Where do I begin: How Blessed are you?

Where do I begin: How Blessed are you?: Have you ever just stopped and thought of how blessed you are????   I mean really stop and think for a minute of all the blessings in your l...

How Blessed are you?

Have you ever just stopped and thought of how blessed you are????   I mean really stop and think for a minute of all the blessings in your life. You maybe reading this and thinking Jo how can you ask me that?  I am going through hell at the moment..my finances are a mess...my marriage is mess....my life at this moment is a mess how can you ask me to find the blessings right now?   Last week I was blessed with the opportunity to teach the middle school aged kids at church.  I asked them if they knew of the young girl who had been shot because she was protesting for the rights of other young girls and women to have more rights. She was 14!  A 14 year old who the courage and determination to protest!  What an amazing young women...and to be shot in the head by the very men wanting to keep the young girls and women of her country oppressed.   In America we don't have to protest for the right to learn how to read or the right to get an education....all though we still have a gap in income earned between men and women we still have a right to an education, to vote, to have a job to be a stay at home mom.   We are blessed!  Our girls can get onto the bus and freely attend public school and learn. They are encouraged to excel and to be all they can be.   We are blessed!  I think of other ways we are also blessed...we are free to worship God!  We are free to be open about our beliefs!  This is not so in some countries.   We are Blessed!   We are able to go to the grocery store and shop and our food is there...anything we need or want...it is there.  If you don't have money there are ways to have whatever your need is met.   WE are Blessed!  If you stop and think about all the ways we are blessed today we can look at the circumstances we maybe in and say it could be worse.   When life seems to be falling apart stop and think of the mother in the Darfur region....she is sitting holding her baby who is starving to death because she is unable to nurse for lack of food and water for herself...she sits fanning the flies from her child.   Think of the children and families in the Uganda nation.   They have nothing....to send one child to school is an entire year of wages....most families are unable to afford to  send one child to school....there is very little food, children and adults have no shoes and the are infested with these little parasites that live in soil and sand, they like nothing more than burrowing head first into the skin of warm blooded hosts.  They have to be dug out and cause sores on the bottom of the feet.  It is very sad.  Read the Kisses from Kate....it will make you realize just how bless we are and what an over abundance we have.   You don't have to travel outside the U.S.  to find poverty or people without.  There are people right now who are living from shelter to shelter. Families who are living in their car....losing their homes because of financial difficulties.  I am writing this because I often see so many who are unhappy and think life is so bad....when really they are overly blessed but because of lack of continent and blinded eyes they can't see past their problems or needs. I say stop looking at all the negatives.  Open your eyes and see life in different perspective.  Two books I recommend everyone to read is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis.  They will truly touch your heart and let you see life in a much different perspective.   Today my eyes are open and I thank God for every blessing He has given. I don't want to take one moment of this life that has been given to me for granted I want to live and really fully live.   I will not let my circumstances or people rob me of my blessings of Life....I will openly embrace this season of life I am in...I will give God thanks for all He is doing and will be doing in my life...in bad times or good times I will bless the Lord!!!!
Find your blessing today....take a deep breath and say I am Blessed!  Smile and embrace all of what today has for you :D

Not the Trophy Wife

I am in the bathroom this morning trying to get this beautiful mess that I call hair up so I can do my errands this morning when I stop and I look at myself in the mirror.   I smile...and I say to myself Jo you have come a long way.   I have a few wrinkles...my hair is graying (just a little)but I see someone who has over come so many obstacles,failures,let downs,hurt and so much more. and as I am staring at the mirror I have a memory of something that was once said to me....."you are not trophy wife material" I remember thinking to myself wow....there must be something very wrong with me.   I am not good enough nor worthy enough because I am not trophy wife material.  This was what I was told of why a certain person could not date me....I just was not good enough.  I was not educated enough, well rounded enough, did not come from the right background and just would not fit in the circle of people that would be required of me.   Can I just go ahead and say it now...PRAISE THE LORD!  At first I let this sit in my spirit and I let this tell me that I was just worth nothing...and no one could ever love me because well I simply was not good enough....now looking at myself in the mirror I begin to smile....I am so thankful that I am not "Trophy Wife" material but I am worthy of love, I am somebody and yes there is someone who loves me....I don't want someone to want me just because of my background,education or because I am well rounded.   If someone only loves me for those reasons that is not love, that is superficial and I want way more then a superficial relationship.  If you are a young girl or a women please do not settle...do not feel you have to be someone your not for someone to love you. Know who you are and do not be conformed or molded into someone that someone else wants you to be.  If someone really loves and cares about you....they are going to love all of you...your past, your background and anything that makes you...you.   I look at my relationship with God and I smile with great joy in my heart.  Had I settled and only wanted to be the "trophy wife" I would not have the relationship with God that I do.  I would be busy jumping through hoops making sure I was living the perfect life to please a person who superficially loved me.  I am here today in a relationship with a man that treats me with 100% respect, he honors me, loves me and cherishes me....and loves me for me.   I am so glad that I did not settle.....I have a relationship that is meaningful and full of life and he loves me because I am not perfect...he loves me for me.  Life is short....live life to the fullest...don't worry about being perfect...there is only person who has lived that was ever perfect and that was Jesus.  I want to model myself after him not what some man thinks I should be.....Be blessed and love yourself...because if you can't love yourself how can you love thy neighbor.....

