The Lost Necklace

I have a necklace that my husband gave me about ten years ago for Christmas.  I was very surprised and of course I loved the necklace.   The necklace has a gold chain and a heart with diamonds that lit up my heart the first time I saw it.  It was the perfect gift!

I was very dismayed several months ago when I opened up the necklace box to get my necklace only to find that the necklace was not in the box.  My necklace was gone.  I looked everywhere but could not find it. It apparently was lost.  I felt terrible but life went on.  Every once in a while I would glance at that empty box and fill the loss.  It would renew my resolve to find my necklace.

I finally, after many months of search decided that it was no use and that my necklace was lost forever.  This past Friday night my daughter was getting ready for her winter ball and decided that she needed gold jewelry around her neck.  I went to my room and started going through my jewelry box when something shiny caught my eye.  It was my necklace!!  It was found and it was found in a place that I had already looked for it.  (no my daughter did not get to wear it)   Just like that my world changed, my necklace had been lost but was now found!!  I was thrilled!

Just like that your world can change!  My Savior came to find the lost.  You can be found, even if you are hiding where you think that no one will ever find you, you can be found!  Jesus came just for you and for me! He will light your heart!  He is the perfect gift that you have been waiting for.  He might even find you in a place that He has already looked. Will you be found?  How about today?

Make this the best Christmas ever, let Jesus find you!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

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 NKJV

John 3:16-17

New King James Version (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

The Silly Things that I Sometimes Do

The other day I did something really silly.  I know that  I am allergic to honey.  I know that if I eat honey I am going to itch and possible get a rash.  I just love honey so much I could not contain myself.  I decided that maybe just this one time I would not itch.

I poured just a little bit of honey on my plate and dipped my sopapilla into it.  Oh my it tasted so good I dipped it one more time, than just once more.  It was not long before I was regretting my silly decision to eat that honey.  I was itching and my lips felt very heavy and tight.  I knew better but I thought just this one time won't hurt.

As I reflected on my silly act I thought this it was just like sin. Sin is just like honey.  It taste so good!  It won't hurt just one time!  Nothing will happen just this one time but it does.  There are always regrets after sin.  There is always some itching and discomfort as you realize that sin does affect you.  Sin does hurt and it is silly to think that there will not be consequences.

I have to turn that sin over to my Lord.  I have to have His help so that I am not dipping into sin, just one more time.  The Holy Spirit woos and convicts me and keeps me itching and feeling heavy until I give that sin up again.  He will forgive and take away the itching.

What about you?  Do you keep dipping into the honey?

Psalm 103:11-12

New King James Version (NKJV)

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

The Strangest Thing

Yesterday the strangest thing happened.  I was driving east on Randolph which is a street in the town where I live. It is a two lane road with grass on either side of the road.  I noticed that the cars in front of me were slowing down and coming to a stop.  I couldn't figure out what was going on until I saw the strangest thing. There was a car heading west but it was not in the west bound lane.  This car was on the grass on the south side of the road.  The person driving this car looked like a wild man and was driving at a very fast speed.  

I was shocked as the car sped by me on the side of the road, still on the wrong side of the road.  I knew that if it came back onto the road that someone would be hurt.  I was in a line of about ten cars that just sat there for several minutes and we were probably all wondering what to do.  I looked in my rear view mirror and could see the dust flying as the car was still going the wrong way.

I could see in the mirror that a red pickup had pulled off the road.  I am not sure if that car clipped him or if he just pulled off to call the police.  I was reaching to pick up my phone when I saw flashing lights and heard sirens.  I wondered what on earth was wrong with that person.  Was he drunk or high on drugs?  How on earth did he get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road?

It made me realize that sometimes I get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road. It's not because I am drunk or high.  It's not because I am a wild person. (Well not too often)

It is because I have gotten off course.  I have forgotten which direction I should be headed.  

