Happy Valentines Day -- a perspecitve and prayer!

Today can be one of the most oppressing and awful days -- for many.
Today  - as I scrolled FB this am, I saw many hearts -- hurting.  
Today can make  grown women weep -- for the entire day.
Today can bring such sadness and loss.....

  However, today can be a day in which....  You totally allow Jesus to be the BEST Valentine in your world. 

Today can be the day in which....YOU allow HIM to fill that hole.... fill that space... fill YOU!

Lord...

I pray right now for the ones hurting -- that have lost a husband....lost a boyfriend...lost a son... or a daughter.....

Lord, I pray for the ones right now that don't believe they will be around for the next Valentines Day as they are facing a big crisis... or physical hurt or disease that has changed them....

Lord, I pray for the wives who have loved.... are waiting... and being faithful in spite of a husband who does not cherish nor love you ...

Lord, I pray for the wives who are remaining steadfast - seeking YOU for their affirmation as their husbands are knee deep in their pity, their selfishness, or their pride ...

Lord,  and I pray for those that ARE having the BEST day of their lives ....or believe they have the BEST Valentine because they got breakfast in bed.... found a card on the dresser....or had roses or something delivered for all to see yesterday -- or Friday --  

Lord,  that each and everyone of these women -- these ladies...these girls....  remember what YOU died for them...that YOU paid the ultimate price and that YOU are indeed the BEST Valentine.  

Lord, help us see  YOUR perspective -- 

Lord, help us see where  WE can be a Valentine to another -- 

Lord, help us love the lost...

Lord open our eyes -- are we so   bothered by this "holiday"?  
Lord,  open our eyes -- are we so engrossed in everyone' s  happiness?   
Lord, open our eyes -- are we enjoying the HIGH of YOU....or are we in  wonder of the God of the MOST HIGH?  

Lord, thank you for today -- thank you for the beautiful weather, the answered prayers and the knowledge that EVEN if I did not get a card....  or EVEN if there was NO breakfast in bed.....YOU were here.  YOU are here...   AS I read in Your Word today --  You are indeed a God of miracles and a God of love.  Lord, thank you for my earthly Valentine -- he is indeed perfect in You and he did make this morning special!!    As I have experienced MANY  superficial Valentine Celebrations in my 40+ years and I have had some heartfelt cards given and flowers delivered -- but nothing beats the sight of a husband deep in prayer over his bible and seeking YOU.  Lord, I thank  YOU that I am filled enough with you today -- that I know  that I do not NEED a card or flowers...  and I thank YOU that I am filled with YOU and Holy Spirit resides in me...  However Lord, my daily prayer is:   empty me of me...and continue to fill me with MORE of YOU.  You are indeed the best Valentine. 

I am unsure Lord if this wisdom comes from age... experience...or just time ...but as I pray for my own children today -- Lord, I pray their Valentine is YOU...  Lord, I pray that the circle around me and the ones that influence me and the ones I influence...see YOU... period. 

Lord,  I thank you for the healing with the one dear one....who is claiming YOUR glory, and I thank you for the answered prayers within all of the written  prayer requests /words on my heart....  YOU are indeed a mighty Lord and Father, a good good Father -- that is WHO you are.

 And I am loved by YOU -- that is WHO  YOU are...   Perfect in every way -- thank you for parting the river for me and holding all my fears with your perfect love.  YOU are indeed my Valentine today -- In YOUR special and LOVING name...Amen. 

The Consequences of Sin -- Part 2

I have had a LOT of activity today on my phone today with this blog.
Several have read the blog I posted last night and commented  and today Holy Spirit continued to remind me of various circumstances and prayer requests that are being prayed for.

Holy Spirit wasn't finished last night -- I  have to add or mention more:   

Consequences do stink.

Ok, I will state it -- consequences suck.

Triggers will come from ALL over the place.
Getting beyond the hurt....getting past those consequences and walking by faith -- is WHERE God wants us to be.

It just is.

And I realize, that you may be reading this and you are dealing with consequences that were placed upon you.  Guess what?   Jesus knows exactly how you feel.  

Every time I think ..."oh woe's me...."   I stop and imagine Christ on that Cross -- He suffered great consequences and never never never deserved it.  He suffered the consequences in spite of  His perfect life.

