"Like Little Children"

This past month I went on my annual trip to Myrtle Beach with my daughter, sisters, aunt and cousins. This was the the sixth year that we went to the beach together. Each summer we pack up our cars and drive down to the beach in order to spend a week of quality time together. Each trip has been a blessing to me and I have cherished this time with my family. One of the many wonderful perks of taking part in this tradition has been the opportunity to spend time with Walker and Willow and watch them grow from year to year.



This past trip was exciting and fun because, they were at that wonderful age of innocence and imagination. In the evenings we would play Disney bingo or Nintendo DS and they would also perform and sing songs for us. We laughed and had a lot of fun swimming and playing in the sand. One of the best things I experienced was watching Walker and Willow be "Super Willow" and "Super Walker"! Willow was very similar to "Celine Dione on tour" and Walker with a cape draped over his shoulders was a super hero -able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!



The week was filled with laughter and lots of giggles and playful wrestling. There are two moments from this past trip that are special and dear to my heart. These moments are actually "little nuggets " that may be small but; in reality more valuable than gold.





Samantha ( my daughter) and I was in our room getting ready to turn in for the night, when Willow came back to visit us for a while. Willow was holding a small "mood charm" and she began to tell us about the magical "mood charm". The mood charm was actually a wishing charm and she explained the rules of this "wishing game". Samantha and I listened intently as she explained the guidelines to the wishing game. She told us that to hold the charm between our fingers and if the charm turns a certain color you can make a wish in a certain category. For instance, if the charm turns green, then you can make a wish pertaining to animals. If the charm turns purple, then you could something for your family. It is only when the charm turns the color blue that you can wish for anything your heart desires. After Willow had told us all these guidelines she handed me the charm and told me I could make a wish. I took the charm and held it between my fingers and closed my eyes. After a moment I opened my eyes and looked down and the charm had turned blue. When Willow saw that the charm was a beautiful shade of vibrant blue she said with excitement, Jackie, "you can wish for whatever you want!" I said, "O.K! Lets see now..." one thought went rushing through my mind, I knew that the weather channel had been predicting rain for the next few days -so I said, "I wish it wouldn't rain -so we can get in the pool and play in the ocean and have a lot of fun on our trip." I handed the charm back to Willow and she said," That's a good wish", now it's my turn and taking the charm, she held it between her tiny little fingers and closed her eyes. After a moment she opened her eyes and looked to see what color the charm had turned. When she saw that the color was the same bright blue hers eyes twinkled and a smile lit up her face. She said, "Jackie, I can wish for what ever I want!" "she closed her eyes again and in her sweet little voice she spoke with honest sincerity, "I wish it wouldn't rain so that we can have a lot fun on our trip and I wish that everyone here on vacation will have a good trip together and that the rain will go away so everyone will have a good trip with their families. I wish that everyone was happy and that no one would mean to each other and I wish that everyone got along and that everyone would be good to each other and love each other." As I watched this small child making her wish -I was suddenly jolted back into a better place. Listening to her say these unselfish words with a pure heart opened my eyes to my own self centered wish. Her wish was as if God was speaking to me and gently shaking me out of a selfish slumber. Willow was not only thinking of herself- She was thinking of others who had come to the beach on vacation. Her wish was not only for us but, for everyone. Her words spoke of more than just fun in the sun- they were words concerning basic human nature about being good to others and loving everyone. Willow's wish is the perfect example of why Jesus spoke these words "Let the little children come to me , and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Mt. 19:14 and when questioned "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" He(Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children you will never the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Mt. 18:2-4



As we grow older and face the pressure's of life we lose our innocence and our hearts become toughened and thick skinned. Life has a way of hardening us and forcing us to become survivors. As we age our hearts and minds are constantly being layered with thousands upon thousands of memories, thoughts, knowledge and feelings. The aging process steals our innocence and depletes our hearts and minds of naivety. It seems as if life robs us of the ability to love unconditionally and to feel honest pure emotions for one another. Our minds are clouded with the hard realities of life-it is heartbreaking.





