WHAT, Mean Christians?

My heart today, it aches as the Lord deals with me in my own soul.  As I have been, and also myself experienced mean Christians.  I know, mean Christian is an oxymoron, right.  Or at least that's what Gods word reflects.  I have come to the realization & time in my life where I have a hard time fathoming the association of the the two words, but I have also known Christians aren't perfect, I am not perfect.  We know this!!  Only Christ is the perfect offering for our sins and no matter what we have done Christ approves of His children.  We as flesh can't even wrap our minds around a love so deep and wide.  It doesn't even make sense to most of us...a love that BIG & forgiving!!  I often wonder even if we could completely understand that kind of love, would we even want to or even dare try?  I have been a mean Christian myself, so when I say that, I don't say it in judgment, I say it because I have been one. It has really been troubling my heart lately.  I have done a lot of growing and God has shown me a lot about myself. As we will all continue to grow daily as we yield to the Holy Spirit .  Judgment seems to be a major problem in the body of Christ.  As parents we are teaching our children it is ok to judge and talk about people that aren't just like us or very similar.  When I say that, I mean even in the same body of Christ, not just in a worldly sense.  As if it isn't enough to teach them to discard or write off worldly people, we are teaching them to separate and judge within our own body.  We must be careful not to cauterize the very heart of God. We are called to be separate & stand out from the world, yes, but we are not called to judge nor put off an heir that we are above anyone. God is unbiased free from prejudice. Jesus set the perfect example for us and left us with the blueprint in His Word.  We as a body are called to love and be a light to the whole world and fellow Christians.  It deeply concerns me that the body is so easily separated within its self. Division is dangerous. Their isn't a single person in this world that has gone through or experienced the same exact things in life, growing up in a divided or broken home or the death of a parent, there are so many different types of abuse I can't even think of them all to list, but this I can guarantee, no two people are the same, no two families are exactly the same, we are all different and the experiences life has brought us has had a part in making us who we are.  God's hand has brought many of us out of bondages and broken the chains the enemy has had on our families and yet we still waste time judging others just because they aren't exactly like we are or where we think they should be.  We are not here to set the rules, we are here to follow the blueprint God has set for us. Christ's sanctification is a process, some things may be instant for one, yet it make take another years of molding and surrendering in obedience to arrive at a destination of deliverance. I am not looking for a replica of myself, I am seeking genuine, like minded people who love the Lord & desire growth or one who seems to have a slight interest in learning about the God who can break any bondage or chain in their life. People are curious and we can not lead them  to freedom if we are busy comparing and judging all the time, and are not ourselves free.  Let God clean the fish, as the saying goes.  We are here to help bring people the freedom we experience in Christ, to help people understand we will never deserve a love so BIG, yet we all can receive it and experience it daily if we want to...one doesn't have to be perfect or have the exact beliefs as I do to deserve the love that God desires to share with them, through me or any Christ follower for that mater.  As a matter of fact who are we, fleshly humans to think of ourselves so highly as to judge and say if another deserves the love of God. Who are we kidding, have we forgotten where we came from, are we forgetting God desires that no one should perish!! Who are we to place that limit on God and just make Him fit our little box. From experience I know God works in his time & I can't control the world. We shouldn't judge if someone isn't where we are. I thank the Lord, just knowing He can change anyone on His own or through us allowing Him to work through us & our lives.  I am sick of people being held back and limited by people and judgments. No one has time to worry if others approve of their selves or family because they aren't what so & so feel they aught to be.  I know that God knows each of our hearts and circumstances, past and present. We should not be judging anyone if they aren't where we are spiritually or if they choose to raise their family differently.  My prayer for each individual family is that they find comfort in knowing, as long as your family is asking God to lead & guide you in raising His children for HIM you are in His will.   If you are feeling drawn to God let Him in, seek Him and you will find Him & His will. Allow Him lead you.  Always be open to Him and the people he places in your life for you to grow from, positive and negative, good and bad.   We attend very large church, so we have indeed experienced people who have differences, sometimes we meet families that are very similar and others no so much, but it is important that we all respect and not judge and gossip about how others are being led in their own families.  It is our job as a body to help one another grow in love, we can come together and help one another, be there for one another, pray for one another and edify the body of Christ. I think Christians are giving the devil to much ground. It is time that we slow down take a step back and get some perspective on what is going on in the body.  Maybe try and have a little less reacting and a lot more reasonable response to one another in meekness and love.

