White Out

As I was completing my bible study lesson for the week I made quite a few mistakes on my paper so I scratched out the mistakes with my black pen. Since I'm subbing this week the teacher had White Out on her desk. YIPPEE ... I never have white out at my house and I'd forgotten how fabulous that stuff is, especially if you're a perfectionist. Here are all these black marks on my nice white paper and the White Out - BAMMO - takes all the blackness away immediately. Now, I could go down the path that God is like White Out erasing all our sins so that we start out fresh and all that is very true, but I believe the Holy Spirit was saying something more than that. In our world of perfectionism we have forgotten that we CAN mess up and be forgiven. I know that forgiving myself after I've yelled at my kids, been selfish, said mean things to a friend, etc. I have a hard time moving forward. I know, with my head, that my sins are as far as the east is from the west, but do I believe that? No, not actually. Why don't I believe it? Because I do not understand the POWER of God. I forget to buy the White Out, I forget to believe Him and take Him for what He says He is. He has forgiven me. It is over when I repent. Just like pulling the little White Out wand out of the bottle to wipe it over the black smudge mark - God is over it as soon as I apply the grace. Why can I believe that a white liquid can erase my black pen mark, but believing that the God of the universe has forgiven me is mind boggling? Maybe because I think it's up to me. So ... I challenge you today to BELIEVE Him and tell yourself to shut up. :)

Sleeplessness

I have been awake since 4 a.m. for some weird reason. When I finally realized sleep was not going to be part of my morning I began to pray. I could feel God prodding me to discuss some things with Him and it was an interesting dialogue for about an hour. I skirted around real issues I felt He was bringing to light while playing the part of "the guilt ridden Christian." Well, He doesn't fall for that kind of "fake humility" and I felt like He wanted me to be specific. I didn't hear these exact words, but something like this "Ann, if you're sorry for something then say I'm sorry that I ___________." So, I began to think about things in my life that I really want to change and asked for specific forgiveness. Well, then .... I began to feel some heaviness lift and I began to thank God for tons of things that flooded my mind. I then had an "ah-ha" moment! So many times we (I) am so scared we've done something wrong that we just babble on and on to God, but never really get to the heart of what we've done. Why? I think that varies by person, but mainly because we are told being wrong is a bad, bad thing and to avoid it at all costs. Well, today know that Jesus died to give you the freedom to be wrong and repent. We don't have to stay wrong - we get to repent and start over. His mercies are new every morning. Praise Him. I believe God is saying that this is how unbelievers can tell us apart from hypocrites, the lost, the malicious, and the liars. If we as Christians can never admit we are wrong we will be seen as hypocrites by the lost. When we are truly humble and realize that our only way to God is through repentance and acceptance of God's grace the lost will flock to our churches. :)

Application

It's interesting that serving God is so great and so easy when all is well. When the kids are healthy, we are healthy, our spouse is being kind, our friends are complimentary, our homes are in order, etc. Easy shmeesy. What do we do when things don't go so well? We tend to blame God or we praise God. Truly, it's that simple ... we get to choose - blame or praise. Do we take all those sermon notes, the Bible and the praise songs we love to listen to and throw them out the window? I can always tell when I have an attitude of blame because I have an attitude with all those around me. When I have an attitude of praise I have an attitude of joy. I'm not saying that trials should excite us, but they definitely give us the opportunity to praise God and show off what He has taught us. Unfortunately, trials also can show us our true sin nature and the ugliness of our heart. I guess what I'm saying is ... while the going is good let those sermons, that Bible study, that time with the Lord, those praise songs, etc. sink down into your heart so when the trials come along you praise Him instead of embarrass His name. :)

