Realizing when darkness comes...

Do you remember when we were small children and we would be outside playing so hard....the moment you looked up and said "Oh my it is getting dark" and we take off running for home as fast as we can. It wasn't that you really meant to do anything you just got caught up in the moment.
That is just how life can be. We wonder out in the world running here and there and something happens that causes us to stop,look around and realize it is getting dark. The question now is where do you run? Do we run back home where we know we are safe and loved or do we wonder out further into the darkness? Just like when we were children it sometimes isn't something we mean to do. We get caught up in our fast paced life.Something that looks fun and exciting and we venture out.
We can't do both. When this happens we have a choice and that choice is going back to light,wondering out further or just standing there in the same spot and going no where.
This is just how it works with God. God is the light and he is our safety. He will allow you to go out and play,venture into things however at some point we must stop and look around. Stop and ask ourselves do we desire to run back to him,go further out away from the light or just stand there going no where.

                      1 John 1:5New International Version (NIV)

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Building something that last...

Building something that last takes time and effort. Have you ever been building or putting something together in a hurry only to finish and realize it was shaky and didn't hold up?
This same thing happens in life. I have been listening to some sermons by Kerry Shock that have opened my eyes to a deeper understanding.
After my 29 year marriage then divorce four years ago I felt devastated.I looked back and wondered how can something that made it so long fall apart? It happens the same way that building something on a shaky foundation falls apart. I spent many hours in prayer and tears pouring out my heart with God. As I look back now I see many things that were wrong. First of all it doesn't matter how many beautiful children you have,if you have a mansion to live in or the best job out there if the foundation isn't built strong it will fall apart. The first year after my marriage I started my family and for all the years to come I poured my heart and soul into them .I wanted to be the best mommy and raise healthy and happy children .He was climbing the ladder to success and pouring himself into the job.I was building three strong and beautiful children an he was building a career all while the foundation was crumbling apart.We were going through the days busy and sidetracked on what is most important. What do you really have when all of these things fall apart because you didn't take the time for one another? The time to discuss,share and fix things as they come along. When it all falls apart you have hurt and devastation that then that reaches out to the children an grandchildren.Generations of pain. I know today I still see the pain it has caused to my children. The one thing I worked so hard to build and turned my attention to still have to suffer.
In the past years after divorce I spent much time building me.I read and listen to all that I can on what God desires me to be as a woman.What my roll is on being a strong foundation for the next chapter in my life. It doesn't matter if your mate is strong and has things right and you are weak and crumbling one can not hold up for the other.It takes two strong bricks with the right mortar to start a wall and this must be placed on a strong foundation not built by man.
I never desire to go through or feel the pain of divorce again. I never desire to bring two families together with children that have already been devastated only to hurt them more.My one and only desire is to be happy and have a Godly love built on a strong foundation so I can share that with the world. A world that has lost the art and desire to stand strong. I know the sweet little old couples we see that made it all the years together are not still standing because they gave up. They are still together because each storm that came they fought together and it made them stronger.
My prayer today is that we take back the foundations in our lives and do what it takes to make them strong.That we stop allowing the world to conform us and allow God to build us.That we can build strong people then strong couples so this world can have insight on the way things should be.

Knowing our hearts desire...

