Jacob's Journey

Jacob is fabulous...Glory to God! The Rhodes family ventured out to church on Sunday, and I bet they received more hugs than they could hold! What a glorious time at Tanglewood. We stand amazed at what God has done...and is doing...in this young man's recovery.
(picture was taken just minutes prior to his surgery.)

I spend some time with him and Donna on Monday. Even when you think he's not listen, he is all ears. (Isn't that the case for most kids, though?) Donna and I were sharing some heart-to-heart conversation, and he overheard Donna comment on being worried when all this began. (He was fainting and other symptoms were popping up.) Without missing a stroke playing his DS game, he quickly encouraged her not to worry. He reminded her that all of that was in the past and there was no need to worry. Well, halleujah! What wisdom flows from this fellow! The past is over. The future is before us...and the present? Well, we know for certain that God is doing amazing things through Jacob Rhodes.

He had an appointment at Duke yesterday: Stitches were removed. There was no need to tighten the pins of the halo, praise God! They have another follow up appointment in four weeks. Be sure to pray with fervency a prayer of thanksgiving for God's hand being upon this family. For He had done great things! Pray that things will to continue to progress with his recovery journey as well as it has so far.

James 5:15-17 (King James Version)
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Philippians 4:6-7 (King James Version)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Jacob's Journey: Steps of Healing

Since Thursday, Jacob has been stepping a bit everyday as he recovers from his surgery. Each day he has eaten a little more...each day he has needed less pain medication...each day he has worked with physical therapy and occupational therapy to prepare for home...and finally the day arrived that he asked for his DS game! It was in the hotel room, and I'm sure Daddy sprinted all the way there to get it for him! Donna has always given him time limits of how long he can play it, so I asked her if she allowed him play it as long as he wanted. She said yes but only until he returns home! What a wonderful mother she is to love enough to teach him discipline. Jacob has taken these steps like a cowboy, as I overheard a true cowboy from Tanglewood Church encourage him to do - "Cowboy-up" was the phrase of encouragement and THAT Jacob has certainly done! Wow! God has amazed us all with the amount of strength and stamina for the journey He has given to this precious boy.

Donna sent me a text message yesterday afternoon saying she was weary, teary and ready to come home. My heart hurts for my friend and the fact that, being two hours away, I was unable to sit down and cry with her. In the same way, I was unable to jump up and down with excitement with her when she heard the news this morning that Jacob is homeward bound! She sent a text message saying plans, at this point, are for discharge shortly after lunch. Please be in prayer that the ride home will be comfortable for Jacob as he learns to adjust to the halo. Well, actually as they all learn to adjust to the halo. Some adjustments will be necessary at home to make Jacob comfortable for the next month until the halo is removed. Pray for the family's safety and the days of the journey ahead.

The Rhodes family paced through the valley, climbed over a few hills, and now the mountaintop is just in sight! More steps and struggles are in store before they take the summit, but there is no doubt that our Lord and Savior will be leading them every trek of the way. May all glory and honor be given unto HIM!

Jacob's Journey: Steps of Healing

Further down the path they trod....Today, some things have come into focus a bit more concerning what to expect with Jacob's healing process. The initial report regarding the length of time he will wear the halo was misunderstood. The doctors told Jacob's parents this morning to expect about six weeks and a good portion of that time will be in a wheelchair. The bone graph was not taken from the bone bank. Instead they were able to use the portion of bone removed from his spine. So, God provided the way for his own bone to be used! How great is that?! (He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider!)

Plans are to move him from ICU to a regular room today and begin feeding him meals...one step at a time. (The ice chips, sprite and graham crackers held well yesterday.) The med drip has been removed, and he is now on oral meds for pain. However, when asked if he is in pain, he says, "No, but I don't feel good." The physical therapist are working with him now and making adjustments to the halo.

