GOOD LISTENERS........(OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE)

Everyday since time began. we can see how everything The Almighty, Powerful, Most High GOD'S creation continues to listen and be obedient to His 1st instructions He gave back in the day in the beginning when The Holy Scriptures say He said, "Let there be". That statement can be made in truth by anyone and everyone even though we who are alive presently were not there when He said it 'in the beginning'. The Word said, "in the beginning GOD created the Heaven and the Earth'. It goes on to talk about the condition of the Earth, being formless, void, empty and darkness ruled, until the Spirit of GOD moved and changed things. When GOD spoke, things took shape. Prior to Him speaking, the condition was non-existent. His very words released from Him began to put things in the state He wanted.  Remember in the New Testament when the Centurion said to Jesus,' just speak the Word from where you are  and my servant will be healed'(Matt.8: 5-13).  That too was GOD speaking those things into reality.  (Sometimes I digress, it is a flaw of mine lol)  I felt called to blog about the creation itself  being a good listener and obedient to the Creator.  From day 1, this formless non- existent empty darkness heard the Voice that would command its change and the darkness would obey and become what was said.  So day 1, day, night and time became and listened and obeyed and came into existence. Day 2, the sky  became and listened and obeyed and came into existence. Day 3, the  land, seas, trees, vegetation became listened and obeyed and came into existence. Day 4, the seasons, years, sun, moon, stars, became and all listened to the Creator obeyed  and came into existence.  Day 5, with His creativity and Power-filled Words, GOD began to populate His Creation with sea creatures, whales, fish, birds all things that swim and fly. These things became and listened and obeyed their Creator and came into existence. All things being good listeners and obedient to the Voice that called forth its existence. Day 6, The Great and Mighty GOD of all Creation was not finished and called into being all animals, everything that creep, crawled, ran, or walked.  This Love and Compassionate Mighty GOD of all things also created man in His image.  GOD gave man dominion over His Creation and said, "be fruitful and multiply".  All these creations listened and obeyed GOD's Voice and HE was pleased with what He  had done.  I imagine in my limited human mind that GOD sat back after all His creating and looked at all this beauty  that He made come from empty, formless, darkness and smiled with pleasure.  He must be well pleased.  Everything  He spoke, became, listened and obeyed. Since then (and GOD alone knows the age of this earth, all else is a scientific guess) all the things that He spoke have continuously obeyed and did as He said when He 1st said "Let there be". Nothing has ceased or stopped or said 'I'm tired of being, I quit'. No, No, No!   Day, night, time are still there, the sky is still everywhere, (look into it and see GOD's wonders in it),  the land is still there, all trees, plants and vegetation, all still there, in spite of our attempts  at changing things, grass cutting, tree cutting, building on top of it , landscaping  etc all still there.  Seasons, years ,sun, moon, stars all there each one and at all times. Sea creatures, birds, land animals all still there and being fruitful and multiplying as GOD first commanded.  Man as well, through all living and dying events, man still exist and is fruitful and multiplying.  Obedience from Day 1 forward. How great is our GOD who calls things into existence and NEVER  backs away.  GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!! What would have happened if any of the creation would not have been obedient to its Creator? I don't even want to think about that.  There is a small glimpse of disobedience in 1Samuel 15.  GOD sent Samuel His prophet to anoint Saul to be king over His people Israel.  He was the 1st king  and Samuel said to Saul to listen and obey the Voice of the Lord. He was told to completely destroy all the Amalekites, Israel's enemy. Saul and his mighty army went into battle with GOD at his side and they wipe out the enemy except Saul saved the king and some choice cattle.  GOD was displeased with Saul and sent Samuel back to tell Saul that his disobedience cost him the kingship v23(author's paraphrase).  GOD likens disobedience to rebellion, witchcraft, stubbornness, iniquity, and idolatry.   Man's disobedience in the Garden brought a curse upon creation that only the Spotless blood of a GOD given Sacrifice could restore. (Phillipians2 :1-11)  You reader know this already if Jesus is Lord of your life.  This blog is specifically about the  creation we live in  and its obedience to  the Creator that created everything and everyone.  We can learn great lessons from our creation as we dwell in it.  It tells the story, GOD started, each day. Of course the creation is only a part of the Greatness of GOD Almighty. It would take a few lifetimes to put into words  the great, awesome, goodness of The Almighty GOD, if it can be done at all.  Greater ones than this writer have tried.  The attempts all come from a place inside where the spirit (The Holy Spirit and my spirit) meet and agree to try.  So the attempt from this writer is that as you lead, I'll write.  However it comes out, it is of a human heart settled on the TRUTH (John 17:17). So as  I think of the title of this blog,  Good Listeners....Obedience is better than Sacrifice,  the Good Listeners part is befitting  the creation as it continuously obeys its Creator's Voice. For king Saul, his plan to sacrifice the best of the animals from the Amalekites was not what GOD wanted.  Only obedience to GOD's instructions would have been an acceptable choice for Saul to make.  Only ONE sacrifice was good enough for GOD anyway and that Price has been paid.  All else   is useless.  So the obedient part of this title is overwhelmingly important. Being a good listener is instrumental in making obedience happen.  As a parent I can tell you, and you may agree,  that statement is true for child raising.  Even in my job as a substitute teacher, I appreciate it when students listen, obey and follow classroom and school rules. It makes for a successful day of learning and teaching.  As a citizen that loves freedom, obeying the laws of the land means freedom from locked jail bars.  Well worth  obeying!!  Obeying GOD's commandments help us as well. And when we fall short, (as we will down here) there is a redeemer that provides hope.  THANK YOU JESUS!!! Thank GOD He put in place a restorer when we miss the mark. From the foundation of the world,  GOD worked the plan and made a loving decision to be GOD of the obedient and the disobedient.  GLORY!!!  As the wheat and the tares(weeds) parable Jesus taught in Matthew 13:24-30, at harvest time the separation will occur.  Our creation sings its song to us everyday we breathe.  Check it out!!! Its melody can cause your own heart to sing to the GOD of it all! The Almighty GOD!  HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!! Gen.1, Psalm 8, Psalm 148,  Job 38,39, 40, 41.  GOD's Blessings cover this CREATION!!! 

