Luke 8:50
But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole.
In this scripture Jesus is confronting something that is all too familiar to many of us - fear. When our Heavenly Father tells us something is possible that our natural man tells us is impossible, we often have a tendency to believe the latter. That kind of belief is the opposite of faith. That kind of belief is fear, and it should have no place in our hearts. So what are we to do when it is there? When it is screaming at us, "THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!" What then? I'll tell you what...SCREAM BACK! "God is for me, not against me! God's plans are to prosper me, not to harm me! If God be for me, who or what can be against me? All of God's promises are yes and amen toward me! Goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! With God all things are possible!" We must call those things that be not as though they were. We must fear not. We must believe God. Okay, okay...on to today's boast.
I remember as a child being embarrassed if I could not do something well enough to meet someone's expectations for me. If a situation arose where I felt I would not do well, I ran, I hid, I did whatever I had to do to get away from that situation. Ironically, once I grew up, I did not allow my children to say, "I can't." If they did, I lovingly explained to them that "I can't" means "I won't try hard enough." I tried to teach them that it was okay to say something was difficult or that they needed help to accomplish something, but I did not allow them to say "I can't."
Funny thing is that I usually haven't heeded my own advice. :-) Instead, I have continued silently saying, "I can't!" I have continued saying that, and I have continued running, but you know what? Running all the time is exhausting! That's why I'm thankful that my Heavenly Father is teaching me how to stop running...how to trust in His strength...how to 'fear not, only believe'...how to reach out to Him...how to finally realize that when I can't, He can. God is soooo awesome!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 24
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Not just at this time of year, but all year long we need to rejoice! There are so many reasons to rejoice, the first of which is the fact that God gave Jesus for us! Nothing else even comes close to how awesome that act of ultimate giving was! Wow!
Even though nothing we give can compare to God's gift to us, I would like to share a story about how God used my children to bless someone when they chose to give. Such is the subject of today's boast:
I remember a time when my children, Jennifer, Justin, and Ryan, were all very young, but their hearts were "older" than many adults I know. Like so often was the case while they were growing up, we had very little money, but that never seemed to phase my children. They were always so grateful for anything and everything they had, and they all had giving hearts that wanted to share with others.
Their giving hearts led them one year to asking me if they could give some of their toys and clothes to others who did not have as much as they did. (Wow...they saw themselves as so blessed in comparison to others in spite of having very little.) Of course I said yes, but I never imagined the level of giving they intended!
They ended up giving their FAVORITE stuff instead of their junk. They gathered together bicycles and other treasured toys along with some of their favorite items of clothing. How could I say no to their eagerness to give? Now all that was left was to find a family to give it to.
We called several organizations, but all of them said they had enough. It was so strange that no matter how hard we tried, we could not find an organization to give it to! We decided to just go for a drive and trust the Lord to lead us to a family that could use it. Funny enough we didn't have to drive very far.
As we headed up the main road toward the highway, we were passing some sections of woods on either side of the road. All of a sudden, we saw an old pickup truck parked on the side of the road with a woman and young children in the back of the pickup! We knew they must be the ones, so we pulled over. When we asked the woman why they were there, she whispered to us that her husband was in the woods picking sugar cane because it was all they would be able to give the children for Christmas.
That was enough of a confirmation for us! We opened up the back of our vehicle and showed her what we had and explained that our children wanted to give it away as a Christmas present to other children. Talk about tears! She was crying, I was crying, her children and my children were crying...there was just a whole lot of crying going on! Even her husband started crying when he came out of the woods and discovered what was happening.
I'll never forget the joy on the faces of those children. Even more so, I'll never forget the joy on my own children's faces as they learned how blessed it is to give to others. God is soooo awesome!
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Not just at this time of year, but all year long we need to rejoice! There are so many reasons to rejoice, the first of which is the fact that God gave Jesus for us! Nothing else even comes close to how awesome that act of ultimate giving was! Wow!
Even though nothing we give can compare to God's gift to us, I would like to share a story about how God used my children to bless someone when they chose to give. Such is the subject of today's boast:
I remember a time when my children, Jennifer, Justin, and Ryan, were all very young, but their hearts were "older" than many adults I know. Like so often was the case while they were growing up, we had very little money, but that never seemed to phase my children. They were always so grateful for anything and everything they had, and they all had giving hearts that wanted to share with others.
Their giving hearts led them one year to asking me if they could give some of their toys and clothes to others who did not have as much as they did. (Wow...they saw themselves as so blessed in comparison to others in spite of having very little.) Of course I said yes, but I never imagined the level of giving they intended!
They ended up giving their FAVORITE stuff instead of their junk. They gathered together bicycles and other treasured toys along with some of their favorite items of clothing. How could I say no to their eagerness to give? Now all that was left was to find a family to give it to.
We called several organizations, but all of them said they had enough. It was so strange that no matter how hard we tried, we could not find an organization to give it to! We decided to just go for a drive and trust the Lord to lead us to a family that could use it. Funny enough we didn't have to drive very far.
As we headed up the main road toward the highway, we were passing some sections of woods on either side of the road. All of a sudden, we saw an old pickup truck parked on the side of the road with a woman and young children in the back of the pickup! We knew they must be the ones, so we pulled over. When we asked the woman why they were there, she whispered to us that her husband was in the woods picking sugar cane because it was all they would be able to give the children for Christmas.
That was enough of a confirmation for us! We opened up the back of our vehicle and showed her what we had and explained that our children wanted to give it away as a Christmas present to other children. Talk about tears! She was crying, I was crying, her children and my children were crying...there was just a whole lot of crying going on! Even her husband started crying when he came out of the woods and discovered what was happening.
I'll never forget the joy on the faces of those children. Even more so, I'll never forget the joy on my own children's faces as they learned how blessed it is to give to others. God is soooo awesome!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 23
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Today I must hurry after spending so much time catching up the past few day's blogs. Here is today's boast:
As I agonize over missing living in Florida, I choose to remember all the times God has led me and protected me. I choose to trust Him today and allow His peace to rule in my heart. He has always been there for me through thick and thin, and I know He is with me now. Therefore, I take my focus off the concerns I am having. Instead, I want to say thank you God for the ability to see the beautiful trees outside and the birds flying overhead. Thank you God for the ability to hear the sounds of life all around me. Thank you God for the ability to walk! Thank you God for the ability to type these blogs. Thank you God for warm running water. Thank you God for my children, grandchildren, and my husband. Thank you God for Jesus! God, you are soooo awesome!
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Today I must hurry after spending so much time catching up the past few day's blogs. Here is today's boast:
As I agonize over missing living in Florida, I choose to remember all the times God has led me and protected me. I choose to trust Him today and allow His peace to rule in my heart. He has always been there for me through thick and thin, and I know He is with me now. Therefore, I take my focus off the concerns I am having. Instead, I want to say thank you God for the ability to see the beautiful trees outside and the birds flying overhead. Thank you God for the ability to hear the sounds of life all around me. Thank you God for the ability to walk! Thank you God for the ability to type these blogs. Thank you God for warm running water. Thank you God for my children, grandchildren, and my husband. Thank you God for Jesus! God, you are soooo awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 22
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
So how are we being witnesses? We each have gifts and talents that can be used to spread the gospel. We don't necessarily have to be in the ministry full-time, but all of us should be in the ministry some of the time. Ask God to show you how you can be a witness, and then be ready to obey when he answers! Here's today's boast:
I remember when the Lord gave me an idea for a magazine that would include sharing the gospel in various formats. I wasn't totally confident that I was hearing from the Lord, so I asked for confirmation. God does not always confirm in this particular manner, but this time he did.
I went to a church service which had guest speakers that evening. They ministered using the dramatic arts, and I enjoyed it immensely! That pleasure quickly turned to fear as the ministers instructed the congregation to sing to the Lord in our heavenly language. That would not have been so terrible, but they also challenged us to push aside our fleshly fears and come up to sing forth a message from the Lord if we felt led to do so.
Number one, I do not sing well. Number two, I was not keen on speaking or singing in tongues in front of people. Yet I felt compelled by the Lord to do so! Therefore, I laid aside my fears and went up. I trusted the Lord to fill my mouth, and He did.
When I was finished, I started to head to my seat when all of a sudden, the minister stopped me. He began sharing a message from God for me. I will not share it verbatim, but it involved the confirmation that I was going to be involved with a magazine that would share the gospel and that many testimonies would be shared in that magazine. Wow! Just what I needed to hear! God is sooo awesome!
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
So how are we being witnesses? We each have gifts and talents that can be used to spread the gospel. We don't necessarily have to be in the ministry full-time, but all of us should be in the ministry some of the time. Ask God to show you how you can be a witness, and then be ready to obey when he answers! Here's today's boast:
I remember when the Lord gave me an idea for a magazine that would include sharing the gospel in various formats. I wasn't totally confident that I was hearing from the Lord, so I asked for confirmation. God does not always confirm in this particular manner, but this time he did.