You know, "Boys will be boys," so they say...His Nana asked him which of his favorite toys would he like first as a gift, and he replied, "dinosaur." Granny asked if he wants deviled eggs, and he said, "yes." Dinosaurs and deviled eggs...life just doesn't get any better than that for boys! He still wants the hugs and prayers, according to mom and dad. What a precious gift God has given Ken and Donna! We anticipate the moment that he asks to play his DS game, which is his favorite thing to do. It is such an encouragment, moment by moment, to see a glimpse of Jacob peeping through the hardware. His precious smile will surface soon, for sure!

Please continue to pray for Jacob and his family...Especially for wisdom and insight regarding the care for Jacob on that beautiful day the doctors say he can go home. Accommodations will be necessary for a while until the halo is removed, so please remember that in your prayers.

Lord, we are thankful for your gracious presence and constant care. What an amazing Father you are to us! Thank you for the loving, caring parents you have given Jacob, and thank you for the gift of Jacob you have given them...and us. We ask your continued blessings on these precious lives as they continue the journey with you as their Guide.

Jacob's Journey: Steps of Healing

It's those tiny steps we look for, isn't it? Jacob asked for crackers and all they could find were saltine crackers. Donna placed it in his mouth and he frowned then gave it back! Too, cute...at least we know Jacob still has his taste! Dad went on a mission all over Duke Hospital to find his favorite, Graham Crackers, and came back with a box full. Daddy, the hero!

This will be the first thing he has eaten other than ice chips and sprite. Let's pray he will be able to digest properly and all will go well. He's getting a roommate right now, so Donna and Ken had to leave his side. We finally convinced them to go to the cafeteria for some dinner. Now, if we can just twist Ken's arm to get some sleep! Donna rested in hotel for a couple of hours today, so she's got her wind for the moment.

Lord, may the wind of Your Holy Spirit continue to push them with strength for their steps!

Jacob's Journey: Steps of Healing

Jacob Rhodes was transported from the operation room to Pediatrics ICU at Duke Hospital last night at apprx 8:00pm. He was sedated good throughout the night and rested well with the occasional alertness to gesture for drink and pointing to the tubes. The procedure to intubate took two hours, so Medical Staff was prepared for the possibility of a challange with extubation. They called the team of fiber optic specialists, respiratory specialists, and anesthesiologist. After on a few moments, the nurse came to the hallway saying, "They're done. We even got a high five!" Praise the Lord! She said the team just stood by and watched as one removed it. I believe God had them to call the team to witness His Glory as HE removed it with such ease! Well, Glory to God!

Jacob does have a halo, and it will be necessary to have that for a couple of weeks. They expect to transfer him from ICU to a regular room tomorrow morning, if things continue to progress as they have so far. He has been able to eat some ice chips and sip some sprite. He is asking for hugs and prayers from Mom & Dad! He is just starting to say he does not feel well and has pushed the button for pain meds. Eventhough it is difficult to know he is experiencing the pains of the journey, we have grateful hearts that he is feeling this and responding appropriately! Again, Praise the Lord!

One more, of the many, God moment reflecting the favor of God the family has been experiencing. They had prepared to harvest bone from his hip to place in the back of his head. This was necessary to give the plate and rods something to attach to...BUT GOD...had enough in the bone bank that it was NOT necessary to touch his hip. Well, Glory to God, again!

Jacob still has a number of steps to complete healing, but we all know that God can make those steps strong and secure through HIS mercy, grace and love. Please continue to pray for strength for Jacob and the family as they continue on this journey.

Jacob's Journey

4:55pm - still waiting. The first part of the surgery has been completed, and they have started on the next part. The halo has been positioned and he is doing good...we still wait...to see the Miracles God has in store for this journey.

Jacob's Journey

It's 12:06pm...Jacob was taken back for surgery approximately 10:50am...we are waiting for them to come and inform us that the surgery has actually started. Waiting...one of the hardest parts of this journey. Jacob was nervous when we arrived at Duke's Childrens Hosptial this morning, but they gave him some "happy juice" to settle his nerves. Donna said he was snoring and relaxed when they took him to prep for surgery. Stay tuned for more of Jacob's journey...

Psalm 146:5 "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,"

Thank you, Lord for being our hope as you take care of Jacob.

