I John 1:7 - "Oceans"

Another night of praying more than sleeping...what a blessing to be used by my Heavenly Father. Last night was even more special because for the first seven hours it was specifically for my husband. He has been struggling with pain when he lays down which has resulted in short nights. Last night the Lord woke me up to pray for him every time right before he woke up. He didn't have me pray against the pain but instead "Lord, fill him with whatever he needs." I found those words interesting. That is exactly how I pray for myself...for Him to fill me with Himself. When I would wake up to roll over, I would pray for Doc not to be woke up by my movement and he wasn't. At 5:30 when I woke up the Lord had me pray for some others and for some situations...

• those who are traveling this week for safety
• those who are dealing with deaths of loved ones as they go through the holidays
• some who are lonely due to not having family close by or have little contact with their family
• some who are financially struggling to realize it is their decisions that are causing the problem
• one who is holding onto a situation from years ago
• a family in turmoil among themselves and another family who appear to be at the resolve of a many year conflict
• a hurtful situation I am dealing with 
• my voice to return
• my attitude toward difficult people

I prayed for each of these situations and people to draw closer to the Lord during tough times. I snoozed again for about fifteen minutes and the Lord gave me a dream that showed my hurtful situation will be resolved. I pray it does not take the two years He showed but if it does I know He will sustain me through it. He will give me times like last night during our 'waiting time' where He told me He loved me, I am the apple of His eye, that I need to make Him first to keep my joy and I need to trust Him. He gave me the song "Oceans" to encourage me to stand in my faith. He told me as I draw deeper in relationship with Him I can become like Isaiah. He said, "I am using you in some mighty ways but there are even mightier ways in your future. Trust Me. I love you!" Wow, God! After that Doc shared He gave him I John 1. This chapter begins with discussing our relationship with God (verses 1-4). I love verse four that says, "We write this to make our {your} joy complete." God told me "Remember to keep My joy I must be first." Wow, He is so awesome in the way He gave Doc the scripture to go with what He told me! Verses 5 through ten are about the need to shine our light for Christ in this dark world. Sin keeps us from full relationship with Christ. We cannot walk in a holy life when sin is in us. Matthew Henry writes:

A message from the Lord Jesus, the Word of life, the eternal Word, we should all gladly receive. The great God should be represented to this dark world, as pure and perfect light. As this is the nature of God, his doctrines and precepts must be such. And as his perfect happiness cannot be separated from his perfect holiness, so our happiness will be in proportion to our being made holy. To walk in darkness, is to live and act against religion. God holds no heavenly fellowship or intercourse with unholy souls. There is no truth in their profession; their practice shows its folly and falsehood. The eternal Life, the eternal Son, put on flesh and blood, and died to wash us from our sins in his own blood, and procures for us the sacred influences by which sin is to be subdued more and more, till it is quite done away. While the necessity of a holy walk is insisted upon, as the effect and evidence of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, the opposite error of self-righteous pride is guarded against with equal care. All who walk near to God, in holiness and righteousness, are sensible that their best days and duties are mixed with sin. God has given testimony to the sinfulness of the world, by providing a sufficient, effectual Sacrifice for sin, needed in all ages; and the sinfulness of believers themselves is shown, by requiring them continually to confess their sins, and to apply by faith to the blood of that Sacrifice. Let us plead guilty before God, be humble, and willing to know the worst of our case. Let us honestly confess all our sins in their full extent, relying wholly on his mercy and truth through the righteousness of Christ, for a free and full forgiveness, and our deliverance from the power and practice of sin.

Sandie shared the desire to be the light for Jesus. She said we must be Jesus in this dark world if we want to be who He desires of us.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to pray for my husband throughout the night. I praise You for him having a better night of rest even though the pain was still evident. I praise You for last night's group where You spoke so clearly. I praise You for the dream where You showed me there will be resolve to my hurtful situation. I praise You for Your cleansing power that will rid me of anything that will keep me from being a beacon of light for You. I love You so much Lord and the desire of my heart is to walk in obedience with You. Thank You for speaking to me again in the final prayer time last night. Sometimes I feel like I am already in heaven with You with the way we communicate. I must say I will be glad to be there instead of here dealing with such 'junk' as prescription costs and insurance issues. But until that time comes I will continue to trust You. May You bless us with resolve on the issue from yesterday in a timely manner. Until that resolve happens I am trusting You and not worrying. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see/hear You instead of me today. Thank You for being My Communicator. Amen.

Isaiah 43:2 - "My Hope Is In You"

It was not a very good night for sleep so I knew it was a good night to pray. The Lord brought a friend to my mind the first time I woke up. He is hurting from the sudden loss of his son. The Lord gave me Isaiah 43:2 to share with him...

God is always with us...in the 'good' days and the 'bad' days. His love is never ending. His strength is always available to us. As we reflect back upon the memories of life we need to allow Him to heal us through them. When the enemy tries to bring up things to regret, we need to lean on the Lord's strength to not allow him such power. It is so hard to loose a loved one suddenly. When one leaves us through a prolonged illness, grieving occurs throughout the illness. When one leaves us suddenly, the grieving hits hard. No matter what the circumstance, God is always there to love us through it. When we know our loved one lived in relationship with the Lord, it is easier than if they did not. But there is always the hope of them crying out to the Lord before they took their last breathe on this earth. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the opportunity to pray for my friend during the night. Thank You for the pain You gave to wake me. Father, I pray for your supernatural empowerment in him today. May Your strength be his strength today. May He feel Your love in a mighty way throughout this day. Father, I pray the same for myself. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You will be seen/heard better through my words, actions and attitude. Thank You for being My Hope. Amen.

