to believe He exist and that He rewards those that diligently seek Him. Heb. 11:6.  Hometown folk did not meet any of those requirements.  Finally, Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, also a Pharisee came to Jesus on the sneak - sneak or (at night).  He said a lot to Jesus as he  HANDLED HIM,  but he  received a teaching from THE GREATEST OF ALL TEACHERS ever.  Personally, I think Nicodemus could have wrote  many best sellers, based on what Jesus taught him.  None of them would out sell the Bible, of course,  but what a read he could have wrote.  Acknowledging that they knew GOD sent Him to teach them,  based on all the miraculous signs that point to GOD ALONE. Jesus begins to tell Nicodemus about being born again,  not by fleshly will but by water and the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit produces  Spiritual Life and that is the reproduction needed to enter the Kingdom of GOD. As a Jewish teacher,  Nicodemus did not understand the Heavenly things Jesus taught about and He told Nicodemus, "you don't believe me when I speak of earthly things, we have seen and know about, how can you understand Heavenly things.  I am the only one who came down from Heaven, so I have that kind of knowledge". (21st Century rendering of John3:13). "GOD so loved this world, He sent Me...I am the light, but this world loved the darkness and its actions are evil because of that darkness. But those who love the light will do what is right and come to the light". John 3:1-21.  Jesus is to be HANDLED.  He will never turn away anyone, no matter what.  He came for EVERYONE, but only certain people will willingly (or by choice)  HANDLE HIM.  When He grieved over Jerusalem,  that was the world, He wanted to gather together, "but you wouldn't let Me".  Matt 23:37-39.  We will have to let Him, by  HANDLING HIM on purpose as He said,  ...."HANDLE ME AND SEE; FOR A SPIRIT HATH NOT FLESH AND BONES AS YOU SEE ME HAVE". Luke 24:39 KJV. Praise GOD at all times and seasons in life!!
I Love You!!
John 3, 1John1:1...., John 20:27, Rom. 12:3,  Rom.10, Heb. 11.

THE WOMEN: COMPASSIONATE, KIND, HUMBLE, GENTLE, PATIENT:GOD STRONG

Scripture is filled with women and stories of their accomplishments, doings, misfortunes, failures, successes and just about all aspects of their lives. From Eve forward The Holy Word talks about all kinds of women of faith, even though they may not be titled as such.  In our times today, when we read about them in the Scriptures, we can see their faith and belief in GOD.   They talked to GOD, (think Hannah), became warriors for GOD's people,(think Jael, Debra), and of course, did what The Creator created them to do, have children. That  alone can cause this writer to write on that subject alone, but the spirit that is upon me is taking me in another direction. I will say this: There is only one way to come into this world, if you are a human being, and that is through the womb of a woman.  The process that GOD created before the foundations of the world has not changed, nor has it been altered in any form.  It is so, period.  But that is not what this post is about either.  The title tells the story:  The Women.... The Women. Which women? I am glad you asked.  I could have chosen any women out of the  scriptures to write about.  They all have a relevant, important place then and now.  It would be difficult to pick one of them  and talk about them.  When I wrote a past post entitled The Men, (see 2010) it was easy to choose them.  I chose my favorite ones.  But The Women are different.  All women in scripture would fit that description, even those that had  'issues', if I can call it that.  What can I say,  I am a full 21st century girl complete with catch phrases and all (lol).  Well anyway, the chosen women for this post are the 4 mentioned by name, title, or description in the family lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1.  Actually 5 if you include Mary Joseph's wife the mother of Jesus.  At this point before I go any further, let it be known and understood that all the begetting mentioned in the family lineage of Jesus had to be through women,  of course.  But  4 are mentioned  specifically and I will write of these 4.  I looked for commonality and differences about the 4 and found a few in each category. But the Holy Spirit said look at their lives and write from there.  I found women who wanted things badly, that they went to extremes to get it, women who said profound things, girls that behaved badly @ times, Faith - filled women, believers in GOD Almighty, strong and courageous. Women who kept their faith through hardships, the threat of death starring them in the face.  At times things may not go as planned or predicted but as long as we remember Romans 8:28, we will understand that it is ok if the plan goes left, or if I do this, that will happen, and it doesn't.  Give it all to GOD and step back and watch The Creator work it, Glory to GOD, Praise GOD!  So The Women I am fixin to write about are: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba.  What a group of women these are!  Sister girls were in it to win it at all cost.  Nothing got in their way despite making wrong choices, bad behavior, and being from the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak.  Or being too beautiful/ desirable, when you aint trying to be.  In order of appearance and as time goes, we meet Tamar first.  Tamar married 2 brothers, 1 after the other, both of them died leaving her childless.  The custom is to marry a brother's widow and have a child to keep the dead brother's seed line strong. 1st brother was evil in the sight of the LORD so the LORD took his life.  So brother # 2 married  her, and because he did not want his dead brother to be the noted father of his child, he refused to complete the necessary step to make pregnancy occur.  The LORD took his life as well for this evil act.  Well Judah said to her "remain in your father's house until brother # 3 is old enough to marry.  Well it wasn't happening, so sister girl took it to another level.  She disguised herself and lay with father-n-law Judah with out him knowing it was daughter - n -law and low and behold, pregnancy! One of the twins, (Perez & Zerah) she was carrying was what got the ball rolling later on in the lineage.  She may have behaved badly,  but  she got what she deserved to have, a child, two that is. Genesis 38.  Next up is one of my favorites in this important quad and that is Rahab, the harlot.  I like what she said and what she did, (not her job choice). These moves caused Ms. Girl to be among the few to be saved out of the entire nation of Jericho.  In fact only those in her father's household were saved. When the spies Joshua sent out stayed at her house, she told them the whole story.  She hid the spies from the searchers the king of Jericho sent  there.  "We  was scared every since we heard how your GOD opened up the sea so yall could walk through on dry land and about all the kings and nations yall completely destroyed along the way; now yall here in Jericho" (author's paraphrase, in 21st century, deep south lingo).   She knew what was going to happen to her nation and people and she wanted her family spared.  She had faith in what GOD was doing through the Israelites. This harlot's faith caused her whole family; brother's, sisters their families, mother/ father to be saved, before the spies agreed to it.  Joshua 2, 6.   She later married Salmon and they had Boaz.  Salmon was from Perez lineage, one of Tamar's twins.  See where this is going.  Rahab may have been a harlot,  but this was a  faith - filled believer.  She said,  "GOD was the Supreme GOD in the heavens above and the earth below".  RECOGNIZE!! So the Israelites crossed into the promise land conquering all along the way.  Countless nations were utterly destroyed and the land had new owners.  Soon to come was  Ruth a Moabite.  After her Judean Husband died, she decided to go with mother -n- law Naomi back to Naomi's hometown of Bethlehem. They left Bethlehem years earlier when there was a famine in the land.  So they returned.  Naomi's husband and 2 sons died and the 2 daughter -n- law, both Moabites were left without husbands. Daughter -n- law #1 decided to stay in Moab, but daughter -n-law #2 Ruth chose to cling to Naomi.  Naomi tried to persuade her to stay, telling her that she is too old to have more sons for Ruth to marry.  Ruth was not persuaded and said 2 mega  profound statements to Naomi that show deep love and compassionate commitment.  She told Naomi," where you go, I will go...your people shall be my people and your GOD shall be my GOD... let nothing but death separate us"...  Being a Moabite meant you worshipped a god that required the life of a child to be sacrificed in the fire.  Ruth had  little knowledge about Naomi's GOD, but she wanted Him.  She had no idea about the people or the land  she was about to enter but wanted to live there until she died.  Her faith made her  look deep and feel deeply for  her mother -n-law.  She saw this through a woman who just had her world turn up side down with the deaths of her family.  Ruth's compassion made Ruth cling to Naomi.  So much I could say about Ruth.  But this I will say about Ruth;  I have learned a deeper level of compassion from the book of Ruth. Ruth 1.  My last woman in this note  worthy quad is titled in the lineage, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite.  Bathsheba by name, she was beautiful and desire able.  At the time King David saw this woman, his manliness said "get this woman for me" .  Being a king, you don't refuse his requests, so Bathsheba went with the messengers King David sent to fetch her.  Well fast forward a bit and she became pregnant by the king, while husband Uriah was away fighting for David's army.  Uriah was very loyal to king David and would not allow himself any kind of pleasures while fighting the war. No delicate foods, fun recreation or spousal pleasures at all which the king gave him permission to do.  Uriah would not indulge while at war. King David in order to conceal the pregnancy arranged for Uriah's death, so that he could marry Bathsheba and have the child with her. His scheme worked but it displeased GOD so GOD sent the prophet  to David to tell him the child will not live after doing such a wicked act.  When the child was born, he was sickly and the King fasted, prayed and confessed his guilt and depended on the LORD's mercy.  After the child's death, the King and Bathsheba had another child, Solomon.  God told King David that it will be Solomon that will build my temple. In Bathsheba's time , she was both wife of a king and mother of a king.  Her beauty and desirability  captured the attention of a great King.  He had other wives, but he loved Bathsheba. 2 Sam 11,12. The Women in Jesus family line were people with "issues", and "drama" and yet they get honorable mention because they are family.  Much like today in our own families we have "issues" and  "drama", but we are family.  Scripture says that  some will need more care, love, attention, patience, and covering than others.  Jesus himself said that the sick need the doctor not the well.  Whatever the case may be,  Jesus is the answer.  His own family lineage indicated  early on that there will be issues, drama showing all  along the way the need for the Savior that is to come. This is only a small part of the family lineage, but an important part. Had I chosen the male members of Jesus lineage to write about,  I would be another 3 weeks on the rough draft.  Families are knit together by GOD Almighty and He knows each person intimately.  He is The CREATOR.  Celebrate, Talk, and Pray and trust our Faithful GOD at all times!!!   Jesus is LORD!!! Psalm 139.

