Joykeepin
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Mission Opportunity!
Dear Friends, Family, Readers, Over the past few months, God has placed a calling in my life. This summer I have the opportunity, June 2020, to spend time with Amy for Africa sharing the love of Christ with kids, teenagers,… Continue reading
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Just sit with God for a while.
Sometimes you need a safe place. Continue reading
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Be Present, Not Social
Quality Time is a lost art. Nothing feels worse to be ignored and second to a 3 x 5-inch screen or 65″ TX. Here’s the deal. Digital distractions keep you from being present. They can placate your ego, offer vicarious… Continue reading
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Break Every Chain, No Longer A Slave
No Longer Slaves, Voices of Lee It’s not a matter of giving up… it’s a matter of giving in …….and letting GOD…. Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:… Continue reading
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I have it all!
Amen LIE of the devil, “you can make up for the lost time in life.” STOP that thinking. YOU can only create a new past and new future from right now. This moment in time. Yesterday is gone, you can… Continue reading
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The power behind the mystery.
Send The Rain Prayer We’re in a battle that started before we arrived here. It will be here when we die barring the Lord’s return. I know that on my own I can not battle. I found the key to… Continue reading
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Life is tough but love is stronger.
Life is tough but LOVE IS STRONGER Sometimes we are so underwhelmed by God and overwhelmed by life that we lose precious sight of the power of God’s love. God’s love can flow into relationships and heal them even if… Continue reading
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Life is not about me.
Although no amount you care changes much if the other person doesn’t care. People are not an experiment to fit into and out of my life. Since they matter to GOD they matter to me. So my role isn’t about… Continue reading
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Overcome
Overcome Back Story Every single day we are writing our testimony, the story or our love relationship with GOD and the things the world does to try to stop us. Sometimes the world wins, or at least sometimes for me… Continue reading
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I have no where else to go.
Under His Wings by the Ruppes You could look back at my life from 2 different viewpoints. If you look at it from the perspective of what the world would say about it. You’d say what a mess. How did… Continue reading
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Say Amen
This right here. #askmewhy this is why I keep going on. This is my faithful GOD who is able. I can’t do it alone but I don’t have to. I don’t have all the answers and at times life is… Continue reading
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When are you going to live?
NOW is……….. NOW! stop waiting for pat answers, perfect people or perfect circumstances. Don’t count on your feelings to line up to do what you are called to do. Launch out and do it …… forget the things that want… Continue reading
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Walk With Me
Walk With Me The Ball Brothers <<<click link for testimony and song I have had the rare privilege of having a couple of seasons in my life walking with people who sharpened me. The Bible says, faithful are the wounds… Continue reading
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What Love
What Love New Manna I remember the first time I heard this song. I had no idea what the next 15 years held. Now I can see that one thing remains. WHAT LOVE. Not my love for HIM. His… Continue reading
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My Good Father
Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin Everything I learned can be summed up to what caressed me today from God’s Word…. Listen to my Father speak to me …. Debra I called you by name, before you were born… Continue reading
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Just see the manifestation of God’s holiness.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord. Sometimes you just have to stop, be grateful, understand God is good no matter what happens and see his glory. The glory of God is the outward manifestation of his holiness. Bottom… Continue reading
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He’s been faithful to me
Life isn’t what I thought it would be. I can’t fix it but one thing remains. GOD is faithful in the darkest of times and in the hardest of circumstances. Let this remind you that HE will complete the work… Continue reading
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I REFUSE TO HATE
Jesus He Loves ME (click here to play song) I refuse to hate anyone. Racism is a learned behavior. Protest and violence will not undo racism. Showing the world a better way, a more loving and peaceful way will. What… Continue reading
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That’s HIM!
Please click here to hear the great song That’s Him by the Hoppers. It’s 2 o’clock in the morning and my heart is wideopen so I must write. I love the song above because that is exactly how I feel about… Continue reading
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What does an 8 year old know? The harm of imitation love.
After reading the book Real Love Post Childhood Stress Disorder by Dr. Greg Baer and learning the Real Love principles I decided to share a very private part of my life. Sometimes my PCSD comes out in the form of… Continue reading
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Me, bear his cross?
What does take up HIS cross mean? His is a personal pronoun, might the cross be different for different believers? If this is the case then we better be sure to not envy those who have crosses that we think… Continue reading
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The Fairy Tale of Chocolate
The Fairy Tale of Chocolate “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get” Forest, Forest Gump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJh59vZ8ccc There’s an endearing scene in the movie Forest Gump where he’s going to see his beloved Jenny.… Continue reading
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Send the Rain Lord!