I went to a church service which had guest speakers that evening. They ministered using the dramatic arts, and I enjoyed it immensely! That pleasure quickly turned to fear as the ministers instructed the congregation to sing to the Lord in our heavenly language. That would not have been so terrible, but they also challenged us to push aside our fleshly fears and come up to sing forth a message from the Lord if we felt led to do so.
Number one, I do not sing well. Number two, I was not keen on speaking or singing in tongues in front of people. Yet I felt compelled by the Lord to do so! Therefore, I laid aside my fears and went up. I trusted the Lord to fill my mouth, and He did.
When I was finished, I started to head to my seat when all of a sudden, the minister stopped me. He began sharing a message from God for me. I will not share it verbatim, but it involved the confirmation that I was going to be involved with a magazine that would share the gospel and that many testimonies would be shared in that magazine. Wow! Just what I needed to hear! God is sooo awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 21
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
I receive a magazine called The Voice of the Martyrs. If you have never read it, I would strongly advise putting your name on their mailing list so you can receive this free publication. I say free because they do not charge money to send it to you. However, the articles within those pages were definitely not obtained freely.
Those articles were obtained through the price being paid by many witnesses for Christ. The stories of dedication to the call placed on each and every one of us who call ourselves Christians are nothing short of inspiring to say the least.
As I read those articles, I am always brought to my knees to repent. Here those people are willing to risk their very lives in order to share the gospel, yet we here in America find it difficult to witness in the local grocery store or in our own neighborhood. Is it because our neighbors or the cashier are wielding machétes? No, of course not! Instead, we tremble and shake at the thought of someone giving us a weird look or saying something rude to us. We fear rejection.
Maybe we fear rejection because we have not yet come to terms with the fact that people are not rejecting us; they are rejecting Jesus. Taking it one step further, maybe they are not rejecting anyone, but are merely not ready to receive Jesus as their Lord right at that moment. However, if we will get over our fears and just go ahead and be a witness, we might be amazed to know just how many people end up coming to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior as a result of our witnessing. Such is the topic of today's boast:
I remember sitting in my 11th grade homeroom class listening to a nice but kind of nerdy young man telling me about Jesus. If he was afraid of being rejected by a pretty and popular-with-the-partying-crowd young girl, he sure didn't show it. Every day he told me how much God loved me. He even brought me a red rose one day and used it tell me about the blood of Jesus that was shed for me. He told me I just had to have faith. I had no idea what he was talking about, and I did not ask Jesus to come into my heart right at that moment. I was too busy partying. Yet the seed had been planted in faith.
I dropped out the following year and never saw that young man again. Eventually all the partying I was doing brought me to a very dark place in my life. I was shooting up meth and spiraling downhill very, very quickly. One evening I was looking at the black and blue marks all over my arms from where I had missed my veins so many times trying to get a fix. I began to cry.
That crying turned into me reaching out to God. I asked him about the words that young man had said to me nearly a year earlier. I told God that if what that young man said was true...if God was real and loved me...then I wanted this thing called faith that the young man said I needed. I was about to say that was the moment that started my salvation, but it wasn't.
The moment my salvation started to be formed was the moment that young man planted the seed of God's love into my heart. Oh that we would realize how important it is to plant those seeds! We must be witnesses of the gospel! We must tell others about how much God loves them! Today, as every day, I am grateful that young man did not fear rejection. I am grateful that he allowed himself to be used by God to witness to me. As a result of his witness, many more have come to Christ through my witness and through my giving into ministries who are witnessing. None of that would have happened if it had not been for that young man opening his mouth. God is sooooo awesome!
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
I receive a magazine called The Voice of the Martyrs. If you have never read it, I would strongly advise putting your name on their mailing list so you can receive this free publication. I say free because they do not charge money to send it to you. However, the articles within those pages were definitely not obtained freely.
Those articles were obtained through the price being paid by many witnesses for Christ. The stories of dedication to the call placed on each and every one of us who call ourselves Christians are nothing short of inspiring to say the least.
As I read those articles, I am always brought to my knees to repent. Here those people are willing to risk their very lives in order to share the gospel, yet we here in America find it difficult to witness in the local grocery store or in our own neighborhood. Is it because our neighbors or the cashier are wielding machétes? No, of course not! Instead, we tremble and shake at the thought of someone giving us a weird look or saying something rude to us. We fear rejection.
Maybe we fear rejection because we have not yet come to terms with the fact that people are not rejecting us; they are rejecting Jesus. Taking it one step further, maybe they are not rejecting anyone, but are merely not ready to receive Jesus as their Lord right at that moment. However, if we will get over our fears and just go ahead and be a witness, we might be amazed to know just how many people end up coming to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior as a result of our witnessing. Such is the topic of today's boast:
I remember sitting in my 11th grade homeroom class listening to a nice but kind of nerdy young man telling me about Jesus. If he was afraid of being rejected by a pretty and popular-with-the-partying-crowd young girl, he sure didn't show it. Every day he told me how much God loved me. He even brought me a red rose one day and used it tell me about the blood of Jesus that was shed for me. He told me I just had to have faith. I had no idea what he was talking about, and I did not ask Jesus to come into my heart right at that moment. I was too busy partying. Yet the seed had been planted in faith.
I dropped out the following year and never saw that young man again. Eventually all the partying I was doing brought me to a very dark place in my life. I was shooting up meth and spiraling downhill very, very quickly. One evening I was looking at the black and blue marks all over my arms from where I had missed my veins so many times trying to get a fix. I began to cry.
That crying turned into me reaching out to God. I asked him about the words that young man had said to me nearly a year earlier. I told God that if what that young man said was true...if God was real and loved me...then I wanted this thing called faith that the young man said I needed. I was about to say that was the moment that started my salvation, but it wasn't.
The moment my salvation started to be formed was the moment that young man planted the seed of God's love into my heart. Oh that we would realize how important it is to plant those seeds! We must be witnesses of the gospel! We must tell others about how much God loves them! Today, as every day, I am grateful that young man did not fear rejection. I am grateful that he allowed himself to be used by God to witness to me. As a result of his witness, many more have come to Christ through my witness and through my giving into ministries who are witnessing. None of that would have happened if it had not been for that young man opening his mouth. God is sooooo awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 20
Psalm 18:29
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
So many times we forget to thank God for the things that just seem to be such a normal part of life that we often give them no thought. Hence the reason for today's boast:
I remember being 13 years old and having to learn to walk all over again. I had severe Scoliosis which required major surgery on my spine to correct it. I was fused in the cervical region as well as the lumbar region and had a metal rod attached to my spine to hold the curvature correction in place. The surgery was extremely painful and required me to lie in a body cast for three months before being allowed to walk again.
A lot happened during those three months. My sister Gerri lost her second baby, and I could not get up to go to the funeral. My mom and dad fought a lot, and their fighting ended up involving a butcher knife and blood on one particular day. I felt so helpless because I could not get up to help in that situation. As if that wasn't enough, I also was raped by a neighborhood acquaintance while I laid there in that body cast completely unable to get up and run or fight back.
When it finally came time for me to learn to walk again at the end of those three months, I was more than eager to get my legs back. The doctors told my parents it would take at least a month for me to be able to walk well enough to leave the hospital. Instead, I was walking out those doors in two weeks! Yes, I still had to wear the body cast (for an entire year as a matter-of-fact), but I was walking! Whoo, hoo!
If you have never lost your ability to walk, it may be difficult for you to relate to the joy it can bring. However, if you need some help, just go spend some time with those who cannot walk. I think that will give you the gratefulness you need. Trust me, walking is a magnificent thing! There are so many things like walking that we enjoy on such a regular basis that it is easy to forget to be thankful for them. Seeing, hearing, breathing...even hot running water! (If you've ever been to the mission field, you probably learned to be grateful for that last one! :-) )
So...back to walking. As I sit here with a brace on my leg for some complications that have arisen lately, I am reminded once again of how awesome a blessing walking is. Therefore, just as when I was thirteen, I will fight this, and I will win! I can say that because of the promises of God. If I don't give up, He always shows up! God is awesome!
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
So many times we forget to thank God for the things that just seem to be such a normal part of life that we often give them no thought. Hence the reason for today's boast:
I remember being 13 years old and having to learn to walk all over again. I had severe Scoliosis which required major surgery on my spine to correct it. I was fused in the cervical region as well as the lumbar region and had a metal rod attached to my spine to hold the curvature correction in place. The surgery was extremely painful and required me to lie in a body cast for three months before being allowed to walk again.