BIGGS, GIGI, AND SAYING GOOD- BYE FOR NOW

Having to say good-bye to a loved one as they make the transition from this life to Heaven is hard and bittersweet all at once. Hard because the loved one has left and their presence will no longer be there. Bittersweet because the memories and the times together are now more valuable than ever and the knowledge that they are truly in a better place than this realm. That alone can bring a peace beyond all understanding.  A strong matriarchal figure of our family recently died.  Aunt Girl was a strong anchor for each member of our large family. She was so much to all of us and more valuable than riches.  Her advice, compassion, concern, love and humor was worth spending time with.  I loved to hear her stories of their childhood.  Talk about fall- out- the- chair from laughing funny. Oh my!! She was mama's baby sister, and the next to last of 8 children Big mama and Big daddy had.  Mama was the first to enter Heaven many years ago and Aunt Girl would always tell me how her death  left them so full of hurt but future focused.  She came to my rescue when I was an early teen and pregnant. When the rest of the family was shocked, ashamed, embarrassed, and unwilling to help, she came and took me to New York City where she lived and raised me and the baby I carried.  Being a NYC public school teacher, she put me in a pregnant girls school so that I could continue my education.  She said, "I'll raise you and the baby and with God's help we will be alright."  We were.  She would constantly feed me with words of encouragement and support helping me to realize that mistakes don't end your life or stop dreams.  At that time, I can't say that I understood everything she was teaching me, but as I became an adult  with children of my own to raise,  I understood those lessons much better.  She was the vessel God used to bring my oldest daughter into this world.  Otherwise I was considering having an abortion.  She did many things in my life and all of our family members lives like that, but for me that will stand out, for all times.  I love her forever.  So we had to say good-bye to her for now and that was hard.  Through this difficult time,  we as a family experienced a wide range of emotions.  Unity, separation, pain, sorrow, discord, joy, bipartisanism, determination, appreciation, division, love, wonder, just to name a few. I will zoom in on just two of these emotions for this post, and they are determination and appreciation.  I can talk a bit about these two emotions  because  Aunt Girl herself spoke of one in great detail when I visited with her last summer (2013) and by phone on previous occasions.  She talked about how much she appreciated having her baby brother to help her.  He did everything for her and with her. Dr. appointments, grocery shopping, errands, he was there for her.  He enlisted the help of his family as well, which is considerable.  A wife and four adult kids.  Aunt Girl had assistance with everything from bringing mail and newspapers in, grass cutting, car washed and maintained, house cleaned, meals prepared, she had a driver to take her wherever she needed or wanted to go.  She had but to say something, and Uncle Joe and Aunt Janice and cousins sprang into action to assist her.  She talked about these events with love, gratitude and great appreciation.  She shared a funny story about the grocery store,  where she tried to run Uncle over with the shopping cart that you sit in and drive.  She had me laughing so hard at her terrible driving and uncle trying to escape, and how shoppers were watching them act like that in the grocery store. She laughed as she recalled it. She would tell me so many things like that and ending it with, "I don't know what I would do without Joe."  I remember saying how glad I was that she had Uncle Joe in her life.  That's where dedication  enters and takes over. Through what had to be tremendously painful for him, finding his baby sister he loved and cared for, deceased.  He dedicated himself to her final arrangements. From the start to the end,  he made sure all arrangements  were what she would have wanted.  He did as he did in her life, he took care of all necessary preparations from the smallest details to the largest.  He must have used the part of his heart that says this is for my beloved  sister , I'm going to  do this right. All who were willing to work together with him did so. He had to do all this through a bleeding, broken and grieving heart, but do it none the less. He was determined and most dedicated to memoralizing his sister. I watched my uncle with love, respect and admiration, because he fixed his heart and could not be moved. I also felt sympathy for him, Aunt Janice and my cousins, cause they were there for her daily and this death hit them first and hardest. My cousins would take care of her needs as well, like their dad,and when this happened they were the first to discover her. I can appreciate and weep with joy when I learned how my 2 cousins, Michael & Anthony did their last act of lovingkindness for her. How hard that must have been for them emotionally but indeed necessary. I have so much respect for them. I love you cousins. (They too lived with Aunt Girl in NYC when they were young). Aunt Girl would be very proud of you 2 young men. She talked about yall all the time. She especially liked yalls family days with the cookouts and the crab boils at her house back in the day. We would talk by phone and she would go on and on and on about it. You could hear the happiness and excitement in her voice over the phone. So much needed doing and my uncle, aunt and cousins did what was needed. I stayed with them at this time and enter Biggs and GiGi. 2 fury members of the family. Biggs is about 20 lbs. of fur, bark and ankle bite. His bark will send you running for cover, until you learn the secret to his heart, DOG BISCUTS!!! For the treat of a dog biscut, my ankles were saved and his ferocious bark ceased. How easy he is to bribe!! Once I was let in on this secret, I made sure to utilize it. He was soon my friend and shared his house with me. He let me pet him a few times and I felt so special. GiGi was a bit different. She is about 15lbs of fur and friendliness. She's a bit timid and gentle. She became my friend instantly and it didn't take a treat to do it although I gave her one each time Biggs got one. Her little face seem to say "I love you even if you don't give me a treat". She was so sweet. My last day there I was packing to leave and return to N.C.,and all weepy and a bit sad. I was home alone and watching a western on t.v. Thinking about Aunt Girl's funeral and our family, I wondered what would happen. GiGi came into the room with me and jumped on the sofa and put her fury little face in my lap. I felt such a peace at that moment, and I said to her "you came to keep me company?' She nuzzled and I rubbed her and thanked her for sharing her house with me. This may sound wierd or strange, but I felt God's presence in the room and a peace I can't explain come over me. Joy filled my spirit. The Scriptures talk about how God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and the weak things of this world to confound the things that are mighty (1Cor.1:27). For me and at that moment, I felt that scripture come alive and put me in another place. A peace place. It has not been too long, but when I look back to Aunt Girl's death and all the events that took place, my memory takes me to Biggs and GiGi. There is a sort of special peace there in that memory. I see and understand much better than before why people value their pets so much. These 2 dogs had a job to do and without complaint, they did what God told them to do. I'll always remember how these 2 dogs made me feel the entire time I was there. And so my family shall once again pick up the pieces and move forward. We all trust God, Jesus is the Lord of our lives and we believe the scriptures. We know we will see our loved ones again in that wonderful, glorious place not of this earth. Until then rest in peace. Thank God for the comfort of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16) each day, but during times like these it is worth more than I can say. The peace that the Holy Spirit brings, Jesus Peace is my fear- slayer. Family we will let God carry us forward with His hope. Let us allow the scriptures and our relationship with God through Jesus Christ carry us daily. I love you all and cherish our times together!! Peace. God bless and keep our family and everyone. John 14, 1Corithians13, 1John4:4,18- 21, Psalm 20, Psalm 23 Jesus is LORD!!!AMEN

