I WOULD RATHER LIVE MY LIFE

"I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, than live my life
as if there isn't, and die to find out there is."

This is a quote that I received in an email today. I find it interesting that it came today. But, for me, it just proves that God is very involved in our lives and knows how to affirm us if we allow Him to.

Last night I had dinner with two of my friends. On the way to the restaurant I was relishing in one of the rare moments of alone time with God. It's very difficult to find alone time when you have 5 kids- one of them being a 3-year-old.

The CD playing in the car was a compilation disc that I play quite often in the car. It is a variety of Petra songs.

My favorite Petra song is "Adonai". As I drove down the highway, singing along with the music, I began to visualize my Master speaking everything into existence. My minds eye saw Him speak the stars into existence, His majestic hand reaching out to place each star in its specific place. I saw Him become playful, smiling, because He "saw that it was good."

One of my favorite ways to worship God is in nature. No, I do not worship nature itself, but I smile because I see that "it is good". Adonai alone is worthy of my praise and worship.

All of nature cries out to Him. All things were made to worship God Almighty. It is such an honor and pleasure to me to know Him and worship Him.

When I read the quote that I opened with today it fit so perfect with my thoughts. I know that I am not wrong in my beliefs. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God IS real. I know that He alone created the heavens and the earth and all that is within, above and below. However, in the minuscule "chance" that I am wrong, I would much rather worship God in my life, and find out in my death that He does not exist than not worship Him and believe in Him in my life and find out in my death that He DOES exist.

Each of us are given a choice. I cannot make anyone believe in my Creator. My heart aches for those who do not believe in Him and know Him as their Savior. But we are all given free will.

Lord God, how I pray for those who do not know You. I truly cannot imagine my life without You. My Adonai, You are the Master of the earth and sky. You alone are worthy.

I continue to pray for Congresswoman Giffords. I cannot wait for the day she walks back onto the floor of Congress. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

I pray for this nation. Lord God, we need You desperately. I pray that hearts will be humbled before You. I pray that this nation will repent of her sins. I pray for our President. I pray for all elected leaders, that each of them will be safe. Protect them from harm. Humble each of them before You, that they will turn their eyes upon You and seek Your will for this country.

I pray for Israel. The entire world is coming against her. I know it is prophesied and will happen. I know You are in control. But I pray for Your chosen people.

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

THE LORD REIGNS

There are some days that I find very conflicting in my spirit. Today is one of those days!

I've become involved with a project that I am very proud to be a part of. As always, it is my consistent prayer that God will use me in every aspect of my life. Without a doubt I know that this project is not only an avenue that God is using me in, He is also blessing me tremendously!

So I am sure you are probably wondering why my spirit would be conflicted.

As a believer in Christ, and a believer in the pre-trib rapture, I see how the world is shaping up around us. I know that time is so very short before the world literally explodes into the worst time in history known to mankind- The Tribulation. Now, if you do not believe in prophecy, end times, the rapture and such, that is your prerogative. But, I hold fast to God's promises for those who believe in Him.

So here I am- so very frustrated with the way things are going on in our country and the world. I so long for the day that all this is over, and I am worshipping my King Jesus! Yet, I am so very blessed and excited to be able to use my talents for a worthy cause.

On days like this I have to just rest in the fact that the Lord reigns. He is in control of all things.

One of my favorite Scriptures is Psalm 97. It is a testament of God's mighty power. He is in control.

One of my favorite songs is by Michael W. Smith, "Let It Rain".

As I have already mentioned, on of the things I love to think about is the return of Christ, sounding the trumpet to call His bride home. And here in one video is all of these things put together. Yes, The Lord indeed reigns! In Him I put my trust!

The Lord Reigns


Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.

Lord God, help me to not be distracted by all that is going on in the world. It will be as You intend, in Your perfect timing.

I continue to pray for Congresswoman Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly. Please give them the peace and assurance that You are in control and reign majestically upon Your throne.

I pray for this nation. We continue to slip into a very dark abyss. Please have mercy on this nation.

I pray for our president. Humble him before You, Lord God.

I pray for the nation and people of Israel. Please comfort her always and assure her people that You reign upon Your throne and that Your covenant with them is forever and ever!

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

WHO CAN SATISFY?

