I am one who has witnessed answered prayer. I have watched God at work in my life and other's lives for many years. It is something that I love every time I know it to be true.

Today, I prayed a prayer: Awesome Father, we want to ask you why? So, I'm going to ask you, Why? I don't understand your love language, but I trust your plan. I don't understand the pain, but I feel your healing hand. I don't understand the test, but I trust your answer. God, we lift ????? to you as we have done for so long, for earthly healing. I know they have eternal joy headed their way, we, as Believers all do, but God, I want them to proclaim your healing power in this journey while on earth. It may seem selfish, I'll claim selfish, and I'm seeking your power to ZAP cancer out of their body. Continue to use them in this ministry song. Give their family the strength and hope that only comes through Jesus Christ, your love song to us. In His name, I pray and lift ????? to you. Amen

After I had typed out this prayer, I sat down to read a book I have recently started. In reading about Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, God spoke clearly my answer.

The messenger found Jesus there and conveyed the news about the illness.

When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death." John 11:4

Only our God who knows the future could offer such hope.

The story would end well, as His would in a few days.

Jesus was assuring His people that God the Father would be with them through the painful days. In this life and all its difficulties, he will make the journey worthwhile.

"No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:4

It is deeply comforting to know that sickness, even death, is purposeful.

We, the followers of Jesus, know that our momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

What they clung to and what we must cling to, as well, is the Lord's immeasurable and unconditional love.

God's love for us is not a one-time thing but an all-time thing.

We are a chosen love of Jesus. He has made an eternal investment in His relationship with us.

His friendship is deeper, closer and more tender still, in which all believers share.

His love is our lifeline.

In our darkest moments, when we cry out to God and wonder if he is listening. He often whispers, Wait. It is a hard word to hear, but comforting, too, in that it means that He is there with us. He has the plan even if it isn't what we might envision. He is with us. We must trust. We must feel His presence. We must know that we are being used in His plan to glorify Jesus.

Right there in just a few pages was my answer to why. A simple reminder.

Fresh Find: (The Women of Easter by Liz Curtis Higgs excerpts used above) Here is the book.

I'm telling ya; I'm in a place where I'm struggling. I'm broken. Jesus is carrying me. He is pushing me, loving me, encouraging me through so many that are divinely crossing my path. It is all good. I'm hanging on. Don't think that you are not being used. Your little light just might be the flame that kindles another's heart.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.  Luke 12:34-36

I think if I could say one thing about our world right now it would be, unfocused. We are unfocused on what matters. If our focus is where it needs to be then, we see the Light. We know the direction of travel. We may not have the answers, but we know who does. We must find ourselves in prayer more than not. We must trust that what we know IS TRUE!

I'm broken, yes. I'm broken for what it is that God wants me to do. It is not easy standing up and saying this is what I believe, to get shot down over and over. Is this persecution? Are we the persecutor? Or, are we focused on Holy things?

Today, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my wrong in a situation (had nothing to do with Facebook or opinions). I have to work exceptionally hard to be who God wants me to be. For some, it comes so easy. Not for me. So, today, I messed up. He told me so. It is all okay now, and there is peace. My focus was off. It is not now.

I'm not sure how people are functioning with all of the ugly posts and opinions on social media and the news, but I know for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

In loving the Lord, there are ways of living. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1

In order to be imitators of God, we must first know him and who he is.

I decided early on in the political season that I was not going to set out to say things to lose my faith encouragement to others. This is still my goal. To fulfil it I must be still and listen...to God.

We are to pray for all in authority. This is what is required of us. This is what I will do. 

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior... 1 Timothy 2:1-3

If we find ourselves discouraged, fearful, angry, or any emotion that is not filling us with good, then we are not focused on the Father.

I saw this little quote and thought, wow, duh, okay!

Staying focused on the Father allows for unfathomable fellowship! 

Fresh Find: Nice "FOCUS" bracelet!

22 years ago on a Sunday, like today, we were at church, I was actually in a pre-school room and I'll never forget when Robert Black came and told me that my Mother needed me, that something had happened to my dad.

I immediately left. Fortunately, Clinton and I were in separate cars because he was teaching Sunday School, too, and had to get the kids together.

I remember driving down Columbia Street to Southwest Third before it was the SW 3rd we know today. At that point, my emotions took over, and it took me a little bit to get unlost and get to their house on Irene Street.

When I got to my parent's house, the coroner was there. My dad was covered with a sheet on the floor. He had died sitting in his chair, but the EMT had moved him to work on him. My Mother was standing there with her hand over her mouth.

There are some things that we never forget. There are things we want to forget and can't. There are those things we want to remember but can't recall. Life is funny this way.

I've never regretted not being there when he took his last breath because God had taken care of our moment just three days earlier. I knew how much my father loved me and he knew that I loved him.