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

I  absolutely love when the scriptures speak to me and awaken my sometimes sleepy spirit.  Sleepy meaning lax in the Living Word and the Power of it.  I take the Living Word daily as medicine for my soul and flesh(Prov. 3:8,22). So this post is about the way my Holy, Heavenly Father takes His Word and takes care of me and those who choose Him and walk by faith in His Holy Word, Praise God!!  His promises in His Word are truth and it is up to us to take them, confess them, believe them and walk by faith in them (2Corinth.5:7, John 17:17).  As my theme for 2018,  I chose scripture from John 14:27:  "Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid".  Jesus said this to the disciples as He would soon leave them for a while. It was meant to comfort them and also empower them. They had the choice to let their hearts be troubled or not at this difficult time ahead. That choice was in their hands  to make much like the choice to choose life and the BLESSING or death and the CURSE (Deut. 11:26-28,Deut. 30:19-20), and the choice of what comes off the tongue, Life or Death (Prov.18:21) is to us.  Jesus wanted them to know and understand that they alone could choose to be troubled or not. I set this scripture at the head of my year this year (2018) because it too is power-filled.  Romans 8:28 is where this title post comes from.  Another Power-filled Word that is loaded with promises to those that take this living Word and walk in it.  All things, no matter what they are: good things, bad things, high things, low things, happy things, sad things, little things, big things, bright things, dark things, ALL THINGS work together for the good, to them that Love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Look at the conditions that are attached to this scripture.  Let's unpack them one by one. "To them that Love God": Jesus has said that this is the first and greatest commandment: to love GOD with all your heart, mind and soul (Matt.22:37-38).  If you are not walking in this love for GOD, the "All things...." conditional part of this scripture  wont work for you.  This is a must in order for this scripture to work. GOD is Love (1John 4:8) and His love is true LOVE, not what this world calls love. I say THANK GOD  right here cause I have tasted this world's love, OMG!!!  This LOVE stood on the substance of what was unseen and called forth, created, spoke into existence all things seen and unseen and blew the breath of LIFE into everything we see and then laid the BLESSING on it all and gave it to the man He created in His image to be like HIM, GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!!!  What a great and Mighty FATHER He is!! ABBA!!  Our Father in Heaven declares His great Love for us in that while we were sinners, He sent Christ to die for us. Christ became the sacrifice, before the foundations of the world, because GOD being The ALPHA  and THE OMEGA knew we as His beloved masterpieces would have to have a Sacrifice to wipe away, forever the sins that could otherwise doom us and separate us forever from the Father that loves us with an everlasting love (Rom.5:8-21, 1John 4:9-10). Understanding that makes my heart love the Lord God with all my heart, mind, soul.  It is unimaginable to me that not all people love GOD (a hard sentence to even type) my understanding  wont allow that statement to be true in my being.  So one of my prayers is that all living, beating hearts in creation will love GOD ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN, EARTH and everything seen, unseen, walking, running, flying, swimming, language, noised, muted, existing,  with all that is within. GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!!SELAH! "And are called according to His purpose":  God put purpose (aim, goal, intention) on and in each person and animal He created. Focusing on the human, walking in a close personal relationship with GOD is every humans main purpose. Think about it. I didn't say it GOD did, read for yourself in His Word. In that He reveals more to the heart of His.  The enemy does not want their to be a relationship (ask yourself why) with GOD and to not ever know what the Life's call is. That is why he distracts, tempts, kills, steals, destroys, and throws stumbling blocks in the path.  Even so, walking with GOD is the only way to know His purpose and for the call to be revealed.  He said His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, neither are they the same as ours. God's plans and purposes are always good with a touch of mystery attached to them.  Faith and Trust are essentials in the progression of purpose.  God said through the Holy Spirit via Paul that we walk by faith not by sight (2Corinth.5:7).  And Scripture already tells us  to Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding...(Prov.3:5). All of this and His great commission to Joshua,  as the children of Israel went forth into the promised land,  is the best advice in this covenant and dispensation as well: (Josh. 1:7-9) "Be strong and very courageous.... This Book of the Law(Holy Bible) shall not depart out of thy mouth but meditate in it day and night doing all that is written in it .... Have not I commanded thee... Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid neither be dismayed (confused)"...  GOD is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So He is telling those who have made Jesus the Lord of their life to do like He commanded Joshua and all His people.  So, for the "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose for them," to work out good and perfect, we will need to meet the criteria and conditions in His Word for success. And He is a Good, Good Father and will help us do so. His Word tells us so!(Prov. 4)   Blessings on all GOD'S people!!  PRAISE GOD ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, GLORY TO GOD!!!!   Psalm 148, 149,145, 150.

F O R W A R D

Forward.  That is the word that came to me after a compelling dream, I know came from GOD Himself.  I am reminded of the dreams GOD gave Joseph, Daniel, Pharaoh, the cup bearer, the chief baker and oh yes, Nebuchadnezzar, his servant, also the (trance) dream of Peter.  The common thread being that they are from on HIGH, which means there is a meaning behind them.  Not all dreams are from HIMSELF. GOD is talking about something He wants known, accomplished, made aware of, to be done,  His will.  Thy will be done GOD! (Matt.6:10)  So back to this compelling dream of mine.  There I was traveling from one location to another at night.  I had to walk (that is alright with me, I walk by Faith any way)through sand.  Very high and loose sand.  It reminds me of sand box sand, but high.  (rabbit trail: one of the locations I stop along on my bus ride journeys that I take as I go to and fro in daily life, has a huge area where  construction is going on.  They are in the process of putting in sand and I go over and watch them move the sand while waiting for my next bus to arrive. That sand is so high, like a mountain, but soft, one could sink in it)  Well, back to my dream, that is what type of sand it was in my dream.  I was walking  through this high sand moving FORWARD, without any hindrance, except the sand itself was high, but walkable. Although it was at night, the sand itself reflected the night sky, which had no moon, no stars, but not total darkness.  I looked at the sand and saw my way FORWARD. I  could tell it was a large area I had to cover  to get to a location. There were no lights, houses, buildings or anything around my journey, but sand to get through. I felt like if I went FORWARD along I would eventually run into something, some dwelling, business, something, but I must keep going. That I felt compelled to do.  At one point, I thought of turning back, but that seemed wrong, so I kept on. Nothing prevented me from lifting one leg after the other.  The sand was not wet or muddy or as the Bible calls miry,  just sand. I wasn't tired or fearful, just wondering when I would see 'civilization'.  I did see a dump truck parked,  and I thought about sleeping in the back of it (think Toy Story)and then when who ever came to work to drive it would see me, but I kept going FORWARD. I was certain I would see something soon.  Onward and FORWARD I went.  The sand showing me the way through its night reflection.  It looked like a white beach sand at night, no trees, water, nothing illuminating it, or so it seemed. I kept going and going and then I came to the end of this sand and stepped down, probably 3 or 4  feet onto a ground that was quite different in texture and more walkable.  It looked like normal ground, leveled but moist.  I was concerned about getting my white Chuck Taylors I was wearing muddy (lol). I kept going, and soon I saw a building with lights and windows and people inside, lots of people.  I woke up from this dream and began to seek GOD for understanding about the dream. Did you know reader that if you PRAY and ask GOD for wisdom, HE will answer you.  The Bible says so. (James 1:5)  I needed wisdom about this dream, so I did what Scripture says to do, I asked. GOD began to show me what parts of the dream were actually talking to me.  The word FORWARD  stayed in my thinking, so I looked at the dream again, in light of the word FORWARD.  GOD said: "look at what is trying to hinder your walk, (high sand), a different way. Yes, it is high, but you can still maneuver through it. Look at how it is actually HELPING you, with the reflection of it and the ease of your travel through it. Your feet were not stopped, unless YOU stopped them, the sand, though high and much, isn't stopping you. Yes it was high sand, higher than normal ground, but doable. Lit up, which showed the way FORWARD,  and in its own way, a compass.  The opposite: it could have been pitch black, with no way of seeing where the next step would take me or how far the way was. You could have sunk inside the sand. I'm saying it could have been worse than what was".  There was a time in Scripture when Jacob left a place due to the drama his sons caused because their sister Dinah was abused by a prince in the land they dwelled in. Brothers being protective decided to avenge her mistreatment and they burned the entire place down and killed the men there.  Jacob and family (the 12 tribes)left and went on the run to a place GOD once spoke to him at. What is interesting is what GOD told Jacob. He renamed him Israel, and restated the Blessing of Abraham (his grand father) to him.  GOD said, -in todays lingo-, move FORWARD,  I have a plan for you and the 12 tribes. (Gen. 35:1-15) FORWARD. Sometime afterward, Moses, the leader and the servant GOD used to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt, died.  GOD told Joshua, to Arise and go FORWARD over the Jordan with all my people to the land I will give them. After 30 days of mourning, it was time to move FORWARD. (Josh.1:2)  Many times in Scripture when moving FORWARD, it usually happened after an event, crisis, problem, some issue or something out of no where rose up.  GOD's plan is always move FORWARD.  The lepers even said, "Why sit here lest we die..." (2Kings 7:3) They knew moving FORWARD would cause something different to happen for them. GOD is reminding me that FORWARD means progress to some degree. It may or may not be by "leaps or bounds" but its all good when GOD says FORWARD. His plans, thoughts and ways are always higher than our own and good. Isaiah 55:8,9.   Jesus is LORD!!   AMEN.        Genesis 37, 40, 41, Acts 10:9 Daniel 2, 4, 7,  2Kings7, Psalm 17.        

