Today

This day has come to an end, and I think I will go to bed. But, before I go, I wanted to say "it's been a good day"!

God is still God...He never changes!

He has watched over my family...always has...always will!

I'm thankful I know that He will "never leave me, nor forsake me".

It's great to be alive!

As Savanna use to say..."Have a nice sleep!"

God Speaks

I love how God works! After posting today about "Peace" I went about my day. I enjoyed getting comments from those who read that post, and thanking God for the promises He is going to fulfill. Many hours later...I was getting ready to go to bed when I decided to turn on the radio. At first, I heard some advertising and tuned it out. The next thing that played got my attention:

It's your season to be blessed.
God made you a promise, you've stood the test.
The windows of heaven, pour you out a blessing.
It's your season to be blessed

I really believe God was speaking to ME tonight! Isn't He wonderful?

Family, Friends, and God

This past week we have enjoyed being home and taking advantage of "just being home". In fact, I told my husband that I would like to stay home this weekend. We thought that's what we were going to do, then as the week went by we decided we would go to the Installation Service for Bro. and Sis. Hopper in Hardin, TX. It was our first time to ever be in that town and church, but when we drove up we saw a very nice church building. We walked into the foyer, and was greeted with warmth and sincerity by the saints and ministry. We felt right at home! When the service started I was so impressed with the quality of music and singing, but not only the quality was great, but the spirit of which those leading, singing, and playing was awesome! The presence of the Lord reached down and embraced all who were there. Pastor Donnie Hendrick from Copperas Cove was the special speaker for the night and his message was anointed and heartfelt. There was a drawing to the altar by the spirit of God as Presbyter Darrel McCoy asked for us to respond to the Word of God that we had heard. As I stood in the altar I felt a beautiful peace flood my heart. I believe I know how it must have been like to stand in the presence of Jesus when He was on earth, because as I worshiped Him last night, I knew He was "here" touching ME! The song: "Standing In the Presence of the King" has been one of my favorites through the years, and as the years go by, I am still amazed that He would allow ME to come into his presence. What JOY feels my heart when I have that opportunity. After service, the church served a delicious meal and we had a wonderful time visiting with fellow minister's and wives. I've said many times on my blog, but I will say it over and over again... I LOVE being part of the family of God! After we left the meeting, we headed toward Beaumont to spend the rest of the weekend with our family.

Today, has been a good day. The girls are looking forward to school starting. Scarlet goes to Kindergarten this year, and Savanna is going into the fourth grade. When we arrived here last night we were greeted with squeals of delight, and almost immediately we were being shown the cute backpacks they will be carrying for the school year. I remember those days very well, but it wasn't backpacks that I was excited about, It was... the brand new, WHITE tennis shoes that Mother bought me at the beginning of the school year. She never let me wear tennis shoes to church, but on the Wednesday night before school started, and MAYBE the first Wednesday night after she would allow me to wear them along with my cute school clothes! Those were the days...:-)

The girls love to write and draw. They are at the age where it's one of the ways they "communicate". Of course, we love it! When we walked into our bedroom there was a sign laying on the pillows that said: WELCOME to BEAUMONT, TX! I saw right away that it was from Savanna. She has a very sweet way of writing her feelings, and to a Papa and Mimi her few words say a million "I Love You's". Here is what she wrote:

Dear Mimi and Papa,

I have missed ya'll even though we just saw ya'll! LOL!
But, every time I see ya'll it brings me joy!

Love,
Savanna!!!!!!

Yes, I was seriously wanting to stay home this weekend, but after the awesome time spent with friends, and then such a sweet heartfelt welcome from family, we would have missed out on so much. Then...

This morning Wendell received a call from Andrew asking us if we could meet them at Del Rio (Lufkin) for lunch! This was an unexpected turn of events! Andrew said, they were meeting the Orange's to pick up our other two sweetheart granddaughters, Alayna and Ashlyn. I was disappointed that we couldn't see them, and at least get some "hugs and kisses", but there was no way to be two places and one time! Of course, they understood we didn't know they were going to be anywhere around. I know one thing for sure, we want to take another trip SOON to see the other "grands"!

You know......Heaven is going to be a wonderful place, for we will all be together...forever! I'm just glad that we get to enjoy a "little Heaven here on earth"! If it wasn't for a family that loves me, and friends who care, and a God who touches me and gives me His love, there wouldn't be a lot to look forward to here. So, until we can all be together forever, I will be happy to spend another weekend just like this one...with family, friends, and God!

