Iron sharpens Iron...!!!

Iron sharpens Iron...!!!

Well here we are again, racing already thru January 2011. I forgot how long it has been since my last posting, so I am kind of cheating by repeating something that I've posted before. I think its appropriate again/still, so will copy and paste and as you read it hopefully it will make sense for today, or your tomorrow....

I've been looking at alot of old family/friend pictures...turning somewhat melancholy in the process and was reminded of the incredible lives we have led, and the legacy that we constantly are forming for our children. I can only speak for myself, but there are some things that I would like to see "ended" with me, and not carried on with my kids. Then again it always gives me warm fuzzies when I look at pictures of the people who have left their fingerprint on my heart and life. Life is a journey, as Wayne always reminds me. Even the tough times are so valuable to everything that makes us who we are. For those of you in my physical family or amongst my family of friends that read this, I want to say thank you for your touch on my life. I have come to realize that it takes all of us to give balance, patience, and any bit of wisdom to the other. Scripture says that we are like iron sharpening iron...lots of intense heat, some banging, and much shaping and stretching ... all at the mighty hand of our loving heavenly Father, and many times through those that we hold close. Happy New Year... may it bring us just a little closer to seeing life as He does.

Just wondering how Mary must have felt this day..knowing her time was close to give birth. A young teenage girl of probably 14-15 years of age who had already met an Angel telling her that she was going to not only have a baby, but that this child would be the Son of God. Now she finds herself traveling on the back of a donkey, far from her parents, her home, all that represented safety and security for her...with a young man who knew only that their lives would be different from anyone else's. What fear she must have felt not knowing what it meant to give birth..without her family, her mother, no friends...only Joseph. The things she would feel and see these next few days are all unknown to her now. BUT...God had His perfect plan. One that would take the next thirty-three years for them to see what would be accomplished thru their willingness to be used by Him. Would I have been so willing, so in tuned to God's voice that I would live such a life of faith? "Love so amazing, so divine...demands my life, my soul, my all..." God's Blessings on each of you...every one.

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.