Please say a special prayer for his parents, Ken & Donna Rhodes, for the peace and patience during this wait. Estimated surgery time is 6-8 hours. For details regarding his surgery, visit reflectionsofjehovah.injesus.com and view October 16th's post: Ability within Disability.

Where does time go?

September 8th?!?! I can't believe that was the last time I posted here. I knew it had been a good while, but my, I had no idea. Since that time, I've had another awakening moment concerning time...a birthday. Wow...43. I know that is still young, believe me, yet I can barely believe that time has flown so fast. Where does the time go? What do we do with it?

Lately, I've felt the Holy Spirit nudge me about what I do with all the hours He grants me in a day. Unfortunately, I'm not very wise with handing it. I'm a horrible procrastinator...well, actually I'm a great procratinator but it is a horrible thing! I know, I know, join the club, right? But you know the Word, really does speak strongly against that and laziness (can you have one without the other?) in Proverbs specifically.

Proverbs 26:13-16 - "The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!" As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed. The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly." I can't help but visualize that while the man is turning in his bed the lion is jumping through the window for his attack! Then, notice that he could starve to death with his food right there in his hand. Do you see how his eyes are blinded by the deceit of his own reasoning?

Proverbs 22:13 says, "The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets." Ok, anyone notice an association between the laziness and the lion - Powerful & destructive? It seems to me the point is: with excuses there is no victory.

One more proverb..."The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and does not spare." (21:25-26) According to this, if we are to live righteously, then we should be giving unsparingly...give our time, our talents, our resources, our love, our mercy, our forgiveness to others, our forgiveness to self! (Hello, anyone catch that?) Giving forgiveness to ourselves for our shortcomings instead of condemning ourselves when we miss the mark. Recognize it, ask God's forgiveness if it is sin, forgive yourself, turn from it and move forward in the walk and works of faith and righteousness. When we refuse to work for what we desire, we lie down surrendering to death - deserting our dreams.

Making the best use of our time is certainly one way to combat the urge of laziness. Doing it now instead of later and doing away with excuses, justifications and rationalization will give us the productive life Jesus desires us to enjoy. However, we must keep balance in all that we do. We must never become so busy with our time that we neglect getting away to a solitude place with our Lord...up on a mountain side, in a boat, or even a garden. Jesus set the example for us to follow...take TIME to communicate with God.

Daily Devotions

Today the daily devotions, Reflections of Jehovah, took a new avenue of distribution. In the past, they have been sent through email to family and friends, but today the world wide distribution began. Injesus.com is the site that will be distributing these daily devotions.
Over in the sidebar of this blogspot you will see the new address listed where you can access these devotions and subscribe to receive them daily.

You will also see a new widget at the top of the sidebar that will allow you to share this blogspot with others. There will be one on the ReflectionsofJehovah.injesus.com site, too. Please share these messages that God uses to speak to your heart with your family, friends and collegues. When you click on the widget, select how you want to share. If you want to share it through an email, then click the email button, and you will be prompted to enter the email address of the person you wish to share with.

My prayer is that God will use this new avenue to expand the expressions and reflections of His Word through us!

Life

My, my, how has life been happening lately! You know, just life. Busy here, busy there...busy everywhere. My focus has been on my career for the past few weeks, and I have missed having quiet time with the Lord. Things have been so busy that He and I have been talking on the run (what an advantage to His Omnipresence)! The posts have been few because life happens. I'm praying for more quiet reflecting time...for you and me both. Let's be careful to take the time to reflect on His goodness, mercy and grace.

Another step...

Ok, we have just taken another step...injesus.com. Injesus.com is a faith based email distribution site that the daily Reflections of Jehovah will be sent through beginning tomorrow. Please share this with any family, friends, or collegues you feel would be interested in receiving the daily devotions!
You can subscribe by going to ReflectionsofJehovah.injesus.com

Restless Stillness

In the restlessness of the stillness, I ask You to speak. In the anxiety of the quietness, I long to hear Your voice. Your voice alone, My Lord, do I strain to hear. Speak it loud...speak it clear...Your voice, I ache for...I am still, and I know that You are God.