Blessings on this beautiful October morning:D

Standing Still

Still need works...but are we not all a work in progress

Over the last few days I have stood and I have waited...In the Heat with sweat pouring off of me. I was waiting for an opportunity to present its self..... but after standing and waiting for hours,days....and hundreds of shots later I learned I  had done everything wrong....This happened over and over and over.  Each time I had to wait a little longer, be still a little longer and watch even longer.  I really thought I had everything just right only to realize I had to go back to the drawing board and start all over again.  In my waiting I started to get distracted...and....I miss the opportunity that was presented to me.  So many times in life this happens....we seek God for a specific thing and we wait and it seems the answers and not coming...we become distracted, impatient or make decisions out of our emotions or frustrations.   So many times we want something and we say we are waiting upon the Lord...we are waiting for the confirmation of what  His direction is and we blow it.I had to wait hours and days standing in the South Georgia heat with sweat pouring from me to just get a shot of a humming bird.  I waited for an entire hour just for a chance to get a shot.   In this time of waiting and being still I really felt God speak to my spirit.....We have to endure sometimes unbearable conditions and situations but if we are willing to wait for God to move He will move in ways we cannot even begin to Phaethon or understand.   We must learn that sometimes we may have to wait not just a day or a week...but we may have to wait for months even years before we understand what it is God is wanting us to know.   Are you willing to wait upon the Lord?  Are you willing to stand and endure the uncomfortable conditions and situations for God to move on your behalf?  Perhaps God was answering us but we were so distracted in what we wanted or what we thought that we missed Him completely...maybe what would have been a few weeks turned in a few years simply because we refused to wait upon Him.   How many times have we made the will of God for our lives rather then  letting God reveal His plan to us.   I got that T-shirt I don't know about you.   All of this from standing in the Hot South Georgia heat with the Gnats and fire ants to get a picture of a humming bird that is extremely camera shy.   In all this waiting, being still and watching I learned a couple things....1) Where the hiding places were....the places the bird would retreat to...2) How intensely he watched me  3) That every time I thought I had something mastered I was shown how very wrong I was....I had to reset and make changes to my settings. I must learn where those hiding places are in God.....I must accept that He fully loves me and watches my every move,...I have to learn to reset my settings in life to God's settings....Whatever His will is for my life I must adjust and reset for whatever it is that Gods settings are for my life.  I also understand that I will have to reset and adjust many times over the span of my life.   Lord let me be moldable to your settings....Not my will but your will oh God.

The hiding place.
near the top of a pine tree

perfect opportunity
but wrong settings

Why stress about that

So the other day I was talking with my very wise Uncle Jeff...I love him and his wisdom.  We happened to be talking about me stressing out....and he said something that was so simple yet so profound to me.   See I stress if I am even going to be 5 minutes late....I can't stand to be somewhere and not be on time....I would rather be one hour early then even think of being late.....I worry and stress about things not being perfect....I drive my own self crazy trying to do things just right and being on time.....but you know what....My uncle said Jo is it going to be something you will remember in 5 years?   and I thought about that....and I was like you know your right....half the stuff I am worrying and stressing over it is not going to matter.  More then likely I will not even remember any of this stuff a year from now. .   So now when I begin to feel stressed....I ask myself...is this going to matter in 5 years or am even going to remember this in 5 years. I don't stress out near as much...and I have a very thankful husband and family. So many have tried to tell me this very thing my uncle did...but I was able to finally  receive it.

    I found these scriptures.......and thought I would share:

(“inward parts are in turmoil and never still”, just like Job (Job 30:27)  Now does that not apply to me or what?


John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.



Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace(OK this one for me was like WOW...how true is this....me stressing out is simply my flesh...Ouch)



Philippians 4:6,7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.



1 Peter 5:6,7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.



Jeremiah 17:7,8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
(OK that scripture totally reminds me of my husband...I never see that man stress about anything....he stays calm and unmoved at all times!)





Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

“True leadership is tested and proved in crises. The real leader is the one who can handle the stress. He is the one who can solve the problems, bear the burdens, find the solutions, and win the victories when everyone else is merely flustered, confounded, and perplexed.”  ~ John MacArthur

I guess I have been a lot like Martha....Anxious and troubled about many things....but I no longer what to be that stressed out emotional person I have been in the past but more grounded and stable....and know I cannot control every situation...there are times I am going to be late...and not everything I do is going to be perfect...but as long as whatever I am doing I am doing unto the Lord and He is pleased that is all that matters.   

Be blessed today and I pray if you have been like me and stress and worry....put it all in the hands of God.  He does not want us to be anxious or troubled and he does not want us in turmoil.  He wants us to have a life of abundance...not full of stress and anxiety.

Thankful

I woke up this morning....Thank God I woke up!!!  it started off kind of rough for me.   I have been battling some health issues for sometime now and I just got some answers to what it is I am battling.    This morning though.....was a morning of tears....I was not feeling well....my head was hurting...my eyes were extra sensitive. I could just go on and on.   If you open my cabinet I think I could start a drug store with all the medication I am on.  I remember saying I never want to be one that has to take any medication...but this is my life...the life God has given me.   Everyday I will thank Him and give Him praise!  No matter how I am feeling...no matter what I feel like I am going to lift my hands and my voice and give Him praise!   God has been so good to me!  The blessings are so many that I don't think I can even begin to count them!  I am blessed with a wonderful husband who loves and adores me....He is everything I could want or ask for!  My children are healthy and thriving:D  I still have both my parents....two wonderful brothers and the best sister in the world.    So no matter what the report from the doctors say I know my God will sustain me and Keep me!  There is nothing that God cannot handle!  I am having faith that what I have will not get any worse! I will say this....since finding out what I have it has given much more compassion for anyone who has a illness or battles PTSD.   Sometimes you can look at someone and they look physically fine....but you cannot see the pain or hurt on the inside.  How many times has someone rolled their eyes at someone because they could not see what was wrong or because they simply did not understand what that person was feeling.   Oh how I know this.   I look physically fine....but what I am battling is on the inside of my body.  So many times I have said to my husband if you could only be in my body and feel what I feel....and as I was putting up the laundry the other day I started to think of people who have battled depression, PTSD or just hurt from Life.  How many times have they just needed a little compassion and it was not given?   I can now identify with them.   I am sure people thought she is fine...she just needs to realize that and get over it.   Sometimes we tell people who are going through issues or problems...maybe even dealing with health issues...just get over it. However its not that simple. So now I pray different..... Lord Reveal to those who are hurt your love...if you put them in my path speak through me God the words they need to hear.....I pray for more compassion and understanding.    So next time you see someone that is hurting or is battling health issues...even if you can't see what is going on with them on the outside...they are battling on the inside....Pray for them....and if they are like me and having to go from doctor to doctor......and have test after test....say a extra prayer for them...pray God allows the doctors to find and give the right diagnosis...give extra encouragement.....and remember just because you can't see things does not mean that someone is not battling on the inside! 


So today I simply count the blessings I have all ready been given!  I look forward to counting many more blessings tomorrow...and the next day...and the next day:D  Be blessed today and walk with more compassion and love then you had yesterday.

Photo Book

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Let my words of my mouth be........

