I'm saying Goodbye...

Within the last few weeks it feels as though my heart has been wrenched. I stood before 30 or more people and shared testimony of what God is doing in my life. We usually think of testimonies as being heart warming and life changing moments, but mine has been riddled with pain, and in certain moments, confusion.

You see, early on in my walk with Christ, I remember being faced with a decision. I could choose to live by His precious Grace sustaining me or I could to live by the law. I remember people wanted me to change so badly. Heck, I've felt that way about others...but they were not okay with the "process", or how much of a mess it was. I walked into the church a MESS...let's rephrase that, A HOT MESS!!! One thing I can tell you though is that I was in deep love with Jesus my Lord and Savior. My heart was so tender to His refining touch. I wanted, NO, I  Needed Him to change me. People were amazed at how quickly I grew in the knowledge of the bible...and they expected maturity from me as a babe in the Lord. Which again, is not a bad thing...It's just hard when you really are trying to follow Christ and those around keep telling you it's not good enough. 

So I screwed up, BIG!! I had been gossiped about...meaning Church leaders were discussing their deep concern for my life. I remember the Lord giving me a vision of whom had started the fire. Those morsels of gossip caused deep pain and confusion. In complete and utter hurt, I began attending a different church. I never stopped reading my bible, I never stopped praying and seeking His will for my life. But, in my leaving I had broken relationships. It weighed heavily on my soul. When I returned to the church I became the prized pupil. I did everything that was expected of me and more. It seemed to gain me alot of acceptance...It wasn't that hard really, Other than.... I had to quiet the Holy Spirit and listen to Mans voice. Truly isn't that what we all want? ACCEPTANCE!! What price are you willing to pay to have it? What might someone ask you to give up in order to receive it?

A few months into this I remember sitting down for my morning devotional time and receiving a rhema word from the Lord. He gave me this from Revelation 2:4..Nina, return to your first love and do the things you did at first!!! That seemed scary to me though. To trust and rely on His spirit and grace. I had done that. People had gotten upset with me. They had rejected me. So I was discipled to listen to man. I continued on in this for years. Man gaining more and more of my life. Me losing more and more of my self...not in the good way.

Then something happened. Deep incredible hurt and betrayal from man wounding both my husband and I. Rendering us paralyzed. Funny thing is, during this time we heard things like, "you shouldn't put man on a pedestal, Maybe I was an idol in your life, if your not listening to leadership then you are rebelling, hide the stuff you are going through because people need someone to follow." When this hurt entered into our lives it exposed just how desperate a need for Jesus Christ we actually had. You see, we aren't good people...but we are people who cling to the Lord. I laid down my list of legalisms that I could check to see just how very good I was doing and I chose to cling. People turned their backs on us, friends, BROTHERS!! There we were, alone and in pain. When you go through, deep soul searing pain, lists and legalisms and mans approval, just don't seem to cut it. The careful cookie cutter christian mirage faded. It meant nothing to me anymore.

So my testimony, I laid down caring what man thinks of me. I've been asked by my Savior if I am willing to follow Him to the ends of the earth, If I am willing to follow Him at any and all cost. My answer is YES LORD!! Whatever I might lose is nothing in comparison to what I will gain. My life will NOT be pristine it will be messy as I follow MY Savior who died and poured out His BLOOD to save His people. So I am saying GOODBYE to christian culture and HELLO TO LIFE ABUNDANT HIDDEN IN CHRIST JESUS!! Maybe as many of the Pharisees had to do...I will leave you with these words...Be careful with one another, you are dealing with hearts and souls.

