{dId ThEy KnOw JeSuS}

There will likely be many out there that will post this evening about the high profile deaths that took place today. I don't care. I need to do it anyway. I have been affected.

Affected? How you might ask. I'll tell you.

First, and most obviously...I am a mercy. It's how God has wired me and it effects everything in my life. I mean, when I was a child I used to make my mom pull over and let us say some words of respect for the prairie dog that someone hit with their car?! And then God gave me this ministry! Seriously God? WOW! being a mercy may be the precise reason He gave it to me though. I very much can feel others hurts.

A post or two ago I embedded a video clip. A clip that my very good, and Godly friend sent me. She told me of how much it opened her eyes to her own walk, and the tinges of "lukewarmness" in her own life. When I first heard it, I was rocked! It isn't easy to hear. (Which I am pretty sure is a huge reason why the comment section was silent. Not that I have a slew of "followers". It's fine that I don't. I do this blog for me and the few I might be helping. I'm not trying to win a popularity contest or anything.) It always hurts to hear that we might be walking in a less then "disciple" manner before our Lord. But it is intensely wise to examine our walk frequently and clean out parasites and wrong thinking.

So as this message sank in, it hurt no less. That in accompaniment with the book I mentioned by Chan, here , that I am reading, God has been really forcing me to reevaluate what a "Christian" looks like. That title is so thoughtlessly thrown around anymore.

We are called to be aliens.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. Eph. 2:19-20

We are said to be in the world. But not of it.

But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. 3:20

If people were to be honest about how it is you "look" in this place, what would they say about you? Do you look different then everyone else? Or do you fit in? And I am wondering more about those in your sphere of influence that aren't saved. Their opinion will be far less bias, likely.

As I saw the news flash before my eyes this afternoon I was struck in speechless shock as the words unfolded with:

MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD AT 50

All I could think of was: Did he know Jesus?

Then moments later, in that same state of shock:

FARRAH FAWCETT LOST HER BATTLE WITH CANCER TODAY

All I could think of was: Did she know Jesus?

Again...I do not "know" these people, obviously.

But my God does!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He knows them and loves them. He was there with them before they were ever conceived or ever idled by us fellow humans.

God is moving you guys! He is moving and He wants us to move!

Move out of our comfort zones. Talk to people about our testimony even when it seems like a preposterous moment to do so.

Move from what we know to what we don't know.

Move from what others expect, to what God CAN do.

Move from the obvious, to the thing that takes faith to get there!

Move! Move where He is calling you to go! It isn't always going to make sense!

But what doesn't make sense here, will there!

Sharing Jesus with people that do not know Him will behoove them greatly here, and certainly in the after life. When they are on their death bed, if they get one, as Farrah Fawcett did. Or for those that may not get a death bed, like Michael Jackson. Jesus died for all!

No day is promised.

Share Him with urgency.

Love Him with urgency.

JESUS IS ON HIS THRONE,

AND HE IS COMING SOON!

LET'S GET READY!

{fAtHeR's DaY}

This Father's Day was likely difficult for many. The Greatest Blessing wanted to reach out and acknowledge the men out there that have had the same heart ache as many of us ladies. Men handle it so differently. Each of the father's that have crossed this path received this card. My dear friend, Amanda made them. (Thank U for being patient with me & my "visions" lady. :) My prayer is that, although small, it was a reminder to these men to trust their heavenly Father-

the best daddy in the world.

Inside reads:

The Greatest Blessing would like to wish you a happy Father's Day. Although you have a child living in Heaven, you are no less their daddy! Until you meet again....

________________________________________________

On a personal note, my husband, the father of my 3 babies received this gift from us...
Macsen looks just like his daddy......

Happy Father's Day

{tHe FiRe}

Scroll to bottom and mute Playlist. Hit play and then a few seconds after hit pause. Let the stream catch up a bit then hit play.
Welcome to conviction!

