For Mothers ONLY!!!!

To those of you who are not mothers, or you know that your sensitivities are heightened concerning those things of a personal nature, this first line serves as your first and last warning to click away--NOW!

I must admit that this is a blog posting that is a little 'out of character' for me, but hey, this blog is about life, and I am writing about my life's experiences, right? To those of you that think that after reading this blog that it is of "common" subject matter, oh well....I warned you.

Okay to those of you who are brave and strong enough to have read thus far, guess what I am in possession of.....a MAGIC TOILET SEAT!!! It seems that just about every time my posterior touches the seat, before you can even say "Abracadabra!" a plaintive voice will suddenly materialize, yelling from the other side of the bathroom door "Maaaooom!" Or that urgent knocking reverberates through my door, that can only mean that someone has been suddenly hurt and is near death.

Now, I must admit, silly me, I thought these days would be over by now. My kids are young men now- almost 16 and 14 years old....but just about everytime I touch that seat...I can count the seconds before I hear my name being called from the other side of the door, or that urgent incessantant knock starts.

So this morning when it happened again, it happened just one too many times. They have to stop this! When I saw them in the hallway, I told them that I just realized that I had in my possession a magic toilet seat. And they both looked at me with puzzled expressions only blinking. I explained to them that when I touch it, one or both of them suddenly appear with urgent questions and requests of me that were not of consequence only seconds ago. I told them that I did not want a Magic Seat, and that I wish its powers would leave. They chuckled, and said, "Okay, Mom we get it." My husband who was coming up the stairs, and heard the whole thing, just looked at me and did his face like, "You've lost it now, dear!" Okay, whatever. But the kids got the point.

So while I was in my room getting ready for church I was thinking about the blessings these two boys are. I am so blessed to have been given the privilege and gift of motherhood. If I had it all over to do again, I'd pray for God to bless me with a couple more! I have family members and friends that cannot have children for whatever reason. I do thank God everyday for these two young men that I am blessed with. It is a very sobering thought for me to think that in 2 years my oldest son will be in college, possibly away from home, and my youngest son will already be in high school.

We've realized that our times now with them are even more precious, thus we've instituted "Family Night." Several times a month we are committed to do something as a family having fun and laughing with each other. In a few years, my kids will be busy with lives of their own, and these nights will be but a fond memory in my mind...thoughts that I will look wistfully back on wishing I could relive again.

So as for the Magic Seat, I kinda hope its powers are now gone, but if it is not, and its powers fade in and out, I know it will lose it powers permanently in a few more years.....so for now, its okay. Really.

Enjoy your kids...I am! Be blessed! \o/

To My Sisters......

HEAR WHAT OPRAH HAD TO SAY ABOUT MEN

• If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
• If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
• Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
• Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
• Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be.
• Slower is better.
• Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
• If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends". A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.
• Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
• Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.
• The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
• Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women.
• He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?
• Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
• Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.
• If something bothers you, speak up.
• You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.
• Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has more education or in a better job.
• Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
• Never let a man define who you are.
• Never borrow someone else's man.
• If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
• A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
• All men are NOT dogs.
• You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is two way street.
• You need time to heal between relationships... there is nothing cute about baggage... Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.
• You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary... not supplementary.
• Dating is fun... even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
• Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted.
• Never move into his mother's house.
• Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need. Keep him in your radar but get to know others.
• Share this with other women and men (just so they know)... You'll make someone smile, another rethink her/his choices, and another woman prepare, and a man aware.

Hmmm.....any comments?

God Filled Acronyms!

• ASAP= Always Say A Prayer
• BA = Born Again
• BIBLE= Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
• BIRD FLU= Believe In Redeemer Deeply, Fear Leaves Us
• BYE = Bless You Eternally
• CASH= Christians Always Say Hallelujah
• CHRISTMAS = CHRIST.. My Annointed Saviour
• COLD= Call Our Lord Directly
• CRASH= Come Rejoice And Sing Hallelujah
• CROSS= Christ Redeemed Our Shameful Sins
• COOL= Christ Our Only Lord
• FAITH= Forsaking All, I Trust Him
• FEAR= False Evidence Appearing Real
• FISH= Forever I'll Serve Him
• FROG= Faithfully Relying On God
• GLUE= God Loves Us Eternally
• GRACE = God's Riches At Christ's Expense
• HIGH FEVER= Healed In God's Hands, Faith Empowers, Vitalises, Edifies & Restores
• HELP = His Ever Loving Presence
• JOY = Jesus, Others, Yourself
• KFC= Keep Following Christ
• KISS = Keeping It Simple, Spiritually
• LOVE= Live Out Victory Everyday
• MRT = Must Rest Today
• OOPS= Only One Personal Savior
• PEACE = Pray Expectantly, Adore Christ Everyday
• PHD = Practicing Healing & Deliverance
• PUSH= Pray Until Something Happen
• RICH= Rejoice In Christ.. Hallelujah!
• REST = Rooted Everyday, Simply Trusting
• TGIF= Thank God I'm Forgiven
• TITHE= The Investment That HE Endorses