God exposed me to another wonderful lesson in being selfless and thinking of others. One evening at the Cracker Barrel restaurant when we had gone there to eat supper Walker volunteered to say the blessing. He bowed his head and closed his eyes in reverence to God and prayed a humble prayer to God. His words were sincere and honest and they flowed from his heart. Walker ask God to bless the food and he also ask God to take care of all the people on vacation and He ask God to keep them safe and to protect them. He prayed and ask God to keep us safe on our way home and to protect us. He prayed for his poppy(father) and ask God to watch over him and he ask God to please help the people of Hatti. Sitting there in the middle of Cracker Barrel resturant I listened to a 5 year old child pray for another country and for people he didn't even know - I was amazed and humbled. Walker didn't consider who might be watching- he was not the least bit embarrassed -he simply bowed his head and prayed to Jesus-he was not intimated in any way. We are to strive to be like a child - we are to humble ourselves, unashamed and true and pure. We should all be more giving and thoughtful and consider others more and less of ourselves. Walker and Willow gave me a wonderful gift on our vacation-being around them was like being a young child again. Playing and watching them play- was joyful. But, the most precious gift that they gave me was the gift of seeing through the eyes of a child and remembering how it felt to be innocent.

Albaster Box

It was six days before the Celebration of the Passover. This is a week long festival commemorating the time when the angel of the Lord passed over the first born son's of the Hebrew children and did not kill them as the angel killed the first born sons of the Egyptians. It was this day when Mary and Martha were busy making preparations for the banquet that they were giving in honor of Jesus. Everyone was anticipating his arrival and it would be safe to say that almost all of Bethany would be there. Word had gotten out that Jesus was going to be staying at their house and a lot of folks were traveling from Jerusalem to meet and talk with Jesus. Everyone knew that Jesus had raised Lazarus from dead and it was because of this major miracle that many of the Jews were putting their faith in Jesus. Not only that -now Lazarus had also heard that the chief priest were plotting and making plans to try and kill him as well!


All the guest were seated and eating and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Jesus. It was then that Mary felt an overwhelming desire to serve Jesus. She knew that servants were the ones who normally took care of peoples feet. She didn't care-she knew what she must do. She went into her room and picked up her alabaster box which contained a pint of pure nard. Mary knew that this nard would cost a year of wages to purchase and she didn't care. She felt that Jesus deserved only the best and she would do this one thing for Him. She walked back into the room where all the men were seated and eating and she knelt before her King. She slowly reached down and began by unlacing each of his sandals. Then she removed them just like a mother would lovingly remove shoes off their children's feet. She was aware that everyone had stopped talking-yet in her heart and mind she was resolute. She would not stop even if Roman solders came storming into the room. Then she opened the Alabaster Box and the scent of perfume filled the room and she poured the oil onto his feet-first one and then the other. As she held each foot in her hand she caressed it as gently as a woman would bath a new born babe. As she held the feet of her Lord tears welled in her eyes and fell upon the feet of this man called Jesus. Her heart was pounding and it felt as if her chest would burst. Images began to flash through her minds eye and she saw many of the times she had sat at his feet and listened to his teaching. Moments when He had looked into her eyes and the love that was there. She saw her brother walk out of the tomb- still wrapped in the grave clothes and given back to her and her sister. Jesus had brought love and hope in her life and now as she held his feet in her hands-She knew he was her saviour. Oh, she felt so unworthy. She knew she didn't deserve to know Him-she was so humbled by His presence. As these thoughts and feelings surged through her mind, she felt humbled. Being led by a power greater than herself, she unbound her hair and let it fall to the floor. She lifted each foot one at a time upon her lap and began to dry His feet with her hair. .

