Girl Raised By Dogs

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. "Honor your father and mother." This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, "you will live a long life, full of blessing." And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather; bring them up with the discipline and instructions approved by the Lord.
Parents are entrusted with the responsibility of teaching their children to walk in God's way and of disciplining them in love. Children are to respond with respect and obedience.

Girl Raised By Dogs

This is a headline that I read last week... What is truly sad about this headline is that it is NOT a joke - it's true. On Wednesday of last week a young girl was found in an apartment in Russia. There was no heat, electricity, or water going into this apartment. The child - this baby of about four or five years old was living with dogs and cats.. In complete filth... The police believe the dogs and cats raised this little girl.
The father had kidnapped her when she was two and half years old from her mother. What kind of father would do this? Why kidnap a child only to destroy her?
Child protective services have said that the young girl does not have any social skills except that of an animal. She barks at the door and laps up her food.. They do believe she can understand Russian but does not talk..
The father may be charged with neglect of a minor.... Maybe - are you kidding me? This charge only carried a prison sentence up to three years.... I say throw away the key!!!!

Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord

Sometimes I find myself too busy in my life to look at the good that surrounds me. I get too caught up in my job, being a mom, a wife or, what's on TV. I get too busy for God and I forget about Him.... Forget how better my life is when I glorify Him. Forget how peaceful I am when I glorify Him... Forget how patient and tolerant I am when I glorify Him... Sometimes I just need to open the eyes of my heart and stop forgetting....because when I remember - I am shining in the light of His Glory and what a wonderful place to be...

The Golden Heart Award Goes To...

Jerriann from "Salty" Sister from Salt Creek Ranch honored me with this award, Thank you. Visit Jerriann's inspiring blog - you'll be happy you did

I have met many incredible women in blog-town... I feel I have sisters in Christ all over the place and that is an awesome thing. When we become followers of Christ it is amazing how many more family members we attain by our mutual love... our mutual beliefs..... and one day our mutual home.....standing in the Son..... I can only Imagine.... can't you...?
One of the things about blogging is that it gives you an opportunity to open up and share your faults, your achievements, your sadness, and share whatever you feel like on any particular day.. It is awesome to know that there are so many women - just like me that mess up often... That know that they really don't know much at all.... and lean on God and each other to lift them up..
The Rules for being honored with the Golden Heart Award - you must share the love.... and that is what I am going to do. The ladies are am giving the Golden Heart Award to are each very individual in their own way.. They are not afraid to put themselves out there... They have made me laugh out loud.... (many have a warped sense of humor like me), they have made me cry, and they have made me wish they lived next door so we could share a cup of hot tea....

Judy at Benmakesten is a mother of ten who home schools her children and has great ideas to share with others. She shows her devotion to family, Christ, and all people who have met her on a daily basis.. I am honored to have met her in Blogger Land..

Leslie at Olive Shoot is a lady that I have to love... She was adopted like my two daughters were. There is something very special about adopted children.. They were wanted above all else and they are loved forever.... Leslie has an awesome heart for the Lord and I love to read her stories, thoughts, and ideas...

Muthering Heights is an incredible woman who is almost ready to have a new baby boy. Her blog is amazing and a fun read. She has a heart for her family and for Christ...

Jacki (Alaska woman) at Hunting, fishing, and other grounds for divorce is an incredible writer. She has made me laugh out loud... and cry out loud. Jacki is the sister I have not met yet. She lives in a small town in Alaska and her talent for the written word makes me jealous
(in a good way) If you want to meet a kind hearted woman - be sure to visit this blog.

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany is in inspirer. She finds God in all that she does and sees. I find myself seeking out her blog for words of wisdom and thought.

Mommie from Mom's Peace and Bits is great at sharing her thoughts and opinions on my posts. She always has something encouraging to say and she has a terrific blog.. check it out.

Mari from 365 days - she has been a constant commenter on my posts. She always lets me know that she has dropped by.. I love her blog. The pictures she takes in her neighborhood is amazing. She has an enormous talent for taking pictures.. Check her out....

So there you go.... These women are amazing and can bless your life.. Be sure to visit.

Don't Take Advantage..

When I became a Christian - I believed that God held me to a higher standard than before. I know right from wrong - better. My conscience tells me when I am doing something wrong... I don't always listen to it - (if you read my I've Become My Mother Post today, You'll know what I mean)
but I do hear it more clearly... and I feel guilt at a higher level than I once did...
I believe that I need to set an example for others by the way I live.... Things that did not bother me before can really bother me now. I am not saying that I am judging others or that I am better - that is so far from the truth it'll make you laugh. I am a major work in progress and I pray with the grace of God - that I can show some improvement each day... Today, unfortunately was a backwards day......read I've Become My Mother and you'll agree - I did not act Christian towards my kids nor did I act like a mature mom.....
One of the things I feel is important is not to take advantage of people, employers, and anyone for that matter.... I often hear stories of people benefiting from other's mistakes... I really hate those kind of stories.... or the employee who decides to go fishing while the boss is out of town... and using the excuse that "I've worked hard and I deserve it".... my question would be... "If your boss saw you fishing... do ya think he'd like it? If the answer is no than you did not deserve the day off"
Today's society has become a "what can I get out them" society... Everyone for themselves.. Trip on a person's front step - sue the homeowner... crash into a pole - sue the city - kid is failing a class - sue the school district.... People trying to get something for nothing... People taking advantage of others.. Whether it be big or small... in the eyes of God it's the same.... It's stealing... Society has changed the name to "I deserve it" "The guy was dumb - so I took it" "No one will know" "So, I got extra change back - the store overcharged me anyway" Are you seeing a pattern here? I am....
As followers of Christ we have to stop taking advantage of the little things or in some cases the big things... I honestly believe that many people don't see it as stealing.... they see it as a lucky break.... I believe that Satan puts those breaks, pleasures, or "wants" in front of us.. He wants to pull us in.... and many of us don't even realize it's happening... crazy, huh...
I think the rule of thumb should be if you didn't buy it - it's not yours..... If you get too much change back - give it back.... if your boss is gone - work anyway... if you trip on someones porch - you're a klutz and get over it, and if you find a suitcase with a million dollars with no id tags or any possible identification - then call me.... just kidding....

