Make a Choice

If you were offered a choice to have all the gold, silver and precious stones or all wisdom, what would you choose?

Proverbs 8:10-11 NIV [Wisdom speaking]

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

The Word of God gives us a choice. We are free to choose, however the Lord gives us advice on what to choose.

Psalm 111:10 NIV

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I pray that we fear HIM and lean to HIM for understanding. Doing things HIS way and not our own ways.

As choices come up in our daily lives, let us pray and seek HIS wisdom. Let’s seek the Lord on how to deal with our daily circumstances. God will be glad to teach us HIS ways. All we have to do is ask.

James 1:5 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Let us choose each day, each moment as necessary to seek the Lord for HIS wisdom.

Are the children fighting with one another?

Are business decisions boggling the mind?

Perplexed by what direction to step in ministry?

Does your husband not agree with your choices?

Are there more days in the week than the pay check?

Are your children at home from school screaming “I’m bored”?

Are family members not cooperating with one another?

Take time out to seek the Lord on how to deal with issues HIS way.

His wisdom is more precious than gold, silver and rubies.

To God be the glory!!

Blessings in Christ--

A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

In this season of my life, it seems as though every activity under heaven is taking place at once. My head is twirling around and I’m not sure what to focus on at the present.

Today, our ladies Bible study is wrapping up with spring tea. What a joyous season it has been to study the Word of God with such wonderful women who seek after the Lord.

We’re preparing for my oldest son’s high school graduation coming up in a few weeks. I just wont admit that I’m that old. We’re having a big celebration with lots of family coming to visit.

My youngest son, is a big fan of baseball. This is the last week of regular season, but next week is all star try outs. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if we go another couple of months in all star games.

Also, we’ll be taking a trip to Six Flags in San Antonio soon as my youngest son won this trip in a recent Bible Drill competition.

The kitchen remodeling project is just about complete. YEAH! Praise the Lord! I haven’t cooked a great home cooked meal in many weeks that I’m not sure I remember how. Or perhaps it’s like riding a bike and it will come back to me.

Also, coming in June is our 20^th wedding anniversary! We’ve been so busy with the boys and projects that we’ve failed to plan adequately for ourselves. I’m open to suggestions on how we can celebrate 20 years on a tight budget (college cost lots of money) & not much time to make reservations.

Blessings in Christ--

God Bless America

May we take time to pause and remember those who sacrificed their lives in service to our country today. Let us pray for their families. Let us thank those who are serving today. Let us also pray for their families.

My brother & I both served our country during the Iraq war in the early 1990's. He was in the navy & I was in the Air Force. My husband served in the Marines. My grandfather served in WWII in the navy. We're a family of veterans. Our blood runs red, white and blue for America. This Lee Greenwood song has always stirred up patriotism in me. I wanted to share it today.

God Bless the USA!



Blessings in Christ--

I Hope You Dance

In Loving Memory of
June Nettleton
1972-2008

In her short time on this earth, June danced with her Lord. She took chances and gave her all as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Her radiant face encouraged me to press into our Lord. Her faith spurred my faith in our Savior. June now dances in the heavens with our Lord. She has inspired me to take a chance and dance while I am still here.

John 10:10 AMP
10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Blessings in Christ--

P.S. To leave a personal message to the family, visit In Memory of June.

Prepare the Way

Psalm 50:23 NIV

He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God.

A sacrifice of thanks offerings.

Now in the midst of so much turmoil in the body of Christ and in this world today?

How?

So many are grieving and hurting in the body of Christ. To list a few from the people I know:

• One with unexpected death of sister.
• Four friends whose husbands need work & financial needs for family.
• One who received news of unexpected sudden illness of mother.
• One whose 4 month old grandbaby’s life is hanging by a thread & praying by the grace of God he’ll pull through.
• One who is battling on-going illness.
• One whose ministry in another country is battling police corruption.
• One stressed from work and desires family time.
• And so on.

