Love thy enemy...

I probably don't have to ask....we all have enemies. You can deny it, but you do, everyone does. No I'm not saying there is some evil scientist out to get you for your super powers! But we have all been offended or hurt at some time. I find it intriguing that we are suppose to love our enemies according to the Bible. Sure, it's easy to love family, it's even easy to love friends and people that are always there to support you. But what about these people who tear us down? But as I've said I don't know how many times before, God set us apart for greater purposes. We are called out by the creator to love those who have not only offended us, but even those who have spit on the face of Christ. We are called to love those who rebuke Him, because he loves them.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

I've heard my entire life to love thy enemies, but I don't believe that in my lifetime I've ever seen it. That all changed this month. I'm not going to pretend to know all about what's going on in Egypt, I'm not big into the news or current events. I know, I know....say what you want. I find as a mom of three with a hectic schedule, that I miss a lot of things. I'm convinced that God will catch me up one day. But I took an interest in this particular story from Egypt, because I found myself sitting in tears as I watched. All I could think was, "...what love..."

While the protest were going on in the square in Egypt the Muslims gathered to pray. Regime guards and rioters began to attack the Muslims, throwing stones. When all the sudden, Christians linked arms and jumped in the way of harm to protect the Muslims! They held off the rioters and protected people that renounce Jesus.... What is there to say except....what love! Father I pray that you fill me with that love everyday! That I would be willing not only to lay my life down for a stranger, but for a stranger that doesn't know You! I have to think that when Jesus said, people will know you are My disciples if you love one another, that he saw faces such as these. So this post is in honor of my brothers and sisters all around the world, who are standing in God's name! Keep changing the world!



God of Miracles

restore health unto thee,

For I will

and I will heal thee of thy wounds,

saith the LORD; because they

called thee an Outcast,

Jeremiah 30:17

Father, You are so truly amazing. I don't glorify you enough for what you have done. Last year when I was sick and in the hospital, the doctors were looking for cancer. I watched my family suffer as we waited, I prayed and dwelled with you for a month. When the results came, the doctors couldn't explain it, they called it a fluke, I call it Your hand. Then we lost everything, it seemed like a firestorm, but your have opened new doors in your time, such as allowing me to go back to school. Over the past year, You have brought people I love back to me. You've restored relationships in my family that were thought to be forever lost. You brought my brother home safely from deployment. Father, You promised that we would never walk this rocky road alone, and I could point out over 100 times that you have saved me just this year alone. Father you never leave me, never forsake me, and You are the first on the front line to defend me in times of trouble. So to You be the glory! To You be the praise! I am awe-stricken by how even in my weakest moments, You shine through!

new thing; now it

Behold, I will do a

shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I

will even make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-20



For I am weak...

2 Corinthians

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God you have brought changes my way. Today was my first day at my new job. Though not an easy job, you have provided me a wonderful opportunity. On my way home tonight, I was listening to some country music in my car and a song came on that said, "even on my weakest days, I grow stronger." I couldn't help but be reminded of this verse. You said that you power is made PERFECT in my weakness. I'm strong in hard moments not because of my strength but Yours. By me not feeling such control, gives You a chance to take total control. And somehow, Father, as tired as I am, as weary as I am, I'm not discouraged. I honestly believe that this peace is Yours and I'm clinging to it. So Father, I'm claiming my weakness today and praying that in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties, that Your power is perfected and that You shine through it all. Thank you for Your presence today.

A new chapter...

So, I signed up on a Christian website for a free book about three weeks back and I honestly forgot about it. But there it was in the stack of mail today, its called Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand. I hadn't even paid attention when I signed up, but I had heard of Wurmbrand before. He was imprisoned for years and tourtured for his faith. I find that God's timing is funny, He knew that Justin's work would be different this week and I'd have a lot of down time, He knew I wouldn't set it down and forget about it. So I started reading it tonight and I'm already amazed. Wurmbrand was an orphan and born in Russia where he was raised an aithiest, despite his jewish heritage. So he married and winds up in this random village. He even admitted he didn't know why he was there. But it was there that he found Christ and soon after so did his wife. They lived through Nazi terany, but that wasn't the end of his story by a long shot.

"Beginning August 23, 1994, one million Russian troops entered Romania and, very soon after this, the Communists came to power in our country. Then began a nightmare that made suffering under the Nazis seem easy." ~pg 14

He talked about how the Communist used seduction towards the church to get their favor. Then gathered over 4000 pastors and preist of all denominations and they convinced them to vote Joseph Stalin as their honorary president. Yes, the same Joseph Stalin who had murdered countless christians. The bishops all began saying that christians and communist had the same fundamentals and promised the church's loyalty to the new government.