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Often times GOD will put a word picture in front of my vision to demonstrate His great and mighty Love He has for me.  Yes, Yes the scriptures tell the story, and with the various translations, it is hard not to understand His awesome love and how deep, wide, long, and high it is (Eph. 3:18). But a  word picture works so well for me that when He shows it,  it can be overwhelming as HE lets it rip!! Glory to The Most High!! It is so clear that it can't be misunderstood, unless you want to.  I have blogged in the past about scenes in life, that GOD has highlighted to me about HIM.  In Reading passages, we teach students to highlight important information that will be helpful in answering questions that will follow the reading.  It is a strategy proven to be  beneficial, as the reading passages get longer and more detailed.  Like wise this scene was highlighted for me and narrated, (Glory to GOD!!!) at the same time.  Let me explain.  Picture it,  I am on my porch on a cool June evening,  not yet dark.   Children are playing, riding bikes, skateboarding, pop - rocking, you know doing kid stuff that is fun.  They are different ages, from about 5yrs. -9/10yrs.  Moms/ dads are out in the yard, talking, working on cars, visiting, etc, enjoying the coolness of the evening I would say.  Then dad helps the little one learn to ride a bike-  without training wheels.  Yes, without training wheels! It was hard for the little one cause his little legs were pedaling fast as dad held the seat and ran along side him leaning in the opposite direction.  Jr. had his big smile on his face as he thought he was really going somewhere while dad held him and gave him instructions about how and which way to lean.  When dad let go, you guessed it, he fell. You could see his excitement as he got back up and tried again with dad. About 3/4 times down the street they went. I was thinking to myself, 'he needs training wheels first', I'm just saying. That is the traditional way it's done. I'm so bright , I know!!(lol)  I could hear dad lovingly  give him directions about how to lean,  when he feels like he might  fall.  I heard in my spirit man clear, " that this is how much I love you. I might not use the traditional ways (training wheels, in this case) to show you.  I demonstrated my love in a non- traditional way that will always speak volumes in your spirit.  I put my hands on you by sending Jesus, My one and only Son.(Rom. 5:8)  Everything went to the Cross with Him, and through His spotless blood is how I see you. I will always have My hands on you as you walk this faith walk".  Like the child with out training wheels, we may fall, life happens, but the Father is there with loving guidance, abundant mercy, and amazing Grace.  As I watched dad and Jr., dad eventually gave up, and the bike was put away. (perhaps till next time).  I heard a still, small voice say, "I wont give up on you ever, know that I am here, keep trying!"  In this crazy world, we need help!! GOD'S help!!  We should not be pushing Him away, we  need Him closer than ever if we are going to come through these times victoriously.  Pushing Him away allows the enemy to move in and take over.  I am NEVER going to let that happen in my life, not while GOD breathes the breath of life into me each day. He is the answer. Why should we let that happen, when HE who created everything, is wanting to help us through everything? (Heb. 13:5)   Who else has given us that kind of promise?  I was dumbfounded when I read the New Living Translation of Isaiah 65:1-2.  It made me think,  GOD is right here waiting and wanting to help, but no one asked!! Whoa! What!  Read it yourself and listen to what your own spirit tells you.  To paraphrase it this writer's understanding of this scripture is this: "I was ready to respond (decisively), but no one asked for help...Here I am, Here I am, call on me... I'm ready to help, My arms are open..." Sounds like a Good Loving Father ready to step in and HANDLE it, but not without the invitation to. My prayer is that this nation will start inviting GOD to 'Handle it', instead of being offended at the mention of THE MOST POWERFUL NAME EVER.   That Name, the Name of JESUS will cause anything and everything that has a name (think about that a minute, ponder, ponder) and tries to 'raise up' to instead bow it's knee and confess that JESUS IS BIGGER THAN THIS! (writer's 21st century translation of Philippians 2:10-11.)  He is our only hope,  there is no other way (John 14:6).  Let this condition of America, the World tell you the answer.  He whom we have pushed aside is our only salvation. Where else can we turn and who else will help? Only the CREATOR  can repair  HIS creation when it is broken. Ponder, ponder. ..... Be Blessed of GOD!!  Jesus is LORD..  Rev. 3:14-22  John 1  Josh.1:8-9  Rev. 1:8  Jude 20-25  2 Cor. 4 

ARISE, SHINE FOR THY LIGHT HAS COME........

  I  am not the type of person that makes a resolution @ the beginning of each new year.  I simply choose to improve and with GOD's help, be better than the year before.  What I do is ask GOD to help me get closer to Him than I was the year before.  More of Him and His purpose for my existence and less of me and my desires.  I have many desires,  do you reader?  But I want God alone to steer this ship, so I am down the line in this chain of command,  somewhere between 4th and 5th.  With GOD's help,  I chose Isaiah 60:1 (kjv)  for my theme this year:  'Arise Shine for thy light has come and the Glory of the LORD has risen upon thee'.   So that is what is happening after a some what challenging year, ending with the death of my beloved baby brother.  You may remember my post 4 years ago entitled 'Miracle Right in Front of Our Face'.  It talked about my brother being brought back from the dead while in the hospital, and us saying,  what we assumed to be good-bye to him.   GOD was merciful and revived the dead and gave him 3 more years of life, that he lived to the full. (think Hezekiah)  Nov. 2016, my brother died, and as  a family we were united again  to say goodbye, this time to a family member we all saw raised.  We rejoiced @ his memorial @  the goodness of our merciful, gracious GOD and we were comforted to know that sickness and disease can't take from us any longer.  Praise GOD!!  What was amazing to me  was the many people that loved my brother and talked @ his memorial  service about how he helped them and encouraged them even though he had health issues he struggled with.  The man in the wheel chair nearly brought me to tears when he took me aside privately and shared an event my brother helped him with.  I didn't know he was so loved by so many, people that are dealing with life's struggles and issues as JESUS said  we  would have down here. (John 16:33)   So with that said and done and other issues that arose,  I am in constant remembrance mode  of what GOD said in Hebrews 13:5 (Deuteronomy 31:6,8) 'He will never leave me nor forsake me'.  Arise - get up, get going,  I have things for you to do and your presence is what I need;  Shine for thy light has come - It is your time to bring ME into your existence an into where ever  this lighted path takes you each day;  And the Glory of the LORD has risen upon thee - you are MY choice Audrey,  some will hear and some wont, I want those that will hear.  Translate and Meditate is how I take the   Scriptures.  I pray for MORE of GOD,  so I have to be ready,  willing and ready to act when HE speaks.  Yes, HIS Word is alive and speaking to those that have ears to hear them.  That's where you will find GOD in HIS wide - open Word!!  Glory to GOD!!!   So after this challenging year and now into a brand new year and new beginning,  GOD is working His plan.  HE's moving out the clutter and inserting me into where HE wants me.  Doing it HIS way!! Glory to GOD!!!   GOD is not a hoarder.  He does not collect useless junk to store incase HE can use it later.   I have not had this much fruit of the Spirit oozing from my spirit ever! It is abundant!  My cup is overflowing!  It can only be an act of the All Powerful GOD Almighty,  cause from the outside looking in  it looks like a different picture. But GOD looks on the heart and JESUS said, 'lip service is useless,  it is the heart that I see' (author's paraphrase)  Matt. 12:35-36.  Wonder how many people GOD has chosen for doing something for HIM that did not answer HIS call?  ponder,  ponder.  You need  only look at the world's events to see that a shift is taking place.  You wont find answers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, (social medias not listed), television, radio. All these are things the world says are must - haves and yes GOD himself uses @ times, (1Cor. 1:27 -28),  but FAITH in HIM alone is what HE says HE is pleased by. So Arise, Shine for thy light has come and the Glory of the LORD has risen upon thee; is my theme this year. This is the time to get into the deep things of GOD and do what ever is commanded  to do. Love  GOD first with all your being,  without hindrances, good, bad, come what may,  Love others  and pray for the sick,  laying hands on them.  Jesus said they will recover (Mark 16:15-18).  My choice, as long as I am in this body, (2Cor. 5:9) is to Raise - up, Shine bright,  Display the goodness of My GOD!!  (author's 2017 word translation of Isaiah 60:1).  Impactful and Effective are the buzz words  GOD is using to reach a people that will hear HIM.  These people may be located in the least expected places. The following is a small list of Bible people God used to do wonders for HIM.