Loving Our Elders....Today

One of the most important things I believe is to show elderly people that you love them and that they matter. . I don't mean go out a buy a gift... gifts have never meant much to me but rather spend time with them... letting them know that they are something special.....
I remember when Dusty's Great Aunt Doris and Uncle Ray were alive we would always drop by their home on the way to or from the mountains... They would be very excited... They would show us their beautiful orange trees and make sure we picked enough oranges to make a few batches of orange juice when we got home... Doris would play on her organ and we would sing along to songs like 'Take me out to the ballgame' and "She'll be coming around the mountain'... I loved it... Dusty loved it... my kids loved it... and Uncle Ray and Aunt Doris loved it... it was a special time for all of us.. Now that they have gone - we miss them... Whenever we are on our way home from the mountains, we always look at the turnoff for their home and we get sad....

I was recently at a convalescent home on business and it broke my heart to see so many lonely people... All I had to do was smile at one lady and I was introduced to her life... Introduced to a full lifetime of incredible memories... memories of war, marriage, children, grandchildren and death.... Emma had lived a full life and today she is in a convalescent home and unable to care for herself..... with very little family interaction.... She is lonely.... I enjoyed our visit so much that I asked her if I could visit her again..... you know what her response was?...... "When?" Just one word that brought joy and sadness.... I'll be seeing her next week.

We need to honor and love our elders.... We need to find time to spend with them..... Time on Earth moves very quickly and before you know it - they maybe gone... and all we will have left are our memories... Let's make them good ones...

God Does Not Change In Spirit Or In Mind

Do you ever hear God talk to you? I never thought I did.... I have never seen the Heavens open up and a loud booming voice above saying, "Kelly, do you hear me?" I've never run across a burning bush... and I don't hear a man's voice in my head...and never has a very old man dressed in white with a long flowing beard ever graced my front door. (that has always been my impression on how He would look)
A few years ago when I had filed for divorce from my husband (whom I am currently madly in love with)...it seemed to me that every sermon our pastor preached he said "Kelly, divorce is wrong... it'll hurt your kids, and God hates divorce... Listen up... do ya hear me?" I listened.... it took three years for me to put action to what God wanted and I keep asking myself why didn't I do it sooner?
Yesterday I was on Face Book - my guilty pleasure - and read what a friend gave as her status: "I want to know if I pray and hear from God, but others don't agree with what God told me, should they tell me to keep praying? Will God change his plan because I pray MORE??....
That status got me to thinking....God has a plan for each and everyone of us... What He may want for me might not necessarily be what He wants for you.... God does answer our prayers and He does clarify what He wants.... I believe for us to understand Him is to be in constant prayer.... One of the comments made to my friend was that God Never changes His mind (that was my comment) and in response to my comment another of her friends said, "I have a ministry so I know that God has changed His mind.. not His plan.... but He does change His mind..." She brought up a couple of things that happened in the Bible. This is what she said...Actually in Genesis 18 God did change his mind. When he first wanted to destroy Sodom, Abraham asked him if he would destroy the righteous with the wicked. God told him that if he could find 50 good men he would save the nation, eventually Abraham talked God into saving the nation for 10 good men.
And in Matthew 15 when the Canaanite pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter, Jesus told her he was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, she persisted. So he told it would not be right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs. To which she replied that even dogs get crumbs from their master's table. Jesus rewarded her faith by healing her daughter. So this is 2 instances where God was willing to change his mind. I don't believe he changes his plans, love, or purposes for us, but sometimes he does shift the way in which they are fulfilled.. With all respect to my friend's friend - I have to completely disagree with her interpretation.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord,I do not change
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
The Scriptures that are interpreted as God seeming to change His mind are human attempts to explain the actions of God. God was going to do something, but instead did something else. To us, that sounds like a change. But to God, who is omniscient and sovereign, it is not a change. God always knew what He was going to do. God does what He needs to do to cause humanity to fulfill His perfect plan.
I am not an expert of the Bible.. nor have I studied the Bible in school.. What I do know is what I feel... what I think... am I right? I can't guarantee it..but I feel it to be true... What do you think?

Remembering My Dad On Memorial Day

My dad died last July... He had been sick for a while. He was suffering from the effects of a lifetime of cigarette smoking... Several years ago he had his entire tongue removed due to cancer and shortly after had a heart attack and a stroke.... But he bounced back and to every one's amazement - he recovered somewhat... He lived with a trache and no longer could enjoy the taste of food. His nourishment came in the form a liquid that was inserted into a tube that went directly into his stomach..
He was able to take care of himself while my mom worked during the day... He was self sufficient.. so when my mom decided to fly to Georgia for a couple of days last summer... he was good with it... I also took off on a two week road trip with my kids... Dad was fine.. sure he was declining in health a little but no where near death's door...or so we thought.....
Mom and I took off on the same day in different directions... I believed all was fine and then I get a call a week into my trip.... Dad is in the hospital but it looks like he'll be home in a day or two.... I called at every stop on my road trip and each time he seemed to be okay but still not able to come off the ventilator - the ventilator was something new... for whatever reason a day after we left... he couldn't breathe on his own anymore... it's just one of those sad things...no one's fault but the human way is to try to take the blame... and try to live with a guilt that is misplaced...we play those silly what if games.. What if I stayed.. or what if I got a different doctor....what if... what if.. but the one thing we have to remember is that God is in control and the what ifs we keep asking ourselves and blaming ourselves for is not something we could control... There is a time and place for everything and as hard as it was to say goodbye to my dad... it was his time to be with his Father.... Dad died four days after I returned home.. He waited for all of his family to be with him.
So this weekend is Memorial weekend and my father is front in and center in my mind and in my heart.. Today was a difficult day for my mom, sister, and me.... It was the day of remembrance of a dad and husband who is no longer here... My dad's favorite song was Ava Maria.. so in honor and remembrance of you Dad... this song is for you...

God Bless Our Soldiers.. Past and Present

I love this song and every time I hear it - I cry. I know I am lucky to be an American and thankful to live in the land of the free. We must not forget the soldiers who fought to maintain our right to Liberty, Justice, and the Pursuit of Happiness... The American Way.

It Is The Soldier

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

I dedicate this post to all American Soldiers - Past and Present.. Thank you and God Bless You!

Lasting Impressions.....

