"God gives eternal choices, and these choices have eternal consequences. Isn’t this the reminder of Calvary’s trio? Ever wonder why there were two crosses next to Christ? Why not six or ten? Ever wonder why Jesus was in the center? Could it be the two crosses on the hill symbolize one of God’s greatest gifts? The gift of choice. The two criminals were convicted by the same system. Condemned to death. Equally close to the same Jesus. But one changed and one did not. You’ve made some bad choices in life, haven’t you? You look back and you say, “If only I could make up for those bad choices.” You can. When one thief on the cross prayed, Jesus loved him enough to save him. When the other mocked, Jesus loved him enough to let him. He allowed him the choice. And he does the same for you and me. Then (the thief) said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43" Reading in my inbox today and came across this devotional from Max Lucado, and I must say I really NEVER had thought of this idea. It truly is a symbol of God's mercy don't you think. Even in HIS darkest hour, pain and agony HE loved enough... and still gave the choice. It really is mind awe-ing to think about. He still stands at the door, knocking, arms extended on the other side WAITING for us to make the choice. I am SOOO glad now it is a door HE waits beside and I don't have to hang on the cross next to Him to make a choice. Also He only asks us to lay it down at the foot of the cross and not be nailed to the cross along with our past... WHAT an AWE-SOME GOD is my friend and SAVIOUR. As you look at the symbol of the three crosses this Easter season, my prayer is you choose the right cross... Have a blessed Easter.

Believe it or not I think I finally have something to say and the time to say it. :) Fear NOT!! If you look you will find this over and over in the LIFEbook we call the BIBLE. I think fear is running rampant in our country right now and WE need to pray an end to it....GOD does not give us a spirit of fear, so if you are fear-full- guess where it is coming from... AND he aint the boss of you, so get over it. LAY it down and pick up your guaranteed inheritance of PEACE. During this election season, I have been trying to stay away from FB and mediacrappy-do because I want to like my friends when it is all said and done..know what I mean. I was checked on that today... why should I be the judge of what others do or dont do. This "election" is no surprise to GOD..HE already knows the outcome... I am to pray.."LORD YOUR will be done in this nation as it is in heaven" and then let it go. Others should be doing the same and quit the name calling and back biting... One week from today our nation will be in for change... GOOD, BAD or Ugly...but GOD is in control of it ALL...my worry and fear will not change that one bit...and I will have lost a week of my time fretting. Well. IT is good to be back..If you want, check in often. I think this is going to be my outlet of ramblings for awhile. Seems my peeps are taking a break from FB too and I see no pix of my darlings there and that is the main use for FB right?!?!?!?

Surprises

I have been wanting an embroidery machine for several years. I have researched and asked fellow sewers, what, how and prices. Done my homework so to speak. I went to the local sewing shop and asked for demo and pricing...OUCH!!I realized this was going to take some time and planning(budget wherefore aret thou?!?). I mentioned to hubby that I wanted one, but couldnt figure out how to get one on my budget...well I could sell one child and still have 3 but that seemed a little extreme even for me :) I kinda put it on the back burner..I didnt really think it was a big enough thing to pray about. But My heavenly father knew the desires of my heart...even the secret ones. He set R up with a couple that not only supplied him with work for several months, but who also "just happened" to have a top of the line embroidery machine they wanted to sell, since she had upgraded. I was excited, then searched on-line and realized even this would take some time and saving...WELL...today R asked me to come out to the job and meet the couple and see their newly remodeled kitchen (read a little jealousy here) and she showed me the machine...when we were ready to leave, R said "Well, take your machine and lets go home"...YEAH GOD...smooch hubby :)

Homesick

I finally feel I have something worth saying..so here goes.
I see daily and hear so much about how evil and how bad the times are. I agree it seems hopeless. But my friend we are not without hope. Our hope is in the one who created the world with a spoken word. Do you not trust HIM to handle it?
The reason we are so uncomfortable and feel so squeezed, we are supposed to be. We do NOT fit here, or at least we shouldn't, and we should stand out and be pressured.
This is not our home, we do not belong here. We belong to HIM and the home HE has created for us. The reason we are not there? We have work to do... there are those who are not ready. Let's get the job done so we can go home... It is 4:30 and the final whistle is about to blow..who comes to your mind in this instant who isn't ready to have their time card cancelled. RUN, GO, TELL !!!
As the words I heard in a song recently "I've never been more homesick than now!!!"
CYA here, there or in the air!!!