THE POWER - FILLED SCHOOL YEAR

We have again come to the end of another great school year. To put a period on this year would be hard to do, without first telling of all the shine, success, victories, accomplishments, and glories, GOD has allowed to happen within my midst.  That may sound a bit selfish,  but this blog is about The Chaser, and HIS GREATNESS, and all that HE allows day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, and at any time by at any time. HE is truly amazing and I am always astounded by the things that HE lets my eyes see and the things HE tells my heart to feel. He is truly Faithful and as the song says  (by Hawke Nelson) "HE never said it would be easy going", but HE did promise to be with me and NEVER leave, no matter what comes. HE is FAITHFUL!!! I can testify to that being true in my life,  as some have departed,  but HE has remained.  Shine for me happened daily as I walked this life's road in somewhat of a state of heartache and sorrow for issues I continually pray about and GOD says 'press on'. The natural me wanted to curl up and give up,  but GOD,  wakes within me,  calling me from the deep (Psalm 42:7-8), commanding HIS loving kindness in the daytime and at night as I sing HIS praise from a thankful and grateful heart.  Each time I was called upon to substitute, (which is how I support myself),  It was GOD alone that caused the day to turn out a success. HE said,   'call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest  not' (Jerm.33:3).  Well HE was and is true to HIS WORD. Success happened not because of anything I did, but because I called out to HIM for help in faith, and HE came and indwelled the situation. Thank GOD!!!  I was blessed daily each time because of Jesus in disguise, Jehovah standing by.  GLORY!!  So at the end of each day, looking back at the events of that day,  I had reason to sing GOD's praises and thank HIM for all that HE had done for me.  HIGHEST PRAISE!!!  I believe, without doubting,  that I AM showed up daily, showed out impressively daily!  HE was (and is) the BEST thing that happens, period! Even when heartache and sorrow seemed to overwhelm me,  I see now, that I was somewhat comatose during those times, cause my human strength was depleted.  Again, I AM took over completely and carried me.  Thank GOD!!!  Those times were particularly painful, and tears became food for me, as I wondered about where GOD was (Psalm 42:2-3).  But as some of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by Barlow Girl goes; 'I believe in the Son (sun), even when its not shinning'.  When GOD is silent,  HE is still moving and being GOD in every  situation at all times, especially in the heartache and sorrow filled times. I held tight to what was and is true and that is I am never alone.  Many times I had to say that through a face full of  tears and snot, (mixed with runny make-up),so much so that I could hardly get the words out, but I always knew it was true.  Hurt hurts even when you know GOD loves and will never forsake you,  just read Job's book or David's Psalms.  Through it all GOD is always there!  HIGHEST PRAISE!!! I am so grateful.  Looking back to all HE accomplished through this school year is truly marvelous!!  Teachers taught successfully and are proud of the students they poured into, students are happy about their hard work all year being a success for them, meeting and exceeding goals they set for themselves as well as  those of their teachers and parents and caregivers, all propelling them forward to the next grade or level in their lives,  moms and dads and caregivers must feel a sense of satisfaction at knowing another school year has come to an end with marked victories and success, administration, executives, and all others can shout a victory shout because they began together reaching towards progress, accomplishment and success and here they are at the end of the school year, and their goals are met.  Glory to GOD ALMIGHTY!!!! GOD is good to us.  Along the way to this end, we met some heartache,  as some of our precious people are no longer with us, they are indeed in that Glorious place where Jesus sits at the FATHER'S right hand.  We can be sure that we will see them again (1Thess.4:15-18) Glory to GOD!!  Until then, we shall remember them fondly and with love.  What a year!!!! As I look back, I see how GOD carried me through everything!  I had so many issues to handle, and yet I remember the concert I was privileged to  go to this year called Winter Jam. It was awesome!! It always is as it happens each year.  But this year was particularly special because I can see how my steps were ordered. It was very moving  during the Newsboys singing  'We Believe" that 10,000 believers joining them in this anthem to the LORD.  I was over taken with the presence of GOD,  I couldn't contain my emotions, as did all those on my row and all over the Crown.  We knew the HOLY SPIRIT was there! HIGHEST PRAISE!!!Much like the day of Pentecost, and we were all on one accord as in Acts 2. Hallelujah!!  GOD is our hope. There is hope right in front of me even when I may not always see it. HE put me in that environment, at that time (March 2014), to call me up, to HIM, and out from my circumstance, to hear what HE is saying. I heard HIM loud and clear!!! I have watched my GOD move mountains, bring the dead back to life, put water and provision in the desert, and bring beauty out of ashes in my life.  HE has brought out beauty from broken ness and that is just the beginning.  I would be writing all day and all night if I got specific about thing after thing GOD has redeemed in my life.   HIGHEST PRAISE!!!  All from a heart that is broken but sold out to HIM.  HE can bring out beauty from anywhere. HE caused dry bones to live and the wind to put breath into them dry bones in Ezekiel 37.  This chapter is filled with GOD'S promises to HIS people. Promises of HIS Spirit indwelling them, restoration, protection, provisions, and cleansing from their past sins. At that concert I told you about, I felt GOD'S Spirit speaking about all this and HIS plans for HIS people. Me. I received this by faith and did as HE said,  'Press On".  Not by might nor by power, but by MY Spirit saith  The LORD of HOST,(Zech.4:6). So these successes  and victories came as a work from GOD, as I said, nothing I did.  HE deserves all the HONOR, GLORY and PRAISE,  Selah.  Thank you GOD for using me, this wrecking ball, broken, sinful- but forgiven, messed up, Georgia/ Carolina girl, wanna-be-diva,  drama queen-of-a woman to advance your plans even a little bit. I'm not worthy but YOU think so. I worship YOU my GOD!!! I LOVE YOU!!!.... GOD bless HIS children, small, medium, and large.  Ps.1, Ps. 4, Ps.9, Ps.42.  Amen.

