"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

God's Power is Perfect in Our Weakness!

Please Read Acts Chapter 27, either before or after reading this.

Imagine being on a trip you dread, you are already sick, but now you have to sail in the midst of cold turbulent water. As a prisoner you are being taken to appear before Cesar on trial, so you have no choice. You board a stinky cold ship, feeling horrible, you try to stay positive. The ship sets sail in the worst of conditions.

A few days out, things only get worse, the waves grow stronger, all hands on deck are scurrying doing everything they can just to keep the small boat in a vast sea floating. Food is scarce, and because the stars were hidden by clouds, the captain has sailed off course

With little food, and sunken hopes of living through this, Paul stands up and tries to encourage his jailer and the deck hands. "Yet I urge you to keep your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Cesar; and behold God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. Therefore keep up your courage, men, for I believe that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." Acts 27:22-25 (NASB)

If I were one of those deck hands my thoughts might have been, "Great-even if I survive the icy water, will I have the strength to swim to shore? Even if I do, how will I ever get back home to my family and friends?"

Paul goes on to encourage them to eat because he knows they're going to need energy to finish this journey either by working harder than they've ever had to, or swimming like an awesome fish. Finally after literally working their hinnies off, they see an island.

Then, the soldiers plan to kill the prisoners. Typically a jailer's head would have rolled if his prisoner got away. Poor Paul, he doesn't seem to be able to win for loosing, but wait...God is on his side!

"but the centurion, wanting to keep Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump over board first and get to land, and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they were all brought safely to land." Acts 27:43&44 (NASB)

I love this example of life in Christ! Do you understand? Even though God loves you as He did Paul, YOU are going to experience the pits of life, love and adventures, but like Paul, God will see you through! In the storms of life embrace and seek the grace of Christ.

Keep Growing and Going You are not Home yet!

"And He said to me,

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfect in weakness."

Second Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)

...But a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised

"While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed."

But He said,"On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

Luke 11: 27 and 28 (NASB)

Do these words shock you? They shouldn't. Who is worthy of Glory, Honor and praise?

"saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

And every created thing which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,

To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

Revelation 5:12-13 (NASB)

God entrusted each of us to the best mother according to our needs. Mary was the best mother for Jesus, just as you were given to your mother because of your personality, physical, and spiritual being. Although we love our mothers dearly, we must love, the author and perfecter of our faith-God even more.

If you were blessed with a Godly mother who taught you about your Heavenly Father, praise God for her. Thank Him for entrusting your life to her.

If your Momma wasn't a believer, there is still a reason God put you in her care. If she is alive share Jesus with her. You may have been born to lead her to Christ.

If you've been blessed with children, spend your life as a mother showing them love for God by example. Your children's salvation should be your greatest joy. God forbid any family member would be lost because of our lack of example, or lack of love.

"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when the Lord said to me, "Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear my words so they may learn to fear Me all the days of their life on earth, and that they may teach their children."

Deuteronomy 3:9 & 10 (NASB)

God hasn't changed- He still requires the same heartfelt devotion from His people. We have responsibilities as parents, grandparents and to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember your Momma on Mother's Day! But give glory to God your Heavenly Father.

Finally, my favorite verses about a Godly woman are found in Proverbs chapter 31:10-31. I hope God can find all these qualities in me at the end of my days on this earth! Happy Mother's Day! May God help you be the mother and grandmother he asks you to be.