Look around....

In John 4:35, Jesus says to look around the harvest is ripe. That is the motto per se, of our sign choir. Our goal is not to go into all corners of the earth to tell the world about Jesus. Our goal is to share His love in our community. You don't have to go far to find unsaved people who are hurting and need Jesus.

I know I am not perfect. I know God tells me every day things He wants me to work on. I am the last one to throw a stone at anyone else. I know I come across confident and put together....and I am, but I know the things God wants to perfect in me. (Why am I confessing this?) Because God uses imperfect people to reach the lost. Perfect people cannot relate to others simply because most people who need God are far from perfect. So, the more messed up you are, the more God can use you. (ha,ha, but yes) Out of the the darkest night, comes the brightest light. If you look through the Bible, God used some of the biggest sinners to do some of His best work: David, Moses, Paul. (look up their history....it will give you hope and take away all your excuses)
Think of all the mistakes you have made in your life, what you have learned from them, and try to think how God can use that to help others.

So, now, look around at those in your local area....the harvest is ripe. Think about that.....

Christmas in July

Tomorrow is July, 25, the halfway mark to Christmas. Hence, Christmas in July. I have decided to make this an unofficial holiday in my house. I played Christmas music today while I took my kiddos to school, and we sang Joy to the World. They loved it. One of my new faves is by Casting Crowns:

Oh little town of Bethlehem, Looks like another silent night

Above your deep and dreamless sleep, A giant star lights up the sky

And while you're lying in the dark, There shines an everlasting light

For the King has left His throne, And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping

For God became a man, And stepped into your world today

Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history, As a city with no room for its King

While you were sleeping, While you were sleeping

United States of America, Looks like another silent night

As we're sung to sleep by philosophies, That save the trees and kill the children

And while we're lying in the dark, There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky

For the Bridegroom has returned, And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping?

Will Jesus come again, And leave us slumbering where we lay?

America, will we go down in history, As a nation with no room for its King?

Will we be sleeping, Will we be sleeping?

I love this song! It speaks of so many things, it makes my head swim in a good way. I love the line that says we are sung to sleep by philosophies that save the trees but kill the children. Our nation is drifting away from God. Quickly, too. We need to rise up as Christians and pray harder for our nation. When Jesus comes back to get us, there will be too many people left here. Too many who think they are so smart, and think there is no God. Well, guess what? There IS an eternity, whether you believe it or not. I shudder to think of all the "good" people who think they will get into Heaven, who will not. A big surprise is coming to Hollywood too. They think if they give to charities and adopt children from Africa, and sing a song about world peace, that they are ok. Sorry, that is NOT what the Bible says. I have been praying for revival in Hollywood. It would only take one big star to change it all. Personally, I don't care who God chooses. So, I pray.

We need to get serious about loving people, and winning souls to Christ. So, think. What have you done lately to help God's cause to win people over to Him???

The Big Bang Theory

Have you ever heard of Stephen Hawking? He is a theoretical physicist and applied mathmetician at Cambridge University in Oxford, England. He was born in 1942(on Elvis' birthday, by the way) and plans to retire sometime in 2009. He has written several books, all about science. When it comes to quantum gravity and all things that are hard to understand, God gave him a wonderful mind. He has discovered all kinds of things regarding space as well. Right now, he is a quadripligic, dying of ALS. Why am I writing all this, you ask?

I read a book he wrote, called "The Theory of Everything". It is a set of speeches regarding black holes, quantum gravity, and cosmology. In his chapters on the big bang, he describes in very much detail, how he thinks it happened. It is way over my head. What I did understand is how delicate a procedure it was. The universe had to be a specific temperature for it to happen. So many things had to be just perfect for our universe to form as it did, so that it could sustain life. Hawking even made a comment one time that it pointed to a Creator, not chaos, to occur. As I read, I thought of several things:
*It takes a lot more faith to believe in the big bang, than a master Creator
*Only God could have made a universe to precisely and perfectly
*I won't rule out that God could have used a big bang to make the Earth (the precision of the facts Hawking presented were astounding) (who am I to limit how God may choose to do something?)
*The more I hear about science and its specifics, the more I don't see how scientists can deny God's existence.

In his book, Mr. Hawking comments that he does not believe in a God...well, he isn't sure if he does or not. He seems to be agnostice. Sadly, I think I will begin praying for his salvation....he is at the end of his life, and I don't want him to end up in Hell with Carl Sagan. Join me in prayer.

Think about that...

I am tired of racism.

