I'm thinking AGAIN ~

Sitting here thinking about the whole nativity scene...yes.....Christmas has come and gone. music has faded away , decorations once again in their places, Christmas Cards received are now being recycled, some kept in a very special place......cause you cannot let go of them. Guess that's where I'm at this morning , it's hard to let go, you've traveled that path for so long ......like the wise men...gosh I would hate to burst kids bubbles in plays but did you know it took the wise men 2 years or more to travel to see the babe in the manager. (oh, he was almost 2 years old.....but they still were in his presence with his presents......
According to Max Lucado, one of my favorite authors .....( he seems to be a little silly like me)


Before they gave God their presents, they gave their presence. It’s likely that these men traveled as long as two years before locating the prince of heaven.

Before that one incredible moment when they knelt before Jesus, the wise men spent many moments, months, perhaps years searching, in anticipation of that meeting. Just as the wise men devoted themselves to seeking the Savior, so can you: “You will seek him and find him when you seek him with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 4:29).“And when they did find him, the wise men gave Jesus another gift: their worship. Men of wealth, influence, and intellect: what did they do when they saw Jesus? “…they fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11)

In our lives we travel searching for happiness, love, wisdom, guidance, love , oh I already said that .....and all along its right there Jesus himself. Arms wide open to receive us after the long  dirty, dusty road that we've traveled. why do we veer off of the path that he has created for us , why did it take us so long to seek the Christ child. Why do we put him away with the nativity scene and pull him out once a year. I want to feel HIS love all year through, to climb on his lap, to have him gently hold me as a babe that he was so long ago...and to never let go.  Keeping Christmas in my heart........seeking the babe in the manager........I hope you join me friend, a desire to have that relationship with HIM .....the one who formed us in our mother's womb....so many years ago.......He still heals, he still protects, HE STILL LOVES , He still gives us the desires of our hearts, but be ready to travel .....it may take a couple years ......are you ready for the journey? I am.....ready or not here I come ....

I may bend but I will NOT break .....

Have you ever seen a palm tree in the midst of a great storm? That tree may be bent so far over that it’s almost touching the ground, but when the wind finally stops, that palm tree bounces right back up. What’s interesting is that while that palm tree is hunched over under the pressure of the storm, it is actually growing stronger

The reason God said we’d flourish like a palm tree is because He knew there would be difficult times. He knew things would come against us to try to steal our joy. God said, “You’re going to be like a palm tree because when the storms of life blow, you are going to come right back up stronger than before.” Nothing can hold you back! No weapon formed against you will prosper.!!! 

As you reflect on the events over the last year, remember, the storms you have encountered have only made you stronger. You are wiser, you are more alive, and you are headed to run that race of life well  You’re brightest days are right out in front of you! Always remember that with God on your side, nothing can hold you back!

I love the song by Mercy Me , MOVE

 When life won't play along

And right keeps going wrong
And I can't seem to find my way
I know where I am found
So I won't let it drag me down
Oh, I'll keep dancing anyway

I'm gonna move (move)
I'm gonna move (move)
I'm gonna move

I've got to hold it steady
Keep my head in the game
Everything is about to change
Everything is about to change

This hurt is getting heavy
But I'm not about to cave
Everything's about to change
There's gonna be brighter days

I just might bend but won't break
As long as I can see your face

No matter what may come
Gotta move to a different drum
No matter what life brings
Gotta move gotta move to a different beat

I just might bend but won't break
As long as I can see your face

No matter what may come
Gotta move to a different drum
No matter what life brings
Gotta move gotta move to a different beat

Wishing you well in 2012 keep dancing, keep playing, keep your head in the game.....God is right there beside you .....playing the game of life....running the race ......

Strength, Courage and Trust

Many times we are faced with circumstances in our life to either lay down or get back up and keep moving. I have to admit there have been days in the last month where I was telling myself "I'm not good enough" , I don't have what it takes, thoughts have a way of knocking the breath out of  YOU  and for me to believe those thoughts ....
have you looked in the mirror and said 
"I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH" 

You too?

And yet…

God saw all that he had made {that means people too} and then He said,

“Very good.”