{wArFaRe}

I am in full fledged spiritual warfare. Imploring God for discernment, break through, vision and strength. Satan has a hold that has been bought by a certain event on Calvary, as I recall, however?!

Please be praying the blood of Christ over Michael Gebhardt. His son that He loves so much and has plans and purposes for. He is struggling with knowing God's voice and seeing His best for him.

Marriage is under attack, and mine is being laser focused on.

Please pray for me to have diligence and perseverance that is nothing short of super natural. God is moving and therefore, so is His nemesis.

We have the victory!

{cOmFoRt}

If most of us were really honest, could we truly say that everyday, and in all things that we are really surrendering to Christ? Not just with the obvious things like swearing, lusting, selfishness, etc....But with maybe the things that aren't as "obvious". For example....not leaning on food for our comfort, throwing away the Xanax bottle and really committing to fully allowing Jesus to be ALL that we need?! Not pouring that glass of wine to relax, but instead committing yourself to Him. Praying in every moment of stress or frustration. Taking a walk instead of popping a pill. Dancing like a crazy person in the living room to a loud worship song..... not sitting in front of the boob tube with a vat of potato chips and a side of ice cream.


I am certain that this will sting many who read it, and that's fine. It is stinging me as I type it. That is precisely why I am doing it! So welcome to the club.


Now certainly there is a place for antidepressants and mood stabilizers for seasons in our life or genetic issues out of our control. Also we have been given things that are meant to be enjoyed and used to make life richer....but if we are going to something in first place over Him when we are hurting or stressed....guess what? That is called idolatry!

Gulp!

I don't want to rely on anything, anyone, no plate of food, any bottle, any prescription drug, or and shopping high to comfort me. All I want is Jesus to comfort me. What does He say in the word? Cast all your anxiety upon me. ? That isn't as simple to do as it might sound. It isn't for me. I feel like if I am not doing one, I'm doing another. And of course Christians are not immune from placing judgement and labeling people in there own little "comfort zones". But truth be told....we all have a great deal of room for growth in this arena! In fact, in my experience, Christians can often be the first to attack and cannibalize their own! Ignorant to what a brother or sister is contending with in the spiritual realm. Because make no mistake....we are all in a spiritual warfare. Some are just under more intense and relentless attack!

I am praying for the Lord Jesus to be gentle and yet swift in healing this in my life, and in yours. When my son died, the level of awareness in this topic went to all new heights. What I honestly used to witness in others I would make judgements about. Now that I am standing in these shoes- I better understand why and how you end up there. But it doesn't mean we have to stay there. His death was the blow in my life that leveled it all and brought me to the reality of FLESH and just how stupid and destructive it is. It wants to have all the glory and it is trying to put us all in a plot of dirt!

He died that we would have life! And have it to the full!

Full of Him. Nothing more, and certainly....nothing less.

JESUS....DO YOUR THING!

{mAgNiFiCeNt}

Does anyone else out there marvel regularly at the wonder of our God? The sunset He paints in the sky or the very unique way He has created all of us? Each of our sweet children? I sure do... and am constantly reminded by something new and fresh that takes my breathe away everyday, yet again.

I am a part of a group of ladies at my church that is diving into a
new book that celebrates that (at least so far) called Crazy Love : Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan. It is wildly good and I am just having to pace myself in reading it all too fast. With each statement that is said, and every point that he is making I am finding myself just concurring (outl oud...I talk to myself a lot....it's a habit I have had since I was little)) with him over and over. "Yes!", "Exactly!", "Totally!" This is what I keep catching myself saying! It's kind of fun to come across a person or author or anything that you feel like in not so many words, or maybe just different ones, that you are completely on the same page with them. Well this book, and this guy, are totally like that for me! It really is a powerful read thus far. I will keep you posted as I go.