And perhaps the consequences you are dealing with right now are because of your previous actions or sin....so you may feel so much quilt and shame -- but that is coming from the enemy, as if Jesus is within your heart -- Jesus is NOT condemning you.  But Jesus is asking you to walk by faith and walk in a manner that shows HE is Your Lord......

It is no secret, unless you have never read my blog before,  in my own marriage we had a rough 6-10 years.  I never realized how disconnected we were - until everything fell apart.   In the wee hours of one night, the Lord gave me a vision of my husband and I renewing our vows.  ( BTW,  that has not happened as of yet and BP says it will happen at  the 30 year mark...LOL!)   However, that vision,  the prayers of my children,  and a deep knowing within me that I was to show grace and mercy -- kept me hanging on.    Period.



There was a separation.   There were very awkward weekends and months where the roller coaster of feelings and emotions kept me upside down for almost a year.  There was therapy.

There were tears.
There were sleepless nights.
There were many many many nights where I just held my bible on my chest and prayed the Rapture would happen while I slept.

But....   There was intense prayer.

And,   many nights when I felt like quitting,  God would speak through His Word or another and remind me of WHAT God had asked me to do -- wait.

Consequently, a miracle occurred and we did survive and now -- we thrive.

 Our marriage is not what is was before and it is not 'better'...it is different.  Truly now, Christ is the center and each of us are sinners, saved by grace ....seeking forgiveness constantly  and placing the needs of  others before ourselves.    But...it took time.

It took walking through those consequences in a godly manner.
It took trusting God was fighting for me and for us.
It took believing that what I was seeing ...at the moment...was NOT what would come into fruition.

It took faith.
It took forgiveness.
Daily forgiveness.
Daily  -- the renewal of my mind WITH God's Word -- not FB or what my friends prayed over me. 

Bottom line....   it was Jesus and me.
Bottom Line -- God was MORE interested in MY internal relationship with HIM...than He was with the external.

Bottom Line..  God was MORE interested in MY internal rather than the external.
Bottom Line... IS God more interested in YOUR internal rather than  YOUR external?

This is where -- I had to add part 2... because I believe several read my post last night and thought...
But ... she does not get 'my circumstance' and 'my situation is different and worse'.....

So, I am speaking now to the one who is still struggling with the consequences she is dealing with at the moment ....


Bottom Line -- has Jesus forgiven you?  
Is your sin "less" than the sin that occurred so this consequence is at hand?   
 Did Jesus die on  that Cross for you?   
Do you wish to place Him there again ...?  As if the one time He went was not GOOD enough?  
Jesus paid that price for all sin...   past, present,  and future.  

Beloved, I know that I know it hurts...and it sucks....and it is NOT fun...but -- WHAT is Jesus asking you to do?  
Will you stand before God and tell HIM..."nope...no way -- there is NO way that I could forgive that!" 
Will you stand before God and tell HIM.."do you realize HOW hard it was and how HURT I am?" 

Beloved, what will He say -- 
Lord, I pray that this extra blog post will remind her -- that no matter what -- she will love you, forgive the consequence and learn the best way to walk through this and get beyond it.  Lord, I pray she seeks YOU in every situation and then open Your Word and begin to use Your Word as  part of the armor that is going ON!   In Jesus name, Amen. 

Proverbs 29.18 

If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves: But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. 

Are you praying?

-->

This blog post is from Beth Moore -- she posted this back in February of last year.   I  posted it and reposted it and read it over and over....  

We must pray -- 

If you don't  spend time in prayer -- perhaps this post will help you see the urgency.  

  From Beth Moore:  

 
The word setting fire to my heart this moment is Colossians 4:2 –
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Nothing is going to sound new or fresh in what I’m about to say because we’ve all heard it over and over again but sometimes it’s a timing thing. 

