Well the truth is in our life that God does Redeem, I am redeemed and this is a photo of our new Home, we sold our home in califorina at a loss and for the last 12 years have been making house payments on a house we do not have, why? because we believed that was the right thing to do. Sept 14th we moved into our new home a gift from God! to god be the Glory!!!

I hope you know who you are...

In a few weeks it will mark 12 years ago God moved us from California to Texas, we sold our 1901 renovated house at a loss, and packed our things, quit our jobs, and moved here to be near Dad and Mom who do not yet have a need, but so that when they do we will be able to care for them…It was hard at first… no job, no friends, no church family. Whew, I had lived there most of my life)  I missed my friends, I missed my church, I missed my home, I prayed, boy did I pray (begged really) for God to give me a strong Christ centered woman to be my friend, someone who would come along side me and grow with me in my relationship with Him and through that friendship and a heart that wanted more of Him and less of me that He would help me become the woman He created me to be.

I believe that God was calling us to do this move there was a lot of prayer that went into this decision, it was not long after we got here that God called and we surrendered to ministry.

Yesterday we were notified that that house we sold 2000 is now paid off can I get a woohoo… lol that’s right for the past 12 years we have been paying for a house we no longer have not because of our credit rating, but because it was the right thing to do.

Dear sweet Friend and Sister in Christ I thank you for your strength, beauty, gentleness, courage, love and grace as we have walked parts of our journey together. Your friendship has not only been an answer to prayer but has marked the woman that God is creating me to be. I love you and treasure you and will always be better because you touched my life, thank you! I know that God had a plan for both of us as He lit the path before us until the two became one path if only for a time. Some of the walks were longer than others and I believe that though we may part for a time our path and heart strings will stay attached. And some relationships were for “such a time as this” a time that we both needed to grow together. I Pray that you will become the Woman that God created you to be that He would plant His will and word deep in your heart. As I prayed this morning I had an almost Overwhelming desire to reach out and share this with you, this is why I am sharing now my Life is better because you touched me. I love you and treasure our walk together with Him! Thank you!

                                                                                                Love and Prayers

                                                                                                                Julie  

Just saying...

2 Corinthians 5:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

The people we choose to spend time with help determine the kind of person we are becoming. They love us, confront us, and help us do things we never thought we could.

       While He was on this earth, Jesus changed people’s lives by being their friend. A shady tax collector became St. Matthew, and a quick tempered fisherman became St. Peter. They were still themselves, but they were capable of saying and doing things that were quite beyond them until they became His friends. The heart of the Christian faith is that we too can know Jesus, and our friendship with Him can change our lives. A friendship capable of making us the people that He created us to be, Father, Please forgive me for not seeing Jesus is the only friendship I can’t live with out

Just Saying...

as I read these words this morning there were a few things that stood out or touched my heart on some God level, in verse 1 ¹ O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. He examines my Heart now when there is sin. I want to hide or shamefully shrink away from this thought but this morning it gave me peace. Peace in knowing that my LORD who loves me knows my heart and He sees me. He sees my joy and my pain and He sees the motive of others. In verse 7 ⁷ I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! When I have read this in the past I have thought why would I want to escape God? However this morningI was reminded of a verse in Hebrews “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 so no matter where I go or what I do I can not get away form Him, and no matter what the facts say I can trust His truth (the Word of God) 

Psalm 139 For the choir director: A psalm of David.

¹ O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me.
² You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
³ You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.You know everything I do.
⁴ You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
⁵ You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

⁷ I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence!
⁸ If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,^[a] You are there.
⁹ If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
¹⁰ even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.
¹¹ I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
¹² but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.

¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—              how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me,^[b] O God.They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸ I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!And when I wake up, you are still with me!

¹⁹ O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers!
²⁰ They blaspheme You; Your enemies misuse your name.
²¹ O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate You? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
²² Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for Your enemies are my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 139:8 Hebrew to Sheol.
2. Psalm 139:17 Or How precious to me are your thoughts.

Is God enough?

Is God enough? Is He really all we need?  Well is He, I am asking this of myself as well, what about when the storms of life come and all that you have is under this Question… Health your or worst the health of a loved one, what about your financial situation… your ability to earn & support your finical obligations changes, or a career change, what if you are still waiting  for God to move…How about your Home…if you lose your Home if He still enough? In death or dying, is He enough?

How about in the long waiting, is God still enough?

Does God see me?

Does He see this storm?

 Is there anything that goes past God that He doesn’t see?

Is there anything that God misses concerning us?

Are there any cracks in God’s character?

Does God make mistakes?

Many have, and I am sure will ask these questions or something similar when the trial of this world come, when the water is rising and the winds is blowing and it doesn’t matter if the storm is the weather or circumstances it can be overwhelming… then from somewhere deep within the desire to seek the need to understand…Holy Spirit, God in me bids me to come and sit at My feet, seek Me “I Am enough”

Psalm 63

¹ O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
² I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory.
³ Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!
⁴ I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer.
⁵ You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with songs of joy.                            ⁶ I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on You through the night.
⁷ Because You are my Helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
⁸ I cling to You; Your strong right hand holds me securely.                                                                    ⁹ But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth.
¹⁰ They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals.
¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God. All who trust in him will praise him, while liars will be silenced.

·        

Thought for the Day: “The trials and tribulations we face help us appreciate the triumphs when God brings them into our lives.” I hope you have an amazing day today my friends! – Elmer Laydon

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

 (James 1:12 NIV)

Acts 5:18-42     vs. 29 “We must obey God rather than people

^{vs. 40}The council took his advice. They called the apostles, beat them, ordered them not to speak about the one named Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹The apostles left the council room. They were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus. ⁴²Every day in the temple courtyard and from house to house, they refused to stop teaching and telling the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah.

