Are You Ready?

Seems like simple question right? Wrong! Its not! You may think it is,but only to realize that after you said yes, you truly are not ready.

I feel like I have said yes to this question. Actually I have shouted it out, YES I AM READY!!! But what now, what comes after you say that you are ready?

The Devil, test, adversity, and the Lord wanting to make sure that you are truly ready. Sunday night I was lying in my bed and it was as though the Lord asked me again, "Are you ready?"

Now, obviously we could never be 100% ready. I believe that there are 2 parts to being ready. I believe that you have to have these in order to say "Yes, I am ready!'

Part 1 Is your heart willing?

Exodus the 35th chapter tells a story of the people having a willing heart. The Lord asked for them to bring forth a willing offering. He didnt beg, pled, or command, but he asked for a willing heart.Willingly they brought everything they had to offer. Verse 22 points out that they were "willing hearted". It has to be in your heart, not just on you lips. At the end of the chapter a workmen is chosen for the tabernacle and it says that He hath filled him with wisdom of heart to work all manner of work. The Lord knows what he is doing. He will give you what you need to work in his kingdom, but are you willing? Is your heart willing?

Part 2 Are you spiritually willing?

After you having the willing heart and you announce to God that you are ready and willing to be used, you will begin your fight. The Lord is going to test you. He is preparing you for what is to come, because if it wasnt a bed of roses for Him on earth, then its not going to be for you. The Devil will fight you. He is going to try everything to discourage you and put a doubt in your heart and mind for what God has called you to do. In Acts 27:23 "For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve." We need to realize who we are, who He is, who we belong to and who we serve. God will takeyou through some storms but we have to be ready to have faith and trust and Him.

Psalms 107:33 He turns rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground.

God will make a way, and He will work it all out in the end, but are you ready? Are willing to do what it takes?

God Whispers

A little over a month ago I was in a service at my home church, that impacted my life. We had a visiting pastor from New York who preached. Believe it or not I could not tell you for the life of me what the title of his sermon was or what was his scripture text. All I remember was going to church and looking for answers from God. Have you ever done that? Been in a service and be so overwhelmed by a problem that you can't concentrate? Well this night all that kept going over in my mind was "Lord I need you to speak to me".

He called for an altar service and I most definitely was ready. I needed something from God and I needed it right then. If you know me, you know I have a passion for serving God, and I am ready to do whatever He may ask of me. I know that the Lord has a great calling on my life, but like most saints, we doubt what our calling really is. I pressed through to the point where I felt as though it was just me and Jesus in the sanctuary. I began to pour out my soul, not caring what other people thought of me. While I was praying, The visiting pastor came and whispered in me ear, "God has a great ministry for you, but he whispers"......WHAT!!!! Lord I don't need you to whisper, just tell me! I was blown away. The first part I was excited about, the second part, not so much. Do you know what this meant? I had to listen extra hard, I had to be sensitive to Him and I had to be ready.

And it happened just as he said. God whispered to me. In a crazy moment in my life He confirmed that I was doing what I needed to be, and in the center of His will. Happiness and joy flooded my soul. You couldn't make me mad or sad if you wanted to! But, in the midst of all my happiness, the Lord threw a curve ball. Situations took a turn. What I thought would be the last thing to happen in my life became the first. But I remember the way I felt even after it happened....I was mad!!!! Of course I was, and why was I? I knew that this was not suppose to happen. I knew what the Lord told me. I got home, and went straight to my room. As I was sitting there, this calming spirit came over me. I began to remember what the Lord had told me. I needed to turn it over to the Lord. The devil tried to make me doubt the Lord. "Oh you definitely heard that wrong, now didn't you!" But no, the Lord does not lie, and I know what I heard and what I felt.

The only thing for me to do was to turn it over to the Lord, and I did just that. For once, I completely handed it over to Jesus and did not interfere whatsoever.

A lot of times, we feel like we need to help the Lord put things in motion. He does not need our help. If we would just trust Him and His word, then life would flow a little smoother.

