Isaiah 61:1-3 - "Rise"

The Lord woke me at 3:15 with the words to "Rise" going through my mind and then He spoke these words to me:

Daughter, I restored our relationship for you to "Rise." I called you to be a pastor and I need you to "Rise" so people will be saved and sanctified. I love you and am ready to equip you to "Rise" where I call you to go and who I call you to be.

Wow, God! I love when He speaks words of encouragement over me. I especially love when He affirms what He desires of me. My Hebrew Prophets class has focused on the calls of great men from years past. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Jonah are three of them. These three men all had different situations they lived with. Isaiah had a spectacular vision in Isaiah 6 where he saw the glory of the Lord. Jeremiah fought over and over for the people to realize the need to repent and come into relationship with God. Jonah did not want to be a Prophet yet the sailors saw God's power through him in Jonah 1. These men were all given a message to present to the people. They all did so in their own way. God has directed me to proclaim the Gospel. I believe He has given me compassion to show His love to people for them to realize the need for salvation and sanctification. I also know I need to get better at doing what He has put before me. I need to be bolder. I need to make sure I am not distracted to the point where I will miss any opportunity He puts before me. I must not allow the enemy any open door into my life. The ways of the world must not stop me from proclaiming the Gospel. I love the words to "Rise"...

So rise
Breaking the dark, piercing the night
You're made to shine
An army of hope
Bringing the world
A radiant light
A radiant light
You were made to rise, rise

Yes! He has made me to shine in this dark world! He has given me hope to share with all around me! He created me to be exactly who He desires me to be and I need to "Rise" into that being! Woo hoo! How exciting! I am so blessed by the way He speaks to me! I am blessed in not only hearing His voice but also in walking in obedience to it. This life is where blessings are found!

Dear Jesus, 
Thank You for our time during the night! Thank You for the words You spoke over me! Thank You for the song You intertwined into the message You had for me during the night! Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. May Your words, actions, and attitude be mine throughout this day! May Your supernatural strength come down upon me in my physical, mental, emotional, financial, and especially my spiritual body today! Father, thank You for Doc's appointment yesterday where there is a plan on helping him with his stomach pain. Lord, I pray the antibiotics will heal him and the ct scan will be done sooner than later. I also pray for upcoming tests for Dale; Your strength for Sandie and Jim; Your strength for Carol's sister with the gall stones; Billie as she continues with after effects of chemo; Ellen as she continues with the chemo; Bob as he continues to battle his disease; my cousin Ofie as he has so much on his plate with family members health issues; and many others who need You in their life. I pray for those who need salvation to find it today. I pray for those who are saved but need to surrender everything to be sanctified to get to that point today. Lord, use me as a beacon of light in this dark world. Thank You for being My Affirmer! Amen.

Psalm 49 - "With Lifted Hands"

I woke up during the night with these words going through my mind...

With every heartbeat in my chest
Lord I surrender all that I have
The days yet to come
The days in the past
I'm giving you all I am
With lifted hands
With lifted hands

Oh how I pray for more people to get to the point in life where God is all they desire. I pray for those who are in relationship with Him to take the next step to live a life of surrender. I pray for those who do not know Him to find Him. I pray for more believers to share Him. I pray for His love to ooze out of me in a way that people will desire to live with Him living in them. I have such a burden for people to live as He desires but is it enough? I don't think it could ever be enough because there are times distractions get in our way and we miss opportunities He puts before us. This saddens me but it is the way life is. Oh how I don't want to miss any opportunities He puts before me. I don't want to allow anything to distract me from being who He desires me to be. God reminded me of the words of Psalm 49 this morning. We are all going to leave this earth either by death or by the Lord's return. We have the choice to make on whether we want to live for eternity with God or eternity with the enemy. If we are not living with God on this earth, we cannot expect to live with Him in heaven. If we are living a life for ourselves and enjoying the pleasures of this earth that the enemy offers, we will live with him for eternity. Living in hell does not sound like much fun. Oh sure the ways of the world may be 'fun' for the moment but if one stops and thinks about it, the 'fun' will not compare to the peace found with the Lord. His peace is found on this earth and it will be found in heaven. I am grateful for His love guiding my life while on this earth. I am grateful for the knowledge that I will spend the rest of my days with Him. Woo hoo! How is that possible? By surrendering "all that I have" and "With lifted hands"...woo hoo! What a way to live!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song and Scripture that You have put before me! Thank You for the peace You give even in the midst of the storms of life! Take my faith deeper as I depend upon You more! Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing so people will see/hear You instead of me. Go before me today and be my words, actions, and attitude in a new, different way. I pray for wisdom for the doctor as Doc sees him today. I pray for relief from this pain he is experiencing. I pray for the week that is ahead that is packed full. Lord, please do not let me miss any opportunity You put before me to be You to others. Keep the enemy away from every circumstance. Father, I also pray for Dale who will be having tests this week; Carol's sister who is having a procedure this morning; Sandie who continues her battle; my cousin Ofie with all that is on his plate with family health issues; my friend Mike; a family with relationship issues; and my friend Billie with her battle. May You be greater than the mountains before them. Thank You Jesus for being My Eternity! Amen.