No Regrets

I almost couldn't sleep last night. My spirit was stirred, my head was whirling, my stomach was aching and I felt like I was going to be very sick. The terrible thing was, that it wasn't a virus that made me feel this way. I'm sure you want to know "why" I was having such a terrible night, but I do not want to get into all the reasons. I just want to say, "I understand more than ever that the MOST IMPORTANT thing in life has been that Wendell and I would live in such a way in our personal lives and home that our sons would have the chance to be saved!! Tonight, as I look down the road behind me, and remember the choices we made for our home, and observe things as they are today, I can thankfully and humbly say...

I HAVE NO REGRETS...in the way Wendell and I chose to raise our sons.

I HAVE NO REGRETS...In the message of "separation and holiness unto the Lord" that my husband preached to our churches we were privileged to pastor. And I'm thankful that the saints of those churches lived what they heard coming from their Pastor, and that they were godly examples for our sons to follow.

I HAVE NO REGRETS...That we didn't allow our boys to play sports in school.

I know there are a lot of opinions about this subject, but I'm just saying what I'm glad WE did and didn't do. Both of our sons were very athletic and were approached by coaches to "play ball". We guided them away from it and prayed Jonathan and Andrew would understand our reasoning, would be obedient to us as their parent's, and would have a good attitude about not playing. We had a lot of fun at home, on vacations, in church, at church functions that we were involved in. We taught them that "church life" and "living for God" was FUN! They certainly didn't suffer from "a boring life". I thank God that He helped us with this decision and our boys never played "school sports". I do not boast, nor am I condemning anyone for what they may have allowed, but in the long run I must say "we made the right choice for our family".

I HAVE NO REGRETS...

That we were very careful in the "friendships WE had", because we knew "spirits and attitudes" of others could affect our sons and their decisions later in life. Yes, there were times we were invited to "go and do something with friends that may not have been sin", but looked down the road and tried to assess where it might lead us and our sons if we allowed ourselves to participate?

I HAVE NO REGRETS...

That we did not "go on vacation" with those who were "suppose to believe the same Bible truths we did", yet dressed in such a way that was diametrically opposed to what we taught our sons and saints, whom God had placed in our care. It wasn't always easy to make those decisions, because it could cause a separation from those we loved, but there was a question that nagged at our minds. "What if we go and the boys see them dressed like that and since they love and respect OUR friends they start questioning Bible doctrines we hold to? What if the "spirit of the world" is born in their hearts? When we look back down the road in a few years, will we "kick ourselves" for allowing our "looseness" to affect the spirituality of our sons?

I know I'm playing hardball according to some, but the most important thing to me and my husband was that our sons were saved! We had a healthy "fear of God" that would not allow us to give into the pressures of the age. No, we were not perfect in parenting. Yes, we made mistakes, but I believe God saw the desire of our hearts and honored our prayers for our sons, and the "stand" we took in our home. I still pray for them that they will be strong in Truth, separated from the world in dress and conduct, that they will love God with all of their hearts, mind, soul, and strength. I pray they will keep a clean reputation, and that they will not be swayed to let go of what they know is right by those around who have "found freedom from the bondage they were raised with". I pray they will lead their families in the "way of righteousness" and that we will all hear, "Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord forever". There is nothing more disturbing to me than to think about my children and grandchildren being deceived into thinking "it's just not necessary anymore"!

For anyone who would think I'm being too transparent in what I am saying, I'm sorry. Maybe me being transparent will help young parents stop and ask themselves some important questions that will help them make "right decisions" for their family. I do not want anyone to be offended. That is not my purpose for writing. Just let me ask one more time: If WE do not take a stand for the Truth and all we hold dear...how will our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren be saved? If we do not "hold on to what we know is right"...how will WE be saved?

I could go on and say more, but those of you who read my blog and know me well know where I am coming from. You understand my heart. I am confident in that!

I plead with all of us to "live our lives" so that we can say...

I HAVE NO REGRETS!

Note: For those who have children who are not living for God...keep praying, believing and trusting that since you taught them and "trained them in the way they should go" you will see them "come back home where they belong". When they start down the lane heading home we will all be standing with open arms to welcome them! A message I heard when our boys were young gave me hope that "if we put the right ingredients into their baskets and they chose to reach in and throw all of it away and not live for God, we could be confident we had done our best"! Therefore, we could say, "I have no regrets." I pray God's tender mercies will follow your wayward son or daughter, and not let them forget what they know is "right".

