Favored of the Lord

Blessings in disguise

2011-04-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

Things that start out as a struggle can turn into such a blessing. A few months ago, I started my new job as a Parole Officer and I had six weeks in Beeville, TX, a little over 7 hours south of my family. My husband and children struggled with me gone so far away for so long - things on my end were mildly quieter but void of interest and time dragged on for what seemed like ever.

Fast forward four months and we're happy and thriving. Orville started his new job and I am working hard at mine - we bought a new Jetta (another one) because we liked our 2006 so well - and it's awesome because it will improve both of our credit ratings. I'm so happy at this point in my life - things are actually starting to come together quite well, debt is being paid down, provision lurks around every corner, good things are happening... we are always in the right place, at the right time. Truly, a few days ago I was reminded that the Lord goes before us... I had to look the scripture up but it is Deuteronomy 31:8 that says "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

Praise God! We lack for no good thing, all of our needs are met in abundance wherever we look, at every turn we have all sufficiency... we are able to sow good seed into people, and we can look for the harvest on the seed sown. Sometimes things look hard, and you struggle to endure and to hold fast to your faith, but just believe that God is a God of miracles, and he will never leave you, nor forsake you. Our struggles turned out to be blessings and they blossomed with the spring.

Character and Condemnation

2011-03-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

So many times trials come and we feel so condemned and unloved... we feel like God has rejected us because of our sin. We measure God's love for us by our understanding of love- an understanding of love that is severely limited.

Take a deeper look at John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

Who, is whosoever?
Me.

You.

Anyone who is willing.

Whosoever is not limited to those who are "worthy" and those who are "saved" or those of great faith or who are rich... whosoever is simply anyone with a willing heart. God does not limit his great love for us in any way - if we desire his love - we are given it. Freely and unworthily. For who is worthy to receive of the love of God?

No one.

Doesn't that make it so much more precious that it is a free gift? Given to us while we were yet sinners? Given to us while we were yet imperfect? Yes, someday there will be a perfect saint but that day is not yet. We are all being perfected daily as we walk with Christ in this life - but we have not and will not reach perfection this side of heaven. That is where feeling condemned comes in -- when we sin and do things that we know better than doing -- our mind (which is carnal and therefore enmity with God) says "we have messed up and no long qualify for salvation" - our minds fail to comprehend that we have NEVER qualified for salvation. God just handed it out.... to whosoever will believe and be saved. There is no limit to God's love - we cannot measure it and we cannot comprehend it. Trying to wrap your head around something that was meant for your heart will get you nowhere ...condemnation is simply a lack of faith in salvation.
Believing that you were bought and paid for by what Jesus did on the cross. Don't feel condemned when you mess up. Simply be willing to repent and confess to the Lord your mistakes, even when they were done knowingly... God knows the weakness of our flesh and has known since before the foundations of the world.

So when tribulation comes your way and your character is being tested and refined- REJOICE, for the Lord God Almighty loved you so much that he cared to take the time to begin perfecting YOU.

Exercise

2011-03-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

So this last weekend was a major exercise of faith and perseverance. We decided spur of the moment on Saturday morning to go and get Orville's Dad from Harrison, AR by plane. It is something we have been meaning to do for a long time but haven't had the money for. So we get up in the air, we get to Harrison, pick him up and on the way back home we have an important instrument in the panel go down on us... so we make an emergency landing. The airport loans us a car and we drive all night to Tyler and back to Idabel, OK in order to return the loaner car... we don't get any sleep. Meanwhile, the kids are like "we're still going to Six Flags, right?"

Uh, yes. We are, and then 11pm comes and we finally get home and bam - I have work at 6am in the morning - exhausting! My daughter went home that night and my son came home that night as well - they were the busiest 3 days since we moved here in my opinion.

The next posts will be more interesting and/or encouraging but I've had several people ask for details of what happened this weekend so this is a good place to put the explanation :)

God's Will to Heal

2010-05-11T12:35:00.001-07:00

There is so much more to 'religion' and having faith in a Mighty & Awesome All-Powerful Jehova than just being stuck in a "hopefulness" mindset about what God wills and desires for our lives.

He desires us to be WELL. He desires us to be HEALED. Sometimes we leave open doors to the enemy in our lives and he comes waltzing in trying to destroy the blessings that God has bestowed upon you.

I want to encourage you that God has given you authority over this world. He gave authority and dominion here to man, and man gave it to the devil during the fall, but praise God, JESUS GOT IT BACK FOR US, and if we believe in Him & we are saved by His grace, then by faith we can exercise our authority here. How did Jesus heal they sick and cleanse the lepers in the Gospel accounts? BY FAITH - He commanded, He spoke, He thanked God, and He believed.