Today I received a text message from a friend... it reads as follows "I loved ur message and I cried... get ur testimony ready..." I would have texted her back if I knew how to on my silly phone but I called and left her a message..... "What are you talking about?"
In all honesty, I have no idea what she was referring too... One of my three blogs? An email I may have sent her a while back...? A post I left on her blog? no idea, really....but it made me think of a story another friend told me not too long ago.
In one of my woman's group studies, we were talking about how each of us came to know the Lord.. My friend, Christine said that when she was a little girl her parents did not attend church. Her father left her and her mother when she was a baby and there wasn't much joy in her life.. One day a neighborhood boy asked her if she wanted to go to his church for Vacation Bible School.... It was summer time and days became long and boring - Christine readily accepted... Every morning this little boy, a few other neighborhood kids, and a parent would take the group to VBS... Christine fell in love with Jesus that week and accepted Him as her Savior... since she enjoyed church so much, her mother started to come too... Very soon her mother also came to the Lord... and shortly after, her mom met her future dad and her mom's future husband who later adopted Christine and gave her two half sisters.... Christine said the funny part of the story is she does not remember the little boy's name, or the other kids, or the mother for that matter... she just knows that this little boy was the instrument to bringing her to Jesus... Christine said, "I bet that boy doesn't even know how he changed my life, my mom's life, and my family's life...."
This story reminded me that we can leave lasting impressions on people.. good or bad and not know it... and regarding the text from my friend... I have no idea..... she might have texted me by mistake......

There Is Only One Road to Heaven...

One of the things that Oprah Winfrey said in a clip about "her church" that I shared with you recently is that all roads lead to what we may believe as god.. some people call it the light... some people call it peace... it doesn't matter what road you take.. as long as you end up with love and peace.. many of the women in the audience disputed what she said.... she would not address them... Oprah only said that there has to be different roads to "god"... and the women were saying no no no.. there is only One road and Oprah shook her head like they were nuts....
There is a common belief today that "All roads lead to God." Although it sounds good to respect each other's religious faith, the Bible teaches that the only way a person can be with God.. is on God's terms... not society's terms.... It seems to me that people will often just agree with this idea of all roads lead to a "god" -because it is easier that way... people are more friendly towards you because you are "open minded" and not some Jesus freak... but keeping our mouths closed isn't doing anyone any favors...
The Bible is the only inspired Word of God. Historians and archaeologist both agree that the Bible passes the test of time. Written over 1,500 years, by 40 authors on 3 different continents and contrary to popular belief, the Bible was completed with 99.99% precision... that definitely convinces me to it authenticity. In addition there are 330 specific prophecies about the coming Messiah in the old testament that Jesus fulfilled with 100% accuracy...
The resurrection of Jesus is the main belief in Christianity and the historical evidence is conclusive - actual eyewitnesses - people who loved Christ and people that despised Him.... Why would someone that hated Christ admit to His resurrection?
Jesus claims to be the ONLY WAY to eternal salvation... Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" Our life in Heaven depends on our belief and our faith in the Jesus Christ..
It cannot be true that "All roads lead to God" When we consider the different teachings about God from different religions, we see that they cannot all be true.. Many contradict each other or themselves in critical areas.. God does not make mistakes.... God does not change... He is and He will always be....

One of the Top Ten No-No's

In the first week of school last September the junior high principal was giving parents advise about their junior higher.. He said if your child says they finished their homework... ask them to show it to you.... If your child tells you a story about someone or something... don't always believe it... If they tell you about a new rule at school... call the office.. Kids this age are testing their boundaries.. they are seeing how far they can go... They are on the fence from being a little child climbing over to the scary world of adulthood... Their minds have a hard time grasping why us parents/adults don't treat them as equals... allowing them the same privileges that we have.
I have learned that I have to question things my child tells me... If it doesn't sound true or plausible it usually isn't true.. My daughter is trying to learn the art of "telling Mom what I think she wants to hear"......for those out there that really know me.... they know I wrote the book on that one... I was not a bad child... neither is my lovely daughter.... but I had the art of twisting the story till it benefited me down to an art.....that being said.. I usually can read my kid like a book.. thankfully... at least for the time being..
Today we were talking about how lies can affect people... How lies are so bad that God had made it one of the Top 10 big no- no's.... I asked Nikki why she lied and her answer reminded me of me at her age... She said that she lies because she knows if she asks I'll say no.. and she wants what she wants...She lies so she won't get a lecture from me about how she should have or should not have done something...She lies so she won't get in trouble for doing something she knows is wrong... She lies to make me proud of her.... She lies to have something to say..
I am not saying lying is right but her honest answers really made me think.... Knowing why she lies can only help her and me to create a safe environment for her to learn how to be more honest.. by making the right choices and maybe give me a moment to think about saying yes more often than no....
Going thorough the teenage years again with my daughter makes me appreciate the level of tolerance my mom had towards me.... being a teenage girl is tough..their minds are going in so many different directions and the emotions...don't get me started....
Listening to the Principal last September made me realize that lying is a part of growing up.... and that I'm not a bad parent because my kid is trying to master this skill.. I am rather a parent of a very normal child who wants to try impress me.. and make me proud.... and as a parent - I need to teach her that I am proud of her ALL the time... and am looking forward to the day when she has mastered the art of TRUTH...

Parents Upset Over A Bible!

I read this today.....very sad.

Some parents in a Texas school district are angry because Gideon International left some Bibles on a table inside a few middle and high schools... give me a break!
Members of Gideon left Bibles on cafeteria tables inside the district's middle and high school, under a school policy that allows materials to be distributed on tables... The materials usually discuss summer camps or tutoring.. The religious organization did not go evangelizing... they did not talk to the kids..... they simply left books for kids to read if they chose to pick them up... No one was making the kids pick up the Bibles. They were simple there....
The Director of Communications for the district told Fox News, "We have to handle this request in the same manner as other requests to distribute non-school literature - in a viewpoint neutral manner."
One of the parents said, "They should be giving those items wherever they worship. School is not a place to worship." My thinking is..... maybe there should be worship in school...it may bring down the crime rate....some kids might even develop a conscious.... a relationship with Christ... My question is How can that hurt?
It just amazes me - how people can get in a major uproar over a few Bibles... but not blink an eye at the Planned Parenting brochures that are sitting on a shelf in front of them.... Where are the morals???? I think things have gotten a little backwards.. don't you?

