"Body Language"

What is your body language speaking? Do people walk away after meeting you saying 'wow' or did they get a limp handshake that scared them to death? I have been pondering this topic for a couple of reasons,but mostly because I truly wonder if anyone is hearing or seeing Jesus in me. If I present myself as negative, down, or moody, how on earth can Jesus shine through. I fully understand that we can't be full of bubbles all the time, but we can be full of God's joy every minute of every day. "The JOY of the Lord is my strength!" The JOY that He offers from the minute we receive salvation should grow day by day within us. Think about it....did your co-worker get some joy vibes from you today? What about your children? Watch that body language....someone is watching you and they need Jesus!

Look To the Right or Left!

I was speaking with a sweet lady this morning who has been journeying with her daughter through breast cancer for 4 years. I said to her " you guys have been through so much and you are still hanging tough'. She responded, "I just know that God has 'chosen' us for some reason to endure this"! Wow!! what a true example of faith! I believe that God longs for us to reach out to those who are suffering. We get caught up on our own life struggles and don't look to the left or right. Someone needs us today! Let's open our eyes and reach out!

No More Darkness!

He is alive! He overcame with victory and is the light of this dark world. Without Him you will linger in the prison of darkness. Satan longs to keep you there. Break free from the chains of hell and grab the hand of Jesus. Walk out of that prison of darkness into the light of Christ! because He lives YOU can face tomorrow!!!

Easter Is About Second Chances!

That's it! That's why He did it! To give you and I a second chance! To give us life...life that never ends. He walked that hill to Golgotha...took on your sins and mine and we got that second chance...just like that! If you approach Easter with colored eggs and bunnies in mind and miss this awesome message, shame on you. Open your heart to the reason Jesus came, the result of His coming, and the victory of the cross! He LIVES ya'll...and because He does..you get a second chance! Take it!!! Happy Easter!

Who Went To The Cross For You?

As we begin Holy Week and we think about all that occurred during that week, I feel a little overwhelmed and a LOT humbled. Knowing ALL that Jesus went through to get to the cross brings tears to my eyes every time. Living in the world we live in and realizing that the evil is getting worse with each new day brings freshness to the pain He endured so that I can live freely. I wonder often when we get to end of our life, who will we look back on as being willing to die for us? We would like to think our family members would, but would they? Hopefully, you are facing this Holy Week KNOWING WHO went to the cross for you. Hopefully, you have found freedom there...freedom to live, freedom to love others no matter who they are or where they came from. Freedom to know without a doubt that there is eternity past all of this! Think about it....do you KNOW without a doubt that Jesus died for you? That He lives for you! And that you can LIVE eternally when you receive Him. Begin this Holy Week with the saving knowledge of Jesus....it will be the best Holy Week you have ever experienced!

Soar Like An Eagle with God's Strength

Those Who Wait On the Lord Shall Renew Their Strength!

It seems life is full of 'waiting'. And many hours of waiting have quickly turned into 'worry'! What a great reminder that if we WAIT on God...He will renew our strength EVERY time. And often. If you are like me, you need your strength renewed quite often. I wonder if God ever gets tired of 'filling' me up again. I know He doesn't because He loves me that much. He gets it. Afterall, He walked this earth. He had a taste of everything that we suffer and much more. We often look to many other areas for strength when its right there before us...in the palm of our Father's Hand!! Allow your strength to be renewed to day by the ONE who loves you more and better than any other. Once your strength is renewed...you can soar with wings like eagles!

Spring Is Coming!

I am SOOOO excited that Spring Is Coming!!  Don't know about you, but it's been a long Winter.  I realize that we don't have it nearly as bad as most with snow/ice, but I feel we have had our share this year.  Can you smell the fresh  grass and flowers?  I am even excited about hearing bees humming.  There is something about fresh and new isn't there?  I love that our live in Christ is 'new' every morning! We begin a new day and waking with Him on our mind brings fresh mercies and strength.  Not sure about you, but it makes my day!  Can you see His beauty in the sunrise?  Can you hear His voice as you start the day?  He brings all the colors and newness of Spring...it's yours for the taking! 