In other words, we’ve heard something a million times but all the sudden, with explanations known to God alone, the thing clicks and the breakthrough comes.
Here goes:

WE’VE GOT TO PRAY.
WE’VE GOT TO BECOME PEOPLE OF PRAYER.
WE’VE GOT TO PRESS IN MUCH FURTHER AND BELIEVE GOD TO BE MUCH BIGGER.
WE’VE GOT TO CEASE LETTING PRAYER BE OUR WEAKEST SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE.
WE’VE GOT TO STEP IT UP AND WIELD THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT IN RELENTLESS INTERCESSION.
WE’VE GOT TO GO FURTHER THAN WE’VE GONE BEFORE IN PRAYER. PRESS HARDER. THINK HIGHER. DIG OUR KNEES IN DEEPER.



WE WILL NOT LIVE BOLDER THAN WE PRAY.


THERE ARE PARTS OF OUR CALLINGS, WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND DEFEATS OF THE DARKNESS THAT WILL COME NO OTHER WAY THAN FURIOUS, FERVENT, FAITH-FILLED, UNCEASING PRAYER.



It’s time we quit falling asleep in prayer. 

It’s time we quit practicing a prayer routine that bores us to tears. 

It’s time our quiet times ceased to be quiet. 

There are battles to be won. Works to be done. The kinds which only come through prayer, prayer, and more prayer.

It’s time we quit depending on someone else to do it for us. 
It’s time for each of us to see in the mirror one of the most powerful people of prayer we may ever meet.

 
It’s time we prayed like we believed the risen Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, was right in our very presence. Because He is.
This is what Colossians 4:2 says:
Continue steadfastly in prayer. 

Don’t give up several days in.
Don’t get all whiny.
Don’t get all offended because God doesn’t appear to answer right away.
Persevere.
Keep praying.
Keep believing.



There are muscles God means to strengthen. It’s about the means as much as the end.
Did God clearly promise in His Word what you are asking for? Then do not shrink back.
Or is there a precedent in Scripture for what you’re asking in prayer? Then keep telling Him what it is, asking Him if He’d be glorified in granting your request and, if not, to remove or quiet your desire.
Persist. That’s what Luke 11:5-10 and 18:1-8 are all about.

We are warriors. Victors. More than over comers. Bloody and bruised, we still get back up. Lip busted, we open back up our mouths – this time the louder – and call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised and so shall we be saved from our enemies. (Psalm 18:3)

Being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 

This is key. We’ve got to keep our eyes wide open.


We can close our eyes during prayer if we need to but then, for crying out loud, let’s get those things open and let God see the whites of our eyes, ready and watchful. Let’s expect something, for Heaven’s sake. Jesus promised us in John 5:17 that God is always at work.

When we get a glimpse of His activity or the slightest hint of answered prayer, let’s thank Him for it right then and there. For instance, have you been praying for someone dear to you to be set free from an area of tremendous bondage? While you wait for the huge breakthrough, can you see any glimpses that God is at work? Then thank Him for it. Applaud Him. Like Elijah who knew it was going to rain the moment he saw a cloud the size of a man’s fist, believe with all your heart that He who began a good work WILL be faithful to complete it.


We can be so preoccupied looking to the horizon for the huge thing that we miss the glorious mosaic of a hundred scattered pieces of answered prayer right at our feet. God is rarely up to only one thing. Our nature is to look for the big finish. His is to call us into constant and daily communion, working through every circumstance, tweaking and turning and tying and telling. He’s teaching our tongues the art of tasting in a world trained to binge.
We’re looking for the string of pearls. He’s planting one pearl here. Another pearl there. The full stretch of our lifetime is the string. We won’t see how those jewels all came together on the one strand until we study them under the light of His glorious presence. In the meantime, let’s ask God to make us alert and give us eyes to see where He’s working on the way to the divine achievement we’re longing for. And let’s respond with hearts full of gratitude and mouths full of praise.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.


The Apostle Paul’s next words represent a concept that is crucial to the well-being of our souls. Colossians 4:3 –
At the same time, pray also for us…
At the same time we are praying and watching and waiting, we will be vastly helped and blessed and connected by praying fervently for other people. 

 Intercession for others becomes a guard against the narcissism of this present culture seeping right through the screen door of our prayer closets.

 A stunning number of Christians don’t believe in praying for themselves at all. Others have global vision the length of their noses and don’t believe in praying for anyone besides themselves. The counsel of the Scriptures is to pray for others and to pray for ourselves.
But, for the love of God, PRAY.

