The Holy Spirit*

The Holy Spirit is a big part of my life. He counsels me, encourages me, edges me on to do what is right; He even helps me to not give into what is wrong. I am not perfect. I didn’t say I always obeyed Him. I wish I did, yet I strive to obey Him.

Thinking or hoping God didn’t just ask me to do something I don’t want to do; I tend to argue with Him. I always say, “but God...” and then I hear this voice in me that repeats what he wants me to do. I try to obey, but many times I fail the test. Please don’t take this the wrong way, now I am not saying I am hearing voices so please do not carry me away in a straight jacket...lol.. Let me make this clear; I hear ONE voice, the Voice of GOD...The Voice of the Holy Spirit prompting, nudging, and sometimes even pushing me to do what is right. Yes, I said "pushing" because I can be stubborn at times, or even scared, have too much pride, embarrassed, or just plain don't want to do what He asks. 

My precious cat: Buttons

Yet I notice that He always blesses me each time I obey Him. He doesn't give me a hundred bucks each time I obey Him, but He blesses me in different ways. Sometimes it is through a friend, a child's laughter, a beautiful sunset, or even helping me manage my bills, supplying my needs, helping me with good deals at the store, etc... There are even those times that I feel blessed through my cat Buttons. As I am typing this right now, he is scooping up water with his paw and bringing it to his mouth to drink. Aww, he is so cute, but let's get back to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit also gives me the strength and power to help me overcome temptations. I hear this quiet voice, that tells me to not give in, and it is my choice to obey Him. I can’t blame it on the devil, an enemy or even a family member. If I don’t do what the Holy Spirit asks, then I am the one sinning. I believe it is very important to listen and obey the Holy Spirit’s voice, for it is the Voice of GOD.

The Holy Spirit is like a big brother without all the teasing, but yet He is greater than any big brother or person out there, for He is God. He is always watching out for me and He can do the same thing for you. Yet greater than all that, He is a part of the Trinity. The Trinity is God in three: The Father, the Son (Jesus), and The Holy Spirit.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PART OF THE TRINITY

The easiest way to describe it is the way one of my former pastors from 20 years ago taught me. The Holy Spirit is like a watch. If you look at a watch that you used to wear on your wrist, before they invented cell phones, you would notice that there are three hands. There is the second hand, the minute hand, and the hour hand. There are 3 different hands with 3 different functions, yet all three make up the watch. That’s how it is with God. There is the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. There are three, yet they have different roles and they all make up God.

Read Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

 I have read and skimmed over the 1^st Chapter of Genesis many times, yet I didn’t think anything differently about verse 26 until I was in my late 20’s. It already says that God made the light, the animals, the sky, the stars, etc... He made everything...All those verses talk about what God did. Yet in verse 26, it says, let “US” make mankind in “OUR” image. So who are they talking about in this verse? I believe it is talking about God as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God always existed. Jesus has always been the son of God which is part of the trinity. He wasn’t created the day He was born on this earth thousands of years ago. He already existed, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

John 1:1-5  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS GOD. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Word was Jesus. Jesus was in the beginning, Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. It says all things were made through Him (Jesus). He was there even when God made all things.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR HELPER (COMFORTER) and is the SPIRIT OF TRUTH

John 14:16-18  NKJV   And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

(If you look at the above verses, notice how The Father, the Son, and the Spirit work as a team. They are God, yet they all help each other out in helping us. They all have a different role. Also In verse 16, different translations of the Bible have different words for Helper, such as in the newer NIV version, for Helper, it says “advocate,” in the KJV: “Comforter.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR COUNSELOR, TEACHER, and HE EVEN HELPS US REMEMBER THINGS

In verse John 14:25-26  “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. "

The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and will remind you things. Yes, in these particular verses, Jesus is actually face to face with the disciples and is telling them to not worry, they won't be left alone. The Holy Spirit is coming to town!!! Can you imagine, what these disciples were thinking? I would be distraught or devastated too if I was walking with a form of God (Jesus came down as man) and then He is telling me He is leaving. Yet He told them to be comforted because another form of God is coming down to them who is the Holy Spirit. Now this verse applies to us as well. because the Holy Spirit is our counselor and teacher, and will bring to our memory what you have read or heard from the Bible. The Bible is the written word of God.

OUR FATHER GOD SENT DOWN A GIFT who is THE HOLY SPIRIT.

In Luke 24:49 Jesus is telling his disciples that His Father (God) has promised Him that He will send them a comforter.

Acts 1:4-5   On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So not only will they be anticipating a gift, but this gift will give them a baptism of the Holy Spirit.

THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPEAKING IN TONGUES AND YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 1:5,8  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit... But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-5  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

It says: all began to speak in tongues. It doesn’t say, some of them, or only the ones that God chose, it says all of them began to speak in tongues when the Holy Spirit was upon them. Also it does mention that they spoke in other tongues when they were enabled by the Spirit.

(NOTE: The day of Pentecost was a Jewish holiday called The Feast of Weeks. Many Jews came from all around to have a celebration).

Acts 2:18-19, 21 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heaven above...²¹ And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

The Holy Spirit is for you and I.

RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT IS FOR ANYONE WHO REPENTS OF THEIR SINS (AND is BAPTIZED) AND RECEIVES JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR.

Acts 2:36-40   “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.” ⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Peter is the one speaking in the scripture above. (refer to Acts 2:14).
So Peter is telling them, this Jesus you crucified, the one you killed, He is the one that is God; He is the Christ. Can you imagine that moment; thinking that you just killed God? Thankfully He rose again, but can you imagine hearing those words; You crucified the Christ, God. If I was there with Peter, I think my heart would have sank into my big toe and my head would have been spinning so much i would have thrown up. I would have those words in my memory forever and probably would have played them like a broken record. "God had made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Thankfully Peter also says that there is a way to overcome this. He says: Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ... for the forgiveness of your sins.  Webster's New World dictionary defines the word "repent" as to feel such great regret over as to change one's mind.  Jesus Christ saves our souls...Wow, have you really thought about that lately? Christ forgives us of the sins we do. What sin have you done recently? Each time we are sinning, it's as though we are nailing Jesus to the cross again....

Matthew 28:16-20     Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus has authority!!! He is always with us!!!

Titus 3:3-8     At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

God saved us, cleansed us, and renewed us through the Holy Spirit and Jesus.

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 16:5-15 but now I (Jesus) am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. ⁷ But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ about sin, because people do not believe in me; ¹⁰ about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; ¹¹ and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. ¹² “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

 The Holy Spirit guides you... He will talk to you... He may whisper in your ear, speak to you through a person, be real to you in a sermon or song, or just speak to your heart, mind, soul, or spirit. The Holy Spirit is a vital part to your relationship with God. He is our counselor, comforter, friend, teacher, guidance counselor; He is so much more than you can ever imagine.

LIFE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Romans 8:1-17  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  

(Note: I believe in previous times, people had to follow the law; they had to do all those burnt offerings and sacrifices so that God would forgive them. It was an act of repentance. We don't need to follow those laws anymore, because Jesus was the ultimate sin offering. When Jesus Christ  died for our sins, he was OUR sin offering. He died for us to be set free. JESUS was the ULTIMATE SIN OFFERING.)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.


(Note: Usually what your flesh wants, is totally different than what your spirit wants. Seek what the Holy Spirit wants for you; die to your flesh. For example, try thinking about turning off the tv when your favorite program is on, and it's the season finale, better yet, it's the last, final show they will have. Now, think about praying instead. Do you think your flesh wants to turn off the tv. No Way, it wants to sit and watch that tv program. Dying to your flesh, is turning off the tv, and praying. What does the Holy Spirit want in your life? How can you seek Him more? What is your spirit crying out to do for God? Has God put something on your heart that He wants you to do?)


⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.


The Spirit gives life.
Children of God are lead by the Spirit of God. They are heirs of God, and Co-heirs of Christ. Think of yourself as a co-heir in Christ. I don't know about you, but that just totally excites me. I am an heir of God; my destiny is heaven. I will live with God for eternity...wow, how exciting. It just gives me holy goose bumps.
Now just think, you get rewarded with this too. No, I am not talking about receiving Holy goose bumps; I am talking about living in Heaven for eternity. This destination is for believers in the true God. Just take a moment to think how glorious that day will be when you will see the face of God without any filters.

I like to think of myself as God's princess. He is God, the Lord of my life, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace...He is Royalty!!!
If I am His child and have an inheritance to Heaven, then I am His princess for He is Royalty.





We serve a God who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient...Thank you GOD!!!