Today has been a very different day in my life. I woke up this morning reading so many post about marriage,relationships and divorce. It has really burdened my heart to see how we have lost what and how God designed us. I don't understand if all the failure comes from not putting God first or if we have gotten so numb to the roll we are given.
I am a product of a failed marriage and divorce. That maybe the reason the burden is so strong because I hate to see the enemy win. My divorce as many do came from a spouse that made a choice and I had to deal with it. Marriage takes two strong people working together and having the same desire. After my divorce as God helped me to over come and gain knowledge I realized the desire I had a young girl never changed. Being raised in a home where the love between my parents was so strong I learned what God meant when he gave us a map. The only way a marriage can and will work is if we take that map and follow it. Giving up should not be a choice we take lightly. Maybe because we live in a fast paced life where we want it and get it know people take that to a relationship.
I am so thankful each day for the parents I had and the devotion they had. I watched my mom live on dialysis for ten years. Did my dad ever give up on her when it got rough? No he took a vow and he took care of my mom until she passed away. A perfect picture of what God means when he says becoming one.
I ask God many times after my divorce why? All I ever desired was a beautiful,happy family. God showed me that even though he has designed the marriage union he allows man to make choices. It was also at this moment that I was reminded of what the enemy means for bad God will use to his good. In the four years following my divorce I have learned alot. I know it is Gods will that I use my testimony and knowledge to help others. I in know way consider myself perfect,but I am very willing and I know where my burden is.
Has my desire changed from the young innocent girl in the photo ..not one bit. I still and always will believe in God and his plan for woman and man. I will always strive to be as virtuous as I can be and to do my part.
I believe if we search out what God tells us is our role and give it our best marriage and relations can only grow.I am including a few scriptures and words that I think I need to share. I would also recommend if you your marriage is going through difficult times books by Stormy Omartian "Power of a praying wife and Power of a praying husband.
Women...Be a helper to your husband.  While all of us are called to be helpers to others, the Bible places a special emphasis on this responsibility for wives. Genesis tells us that God realized it wasn't good for man to be alone, and that He decided to make a "helper suitable for him" (Gen. 2:18). It is interesting to note that the Hebrew meaning of the word helper in this passage is found hereafter in the Bible to refer only to God as He helps us. The fact that this same word is applied to a wife signifies that we women have been given tremendous power for good in our husbands' lives. God has designed wives to help their husbands become all that God intends for them to be.
 Respect your husband. In Ephesians 5:33, Paul says, " … the wife must respect her husband." When you respect your husband you reverence him, notice him, regard him, honor him, prefer him, and esteem him. It means valuing his opinion, admiring his wisdom and character, appreciating his commitment to you, and considering his needs and values.
Men.... Be a leader. The Scriptures provide a clear organizational structure for a marriage. Following are a couple of typical Scriptures:

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ

(1 Corinthians 11:3). Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body

 Love your wife unconditionally. Ephesians 5:25 reads, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her." Your unconditional acceptance of your wife is not based upon her performance, but on her worth as God's gift to you. If you want to love your wife unconditionally, always be sure her emotional tank is full. One of the best ways to do that is to affirm her constantly. Let her know verbally that you value her, respect her, and love her. I have discovered that I simply cannot do that enough.There is no question that words communicate love, but so do actions. You need to do both. As the Apostle John wrote in one of his letters: "let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18). One of the missing ingredients in male leadership in homes is sacrificial action. When was the last time you gave up something for your wife—something you genuinely valued, like your golf game, a fishing trip, or your hobby? Sometimes you need to give up something you enjoy so your wife can have a break and see your love for her.

Serve your wife. According to the New Testament, being head of your wife does not mean being her master, but her servant. Again, Christ is our model for this type of leadership. Jesus did not just talk about serving; He demonstrated it when he washed His disciples' feet (John 13:1-17). Christ, the Head of the Church, took on the very nature of a servant when He was made in human likeness (Philippians 2:7).

One of the best ways to serve your wife is to understand her needs and try to meet them. Do you know what your wife's top three needs are right now? If she is a young mother, she has a certain set of basic needs. If your children are grown and gone and you are in the empty nest, your wife has a different set of needs that you should try to meet. What is she worried about? What troubles her? What type of pressure does she feel? Learn the answers to questions like that, and then do what you can to reduce her worries, her troubles, her pressures.

Life is like a garden....

    First off let me apologize to my readers for taking off so long. I took a much needed break and vacation.

Life is like a garden....

I was sitting here this morning having my coffee and I started to think about this. I say think about it,but that is one way God shares with me. During the day I couldn't get it off my mind and that usually means it is time to write.

What are some very important things about a garden? A few that come to my mind are the soil, the water, what type seeds we plant, fertilizer, grass, sunlight,pest. 

