My Day Off

Monday was my day off. I got up and decided I was going to call Sammy. He had been calling me alot lately, so I called his house to see if he wanted to go out to eat breakfast. He didn't answer, but his girlfriend did. I have ministered to her at various times and I have helped her in some situations, but I have never had one on one time to really share my testimony and the gospel. So to make a long story short, I asked if she would like to go eat breakfast. She seemed surprised but accepted my offer.

I arrived at their apartment, picked her up and we went to Cracker Barrel. She told me she had never even been inside of a Cracker Barrel before. We sat down and I am praying silently to the Lord to give me the words He wanted me to speak and to let it be His words not mine. So I just asked her about her life and she began to open up with me about where she came from, the things she had been through in her life, I could feel her pain. Many times there were tears in her eyes. I listened intently as she shared with me. She shared with me how she felt responsible for Sammy falling so far into drugs and alcohol because when he first moved in with her, he wanted to come see us and go to church and she wouldn't go with him. She said she used to be very jealous of me. I told her I wanted the best for her and Sammy, but I knew they would never experience true happiness apart from Christ.

I shared my testimony with her and she told me she was about ready to accept Christ, but the thing that was holding her back was she didnt' want to be a hypocrite and she knew if she accepted Christ and went back into the old life, that she would be seven times worse. I shared with her how God would make a way where there seems to be no way, He would give her strength and I would be there if she ever needed a friend to support her or help her through tough times. She again told me she wasn't ready.

By this time, I knew she had felt the Holy Spirit tugging at her heart, but she was resisting. I just let her know I was there for her. We continued to chat about the Lord and the differences in my life before and after Christ and how He changed our lives. I said if He did it for me, He will do it for you, so if you ever change your mind or want to pray, I will be here. I planted the seed, I shared the Good News, now I wait because God's word doesn't come back void!

The Answers Are in The Book!

This morning I was getting off work and ran into an acquaintance. I was sharing with her about the things God had shown me this week. She was sharing how after her divorce and remarriage she is still troubled by the scripture that talks about leaving one spouse, marrying another, committing adultery. I'm sure you know what I am talking about. She said, I don't think He will forgive me and let me in. She wanted to know what I thought.

She then shared with me how her new stepson is fourteen and she was telling his father he needs to have him read his bible at least thirty minutes a day. So I asked, "Do you read your bible everyday?" She replied, "No, I don't, I know I need to, but I don't, I just don't know why." I then said, "If you want this boy to read the Word, you have to lead by example, because he won't hear what you say, he will see what you do.

Then I asked, "do you have fifteen minutes a day you could spend with the Lord, because it takes about that much time to read a chapter of Proverbs." I then challenged her to start on Dec. 1st with Proverbs 1. December has thirty one days and Proverbs has thirty one chapters, if you start on the 1st, you will finish it on the 31st.

It's the 31 day Challenge!! I think I will read it again too, so let me know if you think you will and also I would like to know what you would've told her about the Marriage and Adultery issue.

What Are You Hanging On To?

It was early on Thursday morning, I got a call from Sammy, a young man who used to live with us. He was telling me he had been up all night thinking about his life and how far he had gotten away from the Lord. He and his friend, Charlie had been talking about what they were doing in their life and how they were literally going nowhere fast. I listened intently as he shared with me how he wanted to get right with God but he was struggling with giving up things.

I asked, "what is it that you are hanging on to? Just tell me." He struggled to tell me, then said, "Dana, if God loves me, why did He let me leave your house?" I was a bit surprised to hear that comment. But I responded, "He didn't let you leave, He gave you a free choice and at the time, you wanted to walk on the wild side, you didn't want to listen to anyone, you wanted to do it your way." I told him, "God loves you right where you are right now and He apparently is speaking to you or you wouldn't be making this call to me, nor would you have been up all night." This was the second time he had called me this weekend. Actually he called me about fifteen times on Sunday basically talking about the same thing.

Finally, Sammy asked if I could please come over and talk to his friend Charlie and himself. I agreed and when I got there, I sat down to talk with Sammy, Charlie, another young man and a girl named Debbie. I listened intently as they shared how far from God they were, then again asked, "what is it about this life that you continue to hold on to?" They couldn't answer. We talked for awhile, I shared the word, I shared God's love. I told them if they didn't remember anything else I told them to remember this one thing, "There is a better way, and that way is God's way, He is the way, the truth and the life and no one can come to the Father except through Him." I asked if any of them wanted to pray, they weren't ready. I prayed with them before I left. I planted the seed, gave them much to think about.

Before I left, one of the boys said he would go to church if he had a way, I said be ready and I will come get you. He said he was talking about going to a church he was familiar with. I said, "well, if you were ready, you would do anything, you would go when I offered to take you." Sammy spoke up and said, "Dana, what if I turn my life over to Him and then I mess up?" I said, "we all struggle, but if we do fall, we ask God to forgive us and cleanse us, then we get up and continue walking with Christ." I got a call on my phone, I had to go, so Sammy walked outside with me and asked if I would come and get him on Sunday, I said I would. Then he hugged me and said, "Thanks for coming over Dana, I love you." I said, "I love you too Sammy and so does the Lord, He will take you right where you are and He will clean you up, you just have to surrender." So now, I am praying for Sammy and the others, I know they have been deep in the drug and alcohol abuse and it is sapping the life out of them. I pray God will continue to speak to them and they will choose the better way!

