Rescued

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday & Elizabeth at  Just Following Jesus &  Laura at Beholding Glory

"When you face adversity, you need to remind yourself that whatever is trying to defeat you could very well be what God will use to promote you."  Joel Osteen

He was a friend. Not a close friend but someone I had known for awhile. He had a charm....a way about him that engaged people, attracted them to him. He stood up in meetings and captivated many with his stories of faith and God and miracles. 

But I found out the truth about him.  He was a con....a liar.....someone who took advantage of people under the guise of  faith.  

A few months ago....he stole something from me that he insisted was his. He hired a lawyer and tried to scare me. I walked around confused.....and worried even though I knew he had taken what belonged to me. 

I prayed.  Friends prayed. Then it happened. This guy called. He heard about what this man was doing. He mentioned it to his friend, a high powered lawyer. He told me to call her. I did. She listened to my story and then said.....she'd represent me free of charge. I don't know her or that man who called....but I know He heard....and arranged all this. 

Something else....out of all this mess.....I've become good friends with two people who have rocked my world for the better. One has become a mentor and friend and the other, a film maker and kindred spirit has become a good buddy.

I learned that sometimes those things that pull us down are the very things He uses to rise us to the next level.


 I’m in a storm.I'm willing to fight. I’ll overcome with You by my side

Bridge

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

"Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known." A.A. Milne

I've been going nuts with my computer. It ran out of memory and stopped functioning the way I needed. I bought a laptop ( I usually use a desktop), worked on transferring all my stuff and then decided I didn't want the laptop. In all my frustration I suddenly stopped and realized....peace...His peace....it's more important than anything else......and so this morning we're going back to exchange the computer....but with no more frustrations. 

He is the bridge over troubled waters. He is the peace that is constant. He is more important than any computer.....or getting something right.....or any mistakes I might make.   When I stop and listen and hear His whisper.......I know.....everything's right with my world....no  more worries....Nothing can ever beat that.....


Like a bridge over troubled waters.......

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.....

Creation Calls

Linking up with Charlotte at  Spiritual Sunday  & Laura at  Brag on Friday

“Billions and billions of stars and planets out there, and behind them all are God.” Billy Graham.

Sometimes when I go outside at night and look up at the sky......I feel this amazing peace that everything is as it's supposed to be. It doesn't matter if things in my world are upside down or right side up.....all that matters is that I know I'm a small part of this big old world....and that the One who runs with me...who is always in my corner......has got everything under His control.

It's too cold now to go running in the woods....or hiking in the hills. But I can close my eyes....and imagine being on those mountains....or walking along the shore of the lake or standing under the massive trees....and I can breath in His presence just as if I was there.

Creation calls.....it pulls me away from the mundane...and quiets life's frustrations and routines and worries and fears and dreams that sometimes seem pointless.....

Creation calls.....

How can I say there is no God.......

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
.  

Gentleness

Linking up with Charlotte Spiritual Sunday  Laura Beholding Glory

The way to overcome the angry man is with gentleness, the evil man with goodness, the miser with generosity and the liar with truth. Indian Proverb

There''s a children's story about the wind boosting he was stronger than the sun. They saw a man walking and the wind challenged the sun. The proof who was stronger would be the one who could make that man take off his jacket. The wind went first. He blew and blew and blew and every time he did....the man wrapped his coat tighter around himself. When it was the sun's turn, he shone his warmth. Soon the man removed his jacket.

Gentleness......I think that's where real strength comes from....Being kind....caring....forgiving. When I lived in hate.....and anger.....wanting to hurt the people who hurt me.....I was like the wind....I pushed others away....and made my life cold.....hard.....and difficult. 

The warmth of His gentleness broke through all that hardness. I couldn't resist that level of love and affection. Like the man who eventually took off his jacket......His gentleness helped me to let go of all the hate.....and forgive and let go.....And I figured out......real strength doesn't come from force or cruelty. It comes from someone's kind-heartiness....and respect.

Make me a channel of Your peace....where there is hatred let me bring Your love

Miracles

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  & Laura at Beholding Glory & Five Minute Friday

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein

Miracles. They happen all the time. And they happen all around us. Everyday. In little things. And big. 

When that thing we wanted so badly works out.....or a friend we haven't seen in awhile suddenly calls or shows up....or something that seemed impossible materializes....

Miracles.....our hopes, our dreams....those desires we wondered if could ever become reality - But amazingly....something clicks...things shift into place and POOF...there it is.....big and bold and real....right in front of us...a clear reminder that miracles really do happen. 

Sometimes I think when they do ..it's like the icing on the cake....the best part....the thing that makes life totally exciting....and fun. It's the stuff that keeps me hanging on....never giving up on any hope or dream....b/c I think....if that one thing happened....other things will too. And besides...it just feels so good.

There can be miracles when you believe....

Heros and Sheros

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  & Laura at Beholding Glory & Five Minute Friday
 

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!  Maya Angelou 

I spent the other morning being interviewed....telling my story - Afterwards I  hung around and talked to some women.  One told me she's reading my book....and is blown away with what I've come through. She said.....I'm her hero.

Those women have a story too. One moved from another country to settle here....to live in a new culture.....far away from family. The other had huge losses that rocked her world. Like me....she learned to fight. Her strength and courage was in her smile and gentle spirit. 

Heros and Sheros. They're everywhere.....all around us...in our  neighbourhoods...cities.....around the country......all over the globe - People who shine hope....and inspire courage....

Talking to those women made me think of the heros and she-roes in my life....people like.....

-my good friend who went through some terrible losses yet somehow always offered me and others encouragement and support.....

-A neighbour who lives miles away from family yet opens her heart to embrace me and my family.

-A good friend who took a stand for what she knew was right She risked her reputation for what she believed in.

-Inspirational friends who fight chemo, radiation, medical treatments...never complaining.....always giving the thumbs up sign...determined to beat their illness.

-And many of you....awesome bloggy buddies - whose stories I've come to know....overcoming losses, battling eating disorders and other addictions, fighting illnesses, standing strong as parents, grandparents, single parents....You guys empower me to live my best life......

Heros. She-roes shining courage....determination.....resiliance......and mostly hope.......

None are famous. But all have become the wind beneath my wings....the heros and sheroes in my world......

Did I ever tell you you're my hero? I would be nothing without You.....I can fly high like an eagle cause you're the wind beneath my wings...

Sidetracked

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

"I encourage everyone to become their dream. Most people become sidetracked and never end up doing what they really set out to do." James De La Vega

Earlier this week I found myself sidetracked...sliding off the path I had been on.....and heading in an entirely different direction. 

It started when I met someone who made a suggestion...and for some reason I ran with it. It sounded good. Right. At least while we were talking about it. But when I left to go home.....I became discouraged. Hopeless. I didn't really want to do what she had said. It didn't feel right. 

Two days later.....I met with someone....someone who'se been in my corner....who knows my story......and believes in me. As soon as I saw her, she turned and said the very thing I needed to hear.  She had no idea of the other person's suggestion. She spoke her words with passion. And they hit their mark. Smack dab in the core of my heart. 

I needed her words to get me back onto the right track. They gave me hope. Reminded me He has a plan. A purpose. And even when we get sidetracked...He's there. Waiting. Knowing we'll be back.

This becoming is harder than it seems.....

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........