Beyond Your Wildest Dreams...

"Where there is great love there are always miracles! The intensity of your feelings, will cause good things beyond your wildest dreams."

- author unknown

In my lifetime I have seen miracles beyond my wildest dreams. God has done more than I ever imagined. He has let me see more beauty than I ever dreamed of. When I consider what could have been, I sometimes get depressed about missed fortunes that have slipped through my fingers like sand through my fingers. But The Good Lord reminds me so quickly through friends and family, that I have been blessed with love that most only dream about.

The love I have in family and friends is constantly growing, it's permanent not fading. I wouldn't trade what I've gained with God, in love and friendship for all the money or things this world could ever offer!

"Look to the Lord and His Strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders He has done his miracles and the judgements he pronounced, O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones."

1 Chronicles 16:11-13

My Lord knows just what I need to make me what I need to be for His kingdom, and His glory! Praise God from whom All Blessings Flow!

Just Once is Never Enough

"So my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore the fruit of death." Romans 7:4 & 5 (NIV)

When we become new creatures in Christ the sin nature does not die in us. But the Holy Spirit lives in us. Free Will allows us to choose good or evil. We constantly have to guard our hearts and minds against temptation.

GA. is considering legalizing gambling, some people believe it will help the "Economic Crisis." Don't be deceived by stupid traps. Gambling quickly becomes a very addictive behavior, that is known to suck the very life out of families and marriage. It's easier not to entertain temptation in the beginning, before thoughts become actions.

If you researched places like Nevada and Virginia's gambling woes, you'd quickly understand that with gambling comes an increase of prostitution, foreclosures and additional welfare cases due to addictions in those states. So many addicts start their habits with just a little thought. Thoughts become "a one time sin"; but the once just isn't enough. Sin has a sickening way of drawing us in for a taste and then strangling us with a lasting grip. "One time sins," often become the fatal fall into a very deep pit.

If you stood on a slippery rock and put just one foot in an icy rushing stream how long would it take that rushing water to pull your very soul under?

-Not very long, I promise, don't be deceived by, "just once."

We Can fix the Economic Crisis!

I was listening to a show on the History channel, concerning the Great Depression. By no means would I consider myself an expert on economics, but I have been told more than once, I do understand and evaluate economics well.

Yes, I do believe the world is in an economic crisis. True values of goods and services need to get back to reality in every form of business and service and in the manufacturing business of the world. The fastest way to correct the economic mess we've all put ourselves into comes down to some very basic principles.

Every society must grow and make what they need to sustain themselves within their culture. For example, most of us eat bread. We need a farmer, a baker and a place called home to eat that bread. Because we are all individuals with different talents we me can depend on ourselves and others in those societies to help maintain and exchange skills that produce the services and products we need. We must keep the economic chain going within each region of the world in order to sustain the livelihood for all.

You can not buy, without working and producing the equal amount of what you are buying. If China has something we can't grow or make, we can not afford to buy from them without sustaining our own manufactures here first. Without balance and true value of worth there is going to be failure and depression.

Everyone needs a job to maintain the basics in life, such as a home, food and clothing. Bartering is a very basic principle, but it's the truest form of trade. I'm not suggesting we go back to bartering, but we do need a realistic economic system where we all live within our means. Economic wealth needs to be shared at home first. Economic trade abroad should only be allowed after needs at home are met; and only with the surplus if there is any.

"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19 (NIV) The curse of Adam demands we all work!

Does Prayer Make a differance?

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger and disputing." 1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV)

''So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

"Which of you fathers if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg will give him a scorpion? If you then who are evil, know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:9-13 (NIV) (Jesus said this.)

If we are lacking in anything we need to go to Jesus. He will supply all our needs according to His great riches.

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you."

Psalm 67:1-3 (NIV)

"Then the land will yield it's harvest, and God, our God will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of earth will fear him." Psalm 67:6 and 7 (NIV)

What is the Driving Force in Your Life?

"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

The more I study the Bible the clearer it becomes that God looks at the heart first. Love is the driving force that He is looking for. Love for God creates a pure heart that earnestly seeks God's will. It also creates a sincere faith.

When you examine your thoughts what drives your motives?

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15 and 16 (NIV)

Jesus Christ became the Ultimate Redeemer for any sinner who sincerely believes in Him and accepts his forgiveness and grace.

God's presence seems so Close in the mountains.

A few years ago Mark and I was visiting extended family on Tuscumbia Mountain in Alabama. As a child I spent a lot of time up there with my Great Grandpa Casey and my mothers family. I remember my Grandma Rose's brother, Troy telling me, "Kathlene, you're back in the mountains now. You need to stay in the mountains girl, it's where you belong. It's best to stay near God and kin."

I never forgot that, I think there is a part of me that does feel closer to God and my roots in the mountains. As Mark and I walked the path to Duke Creek Falls today, I swear it felt as if the very breath of God was breathing down on me. I never want to loose that closeness to God my Father. I would rather have Jesus than anything this world has to offer!

"So do not worry, saying," What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)

May your roots grow deep and may your skin stay tough, but keep your heart soft and supple. May your heart dance to the Savior's Rhythm!

Friends I will remember you, think of you and pray for you....

It is amazing to me how reassuring and wonderful the people I call friends are to me. I can spend a little time with them and they absolutely seem to bring peace and purpose to my life. I spent the afternoon with one of my best friends, today.

Her presence made me happy and complete. I'm so thankful that God gives us wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ. We truly can have "forever friends" when we are bound together in Him! What a wonderful gift friendship is!

Friends are friends forever when the Lord's the Lord of them! The love never stop; it lives on long after the bodies grow cold and turn back to dust. Aren't you glad our soul lives Forever?

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; his love endures forever. Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise."

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise to the Lord."

1 Chronicles 16: 34-36 (NIV) :) (;