He Knows My Name...

The Creator of the universe... 

the One who made the sun and the stars... 

the One that from dirt created man... 

the One who healed the sick... 

the One who rose the dead to life... 

and the One who was beaten, whipped, crucified, died and rose on the third day... yes He... He knows my name. 

I am not a stranger to my Lord and Savior, I am not just another creature to Him... I am His daughter...

He is my Maker, He formed my heart even before time began.

I love this song... it reminds me that when I am hurting and sad... when I am struggling with something... when I am feeling lonely - I am not alone. My heavenly Father He knows my name, my thoughts... and He sees each tear that falls and always hears me when I call.

This is only possible because I have a relationship with my Father, a personal one... My relationship does not consist on what I do or how hard I work, it doesn't consist of lighting candles or wearing special colored ribbons... all He desires is our heart. 

Do you desire to know Jesus - to know Him personally... 

Here is how you can receive Him into your heart:

1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

I pray that you can know Him personally... if you have any questions or need further information, please let me know... remember all is wants is your heart... 

Be blessed...

Gardening

Several months ago, being the "gardener" that I am, I purchased several planting pots, dirt and seeds!!! I was determined to do some planting, well that never happened.

Several weeks ago, my precious Priscilla had a friend over and I decided that we should put all this stuff to use. They got out the pots and put in the dirt and arranged the seeds carefully.

It was interesting to see what followed in the next several weeks... Each day my daughter would pass by the little pot and make sure nothing happened to it... she patted the dirt and poured in the water... she would be playing and all of a sudden I would here the screen door open and close - "Priscilla what are you doing?"... "checking on my plant mom" she would reply...

Well a couple of weeks ago - to my surprise I was amazed to see a little green bud popping out... I was shocked... with all the "love" and patting and moving that this little plant endured, it truly was a miracle that anything popped out at all. I'm just astonished that God makes that possible... out of a tiny seed - birth...

Each day as I see this little plant grow more and more - and how I see the care Priscilla gives it... to the point of even arranging stones and leaves around it (I guess to "encourage" growth)... it makes me think of that seed that is planted in our hearts...

Here are some interesting observations: when those seeds are in their package... nothing happens - they could be there for a very very long time and they will remain seeds. Seeds are usually very small in size - but the plant that the seeds produces grows to an incredible size. A seed does not rest, once planted - it works day and night... and again once planted - if the seed is not watered... it will die.

How beautiful it is that when we share the Word of God with someone... and let then know that "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) - that seed is planted in their hearts. When a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit brings that seed to life. And with tender love and care, through prayer, fellowship, and learning... that seed grows and blossoms. Sometimes that relationship with Him takes off like a firecracker... and sometimes its a slow process - but the end result is that those words shared - take root in their hearts and in their lives - His Word never returns void...

Have you been planting seeds in the lives of others... or have you been "nourishing" someone and helping someone in their walk... through words of encouragement, love, and prayer... go on... its never too late to begin.
Be blessed... 

Pleasing the Lord...

I am a people-pleaser..

Yes as hard as it is to admit (because I don't like the sound of it) I am... but little by little I have been discovering that I am able to say "no".

Recently I had to say no to someone and goodness it was something that I was dreading... but I was able to meet with the person today and without 101 excuses, shared that at this was not the right time and it was not something we did not want to do.

Whoa!!!! If you know me - you will know that one of my favorites replies is a cheerful"no problem"... Yep... no problem... but you see its something that the Lord has been convicting me on and something that I have been praying about. One of the verses that I am memorizing is "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 ESV)

You see the first problem that people like me tend to do is to seek validation from the world. But no matter how much the world loves or hates you, your value, your true worth can only come from our Lord and Savior. You can give all your time all of your efforts to please others and it still won't do nothing for us... You know something you won't feel fulfilled or even at ease... but probably just the opposite because then you will start to doubt if you did enough, if you gave enough, what they thought of you. But the lesson we must learn is that we need to learn is that the only one that can give you true worth and fill that void is that Lord.

We must also realize that we are loved beyond words. Our value has never changed with God and there is nothing we can do to make Him love us any more, or any less... you see its not about works... He wants our hearts...

