JESUS....GET TO KNOW HIM.......HE'S COMING BACK SOON

He Understands

Tue, 20 May 2008 09:08:32 GMT

He Understands
Current mood: blessed
Category: Religion and Philosophy

He Understands
by Max Lucado

Cries of loneliness. Tune out the traffic and turn down the TV. The cry is there. You can hear their cries. You can hear them in the convalescent home among the sighs and the shuffling feet. You can hear them in the prisons among the moans of shame and the calls for mercy. You can hear them if you walk the manicured streets of suburban America, among the aborted ambitions and aging homecoming queens. Listen for it in the halls of our high schools where peer pressure weeds out the "have-nots" from the "haves."

Many of you have been spared this cruel cry. Oh, you have been homesick or upset a time or two. But despair? Far from it. Suicide? Of course not. Be thankful that it hasn't knocked on your door. Pray that it never will. If you have yet to fight this battle, you are welcome to read on if you wish, but I'm really writing to someone else.

I am writing to those who know this cry firsthand. I'm writing to those of you whose days are bookended with broken hearts and long evenings. I'm writing to those of you who can find a lonely person simply by looking in the mirror.

For you, loneliness is a way of life. The sleepless nights. The lonely bed. The distrust. The fear of tomorrow. The unending hurt.

When did it begin? In your childhood? At the divorce? At retirement? At the cemetery? When the kids left home?

Maybe you have fooled everyone. No one knows that you are lonely. On the outside you are packaged perfectly. Your smile is quick. Your job is stable. Your clothes are sharp. Your waist is thin. Your calendar is full. Your walk brisk. Your talk impressive. But when you look in the mirror, you fool no one. When you are alone, the duplicity ceases and the pain surfaces.

Or maybe you don't try to hide it. Maybe you have always been outside the circle looking in, and everyone knows it. Your conversation is a bit awkward. Your companionship is seldom requested. Your clothes are dull. Your looks are common. Ziggy is your hero and Charlie Brown is your mentor.

Am I striking a chord? If I am, if you have nodded or sighed in understanding, I have an important message for you.

The most gut-wrenching cry of loneliness in history came not from a prisoner or a widow or a patient. It came from a hill, from a cross, from a Messiah.

"My God, my God," he screamed, "why did you abandon me!" (Matthew 27:46)

Never have words carried so much hurt. Never has one being been so lonely.

Out of the silent sky come the words screamed by all who walk in the desert of loneliness. "Why? Why did you abandon me?"

I keep thinking of all the people who cast despairing eyes toward the dark heavens and cry "Why?"

And I imagine him. I imagine him listening. I picture his eyes misting and a pierced hand brushing away a tear. And although he may offer no answer, although he may solve no dilemma, although the question may freeze painfully in midair, he who also was once alone, understands.

Come Quickly Lord

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:21:02 GMT

This is a song by Margaret Becker. It is so poignant. I know we can all relate.

I stand before you, awed by your beauty, stilled by your power, moved by your glory. All I've been chasing disappears. Locked in this moment I can see clearly, mountains would crumble, darkness would shatter, if only I could be faithful to you. Come quickly Lord, reign over me, judge me with mercy and love, whatever may come, don't let me run…… come quickly Lord. I stand convicted, my thoughts are not holy, I struggle with evil, I still keep on falling, yet I long to be all that you are. Come quickly Lord, reign over me, judge me with mercy and love, whatever may come, don't let me run…… come quickly Lord.

Our Christian Walk is Like.....

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 20:50:37 GMT

My space has always been about things I have read, that I thought would encourage others. God has been giving me lots of analogies lately. I am writing them down and I have decided to start posting them. Here is my 1st one. Would love your comments. Thanks for stopping by.