Proverbs 23:15-16 - "Miracle"

Thirty-seven years...I am not old enough to have a son that old...I guess I am! I will never forget the day of his birth. I had been in labor all day but didn't realize it until my water broke at 4:39AM. Some things such as that time are forever in a person's mind. Going to the hospital and having the ER nurse feel a foot was scary for this nineteen year old Mommy. We knew he was feet first and a C-section was scheduled for the following Monday. I asked to have him on Friday but because the surgeon wanted a long holiday weekend he refused. Paul knew what his Momma wanted so he came on Friday. I am grateful I did not know until after the fact how they almost lost both of us. God protected us because He had plans for us. Life was not always easy but as Paul grew up he made me proud. Well behaved, good grades, excelled in anything he did, loving, fun...the list goes on and on. Proverbs 23:15-16 has the words "I'll be one happy parent" and that I am. I am grateful for the husband and father Paul has become. I am proud of him. This picture today I used to put Scripture on is one he sent me from a morning he was on a business trip to Louisiana. He woke up to this sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico. He told me a couple years ago that he goes to the office early and does his devotions. After he is done he writes the verse of the day on his white board. My heart about bursted as I heard those words. I know what the business world is like and it is not easy sharing one's faith. It is in ways like putting Scripture up for others to see that one can be a beacon of light in a dismal world. Oh how I miss the hugs and 'I love you' before him going out the door. I miss seeing him and talking with him. But I know he is busy with life and am grateful for every tidbit of phone call or text I receive. As parents, this is what we raised our kids to be. Independent, raising their own family, etc. But I must admit it is not always easy. Thankfully I know he is walking with the Lord and loving with God's love. I am grateful he provides for his family and the decisions he and Lizzy have made so she can be a stay-at-home Mom. I started praying for her when he was a baby and haven't stopped. I am so grateful for the love they have together. I also am grateful he is listening to God. There are definitely things I wish I could change from his childhood on things I did but I can't think of one thing I would change that he did.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the opportunity to be Paul's Momma. Thank You for his love for You and the way he shares it. Thank You for being His Heavenly Daddy. Father, may he be blessed in abundance today with more of You. I pray the same for myself. Cleanse me and fill me. May all who come in contact today with us see/hear You instead of either of us. May You be greater than us. Thank You Jesus for being Our Heavenly Daddy. Amen.

Job 1:21 - "Hills and Valleys"

Father, you give and take away
Every retry and every pain
And with all you will remain
All for it all!

These words were going through my mind when I woke up this morning. No matter what circumstance we are going through the Lord is always with us. He is there on the mountaintop and He is there in the valley. Sometimes we learn the greatest lesson when we go through a time of being in a valley. There are times that are so hard yet they can be the most rewarding in the end. One must seek the Lord no matter what is going on. When times seem to be unbearable, He is there. When it seems like the 'bad' situation will never end, we must stay close to Him. He is the answer. He does not steal our joy but uses circumstances to give us more joy. Satan is the one to steal our joy. He loves when one starts fretting and worrying because it gives him an open door. When going through trials of life, one must stay close to God. He will be exactly what we need. Sometimes He puts trials before us to stretch our faith. Sometimes He needs us to depend upon Him instead of ourselves so He puts an opportunity in our life to make that happen. The thing to remember is that He is right there with us no matter what. We also need to remember to praise Him as He gives and takes away. Job went through so much but in chapter 1, verse twenty-one He praised God.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this reminder this morning. Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit. I pray for more of You so people will hear/see You instead of me. Lord, be with Doc today and give him what he needs throughout this day. I pray for a breakthrough to be in Your will with the building process. Lord, we need some encouragement with it. May today be the day that comes. I pray a blessing over my studies today. I pray against the distraction of this sore throat. Lord, be greater than these things. Thank You for being My Joy Maker. Amen.

Isaiah 43:19 - "Beyond Me"

The Lord woke me up several times during the night to pray for pastors. He specifically had me pray for new pastors. He had me pray for some who were new and some who had been in the pastorate for years who are trying to minister in their own way instead of walking in obedience to His ways. This morning when I woke up He had a song Toby Mac wrote called "Beyond Me" on my mind. He wrote this song because of the way people (including himself) stay in the comfort of things they can control. He wrote, "I want to stretch myself and be who God has called me to be. Give Him the room and know that weakness is a beautiful posture to do something beyond ourselves. I'm a needy man. I need God, and I can't do it on my own." This is the way all believers need to feel. As I prayed for pastors overnight, the Lord kept bringing my prayers back to those who were doing things on their own. He woke me several times to pray for those who were not tapping into Him. There is power when one gets to the end of themselves and allows the Lord to work in and through them. There is peace in decisions when we have the Lord as our Guide. His love covers one in abundance when He is given the reigns to all decisions made in life. There is a freshness in the ministry of ones who seek Him in a different, new way. No one has to do anything on their own. The Lord is available to everyone. His ways are so much better than anything we could ever come up with. As I think of those in ministry who are struggling with the upcoming Christmas season I pray for all to look to Him for guidance. This time of year is stressful enough for all of the activities in the life of a family but when one is in ministry that stress is compounded by the activities in the church. He had me pray during the night for some who are struggling with doing what they have always done in their church. He also had me pray for pastors in new pastorates who are feeling pressured to do what the last pastor did. God desires for all pastors to listen to Him and do what He desires of them. When one listens and walks in obedience, His will will be accomplished. He had me pray for pastors who compare themselves with other pastors. He also had me pray for those who are feeling inadequate for the place He has called them to be. Another prayer that He brought to me was for those pastors who He is calling into new territories but they are afraid to take the steps He is putting before them. He has some new things for some new pastors and some new things for some seasoned pastors yet many are not accepting them. He had me pray for those who are accepting them to continue down the path He is leading them. He amazes me with the prayers He gives me on Saturday nights. I love praying for pastors and their families. Most times on Saturday nights it is just for pastors. When I think about that, I realize when a pastor is going deeper with the Lord, listening to Him and walking in obedience, their family will be blessed in abundance.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for giving me the opportunity to pray for pastors last night. Thank You for blessing me with calling Doc and I into ministry. Father, I pray You will be so real to us with what You desire of our walk with You. I pray for a blessing upon our lives and the ministry You have set before us. I also pray for a different, new outlook upon our ministry. Lord, the most important goal is that You are seen/heard through all we do and say. May You be our attitude throughout this day in a mighty way. I pray against any distraction that will occur. I pray for a healing in my throat so I don't concentrate on it but instead give You my full attention. Bless all pastors today...may more of them seek more of You. Thank You Jesus for being My Guide. Amen.