You can take two exact plots of soil close together and have two different people plant the same exact seed and the garden will not be the same.

Think about your life for a minute. What type soil are you planting in? Is it rich, does it have the nutrients it needs, do you cultivate it like you should? Or is it dry, hard and lacking any nutrients to help it grow? It all comes down to this if we are not sewing in rich soil you can take the most expensive seeds and they will end up doing nothing.

Now consider the water for a moment...what if we have beautiful rows of soil and the garden has started to produce and is doing great,but we get no rain. What starts to happen? What was once beautiful and producing dries up.  We get a water hose,but it will only reach a few rows of the garden...now what? The rows that are receiving water will be pretty while the others wither and die.

What about the seeds...If you have had the same old seeds in a bag for years and then you had the same seed that you just ran down to the store and bought fresh. Which seed do you think will produce the best product? I would say the new fresh seed the one that new.

What about fertilizer? Anyone that has ever had a garden or planted flowers understands how important it is to have good fertilizer. Each plant needs to be fed. Consider the idea of two rows of corn. One you decide to add fertilizer and the other you don't. The one that has been fed will grow faster,prettier and produce much better than the one that is lacking.

Sunlight...this is a very important part of how a garden will grow. There are some plants that grow better when they get lots of heat and sunlight. It reminds me of the peas we have planted. They love the hot sunlight. I went out in the garden the other morning and our peas where starting to get tiny pods. I missed going for a few days due to the hot, humid days and the next time I looked we had peas.

The last thing I think about is the pest. There is nothing that upsets me more than to have a beautiful green plant and find the bugs have eaten it up or to open a ear of corn and find a nasty worm inside living off my corn.

Each one of us when we are born are like a beautiful garden. We are made and designed with much work and a plan to produce wonderful things.

As we start to mature in life there are many things that come to destroy us.

Somethings that happen in our life we can not change,but many we can. No matter the hurt,pain and storms that come our way we must decide to thrive.

Just like the garden we have to be sure our soil is rich and full of life. Add the fertilizer so we can grow to become what we have been called to become. Make sure the seeds we plant into our life are fresh. Make sure that if we desire something we plant the right seed to produce that. You can't plant a corn seed if you desire to grow a melon.In life if we plant bad seed we will get bad fruit.

We must be very careful that the things in life that come to over take and choke back the life are plucked out. It only takes a moment to be thriving when something can come into your life . It can grow up around you so fast that you can't see it is choking the life from you until it is to late. Pluck out the things that steal your life.

Then we must be sure the to add light. There is no life in darkness. There is so much darkness in the world around us.We have to decide what and who we allow in our life. Do they or the things we partake in bring light?

And last but sure not least are the pest. We have an enemy he he desire nothing more than to destroy us. To eat us alive leaving holes in our life that cause us to wither and die.

How is your garden growing? Is it hard,dry and empty or lush,green and thriving? Is it producing what you desire or is it on the verge of death?

Today you can decide and change somethings in this garden we call life.

God goes hiking...

                                                           God Goes Hiking

                                                          1 Corinthians 12:4-

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines......

