Falls Creek 2011

We just got back from youth camp. The Lord's hand was HUGE. Prayers were answered in mighty ways. We had 9 young people come to know the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior, and we also had 6 young people surrender their life to full-time ministry. I'm overwhelmed, in awe, speechless, and completely consumed. Even now as I think about what He did and is doing tears fill my eyes. Now is one of those times that life seems like a whisper, things are too awesome to try and put into words. I have much to blog about, but can't form the words at this time. Until I can....

Psalm 103

Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

Thank you!

I'm thanking ya'll in a post cause truth is...I have no idea how to reply to your individual comments. HAHA! I wish I could...but this brain can't seem to figure it out. I think it might have taken a summer vacation. Oh well, if any of you knows how I would love some help! :)
But until then...Thank you to all you sweet ladies who have commented on my posts! You have no idea how much all your delightful words have encouraged and blessed me to no end! I have read each one and each one brings tears to my eyes.
I don't know how many times I've asked the Lord, "How in the world can this bring you glory?? " And each time He gives me peace, but I don't understand anymore clearly than I did before. I leave those moments with a peace that I might never understand here on this earth, but that one day I will see with unveiled eyes and everything will make sense. But as I read and took in all your sweet words, I began to understand, even if just a little bit, how He is receiving glory through my circumstances and for that I am eternally thankful and overwhelmed and humbled. I'm so blessed.

Now on a completely different note...

Here is proof (as if you needed any more) that the Wood Pile runs a little on the crazy side ~ My boy is covered in calamine lotioned poison ivy and is drinking hot chocolate...in the summer...with a straw. He marches to the beat of his own drummer and I wouldn't have it any other way! I am in deep Momma-love with that precious boy!

Happy summer, ya'll! :)

This is STILL Me!

Tonight I was surprised, humbled, and blessed by this blog post by Lynnette Kraft over at Dancing Again, and it got me thinking that that post is almost two years old and I think you should know that...

This is STILL me, ya'll!

Actually...

this is me currently!
(please excuse the lack of makeup...just keeping real folks!) :)

And this blog post is still just as true and relevant to my life today as it was the day I wrote it. I still have alopecia. I'm still bald as a bug. I still have bad days, but the good far outweigh the bad. There are still days that I cry, but the days of laughter are more often than not. I'm still seeking the Lord for my worth and my identity...but to be completely honest, I still loose focus sometimes. There are still days when I throw a good ole pity party for myself, but they are becoming fewer and farther between. There are times when patches of hair will grow back and I'll get excited, but then it falls out again and I have to make a choice to believe the One who says He made me fearfully and wonderfully. There are still days when I'm not the biggest fan of the my reflection and on those days I struggle, but on those days, I still have to choose to speak God's truth to that bald girl that stares back at me in the mirror. There are days when it feels so unfair that the hair on my head, my eyelashes, and my eyebrows are not growing back, but the hair on my ARMPITS and LEGS do...I mean, come ON...Really? Such a bummer! But then I get kinda excited to shave cause it's been a while. :) (I know, I know...it sounds so very crazy to you...unless you've been in my shoes, and in that case you totally understand the celebration in that drended chore. HAHAHAHA!) There are still days I long for a full head of hair...but it's not everyday anymore.

This is still who I am. This is how God made me! I’m a wife to Lee, a mom to Hunter and Braden, a mommy to two babies in heaven, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a granddaughter, a friend, a niece, a cousin, a youth pastor’s wife, a singer, a songwriter, a worshiper and follower of Jesus Christ, and daughter of the KING of Kings; who is still bald! Is it the worst thing that could, or even has, happened to me? NO! Is it still difficult sometimes, as it would be for anyone? Absolutely! But because He is my Lord, I still worship Him always, in every season! I still trust Him in everything! He picked me up out of that dark pit and has given me joy and a new song!

Psalm 126:2-3&5-6

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy....
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.

Wait Expectantly

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (NIV)

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the LORD. (HSB)

Psalm 38:15 LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. (NIV)

Psalm 38:15 I trust you, LORD. You will answer, my LORD and God. (NCV)

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. (NIV)

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord to help me, and I trust his word. (NCV)

Micah 7:7 But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me. (Message)

Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. (NIV)

Who To Marry

Marry the one that you have prayed over. Second only to your salvation, this is the most important decision you can make. Bring it before the throne of the Most High God.

The one you marry will be your partner in life ministry. Marry one who's life causes you to believe that together you are more effective for the kingdom of God than you could ever be apart.