Psalm 67:6-7 - "Every Good Thing"

Everyone has twenty-four hours in their day. Everyone has a birthday each year along with holidays such as Christmas which is one month from today. Everyone also has a choice on how they spend their days. Some days are harder than others with memories of loved ones who have passed, separation from family due to miles, not being with family due to divorce or family conflict, health issues of yourself or others...the list goes on and on. The only thing that enables one to get through such hard days is the Lord. He is the Constant in this life of chaos. He is always with you no matter what the circumstance one is going through. His empowerment allows one to not only get through the tough days but to find tidbits of blessings in them. He is the One to give direction on how to celebrate on different days than the holiday itself. He loves us so greatly that He blesses in abundance when one walks in His path of obedience. Yesterday was a day where many went out 'Black Friday' shopping. Most people were looking for good buys for the perfect gift to give. Some people go out on that day because it is a tradition for them and/or their family and friends. Some people even go just to see the crazy people who are out on the day. I will never forget the year I got up early to go get Paul a television for his bedroom. I ended up with a lady trying to fight me. It was crazy and one thing I decided I did not like to do. With yesterday being 'Black Friday' we went out on a quest to find something but it wasn't the perfect gift to give. It was one of God's creations. Doc saw cotton fields last week when he traveled to Rock Hill to get the pews. He knew I would love to see them so he took me on a drive. As we came upon them, I was amazed at such beauty. It was priceless! I am amazed over and over again at the beauty of His creation in this new area God has planted us. Most of all I am grateful for the way God continues to bless us with such things as Doc having a day off yesterday. It has been several weeks since that has happened and I was so blessed God granted it to us. I also was blessed as I stood by the cotton field and looked out over acres of white to know God is the Great Creator who made not only the cotton but He created me for a purpose. That purpose is to share His love with others. He put us here in this new area to bless new people. It is not easy being away from family but He makes it easier by blessing us with things such as yesterday. I was reminded of going for rides growing up. My Daddy would let me choose going 'left' or 'right' when we came to a crossroad. Sometimes we would take a lunch with us and sometimes we would have the treat of eating out. Sometimes when we passed an ice cream stand my Daddy would stop for me and sometimes he wouldn't. Those were much simpler days than today but every day is a blessing from the Lord. Yesterday as we visited a new area, walked around in little shops, saw the cotton fields and then enjoyed some good BBQ I felt like royalty. There were times tears came to my eyes in knowing my Heavenly Father loves me so greatly. He not only created me but He created Doc to love me. He created the beauty on this earth to share with me. He created the sunshine which shined down on our day but most importantly He created the Son to shine down upon us.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the day of blessings yesterday. Thank You for the blessings ahead in this day. I am excited to get to spend some time with Tim and Terri. Thank You for orchestrating time with family. I also am excited to see what You have in store for today on ways I can be a blessing to others. I pray for a cleansing in my soul so You can ooze out of my words, actions and attitude. I also pray for a healing in my throat as it hurts so bad. May You be greater than a sore throat so it does not distract me from an opportunity You put in my path. Thank You Jesus for being My Creator. Amen.

Isaiah 43:25 - "Forgiven"

I woke up during the night and again this morning with this song...

God, I fall down to my knees
with a hammer in my hand
You look at me, arms open

Forgiven, Forgiven
Child, there is freedom
From all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven

Amen! There is so much freedom when we repent of our sins. They are gone, never to be brought up again by God. Unfortunately, as humans we can be hard on ourselves. We can not be as forgiving of ourselves as God is. They can continue to cause issues in our life. This can lead to additional sins. We must do as God does and forget them. The only thing that will happen when we don't forget them is the enemy will have an open door into our life. I have talked with people who live in fear of not being good enough for God. They have doubts of whether or not they will go to heaven even though they have repented and live a life for Christ. Those doubts cause issues in their daily life. In their situation they are doubting God. It is good to question God but it is dangerous to doubt Him. When we doubt Him, it is like we have an anchor keeping us down. That anchor stunts one's growth in the Lord. The longer the anchor stays in place, the more it is cemented into the ground. It can feel like there is no way to get it to come up. But God can pull it out in no time when one calls on Him. His desire is to be our Anchor. We do not have to doubt Him but instead all it takes is to trust Him. Trust Him in knowing He not only forgets but forgives our sins. When we take the step toward living a sanctified life, we become Christ-like. One of the greatest parts of living a sanctified life is having His peace. Forgiving ourselves from the past and forgetting may be one of the hardest things we will ever do. When we allow the Lord to, He will enable us to do it.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You not only dying on the cross for my sins but for allowing me to forgive myself. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace that is shown to me every day. Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day. Father, I continue to pray for all who have lost loved ones as they go through the holidays. Whether their loss is fresh or whether it was from years ago the loss is still felt. I pray for people who are experiencing the loneliness, hurt, etc. to be in Your arms and feeling Your love in a mighty way. Thank You for the friends who came to our home yesterday to be together for Thanksgiving. I pray for those who did not have an opportunity to be with people yesterday to know You love them. When I found out last night of a few different ones in such situations, my heart broke for them. Oh how I pray they cried out to You in their time of loneliness. I think of the police and fire personnel, service men and women, doctors, nurses and all those who had to work yesterday. I pray they were showed appreciation by those they served. Lord, You are such a loving God and I pray for more people to come to know that love in the days ahead. May You be greater than me and be my words, action and attitude in this day so people will see/hear You instead of me. May I be cleansed of anything that may keep You away today. Thank You Jesus for being My Anchor. Amen.