Our Christian walk is like a road to me. The straight path (our walk with Christ) is the path that leads us to heaven. The straight path is a beautiful road. The weather is great, we are in our convertible with the top down, there is no traffic, no speed zones, no stress and we are just sailing down the road enjoying the most beautiful scenery God ever blessed us with. And we are content because we know where this road leads….we are not lost. But like life, this road has many detours (sin). At times, we think to ourselves, “I wonder where this exit will take me? Maybe I’m missing something, (temptation) maybe the scenery is better down this road?” So we get off the main road onto some side road thinking we might find some wonderful adventure. In reality, all we find is a wasteland. The terrain is dry, dusty, hot and rugged. We have to put the top up and there is nothing beautiful to look at. Before we know it we are lost. If we are smart, we will ask for directions (reading the bible) and we will eventually get back to the main road. We may have to take a lot of back roads (repentance, obedience, discipline, etc.) and it will cost us precious time, but we will make it. Once we our back on the main road, a load is lifted from our shoulders and we are at peace again, knowing that we are headed in the right direction. Then we realize, we are 4 days behind schedule and 75 miles up the road from where we took that last exit, and we wonder what kind of beauty we traded for the vast wasteland we just came from! The Lord will always get us back on the straight path if we let Him. Why not stay on course, make it easier on yourself and take in all the beautiful things the Lord wants to bless you with.

By Linda C.

The Blood of Jesus

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:48:33 GMT

Hello everyone!!! Wow, it has been months since I updated my site. I am presently living in England while my husband does a stint here. I live in the Northamtonshire very close to Clopton. It is beautiful here but it is not home and my precious GRANDSON is not here. As pretty and peaceful as it is here, it is not home! Have been here since mid dec and am returning to the states at the end of June. Since this is Easter week, I thought it only fitting to talk about the blood of Jesus and why he died and shed his blood for us. Charles Stanley wrote the following. I have attached it because he described it so perfectly! Jesus is the reason I live and I am so grateful to Him for His sacrafice that saved my soul.

The Necessity of Christ’s Blood – Romans 5:8-11

For someone unfamiliar with the Church, all of our talk about the blood of Christ might seem disturbing. But, apart from His blood, there is no Christianity. As Hebrews 9:22 says, “…without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

God mandated that redemption was available only if our sin was transferred to a perfect substitute. In the Old Testament, an Israelite would lay hands on the head of an unblemished lamb and confess. Then, he presented the animal to a priest for sacrifice. Today, believers are redeemed through forgiveness. But our sacrifice is a sinless Savior who willingly took our guilt and penalty upon Himself.

Every person who accepts Jesus’ death as substitutionary and receives Him as Savior is declared no longer guilty of sin. God condemned the sinful soul to death. But, when He looks upon Jesus’ sacrifice and sees the paid penalty, He declares us righteous. Christ’s shed blood lets us enter God’s presence. We experience unity with Him in prayer, knowing He listens when we speak. The harmony between God and mankind was interrupted in Eden. But it is restored in each new believer.

Through Christ’s blood, believers are forgiven, justified, and reconciled. These words actually describe a simple process. When we accept that a blameless Jesus died to pay our sin penalty, we enter an eternal relationship with God. John 3:16 says Jesus’ sacrifice applies to “whoever believes.” This includes you, if you will just believe.

He is God

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 03:25:37 GMT

Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ......He is the reason I live. I challenge you to read this and NOT be touched by all He is and all He has done for us. Jesus, get to know Him......He's coming back soon.

~He Is God~

He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!

He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The
people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the
overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive
to you, try this for size.

His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.

He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.

Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

A Love Letter to You!

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:00:41 GMT

If you ever wondered how and why the Lord loves us, read the following love letter written just for YOU. The best part is we don't have to earn his love. We need to stop beating ourselves up and just accept that He loves us, warts and all!! The bible (God's word) is actually one big love letter to us all. Read it and fall in love with Him! Jesus.....get to know Him.......He's coming back soon.

Beloved,

Please accept this extravagant gift of life that I'm offering you (Romans 5:17-21). Come in Me and you will find that I am gentle and humble (Matthew 11:29). I am merciful, slow to anger, and full of grace (Psalm 145:8). My heart beats wildly everytime you look My direction (Solomon 4:9). Follow Me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Plalm 37:4) because I am passionately in love with you (Psalm 45:11).

