#bamazed

My2Cents:  I am humbled by how GOD will speak 2 me.  It might b n a song, a whisper, or via a reading.  And today I had some revelation moments. Praise b2 GOD. Amen. As I was doing my reading I was putting my petition b4 the LORD and having good conversation when I read the 1st reading.  I was struck by what I learned over the past year. Praise b2 GOD. More importantly, in Acts 3:11-26 there r 2 things that Peter says that should b noted: (1) v.12-13 which ask the ? “… what is so surprising about this?....4 it is the GOD of Abraham…all our ancestors who has bought glory 2 JESUS by doing this….” In other words,  when  I am asking GOD 4 the things I just prayed about & put before HIM. --- then KNOW THAT I am speaking 2 that SAME GOD—HE who has never changed & always loved me. Praise b2 GOD. Amen. and (2) v.16  which points out  “…thru FAITH n the name of JESUS, this [lame/crippled] man was healed…” In other words, I/u should look not 2 what I/u think happened b/c of Peter [as he really didn't do anything of his own ability] but only b/c  JESUS is the foundation 4 all miracles & things/situations n our lives 2 turn around. Praise b2 GOD. Amen. The writer  focuses is on the very words of Peter & it reiterates this ONE truth—why r we so amazed when all the x we r proclaiming that God is all-powerful, that he is a healer and deliverer. So why is it such a stretch actually to see God heal someone through the prayers of a group of faithful believers like themselves? Case in point, just look 2 your lives & situations that GOD n HIS grace made possible!!! Hallelujah!!!  Praise b2 GOD. Hallelujah!!! The writer’s MAIN POINT IS THIS: THERE IS OFTEN A GAP BETWEEN WHAT WE PROCLAIM  2B TRUE & WHAT WE ACTUALLY COUNT ON N OUR LIVES!!!  Wow!  What a revelation moment:  N that we speak answered prayers but we don’t really hold out that it will happen so dramatically & maybe not @ all. Praise b2 GOD. Amen. As a result, when GOD shows out we r surprised –stumped! Humbled! Amen Most recently, I prayed about something & GOD finally answered- albeit was a long time coming. Amen. Yet, with the resulting aftermath & fall-out I learned a valuable lesson which the writer speaks on & that is> > > MY PRAYER CANNOT B JUST ABOUT A PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION. Praise b2 GOD.  IT MUST ALSO B ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL MANIFEST OF CHANGE N SOMEONE’S LIFE. Amen, which is why this time when I prayed earlier for that person I also asked that GOD allow that person's soul 2 b changed so that they are respectful, loving & obedient 2 the ways of  GOD. Amen.  So the writer calls upon us commit to praying for them every day until you see results. REVELATION MOMENT:  We r not just making a wish we r praying & n praying is it NOT all about JESUS & getting right w/GOD. Amen. So as I pray dear LORD I thank u 4 answering the petition but even more so bringing about a spiritual awareness and foundation built on ur word w/n their life. Amen. Praise b2 GOD. Hallelujah! And having discussed praying I think the next reading was just confirmation from GOD. Amen.      In the meditation the writer points out that blessings from GOD should not b synonymous w/new benefits or gifts: 2 often we read HIS word  and assume, If I just listen and obey GOD,HE will give me more and more. Yet, many people[ like myself] are surprised  that GOD often blesses us by taking things away. Amen. NO lie-- I used 2 frown up & think [2 myself] that GOD should want 2 bless me & give me _____[whatever].  However, what  I was really saying is that I knew better than GOD what is BEST 4 [me]. When n fact I/we do not! Amen. Praise b2 GOD. Hallelujah!!! Thank u JESUS. Amen. !!!  As I told someone just yesterday>>>>>>> some people & situations r n ur life 4 a reason/season & once GOD has determined time 2 move on then MOVE ON!!!! Thanks b2 GOD. Amen.  GOD is taking it away b/c really it is BESTEST 4 ur life that HE does. Glory b2 GOD. Amen.

BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD Read Proverbs 4:18 Are you facing a situation that seems dim today? Maybe you can't quite see what's going to happen in the future. As a believer, God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek Him. He promises that the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter to the full day!  What does it mean to be righteous? Righteousness is simply being in "right standing" with God. Being in "right standing" with God is about surrendering your life to Him. It's about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis.    No matter what you may be facing today, know that God has a bright future for you. He wants to show you His ways and lead you down a bright path! Seek Him in all things and trust that you have brighter days ahead! PRAYER :Father, thank You for giving me a bright future. I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. Show me Your ways as I put You first in all things in Jesus' name. Amen.

ARE YOU AMAZED? AND WHY? Read Acts 3:11-26 So Peter asks the crowd who have gathered upon seeing him heal a man who was crippled from birth. Why indeed are they amazed? All their lives they have been proclaiming that God is all-powerful, that he is a healer and deliverer. So why is it such a stretch actually to see God heal someone through the prayers of a group of faithful believers like themselves?   There is often a gap between what we proclaim to be true and what we actually count on in our own lives. We faithfully and passionately intercede for ailing friends and family members, but we may not have much expectation that they will get better—at least not in a dramatic way. Then if God does intervene and bring about a remarkable healing or some other kind of restoration, we are surprised. Looking at it logically, we could ask ourselves, “Why am I so surprised? Isn’t this what I asked for in the first place?”  It’s also true, as Peter proclaims, that God has far greater purposes than physical restoration. He wants to heal the broken relationship between himself and his people. He wants to unite them to himself and to each other in deeper and deeper ways. We shouldn’t limit our prayers only to physical healings; there are many other blessings our God wants to bestow on us. So how should we pray? First, begin with the people right in front of you. Choose one or two people whose needs you know, both physical and spiritual, and commit to praying for them every day until you see results. Then as you pray, remind yourself that you are bringing these people to Jesus, the risen Lord. You’re not making a wish; you’re praying!    So often, we can think another person’s healing depends on our faith as intercessors. There is some truth to this, but it’s not the whole truth. God hears every prayer we breathe, and he responds. Finally, be sure to thank Jesus for his work in these people’s lives—even before you see anything happening. Tell him that you believe, and trust in his power to act. Persist in prayer, and you too will be “amazed” (Acts 3:12)! Prayer: Jesus, I trust in your love for me and for all those I meet.

BLESSED WITH LESS Read Psalms 81:6-16 Today’s passage paints a popular picture of the Lord’s blessing. We read that and assume, If I just listen and obey God, He will give me more and more. We tend to think of blessings as new benefits the Lord gives us to enjoy.   We might praise God for a salary increase. We may thank Him for a new relationship. In our minds, the term blessing has become synonymous with gift, hasn't it?   Many believers may be surprised to hear that God often blesses us by taking things away. They think, What? How can God benefit me by giving me less of what I enjoy?   This way of thinking reveals a problem of pride. It’s easy to assume we know what’s best for ourselves. Our logical conclusion is, If I enjoy something, then it must be good and proper. As such, the Lord’s blessing should give me more of that, right?   Wrong. God brings things into our lives that He knows will bless us. Our shortsighted perspective keeps us from seeing the whole picture, but He sees all from beginning to end. He knows whether a particular relationship or more money would ultimately be a blessing or a curse. In some situations, the best thing He can “give” is to take something away.   The Lord isn't a cosmic Santa Claus. Sometimes, in His wisdom, He chooses to “bless with less.” Can you remember a particular disappointment that caused you to question whether He was acting in your best interest? With time and perspective, can you now see God’s loving care for you in taking something away?

Halloween 2013

I was asked to make a Poison Ivy costume for a 5 yo. As a Batman freak, I was excited, but did not want to send the wrong message by putting a little girl in just a leotard and tights and a red wig.