When I think of my father's love now, after twenty-two years, I go straight to my heavenly Father. That's what my earthly father taught me. He taught me that there is a Father that loves me more.

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

Thank you, daddy!

Fresh Find: Love this vacuum! Can't go wrong with a good Sears cannister vac!

Here is a little Ushka grand sisters play area. I love the Little Golden Books collection.

Fresh Find: I know some who deserve this mug!

Somehow, we have a fun collection of View-Master viewers and reels. One of my favorites is the Christmas store where the wise men are standing under sparkling stars. The set of three are very old and somewhat worn, but they share an amazing story!

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whose master returns and finds him doing his job.Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.… Matthew 24:45-47

How is the Master viewing us and all he has entrusted us with? How can we improve?

Fresh Find: I'm ready for shorts!

I don't know if you have made the trek to Yellowstone National Park, but it is the one place you should have at the top of your eyes to see list! There is so much beauty to be seen there.

I traveled all over the western United States with my grandparents, and I was able to see God alive through his nature gifts.

I remember sitting on a snow ridge and seeing my reflection in a mirror lake in The Norris Geyser Basin area.

 Here is a little video of the area. 

 Look at Old Faithful shine in zero degrees air, God's glory! 

This is a picture I took at age 15 of the Snake River.

Fresh Find: Wow, what a treasure! I love this vintage Yellowstone Park charm bracelet!

Today after the Covenant Foundation meeting we were talking hair and hairstyles. We talked about hair color, too. It has taken me 60+ years to be a natural "blonde." I miss my bright, copper-penny, red hair. I have loved being a redhead my whole life. It has been interesting to watch the color change through the years. It was fun to look through these pictures and get a snippet of back in time!

Fresh Find: Nice Ukranian blown glass spider!

Oh, yes, God is so good. I wrote a few weeks ago about having my picture made with those I love. There ain't many (I should say pictures, there are many I love!!!), but I'm working on it! I asked Josie(one of his caregivers) to capture this friend and me. Doug Lively (and my sweet heaven lovin' Jo) have been dear friends to me. They love me in all my unloveliness!!! #feelingblessedbeyondmeasure

Fresh Find: So in love with these sugar doilies!!! I would serve them in my coffee shop!!!

Prayer for the soul is like fresh air to the lungs. It is vital to the living.

There are many ways to remember who we are praying for each day. For me, This is my routine, my way that I gather my lists to enter into praise and intercessory prayer.

I have written then in a journal. I have kept a spreadsheet. I have had a Word document. I just like this method. I can add so easily. I can move them out of line for deeper prayer. I can color code. I can draw a heart on them for praises. You get it! This is how my office cabinet doors roll!!!

Love these kids!!!

A couple of years ago, but a favorite!

Fresh Find: Love this coffee brewer!

Bond. Jesus Bond. 

I don't know. I just don't know. Sometimes things float through my head, and I write them, and I wonder! I bet you do, too.

I attended the first session of Entrusted by Beth Moore this evening. It is a study of 2 Timothy. The room was full of wonderful women of God. Much was said, but what I heard ...

God will use the most light in the most darkness.

His story, your story, our story. (our story must be relational [bond])

You cannot be in the will of God alone.

We do not have a second chance to do this life.

Mighty Servant of God turned loose!

In my life, I  search in my heart for purpose in the ministry of Jesus Christ. It seems I always become more confused through my failures. What is my purpose and how am I to use my gifts in ministry. 

I came across this little online spiritual gifts test. I decided to take it and just recheck what was discovered at other times in my life when looking into this area of God's gift-giving.

My top three are faith, giving, and administration. Yup, the same as always. The next five, all close by the point system, were discernment, pastoring, wisdom, teaching, and mercy. The others all fell in within a few points of each other after these eight.

I learned long ago that I am not qualified or an expert in any area. I don't have that thing that anyone would deem worthy. It's who I am. What I have learned is that regardless of my feeling of inability, God can use my servility to share his accessibility. 

Satan can wear us down thinking that we aren't where we need to be, not learned enough, not smart enough, not needed, not used, but it isn't true.

I don't limit God to my spiritual gift order because I trust him to use me every day in whatever way he will. Sometimes life and situations may not let us use one gift or another, but we are always usable. Doors open and doors close. Being available is what I find most important. At least in my life, I have found peace there. Finding peace does not mean that we aren't stepping out in faith. When we are the most inadequate is when God can use us best. It IS scary stuff, but he has shown me that Philippians 4:13 is very true! I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Bond. Jesus Bond. 007 x seventy! Not only are we to forgive in this way, but God has entrusted us to create bonds and share this way...in multiples. When we gift him to 70 x 7, then we start over and do it again.

He has entrusted us as Believers to be servers of his amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. I was blind, but now I see. 

We do not have a second chance. Will we be mighty? Will we shatter the world to let him in?

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romas 12:4-6a

Fresh Find: 2 Timothy memorization cards.