Many of the onlookers were deeply moved, although some were jealous and envious. Due to the fact many of the Jews were now following Jesus and leaving the old ways. It was Judas Iscariot who spoke up and ask why that the nard wasn't sold and given to the poor? He didn't say this because he felt sorry for the poor, it was because he was keeper of the money bag and would help himself to money when ever he so desired.. Jesus said, "leave her alone, she has done a beautiful thing to me," " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, yet you will not always have me, and where ever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she had done will also be told in memory of her."


Mary felt that she had done what she knew she was suppose to do. She picked up her Alabaster Box and walked out of the room. She didn't speak a word her actions had spoke for her. Her heart was a little heavy, because of the words Jesus had spoke about doing this for his burial. This statement was confusing to her and her heart was sadden because of those words. He knew that she loved and believed in Him and that was worth everything to her.



When you spend time alone with Jesus- do you touch Him with your heart and pour you love out to Him as an offering? Do you keep your mind focused on Him and what blessings He has given you? Do you petition Him and ask for things or do you offer up words of love and thanksgiving? Mary poured her heart and took on the role of a servant in order to demostrate her love for Jesus. She didn't say a word and allowed her actions to speak for her. When you go into your prayer closet and close the door try pouring your love out to God and and don't ask for anything. Take time to confess your love and gratitude , minister unto the Lord with praise and thanksgiving. Thank Him for His blessings and for His love. You will experience another level of intimacy with Jesus.

Scriptures used in this lesson is taken from John 12:1-11 and Mark 14:1-9. You may also find scriptures pertaining to Jesus being anointed during this same time frame in Matthew 26:6-11

Will you go deeper with the Lord?

I have been reading in the gospel of Matthew quite a lot lately. I cant seem to get beyond this gospel-the Holy Spirit keeps pulling me back to these pages. Yesterday, I was reading in the 16th chapter and it is when Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding the 4,000 and had taught the crowds in parables. When Jesus and his disciples came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he ask his disciples who the people thought the Son of Man was and then he ask them who the they thought he was? Peter confesses that he believes that Jesus is the "The Christ, the Son of the Living God," Mt. 16:16 It was after Peter's confession that Jesus began to try and try and prepare his disciples of his coming passion and sufferings. He tried to warn them that he must suffer, be killed and die and then He would be raised from the dead. (see Mt. 16:1-28) After Jesus told them these things " Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never Lord! he said. "This shall never happen to you!"Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come to me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. " Mt. 16:22-25 NIV

At this point in time in Peters life, Peter knew that Jesus was the son of the Living God and the Messiah. However, he didn't know Jesus in a deeper and more intimate personal level . He knew Jesus in the way that he had been taught at home and in church/synagogue . His relationship with Jesus was based on the knowledge that had been passed down to him through his parents and and his pastor/rabbi. His knowledge and depth of understanding of "The Messiah" was not yet personal and intimate - he believed that Jesus was the Messiah and accepted Him and loved him, but; his heart and mind was still at the infancy level. He had not yet moved into a personal and intimate depth with Jesus. His standpoint still consisted of a worldly view point and was based on the knowledge that had been taught to him at the synagogue and home. The Jews thought that "The Messiah" would come and deliver them from the control of the Romans and overthrow the government that oppressed them. They believed that Messiah would bring about a political deliverance. In reality at this point in time, Peter's personal relationship was still young and needed time to grow and learn who Jesus really was and what His mission was on this earth.

It is so sad that many of us are very much like Peter was at this point in his walk with Jesus. Unlike Peter- many of us never grow or learn who Jesus is at a personal level. Many of us remain infants and rely on pastors and teachers to teach us. So many folks only know Jesus from the perspective of their pastor and/ or their Sunday school teachers. Their relationship with Jesus is second hand - the knowledge that is being fed to them is from a corporate standpoint and not at a personal level. The knowledge that they are living with on a day to day basis - is from someones else point of view. Getting to know Jesus is the most important thing you can do in this life. Nothing else is more important- to know Jesus in a new and personal way. Remember when Paul and Silas were teaching in Berea, "now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."Acts 17:11 The only way for us to enter in a deeper relationship with God is to get to know Jesus and the only way for us to know Jesus at a personal and more deeper level is by reading and studying your bible and developing a strong prayer life. Doing these things is imperative to the development of a personal and intimate relationship with God. Because, when we read and study the word of God it opens the door so that God The Father can speak to us through His precious Holy Spirit and by doing so He will have the opportunity to reveal Himself to us in a more personal intimate way.