It is not sirens and flashing lights that direct me back to the right side of this road.  It is the prick of a still small voice telling me that I am headed the wrong way. It keeps me from getting hurt.  It reminds of the way, the truth and the light and of what Christ has done for me.  Did you know that Christ did the strangest thing? He left the comfort of heaven to be born a baby in a stable and to die on the cross.  He died and rose again for me and for you! 

If you are headed down the wrong side on the road, He is waiting with all the right directions!

Luke 2:10-12

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher ofour faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Have a Great Thanksgiving!!!

Don't forget to give Thanks today!!  God is good all the time and He supplies all our needs!!  I hope that you guys have a wonderful day full of love and thanks!!

I love the word thanksgiving.  It reminds me to always give thanks and always be more giving!



Oh, give thanks to theLord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds 
among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16:8NKJV

Have you met an atheist?

I had the privilege today to meet an atheist.   The atheist didn't have horns or fangs.  The atheist didn't have a secret wish to kill me.  The atheist seemed fairly normal until the conversation turned to God and Christians. Until that point in time I had no idea that this person was an atheist.

This person used to think that there was a God and a Savior but not anymore. This person stated that it was through reading the Bible that lead to the decision that there is no God. It is the belief of this person that everybody is deceived and that when the end of life comes the dying person's body will be recycled.  I was told to read the Bible and I would discover the truth.  The truth that there is no God.

I spoke to this person and I tried to tell of Jesus and God but to no avail.  I tried to speak of God's grace and of feeling God in my life, even the times of feeling Him so close that I could feel His breath.  My words fell on unbelieving ears.  I was told that was just my gut speaking.

If this person should somehow happen to discover my blog I would like to tell that person; my gut tells me that Jesus died on the cross for me and for you.  My gut tells me that my body may be recycled back to dust (until rapture) but my soul will meet Jesus.  My gut tells me that the more that I read the Bible the more that I know my Lord and Savior. My gut tells me that I will live in heaven forever with my Lord.  My gut tells me that those that don't accept this free gift will not be in heaven but in hell.

My prayer for this atheist is that the truth will be found!  The truth of Jesus!

John 12:46-48

New King James Version (NKJV)

46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe,[a] I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

Do you have the gift?

                               
                                                               

My granddaughter got a pair of cowgirl boots for her birthday.  She loves them.  Every time that I saw her, after that, she had on those boots.  She was proud of them and showed them off to those that would look. She was eager to tell others about those new boots.  They were a gift.

It is now several weeks later and she still wears the boots but not everyday.  She still loves them but the new is wearing off.  I have seen her wearing other shoes.  The newness of her gift is wearing off.  They always will be a gift and the boots are still there waiting for the next time to be worn.

It reminded me of a time when I was young and I received a gift.  I was so proud of that gift and I told everybody about it.  If someone ask about the gift I was very eager to tell about it.  It wasn't long before the new wore off though and I didn't talk about the gift as often.  Now I still loved the gift but it wasn't always first in my life.  I went back to it when needed but sometimes I shelved it for way to long.

That gift was Jesus.  He was always there even when I forgot about the newness of the gift.  He was always there when I put Him on the shelf.  He was there waiting to be worn again.

My pray is that He will always be new in my life!  My prayer is that I will always long to tell of His sacrifice and His gift to me.   His gift is available for all!

Do you have the gift?

Romans 6:22-23

New King James Version (NKJV)

22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New Book is AVAILABLE on Amazon!!

 


This is what the cover looks like.  I have chosen 52 of your favorite postings!!  It is available in book form(paper back) and kindle on amazon!  For those of you willing I would love for you to leave reviews on amazon!!  I do have a few coming and will order more in the near future!

Also don't forget I have the two children's books available on amazon, any book store, many online outlets and through me!

Spread the word!!  Thanks for all the prayers and support!!!

The Journey Continues:A quick update

You know that something good is happening if I don't post about a visit to the cancer Doctor until almost a week later!!  Richard does not have to go back again for two months.  The blood work was great!!  The Dr. did say that another pet scan would be done in four months.  Richard seems to be gaining more strength every day.  He has those days still thrown in but is doing really good after his battle of four year!!  Thanks for the prayers and the continued prayers!!  You guys are fantastic!