Psalm 30:5b - "Trading My Sorrows"

"I'm trading my sorrows...I'm trading my pain..."I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord..." These words were going through my mind this morning as I woke up. I love how the Lord encourages me through songs. This one goes one to say, "I'll say yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord..." As I pondered on those words I thought about the reason we are here in South Carolina is because we said 'yes' to Him. We could have stayed in the comfortable place we were, close to family and surrounded by all the 'normals' we had come to know. But that was not His will. We knew the move was going to be hard in so many ways. We realized life was changing as we left our comfort zone into a lot of unknowns. But the best part of the unknowns is they are not unknown to God. The many months with Doc not having a second job, the short few months of him working for the post office, my breast cancer, us still not being in the building...none of these are unknown to God. He knew about them before they happened, enabled us to work through them in His strength, and encouraged us through each stage of them. He continues to encourage us through daily life.  Yesterday as I spent the day with Eddie I was blessed with having someone with me. Not having one bout of tears was a true blessing. Then last night as I watched little Everly enjoy her first birthday celebration I once again was blessed in feeling the love of my neighbors. With today being Thanksgiving I am thankful for all of these ways He encourages me. I am thankful for His love, mercy and grace. I am thankful for living in His presence and walking in the path of obedience. Does my heart still hurt with being away from family? Of course it does but His encouragement is helping it to not hurt as strongly. Some day I will hold Mr. Weston and love on him but until that day happens I will be satisfied with seeing his pictures and watching him grow from afar. Some day I will play with the older grand babies but until that time I will be content with seeing pictures and talking on the phone. Some day I will have an in-person conversation with my boys and their ladies but until then I will be content with any phone calls I receive. Some day I will get to spend time with my Momma but until then I will continue to pray for the trip planned for her visit in January. Some day I will enjoy spending the day with family members but until then I will be content with any calls or emails I receive. Some day I will sit over a cup of coffee with friends in Ohio but until that day I will be content with letters, cards, emails, etc. Some day I will no longer be on this earth but I will be content with living in His presence, doing His will. We never know when the 'some days' will happen but we do know Who does. I am so blessed by the Lord.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for encouraging me in so many ways! Thank You for the day ahead and for the friends who will be around our table! Lord, please cleanse me of anything that is not of You. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see/hear You through me. May You be greater than me today in all my words, actions and attitude. Thank You for being My Joy. Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "Thy Will"

2:30AM...woke up and prayed for my friend who had shoulder surgery yesterday...prayed against the nasty pain...my heart hurts for the thought of her possibly having a second surgery in six months...the Lord reminded me she loves and depends upon Him greatly.
3:30AM...woke up and prayed for our friends moving to Texas today...my heart hurts they will not be here to pray with and for us...the Lord reminded me people do not have to be in the same place to pray for one another.
4:30AM...woke up and prayed for the hurt in my heart. It is unusual to pray for myself but as I prayed the Lord brought these words to me...Thy will be done...Thy will be done...Thy will be done. I desire for His will in my life...I cling to the promise that He will never leave me...so why does my heart hurt so bad? I pray today does not have as many tears as yesterday. I pray for His strength to be my strength in a mighty way. I pray He will soothe the hurt I am feeling. I am so thankful for the way the Lord blesses me even in times such as this. It is only through His encouragement that gets me through such times. As I think of what was going on a year ago, I want to smack myself up the side of the head for being so emotional right now. But then the Lord reminded me of Jeremiah 29:11. He sees the big picture. He knows the outcome. He desires me to walk His path so His will can be accomplished. I chuckle as I write the next thought that comes to my mind. 'I just need to put my big girl panties on!' If it were only as easy as it sounds! 

Dear Jesus,
I love You so much and need You to cleanse me of anything negative in me that is causing these emotions. I also need You to fill me with more of You so You will take over every aspect of me. Today is a new day and I pray it is less emotional than yesterday. But if there is something I need to learn in this process, please bring it to light. Lord, I pray for You to be greater than the hurt in my heart. Thank You for being My Future. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Hills and Valleys"

When I went to bed last night I was so tired and didn't relish the idea of getting up at 5:30 but I knew being in the hospital setting with a friend having surgery was something I would be blessed through. I miss ministering at the hospital...the times of praying with people who many times are nervous, scared, etc. I miss comforting family members as they await surgery results or are told their loved one passed from this earth. I know God used me during those years as Medical Chaplain and for that I am grateful. As I saw my nurses who cared for me a year ago this month during my breast cancer surgeries I was blessed yet it also was emotional for me. Last night I was singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and thought 'if only I could be with family...' The song continues with 'if only in my dreams...' The tears flowed as I thought of being away from family. Not being there for the birth of our newest grandson has been so hard. I was thinking today getting use to having all of the miles in between has got to get easier. The breast cancer last year took my mind off of this situation a bit. I was focusing on surgeries, doctor appointments, treatments, etc. This year hurts so bad. I think it is a combination of not having any time with Doc, him being so tired all the time along with Weston's birth. Having neighbors move who have prayed for us and with us many times over this last year doesn't help any. I just hurt and have shed many tears. I don't like feeling like this. I know we are in the center of God's will but it still hurts. This morning God reminded me of the words in "Hills and Valleys"...