The Journal of My Journey

Late Sunday afternoon I returned from the "She Speaks" conference hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries based in Concord, NC. Today, I sit at this computer realizing even more than before that truly I am a Bambi. (If you wish to receive the last email devotional, "Buck in Your Bambi," and would like me to send it to ya, just let me know.)

Over 600 women walked through the revolving doors of the hotel as pieces of candy on a conveyor belt seeking to be wrapped in a pretty package of preparedness. We sought to be ready for delivery as a spokeswomen of sweetness to the world for the sake of Christ. Remember the candy factory episode of I Love Lucy? Lucy and Ethel worked in a candy factory for a brief, very brief, time and paced themselves frantically to wrap each piece of candy as it passed on the conveyor belt. Some of the candy ended up on the floor, others were smashed, and even a few were stuffed in Lucy and Ethel's mouth! As one of the pieces of candy that walked through the conveyor belt doors of She Speaks 2009, I, too, was smashed, chewed up, and even face down on the floor. Certainly not by any of the sisters of Proverbs 31 Ministries! I wrestled with Satan. I wrestled with self. I wrestled with God. I surrendered.

The saving grace of God worked his wonder as He processed me past Lysa Terkeurst, Renee Swope, Micca Campbell and Rachel Olsen (just to name a few). Every women who passed through had her own flavor of creamy center. God controlled the pace of the process for me, even through the smashing, spewing and chewing! Sunday morning I woke to this verse resounding in my head: "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) Thoughts reeled in my head that I didn't want to be a look-a-like! I feared I would loose my heart and passion for the sake of saying the oh-so-right things as a speaker and in the oh-so-right format. I feared of looking like a Lysa clone...dressing in just the right fashion...speaking with just the right inflection. "God, I don't want to look and taste like every other piece of candy on this conveyor belt! I want to be the mushy-centered me that you created me to be!" His reply? "Oh, my sweetness, you are. You are just a mini-me...just a bite size of what I want you to become." God proceeded to impress upon my heart that I needed a teachable spirit. He gently explained that I needed to know how to use my words wisely and how to dress without distractions.

You see, for so long, I have struggled...wrestled...with this feeling of a calling. Is it to teach? To speak? To preach? It seemed that the few people I've expressed this feeling to just didn't get me! They just didn't seem to get what I've been saying. God gets me. Proverbs 31 Ministry gets me. As my conversation with God continued Sunday morning, He turned my attention to the complete passage of the verses He used to wake me. "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God...For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake...since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you." (2 Corinthians, Chapter 4) God spoke to me and said, "Renee, it doesn't matter if people call it teaching, speaking or preaching. You have been called to speak. I will take care of how it is received regardless." So, she speaks. Jesus raised me up, and I must speak it out.

Are you curious to know if that is the verse She Speaks ministry is founded upon? I am! I have no idea and know nothing about those details of the ministry. All I know is GOD SPOKE...and is still speaking!

You and I may look the same on the outside as a variety of vessels shaped with limbs, eyes, ears, noses as all that He created, but inside there is a flavor that only YOU have...a unique personality...gifting of some kind...one-of-a-kind opportunities. You see, God is not only speaking to me. He is also speaking to you. At times you may feel like you're blending in with the rest of the world in your shiny packaging, but you are not! Some may think shiny wrapper; some may think dull covering! Point is: You have a real, true-blue, sweet center of the truffle He created you to be. Bite-size or not...He has plans for you. His plans are that you speak. Yes, speak! If it's speaking to your co-worker, the person at the restaurant, the stranger on the street, or the family in your home...just speak His name.

Hey, imagine if the sweet saints of Corinthian church and Paul had resisted to speak the gospel of Jesus Christ. We would not know our Jesus. My heart cringes at the thought! Saints, it's time we all speak the language of love through Jesus Christ to the world! So, speak!

Lord, thank you for the saints before me who spoke of You. Empower us with the same boldness to proclaim your fame to the world!

The End?

