God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in! Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute—you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you! Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them—any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers—out of here!—all the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations. See how I hate those who hate you, God, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance; I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred. Your enemies are my enemies! Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.

As I was walking in my garden last night to check on my roses to see if more had bloomed--I stopped over to look at one of the rose bushes. This rose bush is super special because my friends showed me how to take "special" care of this poor-pitiful rose bush that was just sick. They showed me the tool that needed to be used on this rose-to prune it-to make it better. They taught me how much to cut and how far to cut down to for the leaves to come back strong and beautiful. They taught me how to bring life to this precious rose. They created food for me to feed this precious rose bush and now I am awaiting some roses to come because right now all I see is thorns. Then of course, GOD showed me, once again, without fail, something that I will never forget:

Humanness: "our imperfections, quirks, and our emotional baggage" We all produce thorns that will inflict hurt on other people. This will be so as long as we live. The question is are we going to put forth the effort to nurture those qualities that will ultimately produce “roses” (i.e., good works, spiritual fruit, spiritual gifts, Christ-likeness) for God’s glory, or, are we just going to be a thorn bush that is good for nothing but causing pain and discomfort in others?

John 15 Jesus is clear about what happens to that type of branch. It is cut off and thrown into the refuse pile to be destroyed later.

Read:

I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me. "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father. "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. "But remember the root command: Love one another.

I don't want to be the "thorn in someones side"...I want to be a beautiful (pink) rose that will “bloom” to everyone--reflecting ONLY the glory of God.

Blessings,

On Saturday afternoon, we walked through an art fair and a guy came up to me and handed me a pink balloon! I chuckled--because of course--it was pink! :O)
But, I couldn't understand why he gave me that balloon but I carried this thing for alittle while until I got tired of carrying it so I -let it go. Then GOD spoke to me......

For months, I have been praying for several people in my life that are going through some very dark and deep trials that at times they have said to me--life itself seemed almost not worth living. Reading my word I stumbled on this:

""God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great our faithfulness! I'm sticking with God --He's all I've got left"----Wow--doesn't that bring TRUTH, NEW HOPE AND ASSURANCE IS OUR MINDS!! Wow!!

So, I let that pink balloon go up into the sky--I let it ALL go! All the trials and tribulations that we are all going through--(I seen them inside of this pink balloon). Oh how pretty the balloon was on the outside, but on the inside there was a bunch of HOT air--(junk)--that I "chose" to "let go"!! Today--if this is YOU--please take your little pink (or whatever your favorite color is) balloon--hold it in your hand for a minute--and LOOK up to the sky and let it go! Let that balloon filled with hot air go up into the heavens because GOD is up there waiting for you to release that balloon so that HE can grab it.

Here is some "meat" for your week--NO matter what your going through today--I promise--God WILL bring you out! He will STAND in your behalf! I am so glad HE is the judge! Amen?

1. When I am at the very lowest point; when troubles flow over my heart like water, and I say, "I am cut off," God draws near and whispers, "Do not fear!" (Lamentations 3:54-57).

--I called out your name, O God, called from the bottom of the pit. You listened when I called out, 'Don't shut your ears! Get me out of here! Save me! 'You came close when I called out. You said, 'It's going to be all right.' :O)
2. When God seems to have "covered himself with a cloud, so that my prayers could not pass through," he will still see my oppression and will “judge my case” (Lamentations 3:44, 59).

--You took my side, Master; you brought me back alive! God, you saw the wrongs heaped on me. Give me my day in court! Yes, you saw their mean-minded schemes, their plots to destroy me.
3. If the Lord allows grief and sorrow, he will at the same time uphold me with abundant compassion and love (Lamentations 3:32).

--Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way:
4. God is not against me, trying to crush me under his foot when I'm down like a prisoner in trouble (Lamentations 3:34).

--Stomping down hard on luckless prisoners, Refusing justice to victims in the court of High God, Tampering with evidence—the Master does not approve of such things.
5. God is not trying to sabotage any of my plans; he is not causing my confusion; he is not working against me (Lamentations 3:35-36).

6. Even in my despair and bitterness, when I hated to face a new day, his compassion failed not. His mercies were waiting for me, new each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

7. Because God is always faithful, he will not cast me off. He will do right by me and save me (Lamentations 3:25-26).
8. When I am at my lowest, I have nowhere to turn but to God, so I will lift up my heart and my hands, and thank him for his faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:40-41).

--Let's take a good look at the way we're living and reorder our lives under God. Let's lift our hearts and hands at one and the same time, praying to God in heaven:"We've been contrary and willful, and you haven't forgiven.
9. Being down has spent my strength and hope. I am left empty and humbled, so now I depend totally on his mercies! (Lamentations 3:18, 20-22).

--I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember-- I keep a grip on hope!! (not the balloon) --Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around!!!

http://ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

What my weekend looks like:
1.) Weeding, mulching and learning with my peeps in my new garden at my new home in New Boston
2.) Excited to learn what to plant in my pots that was left behind for me
3.) Getting my patio all beautiful so that I can sit out and relax
4.) Celebrating my husband turning 40 years old
5.) Going to Jackson to visit my husband family and friends
6.) Watch fireworks
7.) EAT SOME REALLY BAD FOOD!!
8.) Buy some bird feeders

You know, I was thinking today of everything in my life I had to really trust GOD with. I mean, I truly had to make a choice. Do I trust HIM/or don't I?? Will I believe that HE will always be there for me and NEVER leave me. Then I remembered the verse:

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 or lets look at this even deeper-**Companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor. A builder is more valuable than a building any day. Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God. Moses did a good job in God's house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come. Christ as Son is in charge of the house. WOW! Oh yes---Christ is in charge of my house---amen that!!!

