“Eternally Grateful”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His One and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

I just thought I’d give glory to my Savior. I love my God so so much because He gave of Himself for me; and, not only for me, but for all. For all those who would believe, and accept Him.
When I think of Him though, all I feel is shame. Shame at myself. Shame for not living a life totally pleasing to Him. He loves me so much that He would lay down His life to save me. And what do I give Him in return?? Unfaithfulness. Doubt. Pride. A stubborn heart. And yet again… unfaithfulness. I am ashamed at myself for not always giving my 100%. It’s what He deserves! I couldn’t live, if it weren’t for Him. I wouldn’t breathe, if it weren’t for Him! I couldn’t see another beautiful bright sunny day… if it weren’t for Him.
Who do you think we’d be without Him? Where would we be without Him?? We could not live if He didn’t give us life. We could not breathe if He didn’t give us breath. We owe our lives to the Life giver! We owe our future to the Promise giver! We are eternally in debt to the one who Saved us; to the one who Loves us.
I could not live one more day without giving Him my gratitude. I dare not take another breath without honoring my King. I am eternally grateful because when I had nothing, He gave me all. Before my existence, He knew my name. He destined me for royalty. I can be nothing less… cuz my daddy, He’s a King! I am eternally grateful. No longer in shame, I bless His name. I am eternally blessed. I am a daughter of a Mighty King. A daughter, His royalty. I am His little princess, no less I can be. I am eternally His… serving His majesty.
No longer does sin abound in me. Those chains were loosed and now I am free! He loves me, I know that indeed. He’s proud of His little girl. His princess, that’s me.

…yeah, that’s me!

"Even You"

So anyway, here I am, sitting at my desk, thinking.

About what you ask? Well, everything! I’m thinking about everything, especially about my family and friends.

Like I was telling someone not to long ago, “I feel like I’m loosing everyone.” I’ve been feeling very lonely lately. I suppose she didn’t think this included her, since it was her who I was talking to. But yes, it included her. Anyway, I didn’t think she’d pick up on it. You’d have to be paying close attention. ::sigh::
I suppose I shouldn’t expect to have a large amount of people in my life since I don’t go out and meet more people anyway. It just feels like time is flying… yet going so slow at the same time. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. And so is Christmas. You know, “The Holidays.”

Anyway, I’m not going to dwell on this too much. I know I’ll be alright. I guess I just have the “Holiday Blues.” Yup, the times when you miss the family members you don’t get to see (in my case, all of them), and when you miss all your ‘real’ friends and generally, people from your past. You even miss people you have yet to meet. ::hint hint::

Even that “special someone.”

"I'll Listen for Them"

Yes… I remember it! I remember that dream.
—It was more of a revelation. It’s so clear in my mind still…

That day, I went to sleep (like any other day),
But You changed the norm to what I believe was more than a dream…

You woke me up!
The room, my clothes, everything was the same
Except…
I saw your hand… your arm… your robe
Glowing, piercing through my bedroom ceiling
You handed me a paper—then a pencil.

Your words followed right after.
I can’t say it was audible
But my spirit heard and knew what you were saying.

…You had a message; one you wanted me to write down.
I knew who it was for too!
And just as I was ready to write, I awoke!
It was already the next day!

So, here I am with paper and pen,
In total silence, as I’m laying my head
…I’m thinking about the lost souls
The ones who cannot hear, or see
Those who are precious to my Savior
But can’t find their way it seems.

I’ll listen for them.
Lord, what would you have me say?
I can almost hear that still small voice saying,
“Would you tell them?”
…So here I am.

I’ll listen … for them.

Ezekiel 22:30

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall

and stand before me on behalf of the land so I wont have to destroy it,

but I found none."

*Would you stand in the gap for them?

Precious in Christ

When you think about it, it’s pretty obvious why diamonds, precious stones, and fine jewelry are placed in front of black velvet cloth while on display. It’s so that one can appreciate its lustrous beauty.

When we come to Christ, the bible says that we are hidden in Him. So now His glory is revealed through us—as these precious diamonds. Our sins are behind us, (black velvet cloth) and only His glory can be seen (precious diamond). We are this precious diamond.

Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Psalms 103: 11-12 “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

This means that we, indeed, are guilty... but God redeems His children. The blood of Jesus redeems those who belong to Him.

Job 33:8 “He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.” Psalms 34:22 “The Lord redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.


Colossians 3: 1-9
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

PSalms 68:19

Matthew 10:37-39

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine after the rain... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;

But God's alway's ready to answer your call...

He knows every heartache, sees every tear. A word from His lips can calm every fear. Your sorrows may linger throughout the night, but suddenly vanish dawn's early light.

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace and send you His love...

Matthew 11:28

"Come unto me, ye who are weary and overburdened,

and I will give you rest."

PSalms 68:19

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

I'm Thinking

I'm thinking

I'm thinking about Today.
...Thinking about Yesterday
And I'm thinking about Tomorrow...

Don't know what tomorrow will bring
Remembered yesterday's pain
But rejoicing in Today's victory

I am alive, I am well
I was confused, sad, and sometimes depressed
But now rising higher than I ever dreamt

I'm no longer hidden, in darkness
Striving for my best
Surviving... just because

I'm thinking...
I'm thanking...
I'm alive, and I am well.