A lot happened during those three months. My sister Gerri lost her second baby, and I could not get up to go to the funeral. My mom and dad fought a lot, and their fighting ended up involving a butcher knife and blood on one particular day. I felt so helpless because I could not get up to help in that situation. As if that wasn't enough, I also was raped by a neighborhood acquaintance while I laid there in that body cast completely unable to get up and run or fight back.
When it finally came time for me to learn to walk again at the end of those three months, I was more than eager to get my legs back. The doctors told my parents it would take at least a month for me to be able to walk well enough to leave the hospital. Instead, I was walking out those doors in two weeks! Yes, I still had to wear the body cast (for an entire year as a matter-of-fact), but I was walking! Whoo, hoo!
If you have never lost your ability to walk, it may be difficult for you to relate to the joy it can bring. However, if you need some help, just go spend some time with those who cannot walk. I think that will give you the gratefulness you need. Trust me, walking is a magnificent thing! There are so many things like walking that we enjoy on such a regular basis that it is easy to forget to be thankful for them. Seeing, hearing, breathing...even hot running water! (If you've ever been to the mission field, you probably learned to be grateful for that last one! :-) )
So...back to walking. As I sit here with a brace on my leg for some complications that have arisen lately, I am reminded once again of how awesome a blessing walking is. Therefore, just as when I was thirteen, I will fight this, and I will win! I can say that because of the promises of God. If I don't give up, He always shows up! God is awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 19
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I think many times we don't realize the impact of just a few words. They can heal and they can kill. That outcome will be a direct result of the meditation of our heart because the Word of God says that our mouth speaks that which is in our heart. Oh sure, we may be able to cover it up to some extent, but what is really in our heart will come out either publicly or privately. Either way those words go into the atmosphere and create either death or life for us or for someone else. It could be physical death, mental death, relationship death, spiritual death, etc. Let's face it; there are many ways to "die".
I happen to come from a family that has often used words to bring more death than life. As a result, I carried on that tradition in my own life once I grew up. Thankfully, the Lord is bringing me out of that, and I also see Him bringing other members of my family out of it. Hence today's boast:
I remember not wanting to speak on the phone to my sister Debbie because all she ever spoke of were the ailments in her body. However, my sister Gerri and I knew that Debbie just needed Jesus! Therefore, we took turns tag-teaming her. Gerri would witness to her for a bit until Debbie would get fed up with her, then I would take over, then Gerri, then me. We didn't beat her over the head with condemnation though. Instead, we shared the wonderful things God was doing in our lives and in our hearts. Finally, after several years of this, Debbie got saved! Hallelujah!
No, the pains and malfunctions in her body did not leave right away, but SHE got better...her heart changed. Debbie no longer focused on what was wrong with her body. Instead, all she ever wanted to talk about was Jesus! It became a true joy to talk with her on the phone. Today, almost 20 years later, she is still talking about her Savior. She has had some ups and downs physically and mentally, but once again praise is continually on her lips! She is a true inspiration to me and to others. God is so awesome!
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I think many times we don't realize the impact of just a few words. They can heal and they can kill. That outcome will be a direct result of the meditation of our heart because the Word of God says that our mouth speaks that which is in our heart. Oh sure, we may be able to cover it up to some extent, but what is really in our heart will come out either publicly or privately. Either way those words go into the atmosphere and create either death or life for us or for someone else. It could be physical death, mental death, relationship death, spiritual death, etc. Let's face it; there are many ways to "die".
I happen to come from a family that has often used words to bring more death than life. As a result, I carried on that tradition in my own life once I grew up. Thankfully, the Lord is bringing me out of that, and I also see Him bringing other members of my family out of it. Hence today's boast:
I remember not wanting to speak on the phone to my sister Debbie because all she ever spoke of were the ailments in her body. However, my sister Gerri and I knew that Debbie just needed Jesus! Therefore, we took turns tag-teaming her. Gerri would witness to her for a bit until Debbie would get fed up with her, then I would take over, then Gerri, then me. We didn't beat her over the head with condemnation though. Instead, we shared the wonderful things God was doing in our lives and in our hearts. Finally, after several years of this, Debbie got saved! Hallelujah!
No, the pains and malfunctions in her body did not leave right away, but SHE got better...her heart changed. Debbie no longer focused on what was wrong with her body. Instead, all she ever wanted to talk about was Jesus! It became a true joy to talk with her on the phone. Today, almost 20 years later, she is still talking about her Savior. She has had some ups and downs physically and mentally, but once again praise is continually on her lips! She is a true inspiration to me and to others. God is so awesome!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 18
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
I must admit that I have allowed the post on day 13 made by "Anonymous" to sadden my heart. It is difficult for me to believe there are such cruel people in this world who want to bring harm to others. However, I need to get their comment out of my mind by meditating on Romans 8:31. This is not the first time someone has tried to harm me undeservingly and I'm sure it won't be the last. Hence the basis for today's boast:
I remember a time when a particular woman I knew tried to threaten me with legal action. I had worked under her but had left her employ, and she was falsely accusing me of stealing clients after I left. I couldn't understand why she would want to bring harm to me, so I tried to reason with her. Unfortunately, she continued the threats. Obviously there was nothing I could do in the natural realm to prevent her from going through with her pursuit of legal action. However, prayer is a powerful weapon, so that's what I used. Within about a week or two, all threats from her came to an abrupt halt! I'm not going to share how they came to an abrupt halt, just suffice it to say that this woman never contacted me again. That was a great relief! God is awesome!
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
I must admit that I have allowed the post on day 13 made by "Anonymous" to sadden my heart. It is difficult for me to believe there are such cruel people in this world who want to bring harm to others. However, I need to get their comment out of my mind by meditating on Romans 8:31. This is not the first time someone has tried to harm me undeservingly and I'm sure it won't be the last. Hence the basis for today's boast:
I remember a time when a particular woman I knew tried to threaten me with legal action. I had worked under her but had left her employ, and she was falsely accusing me of stealing clients after I left. I couldn't understand why she would want to bring harm to me, so I tried to reason with her. Unfortunately, she continued the threats. Obviously there was nothing I could do in the natural realm to prevent her from going through with her pursuit of legal action. However, prayer is a powerful weapon, so that's what I used. Within about a week or two, all threats from her came to an abrupt halt! I'm not going to share how they came to an abrupt halt, just suffice it to say that this woman never contacted me again. That was a great relief! God is awesome!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 17
Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
As we approach Christmas day, many people are scurrying about choosing gifts for loved ones and friends. Sadly, some will buy and give gifts out of a feeling of obligation. Those are the people you hear complaining about the Christmas season. They gripe about the shopping, the crowds, the expense of presents, the cooking, the cleaning, the entertaining, the decorating, etc, etc
If only people would stop long enough to feel the air entering their lungs, to savor the taste of food, to listen to the laughter of children, to enjoy being able to see the sparkle of colored lights. Why can't they? Maybe a good dose of It's a Wonderful Life would remedy their outlook. Better to learn to appreciate life by watching a movie than to experience what it is like to have life taken away.
I have been guilty plenty of times of complaining about things in my life. Yet I of all people should do nothing but rejoice. Death has come knocking at my door several times, but God has chosen for me to continue living. He has a purpose for my life, and to waste it on complaining would be an insult to Him. Oh, when I think about all the wonderful blessings He has given me! Gifts galore from my Father whom I adore! Each day of this blog I am attempting to share one of those gifts with you. Today, however, I'd like to share three. I figured that's appropriate since three gifts were given to Jesus by the wise men.
The three gifts I'd like to share with you are my children, Jennifer LeiAnn, Justin Timothy, and Ryan Charles. Each and every day I am thankful for those three gifts. Over the next three days, I will share how each of their lives were almost lost and how God chose instead to give them life. For today though, I want to share the most wonderful Christmas gift they ever gave me.
I remember we were living in Tallahassee, Fl, and we had no money for Christmas presents. I managed to scrape up a little to get them each something, but it wasn't much. I knew they would be okay with that because they were three of the most appreciative kids I'd ever known. In fact, their hearts were more concerned about blessing others than with receiving anything for their own selves. Of course, I encouraged their eagerness to donate canned goods, blankets, and old coats to charity, but I never imagined the act of kindness they were up to without my knowledge.
How they managed to keep it a secret from me all the way until Christmas morning I will never know! There was no secret to be had once the big moment came though. Their eyes said it all. "Merry Christmas Mommy!" they all shouted. In their hands was the most beautiful hand-made manger ever! Using materials they found around the yard, my wonderful children had built me a manger. I could not hold back the tears. It was magnificent!
I had been wanting a manger for a very long time, and they found a way to give me my heart's desire. They had no money to build it; they built it with love instead. That was 21 years ago, but I still have that manger. I will keep it until the day I die.