1 Cor. 13:1- 13Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have prophecies, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so as to move mountains, and do not have charity, I am nothing.
  And though I give out all my goods to feed the poor, and though I deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, I am profited nothing.   Charity has patience, is kind; charity is not envious, is not vain, is not puffed up;   does not behave indecently, does not seek her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.   Charity does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth, quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.   Charity never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be abolished; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be abolished.
  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease. When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I did away with the things of an infant.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know even as I also am fully known. And now faith, hope, charity, these three remain; but the greatest of these is charity.

School of Discipleship

SOD has been such a blessing for me & my family.  I am so grateful for a church that supports the spititual growth of it's members.  I have never experienced anything like this.  I am learning and growing so much in the Lord, finding true identity and freedom(John 8:32).  I can feel myself and life around me effortlessly changing.  This is a direct result of seeking first the kingdom of God and his rightousness(Math. 6:33) & trusting completly in God(Prov. 3:5-7). 

We are often tought as children to live for yourself, you can be anything you want when in essence this is a piece of the truth.  We are suppose to love ourselves and we can be anything we desire, but without God in us and in all we do, we are setting ourselves up for great fall.  I myself have tried so hard to acomplish fixing myslef, my marriage, my family, my health(mental & physical).  In my own strength nothing has worked, I've grown tired, weak...worn out, depressed, over weight, exc.  I am learning to recognize stumbling blocks(Heb.5:14) and fight the good fight of faith(1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7). In finding my true identity in Christ and building my foundation on Him I am seeing great changes all around me.  I had left my first love(Rev. 2:4), now I am finding my way back.  I now see that "I" have been living mylife in a sefcentered place insted of a God-centered servanthood.  God loved me first, before I was even formed in the womb and he loved so hard he bled and died for me(us all-1 John 4:19).  I without realizing it had turned my back on that love, yet he still loved me(Rom. 5:8).   In seeking God whole heartedly(Luke 9:23; Mark 12:30) I have recently felt that love more than ever, seeking HIM is not a daily religous ritual it is an honor, joy and great privlidge. 

I urge everyone to ask the Lord to enter & search thier heart and show you the true way to Him.  He knows our heart, thoughts, intents(Psa. 139:23-24) and only He can lead us into His pure truth.  For Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall be given;  seek, and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened."  Then share what he shows you with the world, be a light(Math.5:14).  Forsake the learned ways of this world and become His disciple(Luke14:33).  Jesus said, "  Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men."

Answered prayer...

Just got a call from someone asking about the house, YAY!!  I don't know if you know, but we are selling "in this economy" without a realestate agent.  I don't know about anyone else, but lots of times I start out believing hard, faith full and then slowly get worn down  if God's promise doesn't come to pass quikly enough for me.  In this case a few days ago I was questioning our situation..."Are we crazy not selling with an agent in this economy, my goodness the home purchasing for those with agents is down, what are we doing...are we even suppose to be selling now or what, is this just what I want and not what the Lord wants for our family?,  am I being selfish?"  All these questions flooded my mind as I prayed "Lord please show me, if this is of you, if this is going to happen, if you are doing this, please give me a sign....just a phone call, something.  I need to know this is you and not me being selfish or me attempting to take control."  I had almost forgotten praying that just a few days ago in my doubt or lack of faith.  I had been jokingly asking Michael if he'd gotten any calls yet & telling him he'd better be expecting it.  This evening Aly runs in the the house screaming somebody stopped and looked at our sign.  As I was preping a text to tell Micheal to be expecting a call, he sends me a text, b4 I get the chance to even finsih mine that someone had called about the house....All I know is I was  surprized(that was fast), but as I looked out the window as washing dishes I recalled my musard seed faith prayer.  My house may not be sold, YET, but I know that God still answers even the smallest prayers.  He knows just what we need in our times of mustard seed faith, but that is all the faith we need is what His word says!  Praise God, I'm just super excited to know we are on the rite track, little momments of conformation from above are priceless.  And yes, in this economy we are believing that our God shall supply all our needs & always will in every way.  No devil  can convence me my God , His Kingdom & Children will not overcome.  God is our agent and He is working on this, in Jesus name ...SOLD!! 