Adventure

God has changed me and blessed me in more ways than I can even process at the moment. My trip started out very eventful. As I was driving to the airport I drove into a thunderstorm with heavy rain. My already jagged nerves frayed a little more. I actually asked God why He was letting worst fears come true...traveling especially in bad weather is like one of my worst fears. I get to the airport to find out that my flight to New Jersey has been cancelled due to bad weather. So I flew to Cleveland where I was told that my flight had been cancelled due to bad weather and that they would put me on a flight to Detroit. I waited for about 15 minutes to hear the final verdict...my flight to New York was no longer cancelled. So off to New York we went. When I stepped off of the plane I felt like I was already in another country. No one around me was speaking English and people were not very friendly. I kept trying to find my way to my gate with heavy bags...at least my adrenaline was keeping me going. I met my first friend on this leg of the flight. Her name is Carmen and she was returning home to Croatia. We watched each others bags and made friendly conversation. Being a very relational person the people that I met on this trip will forever be etched on my heart. Our flight from New York to Frankfurt was delayed. When we got on the plane our captain announced that he did not want to be late so we would be getting to Frankfurt in 6 hours and 20 minutes. Let me just say  that my stomach did not enjoy that flight :) that is where I met Oliver. He sat down down next me with a thick smell of alcohol rolling from his tongue and a very cheerful countenance. We chatted for a bit and the question arose, why was I going to Romania? I sat there for a moment thanking God for this total open door to share with Oliver. I answered, "God". Oliver immedeay was interested. He was very eager to hear about why God would be taking me to Romania. I shared my testimony of how God had saved me and Jon, I shared with him Gods grace and forgiveness and Oliver was so intrigued. He told me that I was the first Christian that made sense to him. Oliver went on to tell me about his beliefs in God...I listened quietly rembering  the silly things that I believed before surrendering everything to Jesus. Oliver is a seeker of God...I believe that God was so faithful to his seeking heart to sit us by one another. I hope and pray to see Oliver again someday. Just think of all the things God was doing in the background to orchestrate this meeting. Once I finally arrived in Budapest my flight was late and I had no way of contacting Dave and Lili to find out what bus I was suppose to be on. On top of everything my bags were lost. I had been awake for 24 hours at this point and had not yet eaten for the day and it was past 3:00pm. I was very weak and frightened. I felt very alone. I went to go and file a lost bag report and the employee had compassion for me and allowed me to call Dave and Lili and I found out my bus information. I sat for the next 2 and 1/2 hours in the Budapest airport praying and extremely jet lagged. I now know the meaning of that word! When I saw my driver I jumped up with joy and renewed excitement. Praise God for the endurance and strength he supernaturally gave me. I could literally feel people's prayers. We began our drive to Cluj Romania....eastern European roads and European drivers....not sure what to say. It was a two lane road that was very busy...people have to pass one another quite often...I saw the front of WAY to many semi trucks heading directly at me! About 11:00pm we entered the mountains. Our driver was extremely tired. We stopped of off for coffee. I just prayed that we would get there in one piece. I met a Romanian guy in the van named Levi. It helped to pass the time to talk with him and he called Dave and Lili for me as well. Finally at 1:30 am I made it to Cluj...the driver took me to the wrong spot lol...but we called Dave and Lili and they were there within moments...The Lord did so much work I'm my heart. He taught me to trust, He showed me that when everything seems crazy on the earth he is working EVERYTHING out for my good to change me more into the image of Jesus, He humbled and quieted my soul, he showed me my great dependency upon Him, he showed me His faithfulness and great care for his children....and so much more. I will not be coming home the same and that is for sure. The Lord did not bring me to Romania for a wedding, He also took me deeper in my understanding of who he is. I am so thankful....please be praying for my trip home...

Trust without Borders

I was listening to a song the other day. The lyrics stopped me in my tracks. It stilled my soul and shook my flesh. The lyrics~

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

                                                           In the presence of my Savior”.

TRUST…FAITH…FEAR…

I asked myself,"Do I have borders around my trust??" If being honest I would have to say, Um… ABSOLUTELY!! I started thinking about how I want to protect myself and live safely. I want to put my faith and trust in things that I can see and touch, things that are tangible and natural. To put it bluntly, I want to trust in myself!!! Why?? Because of FEAR…the absence of trust!! I have asked God to break this in me. I do not want to live in the confines of FEAR…I want to TRUST HIM fully wherever he would call me.

You see there are places where I feel the safest, the most in control. I feel safe in my home surrounded by the people and things that I know. I feel safe in my city where I know how to get around. I feel safe in my country where I speak the same language as everyone else.  BORDERS and Boundaries!! Yet, I wonder… Has God called me to live a safe life? One where I can easily predict each day??....bubble wrapped in my own handmade comforts…Hardly! God is WILD and desires to take us on adventures where we will discover depths of Him that we would have never known without stepping out upon the water (disclaimer~everyones water stepping experience will look different ;).