Run hard after God with everything in you, keep a laser focus on HIM, then look to see who is still running along side you. Pick from there. Don't go backwards.

Marry one who's laser focus is the Lord.

Marry one who points you to Jesus and His unchanging Word, the one who makes you long for more and more of the LORD. Your relationship with that person should bring you closer to the Savior, not further apart.

Marry one who makes you hunger for Christ, believe in Grace, and experience the love of God.

Marry one who causes you to seek the Heart of God in order to know them better, because that's where they dwell.

Marry one who will fight along side you when life gets hard...and it will get hard.

Marry the one who you know will be praying for you when you ask them too.

Marry the one who, when life kicks you in the teeth and your hurting, you know they will drop everything to fall on their face before the Lord and intercede on your behalf, even if you never ask them too. Grab that one up.


Marry one who respects you, uplifts you, and encourages you.

Marry one who cherishes you.

Marry one who is love in action.

Marry a forgiver.

Marry a fighter willing to fight a holy battle.

Marry a gentle spirit.

Marry a peacemaker.

Marry one who's life lived matches their words spoken.

Marry one who makes you laugh like no one else can.

Marry one who makes your toe nails sweat. :)

Marry your best friend.

Settle for nothing less.

Wait patiently and expectantly. God's best for you will always be worth the wait. Always.

And when you find that one and you marry them....

Choose to marry them again everyday. Choose to love them everyday. Choose to fight for them everyday.


Choose to be that one for your spouse everyday.

Lord, thank you for my one. I am forever grateful!

Victory

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Romans 8:31-39 (NIV) What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-39(Message) So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture....None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.


Oh, victory in Jesus,
My Savior forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood

He loved me
Ere I knew Him
And all my love
Is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the
Cleansing flood

Think About These Things

A joyful attitude is contagious...so is a bad one...

Philippians 4:8 "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."(Message)

May my joy be contagious as I take on this day the Lord has given me!

Happy and Hope-filled

Isaiah 30:18 "But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones."(Message)

Proverbs 15:13 "A glad heart makes a cheerful face"

Psalm 126:2 "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.Then it was said among the nations, The LORD has done great things for them."

Proverbs 31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at days to come!"

Malachi 1:5 "Yes, take a good look. Then you'll see how faithfully I've loved you and you'll want even more, saying, 'May GOD be even greater..."(Message)

1 Thess. 5:16-18 "Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

"If you are experiencing confusion, pain, and suffering, it may be that God is working things out for you in His own way. It is most often the sovereign work of our God unfolding a master plan known only to Him." - David Wilkerson

Psalm 18:19

"He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."

Lord, may I always dance in freedom in that spacious place, captivated by Your unfailing love and delight for me! I'm in awe of You!!

Ps. My very very talented Momma painted this picture for me! She gave it to me today and I absolutely LOVE it!

Philippians 4:4-5 Graciousness

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near." (HCSB)

Graciousness:

*Characterized by kindness and warm courtesy.
*Characterized by tact and propriety
*Of a merciful or compassionate nature.
*Marked by kindness, sympathy, and unaffected politeness

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand" (ESV)

Reasonableness:

*Capable of reasoning; rational: a reasonable person
*Governed by or being in accordance with reason or sound thinking
*Being within the bounds of common sense
*Not excessive or extreme; fair

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." (NIV)

Gentleness:

*Acting in a manner that is gentle and mild and even-tempered
*Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender.
*Not harsh or severe; mild and soft

I have been thinking about, meditating on, and studying these verses all afternoon. It has definitely been piercing my heart. I started out meditating on verses 6-8. You know, the ones about worrying about nothing and filling your mind with good things? Anyway, these verses caught my eye. There they were sitting directly before "Don't worry about anything... "

So...

When it says to be gracious/reasonable/gentle to all, it's talking about to all people, huh?

Even the ones that rub me the wrong way.
Even the ones that irritate the poo out of me.
Even the ones who aren't gracious/reasonable/gentle.
Even the ones who have hurt me.
Even the ones that are unkind to me.
Even the ones that are unkind to those I love.
Even the ones that might be manipulative or selfish.
Even the ones who are not behaving in ways that I might deem worthy of my gracious/reasonable/gentle behavior.
Even the one I married.
Even the ones I birthed.

It's talking about all people! It's saying that I need to make it evident to them, to make it known to them; that in Christ, I am a joyful, gracious, reasonable, gentle person. And if that is truth (which it is), then that means that I must be gracious/reasonable/gentle in all things and rejoice in Him always...

