Guardian Angel

I am going to include this image in my shoebox for the orphans. I want them to know that there is safety in God. I want them to feel that sense of security and peace that only He can offer.

I love this photograph. The children are very obviously in a dangerous situation...

But God..

But God sent His angel to protect and care for them. He is there even when we do not feel Him or recognize Him...

He is there with loving arms of safety and security offering His protection from the world around us...

I don't know who this image belongs to, but it is beautiful.

Crazy Love

Crazy Love is a breath of fresh air, written by a man deeply in love with God..

It is both challenging and beautiful.

The book touches on the subject of lukewarm Christians. God said that if we are lukewarm, then He will spit us out of His mouth. It is better to be hot or cold.

Francis Chan points out that there are many Christians that just blend in. It's hard to tell they are even Christian, except for the fact that they grace the church pew every week.

A true Christian should be madly and deeply in love with God. In this brilliant book, Francis shows us what that kind of Crazy Love looks like.

I think every Christian should read this book. Every non Christian should read this book. There are few true living examples out there of what Christianity is supposed to look like.
This book is convicting because it causes us to look at our lives and seeing if they match up to God's word.

If anybody wants to borrow my copy, message me....
I love this book, and highly recommend reading it...
I love the people that inspire and Chan is one to inspire
http:///www.crazylovebook.com/the_book.html

The Great Book and Cd Giveaway

http://www.kplctv.com/story/15535916/the-gift-of-love-on-christmas-day

Recently, I heard about Operation Shoebox Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse.

The shoeboxes are meant to be prepared for orphans that would otherwise, have no Christmas presents.

I read an article on kplctv.com that really touched my heart.


Last week, I had a wonderful time shopping for three orphans. I put much love and care into choosing each gift to fit inside my box.

I want more people to participate in things like this...


It can truly make a difference in the life of a child.


Love's currents run deep and affect people in ways that you can't even imagine.

So, If you opt to participate...message me..call me...then, come and pick you out one of my books or cds...

The Light only grows when we spread it..

Jesus asks us to care for orphans...so today, please take his command seriously.


Participate...

Come by the house, drop off some donation items...take a book....take a cd...

or take it to a designated church ...

I'm attaching the link for more details...



http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

False Teachers

Dear (insert your name here),

Lately I have felt as if Jesus would have me to point out false teachings. I'm sad that there is even such a thing as "false teachings" but the Bible warns us that many will be led astray by wolf in sheeps clothing. I'm sad because I have a true heart for the people around me and I don't want them to buy into something that is not Real. I don't want them to fall for the lies that are mixed in with truths.

Jesus has shown me so many things. I look at His life and I see a life of humility. I see a life of sacrifice. I see a Man who abandoned everything He owned, in order to set people free from the bondage sin and death. I see a Man who gave and gave and gave. I see a Man who exemplified love in such a way, that He was willing to die for the very people that mocked Him.

Lately, I have heard the term "prosperity teaching" floating around. It keeps coming up and it is no accident. I used to be a fan of Joel Osteen. I like Joel Osteen. But I don't believe that all that he teaches is sound and truly "Christlike".... As Christians, we are called to be "Christlike"..
wouldn't that mean walking in the ways of Christ? Giving, sacrifing, loving others in such a way that self comes dead last. I have listened to a few of Joel's sermons and my eyes were opened to a few things. Joel believes that God wants to make us rich. He wants us to have the best houses, the nicest cars, and all of the fine things in life. Hmmmm. Does that sound like Christ? No, it doesn't. Didn't Christ live humbly so that He could freely give of Himself to others? Yes, He did.

Joel wants to make us feel good. Christ wants us to carry our cross so that lives can be changed and people can come to Him through an overwhelming and Christlike love.

In one sermon, Joel talks about how God will get the last laugh at our enemies. Really? Didn't Christ teach us to love our enemies and to bless those that curse us? God isn't laughing. He is crying that people are preaching such hatred.

There are scores of teachers, preachers, evangelists, "people of God"...that claim to know Him...and speak about Him..but truly aren't walking the walk of faith. It bothers me when I see "Christians" will mulitmillion dollar homes and private jets. Joyce Myers has a private jet and a several multi million dollar homes. She says that she is blessed.

One thing I am learning is that blessings come in the form of giving. I honestly don't think I could live with myself if I had all of that wasted wealth in my life. Doesn't Christ call us not to have our best life now, so that we can store up our treasures in heaven?

How many children could be clothed and orphans fed with the money from one of those homes? Some days I feel Christ's love welling up inside me so deeply that I know I could sell everything I own in order to affect one life or cause only one person to come to Christ. It hurts me to see greed passed off as "blessings"..ouch!

The purpose of this post is simply so people will recognize and compare the life of Jesus to the ones that they are following on televison, on twitter, and whatever medium is available.

Don't be decieved into thinking that God wants you to be rich. God calls us to carry our crosses. He calls us to care for orphans, widows. He asks us to pray for the sick and let His name be known. He calls us to take the hard path...

He even said, "narrow is the path and few will find it.."
So I sadly wonder what will happen to all of these "prosperity" preachers and the ones who are busy trying to earn God's favor so that they can be rich and blessed..

We already have God's favor, as Christians. We have a Light that He gave it. He told us not to focus on ourself...or "our" blessings" but to look to Him so that we can Know Him ....
and then He asks us to care, not for ourselves, but for the people around us....