1.Joseph - a kid     9. Solomon - womanizer
2.Rahab - a harlot       10.Paul - persecutor
3.Moses - a murderer    11.Ruth - an idol worshipper
4.Hannah - a barren believer  12. Jonah - fish food
5.Elijah - a fearful prophet
6.Esther - an orphan girl adopted by a family member
7.David - a lustful wife thief  
8.Jael - a dangerous girl with a tent peg
                         13. the woman @ the well- a town herald   14. Nebuchadnezzar- Babylonian king
15. the prodigal son - a party happy, lusty boy with money   16. Naaman's wife's captured Israelite maid -  carrier of a healing message

When the call from GOD came, Faithful people answered, no matter their station, condition, or status in life, Faith acted.

GOD's Blessings on all HIS people!!  Isaiah 60.
    

JOIN IN ON THE SONG

My post are always about the goodness, mercy and loving kindness of my GOD in all circumstances I have walked through.  GOD Al Mighty, Creator of Everything.  I could not ever exhaust the subject of the Greatness of such magnificence, majesty, Holy, Awesomeness , Greatness, so I wont try. No I am neither equipt nor eloquent enough to tell of the abundance of HIS Holiness. Others are and were much better at that than this writer. Moses, David, Solomon, John, Paul, Jesus are a few that come to mind that were skillful with words that tell of GOD'S Greatness. Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, TD Jakes, Greg Laurie, Toby Mack, David Crowder, Lacrea, Billy Graham, Al Bryce, Rosa Herman, Josh Goodman, Jentzen Franklin, Chris Tomlin, are a few that come to mind in todays generation that are skillful with descriptive words telling of His Greatness. I am sure there are many more. I'm not intending to name drop, just point out a fact. However, today's post is my attempt at telling of this Goodness and Great Love  of The Most High using one of my favorite tools: MUSIC! Yeah! Whoop, Whoop!!I have posted a blog in the past entitled:  Music, what would we do without music, where would we be without a song?  Feel free to re-read it, it is anointed.  This time I am using the song itself and let it tell the message. (NO copy right issues, don't worry). Thy will be done GOD, as I use music ministers materials to Breathe it in and let it out.  I believe whole heartedly that God uses every available, willing heart to bring His message of Love, Forgiveness, Redemption, and unending Mercy & Grace to a world filled with people He adores. These voices may use whatever God has called them to use to relay that message. Whether it is teaching it, preaching it, singing it, dancing it, writing it, whatever it takes, Scripture says He uses it. Some of the names mentioned above fall into each of these categories. The common thread is the willing, available heart God needs. There are many such hearts in every corner of this earth.  So this author's heart will use her favorite tool music.  I love to praise & worship God at all times.  I wish that we as a nation could start the day corporately in worship & praise to God Almighty, as a nation.  Think about that for a moment. ponder, ponder Think Moses, Solomon, Hezekiah, Asa, Jehoshaphat etc.  Can you imagine the burdens that would be removed and OMG the blessings that would fall upon each of us!!  We would be Walking like Giants!  As a nation of believers  unafraid, unashamed to sing and proclaim loudly, We believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, and that HE alone is Worthy of Praise, Holy, Holy, Holy. Here we are to worship as a nation.  We would be flawless,  why, because of the Cross, Glory to GOD!! Making GOD first is the key to experiencing His best.  Love, Joy and Peace are some of the best fruit in the Fruit of the Spirit re-born.  Meditate these 3 for a moment.  Of these Love is my favorite. Why?  I am so glad you asked. God Himself is love.  Love Devine. And Love so loved the world that He put a plan in place that would redeem, restore all of that world back to Him.  Glory to GOD!! Now that's some  Love in Action right there.  He knew before the foundation of the world that people would "fall down".  Love said nothing you could ever do could separate My Love from you, just see that My Love Ran Red down the cross.  There will never be a moment when I was not loved by You. He loves us with an  everlasting Love, it never fails.  It is the Greatest!!  When I posted about Love awhile back,  I wrote from a certain place God was walking me through at that time.  Here again He is revealing another layer of intimacy in His Love.  For me it is deep, sweet for reasons that are extremely close and too personal to reveal publicly. Reader seek for that intimacy with GOD, a 1-on- 1 personal relationship that will hold you through whatever you will have to walk through.  I will say that Love took on my weakness, sickness, brokenness all on His Shoulders and said You will never be alone.  Now that is the GOD I know.  Search yourself reader,  I bet there is a song or 2 that you enjoy that puts you in that place of closeness with your Creator.  It is not hard to keep God first, all I need to do is look back on my life and see His Hand in it all. There was no way I alone could have come through all that darkness without God lighting up the sky to show His presence, a Mighty Fortress and a strong Hand guiding this ship. He was my Compass and my white flag all in one. The past addictions and rejections alone would have sunk the Titanic, let alone a girl uncovered. But I wasn't uncovered, there was Hope in Front of me all along and God was more than I thought He was. I saw broken, He saw mended. Yes, He is Worthy of my praise and it is His Word telling me to keep Fighting the good fight that keeps the ship sailing when the sea is turbulent.  He said live, walk, and stay in faith at all times.  Re-read some of my past post and you will see what Faith can do. (You probably already know from your own life). It can move mountains, raise the dead, heal a body, restore a relationship that was dead, provide, protect and countless other things,  Yes that's what Faith can do.  You gotta know the GOD I know!!!  He will do things that only He can do. He has said you will never be alone, I am there with you, I will dwell with you and in you so cast all the care over on Me. I hide that word in my heart and even when no one else is around, God is still with me, He is closer than I ever thought possible. He calms me down with a whisper, when my soul wants to "raise it".  That still, small voice speaks to the trembling inside of me and settles it. Glory!!  I am so glad His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not mine. He knows what's best,  I am still learning.  It is in Christ Alone,  that HOPE is so big for me. I don't have to figure this out, I walk by faith. And doing so, I don't always know where I am being led, but I love, love, love Who leads me.  He knows the path for me to take,  walks with me, talks with me,  and lights the way.  The journey itself is more important than the earthly destination. Go ahead reader, Join in on the song in your heart.  GOD'S Blessings!!!   Ps.150, Ps.100, Ps.8, Ps.119:11,Rev.1:3, Rev. 5:11-14, Heb.11, Deut.32, Jerm.29:11, Is.40, Is.55:8-13,1Pet. 5:7, 2Cor. 5:7, Prov. 4:18

ONCE AGAIN, LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!!!

It is always amazing to me when Faith in our GOD shows out. Jesus said in Mark 11:22, "Have Faith in GOD". Scripture goes on to tell us that it is impossible to please GOD without Faith (Heb. 11:6). There are times when Faith in GOD is all there is. It produces a hope that GOD will respond even when you can't see any evidence of it yet.  Walking by Faith is a daily determination in my life,  come what may.  Faith makes its partner, patience, come out and hold me steady as I wait for an answer, by Faith.  Well,  Once again, Faith in GOD produced a desired result that makes me say loudly, "LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!"  Let  me tell you, GOD is Good, if you did not already know this.  My precious 2 months old grand daughter was stricken with  a respiratory  condition that she had to be hospitalized for.  She was in the baby I C U unit.  Her little body was connected to tubes and given oxygen in a breathing tube through her nose.  It shook me to my core to see her this way. God had to carry me at that moment, cause I nearly lost it.   "She was a sick little baby", was what her Doctors told us on day 7 in I C U.  When I saw her for the first time she was already in the hospital for 4 days.  Her mother, my daughter, was having a difficult time as you could imagine, so was dad.  We knew that this baby was a gift from GOD and we also know that there is a thief, killer, and a destroyer that is counting on us to fall apart and let go of GOD at a time like this.  No, this is the time to cling to GOD with all your might and press in to the promises in HIS  WORD.  GOD gave us a healer,  His name is JESUS, and He WILL heal.  He took on our sin, sickness, and diseases, in His own body on the cross, for our healing (Isaiah 53:4-5,  1Peter 2:24). That's why He came to - do the Works of HIS FATHER, and healing was one of those Works. I know, because not to long ago,  He brought my nearly dead brother back to life right before our eyes!! Read my post entitled: Miracle...Right in front of our face, about 3 years ago.  I talk about that miracle, and now, Once again, Look at what the LORD has done!! HE heard the prayers, intercessions, crying out and FAITH of all those that took this sick child into the THRONE ROOM.  We did what JESUS said we could do: "Lay hands on the sick and they will recover". Mark 16:18.  He said, "Greater works shall you do cause He's going to the FATHER" John 14:12.  My daughter needed strengthening as well. It is hard to see your child this way.  She needed to believe that this was not the final outcome, her daughter would survive this.  I began to pray in the Spirit that  GOD would send ministers (not just laborers) in her midst that would minister the LIVING WORD to her,  And guess what?  Once again,  GOD responded by  putting people in her face that strengthened, encouraged, prayed and loved her.  She began to revive, so to speak. The heaviness of worry and fear, lifted off of her and, GLORY TO GOD, Faith rose up inside of her.  GOD said, "take my yoke, it is easy and my burden is light" Matt. 11:30.  Soon my precious grand began improving and medication was reduced, she began to eat with a bottle instead of the tubes, which were removed.  GOD BE PRAISED!! She started smiling (she's a cutie), color came to her skin, she was awake longer and thriving.  TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY, CAUSE HE HAS DONE GREAT THINGS!! Faith can move mountains, and this was a mountain that was trying to take from us, but our FAITH in EL ELYON, GOD ALMIGHTY the High and Lofty ONE, in ELOHIM, The Creator of Heaven and Earth, who gave us ADONAI, the Savior  that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, our HIGH PRIEST, our JEHOVAH - RAPHA was available, ready and willing to heal.  PRAISE GOD!!!!  We give GOD all glory, honor and praise! Once again, He has shown that by unwavering Faith,  a mountain can be removed.  I remember the doctors talking about statistics and the times past  when babies would die from this type of sickness.  He was knowledgeable about her illness and I believe strongly that GOD gave us a warrior in the medical field that would not, in his power, let anything but a complete healing occur.  The children on this floor of the hospital, has  great, caring, wonderful doctors and nurses and care givers tending them.  Doctors and all medical personnel are GOD'S hands and feet on earth.  GOD bless everyone of them.  We began praying for the other sick children  on this floor and GOD,  Once again, showed out.  At this writing they have all been discharged or in step - down unit soon to be released.  My grand daughter is soon to be released and may have been by this posting. 14 days of hospitalization is a hard thing for patient and loved ones.  But Glory to GOD, LOOK What the LORD has done!!  Faith is so important that GOD said HE is pleased by it.  Faith makes things happen instantly, gradually, suddenly, and in due season.  Things in my life have happened in each of these time frames.  I don't understand it.  GOD said to trust HIM,  not my own understanding of it,  Proverbs 3:5,  so that is what I do.  Trust GOD, without doubting and watch the mountain,  whatever it is, move out the way!!  Glory,  Praises, High Praise to GOD ALMIGHTY.  Mark 11:22-24, Prov.3:5, Gal.5:6,  Heb.6:12, Heb. 11:1,6. Rom.12:3,Rom.10:17.