No matter what I have, your grace is enough
No matter where I am, i'm standing in your love


Yes! I know I am not alone...He is always here for me and oh how I need to feel His strength right now.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for always being with me...whether on the mountain top or in the valley. I feel like I am falling apart. I hurt so bad and the tears just don't want to stop. I know You can use tears to cleanse away hurt and that is what I'm praying for. May Your strength be my strength. I don't want to have my emotional pain distract me from anything You desire of me.  Thank You for the opportunities to be You this morning with my friends. Thank You for the way You kept the tears at bay until I started home. Father, I pray Your strength for my friend as she deals with post-op pain and therapy in the days ahead. I pray for her husband to have Your strength as he cares for her. Lord, cleanse me and fill me so I can be a beacon of light for You. I pray for our friends who are leaving for Texas in the morning. May they be blessed with safe travels. I also pray for healing from his surgery to continue. I pray for a blessing over our time with the children and teens tonight as we have their children with us for the last time before the leave. Lord, thank You again for being with me during times of melt-down. Thank You for being My Constant. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Giants Fall"

This morning when I asked the Lord where He wanted me to read, His response was Psalm 151. There are only 150 Psalm so I thought I heard wrong and asked again. His response was, 'Psalm 151.' Just out of curiosity I did an internet search to see what would come up. There is a Psalm 151 in the Common English Bible. It is about David and Goliath. This is Eli's favorite story in the Bible. He asks me to read it all the time. Last night before he went to bed he read it to his Momma. When she told me, my heart melted. I thought about what his little mind (1st grader) must think of that story. I also thought about how I wish that story would have been read to me repeatedly as a child. I faced many 'giants' in life but God gave me the strength to knock them down. My parents had physical issues many times as I was growing up with surgeries, diseases, heart attacks, strokes...the list goes on an on. As a child, sometimes I would wonder why God was causing all of those things to happen. Then I realized it wasn't God but sin of this world that caused them. The neatest part was realizing when they happened God could have stopped them with just a word but He chose to use them to strengthen our faith. That faith in Him was what got our family through the murder of my twenty-one year old sister. It was that faith that got me through being molested and raped as a child. Having such a deep faith made it easy to say 'no' to the idea of an abortion when it showed on the sonogram Ben was going to be born with an open spine. The deep faith of so many people was what brought me back to the Lord when I fell away. The deep faith of my husband and parents was what encouraged me to not give up when I was diagnosed with MS. The move to South Carolina would not have been made without the faith and trust in what the Lord's will was for our lives. Since being here we have had many 'giants' come our way yet we know we are right where God desires us to be. 

Sometimes there are people or circumstances that appear to be 'giants' in our life. When we stop and think about it, there is nothing greater than God. He is all we need. As I think about this concept the only 'giants' in my life are the ones I allow to have such position. When something comes our way that seems too hard to handle, we must remember we do not have to handle anything on our own. God is always with us. His strength is always our strength. All we have to do is have faith and trust Him. In the story of David and Goliath it took only one stone to drop the giant. One stone and that stone was there in the name of Jesus. All we need is one prayer or one cry out to the Lord and our 'giants' will be slain. Woo hoo! One. That is exciting to think about! It is exciting to think about how this story will impact Little Eli's life. He deals with a disorder that makes him have many times with 'giants.' I pray this story will remind Him God is his strength.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this reminder this morning that You are not only greater than the 'giants' that come our way but most important You are the One to take care of them. Father, bless Little Eli as he is drawn to this story. I praise You for brining him and Jimmy into my life. What a blessing my time is with them. I pray for them to be blessed through me. I also pray for all who come in contact with me today to be blessed. I pray for You to ooze out of me in a different, new way. I pray for safety on the roads today along with strength in my physical and mental bodies. Lord, be so real to me today and enable me to not miss any opportunity to be You to others. I pray for a physical touch upon Doc and for Your strength to be His today in a mighty way. Thank You Jesus for being My Giant Slayer. Amen.

Hebrews 10 - "Thy Will"

I was so tired when I went to bed. I told the Lord if He needed me to pray He may need to have something really big to get me awake. 3:33AM I hear Mordecei wanting out. He has not been getting up in the middle of the night much for a few weeks unless we are away for a long time during the day. I didn't expect him to get up last night since I was home yesterday until evening but then I realized God was using him to get me awake. I only prayed for a half hour and then I asked God if I could go back to sleep. I was grateful He said 'yes'! My prayers were just as most Saturday nights go with praying for pastors. Last night's were specific for those pastors preaching today except for one pastor's wife that has been on my heart all week. Last Sunday she was sexually assaulted at church. I have prayed for her all week to have His strength. I also prayed for a precious pastor who lost his mother yesterday. Then I prayed for...