Even when I'm mad.
Even when things don't go my way.
Even when I'm in a bad mood.
Even when I'm tired.
Even when I'm hurt.
Even when I'm hormonal and PMSing big time.
Even when I'm cranky.
Even when I feel wronged.
Even when I'm stressed.
Even when I'm feeling protective.
Even when I'm wrong.
Even when I know I'm definitely right.

Good grief, that's like a holy 2x4 to the head.

Then I got to thinking...I'll bet, if I truly lived out Philippians 4:4-5, then verse 6 wouldn't be as diffcult. If I truly lived in such a way that I rejoiced in the LORD always, and my graciousness was evident to all, because the LORD is near, I'll bet I would worry a whole lot less. Because when I'm truly living verse 4 and 5...verse 8 will come naturally. And I don't know about you, but when I'm dwelling and thinking and meditating on all those good Godly things, it's impossible for me to worry.

Philippians 4:4-8 " 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things."

Honestly...

I was reading Jon Acuff's blog today and this section jumped out at me.
I'm quoting from "miserable god" by Jon Acuff ~

"This is what I am wrestling with right now, the continued realization that I’ve made God into an emo god. I know how to cry with Him, but not laugh. I know how to mourn with Him but not dance. And I think the enemy wants that. He wants us to be ashamed or embarrassed by the great ways God blesses us and reject compliments and think that God can only hold us and mold us in times of great hurt.

But when we do that, we miss who God is.

That He is the God who loves us so much He sent His son to die for us. (John 3:16)

That He is the God who longs to be gracious to us and rises in the morning to show us compassion. (Isaiah 30:18) That He is the God who satisfies our desires with good things. (Psalm 103:5) That He is the God who delights in the well-being of His servant. (Psalm 35:27)

Does God teach us in difficult moments? Have we not been promised that in this world there will be trouble? Without a doubt.

But when we confine God’s love and lessons strictly to a classroom of misery we create a miserable god.

And that’s not who He is."

Honestly, this is what I'm wrestling with right now...

...It's easy for me to talk about, or blog about, the hard lessons He has taught me, or the difficult times He has brought me through. It's so much more difficult for me to talk about, or blog about, the GREAT, awesome, amazing, joyful things God is bringing me through and doing for me. Why? Why is that so difficult for me? Why do I cringe when someone gives me a compliment regarding something awesome that the Lord is doing in my life? I have beat myself up over and over again, asking myself this very question. Why?

The truth of the matter is this, sometimes I feel like I'm spending my life waiting on the next shoe-from-heaven to drop. I mean that with no disrespect intended at all, but in complete honesty. There are days I think, "Life is going pretty good right now. I wonder when my next "lesson" is coming and what it's going to entail?" And then that old overwhelming sense of anxiety sneaks up and grips me once more. I know that's wrong. I'm not proud.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for the things that He has shown me through my difficult times. If I could go back and have my youngest two children with me on this earth, without a moment's hesitation, I would. If I could go back and have a head full of hair (even the wild curls that I always said I hated), without a doubt, I would. However, if going back meant that I would take away all the things He has revealed to me about Himself and His love for me through those hard times, I would never! Those lessons have been the very things that make me the woman I am today. He has done so much through each one of those hard times, that even though I don't understand it all, I'm beginning to see that all things truly do work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I know He has been so faithful through it all. I know that He is using those times of deep despair to bring Himself glory, and I'm thankful.

The problem comes when I don't fully enjoy the good things He gives me, for fear of what's next. When I fail to see the lessons in the joy and happiness He brings. When the good things come, and I await the hard that is surely to follow. And the thing is, I have begun to expect the hard with an "after all, it's His Will, and His will is hard" attitude, followed by the sin of worry and anxiety.

But, when I do that, the thing I fail to embrace is that He doesn't see me as simply the victim of His will. I'm His child, His little girl. He wants the best for me, because He loves me. Will His best always look the way I think it should? No. Will His best be difficult at times? Yes. Will His best always work to the good, even when it doesn't feel good? Yes. That said, will His best sometimes be my happiness? YES! Will His best sometimes be joyful blessings poured out on me filling my whole being with unspeakable joy? YES!!!