Psalm 68:35

New International Version (NIV)

35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
    the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!

What will you do today?

This is a new day!  What are you going to do today??  Do you have a routine?  Do you live for yourself and your desires? I think we all do but what about today?  What about tomorrow?

I want to live for God!  I want to do His will!  I will fail but today and each day I can start over.  Today I want to do what God wants me to do.  I want to seek Him out and listen to His voice. Will my actions always show this?  No but I want others to know that I love my Lord with all my heart.  I want you to know that God loves you too.  He wants you!!

What will you do today?  Will you accept my Lord?

John 3:16-17

New King James Version (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 14:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The Sun

This morning after I had written about bullies, it was time to take my daughter to school.  On the way to school I noticed that it seemed still quite dark and that there were quite a few clouds.  I even mentioned this to my daughter that the clouds seemed dark.  I dropped her at school and headed toward work.

On my way to work from her school there is a point that I turn to the east.  This morning when I turned east I saw the sun peeking over the horizon.  It was spreading it's marvelous colors across the sky when I noticed that the clouds closest to the sun had taken on the color of the sun.  You could still see the dark of the cloud underneath but the brilliant hues of the sun made a magnificent picture.

That is when the truth hit me.  The trouble with this world is that it can not see the colors of the Son!  The world looks to feed selfish desire and greed.  The world does not care who gets hurt as long as it gets it's way.  The world does not want to take on the colors of the Son.  It prefers the darkness.

What about you?  What do you prefer?

Ephesians 6:12

New King James Version (NKJV)

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1 John 2:11

New King James Version (NKJV)

11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

2 Corinthians 4:5-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to givethe light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

My rant for the day

I can't not believe all the children that are killing or hurting themselves because of bullying.  Further more I can not believe the parents that are letting their children be bullies!!  What is up with that???  If I thought my children were being mean or bullying someone they were in BIG time trouble!

How can a parent excuse a child that writes on another child's face book after she committed suicide that they are glad she killed herself?  Where are the morals?  Where are the boundaries?  I think the parents should be charged also!  This world is nuts when it is okay for children and adults to torment others to the point that they don't want to be on this world anymore?

What is wrong with people!  It seems they only follow their own evil desires!

What if this happened to their children?  What if this happened to your child??

Matthew 19:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

1 John 3:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God![a] Therefore the world does not know us,[b] because it did not know Him.

The Woman's Conference at Tulsa

The Woman's Conference was wonderful.  It was full of worship, reading the Bible and praise.  I also got to know some women better as we opened up and shared our lives with each other.  One of the women talked about a time in her life when she first met and dated her husband.  She thought their first date was perfect and he thought it was a disaster.  She didn't have to say much and he talked a lot.  She liked that.  They eventually married and she thought at that time that they were pretty much the opposite of each other.  Now, though after thirty years of marriage, she feels like they are very much alike in many ways.  The years of growing and knowing each other have brought them to the point of being more alike than being opposite.

I started thinking about my walk with God and wondered if I have grown more like God or am I still asserting my way.   Are my thoughts like His or more like the world's.  Do I reach out to others or do I do my own thing?  Does God's light shine through me or am I dull with sin and pride?  I hope that after 43 years of a relationship with my God and Savior that each day I become more like Him!

What shines through you?  The world or a Savior?

2 Corinthians 4:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The teenage years

I have already had three teenagers go through my life and the fourth one is on the path of teenager right now. This teenager can be bullheaded, give me my way or the highway but can be so sweet, lovable and adorable.  I think it is a split personality. I guess that is just a teenage.  I do remember the adoring I love you looks and the I want to please you most of the time from the younger years but those years have faded into teenage chaos.

This teenager still needs me but is growing to be more and more independent.  When there is trouble this teenager just like the others will come to me or dad for help.  I know that this is a short period of time that will eventually pass and the teenager will become almost normal again.

