Mr. Green Lifted My Spirit

Mr. Green, a man that I do not know personally, lifted my spirits today.  He took time out of his day to read one of my postings.  He also let me know that I was in his thoughts and prayers.  I think people often take for granted the power of prayer.  Many times in my life, I have also taken for granted the power of prayer. 

Prayer has the ability to change things.  Through prayer, God hears our requests and concerns.  He takes his time to listen to our thoughts.  He does not forsake us.  God enjoys the fact that some of us think so highly of him to bring the details of our life to him.

 I think more highly of God than I do of anything or anyone in this life, but I did not always live my life in such a manner that people would have thought I viewed him so highly.  In fact, at one time, I ignored God.  But, because he loves me, he has chosen to construct my life's journey in a way that I can no longer ignore how mighty he is.  I have been brought to a point in life in which I can clearly see that he holds the world and everything in it together.  I am powerless without him, but through him, I have much power that cannot be explained by words.

There is a certain situation in my life that constantly tries to pull my attention away from God's mighty power in my life.  This situation is in fact the one that involves my legal troubles.  See, for some time now I have been waiting to see if I have to go to prison or not.  I have no idea how this circumstance is going to be resolved.  I may have to go away for weeks, months, years, or possibly, through a miracle given to me by God, maybe not at all. 

This situation constantly brings worry into my life as well as anxious thoughts.  A million times a day, I have pray and redirect my thoughts back towards God and say, "I trust you Jesus."  He parted the Red Sea.  He healed many a sick people.  He arose from the grave.  Trusting in him gives me much comfort that my situation can be resolved in a fair and just manner. 

There are no situations in life that are too hard for him to handle.  No sins that he cannot forgive.  Trusting in him is very liberating, and it is also an act and step of faith that I have to make a million times a day. 

Thank you God for getting me to a point in life in which I see that you are the One in control. 
Thank you Mr. Green for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for the uplift.

Well, it's Friday

Well, it's Friday.  Time to kick off the work boots (not that I wear any ;) This week has been a pretty good one for me.  I have spent much time working, making money right here from the comfort of my kitchen chair.  My son has behaved pretty well, but of course to me he's always an angel :)  And lastly, the family has gotten along quite well.

Not all my weeks go as well as this one has.  I have to constantly remind myself of the good things in my life, or if I'm not careful, my weeks become consumed with worry, anxiety, and a lot of meaningless thoughts. 

I am so happy to be where I am at today.  Here at home.  I'm not real for sure how long God is going to bless me with being able to stay home, but hopefully it's on a permanent basis.  If not, then I fully trust him that he is preparing me for whatever journey he wants me to travel. 

Anyways, that's enough about my week.  I hope and pray that each of you have had a great week as well.  If not, then always know you can turn your troubles over to someone who is much more capable than yourself at handling them.  He's the man above.  He's the man all around us.  He's God.  He's my best friend.  His name is Jesus.

Sorting Through the Past

For those of you who regularly read my writings, I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile.  A lot has happened over the past few weeks, including some emotional turn-abouts, but on the other hand, a few positive changes have occurred as well. 

I'm still awaiting to find out if I have to go to prison or not.   I'm praying deeply about this matter, hoping, trusting, and believing that God is working out an outcome that will be to the benefit of my son's best interest.

My family and I are getting along quite well these days.  I have been praying deeply about this matter too.  See, there are six of us living in our home.   Three adults including myself, a teenager, and two kiddos who have just started school.  Sometimes it gets hectic around here, but things are improving.

My son's father was released on parole about two weeks ago.  It has been a joy having him around.  Some people don't think I should spend time with him, but just as everything else, I am leaving the matter in God's hands.  He knows what's best for me.  So far, so good. 

There are some things in my past I find hard to let go of, but I know it's best if I do.  So, as for right now, that's what I'm trying to do.  Sort out my past from my present, so that my future will be as bright as possible. 

I hope anyone who reads this understands that sorting out the past from the present can be somewhat difficult, but it must be done.  It must be done so that a future can be secured.  Also, the only way to secure a positive future is to let God do it for you.  I'm letting him do it for me, and so far, just as He promised, everything is working out.

I Know a Man Who Loves Me

I know a man who loves me. 
He loves me more than any other man ever has. 
He holds my hand and helps me through the worst of times. 
He continually showers blessings upon me, and helps me see why life is worth living. 
For a long time, too long, him and I were separated, due to my own ignorance. 
But now he is here with me, and I'm realizing that he never left me. 
I left him. 
He forgives me of all my wrongs and mistakes.
He forgives me of the sins that I find hard to forgive myself for. 
He is the strongest and kindest man I have ever known. 
As I look up to him, he guides my steps. 
I am his and he is mine. 
His name is Jesus.