Yesterday I felt led to the verse above. I decided to rise up and praise the Lord in my tears and in spite of my fears. I will praise HIM no matter what I see as HE is the sovereign God. HE is the ruler of the heavens and the earth. No matter what I can find something to praise HIM for in the midst of so much trouble.

When I chose to praise HIM in spite of my hurts and pain, things changed. Not the circumstances as I have to leave those in the Lord’s hands. Those matters are too big for me to fix. Only God can orchestrate and change the circumstances. But what changed was my attitude.

My perception cleared.

The heaviness lifted.

God alone has the answers. The answers may not come as quickly as we’d like. Or the answers may not be what we hoped for. I don’t always understand. His ways are higher than my ways and his thoughts higher than my thoughts. (Is. 55:9)

According to the scripture above, the praise prepares the way to see the salvation of God. I take that to mean to see HIM come through some how, some way—HIS way & in HIS time.

When someone asks me “How are you doing?” My response is “I have opportunity to see God’s glory.”

Let’s praise HIM in our storms, trials, and tears. We do our part. Then HIS word says, “He prepares the way so that [He] may show us the salvation of God.”

Blessings in Christ--

Trust Only in God

Psalm 62 NCV

1 I find rest in God;
only he can save me.
2 He is my rock and my salvation.
He is my defender;
I will not be defeated.
3 How long will you attack someone?
Will all of you kill that person?
Who is like a leaning wall, like a fence ready to fall?
4 They are planning to make that person fall.
They enjoy telling lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah
5 I find rest in God;
only he gives me hope.
6 He is my rock and my salvation.
He is my defender;
I will not be defeated.
7 My honor and salvation come from God.
He is my mighty rock and my protection.
8 People, trust God all the time.
Tell him all your problems,
because God is our protection.
Selah
9 The least of people are only a breath,
and even the greatest are just a lie.
On the scales, they weigh nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in force.
Stealing is of no use.
Even if you gain more riches,
don't put your trust in them.

11 God has said this,
and I have heard it over and over:
God is strong.
12 The Lord is loving.
You reward people for what they have done.

This Psalm brings my anxious heart peace as I put all my trust in the Lord. I have no other choice. No ONE but HIM to turn to—In Christ alone I find rest & hope.

It seemed as if all the circumstances were falling so prayerfully in place like the pieces of a puzzle were laid out on the table and the picture was clear. Only a few more pieces and it would be complete.

Every step to this day showed evidence God was guiding this process. It all looked as if the will of God was coming to pass. The leadership in the church saw it. So many prayer warriors saw it. Other ministers saw it. But then…

Just as the puzzle looked like it would be completed a leg supporting the table broke and all the pieces fell to the floor and broke.

There is so much hurt in the body of Christ. God is love. God is the healer of emotions. God is a God of hope. Why can’t the body of Christ walk in unity? It grieves me to see division and dissension amongst the believers.

I love the Lord. I love HIS people. After the last couple of weeks, I’m certain of the call the Lord has placed on my life. What I’m not certain of is where HE wants me to serve HIM in the body.

I feel like a sheep left out in the pasture.

I desire to be under leadership in the body where I can be developed, equipped and trained in area of ministry the Lord has put on my heart.

My heart grieves over the broken leg today and all those affected by it.

I pray the Lord work out these circumstances. I pray HE picks up the pieces and put the picture together HIS way according to the vision HE has in HIS mind, not mine or anyone else. Lord have YOUR way. LORD YOUR will be done.

Blessings in Christ--

Prince Caspian Released Today

I've already taken the boys to the movie. We stayed up last night and went to the midnight show. I promised the boys this "field trip" earlier this year. We went with a group of friends and had a wonderful time.

The movie is great though it does deviate from C.S. Lewis' version. And as usual when a book is cast into a movie some characters are out of character from the book.