I am so very tired of racism. I hear people complaining on the news and radio about when will it ever end. I'll tell you....when people quit using it and bringing it up. Racism will end when we stop looking at someone's outward appearance and start looking at their heart and motives instead. I am not blind or naive. I did not fall off the turnip truck yesterday and I was raised in the south.
When I was young, I used to think when all the old racist people finally died, racism would go with them. THAT was naive. I had no idea people were teaching it to their kids and trying desperately to keep it alive. I had no idea that 25 years later, race would still be used as an excuse as to why someone did not do well in life.
We have a president who, like it or not, got where he is today by hard work. No, I am NOT an Obama fan, but I give credit where it is due. He did not have government handouts. He worked hard, got a degree, and made something of his life. He did not wallow in his circumstances and whine that life is not fair. Newsflash people: life is NOT fair. Get over it. Do something about it. Quit sniveling and go out and show 'em that you CAN do it and no one is going to stop you!!

The bible says:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28

where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Colossians 3:11
This doesn't sound like God is racist to me. He does not look at our outward appearance. He loves us all the same.

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Luke 12:48

The Lord wants us to see others the way He sees them: with love. God does not believe in handouts. He wants us to love one another, to help one another, and to encourage one another.

Think about that...

Control is an Illusion

Control: to exercise influence over, to suggest or dictate the behavior of

: influence or authority over

: restraint or ability to control one's emotions

Sorry folks, but control over anything but your own actions is an illusion. The ONLY thing you can control is what you think, say and do. Period.

You cannot control your Mom, you cannot control your children, you cannot control your boss at work, and you cannot control the driver on the highway. You can control if you eat too much or exercise, or if you pray or read your Bible.

The bible says one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. Hence, my point. Self.

Psalm 19:14 says," May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you God."

Are you thinking pure thoughts? Happy, pleasant thoughts? Are you speaking life and love to others?

Think about that......

What if God said this to you...

I was minding my own business, driving home from Fuquay, when I passed a church with a sign. Now, I have passed this church many, many times before and there is always a witty saying on their sign. Today, it was not witty. It was strong.

What if God said this to you: Do not confuse motion with progress.

Heavy. Deep. Serious. In this day and age where technology allows us to seperate ourselves from each other, and we can "talk" with our friends without ever hearing their voice for days on end....God whispered this to me. Most of us would say our lives are busy. But, busy with what? Work? Night school? Church things? Kid sports? What? If you listed out all the things you do that keep you busy, how many of them teach others about Jesus or show His love to someone? How many keep you away from God or away from your family?

Think about that...

Where to begin????

God has said a lot to me yesterday. A LOT! I cannot stress that enough! I will open up and admit I am not the best parent in the world. I had a fight with my son yesterday morning. After taking both my children to school yesterday, I started to pray about what to do as a mom. I looked for verses in Proverbs to pray over my son. I was still angry about the whole thing.

Well, God waits patiently for you to ask for His help. He does not shove it at you. I read Proverbs 14:1. It says, " The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Needless to say, I began to cry. God pierced my heart with His love coming from this verse. Funny how every time I think someone else needs to change, God shows me how I need to change first.

I set out to find all the verses I could to pray over my children. Then, I found ones to pray over my husband and marriage. God showed me I was not doing ALL I could do. I was not building my house properly. My frustration was actually tearing my house down....and I was indeed, using my own hands to demolish it.

I am still going to search more verses to add to pray over my children and hubby.(I thought of one this morning on the way to school). Someone told me once a long time ago, that everytime you point a finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you.

Think about that.......

Book Review Time!!!

I am sitting at my desk, drinking my cinnamon coffee (second cup) and thinking about the terrific book I finished reading. Here is my review:

Deception by Randy Alcorn

Homicide detective, Ollie Chandler has seen and done it all. When a professor is murdered, Ollie follows the clues that lead him to his own department. The murderer could be any of his colleagues, even himself.

Haunted by the death of his wife and having no relationship with either of his daughters, Ollie struggles with why God lets evil happen. While Ollie is drawn into corruption and political tensions that threaten to destroy him, he vows to follow the truth and prove Ollie's First Law: "Things are often not what they appear."

This novel was gripping from page one. Ollie Chandler will go down in history as one of the most unique characters ever created! He says out loud what most of us think. His tainted view of the world through crime, has tainted his view of God. Two of his friends try to show Ollie that God loves him. They tell him to take a detectives look at the facts about Jesus and draw his own conclusions. By the end of the book, Ollie sees God's hand in his life, and decides he does need to check out the True facts.

I loved this book. I laughed out loud every few pages. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, Ollie would discover a new clue that would take me in a totally different direction. I never saw the end coming. What a great plot twist! Kudos, Mr. Alcorn. This is one author I would like to meet and find how Ollie Chandler was created.

If you love a good mystery, you will love Deception. Let me know what you think if you read it.

Enjoy!!

Count Your Blessings

I`m casting my cares aside
I`m leaving my past behind
I`m setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus
I`m reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there`s so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good

Today is the day
You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day
You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won`t worry about tomorrow
I`m trusting in what You say
Today is the day
(song by Lincoln Brewster)

Ok, today is cool and kind of gloomy with rain in the forecast. Are you still thanking God?
The bible says if we (His created people) don't praise Him, the rocks and trees will cry out. Can you imagine standing on the earth and listening to rocks and trees calling out praise to the Lord? Thankfully, they don't have to. I praise Him. I thank Him. I love Him. I am joyful in the many blessings He has given me...health, family, friends, work, food, clothes, car....and the list goes on forever.

