Thursday, July 25, 2019

The Promise Is His Presence


I attended a women's retreat in the spring of 2018 at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Missouri.  My sweet friend Carrie who blogs over at Farming On Faith is the Women's Ministry Director at Concord Baptist, and she invited me to attend.  A lady by the name of Glenna Marshall sang and played piano, and she also spoke during one of the sessions. I've been "following" Glenna on social media ever since and you can check out her blog HERE.  She is an amazing woman of God and I have been so very blessed by things she shares.  God is using her in a mighty way!!!

Turns out, Glenna has written a book called "The Promise Is His Presence."  

I received an advance PDF copy of the book and I can tell you this book has spoken to me in the very depths of my soul.  It has comforted me and challenged me more than I could have imagined.  
 
Glenna shares her own personal story of struggles with infertility and sickness, and seeking to understand where God is in the midst of these trials.

God isn't a genie in a bottle.  He isn't just sitting up there waiting on our prayers so he can grant our every wish.  God has one desire, and that is for us to love Him above all else.  To love Him even in the difficult times.  For Him to be enough, even when the prayers aren't answered the way we would have hoped.  And let's be honest, there are many times that God's plan is different from ours.
 
Ladies I have struggled with this.  When I need something from God, I expect Him to give it to me.  And when He doesn't, well, I don't understand.  God's desire is for my heart's desire to be Him, and Him alone.  Not what He can do for me.  But what He has already done.  He wants to be enough.  When my mom passed away last summer I was so broken-hearted.  I couldn't understand why God did not heal her.  And while I still don't understand, through Glenna's book, I'm reminded that God is God no matter the situation or circumstance.  Even during the midst of the most difficult time in my life, GOD WAS WITH ME.  Even when I didn't feel Him, He was there.

If you read one book this year, I urge you to pick up a copy of "The Promise Is His Presence."  I believe God will speak to you like He spoke to me through this book and encourage you to keep your eyes firmly on the Savior.  He truly is with us always, and His presence is always enough.

"The Promise Is His Presence is available through CVBBS  (on sale through tomorrow!)
and of course through Amazon.

**I received a free advance PDF copy of this book for my review.  I can assure you my opinion is honest and unbiased and completely my own.  I have purchased several copies of Glenna's book to give as gifts to friends and family members.  Once you read it, I think you'll want to order several more copies to give as gifts.  WE ALL NEED HIS PRESENCE.


Tuesday, July 16, 2019

07.16.18

07.16.18
One year ago this morning, at 7:28 a.m., my mother opened her eyes and took her first breath in heaven.  Faith became sight.  Sickness became healing.  Fear became joy.  Worry became eternal peace.  Jesus Christ took her weary hand in His nail scarred hand.  She was given a robe and a crown.  A saint returned home.
And heaven rejoiced.

I love you so much, mom.  I miss you with an ache that is almost physical.  The weight of grief is the hardest burden I've ever carried.  It never gets any easier.  I will miss you until my last breath. You were wonderful and I'm so thankful you were my mother.  I hope I've made you proud.

Though I fail Him many times, I'm following Jesus just like you taught me.  So when you see me crossing the Jordan River one day, please come running to me.  I'll be running to you. 


Thursday, April 25, 2019

Faith

My cousin asked me to send her a paragraph on "faith."  
Below is my response:


According to Romans 12:3, I believe each Christian is given “the measure of faith” by God when we become a follower of Jesus.  Everyone living for Christ has faith because God gave it to us.  Now what we do what that faith is up to us.  We can spend our lives barely hanging on, or we can build our faith.  Romans 10:17 says “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  So the more time we spend in the Word, the stronger our faith becomes!  Wow!!!

 I have had so many times in my life where my faith was all I had.  When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I had faith that God was going to heal her.  I knew it in my heart.  God did heal her, but it was at the moment He took her to heaven, I never saw her healing with my physical eyes.  So was my faith in vain?  NO!!  God never promised us that this life would be easy. In fact, Jesus Himself said in John 16:33 “in this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE!!  But be of good cheer, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.”   Our faith that God is with us no matter what our enemy the devil brings against us is what enables us to persevere.  

Faith is what keeps us from giving up in the midst of trials, sorrow, sickness.  Faith is saying “God, Your will be done.”  If I did not know that God loved me, and that no matter what I have to endure on this earth, I will spend eternity with Him, I could not go on.  Life is hard and unfair and the day to day absolutely wears me down.  But thank God He is making all things new and one day none of the things I have stressed about will matter.  The cares will be erased from my memory and I will only see Him.  Faith brings peace.  

Resting in Jesus and in His love for me.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Check Out My Daughter's Blog!!

You remember my beautiful daughter, Alex!  She played volleyball in high school and got married and graduated from college in the blink of an eye and now she lives 0 minutes from me!  She has her teaching certificate and is applying for teaching jobs in our hometown.  To say I am proud of her would be a
HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT!!


Alex has her own blog and it's called "Blissfully Alex!"  She is a great cook and decorator and posts pictures of her husband and her three dogs and recipes and home decor and the day-to-day life of a young married couple.  So please take a few minutes and check out her blog!  You'll be so glad you did!!


 

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

SCATTER


One of my beautiful friends saw my post on my "Word" for 2019 -- SCATTER.  And look what she had made for me??




I have the best friends!!  They are SUCH a blessing to me!!