HAVE MERCY ON OUR NATION LORD

For such a time as this, I chose this title to blog.  Our nation and it's people should consider moving closer to GOD. Turning back to HIM.  Looking in the Old Testament at Israel and it's tribes at the times it moved away from GOD and began serving  and worshipping other gods, disaster came down upon them. Their enemies attacked them, carried them off into slavery, many were killed, and their land and crops failed. They were outside the will of their Creator. When they cried out to GOD their Creator, HE had mercy on them and compassion for them and GOD rescued them from the enemy.  They would change their ways and stayed close to GOD, and worshipped no other gods.  But then, as time went by, they again moved away from the Creator and began worshipping other gods, false idols, images of Baal and whatever else was the latest detestable thing at the time, and yeah you guessed it disaster hit again.  GOD's people turned from Him time after time after time and each time, their enemies swooped down on them and prevailed in whatever thing they did to them.  Even the enemy said to them "Your God has abandoned you into my hands".  Imagine that?  But they would repent and turn back to GOD and HE would have mercy on them and things would improve.  Our nation has chosen to move away from GOD Almighty, taking HIM out of everything, even banning prayer and speaking HIS Mighty Name, now look at us. Our enemy may not be an obvious one. Once we were a country that carried the Blessing, Leadership and Favor that the founding Fathers prayed to GOD ALMIGHTY for when this nation was born, and the rockets red glare gave proof that our nation was still there, One Nation under GOD un -divide-able. Why?  Because GOD said a house divided cannot stand. One GOD, One SON, One HOLY SPIRIT all means ONE GOD!! GOD ALMIGHTY, Creator of Heaven, Earth, Everything.  Have mercy on our Nation LORD. Our Nation needs to move closer, better yet, turn completely back to GOD ALMIGHTY. We must allow GOD back into our homes, schools, churches, businesses, families, lives and most important among these our mouths.  Yes, talk GOD up, speak to Him, through Him, about Him, for Him. David knew this power and GOD told Joshua this is the way to have good success.  Think about that a bit. ponder, ponder. Our nation took GOD out of everything and look at the results.  Right here I will step out and say don't focus on the messenger, but what is the messenger saying.  Could there be some  truth to this? Who sent this message? How should I respond? All these are questions you would have if WU, FedX, Brown truck people, USPS, memo from the higher - ups or Voicemail, etc delivered you a message.  Most assuredly  GOD is as important, howbeit more important than these and HE uses whomever HE chooses.  GOD is our only hope of survival. HE was Israel's only hope of survival and they came to know it eventually. We too will realize it eventually so that we can confidently sing ' God Bless America" and know that HE will.  Have mercy on our Nation LORD.    


Judges 1: 19-34  Kings  2Chronicles 7 (emphasis on v.14)


Lamentations 3 (emphasis on v. 21 -23),  Psalms  Acts 9

"HAVE FAITH IN GOD".....I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH CHRIST....

I don't know about you, but I have quoted that verse of scripture from Philippians 4:13 many times in my life and especially in the challenges of life.  It has constantly re-enforced the faith I have, that GOD is always strengthening me when my strength is tested.  Not my physical, muscle strength, but that too is included.  The strength that equates to the faith and strong belief in the truth that something bigger than me (GOD ALMIGHTY) is inside of me working on my behalf.(1John 4:4) Never more than right now in my life's events, has that been truer. Since the age of 18,  I have been a registered, legal driver.  I have owned a vehicle of some type for 30 years.   3
to be exact and they all lasted quite a while each one.  That can be a blessing in and of itself, (lol).  My first car was my favorite one because it was when I became a single parent.  Seat belts were not mandatory, so the kids would bounce back and forth from front to back often. (This was in the 80's a very different time than now. ) I could take them to school, pick them up, work different shifts at the club, things like that.  When they got older, the car embarrassed them, you know teenagers. It smoked and needed a paint job (think uncle Buck). My daughter hated when I had to pick her up at  high school, she was a teen, need I say more.  She claims I never put gas in the tank, she  only remembers me putting water in all the time (lol) the radiator leaked a bit but otherwise.  It lasted 13 years and I thank GOD for it.  Next car  was a nice foreign job my army neighbors sold me for a reasonable price.  They were both deploying and wanted to sell it.  The wife was really nice and I remember her telling me it would be great, cause the girls were teens and would look cool when they started to drive it. My daughters liked it, but it needed shocks and that was expensive for that make so after a while of shifting gears and bumping up and down, I didn't want that headache any longer.  Next came Janie B.  I named her after a family member that had staying power.  A red Mitzubishi mirage  that I had for 16 years.  She was 20 years old and sweet. After needing a new motor and other repairs too costly for her age, I thought it was time for a new car, so I junked her this past January and prayed for guidance and wisdom about what to do next.  4 months  before  all this happened, I began to believe GOD for a debt-free, new vehicle.  I have not had a car payment in 14 years and I am spoiled I admit. Even though things are not done that way, I am believing GOD that my prayers will be answered that way.  I sought out strong believers who prayed  with me, believed with me and encouraged me. They gave me sound advice and real world scriptures to stand on.  At this point is why I am blogging this title.  A few people have come across my path with their lack of faith that GOD can do such a thing.  It amazes me that we can have strong faith in man-made things, ideas, concepts,  and such, when it is GOD that causes man to make things,  have ideas,  come up with concepts and such anyway. Does it become legit when we take GOD out of the process?  Well, I want to believe that I can do all things through Christ, living  inside me and that no thing is impossible.  Christ said so himself and I choose to believe that.  So since I am believing Him,  GOD has caused all things to work together for good (Rom 8:28).  As I believe my new, debt-free vehicle will soon manifest  (no it is not going to fall out the sky), GOD has caused many blessings to come my way in some strange ways.  People are willing to help, offering me rides here and there, taxicabs have reduced fares, buses have waited when they should have long since left , several times in serious situations not of my doing, I was offered to be driven to locations by law enforcement personnel, (no, not to jail  lol),  fellow travelers have spoken enthusiastically and helpfully when info was needed fellow walkers are always cheerful and joyful at having a companion to walk & talk with.  PEOPLE ARE NICE!!  Here and now I am reminded  of something Paul said that I seem to be walking in right now. He said in Philippians 4: 11-12 "what so ever state I am in , I can adjust and be content...I know how to be abased and abound or have a lot, or be in need and suffer want" (author's liberal paraphrase) " I can do all things through  CHRIST which strengthens me". That is more truer now in this season in my life than at any time prior.  Having to do things in a newer and different way can have an effect on you.  It is up to you as to how the effect, effects you.  Positively or negatively. choose.  I have always looked on the brighter side of things my whole life anyway so I am going to take it in stride.  The cup is half full in my opinion.  Lemons ? = Lemonade  Count the rainbows rather than gripe about the rain.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel,  clouds have silver  linings, it could have been so much worse.  You get the picture here reader?  Your viewpoint on any situation can determine so many things, especially how many points on the blood pressure cuff.  It is hard in the " hard place".  That is why it is called the "hard place".  Further down in that same chapter in verse 19,  Paul goes on to say " But my GOD shall supply all your need according to  HIS riches in GLORY  by THE ANOINTED ONE".  Another well quoted scripture that I can say is more truer now than ever. Through this time of 'vehicle challenge' (let's call it lol), I am seeing some of the provisions of GOD front and center.  Even in the "hard place", GOD'S goodness comes into the picture blazing like a polishing fire.  Yes,  I could go to the car lot and choose one and go through the accepted/ approval/car payment route  (I have not ruled that out), that too is an option.  I want the guidance I an praying for, to guide me, whichever way I go.   Most of the past decisions  about important things in my life  have turned out negatively for one  reason only.  I did not seek GOD'S wisdom in the matter.  When He guides me, things turn out well.  GOD is good to me, yeah even while I am using "mike &Charlie" He still good, trustworthy, faithful and loyal .   It is easy to trust GOD when all is well, things are flowing as they should,  the sun is shinning, and balloons are everywhere.   But what about the other end of the spectrum.  Can I trust GOD when the rain is falling, the flow is blocked, and all the balloons have popped.  What about when all is NOT well?  It is in these times that I learn a lesson from my friends Job and David.  To sum it:  There is no where else to turn but to GOD and TRUST HIM, period!  Jesus said "HAVE FAITH IN GOD", so there is the answer for me.  I will believe that HIS promises are true.  He didn't have to say any of this, but HE did and HE is GOD ALMIGHTY so I will HAVE FAITH IN GOD, it is not optional.  Blessings on GOD'S people!!
Mark 11:22-24, John 14 :13-14, 1John5 :14-15, 1John3: 21-22,  Luke11:9-10, John 16:23, Matt.18:19, Matt.21:22.  Jesus is LORD!