You are a child of God, when you accept Christ as your personal saviour.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Psalms 103:12 As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

All you have to do is believe that He is God and confess your sins...He will forgive you of your sins...and then clean you up to make you brand new... Once God forgives you of your sins, He doesn't condemn you; He removes them...that's it...


I am enclosing a prayer for each of you.

Dear God,
For all those who have read this blog, I pray you bless them and give them a sweet anointing on their lives. May they feel your presence in a strong way. May they sense you are so much greater than our minds can comprehend. Please bless them, strengthen them, and may they just feel you tugging and hugging on their soul and spirit. May you be their source of strength and peace. 

For those who do not know Christ as their savior, I pray that they feel your sweet, unconditional love and they will acknowledge you as their savior. May they know that you are the Ultimate God, and all they have to do is confess you as Lord and savior and repent of their sins.  In Jesus name, Amen






note: all pictures and paintings are by Expressive Praise, unless otherwise noted. 

Oh No Lord, Can I Start Over?*

Have you ever done something that you wished you had not done? Have you wished you could go back in time to erase what you did, and then start over and do the right thing? Have you done something that even people said that you might do if you stay on the path that you are on, but you didn’t listen to them? And you ended up doing the exact thing that you denied you would do? Boy, I have. Sometimes, I so wish I could go back in time, and change all of my mistakes or sins I have committed, and make everything right.

That’s what happened to Peter. No, I am not talking about your neighbor who cut you off while you were trying to park your car. I am talking about the Peter who was Jesus’ disciple in the Bible and was also his friend.  If you read Matthew 26:31-75, you will find that Jesus tells Peter that Peter will deny Jesus three times and then the rooster will crow. I can picture Peter thinking, I am his friend; I would never do such a thing. Never. Not even once. How could he think that I would ever deny him, my friend and master, three times? I feel hurt that he would feel that way. In the NIV Bible, it replaces the word deny for disown. Can you imagine any worse thing than to deny or disown Jesus? Jesus says that Peter will disown him THREE times. That same day, Jesus takes the disciples to Gethsemane where Jesus prays and his so called friends and disciples fall asleep. Then a little bit later, Jesus is arrested in that garden.

Now Jesus is before the Sanhedrin, which is the highest Jewish court in Roman times. The Sanhedrin say that Jesus is worthy of death. So as you can see, this is an intense meeting. He gets convicted and the result will be the death penalty, but He hasn't done anything wrong. Even though Jesus is God, he came down in human form. He knows what pain and sadness is. He could really use some friends right about now. Peter is in the courtyard listening to what the Sanhedrin are saying when he does the unthinkable. People start approaching him and asking him if he knew Jesus and was he a follower of Jesus. He says “no,” not once, not twice, but three times.” The rooster starts crowing and Peter remembers what Jesus had told him earlier. Peter feels horrible. He had done the exact thing Jesus said he would do. He denies Jesus three times. I can imagine him running to hide his face while weeping profusely until his eyes are blood shot and swollen.  I can see him replaying over and over and over the denials of Jesus, the rooster crowing, and the words Jesus had spoken to him earlier that day. His heart aches. The story doesn’t end there.  

Jesus dies and on the 3^rd day he resurrects. He doesn’t go to Heaven right away.  In John 21, Simon Peter and his friends go fishing. They catch absolutely nothing. Not even a teeny, tiny sardine. The next morning, a man stands at the shore and tells the guys to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. So they probably thought, “Well it wouldn’t hurt.” So they did it. The next thing you know is that the net is filled to capacity of fish. Not just any fish, large fish and 153 to be exact. At this time, all of them realized that the man was their Lord, Jesus. They all go to Jesus and have breakfast of fish and bread with Him. Remember, Peter had previously disowned Jesus three times. Jesus could have thought, “You know Peter, you are not invited because when I needed you the most, you denied even knowing me.” But Jesus didn’t; he includes him for breakfast. He talks with him. He fellowships with him.

John 21:15, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”

Jesus: “...do you truly love me more than these?”

            Peter: “Yes Lord. You know that I love you.”
            Jesus: “Feed my lambs.”

            Jesus: “...do you truly love me?”

            Peter: “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.”
            Jesus: “Take care of my sheep.”

            Jesus: “...do you love me?”

            Peter: “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
            Jesus: “Feed my sheep.”

After the third time that Jesus asked him the question, Peter is feeling frustrated. He’s probably thinking, “Lord, you know that I love you; why do you keep asking me. I totally love you undeniably.” But remember before Jesus was executed, Peter denied him three times.  Maybe Jesus is counteracting the fact that Peter denied him three times, so he asks Peter how much does he really love him, and reinstated him.  Not only does Jesus forgive him, he spends time with him, and reinstates him. No, the story doesn’t even end there.

 Jesus could have said, “you know Peter, you denied me three times, I don’t want to have anything to do with you.” But he doesn’t do this. He includes him with all the disciples each time Jesus appears to them before he goes to Heaven. He even allows Peter to be there during the “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:16-20. This is where Jesus tells the disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...” So Jesus includes Peter, to go out and minister to people. He is basically saying, “You denied me, but I forgive you. I know your heart; I know you love me. You were weak and now you are strong.  I want to include you to help me spread the gospel.” The story keeps going...

 
If you read in Acts 2:1 - 5:40, you will see that Peter is a leader, heals the sick, ministers to people and does even more. Even though he screwed up big time, and he couldn’t change the past no matter how hard he tried; he was still used for God’s kingdom to further the gospel. In the Bible, you can read more stories about many people who screwed up, yet God used them in mighty ways to do mighty things, after they repented.  (Repent is to feel sorry for; to change our mind and actions to not do it again).

 Dear God, help us lean on you when we commit sins we have done, temptations we succumb to, flawed characters that need fixed, and other things that we do that we wish we could reverse time and go change them. We can't change the past, but we can accept your grace as we repent. Lord forgive us as we change from the mistakes and sins we commit. Help us to keep moving forward when we do things that we horribly regret like denying you three times. Lord give us strength to live the life you want each of us to live and help us be a blessing to each other and especially to you, God. In Jesus' Name...AMEN


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Happy New Year 2012*

I pray you have goals that you will accomplish, tasks that you will complete, and dreams to keep you going and give you hope of something to look forward to. May you always be willing to grow, learn, and be taught.

This year could be the end of your life on earth or it could be a beginning of great things to come. This year could hold tragedy in your life or it could be the happiest, joyful year you could ever imagine. No matter what it is, I challenge you to have a relationship with the true God. Because WITH Him, there is true hope, true peace, true joy, and true love that is with Him. He is also someone to lean on, to get strength from, and to depend on when you need someone through hard times. May God guide your footsteps to do HIS will and may you be a willing vessel to do what is in HIS plan for your life.

I pray a blessing over you and your family that you will find peace, comfort, and joy. I pray you have an awesome year and may this be the best year of your life. May you have a wonderful, blessed year in 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Does This Ever Happen to You?*

On Tuesday, I started oil painting a dove while I had the windows opened to circulate the air so I don't intake too many paint or paint cleaner fumes. One of my neighbors wanted me to paint a picture of a dove to represent the Holy Spirit. I thought that was an awesome idea, plus it helped that she's paying me to paint it. Even though I was praising God and praying over this art canvas, I spent too many hours in one day painting. As I finished for the day, I am just exhausted. But for some reason, I picked up a mirror I have in my "art studio" and tried to move it. I say my "art studio" because I have a spot in my living room that I decided is my place to do my artwork and I named it "Expressive Praise" (formerly known as Teensy's Art) Studio. The mirror hit a picture on the wall. The picture fell and collided with my head. So now I think, I definitely have to go to the chiropractor on Wednesday. I was hoping to sleep in on Wednesday, but I had to go to my chiropractor afterall. Luckily I did, because my neck was out of whack and totally had to be readjusted. No problem, this was nothing compared to all the other stuff that's hit me in the head; like the 20 lb box that fell on my head in 1995. For all you new friends of mine, I won't tell you what was inside. lol

On Wednesday, I was standing near the bench waiting for the bus. I purposely did not sit on the bench because there was a puddle on the bench due to the sprinklers. When I saw the bus, I grabbed my bag and walked up the stairs. As I sat down, I noticed I had water dripping down my leg. I knew I already used the bathroom, and I know I don't have a problem with that anyway. lol.  Then I sat down. I wiped the outside of my waterproof grocery bag. A puddle of water is now on the seat and one on the floor. I thought, I must have had my bag on the bench. Then I look in the bag and notice my water bottle's lid was not completely tightened. Oh well, I think. Then I go on my merry day, yet I am kind of embarrassed because it kind of looks like I couldn't wait to go to the bathroom. Oh well, it will dry, I think.

