Thank you all... and MOMENTS...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Thank you all for your Prayers. My Cousin lives in South Carolina. (No internet in the boonies). LOL He is home now and doing great.
For my intercessors I will stand in the gap for you anytime.
I do believe in Prayer and we still have a God that hears.

May He continue to watch over each and everyone of you.

Hey, Guys I'm so far behind in SP, on the blogs, it's gonna take a while to catch up.
Love you all,
Joy

This is for friends that stop by daily to read.
Moments
Pastor Olu Brown

The longer I live the more I realize life is filled with moments - moments of pain, moments of joy, moments of triumph and moments of defeat. The writer of Ecclesiastes said it best when life was described in the picture of time: "There is a time for everything; and a season for every activity under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

The other day, I had one of those moments when I thought about my life. I received the news of a tragic accident that claimed the life of five people. In that moment, I reflected.

I have often been guilty of taking my moments or my time for granted and filling them with complaints and fears that rob me of my peace. On that day, I realized just how precious every moment called life really is.

It does not mean we live in constant fear of losing our lives and locking ourselves in the closet in hopes that tragedy will not find us. It does, however, mean that we open ourselves to life and the varying seasons of life. The good, the bad, through health and sickness, and we breathe deeply.

We breathe in, exhale every moment, and give God thanks for that moment.

My heart goes out for the families that will forever be changed because of their loss. I pray their strength and I pray their peace. I pray that those who are no longer with us will have rest in Glory. I also pray that those who remain will love every moment called life and live it to the fullest.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DARLENA3 5/23/2009 5:35PM

Amen! Report Inappropriate Comment

CBSPECIAL 5/22/2009 8:55AM

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ROSSIGIRL44 5/22/2009 2:31AM

You were on my mind this eve. I wanted to stop by and read..I love the moments in our lifes where we have to look back on ourselves to learn something. Today you had a good blog. I was sorry to hear about your cousin tho. Glad to see he's home and doing better. Take care..... Report Inappropriate Comment

HRDWLBY 5/22/2009 12:49AM

I was very happy to hear your cousin is doing better! I truly believe in the power of prayer as well! I agree we must live our lives fully! We do tend to take the time we have for granted. I know I'm guilty of that! Helen Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELBELIEVER 5/22/2009 12:46AM

I am happy that your cousin is getting better. Loved your blog as usual. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 5/22/2009 12:03AM

great to hear your cousin is on the mend..............prayers continue.............wonderful words,providing food for thought..................blessings and hugs.................lita Report Inappropriate Comment

SKSCHULTE1997 5/21/2009 10:35PM

This weekend is a great time to reflect what sacrifices are made for us also. I have been reflecting on life today also. Report Inappropriate Comment

S_HANSEN 5/21/2009 10:23PM

Joy, I am so glad to hear of your cousin and thanks for the blog... we love you and miss you. Sondra Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 5/21/2009 10:07PM

Good news about your cousin and I know for a fact that if I ever need an intercessor, you will be there. Thanks so much for that. Beautiful blog! Thanks! Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

HARLYCHIC14 5/21/2009 9:56PM

That's wonderful that your cousin is home and doing well. Continued prayers will be sent to him. Brandi Report Inappropriate Comment

KYLIEMC8 5/21/2009 8:43PM

Good news! The prayers will continue. Report Inappropriate Comment

Good Morning......

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Have a wonderful day and please say a Prayer for my Cousin. He had surgery to remove a brain Tumor. It was benign, but growing. He came through surgery and is doing great. I'm drain but Happy.
I will catch up with your blogs soon, I promise.

"Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious He is. - Come and see what our God has done what awesome miracles he performs for people!" Psalms 66:2, 5 (NLT)

Some things are hard to contain. We can't wait to get to work to tell everyone how excited we were about a sporting event. If a movie we watched was moving, we tell everyone how it brought us to tears. Anytime we win something, get a good deal or come into some extra money, all our friends know about it. And why not? We should share about those things that are meaningful in our life. And what if you knew about a store that was giving away $10,000 to the first hundred customers. Wouldn't you go and take all your friends with you? Then why isn't it this way with God? Why are we so reluctant to share what God has done for us? The only reason I can think of is that nothing is happening in our life. We know about God, but there is no relevance to our everyday living. When we think about witnessing we think that we have to tell people "about" God and most of us feel inadequate or are afraid of getting into an argument. But witnessing the way God intended, isn't just sharing about God, it is sharing the excitement we feel because of what God is doing. God is loving us, providing for us, protecting us, saving us. God is active and when we are aware of it, it is natural to share with others all that is going on. God is busy in our lives and all He wants us to do is show people where the action is. Today, look for God's active presence in your life and praise Him for it. And then share the wonder with those around you.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KYLIEMC8 5/21/2009 7:57PM

I will also send my prayers your cousins way! Report Inappropriate Comment

SKSCHULTE1997 5/21/2009 10:18AM

I am praying. Thanks again for sharing a great devotional. Report Inappropriate Comment

CARADAWN 5/21/2009 9:57AM

I'll keep him in my prayers. Have a wonderful day Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 5/21/2009 1:08AM

sending positive thoughts,prayers,for your cousin......... blessings and hugs...............lita Report Inappropriate Comment

HRDWLBY 5/20/2009 10:14PM

I'll certainly pray for your cousin. Thank the Lord that it was benign! Helen Report Inappropriate Comment

NELLIEC 5/20/2009 9:31PM

I'm praying. Report Inappropriate Comment

SJ1320 5/20/2009 9:11PM

I'm praying for your cousin. Report Inappropriate Comment

COLEISMYSOUL 5/20/2009 8:27PM

Sending out some prayers! Report Inappropriate Comment

MSTELZER 5/20/2009 2:43PM

Glad to hear your cousin came through the surgery and I will keep in my thoughts and prayers ~ Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

TWINKLECALICO 5/20/2009 2:28PM

I'm glad your cousin came through the surgery, I will keep Him and your family in my prayers. God Bless. Wendy Report Inappropriate Comment

DEBBIEANNE1124 5/20/2009 1:24PM

I took a minute to pray for your cousin after reading this. thanks for sharing. Debbie Report Inappropriate Comment

SUNNY332 5/20/2009 8:42AM

Praise the Lord (this is a Praise the Lord emoticon) that your cousin is doing good. I will most definitely say a prayer for him. Take care and have a Day. Report Inappropriate Comment

CBSPECIAL 5/20/2009 7:40AM

glad your cousin came thru fine, wishing him a speedy recovery! Report Inappropriate Comment

Good Morning.....

Monday, May 18, 2009

Thanks so much for Visiting my blogs and giving me encouragement and support.
I pray God continues to watch over you all and give you strength to accomplish wherever your heart desires in keeping with the Lord's desire.....

I hope you enjoy today's Word.

Crying Out to God
1 Samuel 7:7-9

When we face a crisis, the Lord is willing and able to help. But before He will become involved and release His divine energy into our situation, He requires one thing: a righteous heart.

This, of course, is not an expectation that we live perfect lives, which our Father knows would be impossible. When a sinner turns to God for salvation, He cleanses the heart of iniquity and gives that person a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17). Yet even believers will follow old "flesh" patterns at times, so the Lord calls us to confess and repent when we miss the mark. Then He will "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Thankfully, He hears us in our imperfection as long as we desire to walk in His way. The problem arises, however, when a Christian knowingly lives in sin and chooses not to turn from it--the Lord will not hear an unrepentant heart.

The heavenly Father also desires that His children cry out to Him (Ps. 34:15-17). During trials, we tend to pray this way, with increased focus, passion, and sincerity. Hannah is a good example. Heartbroken over her barrenness, she went to the temple and beseeched the Lord with such emotion that the priest thought she was drunk! God answered her plea and opened her womb (1 Sam. 1:1-20).

