Pride

This was taken from a book titled, "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore.

"My name is Pride. I am a cheater. I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way. I cheat you of contentment...because you "deserve better than this." I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all. I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive. I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you're wrong. I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window. I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you. I cheat you of love...because real romance demands sacrifice. I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth. I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater. You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you. Untrue. I'm looking to make a fool of you. God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...If you stick with me You'll never know."

This is a powerful statement. The Bible says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Lord help me to always remain humble in Your sight and in the sight of others.

Funk

Do you ever get in a "funk" sometimes?? A day where things just aren't right! I don't like those kind of days. There is too much on my mind and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it except give it over to the Lord. What good does it do for me to hang on to it? With my mouth I say I'll give it to the Lord, lay it at His feet and trust Him, but in my heart I am having a hard time letting go. Thoughts are the hardest thing to be free from. They can drive you into a state of "funkeness" (ok I know it's not a real word, but it sounded good). I have to be free from this feeling. I need to believe with my heart what my mouth is saying and totally trust God and let it go. That's called "practicing what I preach" and it's easier said than done sometimes. I am at a total point in my life where I literally don't know the next step I am to take. Scott and I can't even make any decision's until we know God's will for our family. This is one of the hardest places for me to be and I'm not liking it. The only thing I know to do and can do for that matter is to surrender it to the Lord and let it go. He knows the outcome already and has it all laid out for us. We wait on His timing and be patient. It will all be worth it in the end!

LIFE

"Life" - Reflecting back on my life, I sometimes ask the question, "would I change anything?" Of course there would be some things I probably wish I could have changed but wonder then would the outcome of my life and where I am now be different. We all have made choices in our lifetime that brought about consequences, whether good or bad, that we have to live with. Some are of the past yet some are still hanging on - for some, it's because we choose not to let them go and for others the results stare us in the face on a daily basis as a constant reminder. Either way, it's your life story and we all have one. Some choose not to share theirs, others share way too much. I believe how you deal with whatever life has thrown at you reflects who you are today. I also believe that no matter what has happened in the past, cannot dictate your future. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." If you are a believer then God's plans for your life are far greater than you ever could have planned. Your sins can be forgiven and you can have a new life in Christ Jesus. The old will pass away and all things will become new. (2 Cor 5:17)

Don't let your past life dictate to you how you will live the REST of your life. It's not always going to be easy, but those are the things that will make you stronger and build character. Look at it as a test - one that you will pass and remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. Be blessed and enjoy YOUR LIFE!

Family

Family - no matter what happens, we will always be there for each other. I have a big family and I love it. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Currently we all live in Louisiana we and are very close to each other. Even though we all have different faiths, beliefs, ideas, and ways - it doesn't keep us from coming together to enjoy one another's company to have fun. There are 8 grand-children, with the oldest being 18 and the youngest being 5, there is never a dull moment. We have laughed and cried, been angry and even fought with one another but at the end of the day when all is said and done, we love each other with an unconditional love that can never separate us. I am very grateful that all of us are still alive and healthy. My parents are still living and have a sound mind. I have one living grandfather on my mom's side and a step-grandmother. I don't know what I would do without any of my family members.

I just wanted to take this time to thank the Lord for allowing me to be part of such an awesome family. Continue to keep us safe, watch over us and protect us until the day of your returning.

Thankful

This morning as I sit in the quiet I had certain thoughts go through my mind which reminded me of things in my past. My life could be totally different than it is now. If I wouldn't have surrendered my life to Jesus in February 1996, I'm not sure where I would be today. I may have gotten saved years later, only God knows, but the road I was headed down could have produced long term results that would have brought forth a different outcome. I may have never turned to Jesus but I am thankful and oh so grateful for the moment He made Himself real to me. There are things in my past I am not very proud of but because of Jesus I am free from it all. I pray that my heart will remain teachable and that my flesh would not get in the way. I want to be able to receive instruction from the Lord so that my relationship with Him will continue to grow. My Spirit is willing but my flesh is weak - Lord I ask that you will not allow me to go astray. I want to finish the race you have set before me. Let my life and everything I do bring glory to your most Holy name. Let me not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and help my eyes to only be fixed on You. I know my relationship with Christ is real. I know the change He has brought about in my life and those that knew me then and now can testify to that. It doesn't mean that I am perfect, just forgiven. Everyone makes mistakes and none of us are without sin but knowing that I can go to the Father, through what Christ did at the cross for me and ask forgiveness then to be forgiven is the most powerful gift anyone could ever give me. I do not take serving the Lord lightly - He is a Holy God and I pray my life will always reflect Christ and His attributes. Amen!

Waiting on God

It's early, can't sleep - way too much on my mind this morning. I know that our family is about to face another transition in our lives. The problem is we aren't sure which direction it will lead. We are actually waiting to hear from a church in regards to a Youth Pastor position Scott applied for. They want to make a decision by August 1st no later than September 1st and have already called a few references so now we are just waiting for the next process. He was one of six people chosen for this job out of 80 applicants. If it ends here I have to say I am very proud of him for trying. I know that Scott is called of God to teach the word - he has the ability to understand and study the word then teach it like no other person I have known. I have learned so much from him. This will be a big step for us - we took the first step of faith by submitting the resume so now the rest is left up to God. We choose to trust in Him to lead us wherever it is He may take us. If this doesn't work out, we are faced with an entire different scenario. Regardless, we have to believe that God is in control of our circumstances and though we may not see the bigger picture, we must believe that it will all come together in the end. It's just another step in our lives where God can and will prove Himself to be faithful even if it doesn't end up the way we assumed it would.

A New Season

Greetings -

This is all new to me. I have never blogged before but I felt like it was something new I would like to begin. There are many times I wished I would have written things down but never did. I feel as I enter into this new season of my life, I want to keep track of the journey along the way. I am a very open, transparent and what you see is what you get kind of person. I pray that as you walk along this road with me you will be able to share in the joys, pains, trials and victories in this temporary world we live in. May God use this for His Glory!