Isaiah 55:9

"As the Heavens are higher than the earth,

So are my ways Higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

God's Rainbow

God's Rainbow

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel; all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.

GREEN said: "Clearly, I am the most important. I am the sign of life and hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, leaves - without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."

BLUE interrupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace you would all be nothing."

YELLOW chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me the re would be no fun."

ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes and paw paws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."
RED could stand it no longer. He shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."
PURPLE rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me - they listen and obey."

INDIGO spoke, finally, much more quietly than the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I respect thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly, there was a startling flash of bright lightening - thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, Rain began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The Rain continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow."

And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another. - Author unknown

His Mercies

Lamentations 3:22-24

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.”

Talk about His mercies are new every morning!! Something huge just finished hitting my car and not a dent was made! Most importantly, I’m alive and well! (And so is everyone else who was at the scene!)

The Scene:
I was behind a truck on I-4 (the Expressway) going 70-75mph at rush hour around 5:15pm with cars to my left, front and rear, on a double-lane road. Suddenly, this ‘thing’ came flying toward my car!!! It hit the hood of my car and bounced off toward the car behind me! It looked like a lid or something to that nature. The truck rode right over it without noticing it, and this ‘thing’ bounced off of its tires and hit my car, bounced off of mine and so forth.
-End of scene-

I didn’t panic—thank God! But, seconds later, it hit me! That ‘thing’ could have hit and broken my front glass window, yet it hit the hood instead- and even more so, it bounced off of my car and it didn’t hit any other car!! It could have been a rock and, at that speed, it could have instantly broken my window! It could have been… but it wasn’t... and it didn’t… and I am more than grateful that God saved me from a terrible accident, and He saved those around me too!

I absolutely have to quote this verse!

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”

Simple as that! God is an awesome God!

Today He was pleased in giving me another day of life and I am totally in debt with Him; nothing new—I always have been. But, God knows I messed up on Him just yesterday. Where would I have been? I think of how He saved me today, and how He saved my soul even before I was born! (He knew me even then.) There is no way I can repay Him... but this I know… His blood was not shed in vain. His blood and sacrifice cannot be measure or priced. I will do my best to serve Him and to lead others to His wonderful saving grace.

Prayer:

Thanks Dad. You gave me another gift. I cherish You and I Love You so SO much. My heart breaks for those who still don’t know You—this Wonderful God. My Daddy. And my heart breaks even more for those who have rejected You. They don’t want this awesome love You offer? Then I’ll have it!

XOXOXO I am in awe of You. XOXOXO

I LOVE YOU!!

Yari

Luke 1:50

“His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.”

'One Drop at a Time'

“…Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."

Is it Christmas yet?? Gosh… it’s not even Thanksgiving yet and this is what I found myself humming while on the way back home from work yesterday. “Ooh I absolutely love Christmas,” I thought. Then it hit me! Christmas??!! Christmas is just around the corner! Oh my God! Christmas is almost here and that means that New Years is almost here and that means that… OMG! Here goes another New Years resolutions list aaall over again!! I haven’t even fulfilled last years ‘resolutions!’ ::humph::

I wanted to do so much.

So many plans… so little time! { Sure, I had an entire year! }

Is it too late to start a new list??? Hey I know! I’ll call it “Pre-Year’s Resolutions”
—How about that??

Then, I remembered a blog that I had posted some time ago entitled, “Set Realistic Goals.” Hmmm... I think I should re-read and re-post that. (Maybe even print it out and carry it with me in my purse!)

"Set Realistic Goals" by Simple Truths
"When I was a freshman in college I learned an unforgettable lesson. I was having a rough week when there was a lot to do and very little time to do it. I was overwhelmed. I panicked.
That night a friend stopped by my dorm room. When I told him my problem, he said, "Mac, I'll share something with you that my grandmother told me a few years ago. She said to always remember: 'Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.'"

I said, "Bob, here I am drowning in work and your lifeline is a quote from your grandmother. Come on!" After he left, however, those twelve little words kept dancing in my head. I took out a piece of notebook paper and listed all the things I had to do in the next three days. That night I began knocking them off one by one. Three days later I took out that paper and marked through the last thing on the list. It felt great!

And then I took out another piece of paper and wrote down the words: "Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard." I then folded the paper and put it in my wallet. As many of you know, I've been collecting quotes ever since.

You see, over the years I've learned that success doesn't come cascading like Niagara Falls; it comes one drop at a time through short-term, realistic goals. Experts on motivation disagree on a lot of things, but one thing they all agree on is that your levels of motivation are directly tied to your expected probabilities of success.
In other words, if you believe you can do something (the goals are realistic), you're likely to be highly motivated. If, however, you think you can't (because the goals are unrealistic) your motivation level falls greatly. The lesson here is to continue to dream big dreams, but realize that the short-term goals that take you to the next plateau are the real keys to success."

And from me... Let me also remind you what the word of God says in

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Amazing Pics...

...Everyone Needs a Friend.

Ecclesiastes 4:10

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!