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Words...How many times have we heard the Pastor, Evangelist, Pastors wife or Bible study teacher give us a word from God on our words and the conversations that comes out of our mouth?  How many times have we dismissed what we are saying and found ways to  justify why  we are "venting" or because we need to just get things off our chest.....How many times do we share things we should have never have spoken because it was spoken to us in confidence?  Are any of us not guilty of doing this?  How many of us have hurt someone with our words or conversation?  I think anyone reading this will agree at some point in our life we have let someone down and broken that trust that was given to us when they bared their heart and soul...maybe it was fleeting thoughts that was shared...maybe something they were struggling.  " Oh its ok if I share this with so and so because I know they are close and will not mind".  How many of us have done this.   I will admit I am guilty.   I have done this and I have hurt others because of my mouth...because I did not bridle my tongue.   Because I let my mouth do the talking....I was like a babbling brook just running my mouth with chatter and without thought or sensitivity and not stopping to think of the consequences of my words or conversations...See the words and conversations they will have an effect on others...first the person I am telling things too...and the one the conversation is about.  I will tell you God has and is dealing with me on these things!  I have wept and I have cried and repented.  I do not want to be a babbling brook that just runs...I want to be a fountain of life!  I do not want to kill anyone with my words or be a part of any conversation that is not uplifting someone or encouraging. If someone comes to me they need to know they can trust me......Oh how  I pray that my words are acceptable in the sight of God!!!  We say things and think no one will ever know I have said this or shared this...but we do serve a all knowing God who knows all, sees all and hears all...He is in everyplace, every conversation and everything we do.  But we serve a merciful God who will give us warnings..first warning is the conviction we feel in our hearts or maybe he will allow the Pastor  on Sunday to give us a word about our conversations and what is coming out of our mouths..God will remind us of what His word says about what He says is acceptable words and conversation...yet we casually brush it off....we will still find ways of justifying what we are saying...If you are still reading this...and are still with me....Let me remind you of what God has reminded me....there is no justification for gossip...there is never ever a justification for our wrongs....if continue to ignore what God has told us He will let us reap the consequences of our choices and behavior.  We will reap what we have sown.  I know this first hand!  Maybe it will be the loss of a friendship you hold dear to your heart...maybe its the respect and trust of the people you are trying to reach....but if we have the right spirit...we repent and let God put us in the fiery furnace....let him purge from us the spirit of gossip or negative thinking..If we allow him to  purge us form whatever it is that has a hold of us and allow Him to do a work...He will renew us He will show us what is hidden in our hearts.  But are we are willing to commit ourselves fully to Him and Say ok God no matter the cost...no matter how embarrassing it maybe for me... no matter what it takes God cleanse me!!!!!!   In order to have what comes out of mouth controlled by God, My life must be controlled by God.  I must allow Him to fill me completely in every part of my heart! Not just a small corner of my heart...but my whole heart!   I am  His and He wants me(us) to radiate Him!  When?  Continually...at all times!  He wants and needs to be the God in not just me but in all of us, He wants a  vital, deep, consuming place in our lives!  Not just a little but all!  "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"(Matthew 12:34)  What is in our hearts?  Search me oh Lord...show me oh God what is in my heart....then Lord cleanse me!!!!!  I want to speak life not death...I want to uplift someone not bring them down...I want to encourage others to go deeper in you Lord not further.  With God's help I will be a fountain of life to someone...they will feel refreshed, encouraged and uplifted! Why not because of me but Because of God!!!!  He has control....He is what is in my heart...He will be the one speaking through me......... "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, My Rock and my Redeemer"(Psalm 19:14)

Lord, teach me what it means to have the mouth of the righteous. I want my tongue and my words to bring you glory all the days of my life!  

And with all that is written...I am thankful for His abundance of mercy...His forgiveness...and for the blood that covers all my sins!  I am thankful to know that His mercy and grace are with me...and that there is nothing He will not forgive me for....and there is never a time He will ever leave me or forsake me......

God bless!!!  And be a fountain of Life today!!!!!  Bring someone a word of encouragement.....and let the God of Glory minister through you today!!!

Unless we talk to Him....He can't help us!

Ever have those mornings where the kids are fighting.....arguing.....and complaining?   Today was the second day of  "these mornings" for me.   I sat down on the couch closed my eyes....held my head in my hand.   I was praying in my head.....God I feel so tired....drained and frustrated.    I just don't understand why they must fight and argue with each other.....it was at that moment I felt God....he pricked my heart.....I heard Him say...me too....why must people do the same.....I was quite....I then said....God I feel so under appreciated....I do everything in power to make sure they feel loved and cared for....again I felt God's presence and He said....me too......I felt pricked in my heart.   It was at this moment my twins were standing in front of me....tears streaming down their faces.   I began to talk with them....more tears coming down...I dismissed Andrea to finish getting ready for school....I had a few moments with Allison....she has been the one to give me the most trouble lately....I said Allison is anything going on?  She said no....I said baby girl unless you talk to me....I can't help you.   Then at that very moment.....I felt God even stronger.....as I was speaking to Allison God was speaking through me and to me.   Unless we talk to God and tell him know how we are feeling He cannot help us.   It was in my moment of being a parent that God was speaking to me.   Even as something as simple as my son asking me...mom are these socks to small....I said they look OK....Josh says....look at this....with a raised eyebrow I say Josh if you know they are to small why did you ask me if they are to small?   I chuckle inside again....how many times do we do this very thing to God?   We ask God a question and we all ready know what the answer is...yet we ask Him.....the Joys of being a mother and a parent....and this morning....as I was being that parent God was speaking to my heart!   And what did I learn?   That if I don't communicate with God...(Prayer life)  He can't help me....even though he all ready knows my needs, wants and desires...even though he sees the areas I struggle in....He can't help me unless I communicate with him...unless I let him in and let him help me.   I learned that no matter how tired or frustrated or under appreciated I feel.....I am only feeling and understanding what God himself has gone through and goes through daily.   So thankful for the last two mornings....so thankful my kids were fussing and arguing.....it opened a door for God to minister to my heart...to let me know just how much He understands the very things I am going through....the very struggles I face.  I feel so loved and thankful this morning....for He took the time to let me know this morning just how much He loves and adores me.   He comforted me and let me know just how much he understands what I am going through...even if it is just being frustrated with being a mom.  

