LOST & FOUND

Have you ever misplaced an item dear to your heart and feared it to be lost forever? In the past when this would happen, I would usually stress out and do everthing in my power to find it. How many steps have you retraced HOPING to find that necklace, or even maybe one of your favorite writing pens? Well, I have many times in my life.

Several years ago I had bought a bangle watch that I just loved. Approximately 2 years later I lost it. I did everything I could to find it, with no results. I even went back to the original place to try and purchase another one just like it. It had been discontinued...I gave up...that was it...I just had to accept that it was gone. I went on about my daily business and eventually it wasn't in my thoughts anymore.

A year later, my oldest son purchased a new truck and wanted me to go for a ride with him. Once the tour was over, I was preparing to get out of the truck when....The Holy Spirit instructed me to stop and then look into the side door panel BEFORE getting out. There it was..., my lost watch....I could hardly believe my eyes, and it was still ticking and had the accurate time.

For a few minutes, I was in awe...ONLY GOD could have returned it to me in this way after all of this time. Beyond a shadow of any doubt, this was my watch. It worked for another year. year. I saved it as a reminder that "With God all things are possible."

Now when I lose or misplace something, this is my prayer "Lord, I am not going to stress out or worry. I know that you will return it to me if it is meant to be." Just a couple of weeks ago, I lost one of my REAL gold hoop earrings that I had purchased just recently. Real gold is rare in my earring collection.This was my first purchase..Before panic could set in, a perfect calmness came over me and I once more laid it at the throne of God...and said my simple prayer and went on to work. Yes...I found the earring when I go home. The Holy Spirit told me to look down and there it was MAGNIFIED so that I could SEE it on the floor...Thank you Lord again!

When you truly TURN your worry over to God, He will make make a way where there SEEMS to be no way...Take it to the throne room... lay it down...and let God be in control of your situation small or large. Let Him be your way maker.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 (KJV)

Has God taken an impossible situation in your life and turned it around and make it possible? Then send it in for others rejoice with you.


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FOLLIES OF THE YOUTH

You can't put an old head on young shoulders. For many years I really didn't understand what my sweet grandmother had been trying to tell me all along. NOW that I am older, I can really grasp her meaning to this one liner. "As we get older, we learn WISDOM." Time does change things. Seasons come and go and we have to grow with the change. That's life...

As parents we TRY to guide our children down the right path. They think that we are just trying to control their life, and in a way they are right. We are just being parents who want to keep our children from making the same mistakes in life that maybe some of us did.

Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, a small mistake can outweigh much wisdom and honor. A wise man's heart leads him to do right, and a fool's heart leads him to do evil. Ecclesiaties 10: 1-2 (The Living Bible)

Some mistakes go on record and can never be erased. People in jails and prisons know this to be true. HOWEVER, I am here to testify that even that situation can be turned around with God in your life. I am sure that a few of you reading this blog know that personally or know someone who can relate to this topic.

Grandmother always said that they make us laugh when they are young, and they will make us cry when they are old. I asked her one day, "When do we stop worrying" and she calmly replied "When we die." That wasn't the answer that I was hoping for, but so clear in meaning.

Keep God's Word in your life and you WILL overcome whatever trial that you may have to go through. I have come to understand the personal meaning of the following bible verse within this last year regarding one of my children.

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

No matter what trials we may have to endure, physical, spiritual or emotional...Keep God and His word near your heart to see you through and then take you on to the next season of your life with a smile...

Are you a true believer? Who are you praying for? Do you still believe in MIRACLES? I do !

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark: 10:27 (KJV)

What miracle are you waiting on? How is your faith being applied in regard to it..

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Be Blessed!

SPOKEN HEALING

As a christian, we should always try to encourage others to believe God's written word for all of their needs. You can find resource scriptures listed in the concordance of your bible. Read the truth for yourself to get all of your answers. As we read and continue to grow in our knowledge of the Word of God, we also learn how to pray for our personal needs and for other also. God's Word will never return void to the believer. Read it, use it, quote it and most of all, believe it to be true when ever a need may arise in your life.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven....
Ecclesiates 3:1 KJV

Have you ever noticed that most of our serious medical needs seem to come after business hours? Most emergency needs happen in the midnight hours leading into the next morning. How many trips have you made to the hospital emergency room on the weekends?