What's Happin'n

Whats been up here.  We have decided it is now time to sell our house and move closer to our church, Free Chapel in Gainesville GA.  We want to be more involved as a family unit, we are ready to take our places & do what ever the Lord leads us to do in our life.  The kids & us as well are wanting to do more volunteering and be more involved in events and acitivites through the week and throughout the year.  We are super excited and expecting the Lord to move in this.  We know it is His will for us to be there.  So if you or anyone you know is looking for a home in the North Ga area please share our facebook page(link below) with them, even if you aren't aware of someone looking, someone you know  may know of someone searching for a great home, so please share, share, share!!  We are super excited about whats happening in our lives, please keep us in your prayers and know that we are praying for our friends and family, also and for the potential/future buyer.  God Bless you all!!!  God is good (O:

https://www.facebook.com/JasperGaHomeForSaleByOwner/info#!/JasperGaHomeForSaleByOwner
Thanks,

Michael, Michelle, Aly & Eli Gibson

INsecurities

Thier is so much truth in this little quote.  This day in time being the real you takes guts.  We live in a world where the preasure is on for us to look, act or even feel certain ways.  Standing for what you are and what you believe is getting harder and harder as peer preure increases daily for children as well as adults.  As a child I wanted nothing more than to please my parents.  In school that escaladed to my friends, peers and guys.  Which then formed a people pleasing habint in me.  I got hung up in looking for outward acceptance and never felt good about myself or my own choices. I needed someone to give me some kind of reassurance or affrimation.  I see so many (young girls especially) in this dangerous spiral.  Being sucked in to what everyone else is doing,...the way they talk, dress, act, music they listen to and so on.  No one seems to be happy with themselves.  I was a lonely teenage girl looking to friends(which many turned out not ot be true friends) and guys(which I thought loved me and were actually using me) for my selfworth.  As an adult I found myslef doing the same thing in my marriage.  Always looking around never looking up...

 I didn't understand I had greater value than I thought.  My value from within, I am worth something to someone greater than anyone here on earth.  As a young girl I wish I would have had someone sit me down and explain to me that God loves me for me.  And that the love of God fills all voids, he knows and is all I will ever need.  No matter what I have ever done, he knows all about me and loves me reguardless.  After learning of this great love, it is life changing.  Experiencing it is even greater in life transformation...I encourage everyone to stop seeking importance, worth, value, confidence, exc...from outer sources.  When we have a personal relationship with our maker it will change us from the inside out, and all the other stuff fades away.  Nothing else matters as we draw closer to Him and His Word the Bible each day in our relationship with Him.  We can become who we are really intended to be when we step out and stop allowing people to lead us and  allow the one who created us to work in and through us.  Stop following the crowd and stand out!!  Be seperate, be who you were created to be...there is freedom in it(for you and others in your life). You will be confident, happy, and learn to love yourself and your life.

GRACE

I choose to find or see God in everything!!

Grace, a female boxer pup, is the newest addition to our faimly.  We got her a week before Christmas, thus the name GRACE.  She is so energetic and silly.  Her personality is so unique, she is so smart and funny to watch.  I talk about her like she is a family member becasue she is, as are the other creatures we love.  Grace is now 5 months old and weighs 25 pounds.  Grace lives up to her name & daily I am reminded of God's grace.  When I watch her outside or with the kids, I see so much grace.  Grace is loving, fun, playful, excited easily, care free, curious, at rest & peace, clumsy at times, adventureous, trusting and many more characteristics about her remind me of what Christ's willingness to die provided for us.  As I say her name and watch her daily I am reminded of what Christ's sacrafice was for us...we can be care free from this world and it's labels & judgements, living by God's grace.  Living a life pleasing to HIM, knowing if not for grace where would I be?...I'm glad he see's through eyes of LOVE.  I am so thankful for GRACE.

Fast 2012

Ok. so this year I didn't blog my fast daily.  It's not that I felt bad talking about fasting, becasue the fast our church does at the same time every year and it is a coprerate fast.  Truth is I wasn't feeling it.  I started out not looking forward to this years fast...I am usually excited and rearing to go, but not this year.  For some reason no part of me wanted to paritcipate in this fast.  Yet I knew I had to do it, if not for me for my kids.  To be an posative example and show them that seeking the Lord should always be fist in our lives always, no matter how we feel, in every situation.  Then I realized maybe this fast was for them...so that my children and generatons after wouldn't have to go through and experience things that I myself & my parents & grandparents have struggled with.  When I was shown this things got a little easier.  Michael and I had already decided after this fast we were going to make healthier choices in our eating habbits and exersize.  After the 1st week I felt as if this could happen for us.  Where as before I didn't really feel like we could change our old habbits.  Thank the Lord he has given us the strength to make better decisions in our lifestyle.  In my weakness, he is my strength...God is so good.  No matter how I feel I know he's always with me and all I need is him & water (O:  Even if I have no water I still have him and in seven days will be with him.  Seriously though this years fast I have learned alot about myself.  I don't need all I THINK I need, that goes for food, relationships & THINGS...