I love music. And when I like a song, you know it. Yes, I am one of "those" who will play a song over and over and over. I have literally had one song on perpetual "repeat" for weeks at a time. It drives my husband crazy.
Some time ago, I was listening to a sermon online by Dr. David Jeremiah. Before the sermon started, the choir at his church sang a song that drew me in. It's just one of those songs you cannot get out of your head. So, I went searching. It's not a highly popular song, so I have not really been able to find a decent recording of it. Oh, how I wish I could have a copy of his church choir singing it!

I will enclose the lyrics of the song, as well as a YouTube video of it at the end of this post.

In listening to the song I began to think about the words and the meaning of them in my life. I guess that is one reason why it hit me the way it did.

Putting all this in perspective in another way is the fact that I am doing my Spring Cleaning. If you read my previous post you know that it has turned into a completely different project this year than it has any other year.

I- we-  my family... has all this STUFF! So much of it there is absolutely no purpose or reason for having it. It is just here, occupying space, and in some instances, actually getting in the way.

I am actually a very sentimental person. After my first husband's suicide I went through counseling and Survivors of Suicide group therapy. One thing that I realized through that process and my overall healing is that all the stuff is not the memories. The memories last forever. The stuff is just that... stuff!

Another thing I came to realize over the overall healing process is that sometimes we hold onto things for sentimental reasons and rather than helping us they in fact hurt us. While I loved my first husband, we had a very tumultuous relationship in a lot of ways. No, he never physically abused me, but in many ways we did not treat each other with love and respect.

I've gone through several different periods of cleaning out. Before this process I would have held onto everything I could just because it was some link to the past. But as I began the deep soul-searching in my healing I realized that in some of these things the memories are not pleasant at all. So I began to question myself on why I would hold onto things that do not bring me happy memories.

This Spring Cleaning is different from that in that I am not getting rid of bad memories... I am simply getting rid of things that do not have a purpose and a reason to share space with my family and I in our home.

So, in all of this, again, my mind has been whirling. I'm sure by now, if you've read any of my blog, you know that I tend to think things over too much sometimes. So I have been asking myself, "Why? Why do we have all of these things if we do not really need them?" As I've pondered this, I've come to realize a lot of things.

I am not the kind of person that thinks "things" are the key to happiness. I am also one of the rare women who absolutely DETESTS shopping! If I go shopping I go get exactly what I need and get out. I absolutely HATE shopping for clothes with a purple passion because I know I am  going to have to try things on! This just takes up too much of my time!

But yet I still get caught up in this rat race. I too am looking for "satisfaction" in things.

For me I think it is more the "satisfaction of being prepared"... you know, "well, one day I may need this!"

And yet, interestingly enough I am absolutely not a pack-rat! Everything has to have it's place! Unfortunately, too many things have a place!

How often we look for everything in the world to satisfy our soul. We chase fame and fortune, friends, the coolest car, the best job.... the list could go on and on.

We are chasing everything and everyone to give us the satisfaction we crave. There is an overflowing fountain that can and will satisfy every craving of our soul. He is The King of kings! He is a victorious Warrior fighting for us in all that we do. He is The Lord of everything that is, has been or ever will be. He is my Rock. He is my Shelter. He is my very own! He is my blessed Redeemer Who reigns upon the throne! He is indeed the only One Who can satisfy the cravings of my soul.

My Jesus... You alone satisfy all that I need! I have many blessings in my life, but the only true satsifcation is in You.

Lord God, please forgive me for losing sight in the rat-race that is life. I am the world's worst in slowing down. I know that You understand me like no other person ever will. You created me. You know what makes me tick. And You know how to reach me when I'm fluttering around. Most of the time it is through music.

I pray tonight for anyone who reads this blog and sees themselves in anything that I have written. I pray that You will use my passion for writing to bless other lives.

Lord.... tonight I pray for those of the Muslim faith. This has been an issue that has been truly on my heart. I've not known exactly how to pray for them, but it has been a constant on my mind and heart for years. I know that You know my thoughts and prayers even when I do not. Tonight, I put this before You. I pray for the women who are victimized by this religion. I pray for any and all of those who are training to martyr themselves in the hopes of paradise. Lord God, this is nothing but a lie from the very pits of hell! I do not understand how anyone would so freely serve a god who expects them to die and kill others to earn their reward. I pray for the people of this religion- that their eyes will be opened. So many say that they serve the same god we do. No, this is not at all true! You, Lord God, are the God of love and peace and forgiveness! You have never called us to kill unbelievers! You tell us to forgive those who hurt us.  The Muslim god calls for death to those who do not believe as they do.