Listen to this video and let the LORD open your heart. My precious Lord means the world to me. Navigating this life would be impossible without His Word and the Holy Spirit. I would die without Him. I’m so humbled… Continue reading
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Joykeepin vs the Joykiller.
Joy makes all the difference in the world in approach to the will of GOD. Without it we get frustrated and have to push through instead of walk through. Continue reading
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Love is Stronger
Life is tough but LOVE IS STRONGER Sometimes we are so underwhelmed by God and overwhelmed by life that we lose precious sight of the power of God’s love. God’s love can flow into relationships and heal them even if… Continue reading
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Where did this come from?
The litmus test for what’s influencing your mind. . 2Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Satan wants to kill, steal and destroy. Now… Continue reading
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Good Friday? Are You Kidding Me?
This was originally written March 2009. My mother was dying and everyone I know is going through something so I thought I would share. Sunday is coming!!! Where my feet may fail. I have been studying church history and the… Continue reading
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Law of Subtraction.
(Mom went to be with the LORD before I made it home again Nov 18th, 2010. Her last words to me were that she loved me over and over. I miss her dearly, her legacy to me was to love… Continue reading
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Mountain Ahead
Beautiful Heartbreak I have a mountain ahead of me. It is partially created by me and by life. I have learned so much that it would take volumes to share. The main thing I want to say is that life… Continue reading
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Carrying your cross….. The Mountain of God
Wow! I am not sure I will ever get over the cross. It reveals my humanity more than any other act on earth ever could. There are so many lessons in the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins that I… Continue reading
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There’s no return for me, can’t go back, dead to that life.
*** reposted from Aug 2013. This has been one amazing year. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for me. Life has changed completely from what I thought it was to something more than I can imagine. When you… Continue reading
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Power in Prayer
Power in Prayer from an earlier post. Just click the link and it will take you back in time. Continue reading
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See you later~ Little Bob Sept 16th 1959-February 16th 1964
My 5 year old brother drowned and was buried on my birthday. He died a tragic death that was compounded by the circumstance. It was one that I won’t share here because of the living. When I say that there… Continue reading
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Hello My Name is ________ and I am a child of the ONE TRUE KING
Jordan was the inspiration of this song. Jordan was left at a drug rehab after being kicked out of college. He felt worthless. His parents didn’t know what to do and did the best they could for him. All of… Continue reading
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Fearless Fruit ….. Faith, Hope, Love …..these three but the greatest is LOVE!
I have learned that love is the basis for everything in my life and from it spring the fruit of the Spirit. God’s perfect love for us drives out fear “perfect love casteth out fear” and his great love for… Continue reading
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The Secrets of Real Love<– Click for more information.
The Secrets of Real Love <- click for more information. If any of you have followed my blog you have seen my life story play out through the mistakes I have made because frankly I am human. The human card isn’t… Continue reading
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‘Til Death Do Us Part” – The insanity of dancing with death.
No truer words have ever been spoken in marriage vows. It’s completely ironic how these words can be prophetic. The death of marriage will play out this way. The death of all love happens the same way. Two people come… Continue reading
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Real love is the difference between “I Do” and “Do I”
What’s LOVE got to do with it? Can’t buy me love. All You Need Is love. Love Me Tender. Love is A Many… Continue reading
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Walking barefoot … Ouch Ouch Ouch.
Trying to live a safe and easy life used to focus me on myself. It was like walking barefoot outside. Each step you take is focused on where your feet are going to land being careful not to step on… Continue reading
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Jesus stooped to write in the sand…..
Jn 8:1-11 Look at Jesus stooping to write in the sand. He was eye level with the woman caught in adultery. He can write in your sand and stop the drama even if you are guilty. He can send you… Continue reading
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Even IF!
EVEN IF GOD doesn’t save me …. It’s humbling so many times lately to see evil and wicked things happen all around you and know that ONLY GOD can deliver and that you have to approach the fire with an… Continue reading
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Here GOD… handing you my locust eaten life do whatever you want with it!
Grace has been the most powerful presence in my life. If you read in the Word grace always proceeds peace. You can’t have peace apart from grace. I love that GOD has a great exchange rate. The same power that… Continue reading
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No easy way to die- to ME
Lots to think about this weekend. A Good Friday that redefines the word good. Hope that seemed lost on a Saturday of perplexing sorrow for the followers who saw the stone rolled in front of the tomb and then………. Sunday… Continue reading
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My Choice
“You don’t always get to choose what happens to you, but you always get to choose how you react about it. That makes all the difference in the world in how you move forward.” Feelings,,,,,,,, whoa whoa whoa feelings. …….… Continue reading
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Power in Prayer
God is so amazing and as I read over the last years I have been writing this blog, I must say it is humbling to know that He has stuck with me through thick and thin. I hope nothing in… Continue reading
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The Good News is……….. more than Good!