I started the fast looking like this...

kept my eyes on:

Now walls are down and there are no limits...freedom is in the air!!

All that matters in Life...

For most of us, including myself at times; it is difficult to focus on  good when there is abundance bad and negative in this world.  It is often difficult to speak kindness when we walk around in judgement all to often.  Focusing on others faults tends to make self feel more highly thought of  and gives one a feeling of invisibility.  I love this image for it reminds me that even in MY weaknesses I am not alone, for in weakness I am made strong; through him imperfections are made perfect.  I am reminded that I am NEVER alone in this journey, I am continually accompanied by the Spirit in me and in God's eyes we are seen pure in right standing with God, rightous in his eyes;  By the Grace of God and the precious blood of the Lamb....thank you Jesus!! 

Grace

These two images compliment one another so well.  For by Grace we rest in what the Lord did for us & recognize we have a new identity and are in right standing through Him.  Our strenth lies in Grace through our faith in knowing Christ died for us and loves us unconditionally.  He sees and understands us as no one else does.  Praise God!!  Thank you Jesus!  You complete me!!!

Rom 12:3,Php 4:13,2Pe 3:18,Joh 1:17,2Co 13:14,Eph 2:8 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:28

A Work In Progress

As a child we are taught the ways of our parents.  We watch everymove they make and usually end up doing the same things they do and act similar, whether we realize it or not.  Then we grow up and say we either want to be just like our parents or we want to be the total opposite and some ride the fine line in the middle, trying to pick through the good and bad and decide who we think we want to be or should be according to the worlds view of whats acceptable or not.  I am currently in the process of letting go of everything anyone else wanted for me to be, even myself.  I mean no disrespect to anyone, but the preasure of being what the world views as acceptable and what everyone in it wants or thinks you should be doing is simply to much for a person to live up to.  I have found it much easier to simply seek the Lord and recieve what he has for me and my family.  Life is a journey and we all must find our own way to God.  Each of us have made decsisions, some wise and some not so wise.  Just because we make bad decisions it doesn't mean we don't know God, for that is when we need him in our lives the most.  When we surrender all to Him he will lead us through paths of rightouness for his name sake.  It is so easy for us to look at situations and assume we know a person because of thier actions, but we don't have the whole picture as the Lord does.  We don't really know peoples hearts and intentions like the Lord does.  We don't know every little detail about anyone, yet the Lord does.  God loves us all reguardless of our mistakes, he knows our hearts intent.  He knows why we are the way we are, what makes us tick and why.  He is the only one who understands us each individually and uniquely.  He see's who we are now and still chooses to see us as who we can be in Him.  His desire is for us to look to Him for everything.  In good times and in bad.  He understands everthing we have ever gone through and knows how to get us through obsticles in life and grow us in Him so that we can be a light for others to see Him.  I know that I am not perfect and don't claim to be.  I am saved by the grace of God, forgiven, washed and clinsed by the blood that was shed for us all.  I can't fathom sometimes how much the Lord has to love us to have given His only son for us so that we can recieve the Love and Grace of God.  Most days I feel so free from the world and others I feel attacked like people are imposing thier problems onto me or someone else. Thier is so much conflict in the world.There is no way that anyone, christian or not, that will handle each and every situation the right way in everyones eyes.  I say seek the Lord in all your matters and do what he says because you love Him.  For me the Lord is daily guiding me through issues that need to be dealt with and as I follow I feel free.  As an outsider others might not understand what you say, how you feel or why you do what you do, but I rest in the comfort of knowing the Lord knows me better than anyone and he is looking out for me and growing me in Him.  If I mess up I know He understands me and will get me back on track with Him because I love the Lord and know will all my heart he is my best friend and he won't leave my side.  I have felt bound by the opinions of othes for a long time.  The preasures of life are so pressing at times.  So many people are seeking to fill a void in all kinds of places, but I can tell you right now I have saught it in pleasing others or looking outward to things or other people for happiness.  I have found freedom in the Lord; His Love & Grace frees us all from all the cares of the world.  I am free from the mistakes of my past, no matter who brings it up or decides to talk about it; I am free from my future mistakes; not that I desire to make them, but becasue I am imperfect and will make mistakes while in the world.  Each day is a fight with the Spirit and flesh.  We are all fighting this fight whether we understand it or not, but I know the one who understands all and His word gurantees Victory to all who overcome this world through Christ Jesus.  My comfort daily comes from knowing we all have the same opportunity to recieve true freedom in our life through Jesus.  I love the Lord and pray that anyone who doesn't know him will take the time to seek the Lord through reading & studying his word(the Bible), prayer(you can talk to the Lord anytime, anywhere), and fasting(taking time away from your normal dialy life and it's worries and look to the Lord,this can be for a day or weeks;  some people choose to fast certain foods, others choose to fast TV or the computer, but you spend that time with the Lord in prayer or studying his word).  I am only recommenting that anyone who hasn't saught the Lord with thier whole heart to do so, for this is the only way to true freedom in your life.  I know from experience & thier is no freedom like this in the whole world.  God is good! 