Warmed from the Inside Out

It has been a quiet day. It's COLD outside, but my heart is warmed with the blessings of God! Nothing extraordinary has happened, yet maybe it has......

God's love!

God's grace!

God's mercy!

It all still AMAZES ME! That's a REAL REASON to have a "warm heart"! I love how He takes care of me.

God Knows How

House is SOLD!

Motor home is SOLD!

I am a HOMEOWNER again!

And....That's all GOOD news!

Why was I having some uncertainty about it all? Yes...I know "life must move on" and "things change", but when "things change suddenly" and "life doesn't make sense" there are times you feel "out of control".

I was having one of those "times". I should have been excited as I prepared to meet Wendell and our realtor to make a final "walk through" of the house we were going to sign papers on that very day!! But, instead of excitement, I felt a little "fearful". What was wrong with me?!? The only thing I could figure out was, "When you do not know what the future holds, and how life is going to turn out, it can sometimes make you shake in your boots a little".

As I combed my hair, the man on the radio in the other room broke through my thoughts as a scripture he quoted got my attention......Isa. 41:10 "Fear not , for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you..." I was immediately given peace from the Word of God!

A few minutes later I called a place of business and talked to a young lady, and just as I was going to hang up I asked her name. She answered me with a "happy, confident tone" in her voice as she told me her name...."My name is HOPE"!! I got up from my desk and was once again amazed at how God speaks to us when we need a "word from Him". God had focused my attention on Him as the girl I didn't know spoke her name. HOPE....it's wonderful to have the God of hope in my life! Romans 15:13..."Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

I went back to the bedroom to finish dressing. The radio was still on and I heard a minister as he introduced the scripture he would be teaching from. I was stopped in my tracks as he said, "Today I want to draw your attention to this passage of scripture....Isa. 41:10...."FEAR NOT, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you...."

I knew God had spoken to me THREE times that "uncertain morning", and I could go into the day KNOWING He was with me, and I had no reason to feel uncertain about the future. HE is my "future" and when He's in control there is "peace that passeth all understanding".

God knows how....

God's Protection

My phone rang this afternoon. It was Jonathan calling to "chat", but something told me that he was calling for more than that. We talked a minute then he told me that Brenda and the girls were in Wal-Mart when a tornado hit it. He said, "they are okay but were really scared!" I knew that was an understatement, but he's going to keep calm with me. He told me what he knew about it, and I was thanking God everyone was fine.

Then, I got a call from Brenda. "Mom, have you heard?" I told her Jonathan had called." Her voice was intense as she told of what her and the girls had just experienced.

Brenda, Savanna and Scarlet were in the shoe area of Wal-Mart when they heard hail hitting the roof. She said "It was SO LOUD"! Then, they heard more noise, and people running and yelling, "TORNADO! IT'S A TORNADO!" The lights went out, and Brenda grabbed Savanna and Scarlet just as a Wal-Mart worker grabbed her and said, "Come on! We've got to go!" They got into a hallway and Brenda said to the worker and the girls, "We've got to pray!" They started praying, and then the worker said, "We've got to go further! Follow me!" They followed her to a safer room that was packed with people. Savanna and Scarlet were crying and clinging to Brenda, so Brenda had to tell them, "Girls, we've got to get it together." Then she asked them, "Do you remember how God protected Noah and his family in the storm?" They said, "Yes." Brenda went on, "Well, He's going to protect us, too! Let's pray!" She said they started praying, and in a few minutes all was quiet, the lights came on, and someone came and said, "EVERYONE EVACUATE!"

They walked out of the room to the front of the store, and Brenda said it looked awful outside! Cars on top of cars, grocery carts everywhere, and debris everywhere! She walked over to her car and nothing had happened to it.

There was a lady from her church who had gone out to her car, in the same parking lot, and the tornado hit. The pressure sucked her windows out of her car, tilted the car, but she was okay except for some glass in her hair, and I'm sure some frazzled nerves!

There were others that I've heard about that were in the middle of the storm, but was not injured in anyway!!!

Tonight, I'm thanking God that ALL IS WELL!!! Things could have been so much worse! "He's an on time God!" I can go to sleep tonight knowing that our lives are in His hands and He'll take care of us.

Just a thought....