I think of Peter when he saw the Lord walking upon the water, the wonder and amazement that must have been swimming within his soul. Natural eyes looking upon the supernatural… The disciples thought Jesus was a ghost as he walked up to them. Peter was so amazed that he asked the Lord to command him to come out and walk upon the water. In faith, he swung his leg over the side of the boat and began walking towards the Lord. He took his eyes off of the Lord, only a moment, and began looking around HIMSELF at the winds and waves, human logic and reason began to creep into his mind. He started sinking in shear panic and cried out saying, ”Lord SAVE me!!” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him “O' you of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they were back in the boat everyone marveled saying, “Truly you are the Son of God”

I wonder, what was Peter thinking as he climbed back into the boat? He was soaking wet, he had just seen his teacher walk upon water, he himself had taken steps across the water and as his faith weakened he fell in. Everyone was worshipping Jesus in a tiny boat is the middle of the lake. Amazed, awed...I wonder where Peters heart was. It doesn't really say in the context of the passage.....but I do wonder...

 As I search my own heart, I find myself to be much like Peter. I have an immediate courage or faith but as the winds and waves begin to enclose, I take my eyes off of Jesus…and I begin to sink!! What have I then put my trust in? Have I trusted in myself,  the world around me (circumstances), or the Living GOD?

This has all been circling through my mind as I prepare to go to Romania ALONE!!! This is WAY out of my comfort-zone/boundaries. I CANNOT stand flying…Airplanes just do NOT make sense in my brain. I will be flying across the ocean…with NOWHERE to land if we need to! Never mind the fact that people do this all of the time and are perfectly safe and statistically I am safer in the plane flying over the ocean than I am in my car on the way to the airport ;) Because when I get there I will be climbing into a van and riding for 7 more hours across the Hungarian/Romanian border through crazy mountains!!

I am swinging my leg over the side of the boat with every confidence that Jesus will be right by my side the whole way. If I begin to sink into my fear I need only cry, “Jesus save me”

So going back to the song lyrics…..


“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

                           In the presence of my Savior”.

Maranatha

Friends I simply COULD NOT sleep last night. I tossed and turned and PRAYED. To be quite honest I saw America coming to end, as we know it. I saw fires, chaos, and destruction…Quite literally I saw darkness encroach the borders of this once great nation. Literally the image I saw were boats of trespassers hitting our borders. Most of it seemed to be in a spiritual sense.

Then my thoughts turned. I wept and prayed for Saeed. I thought about him sitting there in a dark, dirty prison cell. I thought about his flesh being beaten; to the point that he is internally bleeding and on the brink of death. I prayed for strength for him and deliverance from this hellhole…EVEN though I know he may be the only light there.

Then my thoughts turned to North Korea…I can’t and don’t even want to describe the thought that I had. Lets just say that I couldn’t quit praying.

I prayed for all of my brothers and sisters around the world locked up in chains for the gospel. Their flesh may be bound but their spirits are free!!!

Then my thoughts landed right back here in America. I thought of the many people that I come into contact with everyday…I prayed for the LORD to EMBOLDEN the church to spread the good news. We are not here for OUR good pleasure…we are here for His. Friends please lay down anything that entangles, strangles, and distracts you from the weight of eternity. We need a revival to once again fall upon the believers in this nation. We need to be living with eternal perspective. We do not belong to this world. We are just passing through. I believe most of you can attest to how quickly your life is flowing by. Our days are but a handbreadth…Get busy He is coming soon…Maranatha!! Come Lord Jesus COME!!