11/16/11 Dream

         Act 2:16-18

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Over the past maybe 4 years I have had some dreams.  I have never really understoood some, but this last one I did 100%, no doubt in my mind.  My day(11/16/11) started doing school work with the kids and as the day went on a curosity rose in me about our youngest, Eli.  Since he was young we have noticed he has alot of anger, fear and trust issues.  Since he had been in the hospital for phnemonia I thought maybe alot came from that and maybe that hospitalization did contribute partially, but it was also going on at a younger age so I know it isn't what's causing these things.  Well on to my day....later on the 16th I was watching TBN and a preacher(can't remember who)came on and was talking about the book of Daniel & he was talking about how it is going to tie in to the last days.  I know this seems to be far fetched from the dream, but it does tie in.  This got me to wanting to read the book of Daniel, so that night before bed I layed down for bed and picked up my cellphone to do some Bible reading on my iphone Bible application and decided I would read Daniel.  I didn't get past chapter 3, I had forgotten what Daniel was about & when I started reading about him fasting and eating only pulse(vegtables & grains) and only drinking water.  Then I read on, Daniel was given by God the ability to see and know what the Kings dream meant and he wasn't killed like the sourcerers and magicians.  I remember laying there thinking "Man it'd be so neat to have dreams and know what they mean." (Remember, I have had more dreams, not normal dreams...I can remember each detail of a few dreams I have had, but have never known what they really mean & I know they mean something.  I may decide to share those dreams another time) That is the last thing I remember while being awake that nite.

The Dream:  In the begining we are all as we are now, the sames ages and all.  I was busy doing something and the kids were outside playing and Eli was bitten by a snake on the arm/hand.  I could see all of this like it was a vision, but Aly still came to tell me.  When she took me to him she had brought him in and put him in a room, closed the door and covered him with a pink blanket.  When I opened the door and lifted the blanket Eli was lieing in the floor in fetal position breathing rapidly.  I picked him up, carried him out of the room and ask some stranger to call the hospital and let them know we were on our way.  Next I saw us in the hospital, we had to wait a few minutes and Eli was going in and out of counciousness.  One minute he'd be talking to me and the next he'd be out.  When the finally put us on a bed to be examined they brought out a tool that looked like a straw, the nurse took it and stuck it into my chest down through the top of my right brest and pulled it out with tissue in it and stuck it into a bag to be sent off for testing.  I remember thinking to myself but not saying, "Why are they testing me I wasn't bitten...that's when I realized this wasn't a normal dream, it was spiritual(but I was asleep).  Then I remember trying to explain to Eli (6yrs old)that they were going to have to do the sam test on him, but when they were looking for a good place on him to get a tissue sample they couldn't find a place with enough tissue, so I had to pick him up so they could do the test on his back.  As I picked him up and looked at his face he was an infant, I was now looking at a crying baby insted of my 6 year old.  Then I lightly woke up for a minute and fell back asleep to another dream...this time it was me by myself in a big building that seemed to be a grocery store.  I was in it alone or so it seemed.  I was walking through the isles and noticed it was a weird store thier were only freezers in this store( I don't remember seeing what was in them, just that, freezers like you see in grocery stores were all that was there) and the next thing I know I am fighting with this person with no one around.  No matter how hard I faught I  wasn't hurting who ever it was.  I remember thinking why aren't they stopping and that my wedding ring should be cutting this person's face and it wasn't, as I thougtht about my ring should be cutting this face I remember looking at the face and looking into evil demon/snake eyes(these eyes were the same eyes I saw when Michael & I were house hunting.  I woke up after this dream..