It seems scandalous to believe that’s true. And yet who am I to argue with the One who spoke the stars into place, who spread the seas as far as we can see, who numbered every hair on my messy, imperfect head?

It’s not because of who we are but Whose we are.  (aren't you glad your his) 

Not because of what we’ve done but what Love has done for us.

Not temporary but forever-and-ever because He doesn’t change.

I’m going to try to stop saying “not good enough” and instead dare to agree with the Love that will not let me go.

Want to join me? Do you have a love that won't let you go , I do .....there are several different types of love ...what love do you have that is eternal ~

 1) Eros love - known as "erotic love". It is based on strong feelings toward another. It usually occurs in the first stages of a man-woman "romantic" relationship.

This love is based more on physical traits. Say a person says he has "fallen in love" for a woman, because "she looked like an angel" (sheesh). Or a woman "falls in love" for a guy because he is intelligent, has good breeding, etc.The weakness with this type of love is obvious. It is based more on "self-benefit", of what can benefit you rather than the other person. This is "I love you because it feels good, and makes ME happy loving you." See? The keyword is the word "ME".

2) Philos love - a love based on friendship between two people.
It is true that two lovers that start out by being friends first before becoming partners usually are the relationships that last more, long-term.
Friendship is the foundation of a successful relationship. This is true whether it is marriage, or boyfriend-girlfriend, relationship between family members, relationship with co-workers, employer, etc.
In the case of a man-woman romantic relationship, the advantage is you get to know each other first, before committing to a more serious relationship above friendship.
You start out as friends, then admire each other, then possibly strong emotions can suddenly appear over time and you both realize you miss each other more. It takes time, and is patient (love is patient, love is kind!).




3) Agape - unconditional love
The third and highest type of love is "agape", or unconditional love.
Agape love is above philos love and eros love. It is a love that is totally selfless, where a person gives out love to another person even if this act does not benefit her/him in any way. Whether the love given is returned or not, the person continues to love (even without any self-benefit).
Say, you help out a person, even though that person hates you and curses you. Or you take insults from your partner without hitting back, all the while forgiving and praying for your partner to amend her/his ways. Or the famed "unconditional love" that a mother has for her child (her child will always be the most beautiful child in the world to her, even with a face only a mother could love!).
Or the love we show our parents, taking care of them and helping them in their old age. Just like they took care of us when we were young, it is done with or without benefit in return.
However, the highest type of agape love is not human at all, but divine - God's unconditional love for us, His children.
God's love was shown to us the most when God the Father sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to his suffering and death on the cross for our salvation. There is no greater love than this. Jesus had no obligation to die for us, but He chose to. It is His gift, His ultimate gift.
What love do you have? 


May 2012 find you loving like no other, love one another with God's love , Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Love , ME 

Amazing Grace

Thank you Lord for today, thank you Lord for answers to prayers, mighty God your love for us is amazing, I lift up my hands to you this day in praise !!!! thank you , thank you , for forgiveness, for giving us the desires of our hearts ! I pray that as I start my new journey in my life that you would shine that heavenly flashlight on my path to direct my steps, that I am faithful not only in words and actions but in thoughts and speaking . help me to be Christ like that when people look at me they say, She is a daughter of the most high. I don't want to be someone that I'm not, there are to many fake people in this world. I want to be real, I want others to know that I have that hope that only comes from you and they too can have that hope that love, that peace. I'm excited to see where you will direct me . help me to be a blessing ~ I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE is able . I hope everyone that reads my blog knows I'm a lover that when I give my heart I give my heart. 

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel..... Maya Angelou

Loving to much !

Whatever our hands touch -
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture
On doorknobs, dishes, books.
There’s no escape.
As we touch we leave our identity.

Wherever I go today
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.

Heartprints of kindness
And genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter
Or an anxious mother
Or perhaps an aged grandfather.

Send me out today
To leave heartprints.
And if someone should say,
“I felt your touch,”
May they also sense the love
that is deep within my heart.

Do I love to much ? I feel at times I love way to compassionately ~ maybe I need to let go all together ~ and say goodbye for good !