There is no other way.
We’ve got to wake up and pray.

In Jesus’ Name.
Like those who believe He hears.

Satan wants you to quit praying. He wants you to believe God isn’t paying one whit of attention to you. That He’s moved on without you. That you don’t matter. There’s only one thing to do with that. Pray twice as much. With twice the faith. And a thousand times the thanks.
Get up and pray.

We’ve got one shot at this earthly life. Good Lord, let’s make it count.

  Amen.    I could not of said it any better...  LOL!  

Lord, that anyone reading this would see and know the urgency of prayer.

I love the line....   'quit the boring prayers'..... 

It is time to pray.

Amen.

 
Michelle 

The Consequences of Sin --

So, Holy Spirit has been speaking to me for a few days and over and over again I am reminded of a few consequences.

- I am 50 years old  in less than 2 weeks.  I wanted to wear this one dress to my birthday event,  but it is TOO tight --a consequence of NOT skipping dessert for the past 3 months.  Period.  No excuses.

- I am trying my best in school to help my 5th graders solve multiple step math problems but the students don't have a good grasp on their multiplication facts.    (Well, two students do and the other seven don't -- so there is a disconnect.)  Today's lesson of 10 minutes went almost 30 because we had to re-look at our multiplication facts and the reasonableness of the answer.   No excuses - it is hard to try and move forward to higher math problems when several won't MEMORIZE their facts.

-My child did not get her puppy fixed when she should of -- now she has puppies and a $1200 C-Section /Vet bill that has sort of put a cramp into their  financial plans.  It is what it is.

-There is a LOT of trending right now on FB and Social Media about false prophets -- quite honestly, if you don't read your bible and know what God's Word says -- you could easily be lead by a false prophet or teacher.    Period.  No excuses.

Right now...there is a mom, dealing with the consequences of her sin -- she is forgiven and redeemed but she has a child that  has learning challenges because of  her choices while she was pregnant which she must deal with each day.   

Right now... there is a young lady, dealing with the consequences of her choices -- as she sits, idle in her cell -- unable to be free and be with her children and family because of her choices.   However, she is still forgiven and redeemed by HIS blood as she calls him Lord and Savior. 

Right now... there is a woman, unable to see her children - hurting and alone with only her bible open but realizing the choices of her  boyfriend  have  placed her in this position and it is just not right nor fair.

Right now, there  is a  wife that just got word of her husband's infidelity  and she knows she must

forgive him and allow the Lord to work through this as her husband is displaying godly sorrow and repentance, but there are still consequences that have to be dealt with.    And, does she want to deal with them? 

Right now... I have the TV on in the background and it must be close to the anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, as they have been playing his last rehearsal/concert.  As a teen and young adult, I had EVERY Michael Jackson album and CD.  Interesting, as I glance over and watch the TV and hear him sing  -- the consequences of his actions, brought death.   


A variety of illustrations but I believe if you are reading this -- you get my point.
Consequences.
No one really likes the negative consequences of our choices.
A consequence could be bad credit.... all the way to an unexpected pregnancy. 
 Making a list would be hurtful --  if you are reading this and you are experiencing a time of deep pain and dealing with consequences of your own choices -- please continue to read.

If you are reading this and experiencing real pain because of the choices of another and you must deal with the consequences -- please continue to read this.

How can you deal?
How can you make sense of this?

I pray you have sought Jesus and asked forgiveness for whatever your part was -- but the consequences don't just go away.

How can you get past this?   

You can't...only through Jesus and Holy Spirit will you have the chance to survive and thrive.

Only through the love of Jesus and His everlasting touch ...will you be able to get beyond whatever it is -- that is hurting you.

   It takes a greater faith in HIM.

It takes time to work out the feelings so one can get past the hurt and dig deep and perhaps find out the why or dig deep and change.

It will take TIME digging into God's Word for yourself and reading His Word for yourself.


It will take you speaking the words out..."I forgive __________ for _______________ and Lord, I will deal with the consequence of ____________________ because You Lord, forgave me."


It won't be easy.
But...I promise the tears won't be wasted and the LOVE you will experience with the FAther --will be truly something LIFE changing and....YOU will get past this and THRIVE.