Doubt

It could be the Lord or the book series I've been reading lately, but I had quite the "daydream" about Doubt while resting today. I stood small and looked up at a looming, yellow dinosaur type monster and his name was Doubt. I would like to say that I slayed him with powerful Biblical scriptures, but no ... he swallowed me. Luckily, there was no chewing involved so I just slid on down his long throat, through all the slime and nastiness. I noticed on my way down rungs on the side of his long throat. So, before reaching the bottom and hitting stomach acid I decided to slow myself down and climb up the rungs of the monster's inner throat-ladder. Each rung had a scripture on it "Cast your worries upon Jesus because he cares for you." "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "I will never leave you or forsake you." "Without faith you cannot please God." Each rung encouraging me to believe my way out of Doubt. Yes ... this is a crazy little daydream, but isn't that what doubt tries to do? It tries to swallow us, kill us, steal the light of day, and actually pretend to control us. What gets us out of doubt? The ladder of God's scripture. "Thy word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path." Whether you are trying to climb out of a pit or you just fell into the mouth of the monster - climb back out with God's word.

Where have I been?

Oh my ---

New Year's resolutions always end up falling by the wayside around March don't they? Well, mine certainly did. I vowed that I would write in my blog every day in the year 2010. At this point I have a choice: 1. Just hang it up - I didn't keep my word so I might as well just try again next year or 2. PERSEVERE. Life happens. Kids get sick (Garrison had pneumonia and was hospitalized the end of March), holidays take place, houses get dirty, money gets tight (I'm officially a substitute in Roanoke County schools) and we get a little lackadaisical. I think I will go for the prize behind door number (drum roll please) 2!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I will pick this ball back up and blog, blog, blog.

Lesson: Whatever you think you've done that just can't be fixed remember that there is a scatter-brained momma named Ann Franco that will cheerlead you all the way to success through prayer and encouragement. God is good - all the time and He is always faithful - even when we're faithless. AMEN!

Sponges

Sponges are absorbant and usually used to clean up messes. Sometimes though, we leave sponges sitting in the sink and they get mushy and stinky. God has made us to absorb His water, the Holy Spirit, and go out and clean up earthly messes using the water He has given us. In a sense, we are to absorb ourselves with others. Self-absorption, on the other hand, will cause quite a stench to those around us. The characteristics of a Holy Spirit filled sponge (life) are love, patience, understanding, compassion, long-suffering and joy. The characteristics of a self-absorbed sponge (life) are anger, irritation, constant frustration, impatience, worry, self-pity, and misery. Holy Spirit or self-absorption? Which sponge are you?

Choices

God talked to me this morning. Say that to some people and they think of a German made clock, called a cuckoo. Cuckoo or not, God spoke to me. He speaks to me in my heart, in my dreams and through others. I hope He speaks to you through this blog, today and each day after that.

Adam and Eve are in the garden, paradise on earth. It's perfect, it's everything they could ever want. Who did they choose? Satan and the desire to know more than they should.

The Israelites have just been rescued from 400 years of captivity - God has parted the Red Sea and is providing for them. Who do they choose? A golden calf.

God makes Saul a king. (1 Samuel 13 -31) God puts Saul in charge of the entire nation of Israel, making him Israel's first king. Who does Saul choose? Himself.

David, God's friend, survives being chased by Saul, enemy nations and Goliath. David becomes king over all of Israel and is included in the lineage of Christ. (2 Samuel 11) During a weak time in his life who does David choose? Bathsheba and the desires his flesh

God helps Israel defeat foreign nations, he gives them the promise of being His people, He warns them of judgment for not following His ways and who do they still choose? Idols of gold and wood.

God's greatest act of love and mercy was sending His Son Jesus to save His people. Jesus showed them (us) mercy, healings, power, love, patience and a new Kingdom where they (we) can be citizens. What did they (we) choose to do? Kill Him.