The Lord Is Good - A Stronghold....

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the days of trouble, and He knows those who trust in Him"! Praise God for this reminder! I love the word 'stronghold'. It just makes me feel better. I quickly picture SOMEONE that I can grab onto with everything in me. He's strong and I'm holding! For many years when I suffered with panic disorder, it was extremely difficult for me to drive anywhere. For whatever reason, most of my panic attacks happened while riding down the road. I remember so vividly placing my hand in the passenger's seat and crying out to God "Take HOLD of my hand God, or I won't make it!" Many times I have shared this with others who truly got it....and I always told them, "He took my hand and held it tightly." Some questioned, I'm sure what in the world I meant by this. I meant exactly what I said, "He TOOK my hand and HELD it tightly." And by His grace and His touch, I made it down the road. He IS my stronghold in days of trouble and on the peaceful days as well. What are you holding on to for strength? Who is your stronghold? Grab on to God today, you'll be glad you did!

Have You Seen the Light?

There is so much darkness in our world today. We only need turn the TV on for 5 minutes and the room is filled with sad news stories, violence, murder, lust, envy, and the list goes on. And the darnkess looms all around us. Satan is having a field day and loving every minute of it! Are you remaining hidden behind the darkness, crouching to hopefully miss Satan's darts? Or are you boldly proclaiming the HOPE that speaks boldly in the Name of Jesus to this dark world we inhabit? Take the shades off people! If there is ever a time that we should shine the light of Christ...it is NOW! Have you seen the light? If so, you CAN'T possibly hide it! Someone is waiting for just a small glimmer of light and holding out for your help in sharing with them where to find it!! Don't miss an opportunity to let your light shine!

T.H.I.N.K.!!

I heard a preacher teaching this morning on the way in to work about how we can think more heavenward. He mentioned how quickly we slander others in the world today and even as believers, we are quick to say something negative about someone. It really convicted me that we do lean more towards the bad things rather than shouting out the good. He suggested we use the acronym 'THINK' before saying something about someone. Is what we are about to say "Truthful', is it 'Helpful', is it 'Inspiring', is it 'Necessary', and finally, is it 'KIND'? Wow, I wondered after all of that if I would ever say anything about anyone anymore? It is certainly a challenge, but a good one. Let's all THINK before we speak about someone today...let it be uplifting and kind. Maybe we can all make this world a better place!

Check Out that SunRise!!

How in the world can you miss God when you see the sunrise you saw this morning?? Wow!! And the heavens cry out with praise to the King of this earth!! Beautiful colors of grace right there in front of us. I wonder how many times we miss the opportunity to praise our Father? He places so many reminders in our lives during each day and many of those slip past us without so much as a 'thank you' to Him. Look around today...do you see God's Hand? The face of a child, a freshly bloomed buttercup, cloud formations, birds chirping....look and listen! He's right there in front of you with great displays of His glory! Enjoy it and enjoy Him!

Love Beyond Words

When I look at my life and the many mistakes from the past, I often ask "how could Jesus truly love me?" Surely He must see all this baggage and scars from years of making wrong choices....or simply not being obedient to God. It's then that I hear that still small voice speak within me and He reminds me gently, "I love you!" He continues to speak reminding me that I am the one beating myself up, I choose to remember the yuck in my past...not Him! It is so freeing to actually accept the love of Christ. To KNOW that He loves me unconditionally lifts my day and sets my sights on His desires for me. The strength He offers each new morning never cease to amaze me. I can try it on my own and quickly fail or I can grab His hand and the love that He pours over me and make it...one day at a time! How does He love me? It's truly a love beyond words.....ask Him for His love today!

Can you be good enough?