My right leg had been bothering me all day and it was now closing time for my beauty shop. By 5 p.m . the pain was now moving down my leg from my knee and ending at the ankle. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to go to the hospital. I had already had a very a similar experience like this in the past. These symptoms felt very familiar. The pain was now becoming severe.

Because of my current financial status, the hospital trip would option number 2. First I was going to try and pray the pain away. I didn't have any kind of insurance coverage at this time. I had no extra money. I desperately needed a healing touch from God.

I walked, I prayed, and I quoted all healing scripture that I could possibly recall. I got dressed, I got undressed...I sat, I stood, and I continued to pace the floor while praying for help during a 3 hour span. The pain was still increasing and I needed relief and soon. I was growing very tired. I even gave my affliction a name and then asked God to remove it IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

It was now around 1:30 am and I was even quoting scripture telling the devil to leave me alone. I said "Lord, I have had enough, nothing seems to be helping." I didn't know what else I could do but to go ahead and call an ambulance to come pick me up....WHEN....a still small voice instructed me to sit down. I did so. I was told to place my hand on my knee where the pain was, the pain went away. I moved my hand a little further down the placing my hand now on the calf. The pain went away. I then did the same on the ankle and once more the pain left. It was an amazing warm and numbing feeling. Each time that my hand would touch...the area...the pain immediately would leave.. All pain was now gone .WOW! I then sat there in awe. I asked God "What has just happened?" His rely was "I have just given you the gift of healing". Well, I know that there was pain and now there was no more pain. I then asked " Lord WHY did He let me go through so much suffering for so long?" His reply was "Because I know that you have to know beyond the shadow of any doubt that it was me healing you. When you had no more strenth in yourself, that is when I made you well". O.K. God what am I supposed to do now I asked.?" He replied "Speak my Word and they shall be healed".

Within a short period of time, my first assignment came the next day. At the Sunday morning church service, I had noticed a lady with alot of cotton stuffed in both of her ears. It seemed to be sticking out of both of her ears. I then heard her share with some ladies after church that she was in severe pain and needed prayer. I was about to leave WHEN the ladies motioned for me to join them. I said OK Lord,what am I supposed to do? I opened my bible and my eyes fell on this scripture. The Lord said "This will be your healing scripture to quote WHEN I annoint you to pray for the afflicted." As we gathered together, some with their hands on her while we prayed, I quoted the bible scripture written below.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalms 34:19 KJV

After the prayer time was over, the lady declared that all of her pain was gone. The only thing that I told her was that she had been healed not because we had prayed, but because she had believed. It was God's word and her faith that had made her well, not me or us. All things are possible to those who believe. There many other testimonies like this where only God's word needed to be spoken and many people were healed.

They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
KJV Mark 16:18

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HEAVENLY VISITOR

The Lord guides me by His Spirit what to write. The story Laughter in the Tears that is already posted WAS NOT the original post. I had written another story, but SOME HOW I wasn't able to edit it BEFORE it got posted on the blog. I was blocked in every attempt to try and retrieve it to be able to make the corrections. There were many incomplete scriptures and alot of misspelled words. I know of only one close friend, my prayer partner who actually was able to read the first one. It had taken 3 days to write WHEN normally only a few hours are needed. Did I learn something? Yes, I did. I hadn't asked The Lord WHICH story did He want me to write. With this revelation from The Lord, then a totally different story was created to post. The following is one of many spiritual encounters stories.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 (KJV)

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

Webster's Dictionary defines the word discern; is to distinguish clearly

A long time back The Lord taught me to use His Word in case anyone wanted some kind of confirmation to what ever story that I would write or tell. He said that anyone could argue with me, but His Word would be there to back me up. That is why these scriptures are BEFORE the story instead of at the end to prepare you.

It was sunday morning and time to go to church. Isn't it amazing how so many last minute things tend to happen to TRY and prevent you from leaving? This morning it ranged from a flood of phone calls to even having trouble getting my car started. This morning I had an extreme stirring in my spirit that something special was going to take place at the church service. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to church..I was going to call a cab or walk to get there if I had to. I prayed and my car finally started and off I went. I even got to church on time.

The praise and worship team with our church was just getting started. My eyes were closed in deep worship. I not only was enjoying the music, but also was being ministered to by the words in the songs. At this stage, I heard a still small voice say open your eyes. Three rows in front of me sat a gentleman with his back to me. This man had long hair and there was something FAMILIAR about his silhouette and he seemed to stand out as very different. I tried to keep focused on my worship time, but there was something special about this person. I looked around to see if anyone else besides me had noticed him. Even the people sitting next to him didn't seem to be aware of his presence.