BECAUSE OF YOU......

It is because of you GOD....

• I am able to see another beautiful day. You give my eyes sight, my body strength, and my inner man hope.  You GOD!!
• I can see over the horizon and forever is over there.
• I can see the dark night with the bright stars shinning in the sky and the moon, causing me to wonder how you make them stay there. You GOD!!
• I believe you cause EVERYTHING to work together for good. I love you GOD!!
• I believe there is a remedy for the pain and hurt that feels like this is it and this isn't it. You GOD!!
• I can look up into the Heavens and know that You are looking at me also. You GOD!!
•  The hurt is momentary, but your love and comfort are constant. You GOD!!
• I have You to hold on to, cause you NEVER let go. You GOD!!
• I can't say about tomorrow, you hold all tomorrows in Your hands. I trust you GOD! You GOD!!
• I can talk to you at all times, anytime, whenever and You value me. You GOD!!
• I can get back up again with your help. You GOD!!
• The sun is bright, the rain is wet, the snow is frozen and the day turns to night and the night turns to day. You GOD!!
• My heart skips a beat, joy over takes me, when YOUR WORD ministers to my soul man. You GOD!!

  All because of You GOD. You go before me and order my steps, light my path, cause movement to happen at Your command. Thank You for bringing me through a very difficult and tough year with tears, joy and peace. Your hedge was around me allowing in what was needed, keeping out what was useless. I'm Grateful. You show me constantly that I am such a mess, but You value this mess of a person. I'm Grateful  Thank GOD You GOD are a REAL GOD!!! I love, need and depend on YOU GOD!! Psalm 9, Psalm 91.