In All That You Do... Glorify God

This video gets me everytime I watch it. It reminds me of the trials that I have had in my life and it shows that God's glory will shine. Facing the Giants is a movie about a football coach who has been coaching a losing team. A team that does not give their all for the sport or to God. There are many obstacles that the coach has to over come.. A team that does't have heart, parents that are placing all the blame on him, bills that have to be paid, and infertility. He was in bad shape until he gave it to God.. until He realized that in good and bad - give glory to God. To always give your ALL to God and God will bless you.
The coach came up with a new game plan and challenged the football players to give their ALL in all that they do... The transformation is something that is awesome to watch unfold. Everything just seems to come together... there is a scene in the movie that just makes me ball like a baby.... if you seen the movie - you'll probably know the part.... well one of them - there's actually two scenes.. If you haven't seen the movie then rent it, buy it, or borrow it. Watch it with you family and enjoy..

I Peter 4:11 That God in ALL things might be glorified!

Expecting The Worst In People

Tonight I received an email from a borrower who's mortgage loan I just closed. He received a really great loan rate and saved over $575 on his monthly payment. When I first started working with him, I sent over his loan application for him to sign... He immediately sent me back an email accusing me of lying to him and that the payment I quoted him was not the payment on his loan application.. Well, he neglected to realize that the mortgage payment was exactly what I quoted him and he was adding his taxes and insurance that he already pays into the payment... He jumped to the conclusion that I was cheating him... After I explained in detail - he realized his mistake and all was well.
Well in tonight's email he is once again accusing me of fraud and not following through on my promises... The guy once again jumped to the wrong conclusion and I will be happy to clear this up for him tomorrow.. What is really bothering me is that he automatically assumes that I am cheating him... Here is a quote from the email I received tonight - "If the problems can't be resolved reasonably soon, I intend to report everyone involved to the appropriate Federal and State authorities. As a lawyer and former official with HUD in Washington, I have no intention of allowing what seems to be a clear case of fiscal/accounting chicanery go unnoticed" In this borrower's case he just doesn't understand that a mortgage accrues interest in arrears and when he makes his May payment he is actually paying for the month of April.... no biggie - I can clear it up for him.. I just hate the fact that he assumes the worst.. in me and my staff.. To further impress or intimidate me, he has stated that he was an official with HUD.. If that were true, he would understand the loan process....I am telling myself that I have to let it go.. don't point fingers... show grace....show kindness....show the other cheek..
When I think about what happened tonight, I realize that as humans we often jump to the wrong conclusions about people. We often assume that the person that we are dealing with is not being truthful or is trying to "get something" from us. We know that we are being truthful and honest but we don't believe others are...so why do we expect people to trust us when we are not trusting?
Tonight, I am praying for patience and forgiveness for this borrower.. Praying that God will give me the right words to say that will glorify Him. I know it is hard to show grace when you are being accused of something you have not done.. and as Followers of Christ we need to just do that.....show grace... forgiveness.. and respect... and Not assume the worst in people..

The Flood

There once was a man who loved God..
He would pray and pray each and every day.
One day a huge flood came roaring through his neighborhood..
The waters started to rise.
He prayed to God to save him..
The waters rose even higher and still the man prayed
The man climbed to the roof of his house and
He prayed.
As he was sitting on the roof and praying
A man came by on a boat.. "Come jump on my boat and I will save you," he said
and the man said "no, God will save me"
So the man continued to sit on his roof and pray..
Later a man on a canoe rows by, "Come jump on my canoe and I will save you," he said.
and the man said, "no, God will save me"
so the man waited and prayed and waited some more
All of a sudden a helicopter is hovering above the man's house
"Grab the line and I will save you," yelled the pilot..
"Oh, no the man says..God will save me"
The waters rose and rose and the man drowned.
The man arrives in Heaven... and is standing before God.
"Father, I prayed for you to save me and you did not." said the man
And God said," Dear Son, who do you think was in the boat, the canoe, and the Helicopter?"

God always answers our prayers.....but are we always listening?

Living The Uncommon Life

What is living the Uncommon Life?

In today's society everything seems acceptable... and if you don't agree with the "everything goes" mentality than your "hateful".. "discriminatory".."not politically correct"... take the Miss USA pageant for example..When Miss California said she was against gay marriage... the media, the pageant, and the mainstream attacked her.. called her names... tried to take her Miss California crown away.... and then tried to portray her as a "whore" and then attacked her family saying that a brother was a "skin-head"... why? Because she answered a question given to her at a beauty pageant with her truthful answer..nothing more.. She did not start the discussion... she did advertise her beliefs...she was asked a question.... It is a sad thing that our society will attack a person who holds their beliefs... their Christian beliefs..

Living the 'Uncommon Life' is not an easy thing to do today. Living a Christian life and abiding by what God wants not what society wants is hard... Staying true to your beliefs and knowing what is right and doing it is often difficult... But as Christians we must....

Living the 'Uncommon Life' is loving your neighbor... not judging them... It's going out of your way to help someone in need..just because they needed help... It's talking to your friends and children about Jesus Christ.. Living the 'Uncommon Life' is staying married... and loving your spouse through the good and bad... it's letting God's glory shine through you...People will see it.. people will want it..

1 Corinthians 3:18-23 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness: and again, "The Lord knows the thought of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come - all are yours. And "you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

What that is saying is that the wisdom of this world does not coincide with God's wisdom. Paul was urging us to humble ourselves that all things are ours. Everything God has done in the church and in the entire universe, benefits ALL believers. There is no place for foolish boasting or competition among Christians.

We need to live the life of the Uncommon - we need to follow our beliefs and allow God to live through us.. We need to not be afraid... We need to hold our heads up... We need to carry that Cross...

Oprah and The Denial....

When Oprah started her talk show she was down to earth.. She showed a genuine interest in all people... She appeared to be frugal... she appeared to be rational.. she appeared to be "every woman"...Appearances can be deceiving. Oprah is deceiving...
As the years have gone by and her wealth has gone up... she has been busy promoting her agenda.. claiming to be very knowledgeable about all things.. claiming to know the secret to happiness.. Just recently she was asked to give the commencement speech at Duke University and in her speech she told these new graduates going out into the real world in this economy...."It's great to have a nice home. It's great to have nice homes! It's great to have a nice home that just escaped the fire in Santa Barbara.. It's great to have a private jet.. Anyone that tells you that having your own private jet isn't great is lying to you.."
It's funny or sad, however you want to look at it... that some people buy into the belief that someone who has money....lots of money....also have knowledge.. credibility... and knows something we don't know..
In the above video she mentioned that she had a problem believing in God (the real God) because in church one day the pastor said that God was a jealous God.... Oprah interpreted to mean that God was jealous of her... okay... give me a break.. In the context of a jealous God - it means that God has a zeal for the truth that He alone is God and he is jealous of any rivals.. ie: worship of idols... worship of money... worship of Satan....
As my first grade teacher used to say.. "her head has gotten too big to go through the doorway.." because of Oprah's adoring fans.. I believe Oprah has convinced herself that she is all seeing and all knowing..... I find that truly sad...and I am no longer a fan..