There is huge scriptural basis for this - the bible says if you will believe and doubt not in your heart, than you shall have whatsoever you ask for, so ask in faith, lacking nothing. Believing that God can, will and wants to do something good for you is imperative. God is not moved by need, need can be great but that is not what moves the heart of God. God is moved by FAITH.

By faith declare this out loud (no matter how foolish you think you sound):
"God, I believe that you want what is best for me. I believe that you love me, I believe that you desire good in my life. So devil, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus - get out of my life, and my children's lives. I rebuke sickness and disease in the name of Jesus. I declare healing, peace and blessing in Jesus name."

His name is the name above all names - He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

That being said there is a beautiful little girl who is on the receiving end of God's will to heal right now. Thanking God for her and for the blessing of getting to read about her - it is such an encouragement when God is using you instrumentally in someone's life... they may never know until we're all in heaven but God knows, and you know. Just get in agreement of prayer with me that this little girl is fully healed and restored. God must have a great call on her life for the devil to have tried to take her out so young.

Short little update.

2010-05-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

I want to mention right away that the job in C.V. didn't pan out. I've had several encouraging things happen today though... the biggest one being that my best friend called me and we got to talk for a long time and I was greatly encouraged to hear her story of faith. The others include getting a huge stack of paperwork off my desk! Yes!

I feel majorly accomplished... grocery shopping, check. Orville's ticket to California to help my sister move, check. Not much left then except to get some sleep. I will try and post more regularly.

Time flies when you're living life to it's fullest!

2010-05-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

I have no excuses, I've been laxidaisical.
The good news is that I've experienced a lot in the last several months... most of which you won't be subject to reading.
My daughter has turned 4yrs old, my son is doing excellent in school... and my little baby girl is quite the walker & talker since the last post.

Of course that isn't what this blog is about.

We had planned on moving to Arkansas for the umpteenth time, and guess what?! Once again we felt like there wasn't an open door. Nixed that plan then. My friend Beth is going to reference for me on a job that I thought was in Lakeview, OR... turns out the job is in Christmas Valley - where my husband owns property and we will likely be moving. I should mention that this is desert and void of the greenery that I desperately love. BUT! I should also mention that it is a county job that will allow me to pay off my student loans. We will have little to no financial overhead of monthly outflow ($500) and we will have a great monthly inflow. Plan? Pay down student loans (ugh) and buy Orville an airplane. Praise God! See, now THAT is an open door. Too bad we didn't find it earlier... I realize that I do not have the job yet but it is on many prayer lists. We've been asking God for favor and open doors.

We have given our notice in our house because either way we plan on moving. Orville still has unemployment through October and maybe further if more extensions open up. We'll see.

My good friends the Tarons are moving to Brunei on the island of Borneo... I say "good friends" like I know them well but mostly I just really like them and I think because they're missionaries that I know them and their life better than they know me, but I'm super thankful and super happy to be able to partner with them. Strangely enough I do have one story to post and it ties in with them.

Orville and I had just nixed the idea of moving to Arkansas somewhat reluctantly when we pulled into a parking lot on the day of the Brunei dinner at church... I was going to shop for a head scarf because I like how the covering looks. Anyway, he was going to tell me something but I cut him off, I felt like I knew what he was going to say so I told him "Wait! Let me tell you my thing first so you won't think I'm copying you if it's the same subject." To which he gracefully allowed me to continue. I told him that I think we might be called to go to Brunei at some point. He said that is exactly what he was going to say. (Truly this was random like this.)

So, then later that night Mike was being prayed for but he popped out of the crowd and came to pray for us - which was cool - and he mentioned something about us coming to "their soil" meaning Brunei.... well call it coincidence all you want but our gears were turning after that.

Neither of us feel led at this exact moment, but it sure gives you food for thought. Where does God want us? Where do we feel called and lead to go? Or what do we feel called to do?

I believe that our answers come after we start seeking the kingdom. Getting the idea of consumerism out of our heads and begin to own our stuff and not let our stuff own us. Seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us.

Anyway, this is a definite prayer point for us along with the rest of it. I really feel like we can't continue moving forward in some areas until we are debt free - so that is angle of attack #1. Pay off the debt and start saving some money.

Praise God for the right opportunities and the rights jobs!

Answers to questions...