"But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2 Timothy 3:1-9; NKJV)

That verse came to mind this morning when I noticed on my internet provider's home page a news blurb about the President's choice of beer for a meeting. Yes, there was an actual article about anticipating his choice of beer for this meeting, apparently designed to make amends for his wrongs with words. Honestly, I do not follow the news...probably should, but this is one reason why I do not...but, considering all that is happening in our world, media chose to report on this shinning example being made to others that a glass of beer can settle disputes. Am I missing something? I must say that I have not seen a "form of godliness" in politics, and this is not to stir a political debate! I'm just thinking, "How sad. How very, very sad is the state we are in as a nation." Perhaps instead of missing something I am sensing something...

"Therefore comfort one another with these words."
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
(I Thessalonians 4:16-18; NKJV)

I had a twister visual just now! Scott and I recently witnessed what appeared to be a tornado forming during a storm. The clouds were a very strange dark color in appearance and swirling in every direction! We could see it wasn't a normal storm that we are used to seeing. (Moments later as we headed home, we heard a radio announcement of a tornado in that area. Praise God that He protected us!) But when typing the Thessalonians verse I could see almost the same image. Can you imagine!? Our Christian brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, loved ones who have died in Christ being raised first, and then we, alive now, are raised up with them to meet the Lord in the air! WOW! Reflect on that for a bit!

Love of the Old-Rugged Cross

Seeking His love this morning, I'm feeling spell-bound. I want to be rooted and grounded in His love. I long to comprehend the width, length, depth and height...to know the love of Christ.

His love is wider than the center crossbar of the old-rugged cross where His hands were nailed...longer than the upright crossbar where His body was offered. His love is deeper than the depth of which it was placed in the ground on the day it was raised up...is higher even than the top of the cross reaching toward heaven. His love flows even further than the blood that flowed for us...from the old-rugged cross.

His love passes all understanding. Oh, Lord, fill us with the fullness of God!
I love you, Lord, because you first loved us! I am humbled by your sacrifice...my head bows in overwhelming gratitude this morning because Your love just amazes me.

(Ephesians 3:14-20; I John 4:19)

She Speaks

Wow! I've just been reading some posts from other sisters in Christ who will be attending the She Speaks Conference in Concord, NC. (Gulp!)...so many sisters...from everywhere! I feel this is certainly part of God's plan and direction for me, but I do feel a bit overwhelmed. The unknown. Who are they? Ha, who am I? My comfort spot right here in little 'ol eastern NC feels cozy, yet I do sense Him saying, "cast your net to the other side! cast it deep and cast it wide!" Think of the big catch the disciples would have missed if they had ignored the words they heard.

So, Lord, I want to be a fisherwoman for You. Strengthen me to cast deep and wide Your Word...Your Truth...Your Spirit. Reflect from the waters of my heart, Lord, that others will see YOU in all I say and all I do!

Prayer for the Fireworks of Heaven

God, my heart's desire is to display You to the world. May the passion of my heart collide with the passion of Christ and be an explosive display! May it be as magnificent as the Rainbow of Colors John saw around Your Throne! May it be so beautiful that even You say, "Oooo! Ahhhhh!"

Lord, my heart cries out to you, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!"

I give honor and thanks to You who sits on the Throne and lives forever and ever! For You are worthy, O Lord, to receive all the glory and honor and praise from our lips, our hands, our feet...our whole being!

May the Fireworks of Heaven burst forth between me and Thee! Amen! Amen! & Amen!

Inspiration Scripture: Revelation 4

Rivers of Living Waters

I only have a moment this morning to share, but I just had to tell you this:
I am part of a ministry called, Three for Thee. It is a trio who preaches the gospel of Jesus through Sign Language, Dramatic Expressions & Speaking the Word of God. We interpret music by popular recording artists and pray the unique experience of worship with our senses of sound & sight will bless others and lead all into a worship experience for themselves. Well, we ministered at New Faith Church in Dublin, NC, yesterday morning. We "ministered" but, really, we were ministered to! God showed up! We worshiped along with New Hope Singers from Bolton, NC, and Evangelist Leonor R. Powell of Raleigh, NC. The presence of His Spirit was magnificient! I am still feeling as though I am literally seated in front of His Throne with the rivers of living waters flowing all over me.
How awesome it was to experience Him for myself, but equally as awesome to witness Him speaking to my sisters in Christ and the rest of the family of God.