Matthew 25:21 - "Well Done"

Both times I was awake during the night and again this morning the words to "Well Done" were in my mind...

Well done, well done
My good and faithful one
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done
My beloved child
You have run the race and now you're home
Welcome to the place where you belong

Yes! It is so exciting to think about standing before the Lord! He will have no record of the wrongs we did if we ask Him to cleanse us every day. He will be so thrilled with us when we ask Him to fill us to overflowing with more of Him.cLast night was no different than any other Saturday night. He had me praying for pastors but a difference was Doc and a pastor friend with cancer were the only ones He had me pray for specifically. The other ones He did not tell me who they were but had me praying...

• Doc to hold on for just one more day until he sees the doctor. I prayed for the doctor to have wisdom on what is causing his pain and for the pain to be relieved.
• A pastor friend who is dealing with cancer in multiple places.
• A pastor who is struggling with his faith as he watches his wife deal with cancer.
• A pastor who will tell his congregation today he is leaving. I am praying for him, his family, and his congregation as they go through this time of adjustment.
• A pastor who has walked away from their call and struggling with their spiritual life.
• A pastor who is living in blatant sin and afraid to repent.
• A pastor who is feeling like people in their church do not respect them yet need to realize they are not showing respect to their people themselves.
• A pastor who is dealing with bitterness in their heart.

I love praying but I especially love praying for pastors. Even though I am physically so tired I am blessed by the way God wakes me to pray for others. I am so thankful I have come to the point in life where instead of begging God for more sleep, more money, more time, etc. I am content with living in His will. I am grateful to have the desire on my heart to love people with His love and to love Him with my entire being. I am grateful I do not have to worry about anything because He is in control. What a blessing to live in this manner. Oh how I pray for more people to get to this point in life.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace! Thank You for accepting me into Your life of holiness! Thank You for putting on my heart to love others as You love! Father, cleanse me today so You can fill me to overflowing with You. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day in a new, different way! May Your love ooze out of me in a way that will be pleasing to You! Lord, I was struggling last night when I realized all the school work that is to happen over these next two weeks along with the Annual Meeting and Mother's Day. Empower me to take each day one at a time, perhaps even each moment one at a time. May I be living in a way I will hear Your voice and walk in obedience to it. May You be greater than anything that comes my way so I will not miss anything of You. Thank You Jesus for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Thank You for being My Goal! Amen.

John 8 - "Who You Say I Am"

"In my Father's house, there's a place for me...I'm a child of God...yes I am!" I love the reminders from this song this morning. 

God loves me so much that He is saving a place for me to live with Him for eternity! Woo hoo! 

God loves me so much that He is with me every step of the way on this earth so I can be with Him forever! Woo hoo!

God loves me so much that He puts opportunities before me every day to love others with His love! Woo hoo!

God loves me so much that He soothes my hurts and encourages me through 'tough' days to keep on serving Him no matter what! Woo hoo!

God loves me so much that He encourages me when the world seems to be against me and when the enemy comes knocking at my door! Woo hoo!

God loves me so much that He gives me reminders such as this song that this world is just temporary...the best is yet to come! Woo hoo!

Plain and simple. God loves me. I am so grateful for that knowledge. Sometimes when people try to tear me apart I need reminded that God is here with me to keep me together. There are times when life can seem overwhelming but then God reminds me I am not in life alone. I am so grateful for the life I have with Him. I am grateful for the ways He goes before me and knocks the enemy down at times while other times He allows him to play havoc in my life so my strength will go deeper. God knows I depend upon His strength. Therefore, He knows I will always win over the enemy. He knows I believe He gives freedom when the enemy creates bondage. Woo hoo! Oh how I wish others would come to this knowledge. I am praying today for many in my little world who need His freedom.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace! Thank You for the freedom You provide! Thank You for cleansing me this morning so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! Thank You for loving me so greatly that You have a place for me for eternity. Thank You for our short visit with Bill, Marlene, and the girls. Father, may You go before me today and be my words, actions, and attitude. I am physically worn yet You already know that. You already have prepared strength for me to not just get through this day but to shine through it with Your love. Father, I pray the same for Doc who continues with pain. May You be greater than things that come our way. May people see You through all we do. Thank You Jesus for being Our Freedom to Shine! Amen.