HERE WITH YOU...... GOD'S DWELLING PLACE

When one of Jesus' disciples asked Him how he would manifest Himself to us and not to the whole world(John 14:22), Jesus gave a clear and precise answer.  That answer has been  GOD's way since the beginning,  it has never changed. GOD is faithful, and when HE said something, through which-ever mouth piece HE used, It became truth. GLORY!! All through time, since the beginning, when THE ALMIGHTY said, "Let there be.......", His plan was and is to be HERE WITH YOU. Like an expectant father-to-be, HE got to work to create a place for the new arrivals, HE knew there would be many. HE knew the end from the beginning (Isa.46:10), and HE planned concisely (It first took 7 days and later another 3 days) to create, maintain, supply, love and adore, provide, save, redeem, forgive, heal and indwell HIS beloved creation.  From Adam to Noah, God was HERE WITH THEM. When things seemed to go opposite of GOD's plan,  HE told Noah what HE planned to do next, and that plan went into motion (Gen.6:8-).  The whole creation was involved in GOD's detailed plan, GLORY TO GOD!!!  When 'part 2' of GOD's plan came into existence, HE began to speak  to HIS human creation and move forward (Gen. 12).  Abraham believed GOD  no matter what his circumstances said. Sarah, (Abe's wife) saw humor in GOD's plan for her, but she too believed (Gen.18:9-15).  GOD was  HERE WITH THEM as HE spoke it into them, both physically and Super naturally (Gen.18:1-15).  Fast forward several generations into the 12 tribes to Moses, when God told him to bring HIS chosen people up out of bondage in Egypt.  HE was with Moses Super naturally (Ex. 3). HE indwelled the burning bush and the Holy mountain to communicate with Moses and HIS people.  Soon HE told Moses to build HIM a Tabernacle where HIS Presence could dwell in or be  HERE WITH THEM.  PRAISES!!!HE gave precise directions about the construction of the Tabernacle and all of it's items for the inside.  GOD put on the architect and an interior designer's hat to do so (Ex.25). Glory to GOD!! HE said to Moses,' that is where I will meet with you. This sanctuary is where I will be with you'.  Prior to this, GOD went with them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night  as they traveled through the wilderness and in the desert. HE was HERE WITH THEM.  Glory to GOD!!! The Ark of The Covenant traveled with them as they inhabited the promise  land.  That mercy seat was a powerful force for them when they needed it and a compassionate, grace - filled place,  spewing GOD's loving  presence  and HIS abundant mercy at the same time.  Later, King David (2Sam.5), became GOD's beloved and HE indwelled David so much, that David sang songs in all events (good or bad) of life and danced in the HOLY SPIRIT until his clothes fell off his body (2Sam.6:12-16).  Wow!!  David  FELL IN LOVE WITH GOD EVERYDAY, and he didn't care who knew it.  PRAISES!!  In the grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness of GOD,  HE told David that someone from his house would always sit on the throne.  Beloved son of David, Solomon ,was chosen  to be the next king and what a heart for GOD he had. He must have inherited it from his father, David.  GOD  hand picked Solomon, (like David),to build HIS Temple, and what a fine job he did! He laid it out!!! The finest of everything; gold, brass,  silver, candlesticks, all the instruments, all the altars  even the doors were made of the finest of pure gold.   It was a sight to behold (2Chron.3,4,5)!! The dedication was a huge ceremony and feasting and partying that lasted many days as they brought The Ark in from the City to dwell in the Temple. GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!!! HERE WITH THEM!!  The joy that must have filled that atmosphere, HALLALUJAH!! Solomon prayed a prayer so honest and heart - felt, so filled with intercession for a people that might fall short (2Chron.6:12-42) , that GOD immediately answered with what would happen ' if my people, which are called by my name.....'(2Chron.7:14)  In verse 16, GOD clearly says that HIS Name and HIS Heart shall be there forever!! HERE WITH THEM!!   HIS plan all along was to be HERE WITH US. OUR DWELLING PLACE.  So now, all through time HIS plan has continued.  This dwelling place has now taken the form of HIS Only Begotten SON whom HE  sent to this place for us.  The plan has not changed, but the Temple has gone through many renovations, if you will. The desert dwelling place has changed  into  a inhabited, beating heart inside a body made from the dirt, us.  HE is  HERE WITH YOU!!!  GOD sent HIM through the body of the Virgin.  We just celebrated HIS Birthday,  as we call it Christmas.  What a Gift from GOD we were given (2Cor.9:15).  GOD said all who confess HIM with their mouth and believe/receive HIM in their hearts will be saved to live eternally with HIM in Heaven (Rom.10:9-13).  Since we may have a ways to go down here, before we go to Heaven,  HE promised to be with us down here (Matt.28:20,Mark 16:19-20).   So the disciple asked Jesus how would He manifest Himself to us and not to the world? (John14:22). His answer was precise: "All who love Me will do what I say and The FATHER and I  will come  and live inside each one...."(John 14:23 nlt)  WOW!!!   What a dwelling place!   HERE WITH ME!!  Jesus knew that everyone would not be in that category.  We were given free choice in this body (Deut. 30:19).  THANK GOD for that!!  Some may not choose HIM,  (go figure  ?) v24.  HE said, "I came  so that they can have life,  more abundant, but there is a thief and he came too" (John 10:10 )( author's paraphrase).  Make a choice. HE made the choice to come for us and call us HIS (John 17:10-14). As we celebrate Christmas, THE BIRTHDAY OF THE KING, we can know HIM as our own Dwelling place.   From Cloud and Pillar of  Fire, to Tabernacle, to Temple and or Sanctuary to finally the heart of man/woman/boy/girl,  HE is HERE WITH YOU.  Not the blood pump heart, no, the spirit man heart, GOD breathes the breath of Life into each one of us,  that heart.  That is the Dwelling place in us.  We can stay connected to the ONE  who claimed us as HIS. John 15:4-10.  HE will be HERE WITH YOU,  GOD's DWELLING PLACE in us.  GLORY TO GOD.  BLESS THE LORD  O MY SOUL!!!.    JESUS  is LORD!!              John 14,15, 16, 17, Psalm 91, Psalm 1. 
         GOD'S BLESSINGS AT ALL TIMES ON EACH OF YOU!!

THANK YOU GOD!!!!