In case you decided to sleep last night instead of going to the midnight release I won't share about the movie. I'll leave you with this--good acting, great scenes. No blood, but lots of violence. Please read the Christian reviews before taking young children.

Here's the official trailer if you haven't seen it.


Blessings in Christ

Thankful Thursday

I decided today is a good day to participate in Thankful Thursday. Today my flesh is attempting to fuss, whine and complain. But I want to live a life by the Spirit and be thankful to my Lord for so many things.

I thank You Lord that my family is healthy & safe.

I thank You Lord we have a nice home in which to live.

I thank You Lord You provide for all our needs.

I thank You Lord as You blessed me with new cabinets in the kitchen.

I thank You Lord as You are in control of the timing and progress of this remodeling project.

This is where I'm wanting to complain, but must remain thankful. The cabinet company that is working on my home project started on Monday, but yesterday they have not been able to find the right clips for the under mount sink we're installing so our project is on hold.

We had water damage in the kitchen. I'm so thankful our home owners insurance covered most of the expenses to replace the cabinets.

Here's how the project started:



This is the old kitchen cabinets and ugly yellow counters that came when this house was built in 1978.

This is an interesting view of my kitchen without counters.


This is where the progress has stopped. The cabinets are in, but the counter top is on hold until clips are found for the sink. I do look forward to the day I don't see yellow in the kitchen.


This is how we're eating and living this week. Just like if were were staying in a hotel, but with the comforts of our own bathrooms and beds.

But thankfully God takes care of us. We have not gone without.

Being a person who likes a neat and tidy house, living in a chaotic mess like this for a week is really stretching me.

I am thankful God is in control.

Philippians 4:4-8 NIV
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thank You Lord that You are in control and I can rejoice. I wont be anxious about the chaos in my home. This is only temporary. I lift up my petition to You to provide clips necessary to continue the project to completion. May Your peace that passes all understanding guard my heart and mind. I will be grateful. In Jesus name, Amen.

Blessings in Christ--

**** Update****
Literally minutes after I posted this, the cabinet company called. They had the parts and were ready to install the counter top!! Now we'll be able to hook up the plumbing and return the appliances to the kitchen before the weekend! We're having ceramic tile put up next week for the backsplash. Praise the LORD!!

Phishers vs. Fishers

Beware of phishers!! One of my friends became a victim of a phisher yesterday. She received an email in her Yahoo account that looked official. She sent the requested verification information of her user name and password for her email account unsuspectingly. Unfortunately now, she no longer has access to her Yahoo email account with her address book and other sensitive information.

Because some of us exchange email and share forwarded messages, your email may have been in her address book. If you received a message from Anna with an Yahoo email saying she was trapped in Africa and needed money, it’s all a bogus scam. Disregard such type of email and delete it from your files.

Please use extra caution when verifying accounts. Most legitimate accounts do not use email verifications processes. Please pray for Anna that with the Lord as her Helper she will get this situation resolved quickly as she used this email account primarily for her corporate business.

We’re called to be fishers of men. Let us pray that as the world grows smaller through electronic media that we can be true fishers and lead others into the Kingdom of God. Please join me in praying for the person or persons who scammed my friend. Let’s pray that in this person(s) desperate pursuit to fulfill financial needs; that he/she will seek out the Lord and find peace in HIM through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Mark 1:17-18 NIV

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

Blessings in Christ--

For My Mother--

Exodus 20:12 NIV

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Mother, I want to honor you at all times, but especially this Mother’s Day.

H – Happy were you at my birth. High hopes you held for me the hour I was born. Hazel eyes were given to me. Your heart hailed my entrance to this world as you heard my howls.

O – Open arms offered opulent love. Overflowing. Obvious. God ordained the moment He gave me to you. Original I am.

N – Noble mother you trained me. Nourished my life. Nurtured my growth. Never gave up on me. Never neglected my needs. Nonstop notable deeds were noticed. No way can I repay you. You always nursed me when I was ill, scared or nervous.