We have a wonderful church and all visitors are always made feel welcomed. It doesn't matter how you are dressed. The Pastor invited a poor man with tattered clothes to sit on the front row with him once. This person seemed more intent on watching everyone else praise and worship in this church service. This is when I noticed that he was wearing a flowing robe and it wasn't white. I watched him closely as he sat down and then I asked SILENTLY "Lord, is that an angel that we are attending unaware?" The man then turned around with a smile on his face and NODDED YES looking directly at me with that answer.

I watched his every move. He not only colorful flowing robe garments on, but he was also wearing Roman style sandals. He would walk the isles stopping to look at different people. He went and stood behind the preacher with his arms held high in praise. He then stepped down to be in the midst of people who had come to to front for personal prayer needs. Then he went to stand behind a close friend of mine..... Another person was trying their hardest to put their hands on my friend who was in deep worship. The angel made a STOP hand movement and that person was prevented from even touching my friend. This was an awesome thing to witness. I have never seen an angel with wings as we picture them to be, but I know that I know that I was now seeing one without wings. I once again closed my eyes to worship, and the heavenly visitor was gone when I reopened them. I was even more blessed on this day of worship than usual. This is the end of this story, BUT the same angel did go meet another friend of mine the same day at church and in also a different location away from church. I will tell her story later.

Hebrews 13:2 (KJV)
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

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THE BEGGAR

To give or not to give? That is the question that I had asked myself for many years when I would see those people holding up their homemade cardboard signs at different intersections. As a christian, it was very hard to just drive on by without giving them SOMETHING. Their chosen solicitation locations were usually placed at well traveled stop light or stop sign locations.

Do you find yourself trying to pretend that you don't see them? For a giving person that is a very hard thing to do. Even when my funds were very low, or even after I had already given to one of them on the opposite side of town, I would still manage to give SOMETHING out of guilt.

Psalm 37:25 (NIV)
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Psalm 37:26 (NIV)
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

I am referring to the beggars who can be seen holding up their signs that read "Will work for food." This is usually more noticeable on the high traffic weekends. The day finally came WHEN I just couldn't give any amount of money to that person standing there at the stop sign. I was literally short of money myself. That night I pleaded with The Lord to help me KNOW when to give or not to give. The answer came to me so clearly the next morning, AFTER The Lord took me on a field trip with Him to get my answer. Another show and tell experience.

After finishing my morning hair client this day , I had a cancellation called in that would now give me a 2 hour empty slot. I had no one waiting to come in. I thought, well I will just go inside of my house and do some cleaning. I would just keep busy until the next appointment would come in later that day. WRONG ! A strong suggestive thought came into my head..."Get in your car and ride". I knew that it was going to be an interesting trip. I had already been on some other Jesus Field Trips before. I had never been instructed by The Holy Spirit to actually close shop to do this hwever before. "Lord where am I going?" I heard in my heart " I will show you, just drive..."

I got into my car and drove to the end of my street. "Which direction do I turn Lord, ?" I took a left and headed down a then 2 lane road. A couple of miles down, I was instructed to take a right and head toward the 167 South 4 lane interstate. At the red light that I was now stopped at was a beggar with his sign standing there waiting on me and everyone else. I said "OK Lord, what do I do now?" I heard "Don't give." I was then told to look to my right toward the 167 North 4 lane interstate on the opposite side. There he was, another poor man with long hair could be seen in the distance WALKING with his head down searching for something on the side of the highway. I asked "Lord, what is he doing?" The response was "He is working for his food." The man didn't seem to be aware of the busy passing traffic. He only had his eyes focused on what he was doing. He was too busy to notice. Wow, It was if time hadv been slowed down for me to take this all in. That red light sure did stay red for a long time. The beggar at the red light was now waving his sign at me to get my attention. I just smiled and drove on when the light finally turned green.