Wednesday night, I have to heat up a hot pack for my achy muscles. So I throw it in the microwave. I timed it for 1 minute...so I thought. I am talking on the phone in my bedroom, and I thought that I am smelling cigarette smoke. But I never smelled it that strong in my apartment before. (I don't smoke, but my neighbor's do). Then it's getting stronger. Than something smells like it's burning. I go to the kitchen that is filled with smoke, turn off the microwave and take out the heating pack. All the rice is charred, stuck together, and is on the outside of the hot pack. I guess it had exploded. So I dumped the whole thing into the trash. Then I realized, wait, I don't want anything else to catch on fire. So I grab it and throw it in the sink and turned on the faucet. Smoke is everywhere now. I am now coughing and trying to air out the smoke. I don't burn food; I burn hot packs.

Then Thursday, Thanksgiving morning, I throw my oatmeal, water, and cinnamon in the microwave as I get ready. I put my apple sauce, almond milk, and almonds in it after it cooks. I eat a couple of bites. Then I notice I have something on my spoon that I didn't add to the oatmeal. I look at it and I am thinking did the pages of my Bible come apart because I see "God" typed on this paper. I keep looking at it and laugh as I read, "Let God surprise you." I just laughed and said, "okay, God, I am waiting." I had previously cut that little sentence out of a magazine one day and placed it on my fridge, but I never knew that it would surprise me and make me laugh so hard. I don't have any idea how it got in my oatmeal but it was too funny.

Today, My friend and I went to the Thanksgiving meal my church provided. We were so grateful that it was actually on Thanksgiving day. It was a delicious meal and the people were so friendly. I was so grateful to be a part of this gathering. After we played games, they let us take home as much food as we wanted since there was so many leftovers. So I piled my containers of food into that same waterproof bag I had on the bus along with my umbrella. My friend and I walked to my house. I carried the food and he carried the empty dishes that I had leftover from the special (non dairy) mashed potatoes and homemade chocolate chip cookies I had brought over to the church for the meal. As I was putting away the food, I noticed the gravy had spilled onto my blue umbrella and down to the bottom of the bag. I rinsed it off and I figured I would attend to it later. Later I decided, that bag has been through enough, so I gave it a farewell greeting to the trash can.

A few minutes ago, I grab my checkbook to pay a bill online. I notice it's wet. I look in my purse and the only other thing that is moist is some important papers. I am thinking "Okay, how did that happen," and then I remember about Wednesday morning. I chuckle a little bit. O well, if I cried about everything that ever happened to me that was unpleasant, I would never want to smile. So now  I have to air out my checkbook and the other papers so they will dry. I still have to keep the windows open because of the paint fumes, and not to mention the smell of smoke that is in my house. The air exhaust fan above the stove is on to take away the smoke smell, the ceiling fan is circulating to help the paint fumes, the air purifier is on to re-clean my air, and one more fan is on to dry the oil painting. Brr and now I am bundled up and want the heater on. lol Anyone know how to get the burned smell out of a microwave? So does this kind of stuff happen to you? lol

Well I had an awesome day on Thanksgiving day. I had a delicious Thanksgiving meal with friends at my church. I even won a prize. It reminded me of that note that fell in my oatmeal.
Even though today was Thanksgiving, it felt so much like Christmas because of the genuine love I felt among friends at church. I am totally excited of all the things that God is doing in my new life. I am enjoying my church family. I am so blessed to have found this church. I am grateful for the emotional and Spiritual growth I had at my previous church and now I look forward to all the great things in store for my new church. and Yes, I will always have crazy things in my life to give me something to blog about; I will always have God loving me; and I will always continue to grow! Thank you God for wonderful memories and crazy experiences in my life. God bless.

A Promise is a Promise*

Sunday, I went to The Ark. Yes, it's true. I found Noah and we are traveling back in time. All those animals were pretty hungry, so Noah decided it was my job to feed them, uggh...not my cup of tea. The smell of the elephants and camels were too much for me to bear with my strong sense of smell. After I talked to God about it, he gave me one of those filtered masks to wear. It made it much easier for me to breathe. He told me to spend time with all of the animals, and not just the monkeys. Although I did like to look at the spider monkeys; they so fascinated me.

Even though God told me to spend time with ALL the animals, I would not go near anything that looked or smelled like a bug or reptile. I left that up to Noah. I had to draw the line somewhere. Well maybe that's why God didn't choose for me to be on the ark. I have way too many allergies and stubbornness. He probably thought, "Nope, I cannot picture Teensy (a.k.a. Tanya) on the Ark, she just wouldn't make it out alive”. Lol

Well actually my new church is called "The Ark." If you look up at the ceiling in the sanctuary, it may resemble of what Noah's ark might have looked like. I know the church just changed its name to the Ark so I am pretty sure the ceiling had nothing to do with it, but sometimes my imagination takes the best of me.

Okay, so I went to church Sunday and the pastor talked about covenants with God. He had mentioned about how God may make a promise with you personally, but you should wait on God’s timing for the promise to come to pass. He said don’t do like Abraham and Sarah did. Don’t try to make God’s promise come to pass in your own way.
   

I will start out with Genesis 12; God tells Abram that he will make him a great nation. But Abram’s probably thinking: I am 75 years old, childless, and how can I make a great nation without children or descendents. Sarai didn’t feel that God would make Abram a father through her so she tells her hubby, “hey I’m old and gray, and way, waaaay up there in years. God won’t let me have children, so here is my maidservant. Go marry her, and have a child like God said even though it’s not happening with me.” (Okay she probably said it a little differently).

Abram says "okay, if I must. I mean God said he would give me a son. Right? So I have to do my ‘duty.’ It’s not going to happen unless I do something about it.” (emphasis is mine, again.)  

Notice that he didn’t stop, and say: “I love you; I don’t want to “sleep” with anyone else.” He goes and marries the lovely Hagar. I am sorry, but with a name like Hagar, I am picturing an ugly witch with a wart on a long nose. Hagar doesn’t sound pretty to me. Lol Abram gets married, has a honeymoon with his new wife, than out pops a baby 9 months later.  Sarai is bitter, and hurting. I can almost understand her pain, of wanting a child so badly, yet seeing someone else with a baby. It is very hard. Although she did put it on herself when she told her hubby to go have a baby. But now she’s so bitter, that she is mistreating Hagar.

In Genesis 17, God tells Abram,

“As for me, this is my covenant with you; You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be  Abraham. For I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful...As for you, you must keep my covenant... As for Sarai, your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai, her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations...” 

Here’s my favorite part.  Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “will a son be born to a man of 100 years old. Will Sarah bear a child at the age of 90?”

God told Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child. Well they weren't exactly at the childbearing age of 70, I mean 40 years or under. I mean Sarah may have been around 89 and Abraham about 99 years old. Can you imagine having a child at that age? I mean nowadays that's at your death bed, or umm...about to get your ticket to heaven, hopefully. If you know what I mean. Well they might have laughed, but maybe they were a little scared. Can you imagine a 90 yr old lady pregnant? She probably couldn't or didn’t want to think of it. I wonder if she still had the aches and pains of an older lady and dealing with pregnancy too! Was she having a hard time walking with a walker made out of rods and rocks? Being pregnant might have seemed like a big joke. Did they have C-section’s back then?  Probably not.

Genesis 21 it says that the Lord was gracious to Sarah and gave her what he promised. She became pregnant and bore a son to her hubby in his old age. He named him Isaac. I like what Sarah says: “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” So she finally gets her baby; she is 100 years old now, and breastfeeding. Yes, Sarah, we can laugh with you; it doesn’t seem possible, but what God promised, he had it come to pass.

So many times we try to do things on our own. When God promises us things, we do what we can to make it come to pass. It’s like when I bought an emergency window ladder the other day. I had priced some of them online for $100 -$200 dollars. Well I found one at the second hand store for $10.  Instead of saving my money and waiting to buy one, I saw what I thought was a great deal. Well I purchased this ladder. It only is for 2 story buildings. I live in a 3 story building. I figured, just maybe I can jump down the ladder one more story. It was actually a useless purchase for me and I wasted my money. There is no way I can use that ladder if there was a fire at my apartments. So instead of waiting and buying a better one, I am stuck with one that doesn’t do what I need it to do.
We need to wait on God’s promises. When God promises us something, He will do it. We just have to be patient, and not try to make the promise happen like Abraham and Sarah did by trying to have a baby through their maidservant or me trying to buy an emergency ladder that is one story too short.
Did God promise you something special? Something that is just for you? Or maybe did he promise something for your family? I know that God has personally promised me things in my own life that haven’t come to pass yet, but I have to do my best and wait and not try to make the promise happen on my own. We have to let them go, yet have faith and hope that they will come to pass, in God’s timing. Even if we have to wait until we are 100 years old for the promises to be fulfilled, it will be worth the wait, when God’s involved.  

