Thank You, Jesus- Gabby's Back!

This is a GOOD day in America!

In the midst of all the politics on Capitol Hill and the debt ceiling crisis, this country needs a little bit of good news!

As I watched the news, I had goose-bumps all over! The day I have prayed for almost 7 months came to pass! Gabrielle Giffords has walked back onto the floor of Congress! One week less than 7 months ago, this lady was attacked senselessly and shot in the head. While it was first reported that she had died from the attack, thankfully, she did not!

I started this prayer blog as a way to deal with my emotions with the tragedy.

From the very moment this tragedy was reported, many people put a spin on the story, blaming the Tea Party for the attack.

The man that did this, from all accounts, was actually apolitical. While he had previous contact with Congresswoman Giffords, he was not a politically active person. Politics were not his motivation. Plain and simple, this man was a monster.

ALL blame should be left where it lies- with Jared Loughner.

This is not about politics. This is about a life- a beautiful life that was spared by God Almighty.

Thank You, Jesus, for healing Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Though I am sure she still has a long road of recovery ahead of her, her life is indeed a miracle! Thank You for sparing her life! All glory and honor belong to You, Lord God!

AMERICA CELEBRATES

There have been several events to happen since I last blogged.

Congresswoman Giffords was seen walking on her own! All praise and glory be to Jesus Christ our Lord!

She was boarding an airplane headed to Florida to watch her husband's last space flight ascend into the heavens. Sadly, all did not go as planned with the shuttle launch, and it appears that it will not happen until at least May 10. Thankfully whatever was wrong was found so that it could be repaired. The last thing our nation needs right now is another space shuttle tragedy!

To see her board that plane on her own was miraculous! I am sure most all of us remember just a few months ago how unsure we were if she would survive this tragedy. Tragedy turns to triumph in the life of Gabrielle Giffords! Oh, the battle is not over for her, but she has made remarkable recovery! Her life truly is a miracle to behold!

The other big news since I've blogged is the death of Osama bin Laden by our military! Lord, forgive me for rejoicing in his death. I honestly do not know if it is a sin to rejoice over his death. If it is, I truly pray that God will forgive me. However, I know that God specifically commanded the Israelites to kill their enemies in the Old Testament. Sadly, I highly doubt that Osama bin Laden found Truth and Salvation in Jesus Christ before he was killed.

This man was evil incarnate. He orchestrated the deaths of thousands of people! Not only was he the mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, but he was also behind the bombings of the very same location in 1993.

He lived to terrorize those who did not believe as he did. Justice has been served.

Today I pray for his family. I pray that somehow, some way, they will see that they are being lied to by a religion that teaches hate and terror to those who believe differently than them. Whether or not the moderates of the Muslim religion are just "backsliders", so to speak, or not, I cannot honestly say. But the extremists who seek jihad must not be allowed to terrorize the world. Their actions bring consequences just as all of our actions do.

There was literally Dancing In The Streets in America on Sunday night when it was announced that Osama bin Laden has been killed.

That night President Obama addressed the nation, and the world, to give the official word that Osama bin Laden was dead. This is the first time I truly saw our President behave presidential! The speech he gave was the best speech he's delivered to date! Thank you, Mr. President!

Thank you, President Bush, for sticking to your guns and doing what was right no matter what the critics said. You were right on September 14, 2001, when you said: 

"I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!"

They DID hear us! Osama bin Laden most definitely heard all of us, and the rest of the world heard all of us as well!

To the true heroes who made this happen- The United States Military! May God bless each and every one of you! This would not have happened without your sacrifice, training, courage, conviction and commitment to bring justice to the families and friends of all who were lost on September 11, 2001. I pray for your continued safety. The fight is not over by any means!

Lord God, I continue to pray for this nation. She so desperately needs You but refused to acknowledge where she is wrong! Even in our celebration of the good things there is much division.

I continue to pray for Congresswoman Giffords. Please forgive me for not posting daily prayers for her as I had been previously. Though I am not posting daily, I still pray for her daily! I continue to pray for her husband, Mark Kelly, in the preparation for the final space mission. I pray for his and the entire crew's safety and wisdom.