2009-07-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

So, the question is - do I get a job?
After "Confess-fest 2009" the other night I'm really feeling good about everything... except finances. They're tight - and they don't look to improve anytime soon in the natural. My flesh is screaming upset about it but my spiritual side is not so quick to abandon the goodwill of my Father. He is well able to bring me up out of any hole I'm in - even a financial one. I am going to stand on this knowledge and put my faith in Him. There is nothing that I could do besides get a job to improve my financial situation anyway. Orville's paycheck pays the bills, it just doesn't leave a lot left over... and when my student loans start coming due then it won't really quite pay the bills either. So, the quandry! Ah, the quandry. I do not really want to work, I love being home with my kids and taking care of things here at the house ...which is a full-time job in and of itself. So, that being said, I don't really feel led to work. That is just as important - *sigh* well, God will work it out for my good... we've really come so far and He is just and faithful to finish the work that He started in us.

Confessed and Free

2009-07-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Orville & I had the most serious "come to Jesus" talk we've ever had last night. I think the beauty of it was multiplied by the fact that neither of us truly got offended or upset, we each had two things to say to each other that were completely and utterly unenjoyable to hear... and yet, God graced us both to be able to receive from the other the news and to do it gently and mercifully! YAY GOD and yay us!

So, here we are today, with not a secret one... It's a know-all, hear-all relationship and we haven't skipped a thing that we know of. God, you said we can't prosper if we lie to one another, and you have given us grace and strength to stand before you and each other and say the entire truth of all matters, even the ones several years in the past. Thank you Lord for your mercy that is made new each day, and for your grace. We can now walk forward in your blessing wholly and completely unhindered by the trap that the enemy had us in.

For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. I'm so excited for the things God is doing - they can truly begin now that we are walking completely in the light and upright before Him and each other.

Faith is a decision....

2009-07-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Faith is a decision. A choosing to believe.
It is not based on proof.

It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

No matter how much evidence you have, how can you prove things unseen?
Faith is a choice.
Some choose to believe, some choose not to.

Live what you believe. No one is perfect and God doesn't expect you to be.

Acts 28 paints a picture of Paul being sent to Rome and he is used of God all the way there.

Message: Your victory is other people's victory. Your breakthrough will help them and encourage their breakthroughs.

You don't know how many people are watching you, and your situation to see how it turns out.

This is for an old friend.

2009-07-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful worldas it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things rightif I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with HimForever in the next.Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

Trust in the LORD with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3, 5-6

Growing Pains

2009-07-22T11:03:00.001-07:00

In the last 30 days my kids have played ball games, they've played in the pool, visited their other sister, went to the beach, drove all over, went berry picking, went to the produce stands, hung out at their friend's houses, rode motorcycles, rode horses, rode on 4 wheelers, and did crafts. I'm sure I'm leaving things out but they've had a good summer overall.

Of course, they have also had toe troubles. Thomas had to have his toenail surgically removed because it was ingrown and Gracie ripped her entire big toenail off when she was at WinCo on the shopping cart... these kids! Sigh, but they've been tough and gotten ice cream when they had a boo-boo.

My little Melanie has not only started walking but she runs, says Mom, Dad, Hi, waves, and plays. She's my little baby angel who I love soooo much!

Andrew has spent half his "off time" so far working - but he will be going to Arkansas to visit his grandparents in the fall... he may have decided not to play football - we'll have to see, but his most important happy accomplishment of the summer was to get his permit! Yay! Of course, I still have to get him to stay out of my cupboards but hey, I can't expect perfection. He also got him computer back from the computer shop, GLORY TO GOD! That thing has been in there for various reasons since November, sigh!!

The kids are great. Dez is doing well in PDX too.

And so we have progressed...

2009-07-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

Summer break is underway -
Things have changed, and yet they're the same.

We feel a difference but we haven't seen it. As of a few days ago I had been on-again/off-again giving my husband a terrible unthankful attitude. To which he has simply been supportive and kind. That is harder to do than you might think when someone is rude for no reason. Spirit and flesh don't mix well... when you've got the Spirit you're fine, but if you have the flesh you're grubby - and if you're spouse is spiritual then your flesh is grubby with your spouse. But two days ago, he told me something that encouraged my heart ...he said that the Lord told him "Today is the first day of the rest that I have promised you." What a way to lift my heart and spirit! I'm so thankful that God is speaking to us and helping us in spite of our (my) bad attitudes.

We now go to Care Group (bible study/worship at home) at Mark & Erika Swinth's house every Friday and we have also made friends with the people in our care group. It has been so uplifting to meet people who are similar in age, faith and have children our kids ages. We have been blessed to ride motorcycles & 4 wheelers with them, we've played with our kids, rode horses, had BBQ's and been out boating. How good God is... we have prayed for a very long time for good friends of like faith. It is so important to surround yourself with those who can put their faith with your faith and believe with you on the things that the Lord has for you!

Some things have not changed though. I'm still cutting, hunting, clipping, sorting, collecting, and getting coupons and couponed items. I have taught 1 coupon class at church, and I have been able to bless and share with others the ability to save hundreds of dollars annually on their household food and necessity budgets. I feel that this is good seed to have in the ground for the future to reap large harvests!