Jesus said, "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mt.16:24NIV It is important to remember that the cross is a instrument used for death and symbolizes the necessity of being committed to following Jesus even to the point that it meant you would sacrifice your life for Him. When Jesus tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him- He is also telling us that we are to ' put to death" all those things that are of " the world and the flesh" that stand between us and Jesus. Galatians 2:20 explains it best; "I have been crucified with Christ and I longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

By denying our self and following Jesus we simply let go of the things that hinder us and our relationship with Him. Letting go of all the obstacles that stand in our way of having a deeper relationship with our Lord and Saviour. The secret to this is that we are to live life by the spirit, "So I say, live by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature."Gal.5:16-17 Jesus told the woman at the well in Samaria, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father is spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." Jh. 4:223-24

When Christians begin to desire a deeper relationship with God there are several things that will start happening in their lives. The first, sign that you will want more of God is that you will begin reading your bible and search out the scriptures on your own. The second thing you will notice is that you want to pray more and are seeking out a place to pray alone. You will want your own prayer closet and try to find one. You wont be satisfied to listen to someone else, but will hunger for knowledge and will seek that knowledge yourself. If you are unable to read and have your quite time with the Lord - you will miss Him and find yourself longing to get alone with Him. These are all signs of growing in the Lord and going deeper with the Holy Spirit.

As you become closer and closer to Jesus and know Him more and more-you will hunger more and more-you will become a sponge and the Holy Spirit will reveal to you mysteries and things of God. I encourage you to begin this wonderful journey today. Begin to read and study your bible and have daily quite times with the Lord. There is no greater or deeper love than the Love of God. When He fills you with His love - you will be filled completely.

Peter became a pillar of the church and was so humbled by being a servant and child of God that according to Foxes book of martyrs that" Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death" the people begged Peter to flee the city of Rome and when he got to city gates, he saw the Lord and worshipping Him fell at His fee. Peter said, "Lord whither dost Thou go?" The Lord said, 'I am come again to be crucified.' "by this Peter perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned back into the city; Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was" [Foxes Book of Martyrs, Pg. 12-13]

It is my prayer that all of us will be like Peter and strive to go further and deeper with God. I would encourage you to read your bible and pray as much as you can. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks ,the door will be opened." Mt 7:7-8 NIV

Only 5 loaves & 2 fish?

When Jesus learned that John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod he withdrew by boat to a solitary place in order to be alone. "hearing of this the crowds followed him on foot, from the towns." when Jesus landed and saw a large crowd he had compassion on them and healed their sick."Mt.14:13-14 When evening came the disciples told Jesus that they should send the people away so that they may be able to buy food. Jesus tells them "they do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."Mt. 14:16 The disciples told Jesus that"we have here only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish."Mt. 14:17

This type of response would be typical of most people today. Many of us see only what we don't have- or how little we do have. We fail to see the blessings that God has given us and therefore we are always desiring what we don't have. This" negative vein" of thought is much like cancer-and will overflow into all areas of life. Being negative and having a bad attitude will eventually consume you . Negativity is consuming and like a fire out of control it burns up everything in its path. When you allow yourself to become negative about one thing, it goes on into another area of your life. For example, you start out being negative and worrying about money, then it goes to clothes and material possessions and then your body and your self. Being negative is a bad habit. It is like a weed that sprouts up inside of us and we must pull it and out before it takes root deep inside of us. This is why Paul wrote in II Corth. 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. The way we feel about ourselves effects everyone and everything in our lives. Harboring feelings of low self esteem and having a lack of self love impacts our ability to love others and to receive love. If you fail to see good and self worth within yourself -how can you see good in others? It is imperative that we search our hearts and minds regarding how we feel about ourselves. Our feelings of self worth has an impact on our ability to have a intimate relationship with God. When a person doesn't love themselves - then how can that person love others? And, if you don't love others then the love of God is not within you. "We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God", yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, can not love God, whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command; who ever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4: 19