Made It to the Art Gallery*

Wow, time sure flies. Christmas will be here before we know it. I can not believe September is here. I have been busy with art projects and have a love for it in my life.   To me, oil painting is challenging but it keeps my mind focused. I love to listen to the Christian radio station and sing praises to God while I paint an abstract picture or a scenery.  I have submitted some artwork at a nearby Art Association.

I am a newbie, so my paintings look minimal to the extravagant, gorgeous $1000 oil paintings that are near it at the art gallery.  I have seen gorgeous paintings and met some amazing artists who totally inspire me.

Who would have thought that I would be submitting artwork at art galleries?  I never even thought about this ever happening. It's amazing how God works and has changed my life.


The good news is that the more I paint, the better I get. But the better I become, the higher the prices I will sell them, hopefully. Hey and when I die and become famous, you may have wished you bought my beginning artwork, hahahaha....lol.







                                            Here is a flower pen bouquet:

These are my photo greeting cards:









This is a dormant or dead tree (This is not something I normally paint.  It was painted upon request)

















Artwork is by Expressive Praise

106 THINGS TO DO* WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP*

106 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP
All sheep seemed to have disappeared, so no need to count them any more.
(Warning: The author has not tried all items on this list and is not held responsible for any damages that may occur while trying anything, especially if it is done while sleep walking; nor is she responsible for any lack of sleep that may occur or will continue to occur. There is no guarantee that sleep will occur or will be limited or excessive after doing all items on list. Caution: Do at your own risk)...  haha lol 
1. Pray
2. Read Bible
3. Tell God 20 things you are thankful for
4. Do relaxation techniques
5. Watch a boring DVD to make you drowsy
6. Pray for people you know
7. Pray for missionaries in other countries
8. Pray for people in other countries
9. Read a book
10. Drink a glass of warm milk
11. Check your email
12. Check your Facebook
13. Change your Facebook status
14. Check what everybody else’s Facebook status is
15. Write a To Do list
16. Accomplish something on your TO Do list
17. Water your plants
18. Go outside and count the stars
19. Ponder about who made the stars
20. Tell God how much you love him
21. Take pictures of the sunrise
22. Turn on TV and see how many infomercials you can watch in one hour
23. Make your lunch for later
24. Sneak downstairs in the dark and pretend you’re a spy in another country
25. Call someone you know who would be up at this time. Bonus, it could be someone on the other side of the USA or country who you haven’t talked to in awhile
26. Order something online
27. Scrapbook
28. Balance your checkbook
29. Balance your credit card book
30. Write out a budget
31. Watch videos on Utube.com and type in “clean comedy” in search bar
32. Dance a crazy dance
33. Do the laundry
34. Do 20 sit-ups
35. Do 20 sit-ups while singing “I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner”
36. Eat a nutritious snack
37. Write a nice letter (or email) to a friend
38. Make a grocery list
39. Write a goal list for the upcoming week
40. Write a goal list for the upcoming month
41. Write a goal list for this year
42. Write a bucket list
43. Write a Thank you card to someone who has helped you
44. Write Get Well cards to people you know who don’t feel well
45. Take a class online
46. Check how many minutes you used on your cell phone this month so far
47. Check you how many texts messages you used on your cell phone
48. Call the operator and wish them a Merry Christmas
49. Call 1800 4prayer (and say "help, I need sleep")
50. Find out how many ways you can laugh
51. Look in a mirror and make funny faces
52. Floss your teeth
53. Try a new hairdo
54. Clean the bathroom
55. Write a poem of song, and dedicate it to yourself
56. Count how many paper clips you have
57. Clean under your bed
58. Defragment your computer
59. See if your computer’s security system is up to date
60. Make a list of any vitamins or medicines you are running out of
61. Go for a walk (if it’s light out)
62. Clean your bedroom
63. Restock your stapler
64. Defrost your meat for tonight’s dinner
65. See if you can make something with a glob of dried glue
66. Connect the freckles on your arm (or face)
67. Write out your tithe or offering check
68. Count how many times you see the word “and” in the Bible
69. Count how many times you find the name “God” in the Bible
70. Find the word “Rapture” in the old testament
71. Find the word “Rapture in the new testament...just kidding...The actual word “Rapture” is not there, only the meaning. Lol
72. Dust your TV
73. Polish your silverware. If they are not real silver, just shine them with a towel anyway. Still looks nice
74. Do ice or heat pack treatments if needed
75. Organize your bookcase in alphabetical order (no, I haven’t done this)
76. Color coordinate your closet (I seriously used to do this in my early 20’s. Lol)
77. Draw a picture
78. Color the picture
79. Pay your bills
80. Take digital photos of everything you own
81. Delete the digital photos of everything you own
82. Organize your food pantry
83. Set aside any cans of food that could be donated to a community food pantry
84. Straighten the living room
85. Fix any pictures that are slanted by your kids or earthquakes
86. File your paperwork
87. Mend some clothes
88. Organize your miscellaneous drawer
89. Pray for your children or spouse
90. Do 20 pushups
91. Delete any folders or files in your computer you don’t need
92. Erase your old text messages in cell phone
93. Upload pictures from your camera onto your computer
94. Send pictures to your friends
95. Delete the pictures on phone or camera you don’t need any more
96. Add songs to your MP3 player or IPod
97. Play songs from your MP3 player or IPod
98. See how big you can blow a bubble with chewing gum
99. Go through all your clothes, and set aside any that don’t fit anymore and donate them.
100. Type up a prayer to God
101. Write “To God” on the envelope and mail your prayer
102. Count how many times you blink your eyes
103. Take deep breaths
104. Inhale
105. Exhale
106. Slowly close your eyes

Good Night or Good Morning to whichever came first!!!

Calmness in the Night *

TO DO LIST:
*Do change of address (check)...
*Buy groceries (check)...
*Call Verizon (check)...
*Secure and tie down rabbit cage and plants...

I woke up at 2:40 a.m. and jumped out of bed when I heard the effects of the high winds. The day before I had looked at the Weather forecast online and it didn't mention high winds. Daily I had been keeping a mental note that I needed to tie down the rabbit cage and my outside plants before the high winds start up yet I kept procrastinating. I didn't want my rabbit cage (along with my rabbit) to blow away with the gusty winds we get over here.

I ran downstairs, grabbed some scissors and rope and jetted for the rabbit cage. My plants were blowing frantically and swaying crazily. A nearby heavy object flies past me along with some other debris. The wind takes my long, brown hair and circles it like a tornado and twists it into a complete mess. The leaves cling onto the trees, not wanting to let go. It was a chaotic circus of events that affected natures quiet time.

Swoosh, whirl, boom are the noises all around me. A distant tree bark that was long in length collides with my forehead. After I look around at the surroundings,
I decide to take a peak at my velvety rabbit under the blue, torn tarp that had been covering his cage. Precious, which is the name I gave my precious rabbit, was completely calm and at peace, in his little shelter I had made for him. He looked like he was a rabbit in a hole or even a cave protected from the outside world. Precious was just sitting there munching on his rabbit food as though nothing was going on around him.

I decided that I should still secure the rabbit cage. I took some white rope to hold down the metal cage, and then I paused. I look up and I saw the most beautiful sky above me. It was so clear, yet deep and dark. It portrayed peace and calmness above. The winds had emptied the sky of it's fog, mist, and white puffy clouds that hide the universe; for all you could see were the very things that God created. The sparkling stars were numerous in the heavens way above my head. I took a moment to say "Thank you God" and acknowledged his peacefulness.

No matter what the chaos is, God may show up with his calmness and serenity that relaxes your soul and you know without a doubt, that there is nothing greater than God Himself.

(11/11/10)
Picture by Expressive Praise

Almost Passed Him By*

After my doctor's appointment today, I walked towards the crosswalk and I noticed a man near the street. He was holding a cardboard sign that read: "Need money for food."

I didn't need to think too much about it because I thought I didn't have any money in my purse to give. Besides it's hard to tell if people are telling the truth.
As I walked passed him and pushed the black crosswalk button, I heard God quietly say: "give him the $5 in your purse."