Jhn 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. Jhn 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

It's a New Day!!!!

It's a new day!!  I am so thankful to God this morning....He woke me up this morning at 4:42......and I am so glad he did!   I have prayed this morning and I can't stop thinking of how very blessed I am.   I am given another chance...another day....my opportunities are endless....the sky is the limit on what this day and other days hold.  I keep thinking about what so many people are going through right now at this very moment....I have a friend Jennifer she is recovering from have cancer....she was pregnant when she was given the news that she had cancer....they wanted her to abort the baby....she refused...and she had to fight every step of the way for that baby and her!  She is one of the most upbeat people you want to meet!  Such in inspiration!  Her life has not been a bed of roses but when you meet her she always has a smile and laughing.....she inspires me in so many ways!  Oh and you should see that baby....she is beautiful!    Oh and I may mention that she is cancer free!!!  Praise God!  She is taking a few rounds of radiation but should be done with that soon!  Then there is Amy....such a beautiful women of God...she expecting baby number 10....and battling a few things in her body!   She too is upbeat...does not complain when the rheumatoid arthritis flares up.....not many people can handle having one child let alone 9.....she is one of those that can.....her and husband make such a fantastic team!  Still I pray for her....I pray that by His stripes she is healed.....my brother is battling lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis....as I write this the tears are coming.  My brother who I am the same age with for 11 days in December is now crippled looking...he has to walk with a cane...and some days cannot even get out of the bed....how my heart aches for him.    How my heart aches.   My dear friend Diane Sistrunk....just lost her husband.....talk about a wonderful man of God....so upbeat...so kind and full of love!  Now she is without him....she is raising there beautiful little girl that God blessed them with.....how my heart aches for her.....but she is strong...she knows God in a way most may never understand...God is her strength and strong tower...He is her provider!  There is nothing she will have to want for....for she is blessed and highly favored!  I do wish I could see her and hug her neck...give her my love but I can't so I pray....and I am sure prayer is what she needs more then ever right now. I have so many others on my heart this morning.....but today is a new day...I can start over....do something new...run....well I can try and run....lol....I can open the curtains and welcome this new day this new wonderful day in with all its glories it brings.   I can chose this day to see things in a positive light to not dwell in the past....to only move forward....take all my mistakes and short comings and apply what I have learned.   I can allow God to use those things to help propel me further in kingdom!  I don't have to be who or what I was yesterday!!!  Today I chose life....I chose to live in a way a didn't live yesterday.....I chose today to be more...to cherish more to love more.   I pray not to take for granted one moment of this wonderful life I have been blessed with....but I pray to use it for His glory.....I can hear Brother Sistrunk shouting and rejoicing.....he has made it to a place we are all striving to go.....he has a new body....my prayers are with my dear sister in Christ as she continues to do the work God has called her to do with out her soul mate and best friend.    I will continue to pray for Amy and healing in her body...and for my brother.   I don't always understand  they why's of life but I have learned to trust.   I pray that today who ever reads this blog will just take today and look at it as the gift that it is....show extra kindness...take a moment to just slow down and find God in the moment of right now....slow down and just let the sun shine on your face....find the beauty in this moment....listen a little longer to the bird singing his song....laugh harder and love deeper today then you did yesterday.   Do something special for the kids....let them be little one more day God....let me hug them a little tighter....God teach me to slow down and not always be in such a rush I miss the little blessings you have for me...your gifts.   Teach me your ways today oh God!  Yes....today is a new day....if you can.... live it!   Cherish it.....for none of us are promised tomorrow.....but we have today!!!!!   Blessings!