. A few weeks back I  Googled some local trails. I found a 7.6 mile hike over on Caney Lake in Minden. I contacted my sister and she was game so we started to plan. I Love the way my sister always backs me and believes in me.Having someone like this in my life just makes it more exciting and makes me more determined.
Saturday morning arrived and I was so ready to get on this hike. When Debi dropped me off at the start of the trail all I was thinking about is staying safe from snakes. I had heard nothing,but horror stories since I got to camp. I wasn't thinking all spiritual,but had prayed for safety.Little did I know God had set this hike up and it wasn't just for me.
The first few miles of the hike I was finding my pace and freaking every time the weeds rustled. I had been on the trail maybe four miles when I heard voices ahead. As I approached the bridge and stream I realized my company was two ladies allowing their beautiful Lab to play in the stream. It was about time for a rest and I never meet a stranger so we started to talk. The conversation was mainly about hiking and where we lived.
After about thirty minutes the youngest lady recommended we hang together. I thought that would be a great idea and I had some new friends that hiked. We had only hiked a few minutes when the Lord started to show me things about their lives."I am one that tries very hard to obey him when I get a word" It is at this time I turned to the older lady and said  "So you work in the medical field?" They younger lady that I had found to be her daughter stopped in her tracks and ask "What how did you know that"Not really knowing why God had showed me this all I knew was to say I just did. She kept saying that's crazy. and I can't see how you knew this. A few minutes went by and she said "so what do I do"? The Lord was showing me a Airplane so I said ..do you work in travel? She was so happy to turn around and say NOPE im a receptionist. It was at that moment I knew why I was seeing the plane and I replied ,but you always wanted to be a Stewardess.( I love when God shows up and does his work) The young girl turns and stops and says wait I don't understand how you do this. I just applied for an American Airline job two days ago.
As the Lord started to show me why I had met them and what he wanted me to share I started to explain to them. First I said let me assure you I am not in anyway a phychic.I am a Christian and God gives his children gifts. These gifts are to be used for his purpose.He would send a complete stranger and setup an appointment to show you both that he knows you,he knows where you work,he knows your dreams and desires. The Lord had also showed me that this young lady had always put her dreams on hold for everyone else and put herself last. I shared more with them as we hiked down the trail.
As we were getting closer to the end of the trail her mom was very hot and getting weak. I had called ahead to have Debi ready to pick us up. By the time we got to the end of the hike I had met new friends and God had showed up to do his work.We shared some water and a ride to their car and said our goodbyes.
I am very thankful for a safe hike and that God loves me and trust me enough to do his work.

Take a walk in my shoes

My find of the day...."Report Signature" shoes

These are all leather and new. They sale from $150-$200. I picked these beauties up for $3.99

can't wait to find the "Little Black Dress" to go with them

"Take a walk in my shoes" is a post I have felt led to write for sometime. After a few conversations this last week I decided it was time. Today my sister and I spent time together and of course we had to add some shopping in there also. Okay Im a fashionista and I will be there first to admit it.
I know many of you have followed me on the journey of my life the last four years. I have had so many people ask me how I did it. First I have to give credit to God. I do believe that being frugal is a gift.This isn't something that just started four years ago,but something I did as a wife and mommy also. I always desired for my children to have what the other children had however I couldn't stand to pay the price. I think it was during this time in my life that I found out what the word clearance meant. It may mean buying out of season,but they never lacked anything. As they started to grow and things got more expensive I fell in love with resale and consignment shops. I'll never forget the fun we had when we would buy "Teen" and "GQ" and then head out to find things to look like the magazine,but on a budget. There were times even back then people would ask how I did it?
Now if we can fast forward some to the year 2010. It was about this time in my life when I found myself making it alone. The money that I used to have was no more,but I was still the same lady. All of my life I loved shoes,clothes,jewelry,makeup and anything that had bling.I have to give the credit to my mom here.She taught me well.At this time  I wasn't sure how I would keep my life style up,but I have always been determined. Being single and getting skinny only made the desire for fashion grow, I remember many nights I would spend pinning the up and coming fashions to my style board. I would get ideas of outfits I desired to have and hit the road. I would get up early and put on some comfy workout clothes and hit the resale shops. The feeling of coming home with a $100 pair of jeans that I paid $6 is like a rush to me.Needing something for a special occasion and walking out like I just came from Dillard's makes me happy.  I can't remember paying full price for anything. It was also during this time in my life that I feel I really learned that being able to be frugal is a gift. The Bible even speaks of a virtues woman spending wisely. I could be a millionaire and I would still shop the same way.
During this walk in my life I have had many people judge me,many people that couldn't understand my way of life. Im not mad at all about this because im sure all the flashy pictures would lead others to think this. When my sister and I were shopping today and I walked up with a buggy FULL of shoes she wasn't surprised. Yep we are night and day,but we love and understand one another. Id rather have a pair of shoes and miss a meal ..... as we were standing there and I started to tell her this pair of shoes would be over $100 and they are $4.99. It was then that she said sis not everyone has that talent and maybe you can use it to help others. That is something I have thought about often..I love to see people that can't have what others do feel special.
Im not sure just how this will and can take place,but I would love nothing more than to help others..."Take a walk in my shoes"

