Living a life fully blessed

I'm in North Carolina right now, with my dear friend Ellen. A dear friend that I have loved and known for almost 36 years now. As I always do when I'm up here in the mountains, I've taken time to reflect on my life  and the many blessings that God has bestowed upon me. It's so peaceful up here and you definitely do feel closer to the Lord.

It's hard when your in your younger years to reflect on life, because you're so "caught up" in it. But, I find as I've gotten older, I spend a lot of time looking back at my life and I become more and more aware of the many blessings I've received and continue to receive each day from God Almighty.

I know that God was directly me the day I walked into Mill Pond Press in Venice, Florida, back in 1974, totally green, and straight out of high school. I interviewed with a wonderful man named Robert Lewin, and my life would never be the same again. The wonderful people I met working in that company, have touched and continue to touch my life each day. I will never forget Mr. Lewin, the owner, and the profound impact he had on my life with insistence on quality in every aspect of what we did. He was a man of high principles, business standards and totally devoted to his employees. He really affected my life in many ways. He and his family were more like family members than employers.

All the people I met and places I went through this small little company in Venice, FL called Mill Pond Press still astound me. I had extremely devoted and driven fellow employees (of which Ellen was one) unbelievably talented and gifted artists from around the world, men and women in the printing, production and book publishing businesses. I traveled to many places around the U.S and Canada. and was exposed to so many new opportunities because of my association with this company. I was SO blessed to have worked there for over 25 years and I know that the Lord guided me right into that building for my interview and I will be forever grateful. I never made it to college, but I really didn't need to, because Mill Pond Press WAS my college, I learned something new everyday and all these 36 years later I am still in contact with many of my fellow employees and artist friends! It's been a fascinating ride, and one that I will never regret.

I know that God's hand was upon me when I met my beloved husband, back in 1976 at a Mill Pond convention. I prayed for the Lord to lead me to an honest and faithful man, and that is exactly what God gave me. I have been married to my beloved Steve for over 32 years now. I wouldn't be honest if I said it's all been wine and roses, because living with anyone for 32 years will afford you conflict and turmoil at some point, but it's totally been a blessing from God to have married this totally devoted and loving man of the Lord. Do I want to kill him sometimes? Yes - does he want to kill me sometimes...Definitely Yes - but we both have remained faithful to our vows and God has blessed our union. I couldn't imagine my life without him. He is the yin to my yan. He is my best friend, my lover, my husband, the father to our children.

The Lord has also blessed me and my husband with two wonderful sons. They both are truly a gift from God. It hasn't always been easy raising these kids in the age we live in now, but God is faithful and God has blessed their young lives greatly and I believe He will continue to do so. Sharing life with them is interesting to say the least! But I wouldn't have it any other way. They are learning and growing and maturing and we are proud of the men they are becoming. Definitely a gift from above.

Almost 13 years ago I was stricken with multiple sclerosis. It hasn't been easy living with this debilitating disease, and I had to retire in 2000, but each day the Lord has met me where I am and has always provided the love and strength I need to get through the days challenges. God made it possible for me to leave work on disability with full medical benefits and I know that is straight from Him, because we could have never afforded the outrageously expensive medications I have been on to contain the progression of my MS. God is faithful and he has been with me every step of the way, physically and financially.

About 6 months ago, I learned about Dr. Zamboni and his new CCSVI angioplasty procedure for MS. After much research and prayer, I decided to proceed and, as usual, God opened the doors wide for me.I had the CCSVI procedure a month ago and am being blessed beyond measure because of it.

Do I have down days? Of course I do, as a matter of fact the last couple of days have been down for me, and I've been feeling a bit like I did before I had my angioplasty, before I was "liberated" as Dr. Zamboni calls it. But then I remember all my many life blessings and all the good days I've had, especially this last month, when I've felt like I haven't felt in 10 years! How can I possiblity feel down because I have a few days when I'm not feeling as good as I was.

God is good and God is faithful and I will keep my eyes on Him, thanking him and praising Him for each breath He gives. Have you taken time lately to remember the many blessings you have in your life? You may be having a down day (we all have them), but when you really stop to think about all you've been given, it will open your eyes to what really matters in life. Give it a try, God can always put a smile on your face when you take the time to be thankful. :)

My verse for today is from Colossians 1:3-4

"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints.

My prayer for today:

Thank you Jesus--

Thank you God for this beautiful day today. Thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon my life. Help me to continue to obedient to your word, so that you may continue to overflow my life with your love and blessings. Help me to remember that everything I have Lord, comes from your Hand, not mine, not my husband, but yours.

In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen

The wonderment of a changed life...

Do you know any brand new Christians? They have a smile on their face that says it all. They can't contain the happiness and new peace they feel inside their hearts. Their new found excitement is often contagious because they want to share the love of Jesus they now feel in everyone they know.

I have been watching our youngest go through this right now. While he was incarcerated, he began reading a book called "Coming Clean" by Jorge Valdez, the former Drug Lord of the Medellin Drug Cartel. Through this moving book, the Lord really began talking to our son. He spend much time praying and the Lord finally got his attention, because he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.