BIKE RIDING WITH DADDY

What an awesome, mighty, all loving, all caring, totally consuming GOD, full of grace and mercy on the inside of me.  He has shown me time after time that He has EVERYTHING in the palm of HIS hands, and that NOTHING is too big for HIM to handle.  Daily I say to myself, "Thank GOD there is REALLY a GOD, cause what would I do without HIM". It looks like so many things are fading away, but what GOD shows me is that HE is never going anywhere and no thing can take HIS place (Romans 8:26-30). What a good piece of understanding that is to me.  Recently, on a day after a rain, where puddles were still visible, but the sun made it a perfect day to be outside, I was running errands.  Taking a few shortcuts to avoid the headaches of traffic, I found myself in a neighborhood where there was very little traffic.  Children were playing outside,  riding bikes, playing basketball and dads were washing their cars, moms were talking to other moms, probably planning play dates or sharing work stories, you know, the suburbs.  And because there was no traffic, kids can ride their bikes in the streets safely.  Well I came around the corner onto this street and I saw what I called a 'feel good picture' of how GOD shows HIS love and CARE for me.  The Bible tells me this also, but I love, love, love it when GOD gives me an example that stays in my sights well past the time that it happened.  There I was driving about 20 mph and as I came around the corner, there was a little girl on her bike, she looked to be about 6 or 7 years old, no training wheels, and dad on his motorcycle with little jr. on the back.  Jr. looked to be about 3 years old maybe, and he was holding on to dad tight, as you could see dads shirt being pulled indicating so.  It was the type of motorcycle you had to lean forward on,  so I couldn't see dad's face and little jr. was leaning forward onto dad and his little legs on each side.  Dad was doing probably 5 mph or less cause the little girl was side by side.  I slowed to a virtual 0 mph and stayed behind them and watched.  I heard a voice inside of me telling me to do so and just observe this sight for a while.  The little girl was pedaling very fast and with what looked like all her might.  She was really doing a good job and it looked like dad was giving her suggestions or instructions riding side by side.  I kept my distance far enough behind them to observe them and yet not make them feel any pressure to hurry or move out of the way. I don't know which part of this scene moved me more; the effort of the pedaling little girl, or jr. holding on to dad so tight and looking a little behind him, or dad's slow, methodical, instructive,  drive side by side to the little girl.  He probably was giving her bike riding instructions, which could have included what to do when a car is approaching.  It was all rather touching and just when my eyes were starting to well up at this sight, the little girl went through a small puddle of water, and I could see dad giving her some instructions, probably telling her how fun it is  to go through puddles, but to hold on and keep pedaling.  Soon they came up to a small hill or incline, and she had to work hard to get up it, she did so  pedaling harder and harder, and dad right beside her giving her instructions and confidence.  He must have been so proud of all the hard work she did.  Such a good job on that big street, with dad so close by and little brother watching and cheering big sister on.  He'll remember that event for a lifetime as he grows.  My mind was thinking all sorts of things as I observed this scene.  I was thinking that this could be the first time she rode her bike without training wheels.  Maybe the 1st time on the big street instead of the driveway or the yard.  Maybe the1st time with dad and brother and dad's motorcycle.  How cool!!  Maybe 1st race between her and dad and she won!! Maybe her 1st water puddle and she made it!! Her 1st hill. Her 1st chance to go fast.  Whatever it was, GOD wanted me to see that this is how HE is towards me.  HE is right beside me in the challenge.  HE is giving me instructions and directions and confidence in all things that may cause fear.  