O – Obstinate daughter I became. Ornery I was. Still your ostensible love for me never ceased. Outspoken, outgoing I overestimated myself. Obedient mother you observed my behavior and from obvious experience chastened me.

R – Rejoice in Christ for refining and refilling our lives. Renowned are you mother. I repent for my rogue renegade route. Remarkable, relevant, and reliable you are. No one can replace you in my life. May you, mother, find rest in the Lord today. You mother, a virtuous woman worth far more than rubies. May our lives revolve around the Lord. Radical about HIM. God is our reward.

Proverbs 23:25 NIV

May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice!

Happy Mother's Day!! Blessings in Christ-

Note: The photo above is a gift from The House in the Roses. Thank you for this photo to share on Mother's Day. Marina, The Daughter of the King, passed this gift on to me. Thank you Marina.

Been in CLASS

I have been in CLASS in Austin, Texas these last three days. CLASS stands for Christian Leaders, Authors, and Speakers Seminar. This is a three day seminar to train speakers and writers as well as aspiring speakers and writers.

A series of God-ordained circumstances directed my steps to attend this conference. I certainly love the Lord and I certainly love teaching His word. I believe I’m starting on a new journey in my walk with Him. I have stepped out in faith to start this journey by attending this conference. I believe the Lord is calling me to do more than teach a local weekly Bible Study. And I love teaching weekly studies. I believe the Lord has called me to step out to be a Christian speaker, writer and author.

The Lord equips the called. CLASSeminar was a first step in the equipping process. I am a CLASS trained speaker now. And also, I have booked my first official ministry speaking engagement at a women’s ministry meeting on May 17.

Now I need to work on some promotional materials and let others know I am available to speak. There is much more involved in preparing for a speaking ministry than just promo materials, but I’ll spare the details. I have my to-do list.

I also submitted a book proposal for critique. I received some wonderful constructive information about a proposal. With polishing up, it was suggested I take the proposal to the Glorieta, NM, writers and speakers conference in October. Tama Westman, my editing consultant, thought the proposal is a very marketable idea. At the Glorieta conference, attendees meet directly with the editors and discuss their ideas. No sending off proposals and waiting to hear back.

When Tama asked if I’ve ever been to Glorieta, I told her yes when I was a child I went to a camp there but have not been back since. Glorieta is the place where I asked Christ into my heart at 11 years old. I still have the Bible I took and wrote it down on the inside. That is the place I started my life with Christ. How awesome is it that I’d be invited back to Glorieta? Could this be the place God takes me to start another segment of my journey with Him?

This year is the beginning of a new phase in my life. I will be booking speaking engagements as the Lord leads. I will be writing much more. After I’ve reviewed the critique information more, I’ll start to work on the development of the book. I’ll be posting bits and segments on the blog as well as submitting pieces to Christian periodicals (in hopes of establishing more publishing credits).

Therefore, I’ll be sharing more information about it in the days to come after I’ve had more time to process it. I have a flood of information and it needs some time to sink in. I want to leave you with a scripture that resonates in my heart tonight:

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Blessings in Christ--

The Siesta Fiesta

Hey—The Siesta Fiesta is only four months away!!

August 22-23, 2008
San Antonio, Texas

Are you ready??

I’m so EXCITED!!

The previous LPM blog registration data has been dumped. Lost in cyberspace somewhere. So…

First of all, go to the LPM Blog and register (or reregister) for the Siesta Fiesta. This registration is for the LPM blog readers. For the LPM blog readers who register, there will be a special seating section and lunch after the Saturday event. There is NO fee for this registration.

Then if you haven’t done so already, go and register for the LPM event by visiting Lifeway. The cost of this ticket is $55.

Finally, Patty and Kim put together a Siesta Fiesta blog for all the blog sisters to connect with one another. Visit them at the button below and let them know you’re going. Also they’ve designed some really great t-shirts and tote bags for the event.

See you soon!!

Blessings in Christ--