The Lord changed the whole situation and during it all, gave me peace about it all. God may not always do the things the way that we would, but hey, that's why He is God!

Always be sensitive to God and be ready! Things will not always go the way you expect.

Are you afraid of the dark?

• Phonophobe- fears of noise
• Carcinomaphobia- fears of cancer
• Paedophibia- fear of children
• Nyctohylophobia- fear of dark wooded areas, or forest at night
• Pyrophobia- fear of fire
• Taphephobia- fear of being buried alive
• Telephonephobia- Fear of telephones (which I know I don't have)
• Papaphobia- fear of popes
• Lachanophobia- fear of vegetables
• Entomophobia- fear of insects
• Eosophobia- fear of dawn
• Clinophobia- fear of beds
• Gynaephobic- men that fear women
• Triskaidecphobia- fear of the number 13. Arnold Schonberg suffered from this phobia he dies 13 minutes from midnight on Friday the 13
• Arachibutyrophibia - the fear of peanut butter getting stuck to the rook of your mouth
• Zoophobia- fear of animals
• Tonsurphobia- fear of haircuts
• Xenophobia- fear strangers or foreigners
• Phobatriviaphobis- fear of trivia about phobias
  

Useless Information...But it makes you think

1. No president has been an only child
2. The longest inaugural address by the U.S. president was given by William H Harrison. It was an hour and forty-five minutes long during an intense snowstorm. One month later he died of pneumonia.
3. Adolf Hitler was Time's Man of The Year in 1938
4. Adolf Hitlers great-great-grandmother was a Jewish maid
5. Catherine the Great relaxed by being tickled
6. Christopher Columbus had blond hair
7. Cher's real name- Cherilyn La Pierre
8. Tom Cruise's real name- Thomas Mapother
9. Tom Hanks is related to Abraham Lincoln
10. Alfred Hitchcock did not have a belly button
11. A single violin is made of seventy separate pieces of wood
12. The word checkmate used on chess come from the Persian word Shah-Mat, which means "The king is dead"
13. Approximately 60 circus performers have been shot out of cannons. At last report 31 of them have died.
14. People in Iceland read more books per ca pita than any other people in the world
15. 70% of Americans eat McDonalds everyday
16. Coca Cola was originally green
17. The bible is the #1 shoplifted book in America
    
18. The book of Esther in the bible is the only book that does not mention the name of God
19. The bible has been translated into klingon
20. Minnows have teeth in there throats
    

Mani and Pedi Time

OK, so it is very rare that I splurge on myself. I love to splurge on other people but I hesitate when it comes to myself. But I caved in while I was in Arkansas and got me a manicure and pedicure. I was just so relaxing.

Have you ever noticed that when you are in an atmosphere like that, there is always some kind of drama. Well it started right when we got there. A pretty young lady walked into the shop wanting a fill-in. She wasn't in the salon for a minute and a lady runs in after her and says "Is that your car?" and the young lady replied "yes it is"....."Well can you move it please, its Saturday and that is our busiest day at the store". The young lady replied "well there are no signs saying where I can and cannot park"...."But you have to move your car its a rule". The young lady goes outside and they have a few choice words, she moves her car, and comes back into the store. As she is sitting there getting her nails done, she tells the owner of the situation and doesn't forget to mention that her intention was to go into the pet store when she was done to get a gift for her dog and set up a grooming appointment. But now that young lady refuses to go to that store ever again. The shop lost a customer all because they were not thinking of the full picture.