Today, God is asking me who will you choose Ann?
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

Blowing a Fuse

Have you ever blown a fuse? Like ... not a light bulb, but that button that gets pushed and you lose it completely. If not, please stop reading immediately because I WILL, inadvertently I might add, scare you. What do you do with the remains of a blown fuse? How do you pick up the pieces? How do you lick your own wounds as well as those who also got hit by the shrapnel? Forgiveness. I have found that others are much quicker to forgive me than I am to forgive myself. I make all kinds of promises to myself - I come up with a plan. Surely, my plan will work - I will be a nice, kind, loving, fruit of the Spirit, Proverbs 31 woman - as soon as I'm not surrounded by other people. :) Seriously, God says "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23
Okay ladies hum or sing with me "Great is thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, morning by morning, new mercies I see, all I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me." Ahhh ... the daddy just fixed the fuse box. Thank you Lord for being merciful to me when I don't deserve it. Thank you for forgiving me. Teach me Lord to be a woman whose fuse is surrendered to Your calling. Thank you Lord for Your faithfulness. You bless me with peace - thank you. Tomorrow - I will remember Your compassion - not my plan. I will give you the grenades, fuses and M-16's inside my heart so that you can defuse them. You are precious. Goodnight. Bless those who got caught in the crossfire tonight. Amen.

I'm back

Let me explain. Discouragement and Doubt are double trouble and those two scalawags have kept me away. I listened to someone I shouldn't have. Have you ever done that? Listened to a friend, a news reporter, a pastor, or even someone you just met and really got slammed for doing so? Wisdom. What a word - what a concept. Check out Proverbs 3. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and do not lean on your own understanding." It goes on to talk about the rewards of wisdom. I listened to someone who took the wind out of my sails and made me feel silly for thinking that I could ever write a book - that "person" was Satan. Sure, someone else's passing remark triggered the thought, and my low self-esteem in this area fueled the fire, but this doubt and discouragement have a big S plastered on them. Well, I'm hear to declare - no more. No more doubt, because I am surrounded by evidence of GOD. No more discouragement because I have been given the greatest gift EVER and that is the love of Christ! So there - put that in your stinky ole pipe Satan and smoke it in your eternally damned home!!!!! So, I'm back. Sorry it took so long.

Why?

Why is it that I stay away from talking about God? It's been quite a few days since I've written and I'm sorry. I've hesitated to write and I'm not sure why. It's probably because I've not really taken the time to be with God. It seems the only time I really just sit and think is .... well, when I'm going to the bathroom. Sorry for "too much information," but that is when it's quiet and no kids are around. As I thought I realized how desperately I longed for time to myself and time alone with God. I thought back to my "single" days when I had quiet mornings with coffee and God. Now, my mornings are filled with making lunches, fixing breakfast, rushing around and speed skating out the door. I realized that I don't ever want to lose the time I have now with my kids, but I do need to figure out how to get more time alone with God. I thought about getting a hotel room and just staying there for an entire weekend all alone - we don't have the money - so that won't work. I thought about getting up early enough to have time with God alone - that would mean getting up at 6 a.m. and I'm not so sure about that. Then I realized .... it's never going to be convenient - not like it was when I just had to worry about me. It's going to take sacrifice on my part - going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. I still even thought of the excuse - but the Olympics are on - I don't want to go to bed early - I'll start this next week! Can you hear the whine in my voice? Yadda, yadda, yadda - excuses, excuses, excuses. Sorry that there's not a lot of closure on this blog entry. I'm still figuring out how to choose Him over me. I guess that's always a process. I guess that's why I need to remember it's not about the destination, but the journey. I guess you should remember that too. Be encouraged. We are all trying to get to Him and lose ourselves in the process. :)

Fragrance

Ahhh ... don't we just love fragrances? I couldn't help but think of them today - I've been cooped up in the house with 4 boys - my 2 sons, my husband and Huck, our cat for days, due to the weather. If any of you have ever lived in a house with 4 males you know that it can sometimes stink. I have some delightful home freshener (canned fragrance) that saved me from some of the stench temporarily. I have glade plug-ins, Air Wick plug-ins, Lysol, scented freshener, matches, etc. to mask any unwanted foul smell. While pondering upon all my smell-ums (that's what my sweet momma calls them) I thought - what "fragrances" do I use to mask my stinky behavior issues? Hmmm ... here's a short list
1. When I fuss at my husband I use the fragrance "being hormonal"
2. When I stay up too late and wake up grumpy, I use eau de "waking up on the wrong side of the bed"
3. When I ignore God, my most recent fav fragrance is "I'm so busy with grad. school"
4. When I lose my patience with my kids I especially love to cry while squirting the not so divine scent of "I just have so much on me."
The list could go on and on, but I think I need to get to the point.