What if My Child Was Missing on Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving sometimes becomes a very hectic time of year for me. I nearly always have to work, then I am juggling days between family and I usually don't get to go to my mother's until the weekend after, so she is depressed and feels we don't care about her. I really have to remember what the day represents and how much I have to be thankful for.

So, as I began to reflect this morning on all the things I am thankful for, I was reminded of Beth Twitty, Natalee Holloway's mom. This will be her first Thanksgiving without Natalee and she still has no closure. She doesn't know if her daughter is alive or dead, or even what happened to her, let alone all of the run around the Aruban government has given her family.

I just wanted all of you to take a moment and pray for her and her family. Pray God reveals where Natalee is and closure is given to this family. I don't know how I could keep my sanity if I couldn't find my daughter. Natalee has been missing since May 30, 2005.

Proclamation for a General Thanksgiving

Please note the bold areas in this proclamation!!

Proclamation State of New-Hampshire.

In Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation for a general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed ...

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. IN COMMITTEE of SAFETY, EXETER, November 1, 1782.ORDERED, THAT the following Proclamation for a general THANKSGIVING on the twenty-eighth day of November, received from the honorable Continental Congress, be forthwith printed, and sent to the several worshipping Assemblies in this State, to whom it is recommended religiously to observe said day, and to abstain from all servile labour thereon. M. WEARE, President.By the United States in Congress assembled.

PROCLAMATION.
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf:

Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:-----

Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness. Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.
JOHN HANSON, President. Charles Thomson, Secretary.

I Understand!

It was on Monday my day off. Joseph and I were driving to Mardel's to buy a CD. We had been chatting about the Lord, his mission trip to New York City and his trip home to San Antonio for Thanksgiving. So I turn and I ask him, "Joseph, will this be the first time you will celebrate Thanksgiving as a Christian, giving thanks for what Christ has done for you and will this be your first Christmas to celebrate Christ and the greatest gift of all, His birth?" He looked at me and said yes, then said, "Dana, you made me cry." I looked over at him and he was crying. How sweet it was. There was silence between us. I understood.

Then tonight I am at church, I am sitting about five rows from the front. I could feel the presence of the Lord. We began to worship, the music was so sweet. When all of a sudden the tears began to flow down my cheeks. I tried to wipe my eyes, but they kept flowing, I stopped singing and bowed my head, all I could feel is this feeling of thankfulness, tears kept falling. There was a lady about four seats away, she stepped over, reached across Chuck and handed me some tissues. I couldn't stop weeping, I had given up and given in, just a quiet flowing of tears between me and my savior.

All I can say is, I know what Joseph felt earlier in the week. I understand.

His Death!

Something our Pastor said has really impacted me the past few weeks. He stated Christ died the worst death of anyone that had ever died.

I was thinking about how easy it is to hate a murderer, a child molester, but all that hate was directed at Him and He didn't even deserve it, and still today the world hates an innocent man.

He literally was tortured more, insulted more, bled more than anyone. I never really thought about it quite like that, but He wasn't paying for just his own sin, which He had none, but He paid for all of our sins, so He suffered greater than anyone who has ever suffered or ever will suffer, no matter how heinous the crime, because He took my sin, your sin, everyone's sin.

I thought to myself, why have I not realized the gravity of the amount of pain and torture He endured. I mean I know, I have read, I know He took all of our sins upon himself, but to be beaten, tortured and crucified because of millions of sins, the punishment of something like that, it is unspeakable, unbearable.

It is as if a light has come on, I can feel this now for the first time. I always knew He took my sin, but thinking of it that a person might could stand or bear their own punishment but the punishment of the whole, wide world, that is so deep.

I cried, I couldn't help myself, I thought no one would do that, no one. Yet He did and He didn't want to, yet He said, "not my will, but thine." So much more the reason to love Him, only God could do that, He came in the flesh and died a criminal's death for me. He was given the ultimate death sentence.

They thought they were putting Him in His place, but they put Him in mine. Even in death, they couldn't stop Him. HE LOVES YOU!!!!! I have never known such incredible love!

SMART CAR

Have yall seen this new Smart Car? It's not offered in the US yet, but it will be soon. It's a two seater, gets 60 to 70 mpg. It is made like a race car with a steel cage around it, so it retains its shape if involved in a crash. They will sell for $15,000 to $25,000.

Ck it out! http://www.zapworld.com

How Can You Describe Him?

"My King" - Dr. S.M. Lockridge

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King?
David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork. My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. Well, He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen.

Life Happens!

I was sick last week! I never ever get sick so for me to leave work early and not come in the next day I have to be almost dead! I have since recovered, unsure what I had but it was a virus of some kind or food poisioning.

So now....To catch everyone up on what has been going on.....

