Nehemiah 8:10b - "Today Is The Day"

Today when I woke up singing these words I knew today was going to be a better day than yesterday.

"Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it"

Woo hoo! I thought, "bring it on, Lord!" It is only afternoon yet so many blessings have been received...

• Seven hours of sleep last night
• Second of third IV's complete...nausea much better than yesterday
• Momma had a good follow-up appointment from her surgery
• Sunday I was anointed for a little guy that his cancer has returned. Today I read this message from his Momma..."A quick update on Spencer: his bone marrow biopsy was negative! This is excellent news because he'll get to receive less aggressive chemo and treatment overall. Still awaiting a treatment plan, but hopefully that arrives no later than tomorrow." Woo hoo! Go God!!!!
• A friend who had surgery yesterday was released from the hospital.
• A pregnant Momma who was having complications is OK.

I am choosing joy today! I refuse to allow the enemy any foothold. He is at work overtime trying to pull me away from the Lord but my faith is greater! I am singing these words with confidence..

"I'm putting my fears aside
I'm leaving my doubts behind
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to You
Jesus

I'm reaching my hands to Yours
Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good"

Yes! I don't know if these IV's will kick this MS back into behaving or not but I don't have to know. If the Lord's will is for that, so be it. If His will is for a different story, so be it. My life is in His hands. Whether my body functions as it use to or not will not stop me from being His servant.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of this day! Thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for restoring my peace and joy. You are awesome. Lord, fill me to overflowing with more of You. Direct my words and my steps to where there will be not be any doubt that You are in control of my life. Father, as I have been praying, I ask for a special touch upon my husband...fill Him with exactly what he needs. Thank You Jesus for being My Joy! Amen.

Philippians 1:6 - "Stronger"

As I read this quote, I was blessed in the reminders in it...He lives in me. I am surrendered to Him. I needed the reminder, "There is no difficulty, inward or outward, which He is not ready to meet in me to-day." It has been a tough day in my physical body which in turn causes me to get emotional. It hit me this morning why I was struggling with doing IV's again. Over the past twenty-one years when I had them they snapped the MS back into behaving itself. In May not so much. I told a friend this morning, "It is as if, if this doesn't work it is my last hope. I know in my heart Jesus is my Hope but in my head life is tough." I do not want to give the enemy any foothold into my life. I must not allow negative thoughts. I will remember Doc's words yesterday, "We may not be cured but we will be healed. Whether on this earth or when we receive our new bodies in heaven...we will be healed!" Yes! Now that gives hope! 

I love this quote from Bishop H. G. C. Moule. "Lord and Savior, true and kind, be the master of my mind; bless and guide and strengthen still all my power of thought and will. While I ply the scholar's task, Jesus Christ be near, I ask; help the memory, clear the brain, knowledge still to seek and gain.” We must make sure we are surrendered to His will in order to be capable of doing His will. Each morning I begin my day asking Him to fill me with more of Him. When He does this, I am capable of hearing from Him on what He desires of me. It enables me to be Jesus to people. They will see and hear Him through me as He oozes out of me. I'm not sure that anyone saw Him in me today and that saddens me. As I go to the hospital tomorrow I pray I will remember to be Jesus to those I am in contact with. I pray I will have His smile on my face and His attitude in my being.

What a blessing Kylee's song "Stronger" was yesterday! I wish I had it on video! The tears flowed throughout the song but especially with..

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being One who reminds me of exactly what I need to be reminded of. Father, this was a tough day and I am sorry if I failed you by missing opportunities to be You to others. Lord, it was a tough day for many others in my little world. My friends who lost their dear Momma and the one who had unsuccessful surgery...be so real to them. Lord, I praise You for my friends who were there for my Momma for her surgery. I praise You for my hubby who continues to love me, especially through tough days. Father, I pray the stress he is under to lessen...He needs Your healing in his physical body and his emotional body. Thank You Lord for being Our Hope. Amen.

Hebrews 10:23; Jeremiah 17:7 - "Redeemed"

I woke up this morning singing "Redeemed" that Big Daddy Weave sings and immediately was blessed with the knowledge.....

I am redeemed , you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain
Cause I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed.....I'm redeemed

My mind started thinking about all of the people who need to be able to say this. But instead of turning to the Lord they are turning to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, etc. Instead of allowing the Lord to give them a clean slate they are wallowing in the junk of this world. It is so sad to see families torn apart through domestic violence.  How I pray they will get to the point in life of saying these words...

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'cause his day is long dead and gone because
I've got a new name , a new life I'm not the same
and a hope that will carry me home

It is only when one gets to the end of themselves that will they find hope in Jesus Christ. There is no hope in this fallen world unless we have the hope of eternal life. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for giving me hope in this fallen world. Father, as I pray for some very serious situations I am reminded the only way these people can experience hope is to experience You. The only way they can experience You is to surrender to You. Lord, I pray protection over those in violent situations. I pray healing over those with mental and physical ailments. But most of all I pray for healing in spiritual lives. Oh Father how people need You...they need to experience hope as only You can give. Lord, fill me to overflowing with Your words and Your attitude. May people see hope through me. May they see what I have and desire the same. Father, if I begin to falter in my being I pray You will remind me that You are with me through difficult days. I also pray for the stress of these days to not have a foothold into my physical being. Lord, blind my eyes and close my ears to things that cause stress. Thank You Jesus for being My Hope. Amen.