I forgot I had that money. I had placed it in my purse yesterday to save for gas money for Sunday. I wanted to give it to my friend who will give me a ride home from church. I thought, "that money is for gas money for my friend. It's not really mine."

I heard God say, clear as day, "I will take care of your friend, you take care of this man."

I stood a distance away from him with his back toward me, and quietly reached in my purse to get the money. Then I walked back and gently placed the rolled up bill in his hand. He was surprising clean, nicely shaven, and very grateful. He was not the typical person I have seen on the street corners asking for money.

The gentleman said a genuine and polite, "Thank you. God bless you."

I looked into this gentleman's eyes as I walked away. I noticed his innocence, his sincerity. He was so appreciative.

We never know who we are helping. We never know the needs of the people we see at the street corners, especially nowadays when the economy is down. Not everyone looks like the typical "needy" person like the ones who haven't showered for days or weeks, have holes in their clothes, or maybe are homeless; or ar not the ones who do drugs or drink to get drunk. There are sincere, innocent, and appreciative people.

I was so thankful that I obeyed God; I almost just passed him by and kept walking. Thankfully God doesn't do that to me.

This is so "Precious*

I have been doing a lot of changes in my life since March 26. Trying to get all the negative junk out of my mind and be a more positive person. Trying to focus on positive stuff and not all the negative ones that I tend to dwell on. I didn't say it was easy, but I am a work in progress. I have been learning about attracting positive things and thinking in positive ways about my now, my past, and my future. I have been learning that I may attract good things by being more positive and a lot more that I may have to blog another day. Well, all this positive stuff is making me more understanding and closer to God.

Well, today God told me today: "go outside I have a surprise for you." I first thought, nah just my imagination. Then I thought okay, I will after I clean my breakfast dishes and fill up a water bottle. But I just kept hearing God say "go outside now, I have a surprise for you. I was picturing myself by my tomato plant but I went to one of my plants outside and was pinching off the dead flowers to cause more growth. While I was doing that, I had this urge to go toward my tomato plant that was on the side of the house. I walked over there, looked to see if any new strawberries have grown and then I went to my tomato plant. I knelt down and was admiring how big my tomatoes were growing. I said thank you, they are bigger since I moved the plant to this area. I thought that was my surprise.

Then my roommate comes walking through the gate adjacent her car. I watched her as she was coming towards me. I then looked under her car and spotted a black ball, the size of a soccer ball. Yet as I was staring at that ball, I kept thinking that I never saw this color of a ball in our yard. My roommate asked what I was staring at; I just told her I think there's a black ball under your car. I kept staring at it because I was confused of the ball.

To my amazement, the ball moved out of the shadow and I saw this beautiful brown bunny with remarkable ears. I leaped with joy and told my roommate. She grabbed some carrots from the house and I lured him closer to me so that I may catch him. He let me hold him.

He is so soft, with brown fur, not to mention his beautiful crystal like brown eyes. He is very gentle, calm, and tamed. He is so precious.

My roommate thought he must belong to one of the neighbors, so she called some of them, yet no one claimed him and no one knew where he belonged. As I was trying to catch the bunny, I remembered what God said, "Go outside; I have a surprise for you."

It totally made my day. I named the bunny "Precious" because it was a special gift from God. and Yes, He did surprise me.
Thank you God!!!!

On the Outside, Looking In*

I was out of town in February so I wasn't able to attend my church; I attended another one with some relatives. I jotted down some things that I thought were interesting.

hard wooden pews with no padding (reminded me of my church days in Japan in the 80's).
Wooden floor
huge stain glass individual windows (in memory of a loved one was under each window).
huge pipe organ display
I did admire the 7 foot stainglass window by the one-toilet-bathroom.


Two young boys come down in middle aisle to light the tiered candles.
A boy in a robe comes down middle aisle, holding a huge opened Bible in which he places it in the hands of the pastor.
The Pastor places the Bible on the wooden Bible stand at the front.

Pipe Organ solo.
choir sings.
Everyone stands and re-sites something from out of the bulletin.
Everyone grabs a hymn and sings the 4 whole verses.

Then they recite this for worship. It says:
The leader says: We gather as those who want to walk with you Jesus to Calvary.
The church says: We know that it was there that you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of God's saving embrace.
The leader says: so clothe us in your Spirit, O Christ, that we, in reaching forth our hands in love, may serve you in all that we do.
The church says: May we be agents of your love, doers of your will, proclaimers of your grace, workers of your justice, servants of your peace, and missionaries in your name.


Kids come up for a little illustration with a missionary from Haiti.
The missionary does her illustration of how women carry gallons of water on their head.
Children's teacher comes up and starts speaking a blessing over kids.
Then everyone starts resiting a blessing over the children.


Anyone who has a prayer or praise report is given a microphone to speak.
Pastor then says, lets be together. So I bow my head as I assumed that meant we were to pray.
The choir starts singing, the pipe organ is playing a song.
The Pastor prays for all the needs then the church immediately says the Lords Prayer.
As soon as we say amen, the choir sings a verse.

Then the golden offering plate comes my way and it's so heavy I help a lady carry it to the next person who is on our same pew.
The plate is brought to the front and we all say a prayer over it (which is on power point).
After the missionary speaks again, immediatlely everyone stand to their feet and sings another hymn.

The pastor starts preaching and then everyone sings a song while the 3 young boys in robes come up the aisle again. This time the boy gets the open Bible from the pastor's hands and the the young boys all in robes snuffs out the candles. All three boys go down the middle aisle along with the pastor and missionary right behind them.
We are still singing. Then everyone says a loud AMEN.

Even though I was a little confused of when to recite things, sing, or stand up, or sit down, I am glad for the experience. It was very interesting, and I have to admit, I did do a lot of chuckling. It was a lot different then what I am used to.

All end with a quote from The Missionary:
"Every human being is a human being."

They also said: we got to GO where we got to GO and DO what we got to DO.

What is Real Forgiveness?*

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in church listening to a sermon called "What God was saying at the cross." I thought it would be the same kind of sermon you hear around Easter time when he was betrayed, tortured, whipped, crucified, etc... Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all that Jesus did and I need the reminders of what he did. It's just this time, something was said that I never really thought about.

I've always heard, and even read about, what happened before Jesus was on the cross. There were those 12 disciples and even three of them were Jesus' close amigos (Peter, James, and John). The amigos seemed to spend a lot of time with him. He walked with them, spent time with them, he had them close by when he was at the garden praying a heart wrenching prayer. They were always there...

I've always heard (and read) that Peter denies Jesus three times. Yet that is not the end of the story.

I believe that Peter loved Jesus. That was his friend, his mentor, his coach, his counselor...

Yet Jesus told Peter that Peter would deny him three times. Peter says: No way Jose, I would never do that. Jesus tells him that after he will do it three times, a rooster would crow. He probably thought: yah right, that's never going to happen.

Judas betrays Jesus by placing him in the hands of the soldiers; Peter stood up and tried to protect him. Well, I think that is what he was doing when he sliced the soldiers ear off. I think putting the sword in his heart might have done more damage, but hey the guy stopped doing what he was doing because he was in pain from his ear being sliced off. Even though, Jesus picks up the bleeding ear, and miraculously heals the soldier, I still believe that Peter showed that he loved Jesus, even though he should not have hurt the man.

So here we are later, Peter is nearby when Jesus is being accused, betrayed, etc... Peter had to be hurting so much to know that his friend Jesus was going through some really tough times that were about to get worse. Three people ask Peter if he knows this Jesus, and three times, he says no. (Wow, his good friend is being hurt and he says that he doesn't even know Jesus. They ask if he has spent time with him and he won't admit to spending time with his close friend and his soon to be savior.)

Maybe Peter was afraid that he would be tortured also. So three people ask Peter; three times, Peter denies him. Just for a moment, it's quiet, the earth stands still, and the rooster crows. Peter feels his skin crawling, and this chilling shiver runs down his back. He realized what he has done. This uncontrollable, heart wrenching painful sorrow bursts out of him. He remembers what Jesus said earlier, and he sobs in remorse. He realizes what he did. He betrayed Jesus. Jesus was at one of his weakest hours of his life He needed his friends to be there for them. BUT not one was there at his side.

Jesus dies, miraculously resurrects, and comes back to his disciples which are some of his good friends. He sees Peter. Peter sees Jesus. (I wonder what Peter is feeling at this very moment. Jesus could have said: in my weakest hour, you were not there for me. You abandoned me. You left me. You knew what I would go through, and you didn't even have the audosity to say you know me. What kind of friend are you? You really hurt me. I will never talk to you again. I am taking you out of any ministry and I do not forgive you. You may walk away;don't ever speak to me or ask for me,because I will not come. Jesus didn't say any of this to Peter.