The Christmas Scale Sometimes in life the Good News is right under our fingertips. We try to play it our way instead of God’s way. GOD has already answered our prayers and we have everything we need right in front… Continue reading
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Sometimes Life Hurts
Delight in the LORD. “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?” C.S. Lewis . Waiting on God hasn’t been something I am good… Continue reading
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Blue Christmas
Originally posted December 8th 2011…. Reposted today because it’s still true…let’s all find someone/something greater to serve this year. Elvis sang “I’ll have a blue Christmas” I have to admit as upbeat and strong as I am the holidays are… Continue reading
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Every girl should know this before she falls~ The difference between a Boaz and a Bozo
This was written for a precious daughter of the King. Wading through love can be like a minefield. You can’t approach it like a Wal-Mart where you just pick something out and you can’t go for it like you… Continue reading
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The Drudge of Grudge
A grudge is the most selfish and pridefully destructive thing. Unpacking this today (not because of anyone having a grudge against me but because of working with people about forgiveness) Here’s the thing about a grudge. It does’t accomplish anything… Continue reading
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Originally posted on Trading My Sorrows …….. Grace Restored: I already know this post might cost me readers but I will say this anyway. People get spooky about GOD working so directly in a life but this is really happening… Continue reading
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Send the Rain Lord!
Send the Rain Lord!. Continue reading
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The million dollar question ~ WHY on earth would you let people you had a horrible relationship with in the past rob you of a great relationship now?
The difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge is FREEDOM!!! Sweet glorious stand in the rain and wash me clean FREEDOM!!! THIS IS HOW IT FEELS TO BE FREE! Head knowledge keeps us in our heads where we can war… Continue reading
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Please send your hypocrites and damaged people to my church so we can love them.
Please send all of your hypocrites (lost people who go to church) or perceived hypocrites (people who do not live like they are Christians but are saved) and damaged people to my church…. We want to help them meet Jesus… Continue reading
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Don’t lose sight of the fact God loves them too.
People are at different levels of their journey and different hurts. Some have lots to learn and some only know what they know until God reveals more to them in his timing when they can handle it. We should all… Continue reading
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Did I sign up for this- NO you got it free.
Christianity is messy sometimes. Not surprising it went through a cross. I would love to paint daisy fields for you and wonderful scenery with tranquil settings. I can’t do that. When we enlisted we entered war. The world, flesh, and… Continue reading
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Desperado ~ are you exchanging a great life for a safe life?
This song is about blocking love and traveling life in a way that protects us and keeps us from soaring. Desperado We can’t live like this and be all GOD wants us to be. Balance Beam I have the tee… Continue reading
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Originally posted on My thought for today: I love this verse of scripture in the King James Bible Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” I have had times in my life when I… Continue reading
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See you later, Brother Buck!
Today the folks who knew wore purple at my church. As I looked out across the auditorium from the platform it occurred to me that it didn’t seem strange or odd for us to do that. That’s who we are.… Continue reading
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Mangled Mess
When I inherited this plant it was just about root bound. All of the roots were intertwined and I wasn’t sure if I could separate them. They were all so accustomed and adapted to each other that they literally were… Continue reading
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Tear down those walls.
Ever feel like you start something and keep running into brick walls only to find when you turn the corner another brick wall appears again? I have the coffee mug and tee shirt for this one. I learned a long… Continue reading
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Ha, who wants to see this gal climb in a window??? NOT ME
Ok, there’s a saying that is on my keychain. I am not a fan of this saying at all…. I am not sure it’s scriptural at all either… it’s funny how we just fall hook line and sinker for catch… Continue reading
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It’s not my job to understand.
I can’t begin to describe my life. From the time I was a small child I knew of GOD. I remember looking at the stars when I was 8 and thinking that God was in those heavens. I always had… Continue reading
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Who can find her? a tribute to women who have influenced me and goodbye to Melina
I have been more than blessed by some of the most godly women in my life. Women who stood in the gap and who loved anyway. One of those precious women went to be with the LORD today and it… Continue reading
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How many times must I prove how much I love you.
So you would know. It’s not a matter of giving up… it’s a matter of giving in …….and letting GOD…. Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen… Continue reading
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1 radio = 7 howling dogs
I love discovering things and have always been a nerd. One of my childhood memories was of taking apart the large radio I had in my room and connecting the speakers in a way that made all the dogs bark… Continue reading
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Slowing down, God planned evening.
Well the power is off and I am going to start this post with about 45 minutes of battery left. It seems GOD had different plans for my life tonight than I had planned. I am sitting alone in the… Continue reading
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The problem with time….