Psalm 87 - "My Life Is In You Lord"

The Lord took me to Psalm 87 this morning. It is a Psalm of how God loves the church. He loves His people. Verses one through three speak of Christ being the Foundation of the church. The church finds its strength through living a life of holiness. This made me pray for those in churches today who are not living such a life. A church body is only as strong as the people. If the people are not living a life of obedient to what God asks of them, they and the church have a weakness within them. It saddens me to see believers who are still holding onto 'stuff' instead of allowing God to work in and through them. Verses four through seven show us a church full of sold-out believers is a church that will receive the gift of ultimate grace. I desire to have my name wrote on the Lamb's Book of Life. I was so excited a few weeks ago when Miss Evelyn and Mr Beckett accepted Christ into their heart. That is what life is all about. They are being taught how to live life to the fullest and I could not be anymore blessed by that. My heart breaks for children who are grounded from coming to church because they did or didn't do something. It breaks my heart to see children being raised by parents who don't care about their spiritual being. I had a conversation with a Momma the other day that I was blessed in how the Lord gave me His words to respond with. When I invited her to church, she told me she doesn't go to church. She said she did not want anything to do with it but if her children want to go she won't stop them. They have to make their own decisions. Her children are three and eight. I am thankful they are choosing to come to church but good grief they are only three and eight and they are making their own decisions?!?!? What is the parent's responsibility?!?!? There are so many children I feel like I am being the spiritual parent too. I am blessed with this responsibility but I also am praying for parents to take on this role for their children. I remember when I was growing up our church was blessed with Fern Martin and Mary Troyer who would pick up children and bring them to church. In the Willard Church it was Martha Gillenwater who picked up children. There were stories of how Martha would go into people's houses and dress the children and take them to church when the parents were still in bed. These ladies took responsibility for so many souls. I want to be a Fern Martin, Mary Troyer, or Martha Gillenwater. I desire to be known for being a person who cares for children's souls to the point of going an extra mile to be sure they are in church. I want God to empower me to be who He has called me to be so souls will be won and names will be written down in the Lamb's Book of Life. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for these words that remind me of what Your Church is. Thank You for encouraging me to not give up loving on children. Thank You for walking before me and opening doors to what Your desire of me. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May children and adults have the desire to have You in their life because of what they see through me. Father, I pray for Doc to receive answers for his pain today as he sees the doctor. I pray for the doctor to have Your wisdom. Thank You Jesus for being My Life! Amen.

II Corinthians 4 - "Alive In Me"

The Lord woke me up at two and had me praying for friends who are having to make tough decisions with a loved one. I am so thankful they are believers. I do not know how people get through such times without the Lord's wisdom and strength. I can't imagine having no hope with not being in relationship with the Only One Who Gives True Hope. These words come to my mind this morning as I continue to pray for these dear ones...

I may be hard pressed on every side
But I won't be crushed, I'll be alright
I may be doubting the place I'm in
But I know the ending
I know who wins
I may be down, but I'm not out
You're not finished yet

Yes! No matter what the ending, we have the assurance of Christ. He is the One who will see us through times that are so trying. He is the One who will give comfort and peace in times of trials. He is the One who will never leave us. He is the One who knows what we are going through and the resolution to all issues of life. Plain and simple. He is the One. I am praying again this morning for my dear friends to remember this. I am praying for His strength to be their strength, His wisdom to be their wisdom as they make decisions, and His empowerment to wash down over them. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege to pray during the night for my dear friends. Thank You for being with them on this roller coaster ride with their loved one. Thank You for being there with them. Father, I pray for Your empowerment and wisdom for them. I pray You will be so very near to them. Lord, go before them and give them peace. Father, I pray for Your strength today in my physical body. I pray for Your empowerment. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me. Thank You for people who are praying for us. I pray the doctor office calls back with an appointment for Doc today. I also pray You will heal his body with all that is going on. Encourage him Father. May he feel Your love and empowerment in a mighty way. Thank You for being The One Who Give Us True Hope. Amen. 

Joshua 1:9 - "Hard Love"

I woke up during the night and again this morning with these words going through my mind...

Hold on tight a little longer
What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
You can't change without a fallout
It's gon' hurt, but don't you slow down
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love

It is so hard to keep going when you feel like you can no longer continue fighting. The enemy can become so great at times. There are days, sometimes even weeks, where you feel like you can't continue on. Then the Lord reminds you that the battle before you does not have to be fought alone. Our strength will falter yet when we lean into Him His strength will stand strong. He loves us so much that we do not have to do anything on our own strength. Woo hoo! That is sometimes hard to remember. It is also hard to not become discouraged when we feel like one thing hits us after another. Yesterday when I called to order my medicine and found out it was $680 I was very discouraged. There is no way that can even be possible to pay. As I tried to find assistance with it, I was told because I have insurance I was not eligible. I cried out to God to point me in the right direction but so far have not received an answer. I just do not understand why we go from one thing to another financially. I am thankful for the reminder of Joshua 1:9 this morning. Am I strong and courageous? I sure do not feel like it but I have to be. If I do not stand strong in my faith, the enemy will have an open door and then life will be a big mess. Am I afraid? I can honestly say I am not because I know the end of my story. Am I discouraged? I try to not be but sometimes it is hard. Do I want to give up? No way. I refuse to give up. The enemy will not win. I know the things I experience on this earth are temporal. I also know it will be so peaceful in heaven where the enemy will no longer have any influence.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the reminder this morning that You are the beginning and end of my story! Thank You for the words of encouragement from Your Word! Thank You for giving me Your strength to not just do this day but to be blessed through it! Father, You know how I am feeling. You know the struggles in my body. May You empower me with Your supernatural strength for the day ahead. May You cleanse me so You can fill me. May You be greater than the things the enemy puts before me. Father, I pray for a healing in Doc's body so he will be out of pain. May You give him wisdom. May You stay close to him throughout this day. Thank You Jesus for being Our Continued Strength! Amen.