Our emotions have gone from one end of the scale to the other this week, but at the close of Saturday let me say that GOD has definitely been with us "through it all"!

I have several things to "report on", but for tonight I am going to tell you just one little story, then go to bed.

Yesterday, we picked up our 7 year old granddaughter, Alayna from her Poppy and Grammy Orange. After returning home, we quickly packed for the weekend, hit the road and travelled awhile, then stopped to spend the night in a motel. This was a first for us with her and we had a great time!

Alayna had to show me all the "purse things" Grammy had bought for her, and then she showed me a "special toy". She showed me how it made "different noises" and we laughed almost uncontrollably! She would get beside herself with laughter, and it would make me laugh, and before I knew it we were getting really loud. We SURE didn't need to wake the people up next door, so I told her that we could laugh, but we needed to laugh quietly. To that she asked, "Can we laugh real loud tomorrow?" I told her we could.

Alayna is really growing up, and last night I realized it. I loved sitting on the bed listening to her as she spoke of things important to her young life. I felt privileged to just sit and listen. After all, how many "little girls" want to sit and talk to an "old lady"? I'm sure you DO know that I am only using the term "old lady" because she's such a "little girl". :)

Today rolled around and Alayna got her "funny toy" out and started playing again. I was busy getting dressed, and when Wendell returned from a funeral, he started loading the car, so we weren't focusing on her toy, neither was she getting as much pleasure from it, as she did last night. While Papa finished loading the car, Alayna stood beside it holding her "toy" and as I walked toward the car I overheard her say, to no one in particular...."How come it's not funny anymore?"

That started me to thinking....

In life we have days that we enjoy "toys" that make us happy for awhile, and our expectation rises in that "toy" and we think each time we "pick it up" it's going to give us the same pleasure it did when we first enjoyed it. Then, the startling realization hits us one day... "this toy isn't fun anymore".

I don't know what "toy" you have expected to bring you "continual happiness", but your expectations in something so earthly no longer brings you pleasure. Life seems to have lost it's "fun" and you have had many disappointments. Please let me remind you....there is a GOD who will ALWAYS BRING YOU JOY!

I don't know....it's just a thought.

God Speaks In Many Ways

While travelling home today from a great weekend in Paris, TX I started singing one of my favorite songs. 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus..." That's as far as I got when I turned my head, glanced to the side of the road, and in the front yard of a home was a sign that said....

IT'S GONNA HAPPEN

I had to chuckle to myself once again at how God speaks to us! I love how He communicates and gets our attention!

Our Personal God and Spanish Camp Meeting '09

Spanish Camp Meeting was this past week and was a great success! The services were held in the "big Tabernacle" this year and we had some great crowds. Wendell went a couple of nights, and I went one, but that one night was a "landmark night" for us. I will explain.

Last Wednesday night was a "down night" for me. I do not have very many of these times, but for awhile on Wednesday I was "down". Wendell and I sat down and talked about our "impossible situation" with our house not selling and the "giants" that were confronting us. Yes, I say "impossible" and "giants" because that's exactly how we felt and we knew WE could do NOTHING about it. Yes, we had prayed. Yes, you had prayed. But, it seemed there was no answer. I wasn't giving up, yet for a "short time" on Wednesday evening I caved in. Now, that I've totally exposed my "human thinking", I will go ahead and tell you what I said. While we were in discussion I said to my husband..."I just don't understand! It just makes me WONDER! I KNOW we are in the will of God, but it just makes me WONDER what is going on!" God heard what I said and decided right then to give me an answer.

Thursday night rolled around and we went to Spanish Camp Meeting..

You must understand that everything is spoken in Spanish, and every song is sung in Spanish, and I do not understand anything that is being said. We had a wonderful time of praise and worship! The music was beautiful, and I felt the presence of God touching me. I was thankful to be in His presence! I really was enjoying the music and the beautiful voices that were singing praises to God! Here is one of the songs they were singing.

When the service leader took the pulpit he was excited! If I had not known better I would have said he was "preaching", but I knew he was excited and saying things that was going along with the service when all of a sudden, in the middle of it all, I heard him say very clearly, "STOP WONDERING! STOP WONDERING RIGHT NOW!" I was completely overwhelmed as I heard God speak to me in the middle of this Spanish speaking service!!!! Those were the ONLY English words the "man of God" spoke the rest of the night! Without a doubt I KNEW I had just heard from GOD!!!

