No Fool!

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday and Laura at  Faith Filled Fridays

"He's no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" Jim Elliot 

Why does it have to be the tough things that become the catalyst to push me to do what I would've never considered before. All the scrapes, bumps and bruises......they show me there's something deeper than the pain...something greater than the fall......

I know He's got a purpose....a plan... but it requires surrender....and death to those things I'm used to. It seems to be the only way......to be reborn  so my life can become effective.

Part of me wants to sit on the sidelines..... and watch and cheer for others stepping into the call.  But deep inside.....I feel a strong pull.....a strange knowing that He wants me also to be ready...prepared.... equipped. 

Happy Easter Guys!

Surrender

Linking with Charlotte at  Spiritual Sunday and Laura at Brag on Fridays

“If you struggle more...you’ll sink faster" Land before time 

Life is full of things I don't understand. And it's full of conflicts. Sometimes I want something to go a certain way but another person involved has a different idea. 

Conflicts. Coming to a resolution is not always easy. And hurt feelings happen. I used to be a fighter. I never wanted to give up or give in. I thought I had to fight until I got what I wanted. Not anymore. Now I think it's better to just surrender. Not surrendering to the person....but surrendering to Him. I trust Him. I know He'll always make it right.

Surrender equals peace....Surrender brings unity. Surrender brings a softer easier way. 

I surrender....all to Him I freely give.....

Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Cami at Thankful Thursday

"What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth ....the promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again." Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games.

My daughter told me the other day the hardest part of the year for her is near the end of winter when she can't wait for Springtime.

Spring - where I live it's not supposed to hit until April but lately.....the weather's been amazing. It feels great to not have to wear jackets, hats and mitts. And there's a feeling of lightness and joy. I see it on the faces of everyone I meet. Their smiles says it all. Today I'm grateful for.....

-the awesome weather.....being able to get outside and smell the air and see the buds beginning to push out on the trees.
-the guy I'm writing about is coming to see us this weekend. Writing his story has reminded me....no matter how dark it gets.......if you hold on.....and trust....things will turn around. 
-my daughter has been talking about which university she wants to attend. She still has two years to go but she's leaning on the one close to us. Yeahhhh.
-I got stuck trying to figure something out on the computer. My 11 yr old pushed me aside. Let me see. She said. In two minutes she unstuck me.
-No matter what the season....or what life brings.....He always shines Light, joy and freedom. Just like the cold and gloom of winter eventually leaves....so does the tough times in life. There's always  'springtime' to look forward to.

Soaring

 “One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” Helen Keller 

I didn't know all I had to do was ask... It sounded too simple. But yesterday that's what I did. I asked and all of a sudden the thing I wanted came. The people I needed stepped forward. I got what I had the courage to ask for.

I feel humbled.....overwhelmed.  I know it's His love....waves of it....that makes me feel like I'm flying. And the best ever....He accepts me....just as I am.....and loves me.....just because. 

Feeling His love frees me....gives me courage.....makes me want to reach higher....stretch farther....live better.....and be the best I can be. I'm so grateful that He loves me and accepts me....... 

Just as I am.....

And So This is Christmas

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  and Laura at Beholding Glory

"It's Christmas every time you let God love others through you. It's Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand" Mother Teresa

I like the spirit of Christmas. I like the kindness and the way people go the extra mile to be nice. I like how people band together to raise money and gifts so that no one has to feel left out....alone....and empty. 

I like all of it and I don't want it to be for just one month...or a few weeks or even one particular day. I want it to last...always...and I want it to outweigh the dark....the sad...the lonely and the hard times for all of us. 

Christmas has this amazing feeling that seems to make us nicer. Christmas....it's all b/c of Him. I never could've imaged this kind of joy....or peace. Sometimes I shake my head to see if it'll disappear.....it never does. Instead...every day gets a bit more brighter. And I've learned...

"I'm not alone at all I thought. I was never alone. And that is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent" Taylor Caldwell

Merry Christmas Guys!

And so this is Christmas.....I hope you have fun......

Did You Know.....

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  and Laura at Beholding Glory

"Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas." Ronald Reagan

Last week I attended the play at my daughter's school. The kids were totally adorable.....but I've been thinking about their "Christmas" play. They sang ten songs about snow, winter, Santa, presents, one Chanukah song, a five minute talk about the Muslim holiday and it's meaning, world hunger......But no mention at all about what Christmas is really all about...nothing about a virgin giving birth to a Savior...