Nothing, absolutely nothing can change My love for you (Romans 8:38-39). Trust in Me and I will help you (Romans 10:11). I'll welcome you with open arms (Mark 10:16), and I will meet all of your needs (Philippians 4:19). I will love you all day and sing songs to you at night (Psalm 42:8). You mean the world to Me, and My love for you knows no limits (John 3:16).

Let Me live in your heart and I'll breathe new life into you (Romans 8:11). Just invite Me in and all of heaven will celebrate (Luke 15:7). I'll be with you every day of your life (Matthew 28:20) and fill you with hope (Romans 15:13). I gave up what I loved most to win your love (Romans 8:32) and I've waited an eternity for you (Ephesians 1:11). If you believe Me, I will save you (Romans 1:16). I will come to you riding on a white horse (Revelation 19:11) and I will be your champion (Jeremiah 20:11).

I am Jesus, the Lover of your soul.

(Prepared by Cindy at Bethlehem Farms Ministries)

Listen

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 01:42:57 GMT

Beth Moore is one of my favorite speakers. She is a powerful woman of God and this has to be my favorite story by her. Get your kleenex ready!! It makes you wonder.......how many times has the Holy Spirit asked us to do something and we don't do it because we refuse to listen or we don't know how to hear Him because we just don't know Him at all. On the flip side, when we do hear His voice and do what He asks us to do, the reward is amazing! Jesus.....get to know Him, He's coming back soon!

Waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very
intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I
say that because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit
of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never
would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a
thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped
over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that
obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees
protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat
hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins
and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy gray
hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails
were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my
face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself
wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting.

Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport...an
impersonator maybe?

Was a camera on us somewhere?

There I sat, trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being
concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats
from me. All the while my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a
feeling for him.

Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern,
and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old
man.

I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall.
I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary
to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may
be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God
working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind.

"Oh, no, God, please, no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could
stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this
man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the
same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in
front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please don't
make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane." Then I
heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his
hair."

The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts
spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainer. I
looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and
breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on
this Lord. I'm you're girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man
faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he
is not redeemed? I am on him. I am going to witness to this man."

Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write

this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said,
Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair."

I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my
suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a
hairbrush?"

God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward
him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will thoroughly furnish
you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the
wheelchair thinking I could use one myself.

Even as I retell this story my pulse quickens and I feel those same
butterflies.

I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible,
"Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"

He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?"

"May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" To which he responded
in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to
have to talk louder than that." At this point, I took a deep breath and
blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?"

At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the
only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face
crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with
absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to."

Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem
interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my

heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But
I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush."

"I have one in my bag," he responded. I went around to the back of that
wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's
old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started
brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled
and matted. I don't do many things well, but I must admit I've had notable
experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls.

Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began
brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time
not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that
old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one
alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed
and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair.

I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for
another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for
that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had
overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making
Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that
I knew they had to be God's.

His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the
brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him. I got back down on
my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?"

He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought. He explained,
"I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got
to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my
bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to
come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must
be for my bride."

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when
we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand,
was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details
only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it.
Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply
ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have
accompanied him on that aircraft.

I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the
airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do
that? What made you do that?"

I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!" And we got
to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're
exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it
is time to move on, but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if
you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under
a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He
sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!

I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many
opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way... all
because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that
old man. He sent that old man to me.

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth."

Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, to skid in
broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting,
"Wow! What a ride! Thank You, Lord!"

I cannot

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 03:04:56 GMT

Wow! I can't believe I haven't added to my blog since May! I have been very busy. My husband is out of the country until the end of September and I just got back from a trip to Italy with him. Wonderful trip, beautiful country! I will be adding some picture in the near future. A good e-mail pal sent this to me and I just had to share it. This has to be one of the most wonderful interpretations of the Lord's prayer I have ever read! Hope you will meditate on it and really try to do what it says. If we claim to be christians but don't show it.....what are we teaching everyone we come in contact with? If you love Him, you will show it in all your actions. Jesus.....get to know Him, He's coming back soon! In his love.

