Weak Knees or the Everlasting Arms

All I can think of today is the song that says, "Oh, how He loves you and me...He gave His life, what more could He give...Oh how He loves you, Oh how He loves me, Oh how He loves you and me."

I have to admit to you all that this dry and barren place I've been for way too long now has nearly gotten the best of me. This morning as I looked to ck my email and facebook, all seemed the same in my world. NOT GOOD! Then as I looked a little more I saw Susie Larson's "encouraging words for the day"...about being thankful...where ever I am, for disappointments & fears, for what ever I have or don't have...simple concept, hard task at times. Satan is so sly, sooo smooth...but not always his fault. When we slip (or even walk) away from what we know is the right thing to do there is always self-justification and pride to fall back on after all. This is where I've been..."Pity Party Extraordinaire" Someone have a rope to throw?

The first thing I have to be thankful for is that I don't have to backtrack...only go forward. This life is not a ferris wheel or even a roller coaster. We DON'T end up where we started ever. The result of my decisions carry with them either the potential to become rotten or sprout and grow. God's desire is that I learn from my mistakes (and even my intentional but poor choices) and see that they get me absolutely no where. Sista's ... I am talking to me, albeit out loud. I am where I have chosen to be, just not where God wants me to be, and for that I am repentant.

It's time for me to get back into the game, off the sidelines, and learn to recognize those hits of life that crush my spirit are also capable of being used by my mighty and loving Father as tools to remind me to lean into His everlasting arms. My choice.

Just wanted to share this song "Broken into Beautiful" with my blogging friends. I have had little to no time to write here, but ran across this beautiful song that has been one of my favorites for the past several years. The lyrics are relatable...we all come across times in our lives that we feel shattered and broken either because of something we've done or the pain comes from seeing another we love struggling to get back on their feet (so to speak). Either way none of us are immune. I am so thankful that our God is a restoring God...a Father who can "put us back together again if we let HIm". Over the past 6 years I have seen almost insurmountable circumstances come about in the lives of people we love. We have asked God to "remove the mountain" in their lives, yet He didn't...instead he healed spiritually and miraculously in the ways He saw as best. I learned that I have to trust more than the essence of God....I have had to believe that He does know what is best in each and every turn of the road....if I didn't then everything I have based my life upon is a lie, and that for me would be the end all. Why do I believe Him....simply because I have seen Him work miracles in the lives of others and in my own heart and life. Like I said ... He is God the Restorer! "He is able more than able To accomplish what concerns me today He is able more than able To handle anything that comes my way. He is able, more than able to do much more than I could ever dream, He is able more than able, to make me what He wants me to be.' Oh...and don't forget to turn my music box off so you can hear Gwen sing.

Broken Into Beautiful

Storm those gates ...

I have a dear friend that is undergoing her first regimen of chemo this morning. She is a young woman in her late 40's, with four daughters....youngest is in high school. Bonnie (go figure), has a sweet spirit and is one of those women who always has a smile on her face, is full of life, a wonderful husband and loving family. I first met her when she was in college and heard her testimony about how God so lovingly showed himself to her and won her heart. She came from a Mormon background and saw her need to really know the Saviour. Well, here it is 25 or so years later and she continues to be up for the challenge. This diagnosis came out of nowhere, and has been a shock to all who know this family. I don't know how far this blog reaches, but I do know that many of you know Jesus personally and believe in the power of prayer...so I would ask you to keep Bonnie and her family in your prayers. She has ovarian cancer and also is dealing with something questionable in her neck...possibly thyroid cancer. She underwent surgery in San Francisco on June 17th to remove both ovaries, etc. All went well and now to go forward with making sure that nothing remains that might be cancerous. 1st chemo, then radiation. Pray for wisdom for her physician's and thank you for taking this on. We will be diligent in "storming the gates of heaven" on this family's behalf.