Good Foundation For Your Day

I wanted to let you all know my husband has FINALLY started to post some of his sermons. Its a good way to have a devotional every morning if you desire to read more than a verse or two. I wish all of you had the opportunity to sit under his teaching of the Word. It has fed me for 16 years now and it seems to be getting better with time and experiences. I have witnessed firsthand how God has changed his views, his mannerisms, his way of making the scriptures come alive...it remains a wonderful transformation to behold. Maybe you have questions that need answering or you would appreciate some enlightenment about certain scriptures. If so, why not post your questions for him and allow him to share his personal thoughts with you?

My hope is that you will enjoy the way he brings out the Word and gain more insight from his sermons that will help you in your own studies. Here's the link:
pastorfortune.blogspot.com

Just The Two Of Us

After not taking some time away for just the two of us in over a year, my husband and I decided to get away for the weekend. I actually begged. Yep, I did. I asked him to PLEASE PLEASE take me somewhere, anywhere, I didn't care where. We decided to visit a city we've never been and not too far to drive for a short getaway...so it was off to New Orleans. I don't really know why we've never visited that city but I'm glad we finally did.
I was pleasantly surprised with the rich history surrounding that area. I guess that shows all of you how much I daydreamed during my History classes.(shame, shame) We kept the touring of Bourbon Street to the midday hours! I loved the French Quarter and Market. The jazz is sooo nice. It was relaxing to see so many people out enjoying the sounds of the city. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the elderly couple above while they were dancing in the French Market. It was a beautiful sight. If I didn't have two left feet I would have loved dancing in the street with my hubby...maybe one day.
Now we are back home and back to the everyday duties of life. It was nice to take a break from the norm and get away with the one person who was created for me. I embrace those special moments and always hold them close to my heart so when the rainy days come (and they always do), I can think back over all those wonderful times we've had together and appreciate where we're going in life.

IT'S WAR

Recent conversations have really confirmed to me just how seriously we are engaged in battle with the enemy of our souls. He is determined to try everything, and I mean everything within his power to cause us to fall and to keep our mouths shut. This is not new to us because the Christian world knows we are at war; however I have seen a blatant effort towards a lot of people that has been an intensified strategy to cause failure on our part. Have you noticed this as well? This is serious folks. I’m not talking about a little confrontational situation that makes us uncomfortable. I’m speaking about a real war going on around us that cannot be seen with the natural eye and it’s the fight of our lives.
It seems that as we pray and seek God’s heart for our lives the Lord in return for our searching begins to reveal more of Himself to us. And as we see His great Holiness we are humbled and immediately recognize our own righteousness as the rags they really are. And we should. God’s presence working in our hearts brings that truth so change can take place within us. However, Satan has intensified his efforts at twisting these moments of revelation into condemnation over us. Personally I have never witnessed such an onslaught of condemnation on the body of Christ as I have within the last year. For me, it seems that every time revelation comes into my spirit, circumstances are shaped to take it from me. For instance, just when I’m enthused to share what things the Lord has brought about in my own life I find myself saying something hurtful to a family member or reacting to a situation in the wrong way, having bad thoughts about others and feeling detached from the spiritual vision I know is somewhere in the depths of my heart. Guess what comes with these incidents of my fleshly nature? Condemnation. I've been set up! It's a trap! Satan pours it on thick like old dirty oil. Not only do I experience the feelings of guilt because of the wrongs I've committed but he makes certain that I have doubts about sharing what the Lord is accomplishing in my life. How can I share what great things God is doing in me when I can't seem to get this flesh under control? That my friend is classic condemnation. Its real and its ugly. And it is meant to shut our mouths. Satan does NOT want us to speak truth to others and he does NOT want us sharing the awesome things God is doing in our lives. So we must guard ourselves at a new height and greater depth.
We have to remember Jesus does not ask us to be perfect. He only asks us to believe, confess, and surrender. I will NOT be silent!

My Little One

The only thing that remains even close to infanthood is the fact that he still won't sleep through the night. Everything else has changed dramatically! This boy has some personality! I love to watch his face when we are outside or visit a new place. His eyes find something new every time and its so refreshing to see him just awe struck at God's creation. I pray he never grows too accustomed to this great beauty and always appreciates our glorious Creator and Father. Unless God speaks VERY LOUDLY, Michael is the last child for our family. I am excited to be leaving the infant stage of life and embarking on a new adventure as we explore this big world of ours, which right now is just the house and backyard, well and Walmart of course.
My heart sings..."I stand, I stand in awe of you.
I stand, I stand in awe of you.
Only God to whom all praise is due.
I stand in awe of you!"

Anne-Marie

My dear friend next door passed away this morning. Her mom tells me that she left us with that half crooked smile on her face. I wonder what her eyes caught first...the smile on Jesus face, His open arms, her dad, the amazing surroundings of that Heavenly city, the angels, oh the list could go on and on. I do know she can sit up now without any pain. She can run. She can dance. She can sing. And I hope she meets my dad at some point after she's gotten settled into her new home.

I will miss her very much. But I am thrilled that she left this life knowing where her journey would take her. I am blessed to have known Anne-Marie and will cherish the friendship we shared for the rest of my life. So I say farewell to my precious friend with the assurance that we will meet again. Who knows, we might even end up next door to one another! Wouldn't that be just like Jesus to arrange such a thing!