Most of us were raised to say please and thank you when someone does something nice for us. Usually it is something that has pleased us in some way and it displays a level of thoughtfulness and a measure of kindness.  Thank you reader for taking a bit of your precious time to read  THE CHASER  and hopefully be enlightened by it. There are many things you could use your time for, so thanks for reading.  God's blessings upon you and your loved ones!  This post is all about THANKING GOD for the wonderful things He has done in my life and the trials and troubles He has brought me through.  THANK YOU GOD, for choosing me to write a blog that tells of you and the unending love you have for your people (Ps.26:7, Ex.3:11,Is.52:7,8,9).  Who am I GOD?  That is the question I asked each time you gave me the words to write and your answer was always the same (Philip.2:13,Philip1:6). THANK YOU GOD!! Where would I be without the health and strength you wake me up with each day? One of the many benefits of waiting on you GOD (Is.40:29-31). THANK YOU GOD!! Over 5 decades of age, GOD I have needed and depended on your forgiveness and love.  It is impossible to walk perfectly down here. I have tripped up and fallen many times... BUT GOD!!(Ps.23,Ps.103:3-4,Rom.8:35-39,Ps.139).THANK YOU GOD!!   Each and every time that I have called out to you for healing for myself or others, you answered and showed your mighty hand in the circumstance.  At times when the doctors had done all they could humanly do, YOU stepped in(Ps.107:19-21,Ps.118:17,Is.53-4,5,Matt.8:2-3,16-17). THANK YOU GOD!! My how you have been patient with me GOD!! I have cried out to you countless times for countless issues.  It wasn't a pretty sight much of that time.  Think endless tears, snot mixed with runny make-up and hair going in every direction. That maybe a good word picture description. But GOD there you were with arms wide open and willing (Jer.29:11-14,Ps.91, Heb.4:14-16,Prov.4:20-24,Ps.27:14,Ps.46:10,Gal.6:9,Heb.10:36).THANK YOU GOD!!  The help that came as a result of all that and coming boldly to the throne of GRACE, was and still is amazing to me. You HOLY FATHER are my ULTIMATE SOURCE!! (Is.41:10-13,John 14:16,27, Is.50:7,Deut.31:6,Ps.121:1-2).  THANK YOU GOD!! You picked me up, dried my tears, telling me 'I got this'(author's paraphrase), binded my wounds, loved me tenderly and completely, carried me and renewed me.  Talk about blessings!!! Many times over these days-months-years, your mighty hand has shown its strength  and power in my existence. GLORY TO GOD!! You have provided for me, sustained me, blessed the path and lit it up as I traveled it.  Even in the worst of times, GOD, you caused it to turn and fit your plan (Deut.28:1-14, 1John4:4,Rom.1:16-17,Rom.8:26,28, Ps. 16:11,Prov.4:18, Philip.4:19).  Scripture says: The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and adds no sorrow with it  (Prov.10:22). Creator of HEAVEN and EARTH, THANK YOU for blessing me daily and loading me up with your benefits (Ps.68:19). THANK YOU GOD!! How great thou BLESSED FATHER are to me  MOST HIGH!!!  And the joy of your presence is too good.  I'm never alone even when no one else is near, because Your HOLY SPIRIT PRESENCE is in, on, over and around me. How wonderful it is to have  that sweet existence, THANK YOU GOD!! BLESS THE NAME OF GOD ALMIGHTY!! I thank you daily, as long as I have breath, my heart will be a carrier of your love and with gratitude in-grained constantly reminding me of you and the great love you have for me.  THANK YOU for never letting go of me, always being closer to me than my skin, my bones, and the breath in my flesh, deeper than the blood that flows through the veins you made for that purpose, GLORY TO GOD!!  (What an awesome ENGINEER you are GOD!!) Is.55.  THANK YOU GOD!!! PRAISE YOUR HOLY, POWERFUL, MIGHTY, MATCHLESS, MIRACLE-WORKING, WONDER-WORKING, SWEET, GLORIOUS, UNCHANGING,MERCIFUL, LOVELY, BEAUTIFUL, SPLENDID, MARVELOUS NAME!! Se'lah!! You are a GOOD, GOOD GOD!!  IN JESUS NAME,  AMEN.    1John,  Isaiah 53, 54, 55, Hebrews 2, Romans 8, Psalm,139, John 15, Psalm 63, Psalm 145.

MUSIC: WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT MUSIC? WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT A SONG?

First line of one of my favorite songs from back in the day when I use to party hearty in the enemy's camp. Don't you just love music? Music that reaches inside you down to your soul and puts you into that place. That place that makes you want to Praise and Worship the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, THE ALMIGHTY GOD,  CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH AND ALL THINGS. When you are in church on Sunday and the Praise/Worship  is happening and it is all about GOD, can't you just feel in your spirit that GOD is there? The Bible says that HE inhabits the praises of HIS people.  Don't you want that encounter everyday, not just in church on Sunday or Wednesday, but all the time, everywhere? I  do. So  I prayed about it and talked to GOD(Prov.3:5-6). The Proverbs state: Wisdom is crying out everywhere, even in the street corners, city gates, high/low places,  everywhere(Prov.1:20-22).  Where ever I am, I am purposefully putting myself in praise/worship mode. I maybe unable to sing at the top of my lungs as I would like (lol) but inwardly I am there.  Not because of what I have or don't have, but because GOD is a good, good FATHER to me. HE loves me!!  I want HIM to know that I am constantly praising HIS Holy name.  The Word said to make a joyful noise unto the LORD all the lands.  come into HIS presence with gladness and singing (Ps. 100). How powerful praise is!!  It's liken to the times when you get a great compliment about something and how you feel on the inside about that compliment.  That is a similarity, not exact. Kick that feeling up 1000 percent and we come close to a better understanding.  Praise is good for us, but it blesses GOD when it is heartfelt to HIM (Matt.15:8). GOD looks on the heart after all, outward-ness means nothing (1Sam.1:6-7)  as it does to people. We have all sorts of great reasons to Praise/Worship GOD.  Just because HE is GOD is good enough, but let's go farther and talk about the benefits package we have as a result of making JESUS Lord.  GOD heals, forgives, redeems, satisfies, puts lovingkindness, tender, new, and unlimited mercy on us (Ps.103). HE gave us righteousness as a gift and an abundance of grace (Rom.5:17). Isn't that wonderful? Doesn't that make you want to Praise GOD right now?  Go ahead!! Let it go sweet thang,   Praise GOD!!!! He is worthy to be Praised 24/7 even in the desert and wilderness of life (Is. 51:3)  I find myself in constant praise mode: at home, at work, in the car, at the store, in the city, in the country, going and coming.  My car is the    rockin-est sanctuary  there is. I have a time worshipping and driving and the keeping of-  the- hands -on- the -steering- wheel thing you have to do while driving.  No worries, I have not ever had a crash, THANK YOU JESUS!!  Praising GOD takes me into a realm outside myself  where GOD is and lifts me into HIS heights. GLORY!!  Suddenly it is  not about me and my issues  any longer. They seem tiny in comparison to the JOY that comes from Worship.  They still exist , they aren't magnified anymore.  I once thought they were so huge and overwhelming.  Guess what?  Not to GOD!!! All things are possible with GOD.  HIS Word tells us to rejoice always (Phil.4:4). That means at all times.  In the sunny and rainy days,  the high and low moments, through the joy and pain of life. When I am in pain, whether physical or emotional, I don't feel much like rejoicing!  Those are the times I cry out (loudly) to GOD and honestly say I don't feel like rejoicing at this moment in time. And GOD knows and cares and understands. HE is our FATHER and loves us!  There are times when the comfort of the Holy Spirit is the only source that can bind a wound. I know 'bout that.  That sweet meditation of GOD and HIS goodness makes me want to sing HIS praises to HIM as long as I live (Ps.104:33-34). I just can't help it music puts me in that mode.  Bless the LORD oh my soul!!!  From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, GOD'S name is to be praised,  GLORY TO GOD!!!  Ps.113. The Bible tells us to Praise  GOD  with every kind of musical instrument and the dance.  I like that!  Back in the day, I would leave the club just before daylight,  partying hearty, staying on the dance floor, booty shaking, rump throwing dancing. ( Today it is known as twerking)Party- over- here- type of thing. That was  in the enemy's camp then.  Now I shake it up a different way  and it's all about THE MOST HIGH!!!! I get my groove on now, wherever, for GOD.  My car be bouncing down the road cause Toby Mack done took me there with "feeling so fly" or "feel it" or "supernatural high" and then  Switchfoot is hitting the beat with " love alone" or  "say it like you mean it", or  " breathe it in"  just to name a few. Then there is  the Hippest Radio station sold out to GOD and HIM only,  AIR 1. Find it on your radio or computer.  It is  'bout it, 'bout it'.  Music helps but if I aint got no music,  I make up songs to GOD.  Look for my original sound track  of: "You are there, I am here" soon. It will win me a Dove, I prophesy (lol).  Just reach down inside and let the meditation of your heart come out as a song. If that meditation is of GOD it will sound like you are a songstress to the ALMIGHTY.  So what would we do without a song?   Look on the inside and make one up!  To HIM alone be PRAISE/WORSHIP!!  God Bless You  Reader!
Psalm 100,  Psalm103, Psalm 150, Phil.4, Romans 5,  Psalm104,  Psalm113.  Jesus is LORD!!

LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDID THING

Love,  love,  love! What a great thing Love is.  No wonder GOD gave  commandment concerning LOVE and it is  the first fruit in the Fruit of the Spirit indwelling  every spirit - filled believer. (John 15:12, 17, Gal. 5:22)  I remember when I was a small child,  mama use to watch a soap opera on t.v. called  LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDID THING.  For those that don't know or have never heard of a soap opera, it is a t.v. program that follows the day to day life and events of characters that resemble our own lives.  Some popular and well known soaps you may have heard of are: All my children,  Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital in the daytime and at night: Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing,  Dallas - 'reloaded' etc. All these soaps had a theme usually referring to a love situation,  a family situation,  a business situation,  some major problem that weaved a financial thread through it.  LOVE was always involved, some sort of way. As I became an adult,  I watched soaps,  and I got hooked to many especially the nighttime ones.  Dallas and J.R were my favorites.  But I recently  began thinking back to  LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDID THING. I don't remember anything about it , but the title,  and that is what I chose for this blog, the title. When I think of how much GOD loves me  (us) and the wondrous ways HE shows that never ending,  never changing  LOVE it makes me  grateful that I can be LOVED like that,  even through all my faults and failings.  What is amazing in this season of my life is how GOD binds my wounds and  reveals the inner healing right in front of my face. Having gone through a few years of constant set-backs (can you imagine?), GOD has repeatedly shown through it all that HIS LOVE covers it all. I'm particularly amazed at this season right now.  Twice, so far, miraculous events have occurred in my sphere, where I have said out loud, 'this has to be GOD's hand because things don't happen this way, from brokenness'.  Not in the natural, but GOD moves Super naturally in any and every situation, and HE leaves His DNA there tell tailing that it is HIM.  This LOVE is SPLENDID and has many facets.  In Romans 8:35-39, it tells of GOD'S LOVE and that nothing can separate or take HIS LOVE from us.  Much will occur, but as HIS chosen generation, HIS holy nation,  HIS peculiar people,  HE has called out of darkness into the  marvelous light,  we are more than conquerors  through HIM that LOVED us (1Pet.2:9).  Super naturally, GOD has caused my heart to move in a direction I wouldn't  have thought possible.  When I realized it, (which took some doing to even be aware of) I could have turned a cart wheel (that right there would have been a miracle lol). It made my heart leap inside my chest!!!  I began to smile bigger, rejoice longer, with gratitude, praise for revealed, in-your-face, awesomeness!! LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDID THING!!!  1John 4: 16-19 became clear as a glass of clear, water fall water.  To know and believe GOD'S LOVE, that GOD is LOVE and with HIM on the inside (John 14:23)  of me (us) this perfect LOVE destroys fear which has its own posse of tormentors and destroyers.  I am empowered by this perfect LOVE, GLORY!!!  In 1Cor .13:7 it states that LOVE bears, hopes, believes, endures all things. Let me testify right now that I have in the past and still do all that bearing, hoping, believing, and enduring in my life. Not by my might or strength,  but by GOD'S power.  1John4:4.  GOD doesn't love halfway either.  HE is a: all in,  full tilt,  turbo charged,  electrified,  magnified,  bring it,  any distance,  in your face,  no fear here,  just do it,  Bam,  whoop, there it is,  can't touch this,  watch me,  but GOD,  look at GOD,  I know that's right,  booeyow, kind of GOD. WOW!!!!  The bump, bruises and scars, testify of GOD'S amazing Grace  and new, Mercy and Goodness HE   slathers on me daily without measure.   His LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDID THING. It's astounding to me cause I want to be able to  LOVE like that.   I am a work in progress, lol.   When I find myself on the receiving end of this Great LOVE, the results mesmerize me.  At this point in time,  I am walking in the clouds cause it has such a tremendous effect on me.  It is like something you thought was over and done with,  brought back to life again, re-loaded, part 2, next level, come again kind of thing, what, what!!  The phrase "Glory to GOD" takes on new meaning.  I can't say what will happen in the future,  cause I didn't know any of this when I was going through those constant set- backs I spoke of earlier.(Joseph's story comes to mind right here).   All I know and still know is GOD'S ways are higher than my ways and HE has a great plan for me.  To HIM be ALL  Glory, Honor, and  High Praise. AMEN.  Jesus is still LORD.                        Jeremiah 29, 1John4,  John 14, 1Cor. 13,
                                           Romans 8.

UNDER RE- CONSTRUCTION.....WHAT'S NEW?

For over a year, close to 2 years, a large road area near my once small hometown has been under construction. That might not be interesting news, but because this construction is happening in, near, and around one of the largest and busiest army bases,travel has become quite a challenge. This small town is becoming a booming metropolis, slowly and deliberately. So I will look at this issue with a Spiritual eye and explore what this means to a believer such as myself. First when you see those orange, red and yellow signs that tell the driver what is happening to the road, as you drive anywhere from 35mph to what ever the posted speed limit is, usually puts a pit in my inward parts. You maybe familiar with that feeling you get fellow driver, when traffic is backed up and you are  in it. The signs that say things like: one lane ahead, merge right, merge left, detour, road closed, and my absolute favorite, the sign that the gentleman holds that has slow on one side and stop on the other side when there is one lane ahead. He usually has a walkie- talkie to communicate with his co-worker a half mile down the road to tell him when the coast is clear to let his side of the backed up traffic proceed. You can hear why that is my favorite, I'm usually at the stopped part of his sign, 50 or 60 cars deep with a half of tank of gas that disappears very quickly in these conditions. Yeah, I am excited as I write this, can't you tell? Thank God my car is my sanctuary of praise and worship unto God!!!Well that is the road conditions due to something new being constructed. So far, the newly re- constructed roads now take you in 3 different directions instead of 1. Oh yeah  there are now new bridges in which you can drive on top of or underneath,  take your pick. The new road is now considered an expressway or highway where as before re- construction it was a mere road. It grew up I suppose. You can go faster legally now due to the upgraded status. During this re- construction, traffic was terrible. Getting into my once small home town to get to my home,  feels like bumper to bumper, inch by inch traffic movement I remembered when I use to live in a REAL metropolis, NYC years ago. However this post is not about traffic headaches and those construction projects. As I look at all the newness this construction work  has accomplished thus far, I am taken to a few Scriptures the Holy Spirit is making me aware of and God's" re- construction" project in my own life. 2Cor.5:17 says if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, look all things have become new. I am constantly seeing the new things God is doing in my existence. He is so purposeful and that is why the new has His signature. No human being can accomplish this. I love that when God moves supernaturally, no person, place, or thing can claim credit; glory belongs only to God. Like those road construction projects I spoke of, there use to be trees, a road, even a small neighborhood (3 mobile homes), a couple of restaurants, gas stations all removed to make room for the new that has come. And so for God's "re- construction" project, old things were removed to make room for the new. It wasn't easy or fast. It took time.  The fruit of the Spirit, patience,  was in full force. Like wise old things had to be removed, sometimes at a painful cost or even unexplainable at first. Remember Joseph in the old testament. What his loving brothers did to him was unthinkable and unimaginable. But when all was said and done, God had a purpose in that re- construction project and you know what came from it. Being in Christ,  is,  in my opinion, the most important part of that scripture, because doing so causes the process of "re- construction" to be endurable. Similar to traffic headaches, it can be hard and difficult. You know what Philip.4:13 says;  I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Being in Christ and Faith makes that true and real.  Anyone means just that, anyone. Read 2Cor. 5:17 carefully and take each word literally, God wants us to. He said so all through the scriptures, He is doing a new thing. Isaiah 42:9 is what a minister friend has been teaching me and I can clearly see this in my own life as well as in our existence.  Read it and see how the former things have come and gone and new things are in our midst. God tells us He will tell us of them before they happen .GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!! Remember my post entitled: Good Listeners...Obedience is better than Sacrifice? Listen with spirit filled ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God's people. Jesus said, as the Good Shepherd,  during His earthly ministry, "my sheep know my voice and another voice they will not follow". He said He will send the Holy Spirit that will speak only what He hears and show you things to come.(John 16:13) Guess who He ( the Spirit of Truth) is listening to? You guessed it right reader, God Himself!!  Our Father in Heaven knows everything especially things to come, new things. He said He would tell us of them. Thank You God!!!  Scripture tells us that He tells the prophets first (2Peter 1:19-21). So what's new? Where old things once existed, new things have replaced them. Some you see  with natural sight, some with spirit filled eyes of faith. God will use whatever He so chooses to tell the matter. Old testament prophets spoke God's word to the people constantly. Jeremiah wept as God's Word fell on deaf ears.  Ecclesiastes 10:20  makes me so aware that all the creation has a voice. This scripture is informational and says that even the birds can tell the matter.  WOW!! So this "re- construction" project in my own life is similar to that of the road construction that is happening in the natural in my neck of the woods. New and improved roads have come out of this project. It was stressful and time consuming when it came to driving in and through these conditions. Patience was required for sanity's sake, and old things that were familiar do not exist any longer.  Like wise, new and improved areas of my life have emerged from the "re- construction" project God began. From the old, new areas an improved ways to reach a variety of destinations. Being in Christ, I can see what GOD is doing and how He is leading. He WILL have His way, and in Christ, I can endure. New things constantly emerge as I travel the road daily. Look at your life dearest reader and see what GOD has "re-constructed". Our world and creation itself is also being "re-constructed". Is it me or is the sun brighter, warmer and larger? Is not the sky bluer, whiter, more colors than before are up above our heads, clouds seem puffier and larger? The moon looks bigger and brighter, stars are twinkling brighter and more of them, it seems. Creation seems to be singing a praise melody to the Creator Himself,  GOD ALMIGHTY!! Could these be signs such as those road signs I talked about earlier?  Saying something we need to hear. Of course these are all my personal opinions and observations about the creation my GOD placed me in and said take dominion.  In doing so, I stand in awe at what is happening. Perhaps out of this "re-construction" project, comes forth the new song of praise in my mouth (Ps. 40:3) and the new command Jesus gave in John 13: 34-35 to love one another as He has loved us He said that is how the world will know we are His, by the love we have one to another. So much  can come from reconstructing old things, such as the new covenant the Hebrew writer spoke of in Hebrews 8: 8-13. Read and see that the new thing which came from the old thing, made the old thing decayed and vanish away. Finally, I can say that the new re-constructed roads are better in terms of traffic. The flow seems to go smoothly.  Out of chaos in the beginning of reconstruction comes several smooth, flowing  highways that makes travel pleasant.  I can testify that from GOD'S "re-construction" project for me, chaos came and from that, smooth, flowing newness.  A change that I myself am adjusting to and it is wonderful. Walking by FAITH not by sight. Like Joseph in the old testament, that reconstruction had a purpose that wasn't known until much later. The purpose was a powerful one an only GOD could accomplish it!! HIS way are higher than ours.  Blessed are GOD'S people!!   JESUS IS LORD!!!! Isaiah 42: 8-12, Isaiah 43: 18-21,Isaiah 55 :8-13, Isaiah 61.