So what kind of fragrance or smell am I to God? Here's the hope I found in His word. "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life." 2 Corinthians 2:14, 15 I also found scriptures in the book of Revelation about the prayers of the saints being incense before God Almighty!

So, here's what I think. I get into a sin, I try to spray MY fragrance on it to make it go away. The smell just keeps coming back so what's a girl to do? According to the scriptures, if I pray and realize that Jesus is the only fragrance I need, I'm guessing the stench will subside.

Fruit

Mark 11 is packed with challenges and promises about bearing fruit. Two of my favorite Jesus stories take place in this chapter. First, the triumphal entry on a colt - there is just something spectacular about Palm Sunday. Secondly, the account of Jesus driving the moneychangers from the temple is the first time I see Him really mad. As I was reading Mark 11 I noticed that Jesus got really upset with the fig tree not producing fruit OUT of season. That seemed a little harsh to me. I can see why Jesus would get mad in the temple. Those folks were robbing the people and were turning His house into a den of thieves - that's bad. But a fig tree not producing fruit when it's not time to produce fruit? That makes no sense to me. Then ... I realized ... this has nothing to do with the tree - it has everything to do with the Pharisees - the high religious. They, the Pharisees, are the tree that bears no fruit and their "excuse" is that Jesus is not "in season" so they are not required to bear fruit. It all makes sense now. 1. Jesus comes riding in on a donkey (not exactly the way the Pharisess thought the Messiah would be showcased). 2. Jesus drives out the thieves from HIS temple, yet again infuriating the Pharisees with His supposed presumptuousness. 3. Jesus kills the fruitless tree. Jesus is rocking their world. He would NOT fit into their box. He will not fit into our box either now will he? He asks us to do crazy stuff - out of season. I know for me, I have always felt like I would be a foreign missionary. Well, God has asked me instead to stay put in little 'ole Salem, VA and BEAR FRUIT for Him. I have a choice. Will I wait until I'm on the mission field and in my "season" before I give Him glory? I will give him glory now - I will be a missionary to Salem, VA. I will determine in my heart today to give Him glory in all that I say and do. The encouraging part in Mark 11 starts in vs. 22 as Jesus' response to the disciples "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you." So, let's be the one that walks with Jesus, even when it doesn't seem like we should.

Cupcakes

I baked strawberry cupcakes tonight. The box said to fill each cup in the pan 2/3 full. I don't know if any of you have ever baked cupcakes, but I just do not know how to fill each little cup in the pan exactly 2/3 full. So, my cupcakes came out all puffed up over their little cup or they were very small due to baking shrinkage. But there was one ... one perfect little cupcake that was just round enough on top, just the right size. The kind of cupcake a momma stands back and says, "ahhhh ... the perfect cupcake!" So, I got out my cooling rack out- cooled my crazy, puffy, super small, one singular perfect cupcake - so that I could put the icing and sprinkles on each of these little guys. As I began the process of delicately removing the cupcakes, I pay extra close attention to my perfect little cherub cupcake. After realizing that delicate and removal of cupcakes are not synonymous, I turned the pan over and shook them out. Every one of those blasted cupcakes came out with extreme ease - except for the angel cupcake. That little guy was bound and determined to stay put - no matter the coaxing. I realized then ... God was speaking. Yes ... I do hear God at very random times. So many times I am that little picture perfect cupcake (or so I like to think). Not that I am EVER perfect, but sometimes my main goal in life is to be perfect in my little pan (life), giving no thought to my Lord who wants to shake me out of that hot, prison I think is safe. Life is so much more beautiful without the constraints of a hot pan - just think of the icing and sprinkles that awaits all of us if we will just remember to be puffy, super small and rather inadequate - I've found that Jesus can use me much more as a goofy lookin' cupcake then when I try to be perfect.

