Isaiah 40 is Awesome!

"All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows on it; Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:6-8 (NASB)

Forgive me for not writing sooner. I've been working outside, :) painting pictures, singing and dancing more! Dr. Dhere has adjusted my medicines and I'm feeling much better. I'm even sweating like a snow cone on the 4Th of July while I'm outside, which is great for me! You can't imagine how high your temperature can climb when you don't sweat.

I'm always amazed, and so thankful for my friends and family who pray, for the doctors and people who help me, but most of all for the closeness I feel to God by traveling all the roads that I have been down in my life time. I can truly say that through it all, God's constant presence is Always there.

"Like a shepherd He will tend is flock. In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom. He will gently lead the nursing ewes."
Isaiah 40:11(NASB)

All of us like sheep tend to go astray from time to time. But aren't you glad our heavenly shepherd gently guides us back? I love the closeness when I'm snuggled in His bosom! I could stay there forever. But then He puts us back on our feet and says, "go on now- just stay close enough to hear my voice, always trust and obey." After a gentle hug from above, we're off and running again. :) Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to know thus saith the Lord!

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand; And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance, And the hills in a pair of scales?"
Isaiah 40:12 (NASB)

"To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?"
Isaiah 40:18 (NASB)

"It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He who reduces rulers to nothing. Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. Scarcely have they been planted. Scarcely have they been sown. Scarcely their stock take root in the earth, But he merely blows on them, and they wither, And the storm carries them away like stubble."
Isaiah 40:24 (NASB)

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God , The Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary. And to him who lacks might He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait upon the Lord Will gain new strength, They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)

Whatever this life may bring you to, God promises to see you through if you'll only wait on His providence. Trust and obey for there's No other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Would you ask God to help me finish a painting I'm working on concerning Revelation chapter 19? I'm thoroughly enjoying painting again, but I really want to do a great job on this one for many reasons. I want to help people see the fullness of God-He isn't just meek and mild He is also swift, just, righteous! Our God speaks and life and death come to pass.

Reality

"As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. Psalm 103:15 and 16 (NASB)

Every day I find myself stumbling over the thought, "there is so much more I should do before I leave this world." Daily, I feel our Heavenly Father smile and say,"Your time on earth will last until your simple tasks are done." With that thought, I relax and go back to my "minds assignments for that day." Just waiting on His provisions for each day.

Still, the frustration of lack of accomplishments in my life get me down. Do my family and friends really know how much I love them? Have I helped others see God the Father like I was suppose to? I've fallen so short so often. How many have I led astray on the bad days, fiery attitudes, or poor choice of words? These things make me sad. Once the words or actions have passed there's no way to take them back. Worse yet, were there days I could have spent fruitfully with family and friends,instead of doing useless repetitious tasks?

Then I look out at the grass in my back yard. I am simply one blade of grass in a vast zillion blades that make up His plan. A hundred years from now will anything I've written, said or done be remembered by even one person? God is my record keeper-no one else.

"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has set eternity in their heart, yet-so that man will not find out the work which God has done from beginning even to the end.

I know there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in ones lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor- it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain Forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take away from it, for God so worked that men should fear Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 (NASB)

"But the loving kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep His covenant And Remember His precepts to do them."

Psalm 103:17 and 18 (NASB)

Remember Who clothes, feeds, and sustains you all the days of your life. If you can, go to a tranquil place outside and read Psalm 104 today or sometime this weekend. Soak up God's awesome creation-another way He shows us how much He loves and cares for us. God bless you today and always.

"God never makes Junk!"

An old friend gave me a book called, "Born for Love," a long time ago. I think I've read that book from cover to cover at least five times now. It's one of those books you can glean many positive principles from every concept. Thinking about the different kinds of love I've experienced throughout life and how wonderful they have all been, I know love is the best part of my life!

Life is just to short not to give and accept as much love as we possibly can! Ironically, the more love you freely give the more love you will gain. Love is continuously mirrored back. God creates every single person with gifts and talents to share with others. As my Momma still says,"God never makes junk!" (She always says this with a glare in her eye when people begin degrading another human because of their skin color, economic status or "limited abilities." She is a retired special education bus driver.) She has always believed there is much to learn from everyone God would ever put into any of our lives. Momma, you were so right!