I cannot pray Our, if my faith has no room for others and their need.
I cannot pray Father, if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.
I cannot pray who art in Heaven, if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.
I cannot pray hallowed be thy name, if I am not striving, with God's help, to be holy.
I cannot pray thy kingdom come, if I am unwilling to accept God's rule in my life.
I cannot pray thy will be done, if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life
I cannot pray in earth as it is in Heaven, unless I am truly ready to give myself to God's service here and now.
I cannot pray give us this day our daily bread, without expending honest effort for it, or if I would withhold from my neighbors the bread that I receive.
I cannot pray and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
I cannot pray and lead us not into temptation, if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
I cannot pray but deliver us from evil, if I am not prepared to fight evil with my life and prayer.
I cannot pray for thine is the Kingdom, if I am unwilling to obey the King.
I cannot pray and the power and the glory, if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.
I cannot pray forever and ever, if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.
I cannot pray Amen, unless I honestly say, "Cost what it may, this is my prayer."

Matthew 6:9-13

Anonymous
1989

He is Merciful

Wed, 03 May 2006 03:55:53 GMT

Hello all! Haven't posted in a while, I've been so busy but the Lord has put on my heart this scripture. So for anyone who thinks that God could never forgive them for all the things they have done.......take joy in this scripture but also know that we will be held accountable for everything we have ever done and that is why we need Jesus.

Jesus....get to know Him......He's coming back soon!

Exodus 34: 6-7 He passed in front of Moses and said, "I am the Lord, I am the Lord, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished.

Also, for anyone who says, I've tried, it just doesn't happen for me, I would offer the following scripture

Jeremiah 29:13

You WILL find me

when you search for me

with ALL your heart.

Why my Son?

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 03:57:25 GMT

I hate war. I hate that our soldiers are dying. But for as long as this world has been in existence, there have and always will be wars. Cindy Sheehan has caused a huge uproar asking President Bush..."Why did my son have to die?" Well, I would ask Cindy Sheehan what makes her more special than any other mother who has lost a son in war? I am so proud of our soldiers who put their lives on the line to keep our county free. So my real question is where would our country be without Cindy Sheehan's son and all the other brave soldiers who have fought to keep us free? If we just sat back and said, lets just take care or our own, I don't think we would be the most powerful country in the world. I really like the following poem because it really puts things in perspective. What it really comes down to is the greatest sacrifice of all.

Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush,

"Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy,
"Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"

Another mother asked President Truman,
"Why did my son have to die in Korea?

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt,
"Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson,
"Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln,
"Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington,
"Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked...
"Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die
on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar --
"that others may have life and dwell in peace,
happiness and freedom."

HEROS

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 02:05:39 GMT

This is dedicated to all our brave and dedicated servicemen. You are our HEROS!

I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long, uneventful flight home.

With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well. I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on my issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together.

I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me.
You know it's really getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony.
With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take off time.
No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself.

Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed.

The entire plane let out a collective groan.

She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes.

The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that I was finally going to be on my way home.

Why the hoopla over "these" folks?

I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up ..

Just get their butts in a seat and let's hit the gas I thought.

The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning home from Iraq !!!

Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause.

The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats.

They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her.

The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time.

When we were finally airborne, I was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand

These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life.

I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those Heroes were going home to their loved ones.

I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our heroes were allowed
to gather their things and be first off the plane.

The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms

I felt proud of them.

I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say "Thank You for a job well done"

I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us.

GOD BLESSAMERICA!

WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!

This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq.

Pass it on to everyone and pray.

Linda

In Not Of

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 05:56:06 GMT

I love this song by Avalon because it is what all of us who know Christ should be doing, sharing his love. That is why I started this blog.......Jesus, get to know Him................He's coming back soon!