He is amazing me each day with his strong faith and convictions. He truly is a new creation in Christ. Everything old is gone, and the Lord has replaced it with brand spanking new! We are rejoicing every day with him as he starts this brand new chapter in his life. How refreshing it is to see this new man emerge, and we know it can only be from God. Only the Lord can totally transform a person's total being, all their thoughts, words and actions. Thank you Jesus for this answered prayer for our son.

I have been a believer and follower of Jesus Christ for many years, but sometimes, even I have felt that my faith was in a holding pattern. Sometimes I have felt like I'm on a treadmill, going round and round, but not moving forward at all. I have to admit that there have been times in my life when I have felt the Lord was not as near to me as I wanted and I have questioned whether the Lord was really going to answer my prayers. Where are you God, I sometimes asked? Then just when I least expect it-- BANG - it's like a bolt of lightening! Things begin to move, things begin to change, things begin to happen! God starts to move forward and there is no stopping Him...Lookout below, the blessings are beginning to flow.

With all the things happening in my life this past month, I am getting a HUGE jolt of lightening. Seeing Jordy's total transformation into a new man and then the miracle of my healing through this CCSVI surgery has been I believe the beginning of a whole new season of blessings for our family. I can't wait to see what happens next!! Jesus has me on the roller coaster ride of my life and I am hanging on tight. Thank you Jesus for your abundant love and our many blessings.

My verse for today is from Ephesians: 2:8

"For it is by grace that you are saved,through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God -- not by works, so that no one can boast."

My prayer for today:

Dearest Heavenly Father:

Thank you Lord for your awesome plan of salvation. Thank you for caring enough about all of us to send your son to die for us and take away our sins. Thank you for opening my sons eyes to your truth. Be with him Lord, protect him from the evil one who prowls around like a lion just waiting to devour his thoughts every minute. Give him the strength to stand firm in your truth and your love.

In Jesus Mighty Name I pray,
Amen

Coincidence or God-incidence?

Do you ever have a thought just pop into your head all the sudden like I wonder how so and so is doing? I should probably give them a call, or send them an email. Or you see something on TV or hear a song that makes you instantly think of someone special, so you try to get a hold of them right away. Or something happens in your life one day and you have to share that with someone you love so you pick up the phone and call and they say," it's funny that you called, I was just thinking about you." Next thing you know they are sharing a part of their life with you and you begin to feel that it was a good thing that you called them after all.

Many would say, oh - that's just a coincidence that you did something just when someone else needed you and you didn't even know about it. I say there are no coincidences in life, only God incidences. I believe it is our Lord, our Creator, who puts every thought we have into our heads. He knows who is going to need help and he sends his guardian angels at just the right time. He creates God-incidences that often seem to amaze us. But really when you really stop and think about it, why should they?

Jesus is the great orchestra leader of life. He knows all the high notes and low notes and all the notes in between. Only He knows everything that is going on, all the time, everyday, every second, everywhere around the world, by everyone. He hears the prayers of every single one of us, each day and each hour. He is calling his people to forget about their own selfish needs, and reach out! The Great Commission is about spreading the word of Jesus Christ. To do that, we need to be like him. He wants us to be his hands and feet to this hurting world we live in. The only way many people will ever see Jesus, might be through some kind word or action that you do right now, right here, TODAY!

God knows those who are suffering and in need. He knows those who are willing to lend a hand to those who need it most. I think to be able to be one of God's angels, and if you want the Lord to be able to use you to help hurting people around you and in your life, you need to be still. You need to be quiet. But that's often hard for us to do.

To listen to the Lord, you need to spend time with him: Worshiping Him, studying his word, Praising him and seeking his face. I'm not talking about once a week at church. I'm talking about everyday, spending quiet time seeking the Lord, and asking Him to guide you and use you. So, I challenge you to try it for 6 months. It doesn't have to be an hour, it can be just 10 or15 minutes, but just totally concentrate on God and his will for one tiny portion of your day. Turn off the TV for a change. Instead, read some Bible verses. Get a daily devotional and start following along each day. Sing a favorite hymn, change your radio station to Christian music. Pray for those you love, pray for the Lord to use you to Glorify Him. Then stand back and watch him work. Because he will, guaranteed! It might not be immediate, but it will happen, in his perfect time.

We live in a very fast paced world, and it seems harder and harder to carve out time in each day for everything we need to get accomplished. Most of us are being pulled in a thousand different directions. But I believe that as believers of Jesus Christ, it is essential for us to spend some time before our God. To be still before him. You can't hear his call, if you won't slow down long enough to listen to his voice.

Are you seeking to make a change in your life or make an impact in the lives of others that you love? Ask Jesus to be your helper. Spend some time with the Creator of the Universe. He won't disappoint you.

My verse for today is from Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God."

My prayer for today:

Lord Jesus,

Help me to be still before you Lord so you can talk to me, so you can reach out to me, so you can teach me.
I want to serve only you Jesus. Give me the strength to resist the "busyness" of life to spend time with you. Thank you for this restful vacation time with my husband and son. Thank you for this beautiful sanctuary you have bestowed upon us. Help me to always seek your face as your child, as a wife and as a mother, in all things I do.

In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen and Amen