When a crisis comes, cry out to our almighty God, but be sure you do so with a righteous heart. Then He will hear and answer--either fulfilling your hoped-for request or providing a different solution. Because He is omniscient, loving, and sovereign, you can fully trust that His answer is in your best interest.

Biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley.



Hint: Don't take Spark Trivia Questions if you're in a hurry! LOL
I didn't do so good.
Going back to work.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 5/19/2009 7:49PM

Joy - You are always such an inspiration. Thanks for another post. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

TWINKLECALICO 5/18/2009 7:39PM

I haven't seen the Spark Trivia, I'll have to search for it. Thanks for sharing the Biblical teachings by Charles Stanley. I love your picture here. Wendy Report Inappropriate Comment

DEBBIEANNE1124 5/18/2009 6:17PM

thanks, Joy. I've enver seen the spark Trivia maybe I ahve... Not sure, really. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELBELIEVER 5/18/2009 5:26PM

Thank you for that. I like Charles Stanley. I missed one question today so I got 75%. I love games like that plus I learn something new too. Report Inappropriate Comment

COLEISMYSOUL 5/18/2009 4:39PM

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L*I*T*A* 5/18/2009 4:00PM

wonderful........thanks for sharing............blessings and hugs................lita Report Inappropriate Comment

HRDWLBY 5/18/2009 3:39PM

It seems easy to call out during a crisis. We need Him more than ever then, and realize how helpless we ourselves can be, alone. Helen Report Inappropriate Comment

Lacking No Good Thing...

Sunday, May 17, 2009

This picture is on my Background, because I truly believe that the Lord has been with me through all, and that because of Him, I'm here today. "Praise Ye the Lord."
Also, to give others HOPE.
Have a wonderful day.


Lacking No Good Thing
Pastor Andre Butler

Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints. There is no want to those who fear Him. --Psalm 34:9

Sometimes we talk about the fear of the Lord and we think about just a deep respect, but that is not what the fear of the Lord is about. The word "fear" in this verse, when translated, means "reverence". Reverence is deeper than respect. To reverence the Lord is to be in awe of him and this begins on the inside. You choose on the inside to reverence him. And so he says here that we need to choose to have a reverence for God.

Notice what he says will happen when we fear the Lord. There is no want. The word "want" there also means no lack. Here is the key to reaching a place where we do not lack at all. People in this world today lack for money, health, peace of mind, answers, and even victory.

There are so many different areas that people in this world lack for. But the Word says that they who fear the Lord--there is no lack for them. It doesn't matter if you are black, white, old, or young. As long as you do this, you can reach a state of no lack.

Why should you fear the Lord? Because, when you fear God you will reach the place where you do not lack any good thing. That means if it is a good thing, you will have it. It is the will of God that you lack no good thing in your life. If it is a good thing then God wants you to have it. But the only qualifier to me is that you fear Him. If you fear Him then He is going to bless you.

How do you get there, you may ask? The answer is walking in the fear of the Lord. This is a very important topic, and there is a little bit more to this than we sometimes realize. I am not talking about being afraid of God. God does not want you afraid of Him and afraid of what He is going to do to you. Real knowledge and real wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.

When you begin to reverence God then you are ready to operate in a higher level of knowledge and a higher level of wisdom than the world. There is going to be a certain revelation that rules in your life. Because if you are reverencing Him and are in awe of him, you are going to recognize that not only is He God, but that He is always watching you.