Do you remember when you first came to know Jesus?  Do you remember not being able to get enough of Him and His word?  Did you love to spend time with Him and relish being in the company of other Christians?  Have you become like a teenager?  Are you always right no matter what you read in the Bible?  Do you ignore the wooing of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus is better than parents. He is always right and He is always there.  He is waiting for you turn back to Him and leave those teenage years behind.  Nothing will keep us from the love of God.  Not even the teenage years.

Romans 8:39

New King James Version (NKJV)

39 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.

Brantley Jacob's Journey Continues

I had written about Brantley and his journey not long after he was born but that was over a year ago and he has grown and is strong and trying to be a typical one year old despite his leg.  If you have not read his story you can read about it in my post The Journey of Brantley Jacobs.  You can also read about him on his facebook page "Prayers Brantley Jacobs".  He is going to have his leg amputated in the very near future and he and his family need many, many prayers.  There are also so much extra expenses.  There are some fund raisers going on at this time which you can find on his prayer page plus I will share a link where you can donate money.

http://www.gofundme.com/4c3sco

I know many of you that read my blog are prayer warriors and I know this family appreciates all the prayers for them and Brantley.

Psalm 54:2

New King James Version (NKJV)

2 Hear my prayer, O God;
Give ear to the words of my mouth.

Psalm 102:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

Hear my prayer, O Lord,
And let my cry come to You.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

On September 11, 2001 I was at work in the bank I worked for at that time working as a funds transfer person.  I and two other people were in an area that was secure and only those with a card could get in.  I didn't even know what had happened until I left that area and heard from others what was happening. It was with much horror I heard that airplanes were being used as weapons and crashed into buildings.  Many innocent lives were taken that day.  It was a day of much horror, sorrow and disbelief.  Among the terror and fear there were many people that became a hero.  They tried to not leave anybody behind.  America woke up that morning normal and went to bed wounded and bleeding.  The scars are still there today.  It is a day that I will never forget!  It was an attack on my country.

Satin is like that.  He uses things and circumstances to try to change us.  He wants to horrify us and put fear into out hearts and minds.  Satin is always on attack!  He wants us to stay wounded and bleeding but just as the United States recovered and have plans in place to try to prevent more attacks on our land Christians have a guide and comfort.  It is God.  NO matter what satin throws our way he is there! He is the way, the truth and the light!
He is my Hero!

Who is your hero?

John 14:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Psalm 121:1-2

New King James Version (NKJV)

God the Help of Those Who Seek Him

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

What is inside your food and your heart?

                                                 


The other day I saw on the news that a young boy had eaten a doughnut and ended up in the hospital.  There apparently were things in the doughnut that should not be.  I have also heard this about cookies bought from a major fast food place.  It does seem like there are many stories out there about people finding things inside their food that should not be there.  Some of the things in food that I have heard about or have seen on the news are metal, glass, worms and many other things.  I do love doughnuts and cookies but the next time I take a bite I might be a little more careful and look before I eat.


 There are apparently things in my heart that should not be there.  They are there because I forget to look at what I am consuming in my everyday life.  I have let emotions, circumstances and people affect me and end up with metal, glass and worms in the middle of my heart.  I have to be careful and look to Jesus before I digest the daily grind of life.  Sometimes something that looks as normal as a doughnut could cause my heart to be full of the wrong things.  I have to give the doughnuts of life to Him daily.

What is in the middle of your heart?

                                   

Psalm 51:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

The Journey Continues:It Sounds Like---------

REMISSION!!  Richard said the Doctor did not say remission but this is what he said.  The doctor said that there is not anything unusual on the pet scan and to me that sounds like REMISSION!!!  He does not have to see the doctor again for two months but might have to do the IVIG infusions if his immunoglobin counts are still down.  When Richard and I walked out to the car it just seemed unreal but it is real!!! WHOO HOO!!!

Thank-you so much for all the prayers but keep them coming!!!

Psalm 95:2

New King James Version (NKJV)

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

The Journey Continues:Appointment today

Just a few lines to let you know that today Richard will have a pet scan and we will get the results this afternoon.  He will do the pet scan early than the IVIG and the Doctor appointment in the afternoon. I have to leave him for a little bit and get to my arthritis appointment.