Children

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all." Mark 10:15 I started to think about all the things kids (specifically mine) really do understand.
1. They belly laugh over the silliest things.
2. They know Jesus will chase away the boogey man.
3. They know it's not nice to say people are fat.
4. They believe the Bible is true - all of it - without having to be SHOWN.
5. They will pray and believe that God really does hear.
6. They know that momma and daddy will always have enough money to take care of their needs.
7. They love their friends and draw pictures to show it.
8. If they want something they ask for it.
9. They think their grandparents are way cool.
10. They think their parents are way goofy, but that's their favorite part!
11. When they get hurt - they run to their momma or daddy - unashamed.
12. When they totally blow it they rat themselves out 'cause it just feels better to tell.
I seriously could go on and on, but I think it boils down to this - I really should pay more attention to their ways - I think the kingdom of God and all it's secrets are in dinosaur pajamas right down the hall.

B.I.B.L.E

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Think about basic training in the military - it's 9 weeks of hell, glory and training ... for what? A lifetime of service in the military. Now ... hang with me. I'm watching United 93 which is making me think about my own mortality. This life is our basic training isn't it? Sometimes the comraderie is the only thing that gets us through it. But what to do we have to look forward to after this training? Direct communion with Jesus - DIRECT COMMUNION WITH JESUS. Wow. So, girls let's run through these battlefields of life and attack our enemy with the sword (Eph. 6), the Lord Jesus has given us and in the end ... we will live throughout eternity in the presence of our God.

Trust

Why is trust so difficult? I mean really. Do I really think I can control anything? Why is surrender so hard??? The song by Rich Mullins, "Hold me Jesus" comes to mind ... "Surrender don't come natural to me I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want Than to take what You give that I need And I've beat my head against so many walls Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees " So, Lord ... I surrender to you all of it -- the basement that has cracks in the wall, the pressures of my 2010 life as a woman, the crazy graduate class, my 150 hour practicum - all of it. It's yours Lord. You know why - because you DO know what to do with it and I just act like I do. I love you so much Lord. Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep - if I should forget your love before I wake I pray you'll remind me before morning light. xoxox

Here I am

Those 3 words can mean so much can't they? "Here I am Lord" means one thing while "Here I am bloggers" means something totally different. Well, here I am. Plain, simple me after a long night of a graduate class gone crazy. Tonight I have nothing to offer other than ... here I am. Sometimes that's all we have to give isn't it? We can say that when we make it to work on a day we'd rather be with our kids. We can say it on days we're feeling really spiritual and wanting God to use us mightily. We can say it after realizing we've blown it, but not to the point of no return. So, hang in there. Just be you. Really, it's quite okay. You can wake up tomorrow and do something grand. But for now, just say "here I am" and relish in that. Love you.

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things

I was on my way to bed after a long day and I remembered I'd forsaken my blog. "Big deal" said sleepy Ann. Responsible Ann quipped,"Now Ann ... you can't think of one quick thing to say about enjoying God before going to sleep???" The song from the Sound of Music popped into my head. So, here's my quick "enjoying God" song to the tune of "These are a Few of My Favorite Things. (Hum the tune with me) Days filled with students at Glenvar the high school, hugs from my children and smiles from my momma, Buffalo Wild Wings Caribbean Jerk, these are a few of my favorite things. When the alarm rings, when my feet hurt, when I'm feeling sad ... I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.

Well, look at that. I'm a poet and I didn't even know it. Thanks God for making it a really joy filled day.

Forrest Gump

Jenny says "FORREST!!! You can't keep doing this. You can't keep rescuing me all the time." Forrest says, "But ... I love you Jenny." It reminds me of how God is with me. He constantly comes to my rescue and many times I just cannot accept that love. It's just so blasted hard to believe that He loves me that much. I know me. I know the bad, the repetitive sins, the lack of passion, the complacency and yadda, yadda, yadda. What does God see? He sees His child who has been redeemed by the blood of His Son. Thanks God for chasing me, rescuing me and never giving up on me. Your arms, after a long chase, are my favorite place to be.