Ever since that day, I have seen Christmas differently. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love looking at the lights and baking delicious Kolachky! I love giving and receiving gifts...especially the kind that come from the heart, not from obligation. Most of all, I love thinking about and talking about the best gift of all - Jesus!
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
As we approach Christmas day, many people are scurrying about choosing gifts for loved ones and friends. Sadly, some will buy and give gifts out of a feeling of obligation. Those are the people you hear complaining about the Christmas season. They gripe about the shopping, the crowds, the expense of presents, the cooking, the cleaning, the entertaining, the decorating, etc, etc
If only people would stop long enough to feel the air entering their lungs, to savor the taste of food, to listen to the laughter of children, to enjoy being able to see the sparkle of colored lights. Why can't they? Maybe a good dose of It's a Wonderful Life would remedy their outlook. Better to learn to appreciate life by watching a movie than to experience what it is like to have life taken away.
I have been guilty plenty of times of complaining about things in my life. Yet I of all people should do nothing but rejoice. Death has come knocking at my door several times, but God has chosen for me to continue living. He has a purpose for my life, and to waste it on complaining would be an insult to Him. Oh, when I think about all the wonderful blessings He has given me! Gifts galore from my Father whom I adore! Each day of this blog I am attempting to share one of those gifts with you. Today, however, I'd like to share three. I figured that's appropriate since three gifts were given to Jesus by the wise men.
The three gifts I'd like to share with you are my children, Jennifer LeiAnn, Justin Timothy, and Ryan Charles. Each and every day I am thankful for those three gifts. Over the next three days, I will share how each of their lives were almost lost and how God chose instead to give them life. For today though, I want to share the most wonderful Christmas gift they ever gave me.
I remember we were living in Tallahassee, Fl, and we had no money for Christmas presents. I managed to scrape up a little to get them each something, but it wasn't much. I knew they would be okay with that because they were three of the most appreciative kids I'd ever known. In fact, their hearts were more concerned about blessing others than with receiving anything for their own selves. Of course, I encouraged their eagerness to donate canned goods, blankets, and old coats to charity, but I never imagined the act of kindness they were up to without my knowledge.
How they managed to keep it a secret from me all the way until Christmas morning I will never know! There was no secret to be had once the big moment came though. Their eyes said it all. "Merry Christmas Mommy!" they all shouted. In their hands was the most beautiful hand-made manger ever! Using materials they found around the yard, my wonderful children had built me a manger. I could not hold back the tears. It was magnificent!
I had been wanting a manger for a very long time, and they found a way to give me my heart's desire. They had no money to build it; they built it with love instead. That was 21 years ago, but I still have that manger. I will keep it until the day I die.
Ever since that day, I have seen Christmas differently. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love looking at the lights and baking delicious Kolachky! I love giving and receiving gifts...especially the kind that come from the heart, not from obligation. Most of all, I love thinking about and talking about the best gift of all - Jesus!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 16
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
As I read this scripture today, I was reminded of a thought I once had concerning the part about healing. As Jesus took the stripes upon his back, flesh was stripped away. Could it be that we are healed as we allow our "flesh" to be stripped away? Could "his stripes" be symbolic of what will happen when we allow God to peel away our flesh...peel away our evil thoughts, desires, and deeds? As we allow him to strip away our old flesh man and make us a new creation, are we not then forgiven and healed? Just a thought. As I ponder this, I pray I will always strive to allow God to free me from the flesh - every minute of every day. As I do, I also pray for a greater understanding of how to live in a constant state of healing in our spirit, soul, and body as we walk through our journey here on Earth. Right now I need healing in my leg. I know it can come because God's Word says so. I just need to believe and then I will receive. I didn't say hope or wish; I said believe. There is a difference. Today's boast is to remind me that healing can and does come.
I remember in 2006 when I was told by my physician that my iron level was low. There didn't seem to be much concern on his part; he merely told me to get an iron supplement from the drugstore. However, something in my spirit told me to investigate further. You see, I had struggled with constipation (sorry for the TMI!) for about 4 years AND my father had died of colon cancer. I decided to research on the Internet to see if low iron had any correlation to colon cancer. Sure enough, it did.
As a result of my research, my symptoms, and my family history, I decided to ask my doctor to order a colonoscopy. The procedure was done, and the gastrointerologist told my daughter and me that if I had waited a couple of more years before having the procedure done, I would have "been toast". It turns out I had a huge polyp in my colon that had advanced cancer cells. The specialist had burned it off, but after receiving the biopsy results he said I would have to come back in two months to have that part of my colon tattooed at the spot where the polyp had been so that he could remove that part of my colon.
My husband Frank took immediate action. Frank said, "When you go back in two months, the doctor will not even be able to see where he burned off the polyp! All he will see is new flesh! We printed up a copy of all the healing scriptures Dodie Osteen had used during her terminal illness (which she got healed of btw!) and started confessing them aloud several times per day. God's word is "medicine to our flesh", so we took the word like medicine...like a prescription. Yes, it was boring and tedious. No, it didn't seem like it was doing any good. Yes, I was still having symptoms. No, we didn't stop taking the medicine.
Two months later, when I returned to the specialist, he said with a smile, "I couldn't even see where the spot was where I burned off the polyp! All I can see is fresh, new flesh! I will not be removing any part of your colon. Just come back in 1 year for a check up." After a year, still no sign of anything returning. After several more checkups over the past 5 years, NOTHING! Nothing but God's healing power sustaining me! God is awesome!
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
As I read this scripture today, I was reminded of a thought I once had concerning the part about healing. As Jesus took the stripes upon his back, flesh was stripped away. Could it be that we are healed as we allow our "flesh" to be stripped away? Could "his stripes" be symbolic of what will happen when we allow God to peel away our flesh...peel away our evil thoughts, desires, and deeds? As we allow him to strip away our old flesh man and make us a new creation, are we not then forgiven and healed? Just a thought. As I ponder this, I pray I will always strive to allow God to free me from the flesh - every minute of every day. As I do, I also pray for a greater understanding of how to live in a constant state of healing in our spirit, soul, and body as we walk through our journey here on Earth. Right now I need healing in my leg. I know it can come because God's Word says so. I just need to believe and then I will receive. I didn't say hope or wish; I said believe. There is a difference. Today's boast is to remind me that healing can and does come.
I remember in 2006 when I was told by my physician that my iron level was low. There didn't seem to be much concern on his part; he merely told me to get an iron supplement from the drugstore. However, something in my spirit told me to investigate further. You see, I had struggled with constipation (sorry for the TMI!) for about 4 years AND my father had died of colon cancer. I decided to research on the Internet to see if low iron had any correlation to colon cancer. Sure enough, it did.
As a result of my research, my symptoms, and my family history, I decided to ask my doctor to order a colonoscopy. The procedure was done, and the gastrointerologist told my daughter and me that if I had waited a couple of more years before having the procedure done, I would have "been toast". It turns out I had a huge polyp in my colon that had advanced cancer cells. The specialist had burned it off, but after receiving the biopsy results he said I would have to come back in two months to have that part of my colon tattooed at the spot where the polyp had been so that he could remove that part of my colon.
My husband Frank took immediate action. Frank said, "When you go back in two months, the doctor will not even be able to see where he burned off the polyp! All he will see is new flesh! We printed up a copy of all the healing scriptures Dodie Osteen had used during her terminal illness (which she got healed of btw!) and started confessing them aloud several times per day. God's word is "medicine to our flesh", so we took the word like medicine...like a prescription. Yes, it was boring and tedious. No, it didn't seem like it was doing any good. Yes, I was still having symptoms. No, we didn't stop taking the medicine.
Two months later, when I returned to the specialist, he said with a smile, "I couldn't even see where the spot was where I burned off the polyp! All I can see is fresh, new flesh! I will not be removing any part of your colon. Just come back in 1 year for a check up." After a year, still no sign of anything returning. After several more checkups over the past 5 years, NOTHING! Nothing but God's healing power sustaining me! God is awesome!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 15
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
I remember all the times I have come so very close to death. Yet this morning, I awoke. I can breathe. I can walk. I can talk. I can type. :-) God is awesome!
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
I remember all the times I have come so very close to death. Yet this morning, I awoke. I can breathe. I can walk. I can talk. I can type. :-) God is awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 14
I got a couple of days behind on putting my boasts into the blog, so I'm going to just share a quick boast for both days. One is for yesterday, and the next one I do will be for today.
Okay...yesterday's boast:
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
I remember when it looked like I would be the only one in my family to ever get born again. However, after several years (more for some than for others) of prayer, my mom and all my siblings gave their hearts to the Lord! God is awesome!