When a person truly loves themselves they are free to love others and when a person has Jesus inside of their hearts and minds - the love of God flows from them. When someone accepts Jesus and allows Him to take up residence within him- that love flows through them like a fountain. His unconditional love will grow inside of you and become a part of you. Jesus told the woman at the well, " If you knew the gift of god and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."Jh.4:10 Jesus loves us warts and all. He sees the bad and the good. When we receive that love and accept it as a free gift - then we will be more accepting and loving of others. He can help us overcome the flaws in our nature and the character defects we need to work on. He will carry us through the hard times and give us wisdom that can only come from Him. There are many people in the bible who had issues with confidence, self esteem and shortcomings. But, they overcame their personal handicaps in order to do great things for God. Some were unsure and lacked confidence and some were afraid or scared. For example, Moses - when God told him what he must do- he said, he was slow of speech and ask God to send someone else to do it! (Exodus 4:10-13), Then there was Gideon who was scared because of his size, he needed assurance. (Judges 6:15) Finally, look at Barack- when called to go into battle he said he would only go if Deborah (who was a prophet/ Judge) went with him. (Judges 4:8) These people had one thing in common - they looked at themselves and only saw their flaws and defects. When God speaks to you and pulls on your heart strings to do something for Him- already knows you inside and out. He will give you all you need to do the job. He will equip you and give you the gifts to accomplish the appointed task set before you. Always remember what Jesus said, "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Mt. 19:26 What may look like only 5 loaves and 2 fish - is in reality enough to feed 5,000!

A time of Renewal

Spring has finally arrived after a long cold winter and it is wonderful to see sun shining and hear birds singing. Many of the trees in my yard have beautiful green leaves and there are little purple and yellow flowers peeking out of the ground . From my front porch I can see neighbors riding their mowers and trimming the grass with their weed eaters while others are working in their flowerbeds. The smell of freshly cut grass fills the air and the atmosphere is happy and full of joy!
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, this is seen in nature that has been laying dormant for several month and is now coming to life before our very eyes. when I think of the changing of the seasons I'm truly amazed and it re-enforces my belief in God. Only He could create something so wonderful, mysterious and magnificent. Spring is the season of new beginnings and fresh starts, it is a time for cleansing and refreshing. Every where you look people are starting "spring projects and/or spring cleaning." Most folks spend this time of year to clean the garage or basements. They sort through things and purge everything they can possibly get rid of. Many people take this time to paint and clean in the nooks and cranny's - the places not so easily seen . Those little hidden areas that are hard to reach. It is a time to clean carpets and re-finish old wood work or just spruce up the house. A friend of mine says that it is the perfect time to give every thing a "good once over."
During this time of spring cleaning -it is the perfect time for us to take a personal inventory. By taking a personal inventory we can identify any and all things in our life that is polluting and/or destroying our spiritual life with Jesus Christ. First , Ask your self this question, "What comes out of my mouth?" For example, Are my words uplifting and positive do I encourage and bring peace? Do I speak words of love and joy? Or are the words that come out of your mouth full of anger or hatred? Do they inflict pain and cause dissension? Are the words you speak deceitful and lies . These are questions we need to ask ourselves. We are suppose to keep a tight rein on our tongue and the words we speak into the atmosphere. Words have power to kill and murder, they also have the power to uplift and encourage.
When Jesus was questioned abut being clean and unclean, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law came to Jesus ask Him why His disciples did not wash their hands before they ate. The Pharisees and teachers of the law believed that failure to wash your hands before you ate made you' unclean'. "Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand., What goes into a man's mouth does not make him' unclean', but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean'."Matthew 15:10 he explained further by saying, ""Don't you see that what ever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what makes a man unclean, but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean'. Mt.15:17-20
We must keep a constant watch over what we say. We shouldn't go around saying what ever comes into our minds. we are to take every thought captive and be aware of what we speak. What we speak is a direct picture into our heart and mind.
We all need to go into our prayer closets and take a personal inventory of what is coming out of our mouths. We all say and do things that is wrong. Even David, who was a man after God's own heart sinned, he said and did things that were wrong and against what God's law commanded. Psalm 51 is a humble prayer that he prayed and ask God for forgiveness and cleansing.
Psalm 51: 1-12 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love, according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop , and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
This prayer is a perfect example of repentance and one seeking forgiveness. I want to encourage you to keep on trying. When we fall- we have to get back up. Always keep running toward God. He loves us and He will be standing waiting with open arms to catch you.