The statement has been made that time heals all wounds. I know that adage is out there but I find it a false statement. The problem is that time will pass and as more life comes at us we certainly… Continue reading
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Missing puzzle pieces?
Everything around you has been blown up and as the pieces settle you try to interpret the ruins. This seems to happen at the worst time during a terrible life storm that already has you down. It comes in the… Continue reading
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Oh be careful little email what you speak.
Our God is a God of second chances and sometimes those second chances come right away and some take years. When I try in my own strength to help that is when my intentions may be good but my method… Continue reading
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Blow out on I-30 GOD never promised a Flat LIFE.
We had just left a beautiful scenic harbor heading back to my apartment. I had friends with me in a 2 car caravan and suddenly the vibration in my car became severe and we all heard a loud pop. My… Continue reading
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I want to thank you LORD for being patient with me….
I was listening to this song Make My Life a Prayer to You today. God’s love is truly amazing. All that he has done to secure our salvation and to also provide a way to know him intimately is truly… Continue reading
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I don’t know what to think. I just know what to do.
You know some mysterious things have happened in the last couple of years to me. Some of them defy rational explanation. You can’t make this stuff up. You don’t know what to think or where it’s coming from but this… Continue reading
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Rats in my Car!
I have to tell you a quick story. A few years ago, I went to my car for lunch as I do each day. It’s a great time alone to visit with the Lord or gather my thoughts for the… Continue reading
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It’s Gonna Be Alright Child
I already know this post might cost me readers but I will say this anyway. People get spooky about GOD working so directly in a life but this is really happening and besides I have no way of knowing who… Continue reading
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Little Bob ~ How Not To Live
He was only 5 years old and from all I have heard he was a precious sweet child that was very tender. My earliest memories of him were scarce. I remember running past the open door of the mobile home… Continue reading
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What a Beautiful Day!
Sitting here before you in this beautiful moment in awe and gratitude. There’s instrumental music playing, my lights are down low and my little corner of the world is cozy and warm. There’s so much to be grateful for. The… Continue reading
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The Secret to Life ~ Your flight has been cancelled.
The Secret of Life is in letting go. Listen to this song Completely and read below. I was supposed to be on my way to an adventure in Atlanta. This was all changed in a week that has been unlike… Continue reading
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What a year! I am so loved.
I look back over this year and am amazed at how quickly life changes. It doesn’t collapse in a moment but it can change with one phone call, a person’s actions or events so easily that you almost feel like… Continue reading
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The Tender Silent Warrior
Sometimes there is nothing more you can say except no regrets and that you are thankful. The Tender Silent Warrior A man in on the front lines Working day by day Doing what is right In spite of the fray… Continue reading
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East Texas Rain
I am not sure what the words are that I want to convey here today. This morning started with tearful prayer very deep in the middle of the woods in WV. I often run to my Father on the harder… Continue reading
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I own it!
God has allowed me a front row to his mercy and grace. I just wanted to briefly say here I don’t have all the answers but I know who does. I am so in awe of this Father who loves… Continue reading
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When God ran to me
Reposted from 2008 in honor of all God has called son who have fallen in this world but still are loved by a Father whose love is perfect. A Father who ran down that long road to meet them and… Continue reading
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Fish or Cut Bait
A wise pastor used this phrase with me once and it never has left. It was in regard to relationships and life in general. Timing is very important and can’t be dismissed. I believe life happens in seasons. A few… Continue reading
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Praising Anyway
I raise my hand in praise saying you are my GOD, you are my Father, you are Holy and worthy of all praise. Even in my weakest moment you are my strength. I love you, I praise you, I am… Continue reading
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Life Doesn’t Collapse in a Moment
Life doesn’t collapse over minutes and we can get to the point we feel as if our life has been turned inside out. There are many in this life who are living that way and who have gotten so discouraged… Continue reading
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Define Good
There is a verse we all know and use from time to time. Romans 8:28. 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.… Continue reading
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Turn on a Dime
I am amazed how fluid life can be. You can hope and dream but in all reality we have to know that dreams are dreams. Our feet have to land on the ground and sometimes accept where we really are.… Continue reading
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Plow Days? (for lack of a better title)
My little heart has pondered, prayed, persevered and plowed through. I know that my heavenly Father wants the best for me and have no doubt about that at all. I write a lot here about how wondrously he has saved… Continue reading
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I ran under his wings.
Under His Wings By New Manna Youth Choir I can almost pinpoint the day my universe began to slide out of orbit. I knew the enemy of the soul had created a storm I had no choice but to endure.… Continue reading
Trading My Sorrows ........ Grace Restored 