Okay...yesterday's boast:
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
I remember when it looked like I would be the only one in my family to ever get born again. However, after several years (more for some than for others) of prayer, my mom and all my siblings gave their hearts to the Lord! God is awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 13
Hebrews 13:5-6
For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
As I was reading the scriptures this morning concerning the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus, I got to thinking about a poem my sister Gerri wrote called "Alone". I can't even fathom how alone Jesus must have felt during that darkest of times in his life. He even cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He felt like even his Father had left him.
Likewise, I'm sure his disciples and other followers felt scared and abandoned as well. Although they had just lived through 3 1/2 years of being front row witnesses to some of the most spectacular miracles one could ever imagine, now they felt utterly and completely alone. In that moment of harsh reality, their thoughts were not focused on the magnificent miracles they had seen and even taken part in. No, now their thoughts were focused on what was happening now.
They, like Jesus, felt alone. Yes, they knew Jesus loved them; yes, they knew Jesus could do the impossible; yes, they knew Jesus had always been there for them. Yet, this was different. No longer could they see him, hear him, touch him. This time they were alone. Who would calm the raging sea of life's all-too-real problems now? Jesus was gone; they were on their own.
Of course, we know the outcome of this most magnificent piece of history (some day I will explain why I hesitate to call it a story). We all know that while the disciples were feeling like Jesus was no longer there to help them, he was actually in Hell kicking satan's rear end for them! He was busy securing the victory of their salvation! He was enduring Hell and all that went with it so that all mankind could have the opportunity to live. In fact, not just so they could live, but so that they could live more abundantly! Hallelujah!
Eventually, the disciples realized all of that, but for a time they felt alone. They were scared and not at all sure how they could possibly do the ministry they were called to do when everything in their lives looked so terrible. Some of them, out of sheer frustration and not knowing what else to do, went back to their old lives, their old ways.
Wow! What was wrong with those disciples? They should have known Jesus would never leave them nor forsake them, right? Easy to say when we look at them because we know the outcome, but what about us? Aren't we guilty of the same thing? Even though we have seen miracles, don't we often forget to focus on the wonderful things the Lord has done in our lives? Just like the disciples, we often feel alone when bad times arise. We feel like we can't see Jesus in our situation. We feel like we can no longer hear him. We feel like we can't sense his presence at all. Fear takes a grip on our oars, and before we know it, we have paddled head-on into a massive storm of doubt and unbelief.
If that description fits you, as it does all of us at one time or another, stop trying to take matters in your own hands! Jesus has not left you! He is still in your boat, but maybe you have allowed the Jesus in you to go to sleep. Well, what are you waiting for? All you have to do is call upon his name! JESUS! Wake up Jesus within you by getting your focus back on him! Stir up your faith by thinking on and talking about all the wonderful things God has done in your life! Remember...you may not know how, you may not know when, but if he did it before, he'll do it again!
Whew! That was a long introduction! Here's today's boast:
I remember when it looked like all I knew as life was lost. It definitely didn't feel like God was anywhere around. I was in the midst of watching my marriage of 14 years crumble before my very eyes after discovering something horrible. Foolishly, I stayed married in hopes that we could all get counseling and that God would heal my family and my marriage.
As a result, I hurt my daughter worse than I will ever be able to imagine. Our once strong relationship dwindled, and all was for naught because counseling never happened and the tension in our home was thick enough to choke the life right out of you. One-and-a-half years later, I finally ended the marriage.
It felt like my life was over. It felt like I would never experience happiness again. Ahh...but God had different plans! Although I felt so alone during those times, he never left me nor forsook me. He ended up giving me another husband who is a Christian man, and we have now been married for almost 11 years! Also, God has repaired my relationship with my daughter, and she has become an awesome and mighty woman of God! Even the strained relationship with my sons has begun to heal, and they both are walking with the Lord now as well!
So as I go through the situation I'm in now, which is nowhere near as horrible as that situation was, I choose to REMEMBER all that God has brought me through. He did it before, and I know he is doing it again. God is awesome!
For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
As I was reading the scriptures this morning concerning the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus, I got to thinking about a poem my sister Gerri wrote called "Alone". I can't even fathom how alone Jesus must have felt during that darkest of times in his life. He even cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He felt like even his Father had left him.
Likewise, I'm sure his disciples and other followers felt scared and abandoned as well. Although they had just lived through 3 1/2 years of being front row witnesses to some of the most spectacular miracles one could ever imagine, now they felt utterly and completely alone. In that moment of harsh reality, their thoughts were not focused on the magnificent miracles they had seen and even taken part in. No, now their thoughts were focused on what was happening now.
They, like Jesus, felt alone. Yes, they knew Jesus loved them; yes, they knew Jesus could do the impossible; yes, they knew Jesus had always been there for them. Yet, this was different. No longer could they see him, hear him, touch him. This time they were alone. Who would calm the raging sea of life's all-too-real problems now? Jesus was gone; they were on their own.
Of course, we know the outcome of this most magnificent piece of history (some day I will explain why I hesitate to call it a story). We all know that while the disciples were feeling like Jesus was no longer there to help them, he was actually in Hell kicking satan's rear end for them! He was busy securing the victory of their salvation! He was enduring Hell and all that went with it so that all mankind could have the opportunity to live. In fact, not just so they could live, but so that they could live more abundantly! Hallelujah!
Eventually, the disciples realized all of that, but for a time they felt alone. They were scared and not at all sure how they could possibly do the ministry they were called to do when everything in their lives looked so terrible. Some of them, out of sheer frustration and not knowing what else to do, went back to their old lives, their old ways.
Wow! What was wrong with those disciples? They should have known Jesus would never leave them nor forsake them, right? Easy to say when we look at them because we know the outcome, but what about us? Aren't we guilty of the same thing? Even though we have seen miracles, don't we often forget to focus on the wonderful things the Lord has done in our lives? Just like the disciples, we often feel alone when bad times arise. We feel like we can't see Jesus in our situation. We feel like we can no longer hear him. We feel like we can't sense his presence at all. Fear takes a grip on our oars, and before we know it, we have paddled head-on into a massive storm of doubt and unbelief.
If that description fits you, as it does all of us at one time or another, stop trying to take matters in your own hands! Jesus has not left you! He is still in your boat, but maybe you have allowed the Jesus in you to go to sleep. Well, what are you waiting for? All you have to do is call upon his name! JESUS! Wake up Jesus within you by getting your focus back on him! Stir up your faith by thinking on and talking about all the wonderful things God has done in your life! Remember...you may not know how, you may not know when, but if he did it before, he'll do it again!
Whew! That was a long introduction! Here's today's boast:
I remember when it looked like all I knew as life was lost. It definitely didn't feel like God was anywhere around. I was in the midst of watching my marriage of 14 years crumble before my very eyes after discovering something horrible. Foolishly, I stayed married in hopes that we could all get counseling and that God would heal my family and my marriage.
As a result, I hurt my daughter worse than I will ever be able to imagine. Our once strong relationship dwindled, and all was for naught because counseling never happened and the tension in our home was thick enough to choke the life right out of you. One-and-a-half years later, I finally ended the marriage.
It felt like my life was over. It felt like I would never experience happiness again. Ahh...but God had different plans! Although I felt so alone during those times, he never left me nor forsook me. He ended up giving me another husband who is a Christian man, and we have now been married for almost 11 years! Also, God has repaired my relationship with my daughter, and she has become an awesome and mighty woman of God! Even the strained relationship with my sons has begun to heal, and they both are walking with the Lord now as well!
So as I go through the situation I'm in now, which is nowhere near as horrible as that situation was, I choose to REMEMBER all that God has brought me through. He did it before, and I know he is doing it again. God is awesome!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 12
Psalm 9:1
I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
The time is drawing nearer to Christmas day, so I love watching all the old classic Christmas movies. By far my favorite is It's a Wonderful Life. In fact, I think it is a good movie to watch at any time of year. This is especially true if one is struggling with being grateful. Although that is not a problem for me at this very moment, it could become so if I focus on not having a job and things like that. Therefore, instead of worrying or whining, I will focus on being grateful. Thus, the topic of today's boast:
I remember a time back in 1996 when I had major surgery to repair a herniated disc in the cervical region of my spine. It had worn away the myelin sheath around my spinal cord and had resulted in significant nerve damage. After the surgery was completed and I was placed in the recovery room, I stopped breathing. The doctors managed to resuscitate me, but I ended up intubated for about a week or so. When I finally got released from the hospital a few weeks later, I was filled with awe and wonder as the beauty of Christmas lights shone all around me. Likewise, even though it was winter, the bare trees and cloudy sky were breathtaking! Better yet, the sight of my children's faces as I walked through the front door for the first time in what seemed like forever. I inhaled God's goodness as I looked at their faces. I was so grateful for them and for life, and I still am to this day. God is awesome!