What I knew from this dream that I had been wondering about the previous day was that Eli had been born attached to some of my bondages/problems...they do carry over to our children, thier is absolutly no doubt in my mind of this now..I had been thinking it the day before and pastor Franklin had preached a message on it and I had prayed that any bondaged that had passed from me to him be broken, but I still wasn't 100% if I believed bondages could be transferred( I suppose that's what generational curses are and how they work) but, I know that the Lord has shown me this and I have to be in prayer for our children, as do all parents and all of us for one anothers children...for these are God's children and I know he will protect them.  In showing me this I believe he wants me and others to be in prayer for the children that are  being attacked spiritually, physically and emotionally...(the snake bite was the devil attacking my child and not only mine but all of our children)  I could sit back keep my mouth shut and pray alone, but after thinking about the 2nd dream for a day of feeling like I didn't understand that part of it...I believe the Lord was telling me I can't do this alone, to many people keep attacks from the devil a secret for a fear of imbarrisment or lack of belief.  I don't care what people think of me.  I had been questioning God and trying to figure out what was going on with Eli all day...I wasn't obcessing, but inquiring the Lord I really wanted to know the TRUTH and he gave it to me along with the solution, which is prayer from the children of His Kingdom for our children that are being attacked...we are all his children and we have all been bitten, but for me this is super personal and I know for a fact that since birth my child has been beeing attacked by the devil.  When Eli was born he stopped breathing while eating and the nurses had to rush him out of the room, I know that God is showing me his attack started very early.  I believe the devil see's the potential of our kids and then the attacks start early and as children unknowing whats going on they themselves don't know how to handle these issues/attacks comming against them.  It is our job as parents to teach our children to handle them properly with prayer, reading God's word & trusting in/leaning on the Lord.  If we don't that is when they turn to the world for answers and our children are searching for what they need in the wrong places and are getting into trouble.  The devil then can get a foothold on them and work his confusion/lies and distruction in thier/our lives.

I know alot is going on in this entry, but my goal here is to simply let people know that the devil is real and he is attacking us(in our minds, physically, in our marriges, emotionally, exc..) as children of God and our children for he see's what the potential in each of us, as does God.  God is also real for he has shown me many things about myself and changed me.  God is real and I believe that myself, my kids and children(God's children) are covered/protected by prayer.  We as children of the Kingdom of God must pull together in prayer for each other and our children. Psalm 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked,even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I beconfident. One  thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD,when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.When thou saidest, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Mat 7:7-8Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Phil 4: 3-7
And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always:and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

9/27 weigh in...

I didn't get to post this on the date of because I haven't been able to axcess my blogger account.  SO here it is...155.  My weight is staying about the same so I imagine I have hit a platue.  I have been on either on the treadmill or doing a walk/jog(30 minutes) in our neighborhood  Monday-Friday.  I haven't been watching what I eat at all.  Now it's time to start me a food diary of some sort, I suppose and up my time on the treadmill/out side doing my exersize.  So lets see how that will help out.  Next weigh in is October 11th.

weigh in...)0:

Well I will start off by completely placing the blame for my 1 lb. weight gain on my husband, which I adore (O:  I was doing fine while he was on storm, but as soon as he set foot in this house we all lost it.  We missed him so much and took some time off ordinary daily life as we know it.  We were smitten with Daddy...we spent lots of time loving on him, eating out,  playing games, riding around and shopping.  So needless to say I gained exactly 1 lb. back this weigh in, ooopsy!  Oh well I don't mind, my man is home safe and I have the next few weeks to get back into my routine.  We'll see how this  next few weeks goes, next weigh in date is Sept. 27th...Life is good and so is God!!

wiegh in...8/30

Sorry this has taken so long, we have alot going on around here...cleaning, laundry, birthday, hurricanes, sickness, scorpion stings, ER trips & much more fun stuff.  Any ways I weighed on the the 30th of Aug. and weighed 154...so far lost 6 lbs.  Not a whole aweful lot,  but I am pleased.  I feel better and like knowing weight is comming off.  Like I said we are going for life style change, and I believe slow and steady is going to be it for us.  Now I am off the get the house ready for Eli's 6th birthday party this Saturday...Happy Birthday lil monkey (:   Next weigh in Sept. 13, 2011 yeehaw!

The Low down...to date.