Three times, Jesus calls his name in the most loving voice: "PETER" and talks to him and restores him. Jesus showed so much love to Peter and allowed him to feel this unconditional love. He restores him and leads him into ministry. WOW!!! What a testimony! What love!

Wow, have you ever thought about how someone you know has really hurt you. They might have done some horrible things to you. I thought I had forgiven some people all these years, but I was wrong. I didn't have true forgiveness in my heart. I honestly didn't know how to have it, but something clicked when I heard this sermon a few weeks ago and it has changed my life forever. I understand forgiveness so much more. I have been forgiven and I have forgiven others.

Thank you God, for sending me people to speak your words to my heart. I gave my life to Jesus at an early age of eleven and I stuck to what I was taught, yet I never truly understood what forgiveness was really all about, until now. I now understand true freedom, true forgiveness, and being transformed and having a newness of mind. I get it now. God, thank you for rescuing my soul.

My New Life*

Lord, my new life you planned for me;
I'm so excited and anticipating it to be
so much better with so much more joy.

This new life is what you have planned for me.
This joy, this peace, this love,
you have always wanted for me,
yet I never gripped it before.

Oh Lord, this new life
is so beyond my imagination, my dreams, and my hopes.
It's purely what you wanted for me.

Thank you Jesus for your love, your hope, your joy
and thank you for starting this restoration like never before.
Only through your love, your grace, and your peace
have I changed beyond what I could imagine.

Please help me grasp it all.
All the blessings you want for me.
Give me the strength to achieve my new goals
and give me the wisdom to understand all
that I need to change in my new life.


This new life, new hopes, and new dreams
are here because I understand the cross so much more
and because of the vessels you brought in my path.
Thank you God for restoring my soul,
and getting me out of the pit of hell.

I could not have done it without your love
and the vessels you sent my way to help.
I no longer feel unloved, ashamed or pity
for you have rescued my soul.

Thank you for the cross,
for giving up yourself in an unworthy manner,
for being unselfish, for being God.

This is what it means to be free
to be totally forgiven
and truly loved.

Lord I get it now, I understand.
Thank you for my new life,
new concepts, and my new adventure.
Thank you for giving me a second chance.

(Thank you God for renewing me March 26, 2010)

Saying Goodbye*

I am saying goodbye to the American dream I once dreamed. The one where you have a husband, 2.3 kids, a home. The dream where you are a full-time mommy or have a full time job out of the house (or both). The American dream where you have enough finances to take care of your family, a vehicle, the housing expenses, and whatever else life throws at you. I am saying goodbye to good health and to wellness. This is the American Dream I have never experienced, and may never will. I am not saying goodbye to the fact it may never happen. I am saying goodbye for the losses in my life that I never knew in my past and I am opening the doors to new opportunities.

I say goodbye to my precious children I thought I would have many years ago. I say good bye to your laughter, the changing of your diapers, to the sleepless nights of hearing you cry for food or to be held. I say goodbye to bringing my newborn baby home with me. I say goodbye to seeing you as a baby grow into the toddler years. I say goodbye to watching you as you have your hands into everything, like the pots and pans you discovered in the lower cabinet. I say good bye to your giggles, to the new discoveries you would have found, and to all the endless hours I would have spent teaching you about life and God.

I say goodbye to the tears in your eyes that I would have wiped away or to the scrapes and cuts I would have kissed. I say goodbye to your tearful first day of school to your day of graduation. I say good bye to your accomplishments, talents, and fun you would have had.

I say goodbye to your teenage years. I say goodbye to the nights I would have felt your heartache of your broken relationships that you would have encountered. I say goodbye to helping with your homework night after night and also say goodbye to the times I would have had to discipline you. I say goodbye, my dear children for the love I would have given you and the love you would give me in return.

I say good bye to your joys, your sorrows, your happiness, your frustrations, your sadness, and your excitements, my dear little ones, that you would have experienced. I say goodbye to you my dear children.

I say goodbye to the husband of my younger years. I say goodbye to the wedding I thought I would plan and even to the honeymoon you might have planned. I say goodbye to the times we would get to know each other and I say goodbye to even the frustrations of marriage. I say goodbye to the countless years we would have spent together loving each other and worshipping God together. I say goodbye to the arguments, joys, disappointments, excitements, and the frustrations we would have experienced together over and over again. I say goodbye to you as a godly father to my children and a godly husband to me. I say goodbye to your love, your friendship, and to the nights you would have slept by my side. I say goodbye to the times you would be at work when I wished you were at home and I say goodbye to the times you were at home and I wished you were at work. I say goodbye to our love. I say goodbye, my dear husband.

I say goodbye to good health. I say goodbye to all the years I would have not spent at the doctors office. I say goodbye to energy, pain free days, great health, and wellness. I say goodbye to feeling well, vibrant, and healthy. I say goodbye to good health.

As I have written my goodbyes, I say hello to more opportunities that God will give me and I will experience. I had to say goodbye to the American Dream that has made me sorrowful for many years of not experiencing it. I say goodbye to the American dream that people have lived if they liked it or not. I say goodbye. I look forward to the things in life that may change my life forever. I look forward to the time of spending more time with God. I look forward to the hopes and new dreams that God puts on my heart. I look forward...

My Usual Doctor's Appointments*

Sometimes it just feels good for me to write things out; it is very therapeutic. So here it goes:

The questions you may be tired of answering at the doctor's office and how sometimes you may want to reply but don't because you are too polite.

My sarcastic appointments:


Name? on chart
Medical #? on chart
Age? I am a month older than the last time you asked.
Weight? 110 lbs. (give or take on a lot of factors)
Sex? None of your business (lol) Female/Male? If you can't tell that I am female, you really are the one who needs the doctor
Pulse? yes
Height? Still 5ft (haven't changed since the last time you asked)

Procedures? Read attached medical file
Surgeries? Minor surgery, had 4 teeth pulled out at once
When did you have your last period? Excuse me, that is my business.
Are you Sexually Active? No
Are you pregnant? No, I just said I am not sexually active
Are you sure you are not pregnant? Yes
How sure are you that you are not pregnant? I am a 100% sure
Hmmm? You are kidding me, right?

Are you on any Medications? Yes, remember all the ones you prescribed. Actually, please read attached list
Why are you here? Because I am in excruciating pain everywhere.
Are you in any Pain? Yes, Everywhere
Where abouts is your pain? I just said, it's everywhere
Would you say your pain is all over your body? yes
On a scale of one to ten, how bad is your pain? It's a 10.
Where is this pain that is at a 10? everywhere.
What does your pain feel like? It's excruciating.
So would you say your pain is discomforting? No, I said it is excruciating.
So would you say it is throbbing, sharp, or dull? Who cares; it hurts!
Any sudden bowel changes? None ya business. Do I talk to you about your bowel movements?
Any other medical conditions? Yes, read attached medical resume.
Do you see any other specialists? Yes, the ones the doctor referred me to. Hello are you losing your mind? Please read attached medical resume.
When did you have your last blood work done? The info is in the chart you are holding.

Then the doctor comes in and asks:
"What can I do for you today?"

uggghh

A Chuckle with God*

So I am up this morning and it's 3:30 am. I have been awake for about half an hour without sleep. (Yes,I am using up a "spoon" already. If you don't understand, request last post). As I hobble to use the restroom, I look up at my wall and read a mini silver plague that I put on my wall. It's actually a Christmas ornament that I bought a week ago at Walmart for 75% percent off. Hey, that's a bargain: it was only 74 cents, so that was a gift, in itself. Woohoo!!!

The mini plague says:

"Trust - We know and rely on the love God has for us John 4:16."

I decided to look up the scripture. I know I have heard that saying before, but I wanted to make sure it was scriptural. As an adult, I realized a lot of things I thought was in the Bible, were just sayings people had said.

I look up John 4:16. It says, "He told her,'Go, call your husband and come back.'" I just laughed. So many people had that ornament hanging on their tree and thinking that the relying on God verse was John 4:16. I just laughed. Still chuckling. too funny. lol.

It also reminded me of several years ago, when my niece Jennifer was little. We were in my room and she wanted me to read a verse from the Bible. I asked her which one did she want me to read. We decided to play a game; she would point to a verse, and I would read it. The first verse we came upon was John 4:16. I think in a different translation it said, "Go get your husband." We both just laughed. Knowing that I am not married and her and I wanted that dream to be fulfilled one day, we just roared in laughter. It was a memory that I will cherish with my niece.