In Not Of - Avalon

I hide me far away from trouble
The world outside me grows darker by the day
So I promise to stay here close beside You
Surely God would want His children safe
Then in reading, how my eyes were opened
I find that He is leading us out into the world
Into the middle of fallen saints and sinners
Where a little grace is needed most

Come take the Light to darker parts
Share His truth with hardened hearts
We are not like the world, but we can love it
Come bring the hope to hopeless men
Until the lost are found in Him
He came to save the world so let us be. . .
In it, not of it

Wait a minute
If we say we love them, why are we not in it
Why we run and hide
Entertain a stranger
Maybe entertain an angel
The danger is if our worlds don't collide

Come take the Light to darker parts
Share His truth with hardened hearts
We are not like the world, but we can love it
Come bring the hope to hopeless men
Until the lost are found in Him
He came to save the world so let us be. . .
In it, not of it

We've cursed the darkness far too long
We need to hold the candle high
We have to go and right the wrongs
We need to touch the world with love

Do You Smell That?

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 05:03:30 GMT

I hope you will take the time to read this story because it is amazing!! Our God is an Awesome God!! Just know that he holds you in the palm of his hand.

Do You Smell THAT?

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest
news. That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver the couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.

"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one."

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.

She would never walk, she would never talk, she would
probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to
other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to
complete mental retardation, and on and on.

"No! No!" was all Diana could say.

She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.

But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only
intensified her discomfort; they couldn't even cradle
their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the
strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana
struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.

Then there was a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.
As the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of
weight here and an ounce of strength there.

At last, when Dana turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, Dana was a petite but feisty young
girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting on her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.

As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent

Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked,
"Do you smell that?"

Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a
thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain."
Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"

Once again, her mother replied,
"Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."

Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced,
"No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children.

Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.

During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

Be careful....people are watching

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 03:17:55 GMT

My sister just sent me this and I was so touched by it I thought I would share it! If you follow Christ and want to be like Him, remember people are watching you and taking notes................ Jesus, get to know Him, He's coming back soon!

Several years ago, a new pastor moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount. Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet." When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then suddenly he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change." The driver with a smile replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday." When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh Dear God, I almost sold your precious Son for a quarter."

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read This is a really almost a scary example of how much people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test! Always be on guard and remember (as I try to remember) that you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian." I'm glad I got this as a reminder.

New Creation

Sun, 05 Mar 2006 16:25:44 GMT

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

God and the Spider

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 02:40:30 GMT

I just received this in an e-mail and I don't know who wrote it but it is powerful! This story shows how awesome God is, that he could use something as simple as a spider web to show His glory and all we have to do is trust Him!! I just LOVE Him! Get to know Him....He's coming back soon!!!

God and the Spider

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.

"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.

Did God Create Evil?

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 03:00:49 GMT

"DID GOD CREATE EVIL?"

Did God create Evil? This will make you think for a while. At a certain college, there was a professor with a reputation for being tough on Christians. At the first class every semester, he asked if anyone was a Christian and proceeded to degrade them and to mock their statement of faith.

One semester, he asked the question and a young man raised his hand when asked if anyone was a Christian. The professor asked, "Did God make everything, young man?"

He replied, "Yes sir He did.

The professor responded, "If God made everything, then He made evil."

The student didn't have a response and the professor was happy to have once again proven the Christian faith to be a myth.

Then another man raised his hand and asked, "May I ask you something, sir?"

"Yes, you may," responded the professor.

The young man stood up and said "Sir, is there such thing as cold?"

"Of course there is, what kind of question is that? Haven't you ever been cold?"

The young man replied, "Actually, sir, cold doesn't exist. What we consider to be cold is really an absence of heat. Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat, but cold does not really exist. We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there."

The young man continued, "Sir, is there such a thing as dark?"

Once again, the professor responded "Of course there is."

And once again, the student replied "Actually, sir, darkness does not exist.

Darkness is really only the absence of light. Darkness is only a term man developed to describe what happens when there is no light present."

Finally, the young man asked, "Sir, is there such thing as evil?"

The professor responded, "Of course. We have rapes, and murders and violence everywhere in the world, those things are evil."

The student replied, "Actually, sir, evil does not exist. Evil is simply the absence of God. Evil is a term man developed to describe the absence of God.