I gleaned these cute little acronyms from an online friend in Singapore!
For a complete listing please visit his site: CyberRanger.

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O Death Where is Your Sting?

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38, 39

Halleluyah! Halleluyah! Halleluyah! NOTHING can separate us from the love of God! Isn't that wonderful beyond words?! Isn't that a promise worth dying for?

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:17

I thank and praise God daily for His Word that sustains me...if it were not for God and His continuous love, mercy and grace, I don't know where I'd be. The Word lifts me up, buoys me, carries me, feeds me. strengthens me, teaches me and encourages me....it is LIFE to me! David expressed it perfectly:

"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalms 63:1-8

Between mid December and now (mid January, I have known nine people who have left this earth and their spirits have moved on. I find comfort in knowing that all of these people actively proclaimed their faith, with the exception of two. Even though these two people never explicitly said anything about their profession of faith to me, I know that these two had accepted Christ as their Savior at one time in their lives.

"But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." Romans 8: 10, 11

It makes one think....what happens if you reject Christ daily, incorrectly assuming that you have many more years to live? What happens when your time runs out? What goes through your mind when you find yourself looking at your dead and empty earth bodysuit and now your spirit and soul now need new permanent homes? We know that your spirit returns to God...but where will your soul go?

I certainly don't want to be in that predicament, and I do not want to be a 'death bed Christian' either! You know, one who suddenly sees he is not going to live much longer in his earthsuit, and decides to finally give a death bed confession out of fear. Eeking into Heaven by the skin of my teeth...no, no that won't be me! How about you?

I find too much joy in serving Him an a daily basis! The glory of the Lord is much too wonderful to ignore while I am here. Heaven is simply unimaginable.

"However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." I Corinthians 2:9

Why miss out? God has prepared a wonderful place for His children. Why miss out on learning about the riches of our Father's love while here on earth, by remaining a babe in Christ? Please don't miss out. If you are 'saved', learn about your Heavenly Father, through the Word. If you are not 'saved' you can accept Christ today. If you'd like to accept Christ into your heart and life today, just recite this prayer below:

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if I confess with my mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, I will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. I thank you right now for your salvation. I thank you for your Holy Spirit.

Thank you God for the ultimate sacrifice of your Son Jesus, for the forgivness of my sins and giving me eternal life. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited love, mercy and grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore, Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to You alone and not to myself. Amen.

If you have confessed this prayer, please tell 3 other people today as your public witness and confession of Christ. Don't worry if you did not feel something. Salvation is not based on feelings, but upon your faith in God and His word, and facts of his Word contained in the bible.

Please seek out a church where you can start learning about this wonderful God we serve. Get a bible, and read, read, read learning about your loving Father. Be blessed! \o/

God is *NOT* Your Magic Genie!

Okay folks, I know this particular blog is gonna ruffle a bunch of feathers! So, what on earth am I referring to? It is one of several scriptures in the four gospels, isolated by people for a particular stance on scripture - Name it, claim it!

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

Do I believe what that scripture says? Yes, of course I do. And I have prayed in earnest and have had many prayers answered by believing and receiving. But how many times have you prayed for something, and the desired result that you prayed for didn't happen? Well, why not?

Some people tend to think that particular scripture gives them 'carte blanche' to ask anything of God and instantaneously POOF! God will magically make it appear...after all, that scripture does say, "...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours..."

And more often than not, if we were honest, the prayer(s) we prayed were something for ourselves! I don't believe that God is to be treated or viewed as a magic genie just to suit our wants and desires.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4: 1-3

Shouldn't we model ourselves after Jesus? Do what He did? Say what He said? Believe what He believed? Live like He lived? Be about His Father's business like He was?