I feel His presence as I write this tonight.

After church, I told Wendell about it and he said, "Let me show you something." He opened his Bible and showed me a scripture he had underlined and said, "When I sat down tonight on the platform I opened my Bible and underlined this scripture." He pointed to it and I read:

Phil. 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

That was wonderful, but what made it even more awesome was when Missionary Sones, the Camp Meeting Evangelist went to the pulpit, he greeted the crowd, then said, "Tonight let me turn your attention to...

Phil. 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Then he told us the title of his message:

"My God Is Not In A Crisis"!!!!

He went on to preach straight to US! It was as if no one else was there. Bro. Sones didn't know anything about us, and I'm sure he thought he was preaching to the large congregation of people, but God was directing his words straight into our hearts!

After church I told Bro. and Sis. Navarro about what I had heard the young man say in English, and Sis. Navarro asked, "Did he say that?" I had to laugh and answered, "Yes he did, or else God interpreted it for me!"

You know, it doesn't matter to me if God was my interpreter, or if the young man said it, but I do know God spoke straight to me as I sat in His presence! I don't know when I have had anything impact my mind like God did that night! I'm so glad our God is a "personal God". He loves us and He works His will in our lives if we will completely trust Him!

As a lot of you know from being on Facebook, we got an offer on our house TODAY and now a contract has been signed and is being sent back to the realtor in the morning! Andrew and Mandy have now had an offer on their house! I haven't heard yet about a contract, but I'm sure it's coming! It looks like God decided to take care of "two birds with one stone" and is working it all out in one weekend!

Thank you ALL for praying and believing with us! Our God is an awesome God!

Oh, How Wonderful

Tonight while at the banquet for Tupelo Children's Mansion I had the privilege of talking to my friend, Mickey Mangun. We were enjoying being together when she said something that struck a chord in my heart. She will never know how much it meant to me, because I don't have the words to tell her. When we get on the other side I really hope God will give her an extra "star in her crown" for blessing me tonight.

I love how God uses those who are willing! Even though I don't believe she reads my blog, I want to say...Thank you, Mickey for being sensitive to Him!

It Won't Be Long

It seems things are quiet today. I don't know what everyone is doing, or what might be happening in your life, but I do know a God that calms the storm, gives strength to the weary, and dries the tears!

From the year 1997 to 2004 our family went through major sicknesses and deaths. Our lives were changed forever! I thought, as most everyone does, that life would be "perfect" or as "perfect" as life can be. Then, our beautiful mothers body was invaded by cancer. From the moment she was diagnosed "life turned upside down". Then in 2000 our brother died from a heart condition we did not know he had. In our tending to mother, we never thought our brother, of all people would die! He was bigger than life and when he walked into a room his presence was felt by all! It was about a year later that Mother passed away. A few years went by and there were more changes in our lives, then in 2004 Daddy died of cancer!

I don't know why I am even writing all of this tonight. I have not been thinking about it. I just feel to write.

In all of the changes in life, in sorrow, death, and pain, GOD has been right beside us! He has never left us. He's come through when our hearts were torn apart!

I want to encourage someone tonight who might be struggling with "life". You cannot understand how things can turn out the way they have. You feel alone, and guilty for having the questions in your mind and want to scream WHY! It's okay. Go ahead and scream, but when you do expect to feel His arms wrap around you giving you the support only He can give. And, if you listen close enough you will hear Him whisper, "Child, I still love you. I understand. I've been where you are. Don't give up! It won't be long and you'll be home!"

God, Friends, Family, and Life

"THIS is the day that the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!"

Sometimes we go through life waiting on someONE or someTHING to MAKE us joyful. Don't wait on "happenings" to make you HAPPY! Enjoy God, life, friends and family NOW! There are many people talking about how FAST "life" goes by. Their "little girl, or little boy" is getting close to graduating from high school,or college, or has just left Kindergarten and is going into 1st grade next year. I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter the age of the parents or the age of the children, LIFE just blows right by and we are left saying, "Where did the years go?". So, once again I say, MAKE MEMORIES while you have the "kids" at home. But, remember "MEMORY MAKING" doesn't END when the kids are gone.

Tomorrow I will be "making memories" with my sister and brother-in-law, Ronda and Nathan. I knew they were coming our way, but I just talked to her on the phone and they have arrived in Houston, and are traveling our direction! We won't see them tonight, but we will have a good visit for the next day or so. I'm real EXCITED!