Psalm 119:105 - "Thy Word"

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path..." These words were going through my mind throughout the night and again this morning. The song continues...

When I feel afraid
And think I've lost my way
Still, You're there right beside me
Nothing will I fear
As long as You are near
Please be near me to the end

Yes! We have nothing to fear as long as we lean into the Lord. He is there for us in 'good' times and in 'bad' times. He is there to comfort us, to love on us, to empower us, and to make sure we never feel alone. Unfortunately, the enemy is there to tear us down. He is there to make us feel like God has left us when in fact He never will leave us. There is strength when we realize this. There is empower when we lean into God. He is greater than anything the enemy can throw our way. He is greater than words thrown against us by others. He is greater than illnesses, disease, deaths of family members, etc. He is greater than anything that comes our way. Plain and simple. He is greater. When we walk in obedience to Him, we are empowered to be greater than the enemy. Woo hoo! As humans, that is hard to understand but when we live in the Lord's presence we are different. We have empowerment those who do not live in His presence can realize. We have His strength that is only found in His presence. We do not have to choose a life of bitterness over what God has allowed to happen to us. Instead we need to choose joy in knowing it is only by His love that we will be able to not only survive but to survive with hope. The Hope of Christ can only be found when we choose Him. There are so many unknowns in life. Will this happen? Will I survive this? Why am I going through this or that? Where is God when I'm going through this? Why doesn't He stop this? The questions go on and on but the only answer is God is with us. He never will leave us. He desires to bless us through the trials of life. He desires to see us depend upon Him instead of ourselves. He wants us to realize He is all we need. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song during the night that encouraged me! Oh how I pray it will encourage others to not give up! I pray people will have the desire in their heart to lean into You! Lord, cleanse me this morning so You can fill me and use me throughout this day! You know what is ahead. I pray You will go before me and open doors of opportunity for me to walk through. Father, I am praying this morning for so many but especially for Doc who continues with pain, for one who was diagnosed with colon cancer yesterday, my pastor friend with cancer, my friend Mike as he deals with his alcoholic wife, and Sandie and Jim as they continue the road they are on with her stroke. May You be exactly what each of these ones need today. May Your strength and empowerment be taken on by each of them in a new, different way. Thank You for being My Ever Present Empowerment! Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Look Up Child"

I was awake several times during the night. One of the times I woke myself up crying out from a 'bad' dream. Several of the times I woke up I had these words going through my mind...

Look up child, hey
Look up child, hey

This song has been going through my head for the last couple of days. There are so many in my prayers who are going through 'tough' days with doubt, despair, grief, anger, etc. due to circumstances they are going through. I continue to pray for...

• Doc who has multiple health issues
• Sandie and Jim who are dealing with her stroke
• Gay and her family with her brother's death 
• Mike with his alcoholic wife
• Two families with relationship issues
• One who is going through testing for possible cancer
• A friend who has to move
• Sharon with her Momma in Riverside Hospital
• John, a pastor friend, Ellen, Dale, Billie, and many others with cancer
• Two friends with dementia
• Bob and Connie and they continue to battle his health issues
• A few friends with their spouse having Alzheimer's

We all need to "look up" to Jesus whether we are having 'good' days or 'bad' days. We need to rely upon His strength. We need to listen to His direction. The best way to do this is to live in His presence. He will speak to us but we must be in relationship with Him so we can hear His Voice. He will not always take away 'bad' days because it is in those times we will go deeper in our faith. This morning I am thinking about the words of James 1 where we are told to "count it all joy" through 'tough' times. That is not an easy thing to do but it is possible. The only way though for it to be possible is to be seeking Him with our whole being. We must die to self so He can live in and through us.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to pray for many. Father, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit this morning so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray for You to be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. Go before me and love through me. Thank You for all the ways You will shine through me today. Thank You for being who You are in my life. Thank You for being My Joy Maker! Amen.