I grew up Jewish. We kept kosher...attended synagogue and waited for the Messiah.....the One God would send to 'free' His people. 

One day in a hospital emergency room, under oxygen......I heard a voice say -  pray in my name. Sounds hokey.....but it happened. I pushed away the oxygen.....sat up and whispered the name Jesus. As soon as I did.....I felt Someone touch me....and chains holding me tight fall off. I had been a drug addict since age 12.  I never touched another needle after that. Even though I struggled with other things.....I now had an anchor.....and the courage to keep fighting. 

The Christmas Story......it's about grace...and mercy...It's about love and a God who cares enough to free and heal anyone calls on His name.

We celebrate Chanukah and Christmas. Chanukah to remember that the Jews refused to assimilate with the those around them and the miracle of light that lasted eight days. And Christmas b/c He is the Light of the world that shines in darkness and His Light will never be extinguished.

Mary did you know.....that one day.....your baby boy will one day walk on water....

The Best Gift Ever

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday & laura at Beholding Glory

“It only takes a split second to smile and forget, yet to someone that needed it, it can last a lifetime. Steve Marbolli   

Those times I used to walk around with a huge hole in my soul still play in my head. I used to think the lonliness would kill me....and if it didn't.....the pain from everything that happened would. 

Not only did I survive....but life completely turned around. Today.....I have an amazing family.....great friends.....And mostly.....His amazing peace and joy. I want to give back now.....what He and others gave to me. 

One thing that made a huge difference - when someone smiled at me. Smiles...they go a long way......they're an incredible gift. I remember being in such a dark place.....then a stranger smiled at me....their kindness renewed my will to keep fighting. Their smile gave me hope. 

Even today....when I'm having a yuck day.....and meet someone who flashes a warm smile - it lifts me out of that awful feeling...and amazingly turns my day around for the better.   

Smiles - they made such a huge difference in my world....those people who gave them to me will never know how far reaching their simple gift went. Their smiles carried me....showed me a soft gentle side of life. A kinder side. I want to do that for others.....give them the the same kind of hope......and peace....and joy....I've been given....

I will carry you....Be your strength... pull you through....Reach for me.....take my hand
.  

Surrounded

Linking up with Charlotte Spiritual Sunday  Laura Beholding Glory Karen Hallelujah Anyhow

“He finally understood that God's presence was everywhere, at all times, and experienced by everyone at one time or another.” Nicholas Sparks, The Last Song 

Most days I walk around feeling really happy. It's not that there's any major reason for it.....It's just knowing that He's there....loving me.....always.....on those days I do awesome things I'm really proud of.....and on the days I blow it big time. 

Love.....there was a time it hurt so bad.. a time if someone told me they loved me....I questioned what they wanted. It's weird but He never told me He loved me. He showed me....in a way that turned my world upside down. He broke through the colossal fears....scaled the wall I had erected so high....and waited. He wouldn't leave....not even when I screamed at Him...or did things to push Him away...Still He stayed. Even when I did those things I knew would hurt Him.....He wouldn't leave.....He hung in and kept showing me incredible love.

Love broke through. 
Love healed my heart. 
Love made the difference. 
His love surrounds me and makes everyday the best ever. 

You're the whisper calling my name gently...I can't live my life without You.......

I Know Who I Am

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday & Laura at Beholding Glory

"I know what I want, I have a goal, an opinion, I have a religion and love. Let me be myself and then I am satisfied. I know that I’m a woman, a woman with inward strength and plenty of courage." Anne Frank

I feel this strength inside......and a purpose.......a direction for my life. There's things I want to do.....ideas I want to make happen.....goals I want to see accomplished. I'm excited...about life....and living.  

I didn't always feel this way. I saw no purpose...no reason for life. I contemplated giving up....taking my life. Everything was too dark....meaningless. 

But now life has become an amazing adventure.  Every day....another opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Everyday....another to show His awesomeness....and how He can make a difference.  

I know who I am....I have a goal....an opinion....I have my faith and love...and It's because of Him...His touch.....His amazing love...He gave me purpose...and a reason to live...

People said things couldn't change....they gave up on me....He never did. I want to shine His light for others.....and stand strong.....to show life really does have meaning and they value.

I know who I am....I have a goal....an opinion.....I have my faith.....and love.......Happy Thanksgiving Guys!

I know who I am........