Long Term Goals

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

Have you ever thought about the size and wingspan of a bumblebee? Probably not, but according to their size, shape and wingspan, scientifically they shouldn't be able to fly. Guess a bumblebee doesn't care about their probability statistics. :) They're simply flying on the ability God gave them. Yes, they may be slow, but watch them go.

Consider an army ant, they can carry twice the amount of their body weight. It's easy to worry about what others think, but it's important to remember our abilities do not come from probabilities, but from our Creator and Sustainer. If God calls you to do something you'll have the ability through His provisions.

"When Noah sailed the ocean blue,

He had problems the same as you.

For 40 days he drove the ark,

Before he found a place to park."

Wayne Cordeiro

It's okay to be in the midst of a storm-just don't let the storm get inside your heart and rule you. Remember what God said, "I have plans for you to prosper and not harm you." What He says he delivers. Life really isn't about the mortality of these bodies we currently exist in. Focus on the future! Get to know God better, build relationships with other believers and help bring others to Christ for His glory.

"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with the immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 (NIV)

"Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

These mortal bodies, we now exist in, only have a purpose for a season. :)

** The picture above was taken in New York, by Gary Glanville. It reminds me of the verse: "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His great riches!" **

Are you attracted to the Light and Water?

When I was a child there were two things that always gave me a sense of peace- light and running water. My family lived just east of Prairie Creek. Every chance I had, I would go down there to swim or fish. I really just wanted to be near the bubbling water that splashed over a little dam. I also wanted to feel the sunlight on my face. I still seek water and light today.

If you ever visited my house you may have noticed mirrors on the wall. They are there to reflect light through my house. On my back porch you probably heard the water from a homemade water fountain and a small waterfall running from my goldfish pond. (Roscoe, my dog thinks the little fountain is the best drinking bowl around. The trickling sounds relaxes me when I lay down, provided I don't drink too much before I go to bed. :)

Before I was ever born God knew would be His. We were all created for His glory. Jesus draws our souls to water and light for even more important reason. Light exposes dirt and water cleanses and refreshes us.

A long time ago, I use to love jumping in the cold creek and then laying in the warm sand. The sun would beat down warming every part of me. Then I would dive in that cool water, as I resurfaced, you'd see me beaming from ear to ear bathing in total satisfaction. Do you ever look back and see how God had your life preplanned? The people, places and events seem to have a purpose and are all part of His plan.

Meditating on God's Word is the Son light and Living Water in our lives. It illuminates every part of our life. When there is sin, God the Father provides forgiveness, through Jesus the Son. As we ask for forgiveness, Jesus blood washes over our lives like a clean refreshing stream.

"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

Psalms 18: 28 (NIV)

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can not be hidden."

Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns cannot hold water."

Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV)

"Jesus answered,"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13 (NIV)

As God's living water and light flow through us may we draw others to His Light and Living Water, God bless you today and always.

** The picture above is Not where I grew up. I grew up in a little town called Ionia Michigan, out on east Main St. :) Now I call GA. home. This picture was taken in N. GA. **

Focus on Love and Life, but be prepared for Death

Take the time to read Deuteronomy Chapter 11. Notice all the wisdom God instructs us to live and pass on to our children,so that the days of their life will be long. "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up....so that your days and the days of your children may be many..."

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NIV)

Last Monday I got a call that one of our friends had passed away expectantly. In fact, his wife had just taken him to the doctor for some blood work. When they arrived home he was tired, so he laid down for a short nap. His wife went in to wake him up 30 minutes latter, but his soul was gone.

Often we get so get so caught up in all the "things" we think we need to do we often forget to live. This man had several things he wanted to do last Monday, but they go undone today. His wife laid her husband to rest on her birthday. I can't imagine how sad that day must have been for her. She buried her best friend, lover and the father of 4 of her children on what should have been a happy day.

The next day grew even darker. The family discovered many outstanding bills. At one point this man had plenty of money to pay his house off, buy a decent life insurance plan, and provide the basic necessities for his family. The money was squandered. Now his wife feels betrayed, as she wonders if she'll be able to maintain her house, bills and food for the boys on her lean Social Security check.

Buying temporary toys, such as cars, trips and frivolous things is meaningless, if you can't insure the basics when you pass away. It is vital that people you claim to love are assured you loved them, not just with words but by your actions. Express your love with hugs and kisses. Share your innermost thoughts and wisdom. Show those you love about God through your actions. Teach those you leave behind the ability to provide for themselves. More important than all these things let them know how to secure their eternity with God the Father through a direct personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Let them see His love through your life, so much that they'll accept Him too. If you really love Jesus, shouldn't you share Him?

It's Great to have Friends in High Places

"Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers."

Psalm 102:1-3 (NIV)

If you haven't had some really painful days in your life, you probably will before your days on earth are complete. Last week my urinary tract and kidneys were hurting so bad, that I asked God to take me home if I couldn't get better. By Friday night I was miserable. My kidneys felt like they were being crushed between the mattress and the weight of my body. I gave up sleeping around 3:30 AM.

I emailed a few of my closest friends to please ask God to heal me, or take me home. On Saturday morning I called a few more friends and asked them to pray. Anyone who doesn't believe prayer works, I know for a FACT it does. God not only listens, He answers those prayers. My body is living proof of God's answer to many prayers.

Some of you know that I should have died over eight years ago now. Obviously God isn't finished with me yet. Yesterday, I went to see my urologist in Gainesville. Two years ago he preformed a cystoscope and told me my kidneys were failing. The Chron's disease was eating my urinary tract and kidneys. Bless his heart his first words were, "You're still here? Wow! So what have you been doing to live this long?"