Thanks for all the continued prayers!!  I will try to post this evening or in the morning the results.


 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8NKJV

Is Your House Clean?

I had a party Saturday so on Thursday I started cleaning.  Than on Friday I did a little bit more but on Saturday morning I was like a Tiger tearing through the house.  I wiped, I mopped, I dusted and tried to make everything spotless. I didn't stop until I thought it was good enough.

I than became very protective.  If I saw someone eating something I was behind them sweeping up the crumbs.  If someone got a dish out I put it back up.  If someone tracked in dirt or grass I swept it away.  I have to admit that I was not very nice while trying to keep the house clean.  I might have growled just a bit.

I got to thinking that  the outside of my house, most of the time, looks better than the inside.  If I would just clean regularly than it would be so much easier to let someone come inside my house.  It would already be clean and I could relax.  I wouldn't have to worry that if the doorbell rings someone might see my dirt.  My life would be so much easier if I would just clean daily.

My Lord cleans me daily, sometimes hourly or by the minute.  He is very protective and constantly sweeps away my grime and dirt.  He doesn't wait until my soul is full of filth. He is concerned about the inside.  He doesn't have to act like a Tiger.  The Holy Spirit woos, convicts and cleans. There is no growling just a sweet, sweet spirit reminding me what I should be! 

The Savior sweeping my soul helps me to be nice and lets His beauty shines through!

What shines through you??

1 Peter 3:2-4

New International Version (NIV)

² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

My job as a telemarketer

                                                       
                                 




In the 1990's I was looking for a job that met my schedule.   My boys were still in grade school and I wanted a job that would allow me to be with them before and after school.  There were not many that offered that schedule and that is how I ended up as a telemarketer.  

I was sat up in a room with about ten to fifteen other people, told what to say, how to say it and when to say it.  I had a script to read. I remember that it was raising money for an organization but I don't remember what it was for but it was very much like the calls everybody gets that ask for donations for a worthy cause.  Now I will say that there are worthy causes and than there are the not so worthy causes.

I had been there for about eight days when I got a call that stumped me.  It was someone that had the audacity to ask me how much of the proceeds went to the cause and where the rest of the monies went to. I looked through the whole script and there was nothing in it with the answer. I went to my supervisor and he gave me such a vague answer that I was very confused.  I tried to tell the person what he had said but he didn't understand what I was trying to say and hung up.  To be honest I didn't understand what I was saying.

I went back to my supervisor for a better explanation of where and how the monies went.  He chastised me and told me that if anyone ask that question again to just transfer the call to him.  I went to lunch that day and never went back.  I called the supervisor the next morning to tell him that I could not work for a company that didn't have straight, honest answers.  I didn't like the confusion.

The devil is full of confusion.  He doesn't give honest answers.  He woos and will give a script of sin and selfishness.  He makes his script look like the easy way.  His script is full of give it to me now, dishonesty and vagueness.  He wants to keep you confused.  His script will not lead you to the answer but it will lead you straight to hell.

My God is not one of confusion.  My God's script is full of the right answers.  His script will lead you to honest answers.  His script will lead you to honesty, love and truth.  His Script might not be the easy way but it will lead you straight to heaven!

What script are you following?

1 Corinthians 14:33

New King James Version (NKJV)

33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

John 14:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Hormonicidal, kinda like homicidal! (This is a post for woman only, men read at your own risk)

Homicide means that a person has a tendency to commit homicides.  Hormonicial is kinda like homicidal.  I thought I had made up a new word but I googled it and there it was!  Hormonicidal is actually a word and means a rage that is hormone induced. So I can't say that I coined that word but I certainly understand it.