Proverbs 31:30 - Momma's Birthday

Today is a special day for a special lady. It's my Momma's 85th birthday! Woo hoo! This picture was from the celebration of her 84th birthday when my sister Linda and I sang an ole Hee Haw song to her. Yes, we like to have fun! My Daddy taught us to do that no matter what is going on in life. In fact, he always said he 'raised' Mom since they got married when she was fifteen and a half so he taught her too! My Momma has seen some tough days in the last 85 years but most importantly she has been blessed by our Heavenly Father. 

Getting married at the age of fifteen and a half and having four babies before she turned twenty-on was no easy task. Especially with being far away from family and for the most part away from anyone as they lived up a holler. Stories have been told my Daddy would leave early in the morning to walk to get a ride for work and be gone until late in the evening. She struggled with loneliness and I believe depression but she didn't give up. The Lord wouldn't let her. She had a ministry right there in her home with her babies. The result? Many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren!

Having to bury a child was perhaps one of the hardest things she ever had to endure. The pain of the loss was overbearing at times. The anger over the senselessness of the death was something that had to be dealt with from time to time. But once again the Lord did not give up on her. Instead He encouraged her and my Daddy as they took on the role of being parents to two babies that they were intended to be grandparents to. The result? Two children having the blessings of living in a safe home who would not have had such luxury.

Going through multiple health issues including multiple surgeries is something my Momma has dealt with throughout the years. When going in for the fourth cervical surgery in a year, she felt like she was ready to break emotionally and physically. Once again the Lord didn't leave her side. Instead He blessed her with a miraculous healing so the fourth surgery was not needed. The result? She left that hospital with determination to draw closer to the Lord and she did.

Being told she was not physically able to be a nurse didn't stop my Momma. She found a way to help others in another way. She did not graduate high school so she had went back to get her GED in order to become a LPN. Even after bringing two more babies into the home...being over forty...even when she could have opted for disability...she instead took college classes for social work so she could continue working. The result? She worked at Brenn-Field Nursing Center as Activities Director after not being able to continue nursing.

Probably the hardest thing my Momma has been through in life was the loss of my Daddy. They had a strong bond throughout life but as she cared for him with such love in his final months that bond strengthened. Perhaps the greatest part of their love story developed in that last hour of his life when he woke up knowing his time was done on this earth. When she wanted to call someone, he said 'no' because he wanted those last moments to be theirs. The result? The Lord gave my Momma some precious memories to hold onto in the tough days without my Daddy. Words were said that can be remembered...him holding her one final time...that last kiss...what a blessing from the Lord!

My Momma is one special lady. Oh yes, we fought a lot when I was growing up and for that I am sorry. Maybe we were too much alike?!?!? Maybe I was a way the Lord used to bring her closer to Him?!?!?!? No matter what the reason I'm glad she nor the Lord gave up on me! I strive to be as giving as she is. I am one blessed lady to have her as my role model.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for my Momma. Thank You for watching over her these last eighty-five years. I pray a blessing over her today. I pray You will fill her to overflowing with more of You. I pray You will encourage her when the days get long. Lord, wrap Your loving arms around her so she feels Your strength. Lord, I also pray You will enable me to continue on during tough days as she has shown as my example. Fill me with more of You so people will see/hear You in me. Father, thank You for being The One To Bless Me. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 - "Anybody Out There"

“Is there anybody out there
Does anybody care
Are the people really there”

Where did that song come from?!?!?! A blast from the past with Burlap To Cashmere. Yesterday when I was told I was going to be doing IV treatments again I kind of fell apart. Not on the outside but on the inside. I started thinking “Lord, why? What am I doing wrong? Don’t you love me anymore?” Oh my! His response back was awesome! “Daughter, you know I love you. I need You to do this for me.” Alrighty then…for how long do I have to endure not being ‘normal’? This time there was dead silence from Him. I got to thinking about it. I guess He knew I didn’t want to hear His answer or I wasn’t ready for it. The emotional roller coaster of these last eight months has been tough. I don’t like roller coasters at theme parks bout as much as I don’t like this roller coaster. I am tired. There are days where I begin to wonder if the Lord cares for me…if there is anyone in my little world who loves me enough to stick by me… The answer to both of these questions is YES and I know it. I realized yesterday I cannot and will not allow the enemy any foothold into my thoughts. When I do, he has an opening into my entire life. I refuse to allow that. I refuse. Plain and simple. 