So obviously the Word is going to get you to a place where you are operating in the fear of the Lord and then, of course, the fear of the Lord will cause you to lack no good thing in your life.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HRDWLBY 5/18/2009 3:37PM

I'm glad you commented on your background. It is a good reminder that He is with us. Helen Report Inappropriate Comment

MS-CEE 5/18/2009 9:06AM

Thanks for passing this on, Joyce. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELBELIEVER 5/17/2009 11:44PM

Wonderful devotion. Thank you so much. Report Inappropriate Comment

DEBBIEANNE1124 5/17/2009 8:58PM

thanks! Hugs Debbie Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 5/17/2009 6:23PM

thanks so much ...................blessings and hugs..................lita Report Inappropriate Comment

TWINKLECALICO 5/17/2009 3:29PM

Thank you for sharing!! Report Inappropriate Comment

COLEISMYSOUL 5/17/2009 1:41PM

Thank you for the translation. One forgets that words have different meanings or take on new meanings. Report Inappropriate Comment

How far is the road ahead?

Friday, May 15, 2009

This part of a book that I enjoyed and wanted to share.

Directions for the Road Ahead


The key question in life is not "How strong am I?" but rather "How strong is God?"

Focus on his strength, not yours. Occupy yourself with the nature of God, not the size of your biceps.

That's what God told Moses to do. Remember the conversation at the burning bush? The tone was set in the first sentence. "Take off your sandals because you are standing on holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). With these eleven words Moses is enrolled in a class on God. Immediately the roles are defined. God is holy. Approaching him on even a quarter-inch of leather is too pompous...No time is spent convincing Moses what Moses can do, but much time is spent explaining to Moses what God can do.

You and I tend to do the opposite. We would explain to Moses how he is ideally suited to return to Egypt... Then we'd remind Moses how perfect he is for wilderness travel...We'd spend time reviewing with Moses his résumé and strengths.

But God doesn't. The strength of Moses is never considered. No pep talk is given, no pats on the backs are offered. Not one word is spoken to recruit Moses. But many words are used to reveal God. The strength of Moses is not the issue; the strength of God is.

From
Let the Journey Begin:
God's Roadmap for New Beginnings
© (J Countryman 2009) Max Lucado

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNY332 5/19/2009 7:51PM

For some reason, I am missing your blogs. I will hit the subscribe box again to see if that helps. Thanks so very much. Max Lucado is one of my very favorites. Take care and be blessed. Sunny Report Inappropriate Comment

PLAYFULLKITTY 5/17/2009 8:03AM

This sounds like a wonderful book...thank you for sharing :) Report Inappropriate Comment

BGGARDEN 5/16/2009 10:08PM

This is wonderful.... you are such a blessing to me! Happy weekend. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELBELIEVER 5/16/2009 12:26AM

Very good. Thank you. I like Max Lucado. Report Inappropriate Comment

HEARTBEAT10 5/15/2009 9:27PM

Thank you, I needed this today. You always have a uplifting boost for me. Report Inappropriate Comment

COLEISMYSOUL 5/15/2009 9:12PM

The the journey leads forward. Report Inappropriate Comment

L*I*T*A* 5/15/2009 11:21AM

thanks for sharing.................have a great weekend.......blessings and hugs..............lita Report Inappropriate Comment

-WRKNG2ABTTRME- 5/15/2009 11:04AM

Definitely something to keep in mind! Report Inappropriate Comment

KYLIEMC8 5/15/2009 10:21AM

Thank you for sharing. Kylie Report Inappropriate Comment

GRANIJANI 5/15/2009 10:13AM

This is a wonderful reminder that God is always with us, helping us thru each day! for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

KELLEY421 5/15/2009 10:07AM

That is absolutely correct and something that we always have to remind ourselves. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKSCHULTE1997 5/15/2009 10:03AM

Thank you for sharing, as always I love it. I am dependent on his strength, especially right now since I am so exhausted. LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

FITNHEALTHYKAL 5/15/2009 9:46AM

Thanks for sharing this! Food for thought..... Report Inappropriate Comment

BELGIUMBABE 5/15/2009 9:05AM

Interesting point of view. I have never questioned God's strength before; only because He has always been there for me and carried me on his shoulders when I could not walk another step by myself. I will think about this one for a long while. Thank you. Babe Report Inappropriate Comment