The answer is: I have a God who is still performing miracles. I have wonderful people who love me enough to ask God to repair this worn out lump of clay. God gives me the faith to believe and know that whatever He wills is the very best for my mind, body and soul. If He wants to heal me He will, if not I'm content and happy to go home.

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. " Psalm 100 (NIV)

To all of you who pray for me, thank you so very much. I am feeling better and the bleeding has stopped. Once again your prayers have gone up and His blessings have come down. I love you. We serve a Risen, Awesome Savior! I'm glad we're family through His blood.

Only God knows the number of our days

Genetic blunders, complicated with atmosphere and ozone problems can make our bodies riddled with disease. Most of us try to take care of the body we were given. I have always loved vegetables of almost any kind, except butter and kidney beans. Spinach, carrots, broccoli and beets have always some of my favorites. Sometimes I get a little angry that I have Chron's disease. According to the studies, I shouldn't have it.

Disease and death have mercy on no one. I'm so glad we have a personal God who cares for us in every way. We don't always understand the trials of this life, but He does. As my soul grows closer to and more dependant on God, my body weakens and my soul prepares for eternity. I have no doubt that my Heavenly Father knows best. When I'm ready, as much as I love this life, I'll gladly step into eternity.

It is frustrating to hear people that I love ask if I'm eating right. If you knew how hard I try to eat and do the right things, you wouldn't ask. I'm walking almost every day, but my intestines and arteries are plugging back up. Wine seems to be the only thing keeping the pipes flowing enough to work these days. Honestly, I don't like wine well enough to drink a lot of that either. So, I drink it in a little Peach tea as a spritzer.

Only God knows the number of my days. But rest assured, when my soul exits this body, I'll be present with the Lord. :) I'll be one of the first ones to hug you and welcome you home- if I get there before you do.

Less than two weeks ago I had a friend from high school who went in for some test. Less than 24 hrs. latter she passed out, and passed away from complications from that test. Another older friend was sent home from the hospital last Friday. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Less than 24 hours after leaving the hospital, she stepped into eternity. Ironically, she had been longing to see her departed husband. Saturday night, they were reunited in heaven forever.

None of us know the amount of time we'll be given on this earth. It's very important to know where you'll spend eternity when you leave your body behind. Having peace with God is worth a lifetime here on earth, and in eternity.

"Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. I will say it again, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if it is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:8 & 9 (NIV)

Real Love

"You my brothers, were called to be free. But, do not use your freedom to indulge in sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep biting and devouring each other, watch out or you'll be destroyed by each other."

Galatians 5:13-15 (NIV)

Face book can be a fun thing to look at and catch up with and keep in contact with all kinds of people from your past, present, some use it to meet new people. But it can also be a way of damaging integrity, or slandering another person if it's used negatively. When these things happen, it would be very easy to retaliate. My sin nature is quick to respond, but what good is there in repaying a slur out of anger?

I'm still working on my temper. Sometimes I just have to walk away from situations. One day I'd like to respond to the negatives in life like Jesus, silent and still loving. To be able to love a slanderer enough to die for them-that's real love.

Guess it's best to look beyond the moments in a negative situation and remember there are good things about that person as well. The negative side is distasteful and ugly in our personalities, that's another reason not to express it. Sometimes that response will be enough to correct the other person anyway.

Read Matthew 27. It amazes me that even after all the cruel slurs, beating and tournament Jesus still died for our sins because He loved us that much. That is real Love.

Life isn't Always pretty, but it's Always Good!

The day Heidi was born was quite an eventful day. I cleaned and scrubbed everything I could. Fixed a big meal for Mark and Michael. Somewhere around seven o'clock at night I took a shower and felt like setting down for the night. By 7:30pm the contractions in my back were hard and various.

Mark took me to the hospital, which was only a few miles away. We arrived there just after 7:45 and the nurses confirmed I was in labor. Dr. Steury was called and he arrived just in time. As he bent down to see how far I was dilated, the water burst. I'll never forget his face. He raised his head and with his hands on my knees, he said, "That's the second time you broke water on me!"

I busted out laughing. He looked like a cartoon character with water dripping from his matted hair and thick glasses. I didn't laugh for long; the contractions really were strong. I looked up in the mirror there was a beautiful crowning (The crowning is a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors just before the baby's head comes out.) Her little head popped out right after that. By 8:03 Heidi Fisher entered the world. Seven pounds, thirteen ounces of a bubbly little girl!

We were talking about giving birth in class yesterday. One guy sat there and said, "That's so groce." The truth is, Yes life is often groce, painful and messy. But I'm so happy to have experienced it and everything in it. The pains of life can sometime seem never ending. But if you're alive you will feel physical, emotional and spiritual pain sometime. As you age, you realize that if it hurts it probably still works. :)

I am glad that no matter how much it hurts all this pain in life love and the pursuit of happiness will pass and I'll step out into eternity with Jesus. No more crying there, yeah hey! :)

"To the woman He said,"I will greatly increase your pain in child bearing; with pain you will give birth to children.

Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

Genesis 3:16-17 (NIV)

Those words are so true to anyone giving birth naturally! As well as the following verse, you know what I'm talking about ladies who are married. You crave "the wild thing" but hate the way your spouse rules over you. Frankly, sometimes it's really hard to listen and do what Mark wants. Sometimes I even refuse what he asks.

God knows these things-He created us. He knows us from the inside out. He has so much compassion read Mark chapters 1 through 4

Finally, consider Philippians 3:20 (NIV). "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

God bless you and keep you in His will! :) The picture above is Heidi now. She'll be 26 on May 5th.