This is a new day. Some things have not changed…the pain in my legs is still there, the tingling in my face is driving me crazy, my emotions are all over the place. BUT one thing that has changed is my attitude. I can do this…with the Lord’s strength…I can do this. The days ahead will be covered by His love in such a way that I know I will not only get through them but most importantly He will be glorified through them. Maybe one of the nurses I will have needs to see Jesus. Maybe someone I meet in the hospital lobby needs to see a smile of encouragement. I don’t know what the purpose is but the desire of my heart is for the Lord to be glorified through this situation. He is greater than MS…He is greater than pain…He is greater than tingling…He is greater than anything life throws my way. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for not giving up on me! Thank You for encouraging me! Thank You for ‘smacking me up the side of the head’ before the enemy gained any foothold. Father, I need Your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength in a mighty way. I pray for more of You in me. I pray whoever needs to see You today will do so in me. Father, be glorified in all I do. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

I Peter 3; James 1:2-3; Philippians 4:13 - "Good, Good Father"

What a blessing to be able to hear Dr. Diehl last night! Having just read an article he wrote for my class and then getting to see/hear him was so special. As I sat there listening I thought of the night he ordained Doc. That night was beyond comprehension in the area of blessings! When he prayed over me at that altar, I was ready to burst. After he prayed over Doc then he prayed over me He charged me to be a helpmate for Doc...to stand by him and to encourage him. I've strived to do that throughout these last twenty-one years of ministry. He also prayed for me to "have a gentle and quiet spirit".... those who were present from our church teased about that since I am known to not be quiet. I know I have failed with that charge at times but the Lord has changed me over the years to be more gentle and yes, sometimes even quieter than I use to be. Praise His Holy Name! Last night seeing/hearing Dr. Diehl was the affirmation of the call upon our lives. God called us and used Dr. Diehl as a tool here on this earth. Now God is taking us another step in this call by me going to school. He is such a "Good, Good Father"...He is so loving and caring...He is so wonderful to be in relationship with. 

I love the words of I Peter 3...
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Yes! I am Sarah's daughter...my hope is in the Lord...I strive to live a holy life! Why? Because that is what God has called me to do. He has called me to be many things...a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, etc. But the most important thing He has called me to be is be holy. I love where I am in my relationship with the Lord today but oh how I can't wait to go deeper with Him. 

Dear Jesus,
I praise Your Holy Name for bringing Dr. Diehl into my life this week through reading of words he wrote many years ago and through seeing and hearing him speak last night. Thank You for that blessing! Father, I pray for more of You in me...I pray for Your words to be my words and Your actions to be my actions. Lord, may all who see/hear me today see/hear You. I pray for more of a "gentle and quiet spirit" in my being. I pray when people say hurtful words You will give me grace for them just as You give grace. I pray when it seems like I can't take another trial You will remind me of James 1:2-3. I pray when I feel like my strength is gone You will remind me of Philippians 4:13. Holy Spirit reign down upon me in a mighty way! Thank You Jesus for being The One Who Called Me. Amen.

Isaiah 61 - "Just Be Held"

I went to sleep praying for two people and woke up with them and their situations on my heart. Oh how my heart breaks for both of them. They are in situations I've never had to deal with so I don't know what I can do or say to help them. But I don't have to know as long as I listen to the Lord for His direction. He knows their hurts and pains. He knows the desires of their heart. He knows. I am so grateful they are both in a relationship with Him where they hear His voice. I also am grateful for the faith they have in Him. They know He is in control even though at times it appears the enemy is. They realize He gives us free choice and their loved ones have chosen the enemy's way over His way. They also know He has not left them or their loved ones. Instead He is being a gentleman waiting on their loved ones to come back to Him. While they wait I pray they will remember He is with them. I pray they remember the words to Casting Crowns song "Just Be Held"...

If your eyes are on the storm you'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross you'll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

In Isaiah 61 the Jews are promised blessings from the Lord. Those blessings are applicable today to those who return to Him.Verse three promises "comfort all who mourn...beauty instead of ashes...joy instead of mourning...praise instead of a spirit of despair." Verses four through nine are verses that show what will happen when one makes the decision to leave the ways of the enemy and follow the way of the Lord...

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
    you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
    and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

Matthew Henry writes about these verses..

"An unholy soul is like a city that is broken down, and has no walls, like a house in ruins; but by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is fitted to be a habitation of God, through the Spirit." These two I am praying for need to come back to the Lord...they need to leave the way of the enemy. When they do, the Lord will restore them. He will rescue them from the enemy's grip. And when He does they will be a beacon of light once again for Him and be able to say these words of verse ten and eleven...

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.

Until the time comes of their loved ones coming back into relationship with the Lord I pray they will hold close to the Lord with expectation. I pray the words to this song will be ones they hear and are obedient to...

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege to pray for these two precious ladies and their families. Lord, I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through but I know You know their hurts fully. I also know You are there to love on them and encourage them. Lord, please use me in whatever way possible to be there for them. Even though I don't know exactly what they are going through I know what it's like to hurt from loved ones decisions. May You fill me to overflowing with more of You so they see/hear You through me. I pray nothing that comes out of my mouth is from me but from You. Love on them in abundance today. Thank You Jesus for being Savior. Amen.