God is GOOD

In the past year or so in my walk with Christ I have sat and wondered, “What is my purpose in this life Lord?” He could have just taken me as soon as I surrendered my life to him, yet He didn’t. Here I am, still existing on the earth. God answered this question for me though. He spoke in that still small voice and said, “Show people that I am GOOD. They have believed a lie, that I am not good.” My mind trailed back to the scene in the garden, there Adam and Eve stood…Perfect!!! The deceiver slithered up, looking for a way into their minds and hearts. He posed a question…DID GOD REALLY SAY?  Doubt crept into Eves mind. She even answered him adding to what God said, making stricter stipulations for herself…and so, the sin of unbelief was given birth to.  Then I thought about the Israelites being brought out of Egypt. God had heard their cries and He was delivering them, He even did so by showing them great signs and wonders and yet the people had an unbelieving heart. They doubted Gods goodness….

You see, I am under the conclusion that there is NO human being on this earth that really does not really believe in God. He has written eternity on our hearts and given us creation to very easily see that we were created (Romans 1), and so why aren’t people just flocking to Him in droves? Unbelief!!!  It is not unbelief that He exist but rather unbelief that He is good. Even the Devil and demons Believe in God…but they are not following and hate His goodness. The heart that has been touched by the truth and goodness of God is one that is transformed by what He did for us. What kind of God is pleased to crush His Son in order to redeem our souls so that we can spend eternity with HIM???? A  GOOD one!!

Okay so we’ve established that God is GOOD. Why are we still on the earth... what’s the point?  God has given us a message of GOOD news. He has made us ambassadors (representatives; high ranking officials). We are representatives of GOD, we are Kings and Queens passing through a foreign land longing for our kingdom to come, pilgrims on a journey home!!! As I sat on that for a bit, I thought of what an ambassador does. They go to foreign lands and they are face for whatever country they are representing. So, God has called me to me an ambassador in what should be an ever-increasing foreign land to me and has asked me to be a WORKER of reconciliation. With that image in my head, I think of myself as a sojourners passing through a foreign land longing for my kingdom and my KING. I imagine coming into contact with people on my journey home. I tell them stories of my kingdom and I overflow with love for my King. As they sit and listen they become thirsty for the goodness of this KING…they have never known a King like this one. They long to go with me to this land…then they ask me about their passage…and I tell them of the greatest act of love I know. A sacrifice that has changed me from the inside out. A KING that built a bridge across the great divide that NO ONE but HE could cross.

HE beckons for ALL to come.... every land, every tribe, and every nation. He beckons them to himself. He has sent me with invitations to His banqueting table...saying come and eat, be filled, you need no money I have payed for it ALL!! I imagine looking into their eyes as I tell how He crafted the lands that we journey through and is making a home for us even now. What would it be like to look into the eyes of a person who truly BELIEVED that God was GOOD!! Imagine the marvel and awe, childlike even. I imagine myself telling them how His enemy stole the land and lied to His children telling them that He was not good. Clouding their pure hearts with lies and deception. Then I tell that ONE day this King would return to reclaim what is rightfully HIS. All they have to do is believe...faith of a mustard seed...

So my prayer as I sojourn through this strange land waiting for HIM, is that people would taste and see through my life, that God is GOOD!!!! That many would cross the bridge of Christ into the land that I so long for…this is not our home. I long for MY KING who is GOOD and rules with mercy and grace. I long for His GOODNESS. COME TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD. Come and  enjoy him forever!!!

She looks well to the ways of her household

She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

(Proverbs 31:27 ESV)

I have sat meditating on this scripture for a long while. I have pondered and asked the Lord, "What does it mean to look well to the ways of my household?"

My husband has left me in charge while He is gone from the home. I have to look well into the time I spend on certain things. I know we have all been in that place where we realize we have sat on pinterest for to long, or we just plain haven't prioritized our days well. That leaves us frazzled and our homes and priorities out of alignment.....From a Biblical perspective we can prioritize in this way...

1. GOD

2. Husband

3. Children

4. Home

5. Church, reading, friends, etc...

1. God~ Give God the first fruits of your day. My Grandmother used to say that you would know when you were in love because that person would be the last thing on your mind as you fell asleep, and the first thing on your mind when you awoke. I like to apply this to Jesus, the Lover of our souls. I personally take the time each morning to sit at His feet and read His word. I bring my heart, concerns, worries, troubles, joys, and praises to Him. I seek Him to Guide my day, and ask Him to help me look well into my home. His word is truly a light upon our path, so it is wise to come to Him and ask Him to illuminate the road ahead of us!!! He knows what our days hold and how to fill us fresh each morning.

