You Are GOD Alone

Last Thursday morning, my dad, mom, Jojo and jack left my house here in WV. I was distraught because time spent with them makes me remember just how much fun they are and how much I love them. I decided to go for a walk, a fast one at that. I took my MP3 player and the song, "You Are God Alone" began playing. Tears came to my eyes, and I couldn't stop crying; so, I began running as fast as I could. (mind you, I haven't really run since I was in my earlier 20s) I just ran and ran as tears blurred my vision. Why? Because sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by everything. I am trying to desperately find a job, and Josh just started a second job this week. I hate that he has to do that. I was miserable because all I wanted was to be near my family especially when I felt so all alone here in WV.
But Saturday, I decided to go to DC with my church and participate in our big soul-winning marathon. I hadn't done a marathon since I was in college about 6 years ago. It proved to be worth every minute spent in our nation's capital. I hadn't been to DC since I was a Senior in high school (about 10 years ago), and then, I only visited the historical sights. I hadn't been to the outskirts where the projects lay. We were divided up into many, many teams. My team consisted of 8 people, divided into groups of 2. Me and my partner, Crystal, had a bit of a rough start. For about the first hour and a half, we met person after person who either were too busy, wanted nothing to do with us, or insisted they were good people and that's all they needed. I must admit, I felt down because I couldn't remember my previous soul-winning experiences being so stinkin' hard. Granted, we were the only white people in the area. That didn't bother me, but we ran into Muslims, drunks, scary men, etc. Not one time did I feel threatened. (before you wonder, we had two men in our group who constantly kept an eye of our all of us ladies but MOST of all, GOD was with us) All I felt was the oppression of the WICKED ONE. I knew he didn't want us there, let alone talk to anyone. Finally, we saw a break-through and we couldn't stop winning people to the Lord. I talked to many adults. I believe the youngest I spoke to was about 12 or 13. Crystal, on the other hand, talked to many children's groups along with adults. She ended up winning 16 and won the flag for the ladies' on our bus. I saw 10 people come to know the Lord. I had many thank me over and over for coming there and telling them how they can go to Heaven. I wrote each of their names in my New Testament, and I hope to remember each one of them as each one sweetly came to the realization that they needed Heaven. This day proved to lift my spirit incredibly. I felt as if I was walking on clouds. I give all of the glory and praise to the Holy Spirit Who went before us and kept us safe from all accidents and harm. I believed that God' divine protection was on us that day; for, as we were leaving, down the hill came a multitude of Muslim priests and followers in their turbans and robes. We also passed three accidents without a hold-up in traffic. A bus broke down on the way back, and we were able to take some of the teenage boys back with us. No one knew this, but I plead the blood of Jesus over our bus that morning. I rebuked Satan in the name of Jesus to stay away from our team, bus, bus driver, and called for God's angels to surround us in safety. I honestly believe that we were surrounded that day with a super-natural power that no one can explain but the soul-winners that prayed. I felt God's presence, much more powerful than any demonic force. Even the lady that yelled hateful words to me and my partner, I felt just bounced off my spirit. I didn't allow the mean words to hurt me, but prayed that somehow some way, she would be saved in the future. Even the two teenage boys who kept yelling, "Hey, sexy lady!" got saved because I walked right up to them. I felt if they wanted my attention, I'd at least tell them how to go to Heaven. Right before they prayed, the one boy told me his real name. I could tell he felt badly for tricking us. My God is real, and my faith is stronger. Thank you, Jesus!