My mother's caretaker, her name is Nancy... has a brain tumor so she is off for awhile but wants to be able to come back to stay with my mom. How sad, but thank you Jesus, He is in control and He knows all things. I don't know why Life Happens, but I do know His purposes are worked out and not only is He taking care of Nancy but He is taking care of mom for the time being. We have found a lady to stay with her temporarily who may stay permanently, so if you could send up a prayer for my mom and Nancy, I would be so thankful.

Next....Joseph is back from his mission trip to New York City. He had a wonderful time but was so exhausted from walking he took the day off from work. He told me God had shown him how he could use him. He said he was amazed at how people get so focused on things that don't matter instead of on the fact that they may be lost. He was telling me he met some guys who all they were focused on was that Jesus was black, not on anything else, except the fact that Jesus was black. He was like Okay, but what difference does it make if he is black, white, asian or Mexican? The question is, "Do you know him?" While he was there he prayed with three people to accept Christ and was in awe of how God could use him on the street in the inner city. So again for those of you who are praying for Joseph, you too have a part in the change in this young man's life! Thanks so much for taking the time to pray, God hears and He answers.

Next.....My best friend broke both her wrists about a week ago and she will have to have her casts for another few weeks, but she is adjusting, so if you would pray for a complete healing. Her husband was out of town at a training school for his job and had to return early. Financially this has hit them hard because she is self employed and now no income is coming in from her end, so pray for their finances and health.

Thanks and God bless you all for your prayers, you too are in mine as you comment on my blog, although I don't know you, I pray God works out His perfect will in your lives, and the lives of your friends and family. !

NO PAIN, NO GAIN!!

Have you ever gone to work out and some yo-yo left the treadmill on full blast. You are standing on the tread mill and when you hit the power button you go flying off the end of it yelling WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! lol! You laugh from embarrassment, when all the while you are thinking what moron left the treadmill going full blast. Well, I have lived and learned, so has my daughter, it has happened to both of us at different times. Of course it makes sense to make sure you don't stand on the thing when you turn it on.

What about being in a Martial Arts Class with some lady in a pink sweat suit that is two sizes too small and when she does situps, she passes gas and the room falls dead silent, then all of a sudden someone can't hold it in any longer and bursts out laughing and you can't help it, you fall on the floor laughing too, and the whole class erupts in laughter!! You'll have to ask Eddo at Postednote.com about this one!

Then there's the time you show up at Curves and you are really into your work out and after going around for a couple of times the two ladies in their eighties are going around for the tenth time and they say, "how bout it? You wanna go again?" Don't you hate it when you get shown up by great grandma? What fun it is to exercise!!! No pain, No Gain!

Who Are You and What Do You Want?

Last Friday evening around 5:00 pm at my mother’s home, it was quiet. The wind was quietly blowing cool air as the sun was beginning to descend. It was still light outside, mom had just come inside with her caretaker, Nancy. As they sat down in the two recliners in the living room, an older model Buick drove up in front of the house. A lady got out of the vehicle and headed up the sidewalk toward the house. Nancy thought she heard someone outside, so she got up to peek out the door. As she approached the door, the handle began to turn and she stopped dead in her tracks. The woman was entering mom’s house. Nancy asked if she could help her, the woman didn’t reply but sat down on the living room sofa.

Mother was on the telephone chattering away with a close friend. Nancy tapped her on the leg, but mother kept talking and didn’t respond. So Nancy asked the lady, “May I ask who you are?” The woman looked at her and in a low, quiet, scratchy voice said, “You know who I am.” By this time Nancy’s heart was racing, she felt herself beginning to perspire. “Who is this woman?” she thought to herself. Again she tried to get mother’s attention, but mother just continued to talk on the phone, oblivious to the woman who was now staring at her and Nancy.

After a few more futile attempts to get mother's attention, Nancy reaches over and grabs the receiver out of mother’s hand and hangs up the phone. She then asks her, “Do you know this woman?” Mother replied, “No, do you?” Nancy rolled her eyes at her and then mother asked the woman, “who are you?” To which the woman replied in a slow menacing voice, “You know who I am.”

By this time, Nancy is beginning to panic. She can’t leave mother alone in the house at any time, much less when a psycho woman is in her house. Fear and thoughts of what could happen were racing through Nancy’s mind, when out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of my brother in his front yard next door. Up she jumped and racing toward the door, she is screaming, “Jim, come here, come here!” Jim runs to meet her, Nancy screams, “There’s some psycho woman in the house and we don’t know who she is or what she wants.”

So Jim goes into the house, gets right in front of the lady and boldly says, “Who are you and what do you want?!” The woman says again in a scratchy rough voice, "you know who I am?" Puzzled they all look at each other, then Jim says, “Who are you and what do you want?” Then the lady bursts out laughing and says, “I’m your landlord.” They all started laughing.

My mother’s landlord is a man and he was dressed up for Halloween as a woman and he thought it would be funny to go play a trick on her and Nancy. I sure an glad they didn't get the iron skillet after her or something! I spoke with Nancy on the phone today and she told me she was still scared, said she’d been making sure she doesn’t leave any doors unlocked so no one can come in and sit on the couch and stare at them again!

Sinner