God has provided for our household in abundance in so many ways - we have had money come in the mail and we have had other blessings too... One of my favorite ones happened last month when we were sitting at the airport just watching planes land - Orville's flight instructor saw us sitting on the lawn and we talked for a bit with him - we haven't had money to fly for awhile now and at that point it had been better than a month ...so it was a pleasant surprise to us when his instructor asked us if we were busy or if we'd like to fly to Pacific City for lunch... so we did, in his plane and Orville got a free lesson and a beautiful lunch at the coast! How good is God?! To boot, we were able to witness to his instructor - THANK YOU LORD! Provision on every corner!

Did I mention that my attitude has since improved? A week ago I was in the middle of the "rough patch" as I'm terming it, and I went over to my friend Jessica's house and she prayed for me, and prayed things off of me and my house... I was much better after that, but had 2 off/on days of rough edges after that ...mercy and grace were given. I had my SOZO last week and got to know a couple of gals at church much better, absolutely sweet and kind, and funny people! God gives us richly all things to enjoy and I have been able to enjoy so much with my new friends!

My sister moved to Southern California (SoCal) so this will be a little tough over the next year but God will help with those feelings. My friends (whom I've never hung out with but love dearly and enjoy reading about) the Taron's moved back to Oregon temporarily - they're making a 30 day pitstop in Redding, CA first but same diff to me - then they're off to halfway across the world... sigh.

and yet, as my brother would put it I'm happy as a clam about my life. Amen!!!

How awesome is this?

2009-04-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is absolutely amazing. This woman not only understands exactly the heart of true racism, but has received revelation from God and has applied it to modern problems.

Thank you Lord for your wisdom and guidance! Thank you for not letting your children be led astray by vain and ignorant words!

Have you ever felt a little like toast?

2009-04-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have.

Some days it is just difficult to "feel loved" by God. You wonder if He's upset with you, or if you've just lost the connection with Him, or if He can even hear you at all.... This is what it feels like to be TOAST. Spiritually dry.

To me it seems like that can last for a day, a week or a month at various times. Now, honestly my time as "toast" has been less and less and fewer and further between. But, last week I felt toast-y and there wasn't a particular reason for it. I just had a hard time keeping the Vision before my eyes. I desire to be spirit led all the time but last week I felt tugged in different directions.

Thank God for my husband! I pulled on him, and he helped me keep the Vision in front of my eyes, and keep me walking straight. He really boosted and exhorted me.

Look to those who are nearest to you in times of spiritual struggles to give you a boost of spiritual energy and exhortation. They're often following orders from God to make sure you lack for no good thing, including knowing that He loves you.

Keeping your eyes on the prize.

2009-04-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

If nothing else, above all else,
Give me Jesus.
Give me the one that my heart loves.

My husband was teasing me the other day about how I love him... he said "You love Jesus in the Orville wrapper." :D Cute, and true. I love him so much more when he is spirit led! Wow, I do love Jesus :) Sometimes it can be hard to remember that when we're in the middle of a trial or a personal struggle in life. Everything "outside" can be going swell, but inside you can feel such turmoil - this is when the Lord says:
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

Thank you Jesus for all that you've done for me!

Faith to fly!

2009-03-29T15:06:00.001-07:00

This is part of the Vision we have received from the Lord. We are contemplating which plane God desires us to have first, but this is one that we like well enough. God will provide for us to use this in the ministry.

We have done as the Bible commands in Habakkuk 2:2 where it says "Then the Lord answered me and said: 'Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'"

We are ready to move ahead in our dream, we have written it down and we desire to move forward in the Vision and destiny that God has for us. The ultimate goal is to live a life of Love that will be a LIVING WITNESS to people around us. Those who have known us for years, and those who meet us.

Playing in the Sand

2009-03-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

Isn't God Awesome?

We have brothers and sisters in Christ who are talented, willing and able to do things like this! So cool!

Word of the Lord

2009-03-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

This was the scripture that I received from the Lord when I was praying yesterday morning, and it was the same one that I recieved today. He wants me to wait upon him, rest, and renew. I have been sitting at home and listening to some of the greatest music on my myspace playlist.

What a good God we have! He loves us, redeems us, forgives us... He sees us as we see our little children, only in a much stronger way. I am so in love with Him!

Learning to Blog

2009-03-26T17:24:00.001-07:00

I'm in the process of learning to blog, but I wanted to do it in the right attitude and with the right spirit. You won't find a bunch of trash talk but it will be more than just a journal blog. There are things that I'd like to be able to share with others in a forum that is more appealing than a myspace blog. Hence, the creation of the site you're on now.