In Moderation

So, I've begun to realize that some things in life aren't meant to be taken too "overboard." Since my gallbladder removal almost a month ago, I've come to realize that sometimes, your body just has to heal and adjust especially when something major has taken place! This is not like having a baby. Yes, your body does need to adjust after giving birth, but this gallbladder removal has been a totally different experience for me. At times, I have felt that I have been all alone in what I have been feeling; then I talk to someone who knows exactly how I felt and how I am now feeling. I think that sometimes, I want to be "snap of the fingers" better overnight, but time is healing and healing takes time. I am not happy about how I allowed myself to become so out of shape and massive in weight gaining, but I can use this experience to help others. To this date, I have lost 38 pounds and counting because I am nowhere near being done. I just need to remind myself that weight loss MUST be done in moderation just as eating food must be done in the same manner. I am not sure if I have this whole thing down pat, but for now, I continually ask God for wisdom in my everyday choices and continue to keep going even when I feel down. I must remember that everything happens for a reason, and I give God the glory for how He has done a great work in my life. Each day is a learning experience, and I hope to be of a help to someone on down the road at some point. I'm not sure who exactly reads my blogs, but keep me posted on any comments or suggestions you might have. I am a girl open and ready to learn new and wonderful things that God has in store for me. For today, I learned, all things are to be done in moderation.

The Race Is Not to The Swift

I was reminded this weekend of a powerful verse in the Bible, and I plan to lay ahold of it's truth. Ecclesiastes 9:11 says, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." I read and re-read that verse, and within it, I found the power to continue on the path that I have chosen. You see, at times, I begin to become frustrated because I have been attempting to find a full-time job for the last 8 or 9 months, one that I will love and become stable. I also was very sick for that amount of time, and just am now beginning to regain my strength and confidence within myself. Today, amidst my frustrations, a powerful statement came back to my mind which says, "The works of the flesh equal frustration." Wow! Think about that statement for a minute! If we are truly frustrated in our life, in some way, we are living in the flesh and not walking in the Spirit. I continually try to remind myself that God is not the author of confusion.
You may be popular; you may have a whole lot of money; you may have multiple talents. But, I am in no way deterred because I truly believe the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. I have potential just like any other person on the face of this earth. I am an author; I am a writer. I love to write what's on my heart. I am an artist at heart. I can feel what you are feeling because I have learned to empathize with the broken hearted. I don't write this to brag. I just write this to tell the world, I believe in myself. For once in my life, I really truly believe in myself and how my writings will affect the world.

Something to Ponder

As you know, there have been many deaths these past few weeks of many famous people. The number one death has been Michael Jackson, and as all Americans know, this has been drug on for over a week with a swirl of questions concerning what really happened. I think we should just allow him to rest in peace and his family to grieve. I realize that many people were fans, but along with that, there are many who didn't care for him. I say that he was a human just like you and me; only, he was in the "limelight" constantly. All I'm trying to say is this, it doesn't matter if you are rich or famous or if you aren't known by anyone, we all will stand before our Creator one day and account for what we have and haven't done down here on Earth. Who are we to say what we each should or shouldn't do on this Earth? I say, look into your own heart and decide what it is that you were created to do while here on Earth. It does matter if you've come to the place where you realize you are a sinner and accept God's gift to mankind, His Son's pure blood, to wash away our sin and cover us from condemnation. After that, it's between you and God what you will do with this life He has graciously given to you. Yes, some of us, humans, will receive more recognition than others in our life and death, but that shouldn't be something that we strive for. We should constantly be striving to please our God; we should worship God in the way that we seem fit. We should strive to love each other as ourselves because that is the second commandment; the first is to love God with all of our soul, heart and might.
So, many famous people have passed away, but on the flip side, somebody lost a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, a son or a daughter. Our soldier boys are overseas fighting a war...a mom is dying of cancer...a small child is being diagnosed with an incurable disease...a brother is being told that he doesn't have long to live...pain is all around us. It doesn't have to always be a famous man dying...it can also be our next-door neighbor. What are we going to do about it? How are we going to make a difference? How are we going to be remembered? I want to be remembered as a person who loved everybody. That should be my legacy. I want to be known as one who writes what's on my heart to influence thousands and millions, even. I really believe my writings will eventually reach the world, but most importantly, I strive to love my neighbor as myself. What is your legacy?