Telling me that I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me (Phil.4:13),  BECAUSE GREATER IS HE who is in me than he who is in this world (1John 4:4)  I have already won the victory,  GRACE has said so.  I watched this scene and replayed it over and over in my brain as I asked GOD what do I need to learn from this.  It came as clear as a piece of glass! You will encounter all sorts of things as you live down here.  This is NOT perfection,  that is reserved for HEAVEN only.   Down here things will happen; people will turn, events will occur, obstacles are on the journey,  but I am right beside you at all times.   Through all times, seasons, events ,happenings, good, bad, indifferent, hot, cold, happy, sad, high, low, mountains, valleys, WHATEVER,  GOD tells me HE IS always there!!  This scene helped me remember that and it also reminded me of a poem someone penned called Footprints.  In it, GOD tells of how HE is the ONE carrying me in the hard, difficult times. I re-read that poem and it is as if GOD is saying "remember this in the hard times".  So at the top of the hill I saw that the way was clear, so I slowly passed this scene (on the left) and I got a brief moment to look into  dad's eyes and give a slight smile.  If I could tell him, I would have said,  he is an awesome dad or caregiver. I let my smile speak for me and this was it.  I was reminded that when the disciples were in the boat, and a storm came, and it was 3:00 in the a.m., that Jesus came walking in (Matt.14:24-33).  He didn't stop the storm, (although HE had stopped the storm by speaking peace to it), this one  HE walked into it and told Peter to come to HIM in it. What is important to me, is that HE came in the middle of the storm, and not moved by it, began to talk in it.  As a result, Peter was able to move in this storm,  whereas before JESUS came, the disciples were fighting waves and fear.  When Peter took his eyes off JESUS, the waves and the fear overcame him and he began to sink.  JESUS questioned his faith as a result of Peter moving his eyes off of JESUS.  Sometimes, things happen and they cause us to take our eyes off of JESUS or take our attention away.  Like the water puddle and the hill that could have taken the little girl's attention away, if dad wasn't there to help her keep her focus.  For me, it happens daily, that my attention is taken in a direction I don't choose, and that is the time fear tries to seep in.  JESUS always gives me instruction or a song, a word picture, a person, something or some situation to bring me back to HIS guidance.  I am grateful to be loved and guided that way.  Even in the silence of GOD, HE comforts.  HE has everything in the grip of HIS hands. HE may or may not stop the storm.  But HE will be there in the midst of it, many times when everyone else has left,  for whatever reason.  I am thankful to GOD especially in these times.  I have heard HIM say to me " I have not brought you this far to let you go.  I have plans for you, and they are good plans (Jer. 29:11)".  Looking over this life that is now over 5 decades old (wow!!), and what I have encountered and survived, it had to be GOD seeing me through.  It had to be, cause my own strength  has long since left me.  I have not been in my own strength or power for quite some time.   But through CHRIST alone,  I can do all things.  If you knew me,  I mean REALLY knew me, and all this life has brought to me, you would probably ask,  how are you even alive or sane?  It is enough to make you think or believe that something HIGHER is in charge.  You would probably say under your breath, "she aint all that, she has to have something bigger in her corner".  Just the family issues alone were enough to make me speak in another language.(lol)  However, greater is HE who is in me than he who  is in the world.  I trust you GOD, cause YOU know it all, (about me)  and YOU still care!! Nothing can separate YOUR great love from me.  Yes JESUS loves me,  this I know,  for the BIBLE tells me so.  Thank you JESUS!!!  JESUS is LORD!!!  GOD bless America!  Romans 8: 35-39.. 

MIRACLE.... RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR FACE!!!