I need to walk in this truth, step it out, dig it up in the Word, sow it deep into the very marrow of my bones. I need to dance in the spacious place He has for me, live in the freedom He brings, daily reveling in His amazing love. I need to walk with Him every moment, good and bad, giving praise to Him no matter what! I need to not be afraid to rejoice in the good times and to tell others so they too can rejoice. Because, my very existence is for the purpose of making His name famous, to bring Him all the honor glory and praise! And when the Word of God says that we will conquer the enemy by the blood the Lamb and the word of our testimony(Rev.12:11), that includes the hard times AND the joyful times!

Now....I don't say all that to say I have it figured out and it's a lesson I have learned. That's far from truth. As I said before, it's something I'm wrestling with right now. I'm working it out with the Lord. So for right now, I'm going to get off the computer, sit down with my Bible and a good cup of coffee, and revel in the unsurpassing love of my Savior....Praise you, Jesus!

Dear Loren,

As I think about your upcoming graduation my heart is full. You, precious girl, have been a gift to me from the very hand of God. How can I put into words how blessed I am that God has put you in my life?


I longed for a daughter and my heart was broken as I knew He was asking me to surrender that dream to Him with the knowledge that His good and perfect will might not look the way I thought it should. In that moment, I heard Him say that He had given me a gift. He gave me you! You are my dear friend, my precious sister, my chipmunk daughter. I love you like you are mine! Lee, Hunter, and Braden love you like you are theirs. The Lord has grafted you into our little family. Whether you like it or not, you are ours forever! You are our girl!

I am so proud of the woman you are becoming...who you have become. You are not only beautiful on the outside, you are even more beautiful on the inside! I'm inspired by your love for the Lord and your desire to serve Him with everything in you. You seek Him with a desperation and maturity beyond your years. You have endured deep pain and hardship with unbelievable grace and dignity, becoming more like Christ daily in the midst of it. You conduct yourself with modesty and purity always. You are quite a catch, as many young men have noticed, yet you are saving that title of "girlfriend" for the one God has for you, and you seek Him in that. You don't care to fill your time with fleeting relationships or dates to fill an empty Friday night. Have I mentioned I'm beyond proud of you? You are a precious treasure. You make me laugh, even when I don't want to. You make me think. Our conversations about things of the Lord, challenge me and make me want to know Him more fully. Your joy, enthusiasm, and laughter are contagious. You are so funny!


Sweet girl, continue to seek Him with everything in you. Keep laser-focused on Him. Obey Him and follow Him, even when it seems crazy. You are beyond valuable, continue living like it! Throw all your cares on Him for He cares for you! I want you to know, without a doubt, that I pray for you daily, that I love you always, that I will forever be pro-Loren, and that we are on the same team. I can't wait to see the amazing plans that our God has for you, the adventures He has in store!


I love you deeply and I am intensely proud of you!

Your Sister, Friend, and Chipmunk Mama,

Sara

Yesterday I read two blog posts that spoke to my heart deeply. I havent been able to stop thinking about them.

One was on the (in)courage website ~ http://www.incourage.me/2010/12/

The other was on A Holy Experience, which if you don't read regularly you should! ~ http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/04/how-hurting-women-can-help-each-other-heal/

Both are MUST reads.

Last weekend, I went to Living Proof Live in Little Rock. It was life-changing and a weekend that I won't ever forget. The theme was Fulfilling Your Ministry...which couldn't have been more timely! The Lord spoke so clearly.
I realized that I have wounds from past friendships...deep ones, that I put a temporary bandage over and tried to forget about. He had to do some deep cleaning in my heart to get rid of the festering infection that was under it all. But a deep cleaning He did, and the healing process has begun.
I think that that is why these two blog posts spoke to me so deeply. I get it. I've lived it.
I don't want to put up walls against close friendship. I don't want to keep people at arms length. I don't want to inflict further harm on others. I don't want to wound another sister warrior with my careless words.
I want true God-honoring friendships. I want to fight shoulder-to-shoulder, making sure that my words are an encouragement to those surrounding me. I want to stand up and defend those already wounded. I want to love just as God has called me to love, like He does!

Lying

Last night my boy was caught in a lie. Caught red-handed and I was so grateful. I pray everyday that if my children are straying from God's perfect will that they will be caught by Lee or I. The circumstances surrounding the lie and how he was caught is a personal matter between him, his parents, and the Lord. But God used that circumstance to give me a mirror image of how I behave with Him.

The excuses ~ "But...but...I didn't think you meant THAT!" "Oooohhhh...I forgot." "I didn't mean to" "Wait wait, see what I meant by that was..." "I didn't think you meant NOW." "I didn't lie...I just didn't tell whole truth." "I wanted to obey you, but..." "It's really not my fault"

As a mom, these excuses drive me batty.