Who is Jesus? Mark 6-9

During Jesus’ lifetime on earth he was thought to be Elijah, a prophet, and John the Baptist raised from the dead. When Jesus asked Peter who He was, Peter promptly responded, “Thou art the Christ.” If a friend asks me to explain who someone is, I usually start with what they look like, or who they know, or what their title is or try to think of things that person has accomplished or is currently doing in their life. So, if someone asked me to tell them who Jesus is I found just a few answers in Mark chapters 6 – 9. Jesus calms storms, he heals people physically, he has compassion on those in need, He rests, He prays, He challenges religious leaders, He hangs out with Moses and Elijah when He is transfigured into a state of His glory, He drives demons out of children, and He walks on water. Now, if you really want to know what someone is like then just ask their parents. They know the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, what did Jesus’ Abba say about Him? “This is my Son in whom I’m well pleased. Listen to Him.” Okey dokie – that pretty much sums it up. Jesus is God’s Son and I’m supposed to listen to Him. What is He saying? That’s the key isn’t it? What is HE saying? God, the Father didn’t say listen to your preacher, listen to your church’s doctrine, listen to your political leaders, and He most definitely didn’t say listen to your heart. He said LISTEN TO MY SON. I get so caught up in listening to others and to myself that I many times forget to listen to Jesus. Maybe that’s why enjoying God is sometimes a struggle for me. Hmmm ... I think I just listened to Jesus. 

Graduation

This weekend we are going to see my cousin Emily, age 17, graduate from high school. She is a home schooler and this event will be very intimate with just family and friends. This precious girl has asked me to speak at her graduation. Wow. No pressure huh? I'm not the main attraction - her preacher is - but the fact that she wants me to be part of her big day is humbling. As I started searching for just the right poem, bible verse, etc. to say I stumbled upon a list of the top 15 things to remember. Ding! The little light bulb over my head lit up and I decided to write the top 15 things Emily should remember. Granted, I have only lived 39 years, but I have discovered quite a bit since I was 17. If I'd only known then what I know now. "Squirrel" (That's what I say when I get off track) Ok ... back on track. Here are my top 15 things for my 17 year old cousin to remember as she embarks on a new chapter of her life
Fifteen Things for Emily to Remember
1.God loves you.
2.A person who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter is not a nice person.
3.Do not confuse falling in love with God as being religious.
4.Try really hard not to compare yourself to other women. God loves you exactly the way you are.
5.If you’re sad, go buy a new purse – contrary to what men say – it does make you feel better.
6.Go to your favorite restaurant at LEAST once a month.
7.Enjoy every minute of life – even when it’s tough.
8.Before making a huge decision go the Lord and say “This is what I want Lord, but if it’s not your will for me then change my heart.” This is a powerful prayer and must only be spoken when you are truly surrendered to what HE wants.
9.RIDE ROLLER COASTERS!
10.When your favorite song comes on sing it LOUD – no matter where you are.
11.Hug your parents and grandparents a lot. They know you’re grown, but no matter how much you want to be a big girl – you’ll always be their baby.
12.Jesus gave us two commands. You will have many questions in your life – if you can stay focused on these two commands the peace of Christ will reign in your heart. They are ... 1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
13.UNC is better than Duke (JUST KIDDING) Seriously, follow your dreams and don’t second guess what God has put in your heart.
14.Give to those less fortunate in anyway you can.
15.Remember that you are a miracle of God and His plans and purposes for you are perfect.
Jeremiah 29:11"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Haiti

My heart hurts, my eyes well up and my soul is crying to the Lord for Haiti. My children and husband sleep soundly in their rooms, my coffee is warm and my jammies are soft. My cat, for goodness sakes, lives in the lap of luxury. I can't wrap my brain around the devastation and the heartache that must be going on in that country. I read about a rural town called Leogane, in Haiti, that is not receiving support yet because the relief efforts are all going to Port au Prince. It seems hopeless, but I have to believe that God sees this, hates this and will "fix" this. "Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 This verse was a response made by Jesus after a question concerning salvation was asked. Jesus is mighty to save our souls and our bodies. He is mighty to save the Haitians, me, the teenage girl who thinks she's worthless, the mother who just screamed at her child (oh wait - I already said me), the African missionary, the African child who is without food, the man who just lost his job, the man who drinks way too much, the prostitute that is sick and tired of being a prostitute - He is mighty to save. I am encouraged. I am in love with that God that heals us all.