Jesus Loves Me

When I was a little girl about 10 or 11 years old-my mom taught me an invaluable lesson. I had gotten mad at my little sister for some reason or another. I wanted her to be punished. My mom marched us both down the hall of our home and guided my little sister into her bedroom. She turned and looked at me and ask, "Are you sure you want her to get a spanking?" and I looked at her straight in the eyes and with anger in my voice said, "yes!" My mother turned and stepped into her room and closed the door. As I stood outside in the hall all alone - my heart began to pound and I immediately felt a rush of guilt and shame. I heard the belt hitting flesh and tears began welling in my eyes and going down my cheeks. I began yelling, "no! I don't want my sister to be spanked! No! Stop!" In a moment or two-the door opened and my sister came out with my mom. I ran to her and hugged her. I ask her to forgive me for wanting her to be spanked. My mother told me she had not spanked my sister but simply wanted me to think so. My sister told me she forgave me and we went back outside and played.

Today many of us around the world will reflect and remember what Jesus endured before and during His crucifixion. When I allow myself to sit very still and alone with God-to think about the pain and sufferings of Jesus- I am flooded with emotions. Also, when I watch one of the many movies that portrays the life of Jesus I am moved to tears. It never fails - when the movie reaches the part of Jesus being beaten and spat upon - I feel just like that little girl outside her mothers door -listening to her sister being whipped. Guilt overtakes me, because; of what all Jesus endured for me and for all of us. He was beaten and spat upon because; "The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you? And they said many insulting things to Him."Luke:63-65 also, "Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying 'Hail, king of Jews! And they struck Him in the face."John 19 1-3 All
these things happened before He was forced to carry His cross outside of the city and was nailed to the tree. He endured such agony for us so that we might have eternal life. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 Also;"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 And finally, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3: 16-17

Pure love is the feeling and emotion I experience flooding my heart and mind. Jesus loves me and He loves you. He longs for all of us to join Him in a love relationship. He desires us to want to be with Him and spend time with Him. Before Jesus was arrested at the Mount of Olives , He was praying not only for Himself but; for His disciples and future believers. (see John 17) We were on Jesus heart and mind while He was praying in the garden - even though He knew His time was short-He prayed for us.

When I think of what Jesus did for me - I become consumed with a flood of emotions. Many times I am still that little girl, waiting outside in the hall- with tears running down her face. Consumed with guilt and shame. The door opens and because of my sisters love - I am forgiven. She loved me in spite of all my faults and wrongdoings. Just as Jesus loves me- no matter what. He forgave me - while He hung on that cross He prayed for me- " Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23: 34

When you think of the cross and what Jesus went through by going to the cross - don't dwell on self punishment and guilt. Remember what Jesus accomplished by going to the cross - It opened that door for us to enter in to a personal relationship with Him.