Marching orders.

Don't you wish GOD would just say..."Okay now right turn in 50 feet, then proceed 25 miles to... Instead He promises to guide our STEPS..I would just like a little further notice than that..what lies beyond the next curve? Am I going in the RIGHT direction? Is there a drop off or bump ahead? But No, He directs one STEP at a time. Hmmm isn't that called FAITH when you just feel blindfolded and led or directed..did you ever play that game as a child or with your grandkids?..SHUT your eyes, now take my hand..Do you trust and just walk or do you flail your arms about trying not to bump into things? How does that make them feel? Do you trust me? DO you walk or do you try to find your own path? Guess GOD is still teaching in parables...I hope and pray that this time around the mountain I learn the lesson..my sandals are starting to show some wear.
I know I am not talking to anyone else out there...just needed to see/hear myself talk this one out too... :) Marching on.

Monday Morning Blues

Anything you did even for the least of my people here, you did also for me.” Matthew 25:40
What is the sign of the saved? Their scholarship? Their willingness to go to foreign lands? Their ability to amass an audience and preach? Their skillful pens and hope-filled volumes? . . . No.The sign of the saved is their love for the least . . .
No fanfare. No hoopla. No media coverage. Just good people doing good things. For when we do good things to others we do good things to God. by Max Lucado
Thank you LORD for this gentle reminder of things to come... I spent Sunday with Kristi,Verna and friends at Homeless Outreach..This was one of the harder outreaches for me to date. Seems there was bickering among those there to receive. Ungratefulness, not sure how to put it into words, but just general unrest... It was hard..and I was discouraged, You know, WHY are we here, What good are we doing? Then this morning in my inbox, a GOD message... I am sure when Max wrote this in a book years ago he wasnt thinking about me, and my Monday morning blues. BUT the lover of my soul was, and he had it penned just for me...THANK YOU LORD...for your words 2 thousand years ago, that would be used to encourage and uplift and remind me TODAY... I LOVE YOU. And now, back to work.. :)

Loaves and fishes...Or Hotdogs and chips for all...

I have been away from the 'puter for awhile. I was on vacation..Yeh for vacation.
While on vacation, I was blessed to be a part of a wonderful ministry my daughter does in downtown Austin. I know most of you who read this know all about it...but I just need to hear myself say these things out loud. I was expecting to go and be a blessing, but ended up being blessed in so many ways. I saw my grandgirls serve and smile without reservations. I saw my children serving in ways I once only dreamed. I saw thankful people enjoying the chance to choose a soda or chips...things I so take for granted. It is hard to explain with mere words, what is so felt in my heart.. I still get weepy thinking of them. GOD is so amazing..He takes what little we can do ADD it to the BIG HE can do and comes up with AWESOME... yeh, yeh I know HE could do it alone, but I am so thankful HE blesses us by letting us be a part of HIS plan. We had EXACTLY the right amount of donations to buy the food and drinks for 250 and that is the number of people we fed. HE supplied (thru willing hands) exactly what we needed. I was hoping to have some seed $ for next month..and HE reminded me that HE is our supply and we are to gather enough for the day...DAILY bread...
Thank you to all who played a part in making this a special 4th for so many. My heart can not begin to say how grateful I am. This is an ongoing ministry. We will be going again on the 25th..on a smaller scale...We discovered hot dogs are easy and inexpensive...chips and sodas, not so much ..If you are interested in being a part of the next outreach contact me or Kristi...we would love to share the blessings. :)