But do you want that?
Can you get past these consequences -- and see the BIGGER picture - eternity?

Lord, I pray she can.......
It will take Faith and placing her armor on, I pray she can...
It will take trusting YOU Lord,  I pray she can ...
It will take time Lord, I pray she will wait...
I pray she will fight with YOUR Word Lord.. memorize it and use it to renew her mind...  

IN JESUS name....

25 years ago --

It is almost midnight. 
25 years ago, I laid awake in my bed....contemplating the next day. 
I had gone to see the OBG-YN as I was almost 2 weeks overdue. 
After a checkup, Dr. Holstein sent me over to Martin Memorial for some medicine to see if they could soften my cervix. 
Little did I know, I would sit in a hospital bed from 1:30-9pm -- trying to see if labor would start.
Playing Go Fish with your Dad and Aunt JJ was only entertaining for about 2 of those  eight hours!  


9pm, I was cleared to go home,  but,  "be back at 7am."  There would be a baby "tomorrow". 
How could I sleep?
The drive HOME on Martin Country Grade was enough to wake the dead, or put me into labor but it never happened -- it was a gravel road then. 

So like I said...  25 years ago -- right about now -- I laid awake, thinking about the next day. 

All I knew, was that a baby was coming. 
Boy or girl? 
The sonogram had estimated the baby being 11 pounds.   I prayed.."Lord, let it be a boy - what girl can live down an 11# birth weight? ? 

Water broke at 8am. 
Pitosen  started by 8:30, she was born at 9:02pm.  A girl.  9# 13 oz. 

 ( There was a LOT of questioning as to WHY I ever got pregnant around the supper hour....!)

Her wedding day. 

A quarter of a century is passing.... 

Happy birthday Taylor -- my first born and baby girl - 25 years!

25 years ago, my parents were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and ventured on a plane and came to West Palm Beach and hopped on a Cruise Ship for the first time.  I think it was their first airplane ride too.  

 25 years ago....I was about to turn 25 and felt "old" as I had waited for a child for 3 years. 

25 years ago.... we lived in a cute apartment and I had the bedding made for you -- my Grandma did it. 

25 years ago, no one spoke about Post-Par tum Depression and yet - it hit me hard. 

25 years ago, my world changed. 

25 years ago, one moment  that time seems ---LONG --- a long time ago and then again -- it seems like maybe just a few minutes ago.

25 years .

25 years of tears...
25 years of laughter...
25 years of being your "mother's daughter with your dad's attitude"...
 25 years of prayers...
25 years of thinking outloud...
25 years of hats, headbands, and boxes and boxes of shoes...
25 years of volleyball -- no, wait -- that started when you were 8! 
25 years of reminding me of what LOVE looks like ...


25 years of being the apple of your Uncle DJ's eyes...
25 years of being the "first"  grand-child...
25 years of being a "Floridian" who secretly wanted to live in Wisconsin -- well, at least once or twice a year! 
25 -- wow! 

25 years of bible stories...church...youth group...and now -- you have your own church membership.
25 years of watching a beautiful girl, grow into a beautiful woman. 
25 years of listening -
25 years of watching -
25 years of believing -
25 years of praying -
25 years of smiling -
25 years of thinking ....of the possibilites! 

25 years of sharing my birthdate month with YOURS --
25 years of enjoying cake with you --
25 years of doing various things or going places for your birthday -- Chucky  Cheese  ( oh wait - that was HP ) , the Lake Worth Chalk Art Fest, volleyball games,  volley ball tourneys, Sea World, and Disney trips. 

 I know I know ...we faked you both out and never really took you to Disney - only rode up there, ate with Characters and then rode the Tram! 


But mostly -- 25 years of blessings. 

It was prophesied  that I would do 'much' for the Kingdom of Heaven for our Lord...but that you would DOUBLE of what I will do...   That is sort of interesting, as I am 50 in a few weeks...double you --!! 

I pray I have the opportunity to see and WATCH you do DOUBLE for HIM.....

Taylor, you are indeed HIS and I delight in the fact that now...as a married woman -- you are becoming that woman ...that woman that God intended you to be -- a woman of influence and a woman that HE uses. 