Choices and Something Better

We all go through life making decisions.  Everyday we make thousands of choices.  Some of them we are aware of, and some of them we make without even noticing.  Some of them we sit and contemplate and do our best to make the best ones possible.  Others we make and only afterwards are we left with the opportunity to contemplate whether they were the right ones to make.

Many times, we are also effected by the choices of others.  Either way, the choices that we make as well as those made by other people always either positively or negatively impact our lives.  I have noticed lately that no matter how meaningless some choices may seem, that even the small ones should be contemplated upon.  Small choices often lead to larger ones having to be made.  Ones that have more significance.  Ones that impact our lives on a large level. 

Choices should never be made out of anger or be made when we are upset or hurt.  When we make choices during these types of situations, we are not making them rationally, nor do we tend to make the ones we prefer we would have.  Even if a circumstance arises in which we think that a choice needs to be made instantaneously, chances are, the choice can wait.  It can wait for some time to pass by so that a rational choice can be made. 

One of the most advantageous things a person can do in life is realize that choices are what we make of them.  Even in rough circumstances, choices are our liberation.  That define who we are.  What we are.  And where we are going in life.  They give us the opportunity to decide for ourselves how our lives are to be. 

It is also beneficial for us to remember that bad choices will be made at one time or another, or if you are anything like me, sometimes they will be made quite frequently.  But even amidst a sea of bad choices, good possibilities can arise.  And it is our responsibility and choice to take the initiative to realize that good can come from bad.  No matter how many bad choices we make, opportunities to make good choices always make themselves present.  One bad choice does not always have to lead to another bad choice being made.  One good choice does not always mean that another good one will follow, but the more good choices we make, the better habit we will form at making them. 

Good choices.  Bad choices.  We all make both of them.  Let's try to do better at making better ones.  Even the good choices we make, we can make them better.  So instead of focusing on making good choices, simply focus on making better ones.  Making good choices doesn't always mean we will lead a good life.  In fact, some people that make good choices get taken advantage of and lead a life of suffering.  But, if we all strive to make better choices, only thing that can happen is we all live better lives.  Might not necessarily mean a good life, but a better one than we are currently living.  That's what I'm going for.  Something better.

Going Up and Down and Around Mountains

We should always do our best to take one step at a time when it comes to getting though this life on earth.  In fact, this is all that God requires of us.  Through each step, he guides our motions and directs us where to go. 

We often see large mountains looming before us, and we become fearful as to how we can ever reach the top of them.  And even when we do reach the top, we once again become fearful as to how we are supposed to scale ourselves back down.  Due to this fear that we build up, we do not look at where we are currently at in our life, and it becomes very easy for us to stumble even when walking down an easy pathway. 

We must remember that God is always here to help us as we stumble.  As he helps us, we should do our best not to worry about the mountains ahead.  We don't know what is going to happen today, much less tomorrow.  Tomorrow or even today, our path may take such an abrupt turn that we no longer have to face the mountains ahead of us.  When this occurs, we quickly realize all of our worrying was for nothing, and even if we do have to climb a mountain, worrying does not make the process any simpler. 

If we keep our eyes open to what God is doing, we can find hope in that he often makes out an easy pathway for us to make it up the mountains that we must climb.  Anytime God makes us climb a mountain, we can rest assured that he will provide us with the strength to make it not only up one side but down the other side as well, and many times, he provides us with enough strength that there is some to spare once the endeavor is over with. 

We should always do our best to keep our mind on the present journey we are on.  Not the ones that we believe we will be going on in the future.  If we focus on the present, we gain the ability to accept the wonderful gifts God is currently blessing us with. 

The above thoughts are my paraphrasing of Sarah Young's Jesus Calling--Feb. 1.

Fools Believe in Fate

The word fate by definition is something that unavoidably befalls upon a person. Something that cannot in any manner, fashion or form be prevented from taking place. To believe in fate, one would have to believe that God (higher power) is not in control and that He does not have the power to change unavoidable circumstances that at times take place in our life.

There are too many circumstances in my life that have only been avoided due to the grace of God, so no I do not believe in fate. My fate has been replaced by unconditional love…which can transform the unknown, the past, present, and future. It can transform a life…it can avoid the unavoidable.