A little while ago I got an "IM" from a friend and while talking about "things", they said, "Guess what?" I responded with "What?". Finally, after the "guessing game" and I couldn't guess the answer they said, "Well, I love you! That's it!" Ahhhh! Life is so much fun when you have friends who GIVE LOVE AWAY!

I'm rambling a little tonight, but I just wanted to say, I love God, my life, family, and friends! Thank you for being SO WONDERFUL! (That's what another friend always says to me.) So, I pass it on to you!

Now, ENJOY TODAY! For "THIS is the day...."

What's Important?

I've been thinking and asking myself...

What would I do without my friends? I know for certain that I could not make it through the disappointments, trials, and grief brought to us in life with a smile on my face, if I didn't have God! We all realize the importance of Him in our lives, I'm sure, but what about our friends? As I sat in the funeral service for Scott McManus surrounded by friends, I started thinking about not having the "fellowship of believers" that I have in my life. I know there are discrepancies in anything made by man, but that doesn't take away the love and friendship I have found in our church organization. The United Pentecostal Church International is a powerful group of minister's who are striving to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of an organization that was formed many years ago, anointed preachers fill the pulpits of churches, camp meetings, and conferences all over the world, and we all love "the message"! God-called preacher's, preach the powerful message of the "death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that people will find truth, and I love listening to these men preach! Sitting among friends, in the presence of God is one of my greatest joys that I have in life. I am my happiest when I'm in the presence of God with my friends and family. What would I do without the friends I have had through my life? You have helped mold me and shape me into who I am today. No one can be an "island unto oneself" and survive. I need YOU to survive!! Why am I writing this? We must realize that life is short and you never know when you or a friend, a loved one, or fellow laborer will go to meet the Lord. We all have had people taken out of our lives enough to know the depth of what I am saying, so let's not become "weary in well doing". Let's not become disatisfied with our surroundings. Let's not focus on the negatives and the things that try to divide us. Let's hold onto each other and become more attached in UNITY "so much the more as we see that day approaching"! Tell someone you love them... TODAY! Tell someone you care about them... TODAY! Tell someone you appreciate them... TODAY! STOP and smell the "roses of friendship" that has been given to you from your friends and family... TODAY! The happiest, most fulfilled people are those who give themselves to others. Let's not become critical of each other and cause division among those we love. Instead, find the good in others and focus on the greatness of our God! Let's give ourselves to each other in friendships, so that the world will know we are His disciples, because we "have LOVE one to another".

Hello Blogworld!

I just wanted to write and say hello to all my friends out there (wherever "there" is). I know life can get a little tough at times, but God is there to help you through it. Hold on just a little longer for He will return someday and we will no longer have to go through the trials of this life. I wanted to say that first. Now, I want to say that today has been a great day! Not that anything happened out of the ordinary, but that everything was "normal". Just living life, enjoying my kids, grandkids, and friends. Living with my husband! :) Eating tacos, guacamole, chips, refried beans, salad, cheese, red onions, sour cream, hot sauce and Diet Coke!! UMMMMMM....GOOD! Isn't life grand and God good?

His Presence

"When I come into His presence I humble myself, I lift up both my hands and I begin to worship Him. I worship Him. When I come into His presence I humble myself remembering what He's done, the victories He's won so I praise Him. I praise Him! For all He's done for me...redeemed and set me free. And because, just because He's God."

After a stressful day, today....I walked into my house and was ready to be out of the rat-race of life when all of a sudden the words to this song came to my heart and I felt His presence! I do not have to wonder what it was like when the "glory cloud" filled the sanctuary and the priests of the Old Testament walked into God's presence, because I have experienced the presence of God many times throughout my life. When I was down, depressed, worried, tired, stressed, sick, anxious...whatever the situation...God brought to mind the things He has done and I could once again worship Him. There are deserts in life that we go through. Sometimes they last a day, a week, a month, a year, or even several years. During these times God will come to us in the most unexpected way. I opened my mail box today and had a card from a lady I do not know and it read, "Sis. Elms, you do not know me but, I wanted to let you know I am praying for you today. You are precious in HIS eyes. May God bless you special this day!....signed....Sister in Christ." I was so thankful for this note. A lady from another city felt to send me a card and I opened it on a day that I really needed it! Don't get worried....I'm okay. Just needed a little reassurance that everything would be alright .......and it is.