So this is hard...it is hard to make yourself exersize daily and eat rite.  The first two weeks were rather fun for me, but it's getting to where I have to make myself exersize(What ever it takes, rite!!)!  Especially when we are so acustom to just doing what ever we want depending on our mood, or atleast that's the way we roll up in here...most of the time.  Any ways I have been able to stick to my getting on the treadmill each weekday and some Saturdays, though Sunday is my designated free day(exersize & food wise). Each day I walk/jog I also do situps and leg lifts.  While walking I lift 2 lb weights with my arms, but I don't while jogging.  I do atleast 1.5 mile walk jog combo or 30 min. each weekday.   Michael has gotten to where he & his sitser Patti walk around our neighborhood about 3-4 days a week, sometimes we all go. I Mostly  like to use the treadmill, it's not as hot in the house(I hate sweat) & I can get my exersize in while the kids are finishing up school work.  I am finding it difficult to give up sweets & we are working on portion control(with everything not just sweets).  It seems like every time I turn around it's someone's birthday and the infamous cupcake, cookie or cake and icecream are lingering(I know it's not good for me though)!  It seems that when one is feeling down or it's that time of the month I need a lil comfort from my delicous friends...Somethings gota give.   I am approaching this slowly, trying to wean myself from things not so healthy because I am afraid if I stop cold turkey it will send me into a downward spiral and I will fail with my healthier life goals.  Maybe it's a copout, maybe I am just week, or maybe making excuses just to get my fix now and then....who knows?  All I know is for me this is a trial and error process and on the 30th the scales will tell the tale...I am willing to make the necessary changes, but truth be told I don't want to have to give up my cakes completely. Sodas are no problem and bread not so bad, but I know my weaknesses may get me on this.  Will know more on the 30th, the scales don't lie.

Lord help us to have the strength to overcome ALL our weaknesses in our daily lives..Amen!

"Be still and know that I am God" Psa. 46:10

God showed me some things about myself this morning on the way to church and it contenued in service.  I am a BROKEN ARROW...{unintentionally} misguided by my BOW.  I understand some things from my past and what role they play in my present, but what I don't know is how to fix any of it.  So I will do all I know to do...keep my mouth shut, pray & trust God. ~ I pray that each generation in our family take more ground from the enemy.  Lord help me to make sharp arrows and point them in the right direction(toward your will) and restore me and all that has been taken from my family for generations..I am serving the devil notice no more taking what the Lord died for us to have, it is on.
In JESUS name..Amen~

Gen. 22:17  That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; multigenerational blessing~father, son, grandson~Abraham, Isiac, Jacob(it's not just about us)Psa. 127:1-5  Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. ~Parents/grandparents are the bow(set the coarse for the arrow) and children(natural and spiritual) are the arrows~the bow is no good w/out the arrow and vise versa, get them together & you have a lethal weapon~

2 Kings 13:17-18 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.  And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.

Psa. 105:8  He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Psa. 78:9  The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

Joe. 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

My new best friend...

SoleF80

{Me in all my glory...}

 {I am journaling this because I spoke with a friend who has lost a great deal of weight and I told her..."Oh how I wish you would have blogged your journey,"  so I could keep up with her for insperation and to gain knowledge...so here I am, since she didn't I have no other choice..it's on me now!!}

   Just finished 30 minutes on the treadmill.  My begining weight was 159.6(8/2/11) and it is now 157.  I will be weighing every 2 wks (next weigh in is 8/30).  The goal I have set is to keep a weight of between 125/130 lbs.  Resulting in a total weightloss of between 30-35 lbs. and keep it off.  I am seeking a lifestyle change not a quick fix. Watching portion sizes and junk intake through the week.  I don't desire to look like a supermodel, I just want to be and look healthier. SO, if I see that I start looking to thin I will stop b4 my goal. Our family is in the process of changing food, exersize & aditude habbits.  Lord help us!! 

New & Improved BLOG

This will be where we share pieces of our life with you...feel free to follow us & enjoy life with our family.  Aly will be creating her own blog soon so keep your eyes peeled for her fun new blog.  I will be blogging later about our attempt at a healthier lifestyle and my weightloss goals & stratigies...will be posting pics and keeping a journal. 