• my husband who is still adjusting to being a bi-vocational pastor.
• bi-vocational pastors to find a rhythm of life that includes time for God, family and church.
• a pastor who has no clue what he is preaching today. He prayed all week, listened for God's direction but received none. God told me this is a test to see if he will manipulate the circumstance or if he will wait on Him.
• pastors who are in desperate need of a vacation.
• pastors who are in turmoil in their church due to lack of finances.
• pastors who are have extreme chaos in their personal lives which is spilling over into their ministry.
• pastors with young children and wives who work outside of the home.
• a pastor who recently went back into the pulpit after having an experience of dying and being brought back to life, heart surgery and rehab.
• a pastor who is past retirement age but can't retire from vocational ministry due to finances.
• all pastors with extra ministry due to the upcoming holidays.
• a pastor who will walk into the pulpit today and resign instead of preach. God told me it is His will for this to happen but the pastor is not happy with the plan.

As I prayed that last prayer, He brought these words from "Thy Will" to my mind...

It's hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you're God
And I am not...thy will be done...thy will be done...

Yes! His will, not ours. That is what we need to seek to do every day. His will is the perfect way to live because His will is the path that leads to blessing Him in abundance. Oh how I desire to stay in His will. When I don't, life can become quite messy. Paul wrote in Hebrews 10 of the messiness in the lives of the early Christians. He encouraged them to hold close in their faith through the trials of life on this earth. He gave a picture of eternity with the Lord for those who did. Matthew Henry wrote of verses thirty two through thirty nine:

Many and various afflictions united against the early Christians, and they had a great conflict. The Christian spirit is not a selfish spirit; it puts us upon pitying others, visiting them, helping them, and pleading for them. All things here are but shadows. The happiness of the saints in heaven will last for ever; enemies can never take it away as earthly goods. This will make rich amends for all we may lose and suffer here. The greatest part of the saints' happiness, as yet, is in promise. It is a trial of the patience of Christians, to be content to live after their work is done, and to stay for their reward till God's time to give it is come. He will soon come to them at death, to end all their sufferings, and to give them a crown of life. The Christian's present conflict may be sharp, but will be soon over. God never is pleased with the formal profession and outward duties and services of such as do not persevere; but he beholds them with great displeasure. And those who have been kept faithful in great trails for the time past, have reason to hope for the same grace to help them still to live by faith, till they receive the end of their faith and patience, even the salvation of their souls. Living by faith, and dying in faith, our souls are safe for ever.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings yesterday with the pews that were gifted to us. Thank You for the way You continued to prompt me to be joyful even when the timing of getting the pews changed. Lord, I pray I was a beacon of light for You yesterday through everything that occurred. I pray the same for today. Cleanse me, fill me, and enable me to be a beacon of light for You. I pray seeds were planted last night into ones who helped and are not a part of our church family. I also pray ones from our church family who were involved felt loved and appreciated. Father, I know everything happens in Your time but I'm praying the plans will be finished so we can get the permits and start the rehab soon. I know You told me Wednesday night there are some not ready so I am praying You will reveal what needs said or done for them to be ready. Open our eyes and ears to what we need to do to enable people to grow in You. I pray for physical strength in all who loaded and unloaded pews both in our church and in Celebrate Place church. I pray for physical and mental strength for both pastors as they preach today. Lord, be their strength in a mighty way. Thank You Jesus for being Our Will. Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Blessings"

Yesterday was a frustrating day in many ways but I knew the Lord was with me every step of the way. I prayed yesterday morning: Father, today is a day full of appointments and I feel like I can't do it. When Doc asked me this morning if I was going to make it and I said no, You immediately corrected me that I would on Your strength. God answered these prayers in a mighty way. After many phone calls, texts and emails I was able to get a container delivered to the building for the pews that were to be delivered today. It was only by a miracle that this task was accomplished. The first call happened at 8:15AM and the container was delivered at 1:15PM...only a God thing! Other ways He showed Himself was the timing of the morning. I left the house at 10AM and by 11:25AM I was sitting in the doctor's office awaiting my appointment. In that hour and twenty-five minutes the parade application was dropped off, the trip to the tax assessor's office was completed and tickets to friends were delivered. Normally speaking on a Friday in Beaufort only one of those tasks would have been accomplished due to traffic. When I left the house, I prayed the Lord would not have the delivery of the container happen while I was in the doctor's office and it didn't. In fact, it was only after my appointment, getting blood work and stopping at another doctor's office that I found it was time to meet the delivery man for the container. The whole day God showed Himself to me. Therefore, I worked hard at allowing Him to flow in and through me. As I left each place I would say with a smile, "Have a blessed day!" Conversations with nurses, doctor, etc. were upbeat and full of His love oozing out of me. One frustrating conversation before I left the house was not handled in the best way but the Lord reminded me He had the situation under control so I need not be worried. Last night when we received the call there was an issue with the truck to get the pews He reminded me again He had the situation under control. I had to think about James 1:2-4 and realize this is just another opportunity to praise Him in the midst of trying times. As I told a friend this morning, 'we must be doing something right with all the opposition.' I think back to the message He gave me Wednesday night about there being some who weren't ready for what He has in store for the church. In my humanness I think all this opposition could push people away instead of drawing them deeper in relationship with Him. But then He reminded me He is in control. For that, I am grateful.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so much that You were so evident in every minute of my day yesterday. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace that enables me to do what You desire of me. Thank You for doctors You give wisdom. Lord, I pray for 'good' results from my blood work and the upcoming MRI. But Father I know even if there are 'bad' results You are in control. I pray for the issue with the transportation of the pews to be resolved in Your way. May there be no manipulation by anyone involved but Your plan to show through. I pray for people to unload them, whatever the time of delivery. Maybe there will be more available at that time than there would have been this morning. Whatever Your plan, may You be glorified through it. Father, cleanse me and use me. Fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see/hear You instead of me today. Thank You for being My Opportunity Maker. Amen.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "His Strength Is Perfect"