To continue with the ornament verse, I had to find out where that verse was. I looked up 1 John 4:16:

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us."  

So the quote on my ornament was in the book of "First John" and not the gospel book of "John"....too funny

I might have got up early due to insomnia, but I had a chuckle with God this morning. Thank you God...

The Spoon Theory*

Yesterday, I wrote about how frustrated I have been so I did some physical activities the past two days to help me let go of the frustration. (Some of my friends said how great it was to be physically active and how I need to do more of it. Yet little do they know when a person has just one major illness it causes extreme pain, it probably is hard to get out of bed and face each morning. Not because of depression, but because one can barely move due to pain. Yet I am not that person who has just one illness).

This is Day 3, recovering from past few days: pain was so great, had a hard time getting up, let alone move my body. Waited to eat, because it took much strength to get up and get in gear. Stayed in my pj's because just moving was an accomplishment in itself. Took two naps after two hours of being awake. Had to have hot packs on my back for when I bent over, pain shot everywhere. So hot packs on neck and shoulders felt as good as the one on my back. This is just a glimpse of my day for I don't want you to read about my whole day but about this spoon theory which I read about a few minutes ago.

I didn't write the spoon theory nor do I have lupus, but I totally understand it and use the spoon theory in my personal life. If you want to know more about me or a close loved one who has some kind of pain, illness, or disability, please read it. I pray you begin to understand what we go through.

(Note: I am sending this blog to give awareness of what some people have to deal with daily.
I ask that you click on the link and read about the Spoon Theory.

The Spoon Theory:
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

Another Day, Another Blog*

Do you ever feel frustrated? Well I have been a bit frustrated with things that are in my life, yet out of my control. Sometimes certain circumstances happen, and you can't do anything about them except maybe pray. I seem to always flunk the test of my emotions when bad circumstances happen and I can't seem to shake it off.

Yesterday I felt I better do some active physical work or I am going to explode. I didn't know anyone who would want to pick up my pieces if I exploded, so I thought I better act fast. I went outside just to water my plants, but then I decided to rake the leaves in my front yard. Hey, I could have thought that I don't have to do this because it's not my house; I just rent a room and my room mate usually hires someone to do her yard work, so he could do it. Yet I didn't do this for my roomie; I did this for me and a feeling that God wanted me to do it.

I joyfully grabbed a rake and made some piles of leaves. Yes, It had to be God in on it, because me picking up a rake is not usually a joyful thing. Wow, I began to realize that I hadn't raked leaves since my family was in the Air Force in 1988. After my family left Texas, I mostly lived in Apartments from then on, except for my last roomie; and she hired a gardener also.

Anyway, I found it very therapeutic to rake up the leaves and reorganize my many potted plants. As I raked, I felt the tension ease off of my shoulders and seem to have fallen onto the big piles of multicolored leaves. My neighbor across the street was joking with me and said that Hell must have frozen over because I was working in the yard. I told him that IT DID. LOL -I can smile about it.

I knew that this little project I was working on wouldn't make anybody happy except for myself and that is all that mattered. As I moved the leaves, I began to see new green grass. That little carpet of grass made me smile and I guess the dogs forgot there was grass, because when they saw it, they began to enjoy it. I am glad that God was the creator of things. Because just moving the leaves to the side had uncovered the beautiful, fresh baby grass that was underneath. Just a hint of grass made me think about how God is always there. Even in the things that we don't understand, he is always there. When life throws punches, he is always there. When people are hurtful or circumstances aren't so great, he is always there.

I knew that the energy and strength it took for my weakened muscles would knock me for a loop and increase my fibro symptoms, if I did the raking, but I didn't care because it was a chance to feel God's love at work. Who would have known that raking leaves would make me feel more loved by God?


Then today I noticed I was feeling frustrated again. I thought, "I have got to get this out of my system." Yesterday's physical labor was therapeutic for me, and today I need it again. I decided to take a long walk.

As I walked to the freeway and back,I remembered the days when I was a wee little one, much smaller than I am now. There was nothing to be concerned about. It was an adventure in those days. I didn't have a care in the world, I just ate, slept, went to school, and played and played and played. Life was good, well as good as I thought it could be. I even thought that the abuse I experienced was how it was supposed to be, so everything was as good as I thought it could be. I didn't know any different.

I didn't have to worry or be concerned about paying bills, having a place to live, deciding who to vote for during campaigns, didn't have to think about jobs or illnesses or health care. I lived my life in a carefree way and my little life was dependent on my parents, their love, their care for my food, clothes, and shelter. They dressed me they way they wanted, I ate what they wanted, I lived where they lived, I went where they went.

God knows me; he seems to help me through many things that don't seem quite fair or that do not make sense. Like being in "too much pain" to not be accepted into the Chronic Pain Clinic, or being the hardest patient to many doctors because of the many chronic and silent illnesses I have, or being denied "low income housing" because of not making enough money. I don't understand all the crazy or disappointing things in my life, yet I know God does and he allows us to go through them. I almost always learn something from the circumstances in my life, yet I do not always like it, that's for sure and I do not learn fast.

I used to take many things for granted. Like just waking up and moving forward through out the day or walking in a straight line (I hope I never have to do the drunk driving test. First of all I don't drink, and 2nd I can't walk in a straight line. how do you spell vertigo? lol, oh yah, being with out a car needs to be presented too). Then there's that thing called thinking clearly. I took for granted the knowledge I could retain before I was knocked in the head 15 yrs ago. Getting up and feeling well enough to walk and get ready for church, is another. I never thought in all my years, that I would be in a position where pain was too great to get up. I took all those minor childhood to 20- somethings pains for granted, if that's possible.

Before I was ill many years ago, I didn't think about how I would get anywhere, I just went. I didn't think about the consequences of eating certain food, I ate everything (yes, even ask my family. I ate everything except seafood. I was the "Mikey of the house.") Things are different, the world spins faster, and time is challenging. Circumstances come, Circumstances go, and you learn from them. May God help us all.

Are you Okay?*

I hope you had a great day or a better-than-okay day. I actually had a rough day with health issues. Since Monday, when I had a great deal of Fibromyalgia treatment, my body has reacted in excruciating muscle spasms so it's not fun. I had those, knife-stabbing kind of pain that you just felt it would slice through your whole body, but doesn't. It feels like a knife is jabbing in and out of each part of your body sporatically. So much fun.

The chiropractor I have has helped a lot because all that he specializes in, yet the most painful treatments I have had are the electric stimulation in the ear which sends signals to the brain and different parts of my body. It hurts a lot yet in the long run it will help because it is retraining my brain that my body is not supposed to be in all this pain. I was doing real good on Monday, but then it seems everytime I take 2 steps forward, I end up taking 3 steps backwards (healthwise). so frusterating. Anyway...I made it through another day.


The good thing about having all these health issues, is that I have an opportunity to understand people who are hurting even more. I used to think that when I asked people how they were doing, and they responded by: "I am okay," I never thought anything of it.

Here is a Teensy Tidbit: When someone says he or she is okay especially if they are chronically ill, it actually means that he or she is probably having a tough time and he or she was actually able to get up in the morning, took awhile to get ready, and had a hard time getting to wherever you saw them, due to pain. They are just OKAY, they barely made it to their destination and are hanging on by a thread to not run home and jump back in bed, just to pull the covers over their head.

So if someone replies to you about how they are doing, and they just say they are okay, you may want to ask them a deeper question to understand them more of what they are going through or ask him or her if he or she needs to talk. A person is not usually doing well, when they say: "I am okay." Nine times out of ten, they really need a hug or someone to talk to.

Thanksgivng Day - funny moments*

I had a good Thanksgiving Day especially since it was peaceful and relaxing; well it didn't start that way.

I had spend the night at my sister's house; I slept on the couch. Couches are not always comfortable, but I didn't complain and I tried to fall asleep. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have sensitive ears. I could hear two clocks ticking and the water heater making some loud sounds. Then the refrigerator would run. Before I went to bed, I asked my sis if she minded if I take the battery out of the smoke detector that was upstairs and would beep once, every minute. She was surprised that I could hear that, but she knew that I have sensitive ears. Anyway, I finally fell asleep.

I wake up at 1:30 am and feel wide awake; I decide to do something productive til 3am. Then I went back and laid down. I still had a hard time sleeping and as I was about to doze off, I kept hearing footsteps and rattling sounds. Without looking up, I thought it was my sister. I ended up talking to her but she wouldn't respond. After a few minutes, I decided to get up and turn the light on. It turns out that her cat was in my sister's big purse and was digging for something. All I could see was part of his backside and a tail for the rest was in the purse.