Going On The Wrong Path

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

There was a boy named Joel. Now Joel was the son of a Southern Baptist Preacher... Joel was a good boy.. He respected his parents.. He got excellent grades in school. He was gentle with children and helpful with the elderly... When Joel was in high school he was a cubbie leader in Awanas... when he sang in church he lifted his hands and his heart in worship... He loved the Lord with all his heart.. mind.. and body.. He never gave his parents an ounce of worry or grief... Towards the end of his senior year in high school he got a large envelope in the mail.... He had been accepted to Duke University on a full scholarship for basketball.... Everyone was happy... Joel was overjoyed..

Joel started Duke with high hopes and expectations... He immediately began to excel in everything he did.. so much so that he was asked to tutor other students in the evenings... of course he said yes and the money was an extra bonus... Joel was making new friends at Duke and was enjoying being away from home... He was enjoying his freedom... His freedom to make his own choices... His freedom to come and go as he pleased...

Joel became friends with another Duke student named Bryan... Bryan was one of Joel's students.. Bryan liked to have fun.... Bryan liked the bar scene.. Bryan liked the drug scene... and Joel followed... Soon Joel liked the bar scene... and Joel liked the drug scene... and soon Joel's dreams of playing professional basketball....was gone....scholarship gone... his self worth gone....

Many years went by... Joel was lost to himself...to his parents.... to his God... he was trapped in a world of drugs and alcohol... Moving from one homeless shelter to another... his parents had no idea where Joel was until one day...they receive a phone call... Joel had gone to a drug house and was robbed and thrown out a two story window.. he was in a coma... the doctors were sure he would die... Joel's parents sat by his bedside day and night...praying.. praying for healing.. praying for forgiveness, praying for everything that went wrong... and thanking God for bringing their son home.... After three months in a coma... Joel woke up..

Joel's recovery was slow... when he was able to talk again.. he told the story of his months in the coma... He said he wasn't alone... Jesus kept him company... They talked about how lost Joel had become...how loved he was... How Joel had to clean himself up...Joel had to make changes...he had to go back to Christ... and he did..

Today, Joel is a pastor in Colorado. Along with his beautiful wife Sidney and their five children... Joel came back to the Lord on fire....

As parents it is difficult to see adult children making the wrong choices in life..it's hard to sit back and let them go...while letting them know you are there...you will always be there...you will always love them... and when they finally come back into your embrace... welcome them home...

Pushing Down Roadblocks

Today I received the following prayer request:

"Here is a urgent request for you prayer warriors out there. A Missionary family we know that is serving in Africa has asked for prayer from their friends and partners around the world. They have three children who have contracted malaria. Two of them are responding to the recommended treatment and protocol and are doing better. The third child, a son is not responding to the protocol and it is been over four days. Pray for God's healing for this son and for all the family to regain health quickly.Thank you for your diligent prayers in their behalf."

In my Church we are gathering a group of women to go to West Africa next Spring. Our plan is to create a Vacation Bible School for children in a small village..... We are just beginning the planning stages.. One of the leaders that is critical to the planning of this missions trip shared with our group just recently her strong fear of malaria..... One of the reasons she had never gone to West Africa... is because of the possibility of malaria. She has been to Lebanon, Jordan, and many other "hot" zones and felt no fear.... But West Africa - major fear... A month ago she decided to try to overcome her fear and trust God and go to West Africa..

Satan knows our fears.....and is continuously trying to set up Road Blocks to prevent us to from following God's word, helping us to share God's word, and many times just being happy in God's word... Take my friend for instance and her fear of malaria... and suddenly a family she is close with contracts this awful illness....... Getting out of our comfort zone is so tough when these road blocks keep popping up... With prayer and God on our side...Satan does not have much of a chance.... but God never promised things would be easy.... if anything He is constantly preparing us for the trials and sacrifices we need to make in His name...

I have another friend who was in the missions field with her husband and young son in the Ukraine....she was starting to learn the language and the culture....she and her young family started to make a difference in the town they were in and all of a sudden BAM they are sent home.... Satan does this.... again those nasty ugly roadblocks.... when good is being done... he sets out to tear it down..

We as Christians need to jump over, push down, and walk around these roadblocks... We need not be discouraged because if there are roadblocks coming up... we are making a difference.. God is being seen, felt, and heard.....

Would you please join me in praying for this family in Africa. Pray for God's healing hands.. pray for all the children to be well and cured... Pray that no one else gets sick.. Thank you.

Empathy...You Gotta Have It

Empathy is defined in Webster's as: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.

Why do bad things happen to people.... Why do children die? Why do spouses cheat? Why are people born blind? Why isn't life perfect? Why can't it be? Why do some go through difficult times with their sons....daughters....?

A wise friend of mine is having a difficult time with her teenage son... I don't know what it is and it does not matter if I know.... the fact is my friend is sad and suffering and I can imagine her son is too.... She made a comment to me about a month of ago that I think about often.. Through her tears she said... "I know God wants me to go through this trial...because how can I empathize with others if I have not experienced this kind of sadness myself...."

As I have grown in my faith, I have noticed different areas that I find myself feeling very strong emotions towards.... women who are suffering an unhappy marriage.....been there and I know exactly how it can feel.... the death of a child... been there and I know the pain.... the death of a father...again I know... Having a wild and crazy life before Christ changed my heart....oh yes.. I know the guilt that can be felt and the freedom you can feel once you give it to God... There are so many areas in my life that Christ has healed in me.....and can help me minister to or listen to others with an understanding ear and heart.... Christ wants us to be there for one another..

We need to give glory to God in our suffering and in our happiness. How can we experience true happiness if we have not felt true suffering... We need to serve Him by serving others...God wants us to love one another Agape style.... Use your experiences and reach out to a friend in need.... and just listen with an understanding ear and presence..

