Election Day

 No words or images that I can share about the candidates in this election will likely change anyone's mind on who they are voting for. I'm pretty certain that whatever I would share would tick somebody off, and it would lead to a feed of discourse. I'm not perfect. There is no perfect candidate. There's absolutely no perfect human. Humans point out the flaws in other humans. Only God sees a heart. We don't really know all of the facts.

There are facts that I know to be true that I will share, and I stand upon them. I am deeply loved by a Father who saw fit to create me in my mother's womb, who knew all of my days before one of them even came to be... He knew me before He formed me. A Father who created me in His image and blessed me. A Father who created me for good works that I should walk in them. A Father, who loved me so much that He gave His only Son to cover all of my sin... so much so that even while I was still dead in my sin without His covering, His Spn, Jesus, died for me. A Father who thinks of me more than the grains of sand and doesn't leave me alone.

I won't be ignorant or bold enough to even try to tell somebody who they should vote for, but I WILL tell you God loves you and He sent His only Son to redeem you. Every person who was ever born was born into sin and is therefore destined to hell. The only way to not go to hell is through the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Contrary to our human minds, God doesn't send anybody to hell, that is ultimately our choice. Today, if you hear His voice, turn from your sin, repent, and follow hard after Him.

Just a few passages of scripture to support my thoughts.

Psalm 139: 13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 2:10; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:1; Romans 5:6;8; Psalm 139: 17-18; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:12; John 14:6; Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 139:17-18; Hebrews 3:15; Revelation 2:5

Mother's Day~

Mother's Day is always a day that I am extra sensitive to others.  While I celebrate, cherish, and am thankful for my mother and her importance in my life, am forever thankful and amazed at the blessing of being a mother to my four sons who love me so, I have many family and friends near and dear to me who have varying emotions around this "celebratory" day.  There are those who have lost their mother within the past year, or years past that sill holds a huge void in their hearts and lives.  There are mother's who have lost children in the womb.  Mother's who have lost their children from birth to adulthood unexpectedly and from short and long-term sickness.  Those who want so desperately to have a child of their own and have not been able to conceive.  Those who made decisions that they still regret (who I pray know God's forgiveness, and can learn to forgive themselves).  There are those who don't have good relationships with their mothers, or children who despise their mothers.  Mother's Day holds different emotions for each person.  I pray for all of my friends and family this day in all areas of motherhood.  May the Lord surround each individual and bring comfort, joy, peace, and blessings.

17 days~

 17 days

April 9th 2021 my brother Danny tested positive for covid. April 26th 2021 he breathed his last. 

17 days

My family had no idea that this would be the outcome! It has made me think a lot about life, James says, "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14b).

17 days

Do you have any unresolved family conflict? Settle it now! You do not want to live with the regret that you didn't make things right.

17 days

Is your house full of meaningless stuff? Simplify.

17 days

Connect with your family. Don't neglect an opportunity to tell them you love them. Give an extra hug. Share the hope of Jesus.

17 days

If we knew our days were numbered, I believe we would live differently, and focus on what... more importantly, who... matters, and not so much on making our house look a certain way, or fill it with things. 

17 days

While we may have more than 17 days, we very well may have less. Our days ARE numbered. Make the most of every single one. We are but a vapor.

17 days

I miss my brother. I know he is not sad. I know he is with the One in whom he trusted, loved, shared, and served. In his passing, I have learned so much about living. ♡

Daniel Kirk Graham 

October 18, 1962 - April 26, 2021

Relationship Thoughts 11-19-2021

If you are married, please don’t ask to take a single person to lunch.  If you are married, please do not send private messages to someone of the opposite sex that is not your spouse.  If you are married, don’t write private letters and ask that they be destroyed after reading (to rid the evidence).  If you are married, don’t put yourself or a member of the opposite sex that is not your spouse in a horrible position.  If you are married, don’t pursue what is not yours.  Keep your eyes and thoughts off what is not yours.  Do not violate an innocent person because you can’t control your feelings.  If you need to go talk to someone because someone has violated you, I recommend going to someone who will actually listen, act on what you have shared, and not reward the perpetrator. 

If you are married, don't ask me to lunch alone. If you are married, don't offer me a ride alone.  If you are married, don't send me messages that your spouse can't/shouldn't see.  If you are married, BE MARRIED to YOUR spouse.  

Things might be difficult, things might be going on in both of your lives that make you believe that an extra marital affair would make things better.  BY NO MEANS will it ever do that.  Try telling your spouse why you fell in love with them in the first place.  You may just fall in love all over again.  If you are married, go and tell your spouse how much you appreciate and love them.  

If you think "you just don't understand," trust me, I do!  I am a not by choice single parent because someone I was married to couldn't keep his eyes/hands/thoughts off of another someone who was married, and couldn't keep her eyes/hands/thoughts off of someone who was married!