However, last night as Lee and I doled out the very necessary discipline required for lying, the Lord spoke into my heart..."Sara, you do the exact same thing to Me. You read My Word, you hear My voice and you don't obey. You give Me every excuse in the book why you didn't do what I told you to do, why you didn't keep the promises you made to Me. I'm telling you now Sara, obey Me. No excuses. I mean it."
As my boy...weeping...prayed, "Jesus, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for being disobedient and for being a liar.", his mommy...weeping...prayed the exact same thing.

A Matter of Life and Death

How to have hope. I know I've posted this before...and I even have a link button for it in the sidebar...but as I sat here today wondering what to blog about, I realized that there is nothing of greater importance than this...salvation in Jesus Christ. It's about hope, but even more than that it's a matter of life and death! Heaven is real, and despite what some may say, so is hell.

2 Thess. 1:8-9 "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might"

God doesn't want anyone to go there ~ 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

But because of our sin...we are seperated from God. However (and Hallelujah!), hope, forgiveness, and salvation are available to all. How do I know? I've experienced it for myself and I want nothing more than for you to know it for yourself as well!

Here is my story of hope ~

Before the Lord changed my life and became my Savior, I had no peace, no hope, and no purpose. I grew up in a Christian home, and for many years believed myself to be a Christian, but it wasn't until I was 14 years old that I understood that I was a sinner destined for a place called Hell. I believed that Jesus died on a cross for me and my sins, and that without Jesus Christ, I could never get into Heaven. So that night at a revival service at my church, I admitted to God I was a sinner and repented of those sins, then I asked Him to come into my life and be my LORD, my SAVIOR, my Boss. At that very moment He did, and I've never been the same since. I know that my life and I are NOT perfect, but I also know I couldn't imagine going through this life without my Savior and the peace, hope, purpose, and joy He has given me. Not to mention, an eternity with Him!

If you could, would you want what God has given me? Would you want absolute forgiveness, peace, hope, joy, and purpose? If you do, you CAN! God loves you so much that he sent His Son to die for YOU and YOUR sins! He wants you to spend eternity in heaven Him with and so do I.

You must understand that you are a sinner. (when you do things you know your not supposed to do, but also when you don't do things you know you should!)(Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God")

Understand that the price for your sins is death and Hell, that's the bad news! The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ! (Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord")

Confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness.(1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.")

Believe that Jesus Christ came into this world,lived a perfect sinless life, died on a painful cross for you and your sin, and then was raised again on the third day and that He is ALIVE today. Believe that He lives to be your LORD! (Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us") (Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.")

Ask Him to come into your heart and save you, surrender everything to Him! Make Him boss, Lord of your life. You will NEVER be sorry you did!

Please, if you have any questions either comment, message me, or email me at leesarawood@gmail.com and I will be HAPPY to help you start on this AMAZING journey into an eternity with Christ! I love you and I can't wait to hear from you!

Obedience

God didn't call us to question Him. He simply asks us to believe Him, trust Him, and obey Him. He has already proven His faithfulness to us time and time again. So why do we constantly shrink back from immediate obedience? I would venture to say it's a control issue with our sinful nature as it's base. At least that's how it is with me. The moment I can't see or even guess what's coming down the pipe, I dig my heels in and question everything. I begin to take back the things I've previously surrendered to the Lord. I begin to try and take back control, like somehow I can manage that situation better than Almighty God, the Maker of Heaven and earth...oh dear! The moment that happens, worry, stress, and anxiety begin to creep in and steal away peace and joy. And the thing is, He promises us that will happen...

Isaiah 48:17-18 " This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your righteousness like the waves of the sea."

He commands us to trust Him because He delights in us and He wants us to have peace...but more than that He commands it because He is the LORD, our Redeemer, the HOLY ONE. He is GOD and He is worthy of our surrender just because of who He is! But even in His holiness, He wants the best for us. His best might not look like what we thought it would, but no matter what, we must be obedient and totally surrender control.
He doesn't call us to be comfortable, He calls us to be obedient! Most of the time our very God-given purpose in life will take us so far out of our comfort zone that on our own it would be terrifying. However, praise God we aren't on our own! He is completely trustworthy and perfectly faithful! He promises to NEVER leave us or forsake us!
Now if only we would pay attention to His commands and follow them, we would have peace like a river! Now THAT'S a promise! :)