When you witness a miracle, it is hard to keep quiet about it, and I am the type of person that can't keep such wonder to myself any way. That is why I have to share the MIRACLE GOD performed for my family right in front of our face. I have always known GOD for the GREAT KING, MOUNTAIN MOVER, EARTH SHAKER, DELIVERER HE is and now this. It will be a giant task to try and word what has occurred in my family, but here goes. Recently I received a call from my brother that our brother was in the hospital and that he has been there, at that time 8 days, and now he is 'unresponsive' he is in a coma and "we (doctors) have done all we can, get here asap if you hope to see him alive". Well the timing on something like this is never good and I was so unprepared, as we all were. But I did what I knew to do and that is to pray and seek GOD's mercy and of course HIS guidance. I don't know anything else, but to go to THE ONE who hears me when I call, that is all I know to do.  He began to speak softly to my heart and said "get ME to him" . I understood but wondered how was I going to travel to Georgia,  I was unemployed, seeking a job to help me get through the summer months, and my last paycheck was all but spent. So I prayed and things began to come together and we traveled south, not knowing what we would see when we arrived.  God had put together all arrangements from travel, to lodging, and all meals and other expenses associated with long distance travel. I had nothing to contribute, but to show up at the designated spot. I knew HE meant for me to go and take HIM to my brother. He said so and made all arrangements.   We arrived and went to the hospital and our hearts were not prepared for what we saw.  It looked as though we were in time to say final good-byes. My heart ached in my chest as we called out to him trying to wake him. He was on a ventilator and in a coma after suffering a massive seizure in which he chewed his tongue and damaged his throat. His brain was without oxygen and he went into the coma. 8 days when we arrived. He has other life threatening issues we knew of and others we learned while there. It was overwhelming and too big for us to deal with.  We cried. God made it possible for the 3 of us to travel together, my older brother, my beautiful inside and out young adult niece, me.  3 faith- filled people, although we were shaken at the sight of him, as though he were already dead.  But the Bible says we walk by faith NOT by sight (2 Cor. 5:7)so we had to look over what we saw and look up to Jehovah Ropha -He who heals. Soon my brother said "alright lets pray". We held hands around his bed, and each one of us began to pray and cry out to our FATHER IN HEAVEN. One by one we put this crisis in the hands of HE WHO HAS THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS, GOD ALMIGHTY, JEHOVAH ROPHA, THE HEALER.HE said bring ME to him and that is what we did, much like Jairus did when he sought out JESUS in the crowd to bring HIM to his sick, near death, dead daughter (Matt. 9:18-24).As I bent down to whisper into my brothers ear and speak to his spirit, I heard GOD tell me what to say to him: "speak to me from your heart, you can't use your mouth right now, so call me from your heart and I will heal you". He was on a ventilator and in a coma, only a heart can speak under those conditions.  So I told him this and laid hands on him and told him GOD will heal him. We left after a long while and later  that night in my room, I was afraid to sleep, fearing that we would get the "call" that you don't want to get. My faith was strong, but I must admitt, my eyes and what they saw overpowered me. I prayed that night , cried, cried some more and felt sorry for a brother that I should have been closer to, but love nonetheless. The next morning we got a call from the hospital that our brother was awoke off the ventilator and shouting at the staff that he wanted to leave the hospital, NOW!  WHAT?? Are you sure it is our brother, we asked? Get here and calm him down he is raising hell and wants to leave.  We dressed quickly and rushed to Memorial and sure enough he was off the ventilator, cussing up a storm as much as someone with 4 stitches in his tongue and in the back of his throat can cuss. He could hardly talk but we understood what he was saying and it seemed like a different person than just hours ago. Night and Day transformation. The doctors and nurses were as amazed as we were!! We all looked at one another and realized that we all witnessed a MIRACLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR FACES. How good is our GOD?  WHO CAN BRING LIFE FROM DEATH? WHO CAN TURN THE TIDE AROUND IN THE SEA? WHO CAN SAY ARISE AND SHINE, FOR THY LIGHT HAS COME AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAS RISEN UPON THEE? (Isaiah 60:1) I began to go into complete and all consuming worship mode as I praised GOD for HIS GOODNESS, HIS MERCY, HIS AMAZING GRACE, THE LOVINGKINDNESS THAT OVERTAKES US, HIS MIRACULOUS HEALING POWER. Since then each day my brother has gotten stronger and stronger. GOD is working on him from inside, as his nurses would tell us that they heard him cry out to JESUS, and especially the nurse that was on staff when they brought him in, he said to  us that he was almost gone then. He said you was calling Jesus in your sleep last night. So we were in Georgia for 7 days and we had to leave and return to our lives and situations, but as of this posting, my brother has been released from the hospital after 20 days in the hospital : 12 in ICU,  2 days in step-down unit  and 6 days on the floor in his own room.  What a MIRACLE. We watched GOD work this MIRACLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR FACE  and other things happened as well, our family was united and that in and of itself is a miracle of sorts. We saw a side of eachother that we had not known, and we met new  people that were in the family that we did not know. I was overwhelmed on so many levels but the one that brings me to my knees everytime is knowing (with this kind of proof) that GOD HEARS WHEN WE CALL HIM AND HE ANSWERS!!! Jerm.33:3  Praise GOD !!!  GOD BLESS ALL YOUR PEOPLE!!!  JESUS, THE SWEETEST OF NAMES!!!

