Thanking God...Even For 30 Degree Weather

      Yes, that is right, even 30 degree weather.   When you put into perspective that I spent 3 days in sub zero temperatures, then 30 degrees sounds (and feels) really nice :) 

  I tend to be one of those people that gets caught up in the here and now, in the details of the situation....I tend to lose my overview.  When I am working outside in -15 weather, my thoughts are focused on how quickly can I move to a southern state where it will NEVER hit that temp :)...However, living/working in those conditions helps me to appreciate things that I never would have been thankful for, had not my circumstance changed.  God in His wondrous grace opens my eyes to the blessings that he surrounds me with despite my sometimes inability to see them. 

Thank You God, for 30 degrees - a temperature that doesn't bite my nose off as soon as I step outside!!  Thank You God,  that I have warm clothes (and hand/body/feet warmers) to keep me from freezing!  Thank You God, for helping me see the beauty in the things that sometimes seem not so beautiful at first.

As I look back at 2013, I am struck with the realization of how much he taught me and allowed me to experience.  So many lessons that I didn't expect...(why do I even expect certain lessons - God likes to surprise us...maybe that was a lesson in flexibility..)  God allowed me to meet so many interesting people, experience new places and cultivate friendships both new and old that have become very special to my heart.

So as I think about the blessings found in 30 degree weather, I have to ask myself, how many other blessings did God have to show me by bringing me through a "hardship"?

Hmmm...maybe it was the "hardship" of losing a friendship that helped me see the blessings in other friendships.   Maybe it was the "hardship" of seeing other people having to go through a painful lesson and thanking God that I could learn through their experience rather then having to experience it myself.  Maybe it was having to hit rock bottom in my relationship with my Heavenly Father, that helped me realize that all that really mattered was pleasing Him and HIM ALONE...fulfilling His expectations of me - not the worlds, not the churches, not friends or even family - Only HIM!

Maybe???  God doesn't use "maybe's" He has a purpose in every word, every touch, every smile, every sunrise and every rain cloud...every 30 degree day. 

So...  Thank You God, for my 2013.  For the ups and the downs.  For the lessons and the blessings. 

Thank You for:

1. New friendships made
2. Old friendships rekindled
3. Forgiving me when I never did, will or do deserve
4. Allowing me to minister and serve in very special places...both old and new experiences - helping with VBS, volunteering at the Wilds of New England, working at Manor Gospel Fellowship in NYC on the building and with the food pantry,  helping with Operation Christmas Child at Samaritan's Purse in NC,  serving at church, helping with homeschooling my fantastic cousins and so much more!
5. The wonderful Bible Studies He has allowed me to participate in this year.
6. Giving me incredible opportunities to ride horses and learn so much at the barn!
7. Wonderful memories made this year


I hope you also have had a wonderful year filled with blessings and lessons!   May the New Year bring new lessons, mature our faith as believers and be filled with new, God lead, opportunities!

 

The "Little" Things 9/11 Post

As you might remember, the head of a company survived 9/11  because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was His turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her Alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike Because of an auto accident.



One of them Missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take Time to change.

One's Car wouldn't start.

One couldn't Get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man Who put on a new pair of shoes that  morning,

Took the various means to get to work  but before he got there, he developed

a blister on his foot.  He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.


Now when I am

Stuck in traffic , Miss an elevator, Turn back to answer a ringing telephone ... All the little things that annoy me.

I think to myself,

This is exactly where God wants me to be

At this very moment..
Next time your morning seems to be  Going wrong ,

You can't seem to find the car keys, You hit every traffic light,

Don't get mad or frustrated;
It May be just that

God is at work watching over  you.

May God continue to bless you With all those annoying little things
And may you remember their possible purpose.

Hello Friends,

I know it has been a long time since my last post and I'm sorry for that.  However, sometimes life seems to fly by and this past year has been a roller coaster of spiritual, emotional, physical and mental rides :p  I can now say they have all been for a purpose (although I don't think I'm done with them :]).   I may not know why God has worked these different things in my life, but I can trust they are for His glory and that is why I am here.

The echo of my heart this morning is found in the following song.  I heard it for the first time this summer at The Wilds of New England and it is has stuck with me since then.  I know you can't here the music that goes with it, but the words are so beautiful in themselves that I think you will be blessed just by reading them :)

Settled At The Cross by Cliff Duren

 How I love to read the book You wrote for me
You loved the world so much You gave Your Son
Written there in crimson, You told me I'm forgiven
It is done, it is done

chorus
So if you never speak another word of blessing
And the silence leaves me with a sense of loss
I'll remember when my heart begins to question
Any doubt that You loved me
Was settled at the cross

I would be the first to admit I don't deserve
The kind of favor You have always shown
But You don't have to tell me
You proved how much You loved me
And I'll know, I'll still know

That If you never speak another word of blessing
And the silence leaves me with a sense of loss
I'll remember when my heart begins to question
Any doubt that you loved me
Was settled at the cross

Every drop of mercy
Every breath forgave
Every drop of blood
Testifies of grace!

If You never speak another word of blessing
And the silence leaves me with a sense of loss
I'll remember when my heart begins to question
Any doubt that you loved me
Was settled at the cross

Any doubt that you loved me
Was settled at the cross.



What Makes Him Smile?

None of us can help everyone. 

But all of us can help someone. 

And when we help them, we serve Jesus.

-Max Lucado

The little things you do...

the sacrifices you make...

may not always be noticed by others-

but God sees every one of them and smiles.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23,24

Always Pray

Always pray to have eyes

 that see the best in people,

 a heart that forgives 

the worst, 

mind that forgets the bad 

and 

a soul that never loses faith in God.

Truth....

I read these two quotes today, in the book "The Coming Revolution" by Dr. Richard G. Lee.

As soon as I read them I jumped up from my bed and ran to my computer! So without further ado, here they are :}

"A nation or culture can not endure for very long unless it is undergirded by common values such as valor, public spiritedness, respect for others and for the law; it cannot stand unless it is populated by people who will act on motives superior to their own immediate interests." ~ Charles Colson

"The American ideals of freedom and individual rights, charity, duty, honesty, and love for others are, above all, religious beliefs.  Even though America is less visibly a religious nation today than it was a century ago, it is the depth and strength of the foundations laid down by our Christian forebears that have allowed us to thrive in the twentieth and twenty-first centruries.  And even with all our struggles and doubts, we are still living on the dividends of that investment." ~ Dr. Richard G. Lee