Support Our Troops.. Support Our Nation

I am not a political person... I could not keep up with conversations about our government... I don't watch CNN or FOX News. I don't get all heated about what's happening in Congress... I don't believe I have the personal power to change anything that I don't agree with... Some may say I have my head stuck in the sand....but I don't think I do... I do however, pray daily for our Nation. I pray that our Nation becomes the once Nobel Nation it once was.. I pray that our economy strengthens... and jobs are reinstated and or created... I pray that Americans once again support their country and their President...
I did not vote for President Obama.. I have always voted for Republican candidates... Not because I was completely opposed to the Democratic Party.. but because I agreed with more of the moral issues a Republican candidate often supports... Typically a Republican candidate is opposed to abortion and agrees with lowering taxes.. Two things I can appreciate... Again I am not political or knowledgeable enough to support my comment - it's just what I want... whether it be possible or not... I believe there should be programs to assist the people who need them...as a temporary solution for those who can get an education or a job...... I also believe in a person's right to own a business and not be taxed like crazy because he does....
Even though I have my own thoughts about our Nation... I do believe there are two things I will never budge on.... 1. We as a Nation whether we voted for him or not... MUST support our President.... he is our leader... We MUST cover him in prayer daily to make the right and wise decisions. Openly opposing our President can only tear apart our Nation...it can not help it..
2. We must support our Troops... many of us are opposed the wars in the middle east... to be honest with you - I really don't understand completely why we are there... I have heard many sides and reasons for this war......but you know what? I can't change it personally... The children fighting in our armed forces can't change it... They go to fight to support our Nation...and we must support them and pray for them.. Daily....
Not too long ago, I was having lunch with my mom and there were several service men and women eating at the restaurant we were at. They were in their camouflage uniforms.. When I went to the salad bar to fill my plate, I made eye contact with one of the gentleman as I was passing... We smiled at each other and I told him thank you..... He grinned at me and said my pleasure.... As he was leaving the restaurant with his fellow colleagues - I said thank you again to all of them... one of the men said to me...God bless you - it is so nice to hear that......
No matter if you agree with our President or the wars we are in....You Have To Support Our President and Our Troops.. A Nation who supports one another can only get stronger...

Church and Prejudice

I was born a Catholic and became a Southern Baptist later in my adult life. In the beginning, I had no idea that the school I had just enrolled my kids in was a Baptist Church. I thought it was a non-denominational church because Christian School was in the title...not Baptist school...
When I was a kid, my parents tried out a Southern Baptist church for a couple of years. My aunt and her family went there so it was nice to see family on Sundays...My dad hated it.. I don't know if it was because he had been a Catholic his entire life or if it was because he liked his beer and got tired of being judged by the pastor and the deacons.... I remember one time, the pastor told me to ask my daddy not to drink beer anymore... he said that my daddy would listen to his little girl... I think I was about four years old... I later found out that this same pastor was not a good man (in my opinion)...A young lady in the congregation had gone to this pastor because her father had been sexually abusing her and she did not know what to do.... This pastor told her that there was nothing he could do to help her and left it at that..... So as an adult, my thoughts about the Southern Baptist church was not complimentary.. not even a little bit..
As I had shared with you several posts ago, when I started going to my church - I felt like I was home... I found some where I belonged and since then my faith and walk with Jesus has become stronger everyday...Had I known that it was a Southern Baptist Church... I would never had signed my kids up for school or walked through those doors...
I had became prejudice against all Southern Baptists just as many people have become prejudice against the Catholic church... I have learned you cannot judge the body of Christ by the wrongful and HUMAN acts of a pastor/priest... We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.... Romans 3:23 As a congregation we tend to look up to our Pastor/Priest as being somehow holier than us....closer to God than us.... and when they show they are HUMAN - their fall from grace is much harder...
I believe God wanted me at this church... he wanted me to grow in Him at this church.. He knew my needs and He took care of them... Kind of funny that I did not see the word Baptist clearly marked on the church's marquee....
We as Christians and followers of Christ need to not show prejudices or judgments. We need to honor God by loving our Brothers and Sisters even when they mess up...
As for the beer my dad loved....I don't think drinking is a sin.. getting drunk is... tempting an alcoholic is... but enjoying a cold one....no... and that topic is for another blog.

Qualifcations for Ministry

I have recently been asked if I would be interested in being a part of my church's Women' s Ministry Core Group... This is something that I have been praying about... thinking about... I believe it to be a very big commitment... of heart, time, faith, energy, and love... I think of the women I look up to in the ministry and think I am so not on their level of spirituality... So I have been investigating on the Internet what are the qualifications of ministry... am I qualified or am I too young/immature in my walk? This is a very small "Cliff note" version of what I found...

Personal Qualifications for Ministry

• Person should show their lives to have a strong commitment to Christ
• Engage in regular Bible study and prayer
• Humbly acknowledge their own shortcomings, failures, and struggles
• Express their assurance in God's grace in the face of failures and God's strength in the face of struggles
• Should be self- controlled who leads a disciplined life
• Are faithful in carrying out the ministry conferred upon them by the church
• Finish what they start
• Are punctual in keeping appointments
• Keeps promises
• Engage in personal devotions regularly and participate in faithfully in corporate worship
• Listen and take seriously the viewpoints of others
• Accept group decisions and work to implement them
• Seek opportunities for Christian service
• Loving towards others
• Speak kindly and generously
• Concentrate on remembering names and facts about people they meet
• Are hospitable in their homes
  
• Show the same love, kindness, and attention to their families as they towards others
• Always be honest
• Leadership qualities
• Wisdom
• Emotional Health
• Accept their own limitations without negating their own self-worth
• Can laugh with those who laugh and cry with those who cry.

So I am reading this list and thinking I can't remember the names of my own kids so how will I remember other people's names... am I emotionally healthy.....I'm working on it.. Does that count? So God just gives you a nudge sometimes.. sometimes they are so obvious that you just think WOW.. I complied this list a while ago.... thinking about it.... not really praying about the list because I had already decided that there is no way I could have all those qualities....then I get a note regarding the ministry and the Post script said this...p.s. If you sincerely don't feel God is leading you, that's okay. But let it be just that. No one is ever qualified.

Think God is yelling loud enough? I'm thinking just maybe so....

Not Teaching My Kid Evolution is Child Abuse?

I used to like watching The View.. because (call me crazy) I like Elisabeth Hasselbeck but when Rosie O'Donnell came on the show it lost its appeal for me. I got very tired of Rosie attacking Elisabeth at every turn... why? because Elisabeth had faith-based ideas and opinions.. Rosie could dish out the criticism and her beliefs or lack of beliefs.. and whenever Elisabeth tried to explain or defend herself, Rosie would just cut her down with comments like "You're just Young" or "You are blind" and many other one liners... eventually Rosie's true colors were showing for all to see and I believe the producers and Barbara Walters had had enough - I also heard that some of the advertisers were threatening to stop advertising with Rosie on the show - not sure if that is fact or fiction... I'm just glad she's gone... As it is Rosie's way of doing things she just quits...no tears here....