I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
The time is drawing nearer to Christmas day, so I love watching all the old classic Christmas movies. By far my favorite is It's a Wonderful Life. In fact, I think it is a good movie to watch at any time of year. This is especially true if one is struggling with being grateful. Although that is not a problem for me at this very moment, it could become so if I focus on not having a job and things like that. Therefore, instead of worrying or whining, I will focus on being grateful. Thus, the topic of today's boast:
I remember a time back in 1996 when I had major surgery to repair a herniated disc in the cervical region of my spine. It had worn away the myelin sheath around my spinal cord and had resulted in significant nerve damage. After the surgery was completed and I was placed in the recovery room, I stopped breathing. The doctors managed to resuscitate me, but I ended up intubated for about a week or so. When I finally got released from the hospital a few weeks later, I was filled with awe and wonder as the beauty of Christmas lights shone all around me. Likewise, even though it was winter, the bare trees and cloudy sky were breathtaking! Better yet, the sight of my children's faces as I walked through the front door for the first time in what seemed like forever. I inhaled God's goodness as I looked at their faces. I was so grateful for them and for life, and I still am to this day. God is awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 11
Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
More so than ever before in history, humans have a wide array of things to delight in. Many of us delight ourselves in the hottest new electronic items, others take delight in clothing, cars, boats, trips, and more. Strangely, it seems the more we delight ourselves in all those things, the greater our desire becomes for even more things. Or so it seems. My question then is this, if we are getting the things we truly desire, then why are we not satisfied? Why are we not content? Could it be those things are not our true desires? Think about what the scripture shown above says. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. I believe that means our true desires...the desires that, when fulfilled, bring us satisfaction and contentment deep within our soul. Such is the subject of today's boast:
I remember spending the last 20 years or so of my life with a knowing that I am a minister and a writer. Am I the world's best minister and writer? Not by any stretch of the imagination, but I am a minister and writer nonetheless. There is nothing I love doing more than ministering to hurting people in prisons, drug rehab centers, etc. The only problem is that I put that on the back burner 6 years ago when I found myself caught up in the cares of this world. As for writing, well I haven't done much of that either. It is in me to be a writer of fiction, non-fiction, sermons, devotionals, and even curriculum. Yet, I have spent my entire life chasing other desires. As a result, the majority of my life has sped by while I was trying to earn enough money to afford those other desires. Funny thing is that none of my efforts has resulted in great wealth, and certainly none has resulted in great happiness. Quite the contrary.
However, very recently I wound up in a situation that took me out of my teaching career and plopped me down in front of my computer to begin my dream of writing. Is it a coincidence that this happened only 2 months after enrolling in Higher Ground School of Ministry? I think not. You see, as I returned to my first love, He put me back on course for the true desires of my heart...the desires He placed within me.
The way this all came about is nothing short of miraculous! I was offered and I accepted a teaching position in Florida, thus causing me to resign my position here in Georgia. Much to my surprise, the Florida job fell through, and I found myself unemployed. If anyone knows my husband, they would know that his first reaction would be for me to go and get my old job back or at least find another teaching job. BUT GOD! God moved on Frank's heart, and now Frank is the one encouraging me to stay home and develop curriculum that I will be selling and to write the book I'm working on. Wow! God is awesome!
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
More so than ever before in history, humans have a wide array of things to delight in. Many of us delight ourselves in the hottest new electronic items, others take delight in clothing, cars, boats, trips, and more. Strangely, it seems the more we delight ourselves in all those things, the greater our desire becomes for even more things. Or so it seems. My question then is this, if we are getting the things we truly desire, then why are we not satisfied? Why are we not content? Could it be those things are not our true desires? Think about what the scripture shown above says. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. I believe that means our true desires...the desires that, when fulfilled, bring us satisfaction and contentment deep within our soul. Such is the subject of today's boast:
I remember spending the last 20 years or so of my life with a knowing that I am a minister and a writer. Am I the world's best minister and writer? Not by any stretch of the imagination, but I am a minister and writer nonetheless. There is nothing I love doing more than ministering to hurting people in prisons, drug rehab centers, etc. The only problem is that I put that on the back burner 6 years ago when I found myself caught up in the cares of this world. As for writing, well I haven't done much of that either. It is in me to be a writer of fiction, non-fiction, sermons, devotionals, and even curriculum. Yet, I have spent my entire life chasing other desires. As a result, the majority of my life has sped by while I was trying to earn enough money to afford those other desires. Funny thing is that none of my efforts has resulted in great wealth, and certainly none has resulted in great happiness. Quite the contrary.
However, very recently I wound up in a situation that took me out of my teaching career and plopped me down in front of my computer to begin my dream of writing. Is it a coincidence that this happened only 2 months after enrolling in Higher Ground School of Ministry? I think not. You see, as I returned to my first love, He put me back on course for the true desires of my heart...the desires He placed within me.
The way this all came about is nothing short of miraculous! I was offered and I accepted a teaching position in Florida, thus causing me to resign my position here in Georgia. Much to my surprise, the Florida job fell through, and I found myself unemployed. If anyone knows my husband, they would know that his first reaction would be for me to go and get my old job back or at least find another teaching job. BUT GOD! God moved on Frank's heart, and now Frank is the one encouraging me to stay home and develop curriculum that I will be selling and to write the book I'm working on. Wow! God is awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 10
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Yes, these are tough economic times...has been for a few years. However, the outcome of those hard times on us personally has a lot to do with our attitude and what we choose to do with what we have. Are we freaking out, or are we trusting in the Lord? Are we griping and complaining, or are we entering His courts with thanksgiving in our hearts? Are we hoarding what we have, or are ready and willing to freely give as the Lord directs us? Selah. Here's today's boast:
I remember when Frank was without work for 7 months. His company went bankrupt, and everyone got canned. Now I'm not going to lie and say Frank was dancing a jig throughout that entire ordeal. Trust me, he had some challenging days. Yet, we never went without. Why? I believe it's because we stayed in the Word and we were giving. We stayed hooked up to our life source - Jesus! Eventually, Frank got a job and is still with that company to this day. He has good hours, good pay, good benefits, and works with great people. It is a MUCH better place to work than where he was before. On top of all of that, when we got to the end of that crazy year and began to prepare our tax paperwork, we discovered that not only had we given during those difficult times, but God had somehow enabled us to give MORE than we had ever given before! Talk about pouring out a blessing! God is so awesome!
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Yes, these are tough economic times...has been for a few years. However, the outcome of those hard times on us personally has a lot to do with our attitude and what we choose to do with what we have. Are we freaking out, or are we trusting in the Lord? Are we griping and complaining, or are we entering His courts with thanksgiving in our hearts? Are we hoarding what we have, or are ready and willing to freely give as the Lord directs us? Selah. Here's today's boast:
I remember when Frank was without work for 7 months. His company went bankrupt, and everyone got canned. Now I'm not going to lie and say Frank was dancing a jig throughout that entire ordeal. Trust me, he had some challenging days. Yet, we never went without. Why? I believe it's because we stayed in the Word and we were giving. We stayed hooked up to our life source - Jesus! Eventually, Frank got a job and is still with that company to this day. He has good hours, good pay, good benefits, and works with great people. It is a MUCH better place to work than where he was before. On top of all of that, when we got to the end of that crazy year and began to prepare our tax paperwork, we discovered that not only had we given during those difficult times, but God had somehow enabled us to give MORE than we had ever given before! Talk about pouring out a blessing! God is so awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 9
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
It is easy to give during times when we have plenty of money in the bank. In fact, during those times we may even subconsciously pat ourselves on the back because we are giving so much. Yet, when our financial status suddenly becomes a bit more challenging, many of us rationalize our way right out of giving. Sadly, even if we do give during those times, it usually isn't much. My hope is that today's boast will change that for someone. Here it is:
I remember a time back in 1995 when we were going through some very rough financial times. All I could afford to feed my three children was hotdogs, macaroni-n-cheese, and canned vegetables for about a month straight. Needless to say I concocted all kinds of creative ways to serve the same old thing over and over, and I tried to make it a fun and positive time for myself and the kids. I guess I was successful with that because my children now tell me they had no idea we were poor.
So there we were trying our best to get through the hot Florida summer without much food and without air conditioning. It was tempting to turn on the air, but I had to do everything I could to conserve money. It was uncomfortable, but we survived. Of course, as a mom, my heart ached to see my kids sweating all the time and eating the same old food every day, but I was grateful because I knew things could be a whole lot worse. In fact, knowing that there were others worse off than us is what prompted me to start "tithing".
I use quotation marks here because I had no income available to tithe off of. My husband at the time would not allow me to give money to the church from his income, and I had none of my own. Therefore, I decided to tithe groceries. If I spent $30 on groceries for my household, I gave $3 worth to the food pantry at church. Eventually, I added more than 10%. That may not seem like much, but it was like a million dollars to us. Especially since school was about to begin, and I had no money to buy the children good clothing and supplies.