Yesterday started off with a couple big answers to prayer. I've been praying for Ben and Emily's new little one since the day of finding out about him. Last Friday and again this Wednesday the Lord had me praying many times throughout the day. Wednesday evening the Lord prompted me to send a text at 8:01PM asking how Emily was doing and tell them I was praying. Ben's response was that active labor started at 8PM! I do not believe it was a coincidence that her water broke in the morning with consistent labor throughout the day and the Lord had me praying. I also do not believe it was a coincidence her water broke one minute before I text them. I also do not believe it was a coincidence the Lord woke me at 3:13AM. I don't know what was happening at that time but I do know Mr. Weston was born at 6:39AM. Once again I do not think it was a coincidence that I texted at 6:44AM for an update. The Lord was with all throughout the labor and delivery process. Even though I am six hundred and fifty plus miles away I was still part of the event. My heart aches I cannot be there to take my traditional dinner to them. I doubt that I could even find a restaurant in their area that makes ham balls and buttered noodles. Even if I did Mr. Beckett would think they weren't as good as Grandma's! It is times like this that make being in ministry so hard. My heart wants to hold this dear little guy and share the time of celebration with them. But I know I am not alone. There are many people separated from family. I am thankful for today's technology that allows us to be a part of things even if not physically. Most of all I am thankful for God who orchestrated me praying throughout the process at just the right time. I am also thankful to God for another answer to prayer. When I told my Momma she was going to get to come down for a visit, she was in tears. I am thankful for friends who are bringing her and the way God will work out all the details for the trip.

Last night was one of little sleep with lots of praying for my husband. I am so tired this morning but I know God will give me what I need to get through this day. I don't want to just get through it but I want Him to be glorified through it. I want the nurses and doctor at my appointment to see/hear Him through me. I pray for a clear mental capacity as I go to the tax assessment office. Once again I pray the people will see/hear Him and not me. I pray for my emotions to stay in check during that time. I pray for mental strength as I finish my big weekly paper for class. I pray for physical strength throughout the entire day. I was saddened to not be able to go to the Alzheimer's event tonight but thankful I found someone to use the tickets I won. I sure did not want to see $130 wasted. It was a disappointment but I am thankful God gave me peace about the outcome. I will continue to walk in obedience to I Thessalonians 5:16-18. I will be joyful, continue to pray and be thankful because I know it is God's desire for me.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with Mr. Weston's birth and the news I shared with my Momma about her trip to see us. Thank You for the way You will continue to be with my family. Father, I pray for a soothing in my spirit with being so far away from family. Thank You for the way You provide technology that allows me to have a part of their lives. Thank You for calling me to be a prayer warrior. I praise You for the privilege to pray for Chad, Brooke and Allie. I also praise You for the privilege to pray for Dan Bohi and his team. Lord, these ones out on the road are dealing with being away from their families too. I pray for a peace in their spirits when things such as births happen of grand babies. I pray for all missionaries who have long times in between their home visits. May they feel Your love in a mighty way. Father, today is a day full of appointments and I feel like I can't do it. When Doc asked me this morning if I was going to make it and I said no, You immediately corrected me that I would on Your strength. Cleanse me and fill me with Your supernatural strength so I can not only get through this day but so You can be glorified through me. I pray my tiredness would go away so I do not miss any opportunity to be You to all I meet. Bless my prayers raised up throughout the night for my husband in a mighty way. He is feeling so tired and 'beat up' and needs Your supernatural power too. Thank You Jesus for being Our Strength. Amen.

I Peter 2 - "Your Love Defends Me"

Last night in group during our waiting time the Lord spoke some powerful words to me. I was overwhelmed as I listened and then went to the Scripture He told me to read. It is times like this where I wonder how anyone can question there is a God. There is no other explanation for having words spoken and then Scripture given to go along with it. I don't know the Bible inside and out. There is no way I would know all the Scriptures. He told me things would happen with the church building in His time. He also told me He has "great things ahead for the Beaufort Church of the Nazarene" but some were not ready for those great things. He told me "Don't get discouraged but be encouraged. I am with you. I am the Rock you need to stand on. Read I Peter 2." When I read it, I found verses four through ten to be about "The Living Stone and A Chosen People." Verses nine and ten were the 'icing on the cake'..... 

Sandie was given the message from Him "I am sufficient" and Doc was given Ephesians 3, specifically verse ten, "approach God with freedom and confidence." Mr. Fran told about how the sand in an hour glass represent our lives. We do not know when our sand will be done. We need to have faith and trust in Him. All of these things shared give a great message to our church. We must have faith and trust Him for His timing with our church. Things will happen in His time and in His way. We must remember that. We also must remember He is sufficient for all our needs. Wow...how exciting!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the message You gave our church last night. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace You pour out upon us as individuals and as a church body. I pray for all of our church body to be ready for what You have in store for us. I pray an abundance of faith to be developed in this process. Cleanse us of anything that would deter that great faith. Make us wholly as You make us holy. Unify us in any area that needs unified. Strengthen us in ways we cannot even comprehend on a human level. May Your supernatural empowerment become ours. Thank You Jesus for being Our Rock. Amen.

Psalm 118:1 - "Forever"

Meditating on Psalm 118:1 this morning. The kids had this memory verse last night and did well with it. As I listened to them repeat it, I thought of thanking Him was what got me through many 'bad' times. When we take our focus off of our own problems and put it on Him, He enables us to see others who are hurting who need His love. He opens our eyes to how our situation could be much worse than it is. He also opens our eyes to how we can be His servant in sharing His love with others.