Matthew 28:6 - "He Lives"

My prayers for pastors on Saturday nights took a turn this week. God had me praying for pastors not be disappointed in today. That seemed a bit weird when it's Resurrection Sunday. Some churches will be filled to the brim. Others will be sparse. Some people who don't normally go to church will be in attendance today since it is a holiday. Some who normally go will not go. I have heard all sorts of excuses this week and my heart broke with each one. I can't imagine how pastors who have poured themselves into the sermon, the service, etc. thinking there would be people there who are not normally only to look out over their usual group of people. God had me praying for them to not get discouraged when they have put so much time into today to find themselves disappointed. He had me pray for those pastors who did not put much time into preparation to not blame themselves when their church is not full unless they did not walk in obedience to His direction. He had me pray for those who He prompted to invite people and didn't. He also had me pray for those who did invite people for those people to go to church. He had me pray for pastors who invited people yet the people will go elsewhere to realize it is not about where the people go but that they go. He had me pray for a pastor who will turn in their resignation tomorrow due to not being able to cope with days of ministry such as today. My prayers were for them to walk in obedience to Him instead of trying to do things on their own strength. Today is a day of celebration in the life of a believer. It is a day that goes beyond bunny rabbits, egg hunts, etc. and celebrates our Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again to live forever. It goes beyond special meals and activities. It is a day where believers need to gather together to celebrate who He is in their lives. Oh how I pray for those who are not living for Him to come to fall on their knees and accept Him into their life. I am praying for people who claim to be believers to start living like they are. I am so tired of the drama people bring into their life and into the lives of others. Oh how I pray for them to wake up to God's way instead of their way. I pray for people who claim to be believers to open their ears up to His Voice and live out what He tells them instead of what the enemy is feeding into them. It is no wonder so many are leaving the pastorate. The junk the enemy pours on them through people is ridiculous. Today, of all days, should be a day of celebration. It should not be a day where pastors are 'putting out fires' or discouraged over people. My prayer is that they can celebrate even through the junk. That will make satan so mad and bless God in abundance. It is not about us. It is about Our Risen Savior!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings of today. Thank You for the way You were with me throughout the day yesterday. You were here through the tears and You were here through the laughs. Woo hoo! Father, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You this morning. May You be greater. May Your strength be mine. May You blind the eyes of pastors to the junk satan is throwing at them. Better still, may You empower them to knock the enemy down when he comes knocking. I pray for people who are 'thinking' of going to church today to go. I pray for people who go to listen and walk in obedience to what You have given pastors to say. Oh how I pray for change to occur in people today. I pray for change to occur in my life. I pray for Your words, actions, and attitude to be mine today in a new, different way. Thank You for being My Risen Savior! Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Lord, I Need You"