Look at the fruits of the Spirit...humility...Humility is denying self so that Christ's love can be shown in and through us...
But humility isn't something preached by the "prosperity" preachers. They, instead, teach what can God do for me...very rarely do they preach, What can I do for God.

Just be aware. This message is written in love. Only in following Christ's teachings will we ever really truly find our way.

I'm sad because there don't seem to be many out there that are living the true life that Christ has called us to live. I recently read a book entitled Crazy Love. I was both blessed and inspired reading about the countless people that carried thier crosses and lived the gospel. People who brought Light into dark places and sacrificed creature comforts so that others could know the true love of Jesus.

I hope that one day my life can be lived in such a way. That people will say, That is what if meant to be Christian. Jesus has given me a dream and a vision. I will share it in an upcoming post.
.....
I am sad. i am sad. i am sad. I am sad. I am sad because I can see so much darkness. I can see people around me that are lost and hurting. I see people that have turned away from God because they see corruption and the abuse of finances. I am sad that many of todays Christian leaders aren't setting true examples.

I once read that the original tithe of the church was meant for helping others. It was meant to reach out to those with nothing. It was meant to provide hope for the destitute and weak.
But it seems now many churches feel it necessary to use tithes to "bless" the preachers and "bless" thier own lives. They feel it necessary to build mulit million dollar churches instead of going out and spreading the true Light of Jesus.

For all those that are reading this that are hurting...seek not man for your comfort or your answers. You will be sorely disappointed. You may even be taken. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, knock and the door will be opened, seek and you will find.

God Bless

A Miracle Happened Last Night!

One thing I have learned is that Jesus has a very distinct voice. When we heed His voice, He will answer our prayers.

Yesterday, I went to visit my grandmother. As I saw her I had to hold back tears because of her condition. It appeared that she had suffered a mild stroke. She kept calling my son a girl. I watched her as she stared off in space. Yesterday, I honestly thought that my grandmother had only a few days to live.

She has suffered for many months now. Her stomach is swollen. Yesterday when I saw her, I could hear her rattling. It nearly brought me to tears because she looked and seemed so helpless and pitiful.

Lately, Jesus has urged me to give up many things. He taught me that love is exemplified through our sacrifices. His death was the greatest sacrifice and the greatest act of Love.

I honestly haven't wanted to give up these things, but He has given me a vision for my life.
It is very clear and His voice is very specific when we open our ears to hear Him.

Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night. I had a dream. I knew that the dream was in relation to my grandmother. In the dream I was climbing up a cliff. There were a few other people with me but I can't remember who.

I dreamt that we climbed to a particular spot on the cliff. It was very dangerous. I knew in the dream that it would be almost impossible to continue. But then I remembered God. I knew that God makes the impossible, possible. I knew that with His help, climbing the cliff would be easy. He was going to carry us up the cliff or give us the strengh to make the journey easy.

Before, we made it to the top....something awoke me.

I laid there for about twenty minutes and I felt a very strong urge to pray for my grandmother. I was very tired, but I knew that I had to pray for her.

So I got up. As I got down on my knees, I knew that Jesus was with me. I prayed.
I couldn't really go back to sleep. I was up for hours praying for other people, as well.

Needless, to say I was a little cranky and groggy this morning.

This morning I called my grandmother's phone number. My mom answered. She told me that my grandmother had taken a 100 degree turn from the day before. She went to the doctor and was dancing in the car on her way home. She was talking of cooking a gumbo.

My friends, this is a miracle. Only yesterday, my grandmother was staring off into space, barely responisve, wheezing out her last breaths....

but God....

But God hears our prayers. He answers His faithful. He is wonderful and I want to dedicate this post to thanking Him.

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for your miracle.

insight

Only in loving the unloveable, do we ever
truly learn to love.

* i chose this image because it represents the ones who have turned thier backs to us, sometimes they are the hardest to love, but the ones that need it most.

Daring to Love

Latley, I have been blessed.

I have been given the opportunity to have my life intersect with the life of strangers in need.

Have you ever wondered if the people we meet in this life are placed there for a reason? I have.

Each person we meet gives us a unique and wonderful opportunity. We can choose to share love with each and every person we see....on the street corner. in the supermarket.

We can choose love.

I had sent some baby booties to a girl several months ago. She emailed me and told me of a family that was in a dire situation and needed help to get thier electricity turned back on.

So I used some of the money from my work bonus that I had set aside for the sole purpose of helping others, and I merged with life with the life of strangers - a mother and her son.

I spoke this lady on the phone and she told me of how one of her sons had died in a drowning accident ten years ago. She spoke of life problems and the difficult and dire situation she was facing. Her husband had left her for the bottle. I could go on and on...but I don't want to reveal too much.

Today, I had the opportunity to speak with another stranger. Another family that is in dire straights. This family needs clothes for a newborn baby boy.


I could've turned my back on these strangers. But I chose to love. I chose to take the opportunity to give so they could see and know the love of Christ.

Isn't that what living and loving are about? Taking a chance...daring to love and to give others hope in something bigger and better than ourselves. Daring to realize and acknowledge that each soul is beautiful and each unique.

Daring to recognize that some people only need to be placed in a love soil in order to grow.

I am daring to love. I have never been happier and my heart has never been fuller.

I had the opportunity to write letters to the these women. In one of the letters I wrote about how I always thought that "blessings" meant riches. But latley, I have seen that the blessings are in the sacrifice.

A choice towards love is something that we will never regret. It will make moments that will last forver and fuse lives together that would have never come together otherwise.

So today, make the choice towards love. Act in your purpose, and watch good things grow.