All Things~

I was driving to church a couple weeks ago while listening to one of the songs that we were singing.  Lyrics: You make all things work together for my future and for my good. You make all things work together for Your glory and for Your Name.  I literally broke down crying while I was driving on I97.  I KNOW that He makes all things work together for my good, but I am tired.  It feels like I have been in the boxing ring for over a year and the punches keep coming.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

This passage is so often used as a sunshine and roses passage… but is it?  The more I look at it, the more I see that regardless of good or bad, easy or hard, sunshine or rain, it is used to give us hope for the future… while the present is gloomy.  I translate it to this…

All things (miscarriage, divorce, death of a loved one, betrayal, loss of job, loss of friendships, loss of (what you thought were) friendships, infertility, a broken down vehicle, sickness, loss of a pet, house damage, etc. etc. etc.) work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

As I read the passage surrounding this verse, it gives me great hope.  One of my favorite verses in this section of scripture is verse 18. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  No matter what I am going through, nothing compares to what is coming.  It is painful now but will be worth it in the end.  He is shaping me and making me more like Himself.

Paul later writes (while in chains) that the things that happened to him turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel.  In Philippians 1:21-24 he says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

For sure, my flesh desires to depart and be with Christ and not go through the trials of this life, but I trust and know that all will work for my future good and for His glory.

Romans 8: 16-39
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Father God, thank You that You are sovereign.  Thank You that you make all things work together for my good and for Your glory.  Thank You that in the hard times You provide Your own strength for my weakness.  I love You, help me to love You more.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

America~

January 12, 2021
 
My heart is crying for America. We are so selfish and want to follow no rules. Boundaries that were established and have been in place for hundreds of years are being tossed aside. Wrong is being called right. Right is being called wrong. Just because a majority decides something is right/wrong doesn't actually make it right/wrong. There is a book I like to live my life by. An ancient book written long before our states and governments were established. It is very clear about how governments are to be run. I understand that there are many who don't believe that the book applies to them or what is going on, and many who apply it the way that best serves them. I tell you in the end you will see that this book I am talking about is what holds all of the answers to life and death. There are days, I admit, that I waver and start to lose hope, but quickly realize that my hope is not in this world and pray hard for this land that I love. Until we see our need for His authority and humble ourselves, we will continue to spiral out of control. This book that I talk about holds all of the answers.  God's breathed Word, the Bible, holds all of the answers! If you don't know Him, seek Him and you will find Him. Praying for America.

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope" (I Thessalonians 4:13).

"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth," (Philippians 2:9‭-‬10).

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves" (Romans 13:1‭-‬2).

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17).

"Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive" (Jeremiah 29:12‭-‬14).

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about the Name of Jesus! Wise men still seek Him.

There is a Wound~

There is a Wound~

There is a wound.  It isn’t a wound that was caused by you, but a choice that someone else made that has harmed you.  A wound that is open and festering at the present time. The wound will close in time. 

A scab will begin to form and periodically the one who caused the wound will rip the scab off by continued negative actions.  Sometimes you will pick at the scab yourself.  Wanting to reach out to the person(s) who harmed you is picking at the scab.  Wanting them to know how they hurt you is picking.  Reaching out to those people and giving them what for is picking.  Nothing you say to make them see is going to change the hurt, and likely won’t make things better for you.  You have the choice to pick at the scab or let it scar. 

The wound will not heal properly if you don’t care for it.  You can’t leave the wound exposed to dirt and germs.  This will cause nasty infection and more harm.  It is going to need to be cleaned out, and to do it properly, it is going to sting very much!  But… is a necessary step in proper healing.

After cleaning the wound, applying antibiotic ointment is a good idea.  It is both preventative and is soothing to the festering wound.  Once the ointment is put on the wound must be covered with clean bandages.  It may be necessary to change the bandages and retreat as the wound begins to heal.  And sometimes it may be necessary to allow others to help change the bandages and apply the ointment.  Let them.  God uses others to help us heal properly. 

There is a wound. 

Jesus had wounds.  His scars bring your healing.  “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). 

The antibiotic ointment is Jesus.  Applying Him to our “wounds” will start the healing process like nothing in this world.  The scar will be there always, it may even have pain associated with it at times, but when people ask you about it years from now, you can share about the healing, not the wounding.  There is so much comfort and joy in allowing God to use our pain to help others.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Father God, thank You that You care about every detail of my hurting and healing.  Thank You that in Jesus’ suffering, You have provided my healing.  He was innocent and suffered more than I will ever come close to.  Thank You that while wounded You use others to help direct me to You.  When I pick at the scabs, remind me of the treatment that I need.  Please continue to hold my hurting heart and heal me.  Use me to help others who need the comfort You provide.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.