NEVER (and I do mean NEVER) ALONE

I remember back in Sunday school (when I was a kid) we learned about a few of the Bible's warriors. I first learned of Joseph, Jonah, Joshua,Moses, David and of course Jesus and many others.  Later in life I wondered why they were considered warriors, I'm not sure about some, others it seemed self explanitory. What  is real is that they went through many trials and testings and one thing is for sure, they were NEVER ALONE, even when it seemed so. That has become my mantra for my own life and I have signs from on HIGH to back that up.  We all do, if we can believe and receive them, they are there. The resources I use are vast and a wide range of useful resources to feed on and drink from. I choose a few Scriptures in the HOLY WORD to ground me and provide a firm, solid, steady foundation for me, in this dry, thirsty place, when all hell comes at me. Deuteronomy 30:6-8  tells me not to fear or be afraid, encouraging me to be of good courage and strong cause GOD will not fail me nor LEAVE ME ALONE. I breathe deep when I read that, it revitalizes me knowing that I am not ALONE, HE is with me . That must have helped David as well, particularily when he was without his soldiers. He knew that no matter who comes and goes in his life, whether they were close to him or not, he was NEVER (and I do mean NEVER) ALONE. I have seen the signs God shows me to state HIS case.  I listen to the "positive alternative" radio station, Air 1 and it feeds me good spiritual food through their songs and radio ministry, and one song that is rocking right now is a track from a group called Capital Kings entitled: "You'll Never Be Alone." The words to this song were probably written by GOD himself and is a message to all hearts who will claim it for themselves. I take this message inside and know that I know that GOD is real to me, my life and all the drama that goes with it. Another song on Air 1, is NEVER ALONE by Barlow Girl, both songs have a message that ministers to the heart of the thing. Check it out yourself. The Bible states that GOD uses the foolish things of this world to confound the things that are wise...(1 Corinthians1:27kjv). Perhaps a song on a Christian radio station is one of those foolish things, but it ministers to my spiritman and I receive it, GLORY TO GOD!!! Listen to it yourself and see if it ministers to you as well. The words are powerful and they fit todays "people". I depend on GOD  and I want HIS PRESENCE with me in all that is me so that I am NEVER ALONE (Psalm 33: 20-22). HE uses all sorts of things to let us know we are not alone. For Jonah it was a fish stomach. Think of what GOD could have let happen in that situation, and yet what HE did. The fish knew the presence of God as did Jonah, both were used by HIM.  The Children of Israel were made aware of GOD's presence daily with a cloud and nightly with a pillar of fire. They were NEVER ALONE.  I ask GOD daily for HIM and HE shows up making me know I am NEVER ALONE, even when I walk this walk by myself. (Psalm 71:5). Does that seem strange? For those of us who don't have the crowd around us, the scripture says we have truly placed our hope in GOD, praying night and day for HIS help. (1Tim.5:5). It refers to widows (I am not a widow) but the WORD is for those who are alone. I treasure this nourishing WORD!! Another way that I know personally that GOD answers me, is the weather.  I am not going to get specific about this, it is too personal between GOD and me, but I will say that the BIBLE is true when it says .."the Heavens declare the GLORY of GOD". (Acts 2:19).  I'm grateful GOD!!!!! I am awestruck LORD!!! Jehovah Shammah - meaning The LORD is there, is a sure indication that we are NEVER ALONE (and I do mean NEVER). The babylonian captive children of Israel felt alone and abandonded, forgottened by everyone, maybe even GOD. They were wrong of course, but they had to endure a lot in this captivity and when all was said and done they learned that The LORD was there( Ezekiel 48:35). We too have to endure a lot, but it is soooo important and refreshing to know that we are NEVER ALONE, ever.  Watch for the signs that let you know that you are not  ALONE, they are there for you telling you that you don't walk ALONE, GOD is IMMANUEL, GOD is with us, collectively and individually. Jesus would routinely get  off by himself and pray to GOD- Matt.14:13,23, Mark 1:35, each of those times, describes Jesus as being alone. But look who was with HIM, not the 12, not the crowds,not family or friends,  only GOD!!! Sometimes that is how it has to be, only GOD and me (you). He said in Hebrews 13:5-6,... I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you....I will NEVER abandon you....  Now that is some good drinking right there and a nourishing plate of food to feast on!!!! GOD bless HIS people!!!
Jesus is LORD!!! Phillip.2:11,  1Corint.12:3,  Romans 10:9, Dan. 6:27, Josh. 24:17 Job 7:19, Ps.62:1-2.