With Rosie gone - Joy (not her disposition) Behar stepped up to the plate with her anti-Christian, anti- marriage, and anti- everything comments. Joy in my opinion is worse than Rosie.....she is always yelling and slinging derogatory comments towards Elisabeth and anyone else she disagrees with... I would love to see a decent respectful difference of opinion but that I have never seen....so Joy and Elisabeth go round and round and sometimes Sherri gets caught up in the merry go round.... In yesterday's discussion, I was so pleased to see Barbra come to Elisabeth's defense... so why am I writing about The View? I saw this clip about the View women discussing Darwinism and/or Evolution.... Joy's comment had my mouth hit the floor... she said, "I think it's child abuse not to teach your child about Evolution." She went on to say that evolution is a scientific fact....and that was seconded by Whoopi...huh.... okay then..... So I thought I'd share a small smidgen of what I believe....
I believe as the Bible states that the Earth and all the life forms on Earth were created in six days... literally.. around 6000 years ago... I do not believe the world has been in existence for over a million years... Jesus said in Mark 10:6 "But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female" God himself spoke about this on Mt. Sinai "For in six days the Lord made the Heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore God blessed the Sabbath day, and made it Holy". God also said a day has one morning and one evening... If evolution is correct then the Bible would not be the literal word of God...
Evolution states that the Earth was formed about five BILLION years ago - a giant dust cloud came together with a swirling molten ball and in about 3 billion years the ball cooled down.... after that somehow the earth became covered in this water and lightning stuck and the chemicals came together at exactly the right way and a single cell was created... kind of like a tornado hits a junk yard and all the parts start flying every which way and then lightening hits and a baby blue corvette is made... yeah okay... Okay, I'm being a little sarcastic but come on...
Another thing I find very interesting is that evolutionist/Darwinist believe that dinosaurs were around before humans.. kind of funny that archaeological evidence has proven otherwise.. There are actual dinosaur tracks with human footprints fossilized as stepping into the dinosaur tracks.. Also, again the Bible states ALL creatures big and small were created..
My final thought on this - don't want to write a book... I believe that a form of evolution after creation exists... Our bodies are healthier and stronger.. We are taller... Different species have procreated with other species to form new species... but that's about it... Imagine an eyeball... an eyeball can see... they come in many different colors and sizes.. human eyeballs, cat eyeballs, lizard eyeballs, and even a bug's eyeball all different all unique.... so when you think about how unique each eyeball is... how in the world could you even consider all of this was created by one primitive cell?
By the way, my kids are learning about Evolution as a Theory at their school... They of course are taught the facts about Creation.... but for a well rounded education they are aware of the Theory of Evolution...what better way to explain or defend the facts of Creation?

Dinner Time Prayer

My husband Dusty was raised Lutheran and at meal time the prayer was always the following "God is Good.. God is Great.. Let us thank Him for our food.. amen... It's funny because now that my girls go to a Christian school our dinner prayers sound something like this:
Nikki - "Dear Lord, thank you for this day.. thank you for all that you have given "me".. please help "me" and Kara not to fight so much...and help "me" to get a good grade on my math test tomorrow...oh, and please bless this food that we are about to receive.. in Jesus name amen..."

Kara - "Lord, "I" just want to thank you for today..and thank you for the blue skies.. Please help "me" and Nikki to not fight.. and that Mom does well on her loan processing and Dad on being the boss and help "me" to keep getting good grades.. and bless this food we are about to receive and I hope it's good..amen."

Me - "Father thank you for this beautiful day and please bless this food.. In Jesus Name we pray... amen..."

Dusty -"God is good.. God is great.. Let us thank Him for our food.. Amen"

What cracks me up is that my kids try to fit all their prayer time at meal time... the other night, Nikki's prayer must have lasted about three minutes and she forgot to bless the food... This led us into the discussion on the difference between "family prayer and blessing food" to "our alone time in prayer"... I gotta love it though.... especially the "help me and Nikki/Kara to not fight"... This statement has been a part of their prayers at dinner for over two years... and before the end of dinner one of them would have already said a wise crack statement to the other...

"Lord save me from preteen/teenage girls...."

My Neighbor Martin

I have always believed in God. I have always believed that Jesus was born from the Virgin Mary.. I have always believed Jesus led a Perfect life without sin. I don't remember when I learned about God.. I do have vague memories of going to Sunday school in a church basement when I was younger than four. I remember different people talking to me about God throughout my youth. My family was never regular attenders but the belief was always there... Why wouldn't it be? I never questioned His existence. I do admit when I got older (in my twenties) I did not act like a Christian at times. I hardly ever went to church but I never stopped believing in God... I just wasn't real interested in knowing more about Him.
It's kind of funny to me that once I started a "real" relationship with God some of the people that I have always known started to act different around me.. Not in a bad way - just a "I better watch what I say around Kelly" way.. Not that I walk around with a Bible in my hand and preach... I've never done that... People know that Dusty, I and the girls always have plans for Sunday morning - going to Church... There have been times that friends have asked me about my faith and what I believe.. and I will answer them the best way I can.
I have a neighbor a really nice man named Martin. Well Martin is the type of neighbor that will watch your house while you're gone and when your outside he'll come over for a small chit chat. He is a great guy.. Every Christmas season, you'll find him on his roof and ladder stringing up millions of lights...He even goes so far as to put fake snow on his front lawn (In So. Cal - we just don't get the real white stuff). He loves his family and his friends and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
When Martin first found out that I was a Christian ( I was getting in the car for Church one Sunday morning) the first thing he said to me was "I don't believe in God"..Okay - I had no idea how to respond to that... Okay, we'll see you later?...and that's about what I said.. As the years have went by - we would always get together and exchange Christmas presents and share a glass of eggnog. And every Christmas he again says to me "I don't believe in God".... This past Christmas - my response was "Well Martin, you've told me that a few times now... and I completely respect your belief" and he said "Well aren't Christians suppose to try to convert people who don't believe?"... I thought that was a really strange thing... Did he want me to talk to him about God?.... I said I could never convert him - that's up to you and God and left it at that...
Well around February, Martin came over to my house.. He looked very sad and asked if he could talk to me... Of course, I said... Well he told me that he had a son that he had not talked to in over twenty years...they had a horrible fight.... Well, Martin found out through the grapevine that his son had a stroke and was not doing well. Martin said that if there was a God that he would probably listen to me and would I pray for his son to get well and to pray for the chance to see his son again. I asked a question that I was terrified of asking.. I said do you want to pray with me right now? I could see Martin fighting his emotions.....whether to stay or flee.... finally he said yes.... We sat down on my couch in the middle of the day and prayed... prayed for healing and prayed for forgiving....
Five days later - Martin's phone rang.. it was a grandson he had never talked too. It was his son's son..... His grandson said that his dad would like to see Martin...
Martin almost fell to the floor...The next day Martin and his wife drove over 200 miles to see his son....Martin walked into his son's home... His son sat up and put his arms out to his dad - Martin ran/walked and grabbed his son for the most heartfelt hug of his life...Everything was forgiven on that day with the hope of a new relationship...
Yesterday, I was watering my lawn and this very handsome man walked up to me.... He asked me if I was Kelly and I said yes... He said I'm Martin's son and I just have to thank you for helping me get back my dad.. I assured him I didn't do anything... he said you know - I was laying in bed and I felt this overwhelming need and love for my dad....and knew I had to make amends..... He went on to say that it was the day that Martin and I prayed together....
I don't know if Martin has accepted Christ.... I don't think it is the time to say anything... Martin knows what happened.... He knows a miracle took place.. I am always in awe when a prayer is so obviously answered....and I was so blessed to experience God's abundant glory and forgiveness in action.