I pray for President Obama. Keep him safe, as his life has been threatened by many throughout the world since the killing of terrorist Osama bin Laden. I pray for wisdom for President Obama. Already there are many discrepancies and changed decisions. Lord God, help him to make a decision and stick to it, no matter what the media says. Please help him to see that We The People need him to be a leader! He made the decision, I personally support him in the decision. I pray that he will not allow this to turn into more of a circus than it is threatening to be. He had to make a tough decision. He made it.

I pray that our military will be successful in weeding out even more terrorists using the information they obtained in the raid.

Lord God, please be with us and keep us. We truly need Your mercy, though we do not deserve it.

I pray all of these things in Jesus Name- Amen.

BLESSED OR SPOILED?

I am in the midst of Spring Cleaning. This year, I have a completely different attitude than I've had in a very long time.

While I've gone through different stages over the years, so much of the time my Spring Cleaning ends up being just getting rid of clothes that no longer fit the kids and doing my really deep cleaning, like behind the refrigerator and things of that nature that are not in my weekly list of chores.

This year, something is different. I am getting rid of so many things that we just do not use!

As I am going through the kids clothes I am amazed at how much we have amassed. God has blessed us beyond measure, in this area! I am all about a bargain, and with 5 children that is an absolute must! A lot of my children's clothes are hand-me-downs, but the ones that are bought for them are without a doubt a bargain! And I am not at all ashamed to say this!

I had hoped to finish my Spring Cleaning this weekend, but, it is not going to happen. I am finding that I am looking at everything differently. If we do not use it or need it, it is going out!

This has brought me to a question within myself. Yes, without a doubt I know that we are blessed beyond measure! However, have these blessings turned into making us nothing more than spoiled brats? I pray that I will never take for granted the many blessings God has given me and my family, but when I sit down and really think about all that we have..... yes, sadly, I do take it all for granted.

Several natural disasters have hit the world in the last couple of years. While yes, there are always natural disasters, in a day and time when there is 24-hour news coverage of these disasters I believe it has a different effect than previously.

When we are inundated with the images of so much grief and destruction... how do we respond? Do we go into a shell and mourn for the loss that others experience? Do we look around at our surroundings and realize that in an instant all that we have can be gone? It is a sobering thought.

Yes, I am blessed beyond measure. But I am also very spoiled.

Lord God, I thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life. While I know that I am not only blessed, but also the realization has hit that I am also very spoiled. It is time for me to get back to the basics. If something is not needed or used or does not have a place in our home, it is time to let it go.I pray that You will help me look through these renewed eyes as I continue this Spring Cleaning.

I pray for this nation. We, as a nation, are blessed beyond measure as well! In this new realization I have become so very sad for America! Very few people realize how blessed we are, I believe. I pray that this nation will wake up before it is too late! I pray that this nation will humble herself before You and praise You for Your endless blessings in this nation.

I pray for our President. I pray for all elected leaders who are making our laws. So many laws of this land are being broken. Lord God, I pray for truth and justice to prevail!

As always, I pray for Congresswoman Giffords. She is truly blessed in her life being spared by the senseless attack on her! I pray that this nation would look upon the miracle of her life and realize the blessing and miracle You have shown us through her.

I pray for the nation and people of Israel. Lord God, every day more and more anger is being hurled upon Your chosen people! Keep them safe, I pray. Hide them in the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 91).

I pray all of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ- Giver of Life and all blessings- Amen!

YES, THIS COUNTS!

I received an email today that is going to be the topic of today's post. My brother sent me the email, and he had added a note that yes, this was his niece (his wife's sister's daughter). I called him and asked him if he could get their permission to post the picture on my blog entry for today, because I have never seen anything so beautiful in all of my life!

When I talked to my brother after he talked to his brother-in-law, he told me he was surprised to find out that it is not his niece! This is an email that was actually forwarded to his brother-in-law. They are all amazed at how much like this little girl my brother's niece actually looks.

So, I am going to post the picture, as the note at the bottom of the page says to forward to your friends. If the parents of this child sees the picture and would like it to be removed, please let me know. I would never want to offend them in any ways.