Six years ago April 20th was also a Saturday. The night before was a tough one with Doc just getting home from his second knee replacement. There was little sleep. That morning when the phone rang I never thought it would be 'the' call where I hear the words I dreaded so badly, "Daddy's gone." For fifty-one years and eight months my Daddy was my rock. He was my greatest encourager throughout life. Yes, he spoiled me but it was because he loved me. There were times he reprimanded me. Probably not as much as he should have but he did. He taught me so much about how to live life. He taught me to love people as Jesus does; to be generous; to give of yourself even when you don't have financial means to give anything else; to never give up; the list goes on and on. He also taught my boys how to do so many things. Most recently I found out he taught my husband a key thing that has been instrumental in keeping our marriage going. Oh how I miss him. I miss his daily phone calls. I miss hearing, "Now, Sheila Babe, you can rest for awhile but you cannot stay in bed all day" on days when MS was getting to me. I miss him slipping me a ten dollar bill when he knew my purse was empty or sending a bag of groceries home with the boys after he picked them up from a school function. I miss seeing him smile when we pulled in the drive-way for a visit. I wish he could see the grand babies who have been born since he left this earth. I wish he were here to see me being almost done with classes for the education requirement for ordination. But he is not. Instead he is no longer in pain. He is no longer struggling to breathe or walking with a walker. I like to picture that he is dancing with Jesus, going around giving out hugs and talking with anyone who will listen. He loved people on this earth and I am sure he is still loving people. My Heavenly Daddy blessed me with a very loving earthly Daddy who provided for our family as much as he could without having a high school education. In the summer, he would go to the park and umpire ball games after working all day on the farm. I remember one year when he had missed so much work due to surgeries and he had no more sick time. What a blessing for teachers and staff to give their sick time to him so our family would not go without. That showed how much he meant to others. I also remember when my Momma was off for multiple cervical surgeries. He and I had to keep the house going, take care of the kids, do the cooking, etc. for over a year. I learned so much during that time that I have been grateful for as an adult. One of them was cooking. I had been cooking since a young girl but I will never forget the July 4th Bicentennial picnic at church. He taught me how to prepare for such an event. Every family was to take a couple dishes to put together with another family. It was not a typical covered dish picnic since our church was so large. Instead two or three families would eat together. When I asked him what we would take, his reply surprised me. He said, 'meat loaf, green beans, potatoes, and a cake.' I told him we did not have to take a full meal, only a couple dishes. He told me 'anytime you go to such an event you take a full meal in case something happens that you sit with someone who brings little or nothing.' When we sat down with a family of four who brought a little bowl of corn, I was grateful for how wise my Daddy was. He also taught me to buy lots when things you regularly use are on sale. I blame him for teaching my Momma this who also taught me this practice. That is why when times are tough we can always get by with what is in the cupboards and freezer for a bit. It may not be what we always want but it will get us by. He taught me how to persevere through illness. Doc always called him the bionic man with the way he went through sixty plus surgeries and kept going. It is ironic that today is the anniversary of my MS diagnosis. Twenty-five years ago. My Daddy encouraged me so much to not give up. He encouraged me to get up out of bed when the MS hit; to not allow using the wheelchair, walker, or cane to get to me emotionally; to go to college when my boss at Smucker's gave me the college catalog and told me the only way he could promote me was if I had a college degree; and so many others ways. I am so blessed to have had an earthly Daddy who was such a great man. I am blessed that he loved the Lord. I am blessed that he loved my Momma so much. I can't imagine how much she misses him but I am blessed in knowing she will be with him again. I am blessed in knowing I will see him again. There is no place I would rather be today than with my family who are gathering to celebrate Easter but also to celebrate my Daddy. Even though the tears are falling I know that is not possible. Sometimes I wonder why God took us so far away from them but it is not for me to question. I just need to remember my Heavenly Father is here with me, loving on me exactly as I need loved on. He is here encouraging me and allowing me to have the tears. I am grateful He has blessed me with a husband who allows tears to flow and to be my rock. I will never forget Doc being just a few days out from his surgery and yet insisting on being with me for my Daddy's calling hours and funeral. I know the only way he was able to do that was through God's strength. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for going before me today and not only getting me through this day but blessing me with opportunities to love on others through it. I pray I will be a beacon of light for You throughout this day but I know You need to cleanse me first so You can fill me to overflowing with Your love. Father, thank You for Rick and Denise who took care of Doc those first couple days after my Daddy died. Thank You for Marlene who checked in on him and Junior who drove Linda and I to Orrville that day. Thank You for all of the people You put in my path over these last six years to encourage my heart with this loss. Thank You for being with me over the last twenty-five years with MS. Thank You for being with my family today as they gather together at my Momma's. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength! Amen.

Romans 8:18 - "Beloved"

One time when I woke during the night the Lord had me praying for our friends Jim and Sandie who are dealing with a rollercoaster ride with her stroke. Another time He had me praying for Kim who is traveling home from seeing her mother. Another time He had me praying for a former pastor who has been filled with lies from the enemy and taking a different direction in life. When I woke this morning, He had this song on my mind...

You are beloved
I wanted you to know
You are beloved
Let it soak into your soul
Oh, forget the lies you heard
Rise above the hurt
And listen to these words
You are beloved
I wanted you to know
You are beloved

We all need to realize God loves us. He loves us so much that He had His Only Son die on the cross for us. He didn't just die for us. He died in agony and pain. He died in such a way none of us could ever endure. When we are going through tough days, we need to lean into His love. When we feel like the world is against us, we need to cry out to Him. When we feel rejected, we need to think about how Jesus felt. My heart breaks to see people going through tough days yet I know it is through tough days that my faith goes deeper. As the tears came yesterday with the morning I had endured, I cried out to Jesus to give me His strength. When my body was so tired last night, I cried out to Him asking Him for rest not only in my physical body but in my entire being. As the tears came this morning when I saw a picture of Paul and Bella, I cried out to Him to help me through these next few days in a powerful way. Holidays are so hard being away from family. Tomorrow a lot of my family will gather to celebrate Easter and remember my Daddy who died six years ago. Oh how I wish I could have been there but I know that is not God's plan. Sometimes it is so, so hard to walk in obedience but I know I am blessing Him and He is blessing me. Tomorrow is also the twenty-five year anniversary of my M.S. diagnosis. I grieve for things I've 'missed' and things I have gone through yet I also praise God for making me stronger through it. I am so emotional today but I am thankful God is with me. Once again, I pray for others to realize that too. He never leaves us. Instead He is there to encourage us and love on us. He showed His love in a powerful way when His Son died on the cross and rose again.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being My Strength through tough times. Thank You for taking my faith deeper through them. Thank You for going before me today and opening doors for me to be You to others. I know before that happens I need a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me up with Yourself. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day so people will see and hear You instead of me. Father, I continue to pray for Sandie and Jim and their family. I pray they feel Your love today. I also pray someone will go before this former pastor who will say or do something to get him back into right relationship with You. Father, be my strength today in a very real way. I need You physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and most of all spiritually. Thank You Jesus for being The One Who Loves Me. Amen.