We should be conscious of His suffering and always remember to thank Him and praise Him but; more importantly we should focus on
why he suffered and chose to go to the cross for us. Christ went to the cross so that we could live and have life with Him! The moment Jesus died on the cross "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" Mark 15:38 this curtain hung between the Holy Place and The most Holy Place in the temple. Jesus made it possible for us to come before Him and enter into His presence on our on. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God and with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to clease us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 11:19-22

My sister readily forgave me even though I wanted her to be punished. In the same way-Jesus forgives us of all our sins. It is up to us to receive His love and forgiveness. Throw away the bonds of guilt and shame and embrace the love of the cross. Jesus is waiting with both arms outstretched and His love endures forever.

Have a blessed day

Don't Lose Hope!

I recently heard about more layoff's that were going to take place across the state of Tennessee. These employee's are going to receive notices in the mail concerning their jobs. First of all, I can't imagine going to the mail box and finding out that I don't have a job anymore. My heart goes out to these folks. I have walked through financial difficulties and I know what it feels like to lose everything you have worked for. I know what it feels like to be forced to sell your home and then make payments on that house- that you longer live in. It is a difficult thing to live through - to struggle to buy grocery's and keep the bill collectors from taking everything.

Most people at one time or another in their lives will go through financial difficulties. We are living through a terrible recession. Folks across the U.S.are struggling to buy grocery's and keep the electricity/utilities on and running. Many have lost homes, cars and are forced to move back with parents if they are lucky and have parents that will help them. Many people are hanging on by a thread and are in despair and have lost hope.

I want to speak hope into your life today. I want to tell you that you can make it. I know - I have lived through some terrible times. I can honestly say that those difficult times molded me into a stronger and better person. Those days of doing with out forced me to lean on Jesus and trust in Him. Jesus told his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Mt. 6:25-28
When your circumstances seems to be at the darkest - that is the time when God can move and bring you through to the other side. I want to encourage you to put your faith and trust in Him. Jesus also said, "Come to me all you who weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Mt. 11:28-30 Jesus is telling us to trust Him. He will take care of us. We are to give our troubles and worries to Him and He will meet our needs and provide for us. But; something much more important than our physical needs is our spiritual health. When we decide to trust in God then He will heal our souls and spirit. When we learn more and more of Jesus- the more we grow in our faith and trust in God. This is why it is impertive that Christians know the word of God and can call on the word and stand on His word in times of troubles and trials. We can learn to stand on His promises and He will fullfill His word to us.

"So do not worry, saying "what shall we eat? What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."Mt. 6:31-34

Reading your Bible?

I'm so sorry that I haven't blogged in such a long time. I don't have any excuse-I just haven't taken the time to write. When I first began writing this blog -I had a certain idea in my mind of how I should do it.. I tried so hard to make this blog what I thought it should be and it became too much like work and not something I could enjoy doing on a daily basis. I began dreading to sit down to write my blog-so I quit. Many times in our lives we make things much harder than they have to be. This is what I did concerning this blog. I made it more difficult than it had to be.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in East Tennessee because, the sun was shining and the sky was clear. I sat on my porch and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee while I talked to my sister on the phone. We talked about everything - from spring cleaning and projects that we wanted to get accomplished to her job and things she needed to get accomplished. But, there was one subject we discussed that has made a deep impression upon me and that is "our bibles". We discussed our passion and love for the word of God and the importance of reading and studying the bible.

This morning as I was drinking my coffee and reading in the gospel of Matthew- I began to reflect over our conversation and the significance of that conversation truly began to take root inside of me. A feeling that words can not explain began to churn deep inside of me. I truly wish that everyone would feel passionate for God and His Word. Think about this- How can we know God if we don't read His Word? John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. And also; Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

From reading these two scriptures we learn that the word of God is alive!! Did you notice the word "active" this tells us that the word of God is not idle. The word of God is mobile! Able to move. Jesus told his disciples "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you received it, and it will be your. Mark 11:23-24 The word of God is powerful and strong and through knowledge of the word we can have power and authority over the enemy. When you read and study the Word of God-you will become a stronger Christian. You will also go deeper in your relationship with Jesus. I encourage you to read your bible today and begin a more intimate relationship with Jesus.