Give

Give thanks

Give thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord for He

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good His love endures

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good His love endures forever

Everyone needs to thank Him for His love, mercy and grace. There are times when we may not feel like thanking Him but those are the times we need to be more intentional in thanking Him. The enemy does not like when we thank Him. When we get on a 'pity party train,' the enemy has an open door into our lives. As we wallow around in misery the enemy grasps onto us. We must stay on guard at all times against the enemy. He cannot have one little step into our lives. If he does, he will be ready to take us completely over. This morning I am praying against the enemy having a foothold in not only my life but in everyone's lives. There are people who are complaining, lying, manipulating circumstances, being crabby, etc. I know the enemy is getting at them and I am praying against that action being taken. I am praying for people to be aware of him prowling around and stop it before it starts. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me so greatly. Thank You a good night's sleep with the pain leaving my body overnight. Thank You for a continued renewal in my body that I know You are providing. Thank You for the children and teens last night who were sponges. Oh my, the questions that were coming from the older kids! I am grateful it was when we were together so Doc could answer them! I am so grateful for the way You are working through us in their lives. I also am grateful for the time You give us with them. May they be filled with more of You. I pray the same for myself...to be filled with more of You. I pray for a cleansing in my soul. I'm sorry I complained last night as we were going to bed. I hurt so bad and was feeling crabby but I should have not voiced it. Cleanse me from that as I start a new day. Give me opportunities to show people Your love today in a different, new way. Thank You Jesus for being My Forever. Amen.

I Peter 3:22 - "Brave"

As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us

These words were in my mind when I woke up this morning. I started thinking about people who need to feel His love in a mighty way. Their circumstances make it feel like life has thrown them a curve ball with waves of hurt crashing over them. They need to know the Lord's love is greater than any curve ball thrown their way. I am praying for...

• many with deaths...Jeremy's family, Willie's family, Tyler's family...oh so many
• my friend who had foot surgery
• my friend facing shoulder surgery
• a family experiencing the birthday of a loved one today who passed away
• a recent widow who is struggling with loneliness
• a family who is dealing with an industrial accident this morning
• Dr. Seese's family, friends and patients with his tragic death yesterday
• a friend who is separated from her daughter
• parents of a new born baby who is hospitalized
• family with a recent suicide

So many people who are hurting...some are in relationship with the Lord while others are not. Those who are know His strength but not necessarily do they know His full strength. They may know Him yet not have taken the step of total surrender to Him. This morning I am praying for all to be empowered by His supernatural strength. That will take knowing Him intimately...living in His presence...being His hands and feet so not to be looking at their own troubles but looking for ways to love on others with His love despite their circumstances. I am praying they will feel His love crash over them in a way that is different, new. We may never know the reason for our circumstances but we can know who has us in His hands. I Peter 3:22 tells us Jesus has the last word. The enemy does not win when we keep our focus on the Lord.

Dear Jesus,

So many hurting people...so many ones who need to feel Your presence in a mighty way today...so many who love You while some are not in relationship with You. My prayers are for all to meet You in a different, new way today. Father, I pray the same for myself. I pray for freshness...more fire...for You to show me Yourself in a different, new way! May You cleanse me of anything between You and I. May You empower me to do great things through Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Jesus for being The One To Empower Me. Amen.

I Peter 3:1-12 - "White Flag"

The Lord took me back to I Peter 3 today. The first seven verses are directed to cultivating inner beauty. I like how it reads as 'holy beauty' in The Message. The way to cultivate inner beauty is by living in His presence. One needs to seek more of Him every day. As married couples both the wife and the husband need to love one another with God's love. There are some marriages where one or the other are not in relationship with God. The one who is in relationship with Him needs to work harder to show His love to the other. When one is blessed with a believing spouse, it is usually easier to show God's love to them because they can comprehend such love. My heart is breaking this morning for a few people who are living with spouses who do not know Him. The turmoil in their home can be so great. Peter continued this chapter with the way we are to live out our lives. Verses eight and nine tell us we are to "Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble." He continues that we are not to retaliate but "Instead, bless--that's your job, to bless." Peter quotes verses from Psalm 34 in verses ten through twelve...

These are tough words to live out. Words that are easier said than done, especially when dealing with non-believers. But if we want them to see our inner beauty we must live them out. His love must show through our words and actions. As said earlier in the chapter, when we bless we will be blessed. I see that as a promise for those married to non-believers. The more of God that shows through them, the closer their spouse comes to knowing Him. The more love we shower on non-believers, the sooner they will become like-minded with us. We can never give up on people but we do need to remember they will come into relationship with Him in God's time. This may not always be the timing we desire but it is the perfect time. We must raise our "White Flags" up to God and surrender our loved ones to Him. That does not mean we should quit praying for them but it means we need to trust that He will open their eyes to Him in His time.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so greatly. Thank You for enabling me to realize things must happen in Your time. Thank You the days are gone of me trying to manipulate situations to make them happen in my time. Father, my heart breaks for different ones who struggle in their marriage with being yoked with a non-believer. Lord, fill their cup today with more of Your love, mercy and grace. Enable them to love their spouse with Your love in a different, new way. Father, I pray the same for myself in my relationships with non-believers. I pray You will enable me to continue to love on them with Your love as I wait for Your timing in their lives. Cleanse me of anything not of You and fill me to overflowing with more of You. Thank You for being My Promise Maker. Amen.