Proverbs 19:22 What is desired of a man is kindness, 1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked

We have to remember to always show ourselves friendly. I know we are not perfect, but no one never said that we couldn't strive to be perfect. Every time we are in a store we should have a smile on our face and be ready to strike up a conversation with anyone at anytime. Jesus has commissioned all believers to go to the most distant and remote place on a earth, as well as to our next door neighbors, to spread His love and His word. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) says, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. We want people to come to church, to be saved, and know who Christ is, but we cannot do that if we don't let them see what he is doing through us. Now we shouldn't have to go around and let people know who we are and what church we go to, what we believe, and why we are the best little thing on Gods green earth :)....They should be able to see it with us not even opening our mouths. We have to strive to be the vessel that God can use. I know it is hard when you are standing in a long line at the grocery store and the cashier is taking forever, she is complaining, and does not even speak to you.....but what if you looked past all that and smiled and just said a simple hello....you could turn her world upside down. I am sure she is not going to remember the lady before you that was rude, didn't speak, or complained......but she will remember the one lady who just had a sweet spirit. You never know, she may show up at your church one day, and what will she say about you? Will her memory of you be of cheer, or will she hope she had not walked into that sanctuary. We never know what is going on with people but we do need to remember how we are to respond. Let our light shine through. This world needs a change and it starts with you.

You are not responsible for what other people think, say, or do - but you are responsible on how you react and respond. - C.H. Abernathy

Faith not Fear

Fear...What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of fear? What is the thing that you fear the most? Take a moment and think about it......Most people (Christians) will saying weather they are going to heaven or hell is there biggest fear. But why, Why do we fear at all?

Fear: a distressing emotion aroused by an impending pain, evil, danger, etc. (Random House College Dictionary)


Psalm 23: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.


2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. If the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, the why do we have it....

Fear almost comes naturally to us. The enemy loves fear. It is something the he knows he can use against us. We have let fear control our lives. We have let it come into our homes.... (IE)telling the children to be safe, and don't talk to strangers. Yes these things are good, and children do need to know right from wrong, but what we need to teach is faith not fear. Pray with them and let them know that we need to continually serve God and trust in him. Teach them that the Lord will keep us safe as long as we are in the center of Gods will. Everything happens for a reason and God makes no mistakes. Marriages have been destroyed because of fear, fear of infidelity. It drives us insane. It makes us worry, stressed and then the next thing you know, we can't seem to have a day with an argument. We have let fear into our churches. People ask "Why is the church not growing? Oh, something must be wrong with the Pastor..." WRONG! Something must be wrong with us! And it is....We have fear, fear of embarrassment, and rejection. You may be sitting in a service and the Lord speaks to you about a ministry of some sort, or a fundraiser, an outreach program, a saint in the church that may be in need....Do you do something about it? Most likely the answer was "No...but...." Why? Why did we not do what the Lord had laid upon our heart?....because...."Well I don't know if that was the Lord speaking to me or my flesh" blah blah blah...honey let me help you out...IT WAS THE LORD!!!!......The devil is not going to tell you to start a jail ministry, raise money for the youth to go to Rally's and conferences, raise money for missionaries, or take a saint out for lunch because they are lonely. He (satan) wants you to sit at home and watch reruns of "Do Nothing". He gets no glory out of you doing the work of the Lord, but it does put a smile on his face when he watches as a child of God sits on the pew and does nothing. The Lord lays these things on our hearts for a reason.....Or you may even say..... "Well I can't do that I will leave that up to the Pastor or the youth leaders"....God laid it on your heart so obviously He is wanting you to do something. Now don't think for one second that I have always done what God has asked me to do....I have been one of the ones that has said, I am not qualified for that, or what if I invite them to church and they so no......It is fear, we all have it but we have to overcome it. I remember a few months ago I was in a Goodwill with 3 others ladies. One of them a pastors wife and another a missionaries wife. Wonderful examples of women of God. I had sorta drifted off to search the store myself. I found myself at the back of the store looking at books, which I never do. As I stood there, I felt as though someone was watching me. I glanced over and there was a lady that was walking toward me and just staring. I continued to look through the books. She then came and stood beside me, I could feel her spirit pulling at me, something told me that she wanted to talk. (I say something, because like you, I felt like it was my flesh talking). She finally spoke and said "hello" and I spoke back. I then turned and made my way back to the front of the store. After that, I was no longer comfortable. The Lord had basically just slapped me. I should have talked to her. I could have helped her....but I thought to myself, I am nobody. If this lady has a need, Lord you need to send her to another one of the ladies from the church, they are more qualified then me. I felt awful, so I started praying and asking God for forgiveness. I had not obeyed Him. I prayed and asked the Lord to lead her back my way, or help her to find someone to talk to. No more then 5 minutes after I had said that prayer, I looked up and saw her talking to the missionaries wife that was also there. I felt relief. Although it wasn't me, she found someone that could help, and God found someone He could use. (If you won't let Him use you, He will find a replacement) Now there was no prayer meeting, or laying on of hands....All she needed was someone to talk to. She needed some guidance and direction and didn't know where else to turn. God is not only going to use us at an altar, or a prayer meeting....He will use us anywhere. But we can't have fear. It can and will destroy our ministry if we let it. We have to learn to put our trust in the Lord. God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. Isaiah 43 says "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." God makes no mistakes. He did not call and redeem the wrong person. We are His and He will not forsake us. When He called us, He knew exactly what he was doing and we have to trust that. Our prayer should be, that we trust Him and that we may be more sensitive to His will. You can't go wrong as long as you are in the center of His will.