That didn't stop us. My kids were always thinking of ways to give to others and be a blessing, and they just KNEW God would take care of their needs. And He did. We, the kids and I, had prayed that God would send us enough money not only to meet our own needs but also to be able to meet the needs of someone else as well. Two days before school was to begin, we received a very unexpected check in the mail for $1,000 dollars! I was able to buy groceries, pay the water and electric which were both about to be shut off, buy school supplies, buy school clothes and shoes, buy the gym clothes required by the school, AND BUY SUPPLIES AND GYM CLOTHES FOR ANOTHER CHILD ANONYMOUSLY! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see the smile and tears that child had when they received that blessing. There is no greater feeling than giving to others! God loves it when we do those kinds of things, so He always blesses us back so that we can give again and again and again! Isn't God awesome?
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
It is easy to give during times when we have plenty of money in the bank. In fact, during those times we may even subconsciously pat ourselves on the back because we are giving so much. Yet, when our financial status suddenly becomes a bit more challenging, many of us rationalize our way right out of giving. Sadly, even if we do give during those times, it usually isn't much. My hope is that today's boast will change that for someone. Here it is:
I remember a time back in 1995 when we were going through some very rough financial times. All I could afford to feed my three children was hotdogs, macaroni-n-cheese, and canned vegetables for about a month straight. Needless to say I concocted all kinds of creative ways to serve the same old thing over and over, and I tried to make it a fun and positive time for myself and the kids. I guess I was successful with that because my children now tell me they had no idea we were poor.
So there we were trying our best to get through the hot Florida summer without much food and without air conditioning. It was tempting to turn on the air, but I had to do everything I could to conserve money. It was uncomfortable, but we survived. Of course, as a mom, my heart ached to see my kids sweating all the time and eating the same old food every day, but I was grateful because I knew things could be a whole lot worse. In fact, knowing that there were others worse off than us is what prompted me to start "tithing".
I use quotation marks here because I had no income available to tithe off of. My husband at the time would not allow me to give money to the church from his income, and I had none of my own. Therefore, I decided to tithe groceries. If I spent $30 on groceries for my household, I gave $3 worth to the food pantry at church. Eventually, I added more than 10%. That may not seem like much, but it was like a million dollars to us. Especially since school was about to begin, and I had no money to buy the children good clothing and supplies.
That didn't stop us. My kids were always thinking of ways to give to others and be a blessing, and they just KNEW God would take care of their needs. And He did. We, the kids and I, had prayed that God would send us enough money not only to meet our own needs but also to be able to meet the needs of someone else as well. Two days before school was to begin, we received a very unexpected check in the mail for $1,000 dollars! I was able to buy groceries, pay the water and electric which were both about to be shut off, buy school supplies, buy school clothes and shoes, buy the gym clothes required by the school, AND BUY SUPPLIES AND GYM CLOTHES FOR ANOTHER CHILD ANONYMOUSLY! I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see the smile and tears that child had when they received that blessing. There is no greater feeling than giving to others! God loves it when we do those kinds of things, so He always blesses us back so that we can give again and again and again! Isn't God awesome?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 8
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Many people nowadays find themselves without a job and struggling to put food on the table. I have had times in the past of not having enough money for all the groceries I would like to buy, but God has always provided for me! That is the subject of today's boast:
I remember as a young wife and mother how difficult it was to get through tough financial times. Yet, as long as I kept my focus on Jesus, He always made a way. I recall one time when I only had $30 to purchase a week's worth of groceries for our family of five. I prayed over the little bit of money I had and I prayed all throughout the store as I shopped for our groceries.
It seemed that every isle had such incredible bargains unlike any I had ever seen before! In fact, even the dairy stocker approached me (why me when there were so many other customers in the store?) and told me he was going to throw some milk out that was expiring that day. He said that if I wanted it, he would give me two gallons for $1. He allowed me to open it and smell it, and it wasn't spoiled! Wow! I ended up walking out of that store with everything we needed for the week and even had enough to donate a little bit of it to the food pantry at church. God is sooooo good! God is awesome!
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Many people nowadays find themselves without a job and struggling to put food on the table. I have had times in the past of not having enough money for all the groceries I would like to buy, but God has always provided for me! That is the subject of today's boast:
I remember as a young wife and mother how difficult it was to get through tough financial times. Yet, as long as I kept my focus on Jesus, He always made a way. I recall one time when I only had $30 to purchase a week's worth of groceries for our family of five. I prayed over the little bit of money I had and I prayed all throughout the store as I shopped for our groceries.
It seemed that every isle had such incredible bargains unlike any I had ever seen before! In fact, even the dairy stocker approached me (why me when there were so many other customers in the store?) and told me he was going to throw some milk out that was expiring that day. He said that if I wanted it, he would give me two gallons for $1. He allowed me to open it and smell it, and it wasn't spoiled! Wow! I ended up walking out of that store with everything we needed for the week and even had enough to donate a little bit of it to the food pantry at church. God is sooooo good! God is awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 7
Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Our pastor spoke on this psalm on Sunday. He emphasized how if you take away the la, la, la dreamy feeling that is often associated with this passage, it can actually paint a picture of just what we will go through if we are truly trusting in Jesus as our Lord and as our shepherd. He allows us to go through some pretty tough times, times where "enemies" are all around us. Yet, we are not to tuck tail and run. We are to trust Him. It won't be comfortable; it won't be fun, but we are to trust Him. I have had more practice at this than I care to think about. Oh, how He must love me! How can I say that when I just finished saying I have been through lots and lots of bad times? I can say that because He has always been there with me, and He has always eventually led me out of those places. I'll give an example from long ago in today's boast:
Long ago, before I knew Jesus as my savior (but He must have known I would be His someday), I was taken captive at knifepoint. I won't go into all the details of how that came about, but I will tell you I was held captive for about eight hours. I was fifteen years old, very promiscuous, and I was a drug addict. That all played into me eventually being held captive by several guys who did not have good intentions for me. One particular guy who was bigger than the rest made the others leave so that he could rape me.
As he began attempting that wicked act while he held a knife to my throat, I found myself saying the "Our Father" over and over as fast as I could utter the words. It was the only part of scripture I knew; I had learned it as a little girl.
The guy trying to rape me kept hitting me over and over across the face telling me to stop saying those words, but I wouldn't stop.I figured if I was going to die, I would want to die praying. I hoped that instead of dying though that He would hear my prayer and rescue me. He did.
The rapist was unable to carry through with what he was attempting to do because my praying non-stop kind of ruined it for him. I thought maybe he would kill me at that point. He didn't. Instead, he drove me to a club where he got some friends of his to drive me to the other side of the city where I lived.
I took them to a location that was not my actual address, but I acted as if I was letting myself into the front door of the house. Thankfully, they drove away. As soon as they were out of sight, I ran as fast as I could to my real address. I was so grateful to be alive!
Of course going through something like that is scary, but I am living proof that the Lord can and will rescue you from the grips of the enemy...no matter who or what that enemy is. I praise God for life with Him! God is awesome!
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Our pastor spoke on this psalm on Sunday. He emphasized how if you take away the la, la, la dreamy feeling that is often associated with this passage, it can actually paint a picture of just what we will go through if we are truly trusting in Jesus as our Lord and as our shepherd. He allows us to go through some pretty tough times, times where "enemies" are all around us. Yet, we are not to tuck tail and run. We are to trust Him. It won't be comfortable; it won't be fun, but we are to trust Him. I have had more practice at this than I care to think about. Oh, how He must love me! How can I say that when I just finished saying I have been through lots and lots of bad times? I can say that because He has always been there with me, and He has always eventually led me out of those places. I'll give an example from long ago in today's boast:
Long ago, before I knew Jesus as my savior (but He must have known I would be His someday), I was taken captive at knifepoint. I won't go into all the details of how that came about, but I will tell you I was held captive for about eight hours. I was fifteen years old, very promiscuous, and I was a drug addict. That all played into me eventually being held captive by several guys who did not have good intentions for me. One particular guy who was bigger than the rest made the others leave so that he could rape me.
As he began attempting that wicked act while he held a knife to my throat, I found myself saying the "Our Father" over and over as fast as I could utter the words. It was the only part of scripture I knew; I had learned it as a little girl.
The guy trying to rape me kept hitting me over and over across the face telling me to stop saying those words, but I wouldn't stop.I figured if I was going to die, I would want to die praying. I hoped that instead of dying though that He would hear my prayer and rescue me. He did.
The rapist was unable to carry through with what he was attempting to do because my praying non-stop kind of ruined it for him. I thought maybe he would kill me at that point. He didn't. Instead, he drove me to a club where he got some friends of his to drive me to the other side of the city where I lived.