Taylor, I continue to pray for you and your husband -- that you both will grow closer to HIM...walk  with HIM and do as HE leads and directs. 

Taylor, YOU were created to delight yourself in HIM and HE will give you the desires of Your heart...  what a blessing as  a Mom...to see so much come into fruition within your life and heart. 

Taylor, it was certainly different to contact your husband and ask him 'what' he has planned for your birthday and if we could be a part of it ...or could we celebrate with you  some other time...?  How weird... ???  But...HOW natural.    Taylor, may this birthday bless you -- may the Lord, continue to protect and keep you -- may YOU seek HIM and do what he asks, as Your obedience thus far has brought forth great rewards.  I am certainly blessed to call you daughter and each time I hear "ma", I still smile. 

You are the favorite .. our favorite girl.  God so created you perfect for us. 
Your dad sends his love too --
Happy Birthday - "Ma" 

Can she really smile like that all the time?

I was asked this question the other day about another --

"I can't believe they can smile like that all the time...." 

I can. 

Yes.. I believe someone can smile all the time; if the love of Jesus is within her heart and there is peace, joy and love there.

Yes, I believe someone can smile even though the pain of losing a child hurts so deeply.

Yes, I believe someone can smile even though the marriage she tried so hard to fight for -- was lost.

Yes, I believe someone can smile even though she is  facing the end of her life as her physical body is no longer able.

Yes, I believe someone can smile even though she is in a most dangerous spot in the world -- because she  knows that she  knows...

This life is temporary.
Temporary.

It does not make it easy.  In fact, I thought about that last example - I don't live in a war torn country.  I am not threatened by ISIS on a routine basis.  Over a year ago, I had the opportunity to do a "MOCK - School lock down and MOCK emergency situation" where we pretended to have an active shooter on campus and it totally scared me...   devastated me for a few days and when the opportunity comes again to practice....I will OPT out.    I saw a person pretending to be a shooter and he came within a few feet of me and I nearly -- literally fainted in fear.  I cried uncontrollably and really felt -- there is NO way I could survive this.    I did not have a smile on my face -- but I will say this, when I closed my eyes and dug deep into my little curled up self and prayed....in my prayer language --I was able to stop screaming and crying and remind myself....HE is with me.  And there was a moment of temporary comfort.    The mock active shooter adventure was to prepare us -- it prepared alright!  
 


Temporary means --- lasting or existing on for a specific time -- not permanent.  

Our lives here are temporary. 

Born, grow, school, find a job, marry, have kids........  work,  enjoy life, retire ...  die. 

Seems simple but yet -- we make it so much more. 

It seems when one does not understand that this life is temporary --  she then  wants everything  NOW and RIGHT now. 

It seems when one does not understand this life is temporary -- her needs must be met NOW and one can't figure out how to manage ANY other way.  

It seems when one does not understand this life is temporary --  then she can't figure out why there could be smiles....in spite of the pain, troubles, or sorrow. 

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

 

God's Word reminds me to fix my eyes  --- on HIM.  

God's Word reminds me that this life is temporary.  

God's Word reminds me that HE is the God who HE says He is.  

God's Word reminds me that -- HE is God.  

 

In order to be able to smile -- we need Him.  

We need the love of Jesus. 

We need the Covering of God - Our Heavenly Father and we need Holy Spirit to comfort and teach us when we need it - daily.  

 

We need God. 

We need them.  

We need the trinity -- all 3 make up one -- it is hard to understand at times but I won't try to explain it -- as it will only make God smaller.   

 

I know this by Faith.  

Faith pleases God -- but what else Does...

 

Ah... another blog to follow....

 

- Humbled.  Thank you Lord for the FRESH word.....

Amen.   

Writer's Block

 It has been a good month  -- where only 're-purposed' or updated blogs have been shared.  Prayers were fresh....  and updates had fresh insights.....but this blogger has relied on her past posts to keep this blog alive.

It is NOT that God has not been speaking -- but, the HS just has kept me quiet and He continually drew me back to reread several blogs which I shared.  

Much has happened.   The new year came and ...it is already February. 