Sometimes you just got to stop and pray!

Sorry it has taken so long to write, I have a computer available to me. I was on a little mini vacation in Southern Illinos we Jason and his family. We had such a great time, but sometimes in the middle of all that you have to pray.





Yesterday morning, before I was even fully awake, I got a phone call. It was a girlfriend of mine. She was so upset. She was having a problem with her daughter, mother and her "baby daddy". Even tho' I am hundreds of miles away from her, I tried my best to help out the best way that I can. I talked to her and told her what I felt was the right thing to do. I told her to pray about it and about the whole situation, and so would I. I hung up the phone with her. And it clicked, "you should have prayed for her right then, when she was still on the phone"...but God I am on vacation, I need to get a shower and get dressed before everyone gets up.....lol.....Don't you hate when God makes you feel bad about something that you "should" have done....lol...So you know what porobably came after, prayer. I didn't call her back, but I did pray for her about her situation.



Later that day, I get a phone call from home. I have a cousin who was born and raised in church and has strayed away. The phone call informed that he had been jumped twice in one day and that it had upset my grandmother greatly. Of course I called everyone to see how they were doing and to give a word of encouragement. I stopped and prayed for my cousin and his salvation.

I said all that to say this...You have to be ready in and out of season. You never know when God needs you to stand in the gap.....During this whole time I was thinking how can I pray for others needs when I have needs of my own. But I did, I put everything else first. God brought a sweet peace to my situation so that I could be used where he needed to use me. So be ready to be used!!!

In His Hands

Ok this week has been really strange for me....I have this feeling that God is trying to tell me something! Have you ever had that feeling, and you just want to say "God just tell me what it is you want me to learn from this and it will save both of us some time" lol....Well I have been feeling like that all week....Its weird because I am not sad, or mad, or upset, or depressed, but I feel something weighing heavy on my heart. I do have so many questions for God and I almost feel that instead of telling me what he wants in my life, he is setting up a test for me. I love it when you know its coming but at the same time, I don"t because as you know I am not a very patient person. Its funny how God likes to choose a different method everytime he wants to tell you something.



I only want one thing out of this life, and that is to be in the center of Gods will. That is all that matters. If we are in the center of Gods will then it all will work out in the end. I think back to a sermon I heard a few months ago. This sermon changed my life and I don't think I will ever forget what was said. during the sermon I remember saying to myself "I want only to be in Gods will" over and over again in my head.



The preacher talked of how we need to be able to put our lives in Gods hands. Let God lead you where he wants you, and do with you as he pleases. If you get this into your head then, Guess what, It will all work out. We try to much to take control ourselves. Sometimes we think that we are putting it in Gods hands but at the same time we are trying to lead Gods hand. We cannot do that. God has to be in complete control. A lot of times we worry over nothing.