Bible Roulette

Bible Roulette - I play this all the time. Let me set the scene-I'm sleepy and rubbing my eyes, I've just had my first sip of coffee and I really do want to know God's heart for the day. I then grab the Bible and plop it open and it's uncanny how many times it flops open to the perfect verse for the day. My Roulette game gave me this today "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Prov. 2:6 I look over to the other side of the page and "Turn to my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." Prov. 1:23 I love that God is wide eyed even when I'm wiping the sleepers from mine.

Good morning Lord. Thank you for Your words and thank You for meeting me where I am. Let my eyes see what you see today and let my heart and thoughts wander to the things of Your Kingdom. I love you.

Good Morning

We had a fabulous weekend out of town - I'm refreshed and energized and there is just something about coming home that makes one say "ahhhhh." So, here I am ah-filled (hee hee) and ready to start a new day. I've embarked upon a journey, a career journey, that has uncertain twists and turns. As I was praying about my concerns last night my prayers went from "HELP ... I'm super nervous for ME, ME, Me, me!" The me prayer suddenly turned into a prayer for my son and what would best for him - then the prayer changed into a prayer for my mom and what would best for my mom. Then, God said "LOOK - your focus is where it needs to be!" God doesn't sound like Bob Marley by any means, but "don't worry 'bout a thing, cause every little thing ... it's gonna be alright" pulsed through my soul. So, I'm beginning to get it - pray about my son, my momma and what will be best for them and my decision will be easy. Again, may I say "ahhhhh."

I have decided

I have decided that enjoying God is a choice. If I continually wait for the perfect circumstance to come along in order to enjoy God, I've come to the conclusion, I'm going to be waiting a long time. So, I shall purpose in my heart to enjoy this day Jesus has given me. I will see the mountains, the sun, the pretty sheets on my bed, and focus on the things that bring me joy. I will not see the rest of the stuff that gets on my nerves. I will NOT focus on those blasted annoyances! My joy will not be stolen. I will rejoice in the Lord always and again I say REJOICE. There. Now, I may proceed with my day. Selah.

Mark - Chapter 5

Okay ... this chapter is the type of thing you see in movies. Seriously, this is the one about the guy with the legions of demons. I've seen some pretty scary previews of a movie that's out now (or will be soon) called LEGIONS. Interesting. We're still fascinated by demons - even today. Jesus, however, was only interested in getting rid of them. Some people don't like to think about this sort of thing and debates exist about the reality of demons. I have to chuckle because the demons aren't debating over who Jesus is - check out Mark 5:6,7 - those suckers knew who Jesus was and they were scared. I love that. As I read about the demoniac of Gerasene I began to ask questions like 1. How did he get that many demons? 2. Did he have a family? 3. Where is Gerasene? 4. Where is Decapolis? 5. What happened to him after he was delivered? 6. Why, if he was full of demons, did he "come out" to Jesus? 7. Here's the big question - How many people in our society today are suffering from this same sort of possession? (ewwwwww ... that's the yucky question). Well ... I found out where Gerasene is - it's to the east of the Sea of Galilee and Decapolis is the region that contained Gerasene and 10 other towns. Interestingly, Decapolis had a predominantly Greek and Roman culture/population. I bet this guy was a Gentile which would really make the Pharisees mad and probably made his disciples a bit uncomfortable. Jesus really is my hero because not only is he not afraid of demons, He's also not afraid of society. Sometimes I wonder which is worse?
Okay ... back to the story. Jesus delivers this man and about 2,000 pigs die that day. Were there that many demons in him? Regardless, Jesus rescued this poor soul from his torment. As I'm pondering and writing I remember how all of this applies to me - to us. Check out Mark 16:15-18 Yes, that's the scripture that reminds those of us who believe in Jesus that WE will cast out demons and lay hands on the sick so they will recover. Can I get an AMEN!!! Go back to Mark 5:21-43 and that passage is all about Jesus healing a little girl and a woman. I think so many times we, as children of the LIVING GOD, forget the power that Jesus put(s) into us. I'm done with that. I was at Wal-Mart today and my cashier told me that she is in constant pain b/c of arthritis and fibromyalgia. I decided to tell her about the healing power of Jesus, invited her to church, got her name, told her I'd be praying and spoke a blessing over her. I rejoice in the day that I am bold enough to say "May I pray for you right now" or "May I come back on your break and pray with you." Baby steps. I say all of this not to toot my proverbial horn, but to remind myself that Jesus was here for the people. He wasn't here for the church services, the music, the environment,the fresh sea air, or any of that stuff - he was here for the people. I have determined in my heart that so shall I be.