Love this pair of "not rated"

shoes that I found today.Never worn and sale for around $60. I paid $5.99

My second favorite find today was this

Jessica Simpson "Bendie" As you see even on sale they are right at $90

This shoe was new and unworn...I paid $4.99

The devil is defeated...

The devil is defeated and God always amazes me....... With each new day I'm so surprised how God works. It is truly in ways we never expect.
Let me start out with my day and how it played out. I woke up this morning with one of the worst headaches I have ever had. I have to be really sick not to go to the gym in the morning. This was one of those morning. As I was laying in bed drinking coffee trying my best to ease the pain one of my "Gym rats" called. "Will it be okay if we skip gym this morning and go late this evening"? Oh yes praise God we can do that. It wasn't just a few minutes later when dear old dad calls..."Hey where you at? I need to go to town" if you know me I can't tell my dad no and if you know him he wouldn't take no for an answer. This wasn't a short trip either he had things all lined out.
After I got dressed and made a few stops on my way I was doing all I could and the headache wouldn't leave. I promise it didn't get any better when I arrived at dads. Wow this man was in rare form today. Bossy and fussing all the way. I finally said dad my head hurts and we need peace. Yea right not today. I continued with our trip and at times it was so bad I didn't know if id be able to get him back and put away his supplies.
Finally after things were unloaded and put away I said dad I have to get home and lay down. I headed for home and had a hard time focusing because the pain. I had to stop one more time at my sons house to deliver somethings. ( I just love talking with his wife) but today I could hardly sit there. As I am pulling out I called and cancelled gym there was no way. Like I said if I miss the gym you better check my pulse because im about dead. I had just about made it home when I realized I had to stop by the grocery store and it was a have to.
Now this is when God shows up... I pulled in the store with my mind made up to grab the bananas and leave. I enter the store and I had not gotten far when I spotted this lady. It was something about her that I was drawn to.For any of you that know me understand God did gift me with the love for people. I never meet a stranger and believe God uses us one on one.
I walk over where she is standing( at the meat counter ) and we start to talk about how bad the taste of meat is now days compared to years ago. How chicken taste like rubber and the chemicals we are eating. Before long the conversation hast started into how she can't make dumplings and I am teaching here right in Brookshires. She says thanks and walks away with a smile. At this point my head is real bad ,but I must have milk. I turn the corner and there she is again. As bad as I wanted to get out of there talking to her was more important. Once again we started talking about cooking and that I had "Southern Sister" and had cooked for the public for years. She wanted one of my cards and started to talk about her church. It was then I knew this was a divine appointment. I shared my testimony and she shared her healing. Im telling you we were having prayer meeting right there on the milk isle. It turns out she goes to church with people I was raised with and we knew lots of the same people. As she is getting ready to say her goodbyes another lady walks up and said "I couldn't help,but over hear you" This is a  very different lady the kind many would turn from. As I looked at the lady I saw hurt,pain,broken and lonely. As she started to talk and open up to me it almost felt like she was draining energy,but mine was being renewed. I stopped and realized my headache was gone. I was sharing God with her and he was renewing me. I think we must have chatted about 30 minutes and it was time to move on. She told me how delightful I was and that she sure enjoyed me. I gave her my card and told her call me anytime. When we went to walk away I felt the need to hug her.It was then that she looked up with a smile and said it is amazing what a hug will do.
The devil is defeated because if he had it his way I would still have a headache and be in bed. I wouldn't have stopped at the store and met these two special ladies. God sure wouldn't have got to use me to minister if the devil had won. Im thankful for his healing,his power and his love.
The devil is defeated........