There is a song from an old movie...Singing in the Rain. It is called Count Your Blessings. It speaks of counting your blessings instead of sheep when you can't sleep. When is the last time you counted your blessings?

Think about that...

Give Your Worries to God

About a month ago, my pastor spoke on giving your worries to God. That God cannot do anything without faith, and if we still have hold of our worries, God's hands are tied. At the end of the service, he had us all pray together. We each told God about something we were worrying about, and we let it go.

I have a ministry at my church. It is a small, but very dedicated group. God uses us to minister to our own church as well as other churches where we perform. I told God I was worried that our group was not growing like I thought it should. Then again, who am I to presume how quickly God wanted it to grow? I gave this thought over to God and never thought about it again. It was now God's problem, not mine.

As soon as I took MY hands off of it, within two months I had members of our group tell me there were new people interested. I was enlightened. God reminded me of my prayer and how I was obedient to Him. Once I obeyed, God could "do His thang". Boy, did He.

At our informationl meeting for new people, our group went from 4 to 9!! We more than doubled. Sometimes God needs us to just step out of the way.

Do you have a worry that you are holding on to? Try giving it to God and NOT thinking about it again. Maybe He is waiting for you to let go.

Think about that....

Independance Day

We all know why we have 4th of July, right? We celebrate our independance as our own country, and that we are no longer controlled by England. (I won't say who I think is controlling our country now...another time)

Thankfully, our founding fathers had vision and courage. I believe these are things severely lacking in our government today. (sorry, not going down that road)

As I was watching fireworks this weekend, my mind wondered to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. My family has been adopting soldiers for three years now. We apply for one, write letters and send care packages until they go home, then we apply for another one. We pray for that soldier, and try to be encouraging to them.

I know these men and women risk their lives everyday. Personally, I don't care if you agree with the war or not. As an American, you are required to support the people over there defending our freedoms. Regardless of why you THINK they are there, the reason is we were attacked on our own land. We lost thousands of people in Pennsylvania, DC, and New York. We are not just going to stand by and accept it.

There are many soldiers who could use some love and moral support. If you are interested in adopting one soldier, several, or a whole platoon, go to adoptaplatoon.org. The soldiers over there appreciate anything you do. They love letters and packages. As my new soldier told me, "It means a lot to know people still care about us soldiers." Now, how sad it that? They have to wonder if we still care? Shame on the people who make these men and women feel this way!!

Think about that...

Make Up Your Mind

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Rev 3:16

Ok, God wants us to be for Him or not. No sitting on the fence. Do you notice yourself being one way with one set of friends, and another way with different friends? Then you are lukewarm. Not a good place to be.

Either you are a Christian or you aren't. You can't cuss and swear and drink with work people, and then be holy and reverent at church. Make up your mind. You can't have a fish on your car and then drive too fast, cutting people off, and flipping them the bird. If you do, take the fish off. You are ruining my reputation!!

If you have a Facebook page, what message are you sending? I see people I know with flair that have Jesus on one line, and cuss words and ugly stuff on the next. Shame on you. Make up your mind!

Now, mistakes are one thing. We all mess up and have to ask God (and sometimes other people) to forgive us so we can start over. But, God can't use you if you are on the fence.


This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this timeI
'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life'

Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"
(song by Matthew West)

Think about that....

Hannah Montana

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;It shall rejoice in His salvation
Psalm 35:9

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17



Ok, I could go on for days with all the scripture that talks about joy. The bottom line is that joy does not come from money, things, or fame. This is what Miley Cyrus learned in her new movie called Hannah Montana: the Movie.



I took my 6 year old daughter to see this movie last night. We both loved it. But as Miley's character learned, happiness comes from things in life that are not things. Now, this movie is not about Jesus. No. But, it does have morals and values. There was no sex. No ugly words. No gyrating of lower body parts. It was clean and funny.



The plot of the movie was that Miley/Hannah had gotten caught up in the "wordly" side of her fame and it was changing her on the inside. Her dad took her "home" to Tennessee where she could reconnect to her family and her roots. She discovered there what joy really meant...and she realized money and fame really was an illusion.



A wise man once told me, "If you are not happy before the money, you won't be happy with the money." It is true. Think about all the lottery winners who, in three years, are right back where they started. Now, it may have to do with poverty mentality. (that is another story another time) But, buying things will not bring joy to you. Buying things will only clutter up your house. At the end of the day, things will be the same. (think of Michael Jackson)(sad)



God wants us to get joy from Him. From His word and seeking His face. And from the blessings He gives us...which are usually not things. Have you counted your blessings lately and thanked Him for them? Why not?



Think about that.