Since the sermon, I have tried my best to put it all in Gods hands. I feel like I have lived a stress free life for the last few months. I have been open to what ever God has in store for me. I mean, of course there will be some curve balls, because there are some things that God just wants to see how you handle it.

Try it, just where ever the Lord sends you, or whatever he has you do....do it! Don't question him. You will find that life is a whole lot easier then when you try to control it. Lets face it we all want to take control, it natural. But we have to be humble and submit to God. He is the one in control, and he needs no help.

My 2 Cents!

I can't believe Michael Jackson is dead. I guess I know how people felt when the news of Elvis hit. You almost want to say it a joke or just a way for people to "leave the scene". Which brings me to.....Why do people think they have the rest of their lives to get things right with the Lord. This should be proof that God can take you out of the picture at anytime. We need to be ready tat anytime! Too many people want to "live it up" here on earth but dont realize that you have to go somewhere when you leave this life. Where are you "living it up" at? Who is the company that you keep? Is what are you doing pleasing to God?

Ok thats my 2 cents!

Side Note:I have gotten to spend a lot of time with my cousin this week. He is so cute! We have gone swimming, fishing, and more swimming. Crazy! I love being out doors!

Why me?

I know it has been a while since I have been on here. I havent got use to the whole blogging everyday thing. :)

So we have a new girl at our church. She is so beautiful and sweet. I would have never guessed she was 19yrs old. I thought she was like 24 or 25. :) But I am excited that she and her husdband are attending our church. You always get excited when people that you can talk to you come into your life. The Lord knew I needed a new friend to come along since my good friend just moved so far away.

All this week, I have been "caught". lol. First I was at a gas station pumping gas and minding my own buisness, when a car accident takes place. I watch the lady get out of her SUV and stumble about 5 steps and then faints. LORD WHY ME! lol So I run over to her and try to get her to repsond, she comes too and is complaining of dizziness and the heat. So I help this lady up that is about 3 times my size, over to the shade. I keep her talking to me until the EMS arrives.......Next I was at the pool watching my cousin swim. This guy sitting a few chairs down from me, ask "So what ya readn' ma'?" I tell him it is my lesson that I have to teach for Sunday School......" WOW thats crazy, I was just talking to my sister about us going back to church" SO then I am into about a 20min conversation about God and going to church. Hey God even moves at the pool..lol..:).........Next I am at the mall, just browzing.....the lady working in that area asked if she could help me with and anything and I told her I was just looking. She then continued to talk to me and tell me about her family. I am standing there thinking, oh I just want to look around in peace. lol She then proceeds to ask me to pray for her nephew that has Epilepsy....WOW..are we serious God. This lady didn't know me from Adam...I was blown away...I told her that I would keep him in my prayers! So the moral to all this is, you never know when God is going to use you! Whether its helping someone over to the shade, or be prepared to pray for a complete stranger! Hey you get what you pray for and I always ask God to put me at the right place, at the right time!
I want to be used of God. I would rather do his will and please him any day. I realize that if I let him use me then, it will all work out!

How crazy is that!

I start teaching sunday school this sunday. Not only did I get the age group that I wanted but I get to tag team teach with one of my closest friends! WOOOHOOO!

I went to the dentist the other day to get my permant crowns put in. I get there, and they dont fit...My teeth still hurt!

I had a lumbar puncture done a few months ago. I am still having back pains.....Is that normal?

Why are we so prideful? Why do we care so much what other people think? All that matters is, are we doing what God wants us to do? Are we pleasing him?

I wish that plane tickets were cheaper. I looked up a ticket around 1pm today and them looked up the exact same ticket 8 hrs later....Its $20 more!!!! Whats up with that?

Gas is going up too much, and too fast!

Why does it take so many horrible relationships to get to the right one?