Stress has been creeping in - as family will travel here and we are planning a fun weekend where we celebrate the wedding/nuptials of our daughter.    Hunter started his final year of college.
ELA/FSA testing is now a reality -- March and April.
Taylor becomes a QUARTER of a Century -- her big 25th birthday is soon.
And I ....turn...50!

Ok,  I am not being vain or a baby .....but I admit - I have dreaded this for a LONG time.  I tease, make jokes but 50...?  really? 

Ya. Ya...  "50  is the new 30"... "50 is the new 40"....... Honestly, 50 is 50.
"Age is a matter of the heart".....   My heart is about to be 50 years old.  Period.

I am not exactly IN LOVE with it...but....   it is what it is.

There is this song that continues to be ON my lips......I blogged about it  just a week ago.   ( Jesus I love you by Bethel  Worship) Now, THAT was a FRESH blog -- that song 'wrecked' me.  Each time I sing it   - everyday - I believe the HS reveals more to me.

In fact...   I know that I know when I first heard it 2 Sunday's ago,  the HS used me to give a word to the congregation.  It sort of 'amazed me' when the worship leader stated - "michelle has something to say"  The HS did give me something....I could just see how our adoration and our devotion was literally pouring out on the feet of Jesus and it pleased HIM.  And as I related that to the congregation seated, I looked out and felt....  they 'wanted' that adoration and love....but it was a bit strange to them. 

But, this past Sunday when that song was opening up the heavens, I HEARD the most incredible choral group of voices...I wanted to STOP and stand up and look over my shoulders as I felt I was in a music hall...it was a heavenly choir !!  And I FELT that the people behind me singing...NOW understood what it meant to adore HIM and their singing was indeed now adoration and devotion to HIM.   And HE was pleased.     It was really sweet.   I stood there after prayer and thought..."Lord, are you going to ask me to share that? "  And God did not move me to share it publicly.  However, during the message we were challenged and asked..."what is God saying to you and WHAT are you going to do with it this week?".    So, I shared that with the Preacher and it  I know it encouraged him.

As a teacher -- when I SEE the light bulbs going off  within the brains of my students -- it is a real high!    I thought about Jesus and the great cloud of witnesses as we sang on Sunday and how...it had to of BLESSED them all to 'hear' the praise and worship and the audible adoration and devotion.


So..with that... 

I guess I don't have writer's block -- this blog is not a BIG revelation it is just another way for me to remind myself and tell others...GOD is so sweet and good.

THEN the 'cherry' of the cake or the 'cherry' on the Sundae....   was Sunday night when glory fell and we had a night of worship at my place of worship and I got to dance... yep... no judging but when the Spirit of the Lord song comes on and it says..."I 'm free"... I have to jump and sing....cause I am.


Lord, thank you for the opportunity to just vent this eve..share my heart and remind myself and I pray this reminded a few others...that YOU delight in US.
Lord,  for the several on the prayer request list I have from  the BE Inspired Event...
Lord, for the several that posted prayer requests from our Believing God study...

Lord, for the decisions that are being prayed for...
Lord, for the family that will travel..
Lord, for the RSVP's that have not transpired yet...help me to estimate correctly....
Lord, for my 50th... Lord, I pray I DO more for you in the 2nd 1/2...  than I did in the first half.....as I don't want to check out any time soon --- but... I would love to be rapture'd  up...!! LOL

Lord, for the ones needed guidance...
Lord, for the ones with loved ones who have no clue..
Lord, for the ones with loved ones that knew you once and have hardened their hearts...
Lord, for the ones those don't understand...YOU will come again..

Lord, for our faith...if it is unchallenged...it gets stifled..and I pray mine is never stifled but - indeed growing in YOU.

Lord, for the family that lost a grandpa on Sunday - for the one still fighting cancer....
Lord I thank you for every yes and amen response and I thank you for the healing for those special ones I call out daily! 
Lord, I pray for my  man -- as he continues to display Your wisdom, help me to always be his best cheerleader and to trust his judgement...
Lord, I thank you for the men and women within my classroom -- that their lives count and see YOU in ME...

And Lord, for this upcoming election  and the candidates...I trust you.
IN Jesus name....   amen.