Q. of the day...where does the fine line between truth and judgement lie??

As I ponder on this question I am looking around seeing all kinds of craziness.  I do not want to judge any one for the Bible says not to do so (Matthew 7, says not to judge ~  and if you do you will be judged  to the extent of your judgement on ohters, going on to say to deal with your own problems before trying to help deal with someone elses...or else you are a hypocrite). My next question being do you let someone come to you or do you go to them??... Galations 6:1 also says if any man be over taken in a fault those which are spiritual are to restore them in the spirit of meekness; considering themselves becasue they to can be tempted.  The Bible also warns us not to speak flattery{Psalms 5:9, 78:36, Job 17:5} (just tell people what they want to her~don't be an ear tickler), but from my experience people would much rather have thier ear tickled than hear the TRUTH.  In my personal opinion flattery is equivilent to lieing, you are not speaking truth you are dressing it up as to not offend the person. 1 John 2:21 says.. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.  Collosians says, lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. Proverbs 12:6 says.. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.  I believe many can not handle the truth because we abuse and misuse our gift God gave us to be able to help people with our mouths.  Gossip and rumors run rampid these days, so when you are speaking the truth to someone the feel like people have been talking about them behind their backs placing judgement and insted of seeing someone who wants to help them, thus most of the time people get offended and defensive.  Or it could possibly be that we/they already know the TRUTH and are not willing or ready to do what we know needs to be done to make the necessary changes in our lives to reap the benifits of those necessary changes.  Until submittend to the Lord no one can lead a person out of thier cycle(you can help with prayer and truth, but you can't make someone see or do what they are unwilling to see/do).  All our answers lie in one book, the Bible...James 4:7 submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Matther 7:7 ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:   Matthew 6:3 But seek ye firstt the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mountt up with wings as eagless; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint  Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.  In seeking the Lord with my questions I feel he is the only one with the answers and I know I must be careful not to judge yet speak the truth in love and meekness...which I need HIS help with, sin easily angers me.  I do not like knowing I have hurt the Lord nor do I like it when someone else does it either...Lord help me not to judge and have self control.  I want to be able to discern when I am to speak up and when to shut up and not let me get in the way....Ephesians 4 says,  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  But ye have not so learned Christ;  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Lord I ask that you help me be all I can be through you...

Where I found ME...

  I remember in High School not really feeling like I fit in with any certain crowd.  I was kind of a drifter.  I once had a girlfriend ask me which group I belonged to...she had questioned why I dressed different ways and hung with different crowds.  At the time I didn't really understand why myself, I just didn't feel compelled to be labeled as anything or belong to any certain click.  I tried my best to be true to me, yet I wasn't sure who I was.  This feeling followed me for many years.  Until recently the Lord has shown me who I am in Him and through His word I have discovered myself.  He is showing me that He died for my freedom...freedom from my past hurts, wrongs-mistakes, addictions, bondages, curses, thefts and all the firey darts our enemy, the devil has or will try against me.  He comes as a thief in the night, to try to kill, steal & destroy us in any way he can.  He is sneaky, looking for even the tiniest crevas to enter in and take us down(which for me has mostly been in my mind, it seems to be the easiest target).   He decieves us and we slowly let down our guard and values start deminishing once decieved.  We will do anything to FEEL  happy or forget just for a little while.  In reality thier is one true answer to all our past, current & future regrets/problems...his name is Jesus, he died for us to be free.  We need nothing but Him.  We need to make the Lord the center of our lives.  Christianity isn't about going to church on Sunday.  It is about making Christ the very center of our daily life.  He wants a personal realtaionship with his children, as we do our own children.  He wants us to speak to him about everything and include him in our lives every single day.  He is not someone to just run to in storms, but someone who can meet ANY and ALL needs we have and greatly exceed our expectations far better than any person possibly could.   God is our source for ALL we need.  I have recently learned to quit depending on anyone other than the Lord for anything  missing from my life...love, joy, happiness, confidence, importance...you name the void and the Lord can fill it greater than anyone or thing you have ever desired.  What ever we need all we have to do is ask and he will fill us to overflow capacity.  We must remember we are never alone, when we ask Jesus into our lives we are welcoming him into ourselves.  We are his temple and we find ourselves in and through him.  We must seek the Lord with all our hearts and ask him to be our center.  I don't want to ever go anywhere without my savior or leave him out of any part of the life he has given me.  I have a blessed life, not perfect but blessed...I don't want to spend all my time concentrating on my pain and miss out on blessing someone else for lack of vision.  I want to be open with the Lord and allow him to grow me in my pain so I can help another in pain.  I want to experience all he has for me and share his love with others.


1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Exod 34:14 For you shall worship no other god. For Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God;

Luke 10: 27 And answering, he said, You shall love

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

Luke 11: 9 And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.

Psa. 26:2 Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; purify my heart and my mind.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him


Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledgelack le


John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

Eph. 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

Matthew 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.    Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apartt him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.