Saturday Morning Prayer List and Request

I have decided to start a Saturday Morning Prayer List and/or Request. I have thought about doing this for some time and I believe it to be a very big responsibility so I had been putting it off - but you know what? It's something that has been on my heart and mind so much that I have decided today is the day.. Today is the day - I say I'm going to pray -
"Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:7-11)

Prayer Requests

Maria - pray for peace in her last days here on Earth and pray for her family
Debbie - pray that her brain tumor and MS symptoms lessen and go away
Brooke - pray the Leukemia leaves her body and let her be a healthy 16 year old
Zaida - pray that her dreams of the mission field become a immediate possibility
Rox - pray that her back pain goes away
Our Nation - pray for peace and understanding
The Unreached People Groups - pray that they are reached and meet their savior Jesus Christ
Pat - pray that her hip and fractured pelvis heal quickly so she can go back to work
Tammy - pray for her hands and feet to no longer hurt.
Dusty - pray that his gout goes away...
Pray for my friends who are going on a Missions Trip to Peru soon
Pray for the Missions Trip to West Africa.
Pray for Nikki's Missions Trip to San Diego

"God promised to answer our prayers and give us everything we need and more (Mark 11:24, John 15:7). But a wise parent will not give a child everything he or she wants. Similarly, prayer is not a magical trick to get anything we want or a "quick fix" for problems that we should be solving ourselves. God answers prayer requests in His own way in His own time (Psalms 40:1-3), and will not grant requests that are against His holy and wise purposes (1 John 5:14-15), are selfish in nature, are not in our best long-term interest, or those made with impure motives (Psalms 66:18, Proverbs 28:9, Isaiah 29:13, Isaiah 59:2, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:3). Often, we must be persistent in prayer (Luke 11:5-13, Luke 18:1-8). The answer, when it comes, may be in a form radically different than we expected, and we must be alert to that possibility (Deuteronomy 3:23-27, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Sometimes, the answer must come from within ourselves and persistent prayer will help us find that answer. We may need a new attitude or a different way of looking at things, or we may need to make amends with somebody." (taken from Nelson Thomas Publishers)

Please join me in prayer. If you have a prayer request you can leave a comment or if you want it to be just between you and me that's okay too...you can email me at KMLDRL@aol.com and in subject type Prayer Request....

Just received a call from Maria's son - Maria went to Heaven today at 12:30 PM my time. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.. You are free, Maria from all your pain and you are in the Presence of God..Thank you for loving me and being a woman who I could always look up to and strive to be...

Find A Home Church - Where You Can Belong

Dusty and I were not looking for a Church home when we signed our children up for kindergarten and preschool at Shoreline. We just wanted a kindergarten that offered full day classes and the public school in our neighborhood only offered half days...We were not opposed to going to Church - we just weren't interested.. we had other things to do.. like sleeping for me... and golfing for Dusty.
I became friendly with the school secretary and she was bound and determined to get me into church on Sunday...after weeks and weeks of her asking me to visit, I finally broke down and came with my kids... Dusty was golfing.... The service started with a couple of songs and then they had a meet and greet for a few minutes... Several people came over to me and introduced themselves and welcomed me... I felt welcomed but I was looking for the beacon on my back that said "newcomer".... After the meet and greet the sermon began....To be honest, I have no idea what that service was about...but I stayed and I filled out a card saying that I had visited...
A few days later, I was at my home and someone came knocking on my door... It was a couple who attended Shoreline and came to invite me back to Church... They were very nice and normal people and I didn't feel any pressure or any weird feelings... I just felt like I met some new friends named Vaughn and Grace...Vaughn was a retired police officer so Dusty and him did the male bonding thing right away.. and Grace was just a sweet spirit.... The next day - my phone rings and it's this nice chatty lady named Christal - well Christal and her husband Joel led a Sunday school class geared towards parents with young children and would I like to come join them this Sunday... I felt an immediate kinship with Christal and assured her I would be there with Dusty and my kids...
Sunday arrived and the whole family showed up... not really knowing what to expect.. The Sunday school class was really nice...just a bunch of normal people like me or abnormal however you want to look at it.... nothing scary.. I was very relieved.. and when we went into Church for the service people came up to me and said "Welcome Back, Kelly" They remembered my name... How about that... it may sound like a silly reason to go back to a Church but that's how it started for me.... people caring enough to remember my name...
We have been at Shoreline for eight years now and I call it my home... my family. One day stands out very clearly to me.. My dad was dying and I had gotten an early morning call from my mom that dad was in the hospital. Dusty was on a business trip... I came to Church and walked into my Sunday school class and told them what had happened... each person in that room offered to take my kids for however long I needed.... just thinking about that morning still brings tears to my eyes...they stood up and laid their hands on me and prayed for my dad, my mom, and my family... my dad lived for a couple of years after that.. He went to Heaven last Summer...
I can honestly say that when I walk through my Church doors, I am with family and friends. I wish that everyone finds or has a home like that...