In my 50 years on this earth, there have been many different people of all kinds of ethnic, social, economic back grounds with various mental and social capabilities. Every single person has had God given worth and taught me at least one valuable lesson. Some gave me pain, but still it added to my gain. Most though, I can honestly say were a blessing to know and I am so thankful God put our paths together.

So many of you have helped me, multiplied my joy, love and even desire for life! You've prayed with and for me. Some of you have cried with and for me. God bless you my dearest friends. Together we've smiled, laughed and even fought. I just want you to know that I truly do love you and thank God for you.

Today, if you encounter a bitter person, please try to show them love and grace. So often those who need the most love get the least amount of love. Your desire maybe to slap them verbally or physically but try to help them see God's love through you. Maybe these words of wisdom from Proverbs will help.

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. But you, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days."

Psalm 55:22 and 23 (NASB)

"Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; for a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him." Proverbs 24:15-18 (NASB)

Please read Psalm 66. His word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Him. His word never returns void. Thank you for being my friend, I love you.

By His Stripes We are Healed

Isn't it amazing the extents we will go for the people and things we love in life?





Roses have always been one of my favorite flowers. As beautiful as they are their thorns are so painful. I was working outside in my yard yesterday. I was cutting and wrapping chicken wire around the bottom of some of the bushes. Hopefully, they will grow like pretty bouquets. Needless to say between the thorns and the wire my hands, arms and legs ended up looking like I'd been beaten with a cat of nine tails; blood dripped everywhere.





While I was out front, a group of teenagers walked by. I over heard one of them make a comment about how much it must hurt. I grinned and said, "Yes, you have to love flowers very much to do this. Imagine how much Jesus loved you as He died for you. This is nothing compared to His pain."





While He was on the cross was He thinking about how beautiful your life would be because of His love? I'm sure He was. Passion will always exceed suffering especially if it's long term worth out weighs temporary pain. Happy hearts, joyful souls and so many lives with a purpose for God exists today all because Jesus loved you beyond life and death. His sinless life, and sacrificial death for you is the only bridge to God the Father and eternal life.





"and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:24 &25 (NASB)





Don't fear the death of your mortal body, it simply is the vessel that your soul (the real you lives in.) Give your heart and soul to Jesus, accept Him as your Personal Savior and Lord, so that you can enjoy heaven with the only one who will grant you eternal life.

Are You Afraid to Love?

There are so many people who are afraid to love. Love like life can rarely be planed, it happens in some of the least expected places. In fact, you probably will not find true love when you seek, chase or expect it.

True love comes when you know a person's flaws and differences, yet you appreciate, need and want to be around them. Couples often compliment each other with their differences. For example you may be introverted in groups, but your partner loves socializing. As a couple you can learn to be happy in both situations. The differences in personalities enhance each other. Ideally, both personalities will help each other grow into the most they can become.

Friendships should also be a place to develop personalities. We're often attracted to opposite personalities from our own aren't we? That may be a God given instinct to seek what we are lacking. I think about my friends and neighbors who gently lead me back to the right path. I thank God so much for them.

Relationships are often misleading or deceiving but when they are, it is not because of love. Love comes from God. The human heart is desperately wicked who can know it? (How often does the Bible say that? Many, many times doesn't it!) Satan always has his nasty little ways of throwing daggers or piercing love with snares of temptation. Temptations always hit us in our weakest spots. Before we know it that person's perfume, or Cologne does more than attract our sense of smell. We find our mind wondering ... So just a little flirting begins, if it continues it could mean both people are in for a down hill slide.

How many families are destroyed because of little temptations that lead to deep emotions, or flings that put both partners families lives into jeopardy?

How can we safe guard against these pit falls? Honestly, NONE of us are ever out of danger of the pit falls. The only way we can protect ourselves, families and God's glory is to stay grounded in Christ Jesus, not on a superficial level, but a true intimacy level. You can go to every church function there is and never know God on an intimate level. You must love Him first before you can truly love others.

The only thing worse than loving and being crushed by it is never loving at all. What a waste of a life and missed blessings. Pain from relationships must be healed by God. Let Him wash, hold and love you-then return that love first in forgiveness and then by loving those you chose to reject. They still seek your friendship and love.