I suddenly found myself very hungry. It was lunch time and I assumed that it was now time for me to go home and eat lunch. WRONG !
I found myself ordering more food than I would normally for myself. As I was sitting down with this food, the door opened and a man in raggedy clothes and long hair entered. I watched as he went to inspect the scraps of food left on a few tables with his hands clasped behind his back. He then went to ask the owner permission to gather his meal from these various left overs. He never approached any of us that were there. The owner gave him permission and handed him a clean food tray. I thought of the bible story of Lazaras the begger who longed to just be able to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. This man gathered what he wanted and then placed the rest of the scraps into the nearby trash can. He sat down, wiped his hands, placed a napkin on his lap and then proceeded to pray over his meal. This is what he could be heard praying "Dear Lord I thank you for this provision today. I ask you to bless this place and this food that I am about to eat. With a grateful heart...Amen."

I went to his table and asked permission to sit with him. I told him that I wanted to share a drink and some of my food with him. He said that I didn't have to do that and then replied, "I am not a beggar". I told him that I knew that to be true. I told him that The Lord had instructed me to share my meal with him. He just smiled, and said thank you. Before leaving him to enjoy his meal, I asked him...what is your name sir, he replied "My friends call me Larry."

Have you ever met an angel? They don't always have wings..
I got my answer to my question that day...

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrew 13:2 (KJV)

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LAUGHTER IN THE TEARS

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)

Everyday trials can drain you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Have you found yourself SUDDENLY not able to cope with your normal routines? Is your life out control because you are OVERLOADED with responsibility and you can't seem to get it all together? Does it seem that your life is spinning out of control? These things can steal your joy and your health if you let it take over. The following is a story that ALMOST had a bad ending.

My life had turned into a roller coaster of trying events. My husband was now unemployed for many years and I was still the only financial provider in my household. I was working extreme hours in my beauty shop to try and make ends meet financially. I had wonderful loyal customers and friends who patronized my shop. One late night after a long work week, I sat down to record my weekily earnings. It was then that I realized that there was no way that I was going to be able to pay all of the bills due this month. I panicked. I started losing much needed sleep. I was becoming more and more physically tired. My energy level was definitely decreasing. The fun moments in my life was disappearing. I was even struggling to try and be cheerful around those customers and friends. I had to pretend that everything was ok when it was sooooooooooooo not ok.

I was already working from 7:30 a.m. to even 10 p.m. nightly. That was an EXTREME work schedule to offer. Alot of people came during these extended hours. I was now stretched beyond my limit. I started having trouble sleeping. My mind was constantly talking all night. I needed help, I needed to sleep! I headed out to the local pharmacy nearby,for something ANYTHING that might help me rest. I was desperate for some relief . As I got out of the car, I found myself praying as I headed toward the door entrance. Normally I am the one who greets everyone with SO MUCH JOY. Normally I am the one who tries to cheer up the workers. Not today. The pharmacist of many years said "Hey are you o.k.? Where is that smile you normally have?"This statement really caught me off guard. I THOUGHT that I WAS smiling. Oh my gosh, I wasn't able to pretend my problems away anymore. It was obviously noticeable to others now that I was having problems. The change in my normal character had changed. I left as soon as possible with some recommended benedryl and headed home.

That statement really troubled me and I wanted to check my face out myself. I entered my beauty salon and promptly did just that. In my shop mirror to my horror, there WAS a very sad looking face looking back at me. There WAS no smile, there WAS no happy look. That person IN THE MIRROR didn't even look like me! I said "Lord what is happening to me?" Where is the happy person who was so filled with joy? How could this be me?

For the joy of the Lord is your strenth....Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)

I knew this to be true...I couldn't let life steal my joy...I needed some refueling. I needed my cup of life filled back up with laughter and Hope...It was time to take a trip to those mountains in Ark. It was time to go where I would be able to rest. It was time to go to my grand mother's house, a safe haven,a lighthouse of hope and renewing station. No invitation needed...Just come as you are...and I was going to get there as fast as I could...Grandmother told me that she had never seen me so RESTLESS. She said that she could see me at a cross road and I needed to make a serious decision...I had lots of decisions to make, ONE DAY AT A TIME...not today. I was there to rest. I was going to be taken care of just by BEING STILL and waiting on the peace to be restored in my life. Grandmother had a way of ministering to anyone who came into her presence, because she had the gift of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. She was ready to share her love with anyone who needed.