Matthew 22:38-40 - "Legacy"

I woke up with these words going through my mind...

I want to leave a legacy, how will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to you enough
To make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name
Unapologetically and leave that kind of legacy

The most important thing we can do in life is to live with God's love oozing out of me. The only way for that to happen is to be in relationship with Him. We have to be able to hear His Voice to know what He desires of us. Then, and only then, will we be able to love as He loves. It will be then we will be able to see past other people's flaws and not be judgmental of them. We also will have desires in our heart that do not make sense to others. Oh how I desire more of Him in me. I desire to have more of His desires in my heart. Then people will see Him instead of me. That is my goal in life. As I live such a life, I will be living out the greatest commandment Jesus gave to us.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace that enables me to come before You this morning to pray for more of You in me. Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me. Thank You for being with me during the night as Mordecei was struggling. Thank You for the strength You will empower me with today to function. Thank You for giving us wisdom with him on how to help him. Father, go before and open doors of opportunity to love people as You have called me to do. Thank You Jesus for being My Love! Amen.

Psalm 83 - "O Come to the Altar"

At 3:50AM when Mordecei wanted to go potty I prayed the Lord would enable me to go back to sleep. I was so tired and did not think I could start my day again early. I prayed for my friend Sandie and her family and thankfully fell back to sleep until the alarm went off at 7:30AM. The first thought that God gave me was to read Psalm 83 and He put these words from  "O Come To The Altar" in my mind...

O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

Last night I had both age groups together since Doc wasn't feeling well. We had a very small group with it being spring break and I was so blessed with the evening. I love seeing our teens interact with our little ones. Listening to all of them tell me the Easter story through the Resurrection Eggs was heartwarming. It thrills my heart to know we are putting God's Word into their hearts. Then watching the teens help the little ones with crafts and playing outside with them continued to bless me. God is so good! He loves us so much and desires to bless us. He especially will bless us as we walk the road of obedience. He did not have His Son die on the cross for just one or two of us but for all of us. Psalm 83 sounds pretty harsh as David pleads for God to take care of those who are working against him. But sometimes we have to pray for hard things to happen to people before they will come to God. Doc prays for 'people's beds to be hard...their food to not taste good...etc.' That seems mean yet if it is what it will take to get them to realize God needs to be in their life, it is the best thing for them. Last night as I prayed our closing prayer I silently prayed for the parents of our children and teens to come to know Christ. I prayed for what the children are learning with us to ooze out of them in a way that will make their parents desire a relationship with Christ and for the ones who already know Him to go deeper with Him. We are pouring His love into them and are blessed as we see it coming back out of them as I saw last night. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day! Thank You for my visit with my elderly friend and the ones who live in her facility! Thank You for the blessings of my time with the children and teens last night! You are so good, God! I praise Your Holy Name for having Your Son die not just for me but for all! I praise You for the way You will cleanse my spirit this morning so You can use me today to love on others in the way You so desire! Go before me and be my words, actions, and attitude in a new, different way. May people see and hear You through me. Father, I pray for You to continue to be with those who are in the hospital and their families. Sandie, Bob, Bonnie. I pray for those who are dealing with family issues such as alcoholism and aging of parents. I pray for one who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Father, may all of these ones know You are their strength as they allow You to be. Thank You Jesus for being My Heavenly Father! Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "I Just Need You"

The first song I heard when I turned on the radio this morning was "I Just Need U" by Toby Mac. These words went right along with my prayers during the night for so many people who are going through tough days.

When I'm up when I'm down (uh, huh)
When the wolves come around (tell me)
When my feet hit the ground
I just need, I just need You
On my darkest days (uh, huh)
When I'm losing faith (tell me)
No, it ain't gon' change
I just need, I just need You
Lord, I need You
Yeah, I just need You

Jesus is who we need to cling to during our 'darkest days.' He is always there to encourage us and to love on us. He does not cause darkness but He does not necessarily take it away when we pray for it to be. Instead He allows it to be used to draw us deeper in our faith. Some days I wonder if I am missing something because the 'darkest days' come on so heavy. But then I am reminded it is not in my strength I have to do anything. I must depend upon His strength. I am praying for many who need to remember this. If we do not depend upon His strength, the enemy will have an open door. That is something we never want to allow. Instead we must stay in His Word, be in prayer, and seeking more of Him. As we do these things, we will have His strength and empowerment to knock the enemy down when he comes knocking. There is no doubt he will come to try to tear us down because he does not like when people are empowered by God's strength.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this song this morning that went right along with my prayers during the night. Father, I am tired physically but I know You will be my strength to not just get through this day but to be blessed with opportunities to love on others through it. The only way this can happen is for You to cleanse me so You can fill me up with Your love. Lord, You know what is ahead in my day. I pray You will guide every word, action, and attitude that I have today. I pray You will continue to be with Doc; Sandie and Jim; Bob and Connie; and Mike during their tough days. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