I was speaking to a sweet friend today and we began sharing about how difficult it is to Do good in this crazy world we live in. Life itself presents many obstacles that cause worry and pain. In the midst of dealing with these daily struggles, somehow satan wiggles his way in and taunts us with doubt and fear. This along with life situations sometimes builds until an explosion occurs within us. That explosion takes on many forms and often makes us respond in ways that are less than lovely. Do these ungodly actions keep us from heaven? Shouldn't we as believers be beyond sinful actions such as these. We should strive to be more Christlike every day, however, we will never reach perfection this side of heaven! As I explained to this friend today, your invitation and acceptance into heaven will solely depend on your acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. No good or bad actions can keep you away from walking with Jesus in heaven if you have given your heart to Him! Stop striving and start living in the grace offered by the sacrifice of Christ who died that you might live!!! If you learn to love Him, you will desire to be more like Him each new day.

Accessories and Life!

Many people stop me and ask 'where did you get that scarf?" "How did you know to match that with this particular outfit?" I always answer that ' I am accessory queen!' And, I'm proud of it! I LOVE accessories! I use them daily..whether its scarves, earrings, bracelets, or belts. Some would ask, 'why'? Because they make me feel better! They add color to my life! And...they open doors for me to encourage others. Many of these questions begin with accessory talk and end with Jesus talk. I begin to tell them about how these items of color lift my spirits and I end the conversation with sharing how much more Jesus lifts my spirit than ANY accessory ever could! I believe God wants us to be an encouragement to those He places in our path. If you are down on yourself...you are most likely not going to encourage anyone else. Everyone needs a smile, everyone needs to hear some encouragement. And, you might be the 'first' person to ever tell them about Jesus! Go get some accessories and show others your excitement for life in Christ!

Beauti Control Products

check out the wonderful products at beauticontrol.com! Wonderful skin care and color for everyone. Let me know if you are interested. I am happy to provide a makeover or order product for you!

In The Moment

A co-worker just learned he has cancer....stage 4. His words are ' I have quickly learned to live 'in the moment'. What a huge lesson to us all. This is it Yall! This moment is all any of us have....cancer or not. How do we adapt to that life walk? Claim today that you are here for this moment by God's grace...for His Kingdom. And THAT is enough! Let's start living!

Amazing God....Amazing Artwork

Seven inches of pure white and beautiful snow!  Piled on the trees and hanging on for dear life.  Looking out the window at the winter wonderland and remembering that every snowflake was handcrafted by God Himself!  Not one is like another.  Think on that for a moment!  Why would He take the time to send a gazillion snowflakes and not have one look like the other?  That's just Who He is!  That's how He does things.  He doesn't do it haphazardly or in a way that man could ever imagine he could do for himself.  He does it in a powerfully magnificent way that takes your breath.  And once He takes your breath...He has your attention.  That's what He wants and that's why He does it!  Look at what He has done today....don't miss an opportunity to see His Majesty....in a simply snowflake.  How much He enjoys when we notice and praise Him for His love for us!

What Matters?

I have finally reached an age where I am becoming a little more sure about what 'really matters'!  Sure, we say this consistently when we are going through a tough time...these life things seem to put it all in perspective for us.  But do we really live by 'what really matters"?  Are pictures of Jesus floating through our mind on a regular basis....is heaven a real place to us?  If this world is consuming our daily thoughts, we have missed the true message of what really matters!  I can't imagine after watching the world news that most people don't have some realistic thought of fear for our future.  I can't comprehend that our brain is not constantly wondering...what next?  The NEXT is what really matters!  God has fully layed this out for us in His  Word and we continue to look to men for answers.  Does our government truly have an answer for all that is happening around us daily?  No, but God does!  His plan for salvation and your acceptance of it is what really matters!  Check your soul today.....where  does your heart lie?  Does God fill your heart and mind with His love and His plan for your life?  All of the earthly values that you are filling your life with WILL pass away.  Then what is left?  An eternity apart from God or eternal life in the most magnificent place you could ever imagine...and can't!