         I have read this many time and heard it said/read from many pulpits, I struggled to be happy in the storms of this life failing in each and everyone. I failed because 1- I was trying in my own strength and 2- i was looking at this all wrong... it is not the storm that makes me happy it is that I am counted worthy. I am not sure that I fully grasp this truth but it does feel more joyful at this time the trial has not changed but my heart is glade for I know Who I believe in and I know He has a plan for me... 

His light reflected well

Philippians 1 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Yes, I will continue to be happy ¹⁹for another reason. I know that I will be set free through your prayers and through the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. ²⁰I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of. I will speak very boldly and honor Christ in my body, now as always, whether I live or die. ²¹Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more. ²²If I continue to live in this life, my work will produce more results. I don’t know which I would prefer. ²³I find it hard to choose between the two. I would like to leave this life and be with Christ. That’s by far the better choice. ²⁴But for your sake it’s better that I remain in this life. ²⁵Since I’m convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you. This will help you to grow and be joyful in your faith. ²⁶So by coming to you again, I want to give you even more reason to have pride in Christ Jesus with me.

There was a time in my life when I just didn’t get these words of Paul in vs. 21“when I die I’ll have even more” and these words in vs.23 I would like to leave this life and be with Christ.

Was I missing something? Why didn’t I get it? Why didn’t I understand this? I didn’t want to leave family or friends, I liked my Job and the people I went to church with, why would I want to leave them? The more time I spend in God’s word, and in prayer & listening the more I am beginning to, like Paul long to be home… I know that God has a plan for each one of us and that a part of that plan is timing, His timing although I may not always understand the thing that I see or experience my prayer is that I represent God well I pray that   I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, that I will speak very boldly and honor Christ in all that I say and do, now as always, whether I live or die, that I will live a life that reflects His light well…

Father,

           Thank You that You have chosen me and that You call me daughter, I know that You know the smallest detail in our life. I put mu trust In You aloneI know that You have a plan for our life and that You will redeem all that the devil has stollen. Please help me when I am weak and help my unbelief, May all the glory be Yours as You are moving, molding and working in our lives. Please plant Your desire and Your will in our hearts and give us the courage to walk the path You have placed us on. May Your will be done in our lives In Jesus name
                                                                       Amen

Romans 12

Romans 12

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Dedicate Your Lives to God

¹Brothers and sisters, because of God’s compassion toward us, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. ²Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. ³Because of the kindness^[a] that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. ⁴Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don’t all do the same thing. ⁵In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other. ⁶God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking God’s word, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. ⁷If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. ⁸If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully.
⁹Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other. ¹¹Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord. ¹²Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually. ¹³Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. Be hospitable.
¹⁴Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them. ¹⁵Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad. ¹⁶Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.
¹⁷Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble. ¹⁸As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. ¹⁹Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.” ²⁰But,

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.”
²¹Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 12:3 Or “grace.”

this morning as I read the word below I found myself drawn into the word in a new way I have read and heard this story many time and today the words of Simeon a man that has waited his whole life for this moment spoke to me in a freash way...what joy must have filled his heart as he took the Child Jesus, his Savior into his arms...hmmm He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the Golry of God's people... do you see His light gently drawing you into His heart?

The Prophecy of Simeon

Luke 2:25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him ²⁶ and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,
 ²⁸ Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,  as you have promised.
³⁰ I have seen your salvation,
³¹ which you have prepared for all people.
³² He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

³³ Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. ³⁵ As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Zephaniah 3:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

 I know that it seem like I going back to this bit of the word I am just taken with the idea that The God of All, takes delight in me with gladness and that He rejoices over me with joyful song. As I prayed this morning I seek to hear His voice as He sings so my Plan is to take God moments through the day to stop and listen to Him singing overcomming the noise of this world... Pause with won't you

Sermon by Spurgeon

Consolation proportionate to spiritual Sufferings “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5 Suggested Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 I have sometimes heard religion described in such a way that its high colouring has displeased me. It is true “her ways are ways of pleasantness;” but it is not true that a Christian never has sorrow or trouble. It is true that light-eyed cheerfulness, and airy-footed love, can go through the world without much depression and tribulation: but it is not true that Christianity will shield a man from trouble; nor ought it to be so represented. In fact, we ought to speak of it in the other way. Soldier of Christ, if thou enlisteth, thou wilt have to do hard battle. There is no bed of down for thee; there is no riding to heaven in a chariot; the rough way must be trodden; mountains must be climbed, rivers must be forded, dragons must be fought, giants must be slain, difficulties must be overcome, and great trials must be borne. It is not a smooth road to heaven, believe me; for those who have gone but a very few steps therein, have found it to be a rough one. It is a pleasant one; it is the most delightful in all the world, but it is not easy in itself, it is only pleasant because of the company, because of the sweet promises on which we lean, because of our Beloved who walks with us through all the rough and thorny breaks of this vast wilderness. Christian, expect trouble: “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial…. as though some strange thing happened unto you;” for as truly as you are a child of God, your Saviour has left you for his legacy,—“In the world, ye shall have tribulation; in me ye shall have peace.” For meditation: The man who proclaims that the Christian life is an easy one is not only contradicting the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles, but also exposing his own ignorance of true Christianity. Jesus promised his followers blessings now “with persecutions” and eternal life to come (Mark 10:29-30). Sermon no. 13 11 March (1855) Spurgeon

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just saying

Zephaniah 3:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁷ For the LORD your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

He love me He gave His Son so that I could be call His daughter...

In Him alone I fine my Hope and when the stormes of this life rock the boat

 I know that He will walk on water to bring me peace and rest

just saying

Zephaniah 3:17  New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ For the LORD your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

this is why I am God's girl He chose me and even in the storms of this life

 God sing over me and that gives me Hope you might like