So, before I go any further, here is the email text, as well as the picture, of the original email I was sent:

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

DOES THIS COUNT?

Yes, this most definitely counts, sweetheart!

This little girl understands more than most adults do. While I believe that it is imperative and very beneficial to read, study, disect, meditate and analyze Scripture to grow in our faith, walk and understanding of God, I beleive that a lot of times our analyzing gets in the way of the true heart of the matter. As my husband has said before, too often, the most "intellectual" of minds have absolutely no faith in God because He cannot be explained. Faith is believing in the unseen.

YOU GOT TO KNOW WHEN...

As I've thought over my previous post, I am reminded of an old Kenny Rogers song, "The Gambler". I'm sure that if you've read my previous post you are wondering how in the world this song comes to mind. The post has nothing at all to do with gambling, playing cards, or anything that entails.

However, the course speaks volumes for me, in my life:

You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done

Now, one thing you will learn about me is that I march to the beat of a different drummer. I've always been this way! In fact, I grew up in the '80's and was always known for wearing a "different style" of clothes... and this is in the '80's, when "different" WAS the style!

Maybe the reason this chorus reverberates over and over in my mind as I look back over my life experiences is because so much of the time I did not know when to hold 'em, fold 'em, walk away, or run. So much of my life I have made the wrong decision, no matter what decision I made.

LEADERSHIP DEFINED

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to go."   Unknown

I found this quote today on a graphic as I was doing research for another project I am working on. I tweeted it out, because it really hit home to me.

Before I became a mommy, I was on staff at our church in the Youth Department. I was basically the female Youth Pastor, though I did not have the official title.

I will try to keep my "church history" as brief as possible, because that's not what this post is about. However, I do believe it is important to set up my thought process in all of this.

I was raised in a very legalistic church. My brother and I were both known as the "black sheep" of the church because our parents raised us to make our own decisions, not just follow along.

When I was 14-years-old I was sexually assaulted. As a very naive' 14-year-old, I was totally shocked, not only at what had happened, but that it was even possible. This event sent me on a downward spiral that would last a decade and a half or so.

A QUIET HEART

I am usually a person with many words to express my thoughts and feelings. Tonight, however, I have a very quiet heart.

There is a strange sense of foreboding.... yet, at the same time, a very quiet peacefulness.

I have many thoughts whirling- things I am thinking and praying on. However, my heart is very quiet.

Tonight, my prayer will be very short and simple.

I pray tonight, as always do, for Congresswoman Giffords. I pray her progress and healing will continue to surpass our understanding. She truly is a miracle!

I pray for President Obama.

I pray for this nation.

I pray for Israel- as a nation and as a people. Lord God, please keep her safe.

All these things I pray in the holy Name of Jesus Christ- Amen.

I'VE COME TO A REALIZATION

I just got finished with a major rant on Twitter. My husband just showed me an article that has blown my mind! For your reference, here is the article that caused my rant:

U.S. Debt Jumped $72 Billion Same Day U.S. House Voted to Cut Spending $6 Billion

Now, why in the world would this send me into a tizzy, you are probably asking. It is quite obvious that our debt and continued spending is completely out of control. It's been one of the main topics of discussion for- oh, I don't even know how long!

So I will tell you- my rant was caused by the sudden realization that no one in Washington gets it! And I do mean NO ONE! I say this, because if anyone at all truly got the enormity of this crisis, this would be the ONLY thing that was being discussed!

I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:3

Israel is the time piece and compass for everything that happens. Israel is God Almighty's time piece.

God makes it very clear that all blessings and curses are administered by how Israel is treated.

OVER MY COLD DEAD BODY

I read an article today that made my blood run cold, and in the very next second, my blood began to boil! I am attaching the link for you to read.
The Islamic Demolition of the Statue of Liberty

No matter your political views, if you do not look at the State of Liberty and get choked up, you have no business living in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.  The image of this tall, brave lady standing on our shores, beckoning to all who seek a life of liberty, freedom, and the opportunity to become all you dream to be. No, she doesn't GUARANTEE you success- but she provides every opportunity you could ever imagine.

PRAYERS FOR JAPAN

Tonight is another night of just a simple prayer. There are no words to really express the devastation in Japan after the earthquake that happened almost 24 hours ago.