Where in the scriptures do we see that Jesus used the power of prayer or the power of the spoken word to benefit Himself? He always used His miracles of healing, food distribution, calming of storms, and driving out of demons to aid others....in their belief, and from out of their misery...but not to make His own life more cushy. Jesus Himself who had all power under the sun which given to Him by the Father, did not treat His abilities or powers as frivolous entities to be used in a hocus pocus manner for selfish or self serving reasons.

After all, think about it: He could have taken Himself down off the cross, He could have not allowed Himself to be whipped or even placed on the cross in the first place for that matter! He could have even answered Pilate's probbing questions. But He was not self serving. What He was doing was following the plans and the will of God!!

The only time that I can think of when Jesus prayed to the Father concerning himself was when he was asking if the cup (regarding the crucifixion) could be removed from him.

"My Father if it is possible, may this cup to be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 36:39

And again He prayed:

"My Father if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matthew 36:42

The scriptures say He left the disciples and went away once more to pray a third time asking the same thing.

But there are three important points there that a lot of us miss...

First, He stated if it were not possible for what He was asking for, that the Father's WILL BE DONE!

Secondly, He was persistent! He asked God in faith three times knowing that He would recieve an answer: Jesus asked God three times to remove this cup from Him.

And third, He was submissive to the Father's will for His life! Obviously God's answer was that this was the plan for His life, and that He had to go through with it...and He did.

When we pray, how often do we ask that 'His will be done'? How many times do we ask in faith before we give up?

Consider this:

"Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. " Daniel 10:12, 13

This messenger of God was sent to deliever an answer to Daniel. but he was detained for 21 days!! So it seems that sometimes prayers are answered but they are detained...the answers not recieved instantaneously as we'd like. This scripture alone shows that you need faith to get answers to prayer. Daniel continued to pray and fast, until God's messenger finally arrived. Don't give up! But it still does not say "name it and claim it!"

And these scriptures:

"Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him." I John 3:21, 22

"I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. " Habakkuk 2:2,3

Wow. The first time I read that exchange between Habakkuk and God I was blown away!

How often do we submit to His will versus what we prayed for?

"Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!" Hebrews 12:9

The Word tells it like it is, huh? But then what do you think about this scripture:

"Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?" Lamentations 3:37, 38

Uh, oh! I know I am in trouble with some of you with that one...but that scripture IS in the bible isn't it? What? Should we just toss it aside as if it does not exist? So does that mean that you can pray, but if it is not something that the Lord has decreed that your prayer is in vain?

So what about this verse:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

So what about the calamities? Are they too from God or not? Are they too a part of His perfect plan and will? Where are my bible scholars out there? Help a sista out!

When we read Abraham's account in Genesis where Abraham is asking God if he could find 50, then 45, then 40, then 30, then 20 and then finally only 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah if God would spare the city. This shows us that it is okay to ask God for different things, but we have to understand that God's answers come from God's perspective.

God's answers are not always in harmony with our expectations, because only He knows the WHOLE story. But maybe sometimes we miss answers to some prayers because we haven't considered any possible answers other than the one that we expect. Hmmm....

The Word says:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8, 9

And what about this verse:

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will." Ephesians 1:11

Heh, heh. What now? If everything is predestined, does your prayer really matter? Or is was it already considered before you prayed it, and included in the master plan?

Here is my position on asking:

"But seek first the his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4

And we can't forget this verse:

"And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

To me this verse brings to mind the theory of predestination. You may ask: Does my prayer really matter? Should I pray? To my thinking, prayer is an indication of my submission to God, my dependence on Him, and allowing His will to be primary in my life. It is our form of communication, by which creates intimacy in my relationship with Him. I feel it is important for these reasons to have an active prayer life with God, whether or not we understand all of the ins and outs of prayer.

"For from Him and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:36

Writing this particular blog lets me know that I have alot more to learn about prayer, asking, being in His perfect will, knowing God's perfect will for my life, and understanding more about God's way of thinking. But according to Isaiah 55: 9 and 10 the last part of that statement may be an impossibility while here on earth. One thing that I know for sure....God is not to be mocked. He is not a magic genie for our whims.

Just think, we've talked about different views of prayer, but we haven't even looked at fasting in conjunction with prayer yet!! Whew, this gives us lots to think about, and learn about huh?

One final scripture for you my friends:

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Phillipians 4:19, 20

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New Year, New Day

Hey Everybody!

Just wanted to holler at ya and shout HAPPY NEW YEAR! I will be writing again soon...but check out the archives! Ain't God good?! ;-)

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