God did not create evil. It isn't like truth, or love, which exist as virtues like heat or light. Evil is simply the state where God is not present, like cold without heat or darkness without light."

The professor had nothing to say............

My child

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 00:14:42 GMT

Living in Houston allows me to listen to the greatest christian radio station in the world....KSBJ. Their motto is "God Listens." On Valentines day one of the DJ's and her husband read the following which I am sure they wouldn't mind me sharing with all of you. I hope you will take these to heart and know that you are loved......faults and all, by the creator of the universe. Jesus, get to know Him............He's coming back soon! p.s. you can listen to KSBJ on your computer, just go to KSBJ.org.

My Child

I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all of your ways…Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image…Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring…Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived…Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation…Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb…Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born…Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me…John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love…1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you…1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father…Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father…Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs…Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope…Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love…Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Ps. 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing…Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you…Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession…Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul…Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things…Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me…Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart…Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires…Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine…Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles…2Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you…Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart…Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes…Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth…Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus…John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed…John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being…Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you… 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love…Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me…1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again…Romans 8:38-39
I have always been Father, and will always be Father…Ephesians 3:14-15
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen…Luke 15:7

Love, Your Abba, Almighty God

In God's eyes, we are all equal

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 04:39:41 GMT

Just got back from seeing "Glory Road" the story of the 1st black team to win a NCAA college basketball championship game. EXCELLENT movie! The story has a special place in my heart since I am originally from El Paso. My husband graduated from UTEP (formally Texas Western), and we both worked with Bobby Joe Hill for years before moving to Houston. But what really touched me was the determination of the team. It broke my heart how terrible they were treated. I have never understood how someone can be hated just because of the color of their skin. In the bible, God created us in his own image and to me that means, 2 eyes, 2 ears, a nose and a mouth. No where does in mention that one race (or color of skin) is more superior than another. I am so grateful to my parents for raising me in a non predjudical home. The color of someone's skin as never been an issue for me. God loves us all equally, he doesn't look at our color or how we dress, whether we are handsome or ugly. He looks at the heart!!!! My prayer is that everyone would know their worth in Christ. He loves us, ALL of us. He loved us ALL so much that he died a horrible, horrible death so that we might live. Now that's love. And that love will wait for you, as long as it takes. Thats just the way God is!!! Jesus, get to know him...................He's coming back soon!

We are the reason that He gave His life,

We are the reason that He suffered and died.

To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give,

To give us a reason to live.

David Meece

What the heck happened?

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 03:53:05 GMT

Hey to anyone who reads my blogs. Well I haven't been on in so long. I just had the most horrible December on record. Me and my husband were hit (in our car) by a guy who ran a stop sign and of course he had no insurance and no license! My car comes out of the shop 2 weeks later and we get a call from my son in Austin (same day I get my car out of the shop) says he is going in the hospital because he has a collasped lung! So....we head up to Austin the next day, me in my car, fresh out of the shop and my husband in his truck. I was going to stay with our son and my husband was going to head home that same night. Well, on his way home he gets hit from behind (mind you, he is travling down the road doing 65mph and gets hit from behind!!! How is this possible?) Knocks my husband off the road into guardrail and totals his truck. The guy who hits him flees the scene. Thankfully some good samaritians chase him down and turn him over to the police. The guy is drunk, has no insurance and no license! And it only gets better. We just got a letter from the state saying that because my husband hit the guardrail, that we have to pay for the damages which total $2,349.00!!! Can you believe that? Back to my son, the doctor had said that the lung should heal itself in about 3 to 4 days. Well it didn't and my son ended up having surgery and having 5% of his left lung removed. What should have been a 3 to 4 day stay turned into 2 weeks. He got out of the hospital 1 week before Christmas. So my December was shot. I am still trying to recoupe from everything. I am dead tired and just can't seem to get my pep back. But what I can say is that God is still good (we are all fine!) He's still on the throne and my life is in his hands! That's what I love about my relationship with the Lord, He is always there for me. Just think the creator of the universe will never leave or forsake me.....I love that. Get to know Him....He's coming back soon! In His Grace, Linda