2.Husband~ I've heard it once said that as our spouses helpers, we should be their biggest FANS!! Make sure that you are your husbands biggest supporter and encourager. We were specifically designed to meet needs within our husbands, by showing him love and support. Be His biggest cheerleader, you can almost bet you will be spurring him on in His quest to Love the Lord. 

There are specific needs to be met physically as well. I bring this up not embarrass, but to spur you on...Ladies make sure you melting in his arms. Respond to his advances. Even pursue him. We have an enemy that is after our marriages....he knows that many times this is a weak spot in our marriages as we as women get busy, or tired, and we often neglect this specific physical need. The Lord likens the intimacy of marriage, 'Knowing" one another, to the relationship we have with Him

Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

(1 Corinthians 7:5 ESV)

As helpers we were also created to help him complete tasks. Or to be a finisher. My husband trusts me, alot. He does not have specific things laid out for me. The natural rhythm of our marriage is that I take care of the finances and homeschooling, bills, housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal planning, etc....There are those extra things though. Like buying his favorite soap, making his favorite meal, listening!!! when he has had a hard day, PRAYING over him, and really making sure everything is running smoothly at home....This makes a man so happy :) Go over and above to spoil your man.

We are to follow his lead. God will and does speak to our husbands about how He wants us to live our lives and order our steps. He speaks to him through trial and error and our jobs as wives, is to pray!! extend grace even if he was wrong about something! I am my husbands MOST trusted confidant, HE TRUSTS me. He does come to me and asks me what I think about situations and circumstances. We have long discussions, and we don't always agree, but we MUST always follow.

3. Children~I would like to say that a woman whom is looking well into the ways of her household, knows the comings and going ons of her children. She is well aware of what her children are reading, watching, whom they are friends with etc.... You have all heard the saying: Mom, it is like you have eyes in the back of your head. Not only is she watching what her children are involved in, but she is guiding and teaching them. We were created to explore and discover. We are given as teachers in our children's lives to guide them in the ways that they should go, and ultimately point them to God through His precious Son, Jesus. A motto in our home is: Do not merely starve the flesh...But FEED the Spirit (Ephesians 4:22-24). You are your children's suppler of spiritual needs and worth. If I see that my children are interested in things that are not pleasing to the Lord, I simply, without a fuss, replace those things with things that feed and encourage their growth of wonder :)


4. Home~ Another one of my mottos is: A home is not a home without all of the people you LOVE, in it!! It is always first important to make sure that you are meeting, supplying, and fulfilling your families needs. Relationships and souls are more important than buildings and walls. With that being said...I know that my family is so blessed with how I tend to our home. I love creating a safe Haven from the world. I take joy and pray over our little refuge. My kids and husband love seeing my new little tasks...the next big one I am going to tackle is... MY KITCHEN. I love for my home to be cozy and comfortable, and clean (schedule your cleaning while talking with a girlfriend on the phone or during naps. I also like to turn on worship music or listen to a sermon....Do ALL of these thing as unto the Lord ). Many times I will pray over my husband or children as I am folding their clothes or scrubbing the toilet. For me personally I have a few particular verses that have come in handy ministered to me as a homemaker
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
(Philippians 2:14 ESV)  I love creating an environment that when my hubby comes home from work, he can take off his shoes and just relax.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
(Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV)

These verses remind me to be thankful!!!! To be so incredibly thankful that I have a husband and children to love!! It is a reminder when I am tired to do my tasks with a merry heart, giving thanks, not grumbling, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.



