I can't believe it has been this long since my last post.  Life has been going a million miles an hour and I haven't really thought about posting.  I must report that things are going great with me.  I'm not saying things are perfect, but I cannot complain! 

Lately several circumstances have arisen in my life and in the lives of people I care about.  I have prayed long and hard over these and I feel like I should say something. 

Life isn't always what we want it to be.  I think we all struggle with this reality.  We look back and wish we had done something different or wonder if we had, would our circumstances be different.  We all know we cannot change the past, only transform ourselves today for a better future!  This is where we need to concentrate our thoughts and actions.  Thinking about and dwelling on the past only steals our joy for today and hope for tomorrow.  We all make and have made mistakes that we are not proud of, but I hope learned from.  I believe we need to take what we learned from those situations and discard the rest.  Just like going to McDonald's, we eat our food and discard the trash.  So why hold on to the trash from our past?  It is just excess baggage that weighs us down and takes up space for better things.  God wants to pour out His blessings on all of us, but we need to make room.  Instead of worrying about the what-ifs, we should strive for what can be!  We all need to remember, God knows everything that we have done, or will ever do, and He approved of us before we were, so we should stop second guessing Him!

Lately I have been struggling with striving for what can be.  I have been worrying that I am not doing enough to fulfill the call that God has place on my life.  Sunday in church, the message really spoke to me.  We have to start where we are and not where we think we should be.  God will let us know when we aren't where we should be.  My biggest problem has been thinking that I wasn't far enough down the path of my journey, but we have to prove we can handle the responsibility He has given us before He will give us more.  He used the message Sunday, and really set my heart at ease.  I am volunteering at church as a small group leader with the youth.  This is what God placed on my heart to do, and I need to focus on being the best leader and role model I can be, and stop worrying about what more I think I should be doing.  When God says I am ready, He will let me know.  Also, sometimes we harvest, and reap all the blessings and other times we need to sew and labor in the fields so we can harvest.  Reaping the harvest is the easy part, and we all enjoy the blessings it has to offer.

I have been watching, listening to, and reading Joel Osteen's messages and they have been very helpful and inspirational.  I can remember the first time I watched his program.  I wondered how anyone could be sooooo happy.  He was so happy, I thought I was going to puke!  As God has transformed my life, I see that life in Christ is so awesome and powerful, who couldn't be happy!  Now I want and strive to be that happy.  Why shouldn't I?  Why shouldn't you?  I am worth it, my family is worth it, my friends are worth it, you are worth it!  If you decide that you to want to be this happy, do it for yourself and no one else.  For at the end of the day, only you have to live with you, and you won't regret it! 

Life is great!  God has blessed me and my family in soooo many ways, words cannot express the joy, gratitude, pleasure, and all those other good words to describe how I feel.  I know I haven't been posting as often as I used to but God's blessings, and nothing else have been keeping me from it.  I believe God used Xanga to help me through some very difficult times, and as I have grown and learned to become more dependant and trusting of Him, I haven't needed to post as often.  I don't want anyone to think for one second that I'm not on fire for Him or that I have lapsed, He has just been leading me in other directions.  That last sentence is funny, because lately I have felt like I was stagnant, like I should be doing more, but today I have a clarity about my current situation, and I can see God's plans starting to unfold before me.  He really is amazing.  I have been praying diligently about this, and He is answering those prayers.  He is teaching me that we all get discouraged or feel like we aren't doing enough, but just rely on Him.  When we feel discouraged or doubtful these are not of God so we should be encouraged and feel empowered for we must be doing something right.  Satan wouldn't be trying to make us feel that way if we weren't.  So I really must be doing something right!  Even when we need to wait on God and His time, we are doing His work.  I believe Satan comes against us most often during these times of waiting, using this time to plant seeds of doubt, this is when really need to trust in God and not in our own understanding.  At the same time I believe we need to call Satan out, and bring his plans into the light of truth.  When we know of his deception and confess his intentions, our battles are easier.  Notice I did not say EASY!   I thank God for opening my eyes.

Today I had back surgery.  Nothing major, I did't get cut on but I am in pain.  Several weeks ago, I made a commitment to God and my church to be a small group leader for teens.  Tonight is our first meeting, and I will be there!  I don't care if I need an ambulance to get there, I will be there.  This is something God has instructed me to do, and I will be there.  I may not be able to stay for the entire program, but I will be there!  Just in case some of you may have missed it, I will be there! 

God is doing great and wonderful things in my life, and I pray He will touch your life as well! 

Yesterday morning at Bible study a story was passed to me that I need to share.

This is a true story, and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry.  The man who walks with God always gets to his destination.  If you have a pulse you have a purpose.

The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States, especially in the minority races!

Allah or the Lord Jesus Christ?  By Rick Mathes

Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance.  During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs.  I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.  The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.  After the presentation, time was provided for questions and answers. 

When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:  "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy Jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and , that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven.  If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"  There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, "Non-believers!" 

I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight.  All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven.  Is that correct?"  The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of "a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar."  He sheepishly replied, "Yes." 

I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!"

The Imam was speechless! 

I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me!  Let me ask you a question.  Would your rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.  Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the Diversification training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslim beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President!  I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us send it on!  This is your chance to make a difference... Please pass this on to all your friends, family, church members, and email contacts. 

Thankyou and God bless

By the way, I choose Jesus!!!