John 12:13 - "Reckless Love"

At the start of my Supervised Ministry class in January, one of our first skills to discuss was that of a Worship Service. We were to plan and implement one with our mentor. Doc and I discussed having the children and teens do a Worship Service. We looked over the calendar and decided on Palm Sunday. We wanted to bring our two church groups together. On Tuesday nights, we have twelve to twenty-five children and teens in our home for Activity Night and on Sunday mornings, we have ten to twenty adults for Morning Worship. It is held in a funeral home which is not kid-friendly so there are few Sundays we have children. Yesterday was challenging in many ways but at the end of the service we were very blessed. First, we had almost half of our adults out due to travels or work. This meant it was us along along with Kenny to set-up the canopy and sound system. We had a family of four children and teens who needed picked up due to parents working so Doc had to drive the church bus to do so. Second, we had children and teens not available due to being out of town or their parents chose for them not to participate. During a song, the sound system quit for about five minutes. I filled in with having a little preK girl (who lives too far away to participate in Tuesday Activities) to come up and sing Jesus Loves Me. She not only knows the first verse but also the second verse! Our youngest child turned three yesterday so we sang Happy Birthday to her while we waited on the sound system. It rained lightly but that did not stop us. We praised God through the entire time and were blessed in abundance for our efforts. We had a glimpse of what life will be like when we can all meet under one roof. I am thankful for my class that prompted our Palm Sunday service. Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! I also am grateful for the invitation for dinner last night with our dear friends who are more like family to us. It is going to be quite different not being two doors away from them but I am thankful they only moved 3.2 miles away instead of Japan or California! With Dave being a Marine it could have been a lot different. Our meeting three months after we moved here was definitely a God thing. We've been through so much together and depend upon one another as family. Another thing I am grateful for is the way the Lord woke me during the night to pray for a dear friend Kim who is driving from Maine to South Carolina due to her mother's health issues. He had me praying for her protection as she drove. I found out this morning it was soon after the time I prayed that she made the decision to stop for the night. Maybe that is why He had me praying for her. I also prayed for her mother and step-father while I was awake. I prayed for the doctors to have wisdom with her situation and for God to wrap His arms around them. As I was praying, these words from "Reckless Love" kept going through my mind. I wasn't sure if it was because we sang it yesterday or what but I was blessed by them.

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

This family is in a place of unknown where they need to remember God loves them and is there with them. As I sang this song during the night, God took my prayers to all the people who had experienced tornadoes yesterday but especially for those in Shelby, Ohio. As I saw pictures of the buildings including homes that were destroyed, my heart broke. I cannot imagine living through one of the those. The picture of the car that was picked up and tossed around before landing in a field was amazing. The pastor and his wife in it had only minor injuries. The stories of people who needed oxygen and had no electricity were heart warming as people helped them. The amazing thing with all of the stories was God had spared lives even though material things were gone. That was not the case in other states where one family were in a car that a tree fell on killing the children in the backseat. Such heart wrenching stories. It reminded me of James 1 again where we are told to take joy in hard times because it will draw us deeper in our faith. A few years back I put that scripture on a business card. I did not realize then just how deep my faith was going to be taken. There have been many 'hard' days. Yesterday was one filled with the enemy trying to stop us but he did not win. I refuse to let him win this battle. I refuse to allow him any power to stop us from loving with God's love on the people of Beaufort County, South Carolina. He may have little victories from time to time but he will not win. My God is greater than anything he throws our way. Yesterday after the building was locked up and I drove over to pick Doc up from parking the church bus I turned on the radio and blasted praise music into my being. I sang along and praised God for the 'good' aspects of the morning and refused to dwell on the 'bad' aspects. I refused the enemy any joy in having even one little speck of my words, actions, or attitude. Instead I chose Joy. I chose Jesus. I chose life instead of death. I chose speaking the Name of the Lord. Woo hoo! Oh how I pray for God to empower me to keep this way of living up because I know the enemy is going to continue to try to tear us down. I refuse to allow that to happen.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all of the 'good' things that happened in the last twenty-four hours! Thank You for protecting my Momma through the storms yesterday! Thank You for being My Joy through the tough times yesterday! Thank You for blessing the children and teens through their efforts yesterday! Thank You for ones like Kenny and Chris who helped yesterday! Thank You for cleansing me this morning so You can fill me with more of Your love! Thank You for the way You will work in and through me throughout this day by giving me Your words, actions, and attitude. Father, continue to be with Sandie and Jim through this ordeal they are going through; for Kim as she continues her trip here; Doc as he sees the orthopedic surgeon today; Bob and Connie as he continues to be hospitalized; Bonnie who was hospitalized; Ellen as she continues her battle with cancer; Betty with her injury; Mr Fran with his health issues; and all with damage to their property from the tornado. Thank You Jesus for being My Joy! Amen.