Read 1 Corinthians chapter 13

Learn to be Happy

It is so hard to understand why life is the way it is sometimes. Last Friday (May 27 Th I had my 2ND treatment in a single week, because my skin broke open and infection around my stoma had set in. ) While I was at Emory Hospital I met two nice young men. Both had developed Crohn's at a very young age.

One of them was very receptive to doing as much for God as he is able to do in his life. He saw Crohn's as just an unfortunate disease, and like me, wasn't bitter that he has it. God can use all of life's circumstances for His good. We must let Him work through us, regardless of our out come. We are on earth to learn and grow; we win when Christ is glorified through our life.

The other young man was not so receptive. He doubted God's existence, because of his circumstance. Life isn't always fair or kind. In fact, life can be brutal, can't it? The truth is we all will endure bumps, bruises and gashes from love, life and circumstance along the way. (Last week my arms looked like I'd been through a war zone. Monday was especially brutal when they had to stick me five times before getting a vein for my treatment. Yes, it hurt. Friday they only had to poke me twice.)

As bad as last week was, yesterday I went swimming! Actually I was chunky dipping. I still have an infection; it still hurts most of the time, but life and love go on. The freedom of swimming naked is absolutely wonderful, when no one else is around! If you have never tried it, imagine spinning freely, touching nothing, with bright sunshine and limitless warm water totally all around you. It's like God letting you splash and play in His infinite love! This is a luxury I will miss most about this life when I leave this body. (Obviously, some of us never really grow up-right? But those of us who still laugh and play still enjoy life almost every day!)

We have so many choices in life. But every choice makes us who we are. I really hope you'll choose to be happy, in spite of the bumps in the road of life. Life is too short not to get to know God and be happy.

If you would like to pray for me, I would appreciate your prayers. I may be facing another surgery. Honestly, I'm tired and weak, but God knows and will give me what I need at just the right time. (Heaven gets closer for me every day. :) In His time He makes all things beautiful, even scared up broken bodies.) I go for a cat scan on Tuesday and see the surgeon again on the 10Th. If you'd like to see what Crohn's is doing to my skin on the outside, tell me and I will email you a picture, but it is nasty and a bit much for most people to look at. Yes, I'm hurting.

Read Philippians Chapter 4.

"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed you were concerned for me before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am in." Philippians 4:10 &11 (NASB)

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NASB)

Love is Ageless

Actually Love is better than ageless, it grows sweeter than a fine wine with time!

"Love is the long sought fountain of youth. As long as we love, we remain young. Death becomes simply the final stage of development in life. It is well to remember that we are transient guests on earth. Less than a century is not long to live, but it is long enough to learn that love is what it's all about." Leo Buscaglia-one of my favorite authors! (Taken from his book, "Born for Love".)

We all were born and we all may die, but how many of us will really live?

To really live we must first learn to really love whole heartily. Loose the fear of being hurt by love. True love is ever given, or received without pain at some point in the relationship. As long as we live we sin-sin causes pain. Still, where would we be without love?

(I'd be dead. Love spurs me on when I would like to give in and give up. Loving prayers from those who love me continue to prompt God to restore my body and soul often. Thank you for those prayers. Thank God for His loving kindness.)

"If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain

If I can ease one life from aching,

or cool one pain,

or help one fainting robin into his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson

Separateness is an illusion.

"Love is the most effective connection to all things. It has the power to enlighten, heal, unite, enrich and restore. All we need is to open it." (Leo Buscaglia)

Real living requires the defensive walls to come down. We must expose our true self, and embrace others and life without the fear of failure and pain. If those you truly love can't accept or embrace you, then there never was love anyway.

Isn't it interesting, that true beauty in a human being only fades when love is gone. The wrinkles, gray hair and even body flab doesn't take away from your value. If you're growing in love, aging issues mean nothing to those who value and love you. Decreased abilities such as performance issues, or even limited mental abilities do not subtract from others love for you. You can give love and keep accepting love as long as you're alive. Love is a choice. Love is one of those few gifts the more you give-the more you'll gain!

"...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." Last part of 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB)

Read 1 Corinthians chapter 13

Finally I would encourage you to love as Christ loved; with outstretched arms and always with an open and giving heart.

"The only justification we have to look down on someone is because we are about to pick him or her up." Jesse Jackson