5. Extended family, Church,  friends, hobbies, etc...~ With all of the other things on your plate it can be hard to find time for these things. They are important as well. I honestly find that my ability to relax greatly increases, if all of the areas of my life have been prioritized well. I enjoy writing....It is so hard to if I have neglected God, my hubs, or my kids. Often times your children and husband can be apart of these other areas of your life. I like to serve at VBS. My oldest son usually volunteers, while my two littles get there pants blessed off, and I am serving our church family. To me that is a huge blessing!!! Play~DATES....the stay at home moms lifesaver!! I love spending time with other women!!! I am very much a quality time love language kind of girl :) Sometimes I will have single younger gals meet my at the library so my littles can play, and we can chat!! My mom friends and I schedule time for our kids to fellowship and for us to encourage and pray for one another. I am not even joking when I say, I AM A PHONE person!!! You can ask any one of my close girlfriends....I can paint, shop, clean, etc...while having deep conversations on the phone...I would rather SEE their beautiful faces, but it is just not that season of life...All of that to say I am a multi~tasking, blogging, decorating, adventurous, husband loving, God honoring, homemaking, singing, making melodies in my heart and life, mama to to three precious boys, wife to MY BEST FRIEND...Gods beloved son, and Daughter to Creator, Abba, Prince of peace, Redeemer, and friend!!!!

With all of that on our plates, I do not think we should have much time to eat the bread of idleness....but just in case...I decided to post a couple of scriptures on what the bible says about idleness.

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will suffer hunger.
(Proverbs 19:15 ESV)

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

(1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV)

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
(2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV)


Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
(1 Timothy 5:13 ESV)


The bible is clear of warnings for the idle person....You can suffer poverty, hunger, become gossips, and busy bodies...saying things that you should not. Do not get me wrong the bible is also clear that we should rest and not just be busy for busyness sake but may we as Proverbs 31 women be found be about our Fathers business.

Be free!!!

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary since my dad departed this earth. It wasn't a hard day, really.... I talked about him alot, reminiscing on the precious days that the Lord gave us, not really thinking about the bad. One thing that I have realized since losing my dad is that He knew me very WELL. When other people didn't seem to get me, HE DID! He also believed in me, He believed that I was so gifted, he pushed me to walk in Gods freedom in my gifts, and to shine for Jesus' glory.

He is the reason that I started this blog. Each time I put myself out there, I hear him say "quit pleasing people Nina, your aim is to please God". I find it very difficult not to get caught up in the trap of people pleasing. If your not pleasing people, truth is, they usually don't like you. Now hear me out, I am NOT advocating that you run around acting like a jerk, intentionally hurting people. What I am saying is that if you are following the Lord, as a Spirit filled believer, putting Him as your first priority and you happen to offend someone by just being yourself, is that a sin? If your actions were sinful, the answer to that would be Yes in which case you would probably be aware as the Spirit would be convicting you. If not...then NO!!!

The bible is clear in our instructions of how to treat one another:

*We are to consider one another better than ourselves.
*We are to love one another.
*We are to restore one another with a spirit of gentleness.
(There are many more great verses to read on this subject)

What happens when we start killing the parts of ourselves that are not sinful, or doing this to others? What happens when we deaden our personalities, numbing who God made us to be? What happens when we listen to every little dislike that someone has about us...or they try and change things about us, to conform us into someone they like?

What happens is that we fall into a performance based cycle that focuses more on pleasing man than pleasing God. It creates a higher fear of man and a lower view of God. Fear of man is a snare...I believe that a proper response would be to honestly point out these things in a loving way to anyone doing this in your life and to ask yourself if you have done this to others. I have walked in such condemnation and people pleasing in my life that Satan has tried to use these things to snuff out the beauty of the GOSPEL!!!!

The truth is, I was dead in my trespasses and then by Gods glorious Amazing Grace...He saved me...He changed me...He is transforming me. I am a speck on a speck; a sojourner passing through this world...being prepared for GLORY. God made me. He gave me specific personality traits and gifts in His sovereignty, to serve and glorify HIM!! I want to shine for HIM with JOY!!! I don't want to hide in fear and condemnation. You know what I find really amazing? My father taught me these things.....His voice still echoes in my heart and mind...

 My prayer is that as I grow and mature in Christ, that I will live and shine for Jesus more each day in the freedom that HE bought and payed for!! I also pray that I would make it my aim to propel people forward in their ministry to Him and their faith in HIM. That I would notice the beautiful things that God has gifted and crafted each person to have, to bring Himself glory...

Those were some of the beautiful lessons that my Dad taught me.....