This is where it gets good and I had to stop, for I sat in awe and total respect for Wurmbrand's wife. They were present at this congress, and these were her words!

"Richard stand up and wash away this shame from the face of Christ! They are spitting in His face." I said to her, "If I do so, you lose your husband." She replied, "I don't wish to have a coward as a husband."

Wow! What an amazing example!!! The bible states that Men are to be the head of the household, but we women are also given a role. God gave us as encouragers. I don't know how often Justin has walked in the doors discouraged and worried about something that seems so big and I'll look at him and say "God will provide" He'll always sigh and say "Your right, always has always will"  But could you stand with the strength that she did? Knowing that your encouragement might take the one you love from you, but also knowing that you must stand for Christ? One of our college students, who is wise beyond her years posted this on facebook...

If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to prove it? Would your life show that you follow Christ? I don't know about you but that's one case I want to be proven guilty.~Emily

God you are constant! Thank goodness!

²⁸ Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40

So often I find myself reflecting on my days and wondering, "God how could you ever love me, after all I have done and with me stumbling all the time?"  I love how in those moments, I can feel Your love surround me! You have always loved me, since before my creation. You planned me so carefully. You gave me everything from my passions, size 8 feet, and even my southern draw. I can feel You growing ever closer in those moments that I find myself broken and regretful. I hear Your words about how much You love me, how I am Your child. How You will always love me. I don't know why I find myself forgetting in moments of weakness that You are CONSTANT! You never change! You loved all of us from the time You created the earth. I also find myself forgetting in those moments that I need to let go, You are in control...

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46

You are constantly telling me, "Don't you know who I AM? I've got this, just let me use you! I know your not perfect! I created you and everyone else! But I love you, I will restore you, I will give you rest."  Father, I'm asking for your spirit again today. I'm asking that You open the heaven's wide and that Your spirit rains down upon me and my loved ones. I pray for healing. I pray for safety. I pray for You to fill my heart, mind and soul with Your words. Father, I don't know that I'll ever understand the depth of Your love, but I am so thankful for it!

I feel like david...

    I don't know if you have ever read all of Psalms. But it was suggested to me by my former preacher when I found myself feeling as though I was in an endless pit. He told me of how David wrote Psalms and how you can tell by his writings that at times he felt so close to God and other times he felt a million miles away. I have found myself in the same way with You, Father. One minute I can feel you right beside me, the next I feel a million miles away. I hate that feeling...when you can feel the devil breathing down your neck. I hate feeling as though darkness is surrounding me, knowing that I'm vulnerable. I want to be in Your presence. It is there and only there that I feel strong, safe. David also hated this feeling...
¹ LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
   or discipline me in your wrath.
² Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint;
   heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.
³ My soul is in deep anguish.
   How long, LORD, how long?
 ⁴ Turn, LORD, and deliver me;
   save me because of your unfailing love.
⁵ Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
   Who praises you from the grave?
 ⁶ I am worn out from my groaning.
   All night long I flood my bed with weeping
   and drench my couch with tears.
⁷ My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
   they fail because of all my foes.
 ⁸ Away from me, all you who do evil,
   for the LORD has heard my weeping.
⁹ The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
   the LORD accepts my prayer.
¹⁰ All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
   they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
~Psalm 6

Father I also find myself in David's position of asking You, "How long will I suffer?" I know that You never promised an easy road, but I need just a glimpse of You now. Father, I am growing faint fast and satan knows it! He's attacking from every angle! Father rebuke him! Father allow me to run into Your arms and rest there as a child running to their dad after a nightmare. Father, I need Your help. I'm begging... I don't know what to do... I don't know which way to turn...  I don't want the world's advice or to know what everyone else would do! I want Your answer! I want your will! Guard me Father. Restore me...

Don't get discouraged...

³ Not only so, but we^[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5

You are loved! You are loved! You are loved!  Did you know that today?  Did you realize that when you woke up this morning that the God of the universe was smiling at you saying, "Good morning my precious, precious child"? Did you know that when things go wrongly or you are hurt that the God of the universe looks at you with the same sorrowful look of a father watching his toddler fall? Did you know that when you are delighting in the Lord that the God of the Universe is chuckling with you? Did you know that you were set apart? Did you know that you have been called out? Did you know that you have a purpose? 

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah 1:5