The Kingdom of God

I've been challenged lately, by God, to stay in the New Testament - especially in the book of Mark. I love the Old Testament because it's full of history and prophecy. So, when God asked me to stay in the N.T. I knew he had something up His sleeve for me. Of course, when I didn't readily listen and dive right into the book of Mark I was gently reminded in church on Sunday when our pastor challenged us to read the book of Mark this week. So, I'm now reading the book of Mark. Thank goodness I serve a God that doesn't mind reminding me over and over. :) So, this morning, as Micah watched a bit of TV and I got a hot cup of coffee I began to read the book of Mark. The kingdom. God is seriously trying to drive that point home to me. He's been yacking about the kingdom with me for about 2 months now. What is the kingdom of God? I know it's a culture of it's own. It's not American, African, Hebrew, Scandinavian, etc. It's God's way of doing things. My commentary says it's Jesus living in my heart. I'm on a quest to find out all I can about this Kingdom of God. I'm only on Chapter 4 of Mark, but so far this is what the Holy Spirit has allowed me to see. The Kingdom is a seed that is planted within us. Seeds like to grow into plants. BUT ... the soil and the environment play a part in a seed growing. I'm not the best at planting flowers, but I do know you need good soil, water, seeds and you've got to keep the deer away. Without those things you don't have much of a flower bed. I know God's desire is to plant good seeds into our hearts, but what kinds of things are keeping those seeds from budding. God is going to plant seeds - no question about it. What kind of environment are we cultivating to protect those seeds? I had to ask myself that. What, Ann, is holding the Kingdom of God back in your life? Then, of course I started feeling guilty and I had to remember what this blog is about ... ENJOYING GOD. So ... I turned my guilt upside down and re-phrased my question. Where IS the Kingdom of God in my life? That is a much easier question to answer. When I began to think of all the seeds God has planted in my life and all the fruit that has come from the seeds I wanted more and more. Similarly, when Franco planted 10 tulip bulbs in the fall and I saw how beautiful they were in the Spring I begged him to plant more and more! Now, we have about 50 tulip bulbs planted. That is the Kingdom of God. The more we recognize the goodness of God in our lives, the more we seek that goodness, and the more we receive from Him. Ahhhh ... ain't God good?

Welcome!

My dream is to write a book. I've already got the title and the format in my head, but just haven't started. After seeing the movie "Julie and Julia" I decided that writing a blog might be a good start for me. Writing a book seems like such a lofty idea and writing a blog is much more attainable - at least for me right now. My goal, however, is not to have a movie made of my life (that would be scary), but to bring a smile to the One who gave me the idea.

I debated over the title of my very first blog, but then it came to me - quickly and easily as if God was just waiting for me to start this blog. Enjoying God. Something I forget to do. Now, mind you, I pray to Him, look to Him for guidance, love Him, praise Him, worship Him, fuss at Him, question Him, and thank Him but ... do I enjoy Him? Each time I sit with Him I ask Him what His heart is for me and many times he simply says - Enjoy. So ... this blog is about enjoying Him, enjoying His love, His heart, His ways, His will, His world, His children, His Word, His Son, His Spirit, His everything. Come along ... we'll see where He takes us.