I first heard of the earthquake when I woke up in the middle of the night and realized that I had fallen asleep with the TV on. When I realized what was going on, I immediately started praying for all who have been affected by this tragedy.

There are hundreds who are confirmed dead, thousands who are still missing. Cruise ships have been washed away, a commuter train that is completely missing, and debris scattered for hundreds of miles or more.

JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED

Today has been another long day.

I heard a news blurb today saying that Jared Lee Loughner's attorney's are trying to get his trial pushed back to the beginning of 2013. You have GOT to be kidding me! So he is allowed to traipse back and forth to court hearings, sneering at the survivors of his attack, no remorse whatsoever! America, what has happened to us?! Justice must be served in this attack! I pray that the legal system does not allow this to carry on that long!

On a much better note, I also read that Congresswoman Giffords may be able to attend the final shuttle launch of her husband, Mark Kelly. I pray that she is well enough to be able to attend! That truly would be a beautiful blessing!

Lord God, I pray Your continued blessings and healing on Congresswoman Giffords. Thank You for the miracle of her life and triumph. In this, Jared Lee Loughner DID NOT win!

I continue to pray for President Obama. I pray that he will seek Your ways and wisdom. I pray for this nation. We desperately need You, Jesus!

I pray all of these things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ- Amen.

EVERY KNEE WILL BOW

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11

This is another of my favorite passages of Scripture in The Bible. The Bible says that one day, EVERY knee will bow, and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ Is Lord of lords and King of kings!

For me and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, this is a day we long for! As the Mercy Me song says,

SADNESS AND ANGER

I am unapologetically pro-life. As a mom of five children who my husband and I CHOSE to adopt, we are living proof that every single life has a purpose and a reason.

If you have read my blog previously, you know that I am pretty much an "open book" and I pray that God will use my life experiences to help others. I cannot tell you the process to adopt is a walk in the park- in fact, it is quite the opposite. However, as with all things, anything worth having is worth fighting for.

I had a friend who told me a few weeks ago of a lady she knows who is going through a divorce. She found out she was pregnant, and wanted to find someone to adopt the baby because neither she nor her husband wanted the child since they are divorcing.

I have been praying that God would help me find someone- the perfect match- for this child. I know personally what it is like to long for a child so desperately that your heart literally aches. I also know the extreme joy of having your tiny baby placed in your arms, and the realization that God has indeed blessed you and answered your prayers to be a mother. I wanted to help someone else realize that dream.

EDUCATION DOES NOT EQUATE WISDOM

We are living in a time where we have the sum of human knowledge at our fingertips. All I have to do is type in a topic to search online and in milliseconds, anything and everything I could ever want to know about that topic is available to me.

I find it ironic, interesting, and so very sad that with this capability we as a nation rank very poorly in all academic subjects.

As I listen to the news media, talking heads, pundits of all forms and fashion, I hear and see a wealth of information- actual facts. Unfortunately, so much of the time the actual facts are drowned out or twisted around to fit someones agenda.

IT'S ONLY A MIRACLE

I believe it is truly only a miracle of God that has prevented more violence and tragedy to come out of the political divide that is going on in our country.

I know I've said this many times already, in this prayer blog, but it saddens me to see where our country is. Our current president has done nothing but cause a larger divide between the citizens of this country. He is supposed to be a uniter. He SHOULD be a uniter! He is the first black president this nation has ever had! That is a HUGE accomplishment, given our historical past. He is in a very unique position where he could literally abolish the majority of racial tension. However, he has done the opposite.

Things always roll downhill. So if the leader of an organization seeks to divide, the organization itself grows into a huge tool of division.

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE!

It has been reported that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is making remarkable progress at "lightning fast speed". God Almighty IS the God of miracles! If you would have made the "prediction" that she would be this far along in her progress this soon, no one would have believed you.

It is reported that she is now taking steps by herself, that she called her brother-in-law in space, and she has been briefed on the latest events in Egypt. Praise Your Name, Jesus!