It didn't take long for those famous old stories to unfold. Conversations took many directions as usual. Sometimes all who were gathered would talk one at a time. Then there would be multiple topics being discussed in the room at the same time..It was amazing. There was never any confusion. Everything always seemed to flow so smoothly. There never confusion No one ever was left out. Her living room would become like a huge rocking chair, very comfortable. The room would fill with lots of laughter that turned those once sad tears into joyful ones. We would literally end of laughing until we cried..All our burdens just seemed to be washed away during those visits.. Her home became known as a Lighthouse of Hope to all sho needed to rest.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

I made alot of changes in my life. I let God resume control. I stopped trying to take on the burden of others so that I could help myself and family first. My prorities were now back in order. Life is just a series of many cross roads that we will come to in our lifetime. We will always need to choose a direction to take us down the road that we need to travel. STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN.Then choose the right direction to GO.


For the joy of the Lord is your strength. ( Nehemiah 8:10 KJV)

I was no longer tired, I was full of energy and my smile and my joy had been returned to me. My cup was once more overflowing with hope.

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THE STAND

Have you ever been put into a situation that REALLY defines who you are in Christ? Have you ever tried to AVOID those awkward religious questions? We all have been put on the hot seat for our belief at least once in our lifetime. That's a fact in the life a a sold out believer. How did you handle that situation? Did you take the opportunity to witness or did you RUN as fast as you could in the opposite direction to avoid the confrontation? Well, if you are truly a servant of Our Lord, you will find yourself in many of these situations and often. I learned a long time ago, just EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED and just be prepared. God's word says "Seek the Lord thy God with all of your heart, and He shall direct your paths."

I was known for my "Jesus Stories". I had been asked to tell those stories at different events ranging from slumber parties to baseball end of the year camp outs. My stories were all about adventures that The Lord had brought me through. They were so outrageous that it didn't seem to matter that they were about Jesus. God has a sense of humor. He knows who to choose for His pupose and His plan. There are many parts that make up the BODY OF CHRIST. The head, the arms, the legs, and the feet....I am one of those mouths. I asked " Lord why me and all of these FAR FETCHED adventures?" God said "Because you have a big mouth and when I bring you through these times, I know that you are going to tell EVERYBODY" . He was right and here is another one of those stories.

It got to a point that my stories were starting to catch the interest of many. I soon found myself REFUSING many invitations. I had stopped for a season. Then one day a softball player on my team was begging me to be a speaker at her school for extra points that were desperately needed for her to pass to the next grade. Finally I asked her to give me some idea of what kind of speakers and topics had been presented already during the year. She then to my shock informed me that among them were Satanists, Voodooist, Psychics and even Card Readers had been allowed to come as guest speakers. A Satanist told in great detail how a ritual was carried out in detail describing the animal sacrifices with blood preparations and chart boards included. This angered me. A public school was allowing these people to come in under that BACK DOOR and I like most parents were not even aware that this was taking place.
The day was here. As I reached the school, I said a prayer before even getting out of my car. I wasn't going to be alone. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit was going to enter that classroom with me. I remember thinking, this is going to be tough, but "With God all things are possible."


I entered a classroom to see massive fear on all of those faces. They thought that I was just another psychic coming to freak them out again. I made it very clear that I was there to tell my "Jesus Stories". Even the teacher was wringing her hands nervously. I assured them that I could not read their minds or predict the future and had no intention of telling them anything bad. I told them that by the time that I was finished speaking, they would probably think I was a preacher instead. Sighs of relief could be heard.

The most important topic that day spoke about would be JESUS. I shared with them a few visions that The Lord had shown me. I reminded them about some local news topics that The Lord had shown me BEFORE they had actually happened. I gave them many examples of how The Lord was not just the word of God, but THE LIVING WORD made flesh. I learned this day that my stories were doing what The Lord wanted them to do and THAT was to give Him all of the glory. God also wanted to have the last word at this school. He knew what had been talked about with the other guest speakers, and He wanted the say so by SHARING THE GOOD NEWS.

After my hour was over, the students applauded. Their faces no long showed fear. It was then that I noticed that the room now housed other students and teachers also LISTENING to my stories. There was barely any standing room left. The school bell rang and soon I was being greeting and thanked for coming with invitations to come back.

What is not of God, will be exposed...I did later call the School Board to report my findings. They carefully screen all of their speakers since then. What do you need to take a stand on? " Shout out loud, and on purpose, that you are a Christian and proud of it...You won't be alone...Take the stand for the kingdom.

United we stand, divided we fall...Who will you stand for when your time comes?

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