Oftentimes things happen to test our faith walk. When these times come in my life, I ask myself if it is well in my soul. The Holy Spirit reveals to me when I need to take care of something I have done that is not pleasing to him. If I'm in the clear, I move forward, knowing the Grace he offers me as he walks with me and talks with me.

The Bible teaches me to do to others as I want to be done to me. This was instilled in me from an early age, and I do wake up each day asking God to allow me the opportunity to offer equality to all in my path, from my heart, and in my service.

Looking to the life of Paul for direction, I am reminded that he spoke of a thorn in his side, an irritation. Reading 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

So, I am grateful for the lessons learned through every thorn-filled circumstance. God delivers me pure and righteous, not better than but better for ministry; living my faith journey.

God does not ignore my pleas for help; He tells me, "I give you everything you need to come out victoriously from this situation. My Grace is My power given to you in the middle of your weakness. When you are weak on your own, I am strong in you! So, stop whining, stand up and use the weapons and power I have provided you!"

A favorite photo of our daughter and her now husband. Sweet kids. We are blessed.

Just how much is 5k gallons of water, the amount used each month by the average Plainview home? As I sat through the Tuesday city council meeting, I could not visualize just how much that might be. Five thousand gallons is about 80 thousand cups or two concrete truck mixers full. Visualize 26 hot tubs or 119 bathtubs full or maybe the blood of 5000 humans. The good news is that the average family does not use the 660,000 gallons it takes to fill an Olympic size swimming pool, but in two months of use, 5000 x 2-ten thousand gallons would equal the size of The US Capitol Rotunda, which would hold about 9,800,000 gallons.

This is simply crazy to me. That's a lot of water that we use at the rate of between two and three dollars per thousand gallons...give or take. The more we use over a specific amount, the base rate, the more we pay, but still, it should make us think about the price versus the value. Water is valuable to us, we pay very little for it, and I ask myself do we take advantage of this resource through waste?

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8

This may be my favorite scripture in all of the Bible. Well, okay, there are many others that are so, so good! But, this one is my go-to when I struggle with the world pushing in on me.

This is a sweet friend's yard. I rarely see her, but she is one that God has placed in my life specifically. She is as beautiful as her yard.

All of our grand-sisters are artistically powerful—what a sweet gift. Our youngest grand-sister brought me this excellent art piece. I love it very much.

But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, "Your blood is upon your own heads — I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles." found in Acts 18

Things are often not what we have formed an opinion of in our minds. Satan uses people to destroy, and God delivers us. What is important is that we remain innocent with our testimony. Walk the walk, talk the talk, but let it be about our Jesus journey.

Walking down the street, I saw the sun shining bright on this fruit.

I thought that I had never noticed this tree having fruit. Interesting! I looked around the tree for others, and there were none, just this one.

And then I got another view of things...

Things are not always as we see them. First impressions may fail us, but God will use just one to make a difference. Be the one who allows the One to make a difference and, at the very least, remain in His peace. Yes, sometimes we will have to walk away from people. They are unreachable by us, but God has another that will reach them. It's okay to walk away but never not to pray!

Happy Birthday to John Hugh. John Hugh, named for his father, John, and his grandfather, Hugh, is the favored child. I knew it, and he knew it, and we were good with it. We were not close in age, but we were close in heart. We loved deeper than most could see or understand. He went to his heavenly home just 4 months after our mother. They left me for a better place. My father, mother, brother, and miscarried siblings, are all in heaven singing praises to our Jesus! I'm thankful for my family. I'm also thankful for whatever days God allows me. Thinking about how blessed I am to have experienced life with my family, my brother John brings rays of sunshine to my heart. Thank you, God.

Today is the 9th anniversary of my mother entering into the presence of Jesus. Between the breaths, one here, the inhale and then exhale, and the next inhale, I saw peace overcome her mortal body, and I knew her soul had joined the eternal realm. I'll never forget that moment in time when God made himself evident to me in a deep and meaningful way; the list grows, and I'm blessed.

Thank you, mother, for your care for me. I'm forever thankful.

I love this view for our Sunday worship. This view invites us in each week for worship from the balcony at First Baptist Church, Plainview. I enjoy traditional worship buildings with stained glass. Stained glass, in general, with God's Light, is breathtaking. If you are looking for a place to worship, 10:15, 8th & Baltimore Streets. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before! Join us Sunday.

"Re" is a prefix, occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, used with the meaning “again” or “again and again." 

Jesus by Jonci Jewel Wall

As Followers of Christ, we must be willing to give it up; the world. Every day we must determine our again and again and sacrifice as we play out our spiritual "re" ...

Repair

Recreate

Remodel

Renew

Restore

Revitalize

Reveal

Rebuild

Recondition

Redesign

Regenerate

Reformed

Refurbish

Retrace

Revert

Rehabilitate

Remake

Renovate

Reassemble

Recast

Rejuvenate

and the list goes on and on with the Holy Spirit as our mentor.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2