But you know what broke it down for me - its my daughter Elizabeth... like I have mentioned before - as hard as it is for me to admit - my precious one is my mini me. And why does that sound like if its a bad thing... we would want our children to be like us... right??? Hmmmm its just a strange thing - its like having an outer body experience - where we can see our flaws right to our face... those things we don't like about ourselves... from the big things to the little things... and then I see how hard she tries to please me... how hard she works to get that affirmation, that sense of approval... and day after day I try to remind her of how proud I am of her and that I love her... and just like Jesus reminds me - I remind her that there is nothing she can do that will make me love her any less. I want her to know and to grow up knowing that she doesn't have to work for love, for acceptance, but that her security comes from the Lord - who loves her beyond any words.

Our God is the same way. He doesn’t want His children thinking they have to work for His love. He wants them to run to Him knowing that He loved us sooo much - that He died on the cross for us... He reminds us that He did it all...

What a beautiful reminder that is...

Where is your identity found? I have learned that mine is found in Him... and that is the legacy that I want to pass on to my children... that if the world is going to criticize or judge you - let it be because you lived your life to please Him above all things...


Be blessed...

The truth...

I just finished speaking to someone who is very close to me and who is so much more than a friend.  She has been stressing out about life... and I can't blame her. Its one thing after another. Just when she thinks she is catching her breath she gets hit with a right, she turns around and gets hit with a left... and just when she is dusting herself off, there comes a flurry of jabs...

Its not easy being a friend... when it comes down to the hard stuff (not too many "friends" stick around).  Its easy when its all about having fun and laughing and joking and such... Can we say that we our friend up emotionally, spiritually and physically when its gets tough. Its a blessing when we have a friend that we are able to get strength from, where we are encouraged and feel loved.  In a world where we are bashed and told we are not good enough and which offers us a list of things we need or have to change its comforting to have someone where we can be ourselves, where we can turn to talk to, to cry and who will listen to our heart.  

And she is that friend... you see in the midst of her battles, when she is dusting herself off - she is asking how she can help you - she is unselfish, loving, and caring... always concerned for the well-being of others... and in doing so she forgets about herself and then becomes consumed with what is happening to those she loves that she gets burdened and those burdens seem to sometimes re-prioritize her relationship with her Friend.

She has such a tender and beautiful heart - and I have learned that a true friend will also be there to say the difficult things - to truly impact a friend's heart and because of that shared trust, we are able to share that hard message with truth and grace... 

Sometimes the last thing someone wants to hear is your typical "Christian" answer... it tends to sound like if we have it all together... when that is farthest from the truth - because none of us are perfect... someone dear to me once told me that opinions and suggestions are like noses... everyone has one... but there is nothing like the Word of God - that is not an opinion or a suggestion but His Truth.  

The Word will comfort us, console us, give us direction and wisdom, give us hope...  and the list can go on and on.  There is nothing more beautiful than when scripture is shared.  

So to you who reads this  - soak in the Word of the Lord... envelope yourself in His Living Word... let it refresh you... "Be anxious for nothing" the Word tells us... " but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6 says...

There are times that we want to turn and run and hide - but to you I say - you need to return back to Him (He waits with open arms) and as it says in Matthew 11:28 "I will give you rest".  

Rest in Him - find your joy in Him my friend... 

Be blessed...

Be loved... by Him...

As they move on...

Photo by Emmanuel Gundran

Last night my husband wanted to have a goodbye BBQ for three special young ladies who have touched our hearts - Katie Watkins, Patricia Angeles and Elizabeth Arias and which in the next week will be leaving to school.

As I write this my heart does that thing where its feels like it is overflowing - but its my eyes that fill with tears.

For the past many years I have been blessed to be married to the Youth Director at our church - which meant that I was blessed to be able to help him in whatever he needed me to do. This was never truly a job but it was a part of our lives, a part of our family.

When we are introduced into these young lives they are entering 6th grade... when they leave they are preparing to enter college - and its hard because they enter our hearts, our lives and then the time comes where we must let them go.

It was so funny watching them yesterday and listening to their conversations and feeling their excitement... they were no longer those awkward 6th graders... but these beautiful young ladies - they were beaming at the beginning of their new stage in life. So they tell me not to be sad - that they will be back to visit, that they love us, and all those sweet words - but letting go is so hard to do and even though they are not our children, we are beyond blessed that their parents have trusted us so much to allow us to be a part of their lives and to be a part of our family. As the mother hen - I want to be able to bottle up all of our love for them, all of our prayers, hugs and kisses... so when they find themselves alone, struggling, afraid... they can open it up and be surrounded by love... and know they are loved.