I took them to a location that was not my actual address, but I acted as if I was letting myself into the front door of the house. Thankfully, they drove away. As soon as they were out of sight, I ran as fast as I could to my real address. I was so grateful to be alive!
Of course going through something like that is scary, but I am living proof that the Lord can and will rescue you from the grips of the enemy...no matter who or what that enemy is. I praise God for life with Him! God is awesome!
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 6
Psalm 40:2
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Sometimes, when we least expect it, life takes a sudden turn. Such was the case with me Saturday morning. I was all set to head to Florida for my new job when, all of a sudden, the entire thing fell through. There had been signs of this all week, but each time a difficult spot came along there was also a quick and easy way out. That was not to be the case on Saturday morning when I discovered that all avenues for Florida to recognize my Georgia teaching certifications had been exhausted and none prevailed.
One might think I would be terribly upset about that outcome, especially since I have been wanting to go home to my friends, family, and church there for so very long. It was so near, yet the door closed. So why am I not upset? Because I trust my Father in Heaven. Besides...there have been many times in my life when it appeared that all was lost when it really wasn't. Such is the topic of today's boast:
I remember once when I accepted a job for an online teaching position. Similar to my current circumstances, I resigned my position with the district I was working for in order to take on the new position. However, the numbers for the online school dropped dramatically, thus resulting in my new position being axed. I went about five months without a job, and I must say it got pretty scary. Although God did not stay on my time clock, He did indeed come through with another position. In fact, that is the position I have been at for the past five years! Was the waiting difficult? Yes! Yet I must say that it allowed me time to reflect on things I otherwise may not have taken the time to think on. Did I die as a result of waiting for that next job? No! Was it uncomfortable? Yes! Yet, the miracle DID COME! Praise God! So...I now can boast on that outcome and I can boast on how awesome it was that my Father cared enough about me to give me some much needed personal reflection time. Remember, He always knows what we need and when we need it. Just trust Him. God is awesome!
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Sometimes, when we least expect it, life takes a sudden turn. Such was the case with me Saturday morning. I was all set to head to Florida for my new job when, all of a sudden, the entire thing fell through. There had been signs of this all week, but each time a difficult spot came along there was also a quick and easy way out. That was not to be the case on Saturday morning when I discovered that all avenues for Florida to recognize my Georgia teaching certifications had been exhausted and none prevailed.
One might think I would be terribly upset about that outcome, especially since I have been wanting to go home to my friends, family, and church there for so very long. It was so near, yet the door closed. So why am I not upset? Because I trust my Father in Heaven. Besides...there have been many times in my life when it appeared that all was lost when it really wasn't. Such is the topic of today's boast:
I remember once when I accepted a job for an online teaching position. Similar to my current circumstances, I resigned my position with the district I was working for in order to take on the new position. However, the numbers for the online school dropped dramatically, thus resulting in my new position being axed. I went about five months without a job, and I must say it got pretty scary. Although God did not stay on my time clock, He did indeed come through with another position. In fact, that is the position I have been at for the past five years! Was the waiting difficult? Yes! Yet I must say that it allowed me time to reflect on things I otherwise may not have taken the time to think on. Did I die as a result of waiting for that next job? No! Was it uncomfortable? Yes! Yet, the miracle DID COME! Praise God! So...I now can boast on that outcome and I can boast on how awesome it was that my Father cared enough about me to give me some much needed personal reflection time. Remember, He always knows what we need and when we need it. Just trust Him. God is awesome!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 5
Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
There are going to be times when the circumstances in our lives do not make any sense. If we focus all our energy on trying to figure it all out, we will instead wear ourselves out! Therefore, it is so much better to just trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. As the scripture shown above states, He will direct our paths if we acknowledge Him. That has proven true so many times in my life and is the topic of today's boast:
I remember a time when I found myself suddenly unemployed. It was a bit unnerving to say the least, and it certainly did not put my husband in the best of moods. :-) However, before long God gave me a wonderful job that I enjoyed. The problem was, though, that the pay was nowhere near what I had been making at my previous job. No matter because God gave me favor and helped me to shine in the work I was doing. The bosses noticed and decided to promote me within the first month I was there! God is so good!
Of course, that was many years ago, but I learned a valuable lesson from all of that. I now know to relax in the midst of crazy situations like the one I find myself in right now. Similar to back then, I am currently out of a job due to some unexpected glitches in the job I was supposed to get in Florida. That's okay. I'm okay with it, and Frank is okay with it. God knows what He is doing. We are excited to see the final outcome in all of this. Praise His holy name! God is awesome!
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
There are going to be times when the circumstances in our lives do not make any sense. If we focus all our energy on trying to figure it all out, we will instead wear ourselves out! Therefore, it is so much better to just trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. As the scripture shown above states, He will direct our paths if we acknowledge Him. That has proven true so many times in my life and is the topic of today's boast:
I remember a time when I found myself suddenly unemployed. It was a bit unnerving to say the least, and it certainly did not put my husband in the best of moods. :-) However, before long God gave me a wonderful job that I enjoyed. The problem was, though, that the pay was nowhere near what I had been making at my previous job. No matter because God gave me favor and helped me to shine in the work I was doing. The bosses noticed and decided to promote me within the first month I was there! God is so good!
Of course, that was many years ago, but I learned a valuable lesson from all of that. I now know to relax in the midst of crazy situations like the one I find myself in right now. Similar to back then, I am currently out of a job due to some unexpected glitches in the job I was supposed to get in Florida. That's okay. I'm okay with it, and Frank is okay with it. God knows what He is doing. We are excited to see the final outcome in all of this. Praise His holy name! God is awesome!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Mama C's Boasting Blog - Day 4
Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Yesterday I broke the news to my students that this Friday will be my last day with them. Some of them took it pretty hard, others were just moderately sad, and still others seemed void of any emotion whatsoever. There are a few very special ones that I will carry in my heart always. Jessica, Daniel, Wayne, Jaborious, Jai...I guess I may have to skype myself into their classroom before the year is up. I think they would get a kick out of that. In the meantime, I hope the seeds I have planted in them will grow forth good fruit. They are in God's hands now, and that is the best place for them to be. I know God can do the miraculous in their lives because I am living proof of that. Some of the evidence of that is in today's boast:
I remember when a young man in my 11th grade homeroom class witnessed to me about Jesus and how much the Lord loved me. That young man planted seed in me that definitely ended up bearing good fruit. Although he never got to see the result of his seeds, it was his words that eventually led to me crying out to the Lord for help with my drug addiction.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was 19 years old and severely hooked on meth. My arms were black and blue from missing my veins so many times, and I felt like I just wanted to die. I cried out, "God, are you real? That boy and my mom both say that you are real, but how do I know that for sure? That boy at school keeps telling me that Jesus loves me and that I just need to have "faith". I don't know what that is or what it means, but if you are real, give me this thing called faith."
I won't go into the entire testimony right now, but suffice it to say that God showed up and showed out! He gave me that thing called faith, I asked Jesus into my heart to be the Lord of my life, and I got miraculously delivered from drug addiction! I have now been free for almost 30 years and never even had to fight the temptation of it ever again. Now that's worth boasting about! God is awesome!
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Yesterday I broke the news to my students that this Friday will be my last day with them. Some of them took it pretty hard, others were just moderately sad, and still others seemed void of any emotion whatsoever. There are a few very special ones that I will carry in my heart always. Jessica, Daniel, Wayne, Jaborious, Jai...I guess I may have to skype myself into their classroom before the year is up. I think they would get a kick out of that. In the meantime, I hope the seeds I have planted in them will grow forth good fruit. They are in God's hands now, and that is the best place for them to be. I know God can do the miraculous in their lives because I am living proof of that. Some of the evidence of that is in today's boast:
I remember when a young man in my 11th grade homeroom class witnessed to me about Jesus and how much the Lord loved me. That young man planted seed in me that definitely ended up bearing good fruit. Although he never got to see the result of his seeds, it was his words that eventually led to me crying out to the Lord for help with my drug addiction.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was 19 years old and severely hooked on meth. My arms were black and blue from missing my veins so many times, and I felt like I just wanted to die. I cried out, "God, are you real? That boy and my mom both say that you are real, but how do I know that for sure? That boy at school keeps telling me that Jesus loves me and that I just need to have "faith". I don't know what that is or what it means, but if you are real, give me this thing called faith."
I won't go into the entire testimony right now, but suffice it to say that God showed up and showed out! He gave me that thing called faith, I asked Jesus into my heart to be the Lord of my life, and I got miraculously delivered from drug addiction! I have now been free for almost 30 years and never even had to fight the temptation of it ever again. Now that's worth boasting about! God is awesome!
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