Today I wanted to start a diet, but there were double chocolate muffins at work the size of a baby's head! lol....and my coworkers wanted Lukes for lunch. And if you didnt know....Lukes has the best Fried Chicken Fingers and Fried Pickles!!! So needless to say, I did not start my diet today.

It is funny how, the girls that run the counter at the tanning salon always look like umpa lumpas, and people still go there to get a tan!!! Wake up you wil probably look like that too.

I am going to the beach in 8 days and it is not going to rain, it is not going to rain!!!

If a man treats his mother with respect, guess how is going to treat you? Ding ding ding, He will treat you with respect. Always watch how a man acts around his mother!

I have never had allergy problems. All of a sudden I have to take zyrtec everyday! Whats up with that?

Why would you do a reality show? Why would you let the whole world in to your world?

Thats all for now......maybe I can get some sleep now

I will not put my purse on this floor!

So this past Thursday was my birthday. I actually feel 24. I had to count the years, when someone asked me how old I would be. That made me feel old. Some of my family and close friends celebrated with me at Olive Garden. (My favorite place) I made up in my mind before I even got there, that since it was my birthday that I was going to try something new. Yes that's right people, for my 24th birthday I stepped out of my comfort zone. (I have been doing that a lot lately, come to think about it). So anyways I got the new Rotaline Chicken ( I think that is how you say it). I was so excited to get that when the waiter was calling it out, here goes me "Oh right here!!". Yep I can be a dork sometimes. But, it was so good. I loved it! We took a lot of pictures and told lots of funny stories. So much fun! My mom and future step dad gave me a $100. Money is always a plus. All my gifts were great. I was so excited and everything that I got was something that I needed!

Friday I flew out at Charlotte at 4pm into Nashville, TN to see Jason. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep on the plane, so I felt bad when we landed because I knew I looked rough. Hopefully he stills loves me, jk ;) We then drove to Johnston City, IL to see the family. We got in really late so we talked for a bit and then everyone just kinda drifted. The next morning we woke up early and went out to the lake to go fishin'. And guess what people! I caught my first bass, it was small but it was a bass. I was so excited! I made Jason stop what he was doing to take a picture of me! I was so happy and proud of my self. We then headed back. The family cooked an awesome dinner, it was so delicious....then came the best part, chocolate cake!! YES!!! I even got a few gifts. I didn't expect any of it. I was extremely grateful. They are such wonderful people.

Then as if my weekend wasn't already the best....I get on the plane to come back home to Charlotte. The plane is on the strip ready to take off. All of a sudden we are turning around. YES PEOPLE THE PLANE IS BEING TURNED AROUND!!!!! No one is telling us anything. We are all looking around trying to figure out what is going on. Then 2 officers get on the plane, stand up front for about 10 mins and then walk (all puffed up) to the back of the plane and escort a lady and her husband off.....As she is heading to the front she is saying "Its just disgusting, I will not put my bag on the floor! I have flown many times and have never been asked to put my bag on the floor. I will not do it! Nasty, nasty, nasty" Yes that is correct, she did not want to put her purse on the floor or in the overhead compartment. She risked being arrested just because she didn't want to put her bag on the floor. The whole plane (Even tho' we are mad) starts laughing, and saying how stupid the whole thing was. I just didn't understand why she just didn't put it overhead till we got in the air. Was it that serious? Needless to say, a lot of people were going to be late for there connecting flights.

So I chose to carry on this time. But since we were on a small plane I had to yellow tag it. So I get off the plane and waiting in the corridor for my bag. And since I am the smallest one there, everyone thinks they should just stand in front of me while waiting for the bags. I mean hello people, you are taller then me. Do the math, I am 4'11 and you are 5' or taller. You stand behind me and we both can see. You stand in front of me and only you can see, duh! lol....Small people have feelings too....lol

Anyways, above all and all I had an awesome birthday. It was everything more then I expected. Next year maybe we can skip the whole turning the plane around and the whole "I'm taller then you" approach.

Smile