I've been so small in my thinking of God. I mean I do know that God had given me the gift of faith, but life has taken blows at that faith. At Him too. But at the same time I feel Him as bigger then ever before in my life. He is so big and mighty and at work in so many ways, it is IMPOSSIBLE to put it into words. we can spend our entire lives studying Him, loving Him, and seeking Him, and only barely scratch the surface.

Anyone that reads my thoughts knows that you can't go far into knowing me without music becoming an intracle part of explaining where I am or who I am. It is my voice when i am without speech. (That doesn't happen often, but when it does I can turn right to it!) This is a song I discovered way into it's existence. what can i say....I am a bit slow. It is awesome in it's presence, position, and MAGNIFICATION of the love of my life. My God. Take some time to worship the ONLY One worthy! All I want to do is dance when I hear it!

Jesus....You are MAGNIFICENT!

{sHaCkLeS aNd ChAiNs}

Without a doubt summer is here and with it comes HOT! Not my favorite thing in the world, mind you. Being hot, I mean. I like warm sun on my face and occasional swims and frolicking in the rays from time to time, but on an in and out basis, hot is just HOT to me. Not so much a fan.

But there is something I want to be HOT over. I want to be ON FIRE HOT for Jesus! Hot for Him sounds good to me!

In the past year I was under the impression that I was just hurting and eeking through it without a great deal of gain, outside of really knowing that the Lord was with me through it all. And yes, that is definitely something to note, I certainly do not want to come off as ungrateful about that, I so am. But I have just recently also looked back on the past year and seen just how much God has been doing in a way that I never noticed before. Just how much He was doing in and around ME. By that I mean, that through all of the tragedy that I have needed to endure this year, I have let go of strength in Him that has been mine, free of cost and relied on my own feeble ideas of coping, strength, comfort etc. And inspight of stupid choices and fearing trusting Him fully, He has used it to teach me and hopefully grow me more in Him.

In my 20's I boldly professed my faith and then proceeded to waltz around in this world, very much of this world, and making zero quality witness as to what Jesus can and is doing for me and my life. I melded in with everybody else. I wasn't hot or cold. I somehow didn't really know any better. There was no descipling done in my life and it was just good enough to get me in the door! But somewhere along the way, and most certainly after I became a mommy at 27, I had a real road to Damascus moment with God that opened my spiritual eyes forever. It was then that my flesh nature and all the sin that I had committed became neon real to me and it broke my heart. So much so that I repented and sought after God like never before in my life. My sin is what killed Jesus.

But with disappointment after disappointment and tragedy after tragedy, something within my faith world began to darken. And with it darkened my resolve, my heart, and my hope. Soon I was face to face with that flesh nature and all of it's weaknesses. It was whispering to me louder and with much more tenacity then I ever remembered before. It didn't take long to figure out, thank God, that this flesh nature wants me dead.

We all have different "apples". Something that calls to us from the sidelines/garden. It could be drugs, alcohol, sexual temptation, food, power, money, etc. We each have something that wants nothing more then to trip us up and get us off the track to run the race that we have been called to. As my very good friend so poignantly put it as she was describing herself, "I am convinced that my flesh is trying to put me into an early grave!" YOU'RE DARN RIGHT IT IS! (It's in cahoots with Lucifer, you know.lol) All kidding aside, we are being stalked and Satan's goal is to take us out of the race. The very race that grows us to mature spiritually, and gains God much fame and glory! And if Satan can't kill us, he's happy to push us until we kill ourselves somehow!

I am challenging myself lately to constantly be reminded of the place that I have been saved from. The dark pit that was my dwelling place for far too long. Do you remember yours? It's not to condemn ourselves, or feel sorry for ourselves, but instead to help keep us in a place of shere gratitude for the gift of salvation we have been given. Thank you Jesus for saving me from myself! My prayer is that we, you and I, will be mindful of the shackles and chains that we have had removed at the very costly price of a sinless King that loved us so much....He died for us.

HE DIED FOR YOU.

Remember the chains. No need to pick them up again, just....

Run to the cross!