I lured him out of it and went back to bed. I kept hearing a lot of rustling, so I get back up, turned on the light just to find the cat back in the purse. He popped his head out and pulled out a baggie with some chicken nugget pieces in a sealed Ziplock bag. I decided to just give him the chicken and put the purse in another room. The cat began to purr as he ate the nuggets and I went back to the couch.
So I guess you could say that I didn't sleep well.

My sister had the turkey in the oven by 9 am. Since I didn't sleep well, I am not in a hurry to get up. I lay on the couch watching the tiny chihuahua drag an  uncooked turkey neck across the kitchen floor to go bring it outside. All I could do was laugh. I guess the cat jumped in the sink and stole the turkey neck and jumped down, with it in his mouth. The dog was thankful. My sister takes the turkey neck from the dog and cooks it for her pets.

We ate our dinner and in the middle of watching a movie, I decide to take a break.  I walked by the dog and notice he is chomping on something that's almost the same size as himself. I bend down to look at it; it's a huge piece of ham; it's humongous. I didn't think anything of it; yet I just happened to tell my sister about it. She said that we didn't even cook ham, and she was right; I didn't even think about the fact that he was chomping on something we didn't even have in the house. So where did he get that ham since he's been in the house or inside the enclosed tiny back yard the whole day? Here's the scenario:

The only thing that could have happened was that the cat jumped onto the 6 + ft tall fence to get out of the yard which we have seen him do a lot. Either he found that great piece of ham in the dumpster or he stole it from one of our neighbors' dinner plates. LOL. It looked like it had just been sliced; maybe the ham was sliced into four pieces and someone gave him a slice. I don't know. Too funny. Can you picture this? A cat with a huge carving of ham in its mouth, climbing on top of a 6+ ft fence, and jumping onto the ground. I don't know, he might have dropped the ham a few times. So he drags it through the opened back door that leads to the kitchen and gives it to the tiny dog. I think the dog had the best Thanksgiving ever, don't you think? lol

FUNNIEST Dog-Sitting* Adventures*

I usually house sit at different friends' houses, but this time I was dog sitting, cat sitting, or maybe zoo sitting a couple of weeks ago. I was taking care of 3 cats and 5 dogs.Thankfully the tortoise was in hibernation.

One of the cats, we will name Crazy Cat, decided to have fun in the field in the back. He came in with fox tails, weeds, and dirt all over his thick fur so I spent a great amount of time picking them out of his fur and mostly out of his bottom. (no fun)

One night, as I opened the bathroom door and was drying my clean and shiny hair, I noticed in the dark living room that the cat dropped a sock near the puppy. I thought it was no big deal; then I thought about it. The cat doesn't usually have socks in his mouth, the dog does. So I turned on the light in the living room and noticed I was staring at a gopher. Yuck, eeek, ooouuuooo. I don't like rodents. So I was about to dodge for something to get rid of it and realized the broom and dust pan were in the kitchen. The 3 dogs and 1 cat were trying to get near the yummy delicacy. As I shooooed them away, I ran for the broom in a sprint.

I took a deep breath and swept up the rodent, but the rodent was soft and limp and wouldn't slide nicely onto the dustpan. I had to keep trying to gather this fresh kill before the animals devoured it. This was not a great day for me; still makes me grossed out just thinking about it. lol

I finally got it and was heading out the front door when I realized there was the huge dog on the front porch. I had to sway her away and put the rodent outside with the dustpan. I am just thankful the dustpan had a tall handle. I looked outside and remembered I already took out the trash cans earlier because the next day would be trash day. As I looked down, I realized I am in my pj's, yet I had to get rid of this rodent before the animals got it. I ran and grabbed a jacket and didn't care how I looked. I walked out to the front of the house, out to the street, and carefully put that limp gopher in the trash can.

So glad that was over. Now it was time to get ready for bed. The owner of the dogs likes her animals to wear clothes, so I changed 4 of their clothes just in case she came home the next day. I put on their warm shirts because it was cold. I felt like I was getting 4 babies ready for bed. Crazy. Okay 2 dogs had medicine, changed 4 dog's clothes, made sure they all went out to potty, and then put 3 in a bed. One of them was missing her owner so she slept on the floor in my bedroom. Okay every body is set, so now I get some time to myself. Man, I felt like a crazy mom. lol
Whew, what a night!!!

I had a hard time sleeping; the dog "Bella" I let sleep in my room, actually snores. Then in the middle of the night, something startled me. I looked on the side of my bed, and the dog was jumping up and down really high, trying to get on my bed. All I could do was laugh. I don't know how long she had been jumping and NO I did not let her sleep with me.

The next morning I realized it was going to be a hot day, so I had to change the dogs clothes again because they would have roasted in their warm clothes. So I ran to the dresser drawer where all the dog's clothes were and picked out 4 more outfits, then threw them on them because my bus was about to pick me up. Then I made sure 2 of them had their meds and all were fed and I was out the door.

(The Next day) I was getting things done in the house, and then made sure the door was locked and the alarm was set before getting ready for bed. A half hour passed by and I kept hearing barking. I told one of the dogs that was following me to stop barking. Yet she wouldn't stop. Actually I figured out it wasn't her at all; it was one of the dogs I forgot about and left him outside. So I had to unset the alarm and open the door and let him in. Then I turned the alarm back on.

A little later, I kept hearing running water. It was bugging me because I was the only one in the house. So I opened the door and forgot about the fact that I had turned on the alarm. So the alarm is now blaring; I run and turn it off. I call the alarm company to tell them that it was a false alarm and didn't want to be charged for it. I dialed the number that was written down. It said the number is changed and to call another number. So I call that number; after following all of the steps and talk to an actual person; they said I have the wrong alarm company. So then I finally call the correct company and the rep said that the alarm didn't register onto the system. I guess if you turn the alarm off within a few seconds, it doesn't compute. I remember running to turn the alarm off. What a crazy week I had!!!
And the owner of the dogs wonders why I was so exhausted after I dog sat. funny. lol.   Stay tuned for more adventures.

Are you a monkey?*

Yah, and about that evolution thing, people actual believe that we came from apes or monkeys. You might have come from a monkey, but I didn't. And if we came from monkeys, why are there still some at the zoo? Are we holding them hostage to see if they will turn into a person's son or daughter someday. That just cracks me up.

Anyone that knows me real well, knows that my favorite animal is the monkey, but I know that I wasn't a monkey, never been a monkey, never will be a monkey and my great, great, great, and a million more great grandparents were not monkeys. So stop monkeying around, and get a clue: God created us... God is my true father, not the monkey.

God is creative*

Yesterday I was cutting open a pomegranate; I was thinking who ever made this fruit is very creative. I was taking out each little piece and placing it in a bowl. I would break apart more of the pomegranate and realize there was even more of those little pieces hiding. As I grabbed one little piece and ate it; I was amazed at how much juice was in that tiny little seed.

It made me start thinking about how creative God is; He made so many different kinds of fruit. He put so much thought into each one, especially the pomegranate. He has made so many things on this earth, plus the earth itself, and everything surrounding it.

God amazes me with all that He does. If I was him, I wouldn't even know where to start to even think about how to make an earth, let alone mankind. Here's a thought: What if I was in charge of making mankind. You think it's bad now, it's nothing compared to it if I was in charge of it. I guess there is a reason why He is God and I am not. He can do anything. He can be everywhere at once, and yet know each individual person personally and individually. That is so amazing to me. I can not do that. I love people but that's just a lot of responsibility, let alone a lot of people.

When I was opening that piece of fruit, it just made me think of how could someone not believe that God exists when he is all around us. He is in the air we breath (yes, even in the smog), he is in Russia, as well as CA, and even all the way to the moon. That would be so cool, to be an astronaut and go to the moon and do your daily devotional or pray and be surrounded by all those stars. That would be so breathtaking, yet I am afraid of heights so you won't see me there anytime soon. Remember that we are surrounded by God and all that He is and all that He does.

God created man. The more I read details of the anatomy it just amazes me how each part, big or small, is connected and for all the different purposes.
How can someone not believe that there is no God? That just stumps me.
God is God.
The end.

-(I dedicate this blog to the 3 amigos: Devin Henderson, Esteban Sandoval, and Kellen Ricker, just because I can and also because they were my former students. All have grown up and recently have started attending different colleges, are still serving God, and I am proud of them).