I have no doubt that Ms. Giffords life is nothing less than a miracle! I believe it is along the lines of 5% of people who are shot in the head actually survive. To make a full recovery, I am not sure what the statistics are, but I know it is very, very, very slim. I continue to pray every single day that God will continue to keep Ms. Giffords in His loving, healing hands. I pray that His touch will heal her completely, and she will walk back onto the floor of Congress to a standing ovation from this country.

It truly is a great day to be alive! To see miracles happen in your life is a blessing! I have absolutely no doubt that prayer works! Here's to you, Congresswoman Giffords! All praise and glory and honor be to You, King Jesus! Thank You for sparing Ms. Giffords life and performing this miracle before the very eyes of this nation that has turned her back on You. God, please have mercy. We do not deserve Your mercy, as a nation, but God Almighty, I pray for mercy. I pray that this nation will fall on her face before You, repent for her sins. I do not believe we can fathom the miracles we would see if we did!

I pray these things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ- Amen.

OH, THE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED!

Once again, today is a day that I had to think about what I would write and pray about. As I have said previously, some days I just know all day what is on my heart, and what I feel God wants me to pray about publicly. Other days it becomes late in the evening and I still have no clue what direction God wants me to go. So I sit and wait on Him.

I am committed to praying every day for this nation. For our people. What started out as a prayer blog for Congresswoman Giffords after she was shot has turned into something very intriguing to me.

Today, for Congresswoman Giffords, I am still singing songs of rejoicing! It was reported that she is now talking. She was able to ask for toast this morning! I bet that had to be the best toast she has ever tasted!

Oh, the things we take for granted! I am sure Congresswoman Giffords never imagined that asking for a piece of toast would become a major milestone in her life. For a woman who has accomplished much in her life, and now represents the people of Arizona in Congress, I am sure she never imagined that her life would change so drastically in a split second.

FINDING THE SILVER LINING IN THE CLOUDS

My heart is so very full of joy today! In less than 3 weeks after it was tragically announced that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords had died from an assassins bullet, she has been upgraded to "Good" condition.

As I have previously stated, the morning of this horrible tragedy, we had not turned on our TV to catch up on the news, so I was not aware of what had happened until I read it online. Up until that moment I cannot recall ever hearing of Congresswoman Giffords. I'm sure I have heard interviews with her, but she is not one that I recognize right off hand.

Not knowing who she was made no difference to me. All I knew was this was a tragedy, no matter who it was. So many lives were affected that day. A little girl, just 9-years-old, had her life cut short way too soon.

A THANKFUL FRIDAY

I am so thankful on this Friday- one day shy of two weeks since Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot. Last night, her husband Mark Kelly took her up on the roof! This was her first time outside since the shooting. Today, she has left the hospital in Arizona and is now in rehab in Houston, Texas!

I have said numerous times throughout this prayer blog that Congresswoman Giffords life is nothing less than a miracle from God Almighty! I do not believe that ANYTHING happens without reason! I do not beleive in coincidence at all.

I continue to pray for Ms. Giffords as she starts down tis new road in her journey of recovery. It will not be easy for her, but I know with God's strength she will make it. I will continue to pray for her complete recovery until she takes her place back in Congress! I will also continue to pray for her husband, Mark Kelly, and all of her extended family and friends. I pray that God will grow Ms. Giffords and Mr. Kelly's marriage even stronger than it currently is.

Last night, a fellow tweeter that I've discussed this with thanked me for my continued prayers. This is the same person that I have mentioned previously, who has thanked me. No thanks is necessary, as I believe that God Almighty has called me to be a vigilant prayer warrior for Ms. Giffords, as well as this nation. What I did say to this person, in response, was, with the amazing recovery Ms. Giffords has already had, imagine what it would be if ALL Americans would put aside their differences in this situation, stop politicizing it and blaming others, and simply bow before God Almighty and pray for Ms. Giffords.

Our country is on a collision course with disaster if we do not change the direction we are going. I know God's Word, and I trust that He will honor His Word, if we obey Him. America- once again, I ask you to join me in prayer for this nation. I know that triumph can come from tragedy, because my life is a testament to this fact. God tells us if we will humble ourselves and pray, He WILL heal our land! Will you humble yourself with me?