I continue to pray for Congresswoman Giffords. Continue to heal her heart, mind, body and soul from this vicious attack against her.

I pray for this nation. I pray that we would be united, standing up for what this nation truly stands for!

I pray for our president. Give him wisdom. Humble his heart.

I pray for the nation and people of Israel. There is such a hatred for Your chosen people, Lord God. I know this is foretold in Your Word, but my heart truly aches at the hostility that is directed at them. Protect them and keep them always!

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

Who Can Satisfy
Words and Music by Dennis Jernigan

Who can satisfy my soul
Who on earth can comfort me
And love me like You do
Who could ever be more faithful and true
I will trust in You
I will trust in You my God

There is a fountain
Who is a King
Victorious warrior and Lord of everything
My rock my shleter my very own
Blessed Redeemer
Who reigns upon the throne

Who could ever be more faithful and true
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You my God

Who reigns upon the throne
Who reigns upon the throne

© 1989 Shepherd's Heart Music, Inc.

This recording is not very good, but the song is AWESOME!
My victorious Warrior reigns upon the throne!

A WRETCH LIKE ME

This time of the year is extremely special to me. On February 25, 2004, a movie was released that reaches down into the very depths of my soul. While I know the story well, I've never seen it depicted in this exact way.

The movie I am referring to is, "The Passion Of The Christ".

Within the first month after the movie was released, my husband and I went to the theatre 7 times to see it. At the time, we were Youth Leaders at our church. Since the movie was rated "R" due to the extreme violence depicted, we were required to view the movie before taking students to see it. For the students to see the movie their parents had to sign a permission form, for the exact same reason.

I was raised in a Christian home. I often joke that I went to church before I entered the world, and started my entry into the world at church! My Mom actually went into labor during the Sunday night service. A funny side story here that my mom loves to tell. She went to the restroom, and her water broke. Obviously, she had to send someone in to get my Dad.

My grandparents, as well as a couple of my aunts and uncles went to the same church. My Dad sent one of the ushers in to let my grandparents know what was going on. It was at this very moment that the congregation was sitting, and the choir was getting ready to sing. My grandfather did not realize what was going on, so he was standing up, in the middle of the church, looking at my aunt, who was in the choir, shaking his head "yes" So this is how the congregation knew I was ready to make my entrance into the world!

Well, I've gotten a bit off track here. But, the point of telling this funny little tidbit of my life is to say that yes, I attended church regularly as a child. When the church doors were open, we were there. I knew the words of the old hymns by heart. In fact, I was even known to give a concert for my grandparents at the drop of a hat! There are even pictures of the performances, my "brush microphone" in hand.

Even if you are not a church-goer, it's quite likely you know the words to the ever-famous hymn, "Amazing Grace." In fact, there is now even a movie of how the hymn came to be. This was one of the songs that I loved to sing the most.

Strangely enough, though I have known the words of "Amazing Grace"  by heart pretty much since I uttered my first words, It was not until I was 31-years-old that I truly grasped the true meaning of this beautiful hymn.

THE POWER OF MUSIC

I mentioned in yesterday's post how important music is in my life. As long as I can remember I have loved all kinds of music. I cannot carry a tune in a tin bucket, but I love to sing! I just make sure no one is around when I do!

It wasn't until about 9 years ago that I realized how powerful music can be.

Though I love all kinds of music, I am not someone who actually hears the lyrics a lot of times. The chorus, yes, of course, most of the time I do know the words. But the actual verses of songs, I am not always aware of.

MARVELOUS LIGHT

If you have read much of my blog you have probably noticed that I make many references to music. I love music of all genres. I have found that no matter my mood, there is music to fit. However, I have found that I have to be very careful not to allow myself to wallow in music, if I am feeling down.

Before I realized the power of music, if I was feeling melancholy, I would put on sad music and just indulge myself in the music and the mood. What I did not realize is how suggestive music can be.

I think that I will start exploring this a bit further in my blogging, because it may help someone else identify with this. It wasn't until my husband pointed it out that I truly began to understand how music can affect your mood and even your actions.

But tonight I want to write about God's marvelous Light.

REFINER'S FIRE

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse.”  And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” One lady’s opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.