My friends, we have an AMAZING Creator who desires, most of all, to have a personal relationship with us, His Creation! He will not force Himself on any of us...He will woo us to Him. The Word of God says that He "draws all men unto Him." He desires that relationship so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that whosoever, (ANYONE) who would believe & receive Him, would not perish but instead have everlasting Life! (John 3:16)

My heart screams with passion today, "Do you see Him like I am seeing Him? His reflection is bouncing from every surface in our lives! LOOK FOR HIM...SEEK HIM and YOU SHALL FIND HIM!" This is a promise from His WORD! Believe - have faith - and speak HIS WORD! (Amen, my sister Leonor!)

ALL Glory, Honor, & Praise be unto God - Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords...Emmanuel - God is with us!
Let us go about today reflecting God to others and reflecting upon His goodness & mercy. His mercy endures FOREVER! Amen!!!Amen!!!Amen!!!

Care to Join Me?

Since about 3:00am, you've been on my heart. My thoughts have been about the Reflections of Jehovah...God...and you. I'm not a theologian (may not have even spelled that right!), bible scholar, nor do I have any degrees of education (other than interpreting) after my name. So, what qualifies me to step into the deep as I'm doing? Jesus Christ transforming my heart. It's not about head knowledge, although we need it, but it's about a heart knowledge. John 3:16 is probably one of the most quoted scriptures: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (New King James Version - all scripture reference in this post will be from the New King James Version)
Whosoever. I'm a "whosoever"...believing in Him within my heart. Not just saying, "yes, I believe there is a God - One True God - Jehovah." It's deeper than that by believing with everything within me! Literally, my heart jumps when I ponder that!

When we read the scriptures, we see people from the beginning of time who believed, but they still fell short of that redemption & relationship with God. Thus came Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:1-5) "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1: 14)

You see, it was the grace and truth of Jesus that completed my searching heart at the age of 21. I was raised in a home that taught of God, the saving Grace of Jesus Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit, but we were not "regular church-goers." My mother says for much of my youth we did attend fairly regularly, though not every time the doors were open, but for whatever reason, I only remember the influence of one church in particular, Shiloh Pentecostal Holiness Church, in Wilson, NC. (if interested in receiving a devotional "Seeds of Shiloh" please email me: three4theenc@yahoo.com)

As a teenager, I chose to moved away from my parents' home to a whole 5 miles away to the city of Wilson (instead of county of Wilson). There I began drinking, using, and looking for love in all the wrong places. I worked in a night club as the "door girl." I was the typical party-girl for about 3 years. A lot of damage & destruction can happen in 3 short years. Thanks to the parents of a friend, who were insistent that she must be in church on Sunday morning regardless the kind of Saturday night she had, God poured the water of His Spirit on the soil of my heart and the seeds broke ground! I accepted Him as my Savior on February 21, 1988 at Living Waters PH church in Wilson, NC. I knelt down a broken, searching young girl and rose up with a changed heart. The head knowledge became a heart knowledge!

No, my walk with the Lord has not been without flaw, sin, or pain; however, it has been a walk with the Lord. There has never been a time that He has not been with me. Sure, there were times I didn't feel Him, but I stood, and still stand, on the promise of His Word that He will never leave me nor forsake me.

Since 1988, I've been through one marriage involving two miscarriages, broken-heartedness, adultery, and the struggle for restoration. That marriage ended. The restoration began. It had it's place and purpose in who I am today. God is a God who will place forgiveness within us, when we seek it through Him. I can say, though the scars are still there, God has healed that wound.
I have remarried, and God is not only restoring my heart with this relationship, but also He is restoring a ministry that I thought was a thing of the past. I don't know where He is taking this, but I'm willing to go...one step at a time. Care to join me?

Joel 2:28-32 is the scripture I opened to this morning. I whispered a prayer saying, "Lord speak today." When I opened it and read what was before me, I almost gasped.

"And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls."