It is such an incredible blessing to see how these young ladies have grown and been such a tremendous blessing in our lives and the lives of so many. To see how they have grown spiritually and ministered to others and how they have been such a wonderful example to those around them.

My husband is not an emotional guy... but he has a heart filled with love for these young ladies. ...

My dear beautiful ones - always always remember these three things: remember who you are and whose you are... “you is kind. you is smart. you is important.”(Kathryn Stockett, The Help) and - you are loved beyond words...

There is this song that I have dedicated to my son Ben and I also want to dedicate to you three:  Mark Harris - Wings to Fly.

And my darling ones - I am sure that these are also the words your parents pray for you always:

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams

And that faith gives you the courage

To dare to do great things

I'm here for you whatever this life brings

So let my love give you roots

And help you find your wings

We love you...

When you reach out...

Photo by Emmanuel Gundra - Monica's Husband

On Thursday, I went with my friend Monica to visit one of our church members - Ms. Marge Rebecky who is in her 90's and very sick.

After I got home, despite being sad seeing Ms. Marge in that condition - I also felt so blessed seeing my friend Monica love Ms. Marge with her touch and words... it was just to tender.  I sent Monica a note saying how thankful I was for her friendship but most of all seeing her heart in action... I found it to be such a gift.  How I wish I could have captured those moments to share with you... because they are indescribable.  

Her reply to me was so true that I needed to share it with you... and I hope you are also touched by it.

"Reaching out takes something from you and puts it onto someone else. When you walk away you leave changed. Changed because you have given away a part of yourself but also that person put something in you. The pain you see, the tears, the words Please help me. That never leaves your mind, it plays over and over again. So you say next time I won't give in. But when the Lord touches you, you are never the same and you have to share that Love with another."  Monica Gundran 

As I read her reply to me - it reaches my heart...  When the Lord touches you, you are never the same again - we become more Christlike - our desire becomes to be more like Him and sharing that love -that only comes from Him - with others, even in the most difficult moments...  In giving of ourselves - we are blessed beyond words and filled by Him with more of Him.

Be blessed...

Tonight I Saw Love

Tonight I went to visit Ms Marge Rebecky. 

Ms Marge is a tiny woman - 93 or 94 years old.  She was the greeter at our church.  Each Sunday morning when you would come to the second service - there she was... looking all pretty with her well coordinated outfits and matching accessories with her perfect hair and makeup... there she would stand at the entrance and greet you with a grandmotherly smile.... say hello and hand you a church bulletin. 

Always with a kind word and a twinkle in her eye.

But Ms. Marge was slowly deteriorating...

One Sunday she was there and the next Sunday - her son calls me over to tell me how sick she was. It was unbelievable...she was just here and I was complimenting her on how beautiful her hair looked.  

Ms. Marge is now is very very sick. She may not have long to live. When  I went to visit her tonight - she was calling out to her brother and sister- both who have passed away.

I went to visit her with my friend Monica.  When we got there Ms. Marge was experiencing anxiety... and was a little fidgety, calling out to her loved ones which were not there... but beyond all that - it was that peace, that love, that something that is indescribable that you know can only come from knowing Jesus.

When the time came for her to eat, I switched seats and sat across from her.  And was able to see this love from another point of view... I saw Monica hold her hand and try comfort her... 

I heard her daughter share her stories and how from time to time she remembers little things...

I saw her son talk to her, stroke her hair, hold her hand and take care of her.  He would ask her - "Do you love me" and she would reply "yes I do".  I could only think of how blessed Marge is even now... to be loved so much during this time. How can a son do this -   and all that came to my heart was Philippians 4:6-7 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The peace of God which surpasses all understanding... how beautiful is that... that even during these difficult moments - the Lord will give you a peace that cannot be explained... 

Tonight I saw love... 

Thank you Monica - for showing your beautiful, tender and gentle heart... time and time again I see this special gift in you that the Lord has given to you... I am so blessed to know you.

Yes tonight I saw love...