The hormone induced rage that I understand is the menstrual hormones that can get completely out of whack and make me want to smack someone.  I didn't really understand this until I reached my forties which came with very heavy, painful menstrual cycles, please take note that word starts with men.  I started longing and praying for menopause, another word that starts with men, even though menopause has it's own set of problems!  Some women and girls though start from the beginning with the heavy, painful menstrual cycles and are hormonicidal from a very young age.  I am kin to some of them.  I must confess I thought they were nuts until I experienced it.  My husband has had the unfortunate experience to have encountered the I am going to kill you look and learned to go to the golf course, fishing or anywhere except in the presence of his very own hormonicidal woman.  For some reason the womanly things that happen to women but start with man or men just seemed to make me even more hormonicidal. :)

I had a doctor who put me on pills in my forties that kept me cool, calm and sane for the most part. Those pills kept me livable for at least a decade but now for some reason they think that I am too old to take those pills.  They thought that I had probably went through MENopause.  Unfortunately I have not and I have caught myself thinking those hormonicidal thoughts again!

Matthew 9:19-22

New King James Version (NKJV)

19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said,“Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

Most of the teachings about this passage believe that this was menstrual bleeding.  I wonder if she had that hormone induced rage?  Whether she did or not I do know that she went to the right place for healing.  She went to the Lord with her problem and she was healed!

That is where I need to take my hormonicidal problem.  I need to reach out and touch the hem of His garment!   He is the One that is my help in distress, even hormonal distress. He is Jehovah Rapha!!

The lepers among us

A week ago Sunday in the fifth grade Sunday School class the lesson was on the group of lepers that approached  Jesus.  They came to Jesus for healing and He healed them.

Luke 17:11-19

New King James Version (NKJV)

Ten Lepers Cleansed

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.

At this time in history, lepers were kept in colonies away from others and skin lesions were one of the signs of leprosy.  Jesus had mercy on them and healed them!

The lesson reminded me of a time when my skin was covered with sores and flaking from the effects of psoriasis'.  I was in a store at a mall in Oklahoma City and I had a feeling that someone was watching me.  Than I saw that someone was following me.  I walked out of the door of that store and I heard a voice asking me to wait.  I stopped and a woman came up to me and ask me if I was contagious.  I told her no but she continued to ask questions.  I told her that I had psoriasis and offered to give her the number of my Doctor and she would not take it but I could tell she did not believe me.  I finally just walked away from her feeling humiliated and ugly.  I felt like a leper!

The memory made me wonder how many are there that feel like lepers and are walking among us.  Do they feel unwanted and outcast?  Do I judge others by how they look?  Do I judge others by what they wear?  Do I judge others by how they smell?  Do I judge others because they look contagious? Have I made others to feel like a leper??

I know that I have? How many lepers have I made feel ugly and humiliated? I need to love like Jesus!!  He does not care what a person wears, how they look, if they have leprosy, how they smell or if they are contagious?

What about you?  How have you treated the lepers among us??

John 13:34-35

New King James Version (NKJV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Where the Rainbow leads

                                             

 This morning I saw the rainbow, in the picture, on the way to take my daughter and her friend to their

     morning workouts at their school. I thought about what was really at the foot of the rainbow and than I          wondered where the rainbow might lead me.  Would it lead me into the trees or a wheat field?  Where          would I be if I followed the rainbow?                                                                                                                                                                   

 Seeing the rainbow didn't lead me to  gold or into the trees or a wheat field.  It did lead me to think of my  God.  The One who gave us the rainbow to remind us that He would never flood the whole earth again.  It also reminded me of His greatness and wonder.  It reminded me that my God loves and cherishes me.   

  I pulled up into the parking lot to let the girls out and saw a big puddle of water from the rains that left the        rainbow behind.  The first thing I noticed was the reflection of the rainbow.  The reflection was just as           beautiful as the rainbow that was gracing the sky.  The reflection lead me to the cross.  The cross where  my Savior died!  It lead me to the fact that He died and rose again for me!  It lead me to the feet of my Savior!

This  lead me to the fact that my life should reflect my Savior just as the puddle was reflecting the Rainbow and God's Glory!  My reflection should be one of God's Grace, Love and Forgiveness!!  

Where does the Rainbow lead you?? 

Genesis 9:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

Ezekiel 1:27-28

New International Version (NIV)

27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.