My friends, there is soon coming a Great and Awesome Day of the Lord. I ask you to be the whosoever, and call on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and be saved!
Respond to His Call of the Heart. Jehovah calls...care to join me?

(Oh, Father, that I may be Your maidservant whom You pour Your Spirit upon...that I may be Your daugher who will prophesy! I ask that You use me and these words to draw hearts of men & women to you! Glory be given to You for You are Great!)


To receive daily email devotions, Reflections of Jehovah, please email your request to me at three4theenc@yahoo.com

Reflections...

Reflection: the throwing back by a surface of sound, light, heat, etc.; a fixing of mind on some subject; serious thought; contemplation; a result of such thought; idea or conclusion, especially if expressed in words.

My prayer: that my writings will reflect the Sound of God's Voice, the Light of Christ, and the Fire of His Spirit from the surface of my heart to whosoever will receive.

Whew, scary thought in a way. I certainly do not always reflect the heart of God in my thoughts or actions; however, it is my desire to do so. I pray that those who receive these words will be inspired to draw closer to Him. I pray that His Holy Spirit will use each thought and word expressed to penetrate the hardest of hearts and transform it into the most tender. Our tender hearts are pliable and easily molded by the hand of God.

May each thought that is reflected from my heart be received and reflected upon. God will speak to His children in their reflections!

Lord, I kneel before You submitting to You and asking You to anoint, inspire and transform our lives...for Your Glory!!

Give Him Glory

For years I've had ideas and visions of ministry but struggled by questioning if they are from God or from me. Why? I have no idea. I just have this burning desire to do what God is leading me to do...to walk His path for my life and not my own. There is proof in my past that when I walk my way I tend to take the wrong route, so I struggle.

Lately, I've been asking God to give me more specific directions regarding ministry. There were a few things that came to mind yesterday, yet I wondered again, "Lord, is that You or just me?" In the next few moments, I sensed this sweet gentle voice say, "If it gives Me Glory, then it's OK if it is your idea. Just give Me Glory." I felt His Spirit giving me rest...some direction.

So, even if my idea, or your idea, is not an announcement sent directly to us from an Angel of the Lord with a light shining down from above...it's OK. He wants us to give Him Glory. If I continue to hold back with my ideas, He's missing on all that Glory...I'm missing the opportunity to give Him all that Glory.

Conclusion: Give Him Glory with all you've got!

Thankful Thoughts of Today

How awesome is our God! Jehovah Shalom! He is the God of peace, and today, I am feeling His peace that surpasses all understanding. Reflecting through my life, I can see His fingerprints with every rememberance. During every dark season, I can see His light was in the midst of each circumstance. His protection, provision, mercy, forgiveness, and love has flooded my life. How amazing to see that He is not only active in my life but also in the lives of others around me.

In reflecting upon the recent bible study we did at Tanglewood through Heart-to-Heart (women's ministry), I see the faces of those who participated, and I love seeing God at work in their lives, too! He is at work in the lives of those whom He drew there for such a time; those He drew closer in His arms; those He lavished His love on, and He gave me the priviledge of being a witness to His work in their lives! Oh, how incredible is He! I am not worthy...I'm grateful for His mercy and grace that I sense so strongly today.

Lord, thank you for revealing Your fingerprints in my life today. Thank you for allowing me to witness You at work in the lives of others. Thank you for Your forgiveness, mercy, love, grace and the atonement for my sins through Jesus Christ. Thank you for Your provision of my past, present & future. Thank you for the peace that You are pouring over me. Lord, thank You!

typo?

Ok, it's already driving me nuts! Not sure how to go back and edit typos for a post that has been submitted. I've noticed at least one in my very first post! bummer! Oh, well, I asked you to be patient, right?

Thoughts at the moment...

What an amazing avenue we have before us to share God's word and the message of Jesus Christ! Blogging is all new to me, so please be patient. One desciption of blogging was comparing it to a diary entry. Well, now, I can do that! My thoughts at the moment are racing with excitement, and a bit of fear, of the unknown. God's word says He has thoughts of me that are of peace, a future, and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). So, I'm trusting Him with the unknown - it will all be good. Stay posted for new postings to come.