I need to write a song about---

“Never… Will… He… Leave… Me…!!!” --and-- “Never… Will… He… Forsake… Me……”

I totally stand on this!!!!!!!! HE will NEVER leave me and at age 41---I can honestly say that throughout the years HE has NEVER left me. Oh let me tell you that I have tried to put my trust in others...but I always found that sometimes I was disappointed. But I have learned that man will fail you but HE WILL NEVER!! He fails US NOT--and even learned that HE IS BIGGER THAN ANY BATTLE--so I trust in HIM to handle it. Look to HIM--not man! But some of the people that have disappointed me, I also learned to still release love and forgiveness for them.

One thing I DO know is that with GOD....I am safe. With GOD...I will always win!

GOD will NEVER leave us--and even with that--many of my friends and family has left me and I have also learned that it was ok --that they made that choice to leave me. But thank HIM that HE promises that HE will never leave me and will stick closer than a brother. Can it get any better than that? I mean...GOD--the MAN--like HE is your everything! Your Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, Teacher, Preacher, Doctor, Lawyer, Judge....HE IS OUR KING JESUS! and as LONG as I have HIM ...truly I don't need NOBODY else...

So glad that I am a friend of God and GOD calls me friend!

No matter what your going through--no matter if man has failed you--no matter if your disappointed--it really doesn't matter because YOU have GOD!

He is Lord of Lords

He is King of Kings

He is mighty God

Lord of everything

He's Emmanuel

He's the great "I AM"

He's my Prince of Peace

Who is the Lamb

He's the living God

He's my saving grace

He will reign forever

He is ancient of days

He's the Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End

He's my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, and friend

Your my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for you

I hope this encourages someone today!

Blessings!

http://www.ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

This morning on my way into work---I just felt so very tired! Tired of "fighting" --then I was reminded of all the battles in my life that really made me 'tired' and everything that I have been through...things I had to face...but you know I am a child of the MOST HIGH GOD...and Satan hates that so he will always be raging against me. Once I logged onto my computer, I read 2 Chronicles 20.

You know there was a great multitude that came against God’s people. King Jehoshaphat and his people set their hearts to seek the Lord and to fast. The king cried out to God a prayer that most of us have prayed at times in our spiritual journey: And now it's happened: men from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir have shown up. You didn't let Israel touch them when we got here at first—we detoured around them and didn't lay a hand on them. And now they've come to kick us out of the country you gave us. God, won't you take care of them? We're helpless before this vandal horde ready to attack us. We don't know what to do; we're looking to you." Everyone in Judah was there—little children, wives, sons—all present and attentive to God. Then Jahaziel was moved by the Spirit of God to speak from the midst of the congregation. (Jahaziel was the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah the Levite of the Asaph clan.) He said, "Attention everyone—all of you from out of town, all you from Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat—God's word: Don't be afraid; don't pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God's war, not yours. Tomorrow you'll go after them; see, they're already on their way up the slopes of Ziz; you'll meet them at the end of the ravine near the wilderness of Jeruel. You won't have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God's saving work for you take shape. Don't be afraid, don't waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you." BUT wait a minute....hehehehe this is God's Message, the God of Israel: Because you brought King Sennacherib of Assyria to me in prayer, here is my answer:

"'She has no use for you, Sennacherib, nothing but contempt, this virgin daughter Zion. She spits at you and turns on her heel, this daughter Jerusalem. "'Who do you think you've been mocking and reviling all these years? Who do you think you've been jeering and treating with such utter contempt ---All these years!!! The Holy of Israel! You've used your servants to mock the Master. You've bragged, "With my fleet of chariots I've gone to the highest mountain ranges, penetrated the far reaches of Lebanon, Chopped down its giant cedars, its finest cypresses. I conquered its highest peak, explored its deepest forest. I dug wells and drank my fill. I emptied the famous rivers of Egypt with one kick of my foot. (hehehehe kicked him with his foot) You GO GOD! yipppeee! God is a bad dude! Glad HE is on my side! and HE continues to tell Satan....'I know all about your pretentious poses, your officious comings and goings, and, yes, the tantrums you throw against me. Because of all your wild raging against me, your unbridled arrogance that I keep hearing of, I'll put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth. I'll show you who's boss. I'll turn you around and take you back to where you came from.

So....with that said....Where is your battle today? I know for me---my confidence is in the LORD!! I choose to trust and believe ALL OF HIS PROMISES!! Satan will not bother those who give up their confidence in the Lord.
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,"God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind! Faith demands that I turn over all my problems – all my critical situations, all my fears, all my anxieties – into the hand of the Lord. When I have done all I can do, and I know my battle is beyond my power, I must submit all into his hands.

Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything." (God makes wars to cease)
So TODAY I reject all the lies of Satan coming into my mind!! My way out is to just simply

T

R

U

S

T

Oh how HE LOVES US SO!!

Painting---Working out


Painting---go to the gym


Painting---running the track


Painting---riding a bike for 30 miles.


Hmmmm what to choose?? NONE of them! hahahahahaha (jk)


Well, we have been non-stop painting our home. Like--the entire house--every single room! So, I had to find out just how many calories that you burn while painting! So---your not going to believe this, but its true! 300 calories per hour!! I dont like working out, going to the gym, running the track, riding a bike for 30 miles......NOR PAINTING! BUT I will say that burning those kinds of calories (especially with 5 hours a day for 2 weeks) and getting some color added to your walls...is not too shabby! So maybe 10 pounds will be gone by this Friday! LOL!!!


Now I love to clean my house--so of course I had to check this out. Did you know that mopping your floors for 30 minutes burns 200 calories and works on your shoulders and biceps. Two hours of house work you will burn 835 calories! Now that is what I am talking about. Think I will mop every night!! hehe

But, let me say, it will not hurt my feelings if I never see a paint brush again! Just sayin....