Special Memories and Blessings

I think I can confidently say ALL of us have those special childhood memories that make us feel warm inside. And along with those memories are blessings. We often recall special blessings the Lord has given us throughout our lifetime.  I think we all feel good inside when we think of those times.
However, along with the good times come the bad times. We all have faced times of trouble, times of disappointment, times of despair, and those times when we've lost a loved one. So often the Lord uses those hard times to help us grow. Let me tell you some of my story.
When I was a young girl my father was an alcoholic. My mother, brother, and I went through many disappointments and hardships. We never doubted his love for us. But as many times as my father tried to recover from the alcoholism, the more we were disappointed. Finally when my brother and I were teenagers, my mother and father divorced. At that time none of us walked with Jesus. Sure we knew who He was, but we did not have that personal relationship with Him.
I remember almost feeling relieved about the divorce, yet we did miss our Dad very much. When I was getting married, my brother walked me down the aisle. But we have always been very close, so that seemed perfectly fine to me.
When my husband and I became parents to our son, I then began to miss my father more and more. I wanted our son to know his Grandpa. By this time we had developed our relationship with Jesus and began to follow Him and His ways. We started to have a new found faith and hope that one day my father would be delivered from the alcohol.
Our son was 2, and my father was delivered from the alcohol. He went to a Christian Rehab program. He began serving the Lord Jesus and telling others of his own healing and deliverance. It was almost instantly. When he walked through the doors of the rehab center, he was immediately prayed for. My Dad went into that place knowing this was his only chance to be free. And he was set free indeed.
Within 6 months my Dad returned "home" a new man. But with the same love for us he always had. Our son had the Grandpa I truly longed for him to have. My Dad was so very proud of our son. He beamed when he spoke of him.
Not only did he return to my brother and I, but he returned still loving our mother. Neither one of them had ever remarried. They had been divorced for 12 years. A year after returning, my mother and father were remarried. Our family was whole once again.
There were many doubters. Those expecting my Dad to fall once again. But he didn't! When Jesus does something, it is done. It is finished.
We had over 20 years with my Dad before cancer robbed him. We are so very grateful for the time we all had with him.
Today would have been Daddy's 89th birthday. I know he is celebrating in heaven with our Mom, but mostly with Jesus. As much as we miss them both, we can rejoice because we know where they are. And some day we will join them in heaven.
My faithful readers, I write this to encourage you. Never give up. Do not lose faith. Jesus can do the impossible. He can change our darkest moments to the brightest. Even in our dark moments, Jesus continues to love us. He never leaves our side. He takes those moments and turns them around for His good.
No matter what your dark moment is, or your "crutch" is, or your addiction, or your need, Jesus is bigger, stronger, and in control. Jesus asks us to have faith the size of a mustard seed. Sure, He can change us whether we have faith or not. But it sure helps to have a little. Faith and hope helps us have that extra boost to push us through those hard times. My Dad knew if he could just get to a place where others would help him get closer to Jesus, where his faith and hope would grow, then he would be okay. He had that tiny seed of faith. And He was okay.
You can have the same victory. You too will be okay.
Matthew 17:20b
“For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Being Washed Clean!

It was 37 years ago that my husband and I both were water baptized in a river. It was a rather cool, rainy day. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember coming up out of that water feeling as light as a feather. I felt very clean. Much cleaner than I would normally feel after a shower.
Why is this important? For me I knew that the Bible speaks of water baptism. In my heart I felt an urgency to be baptized. I wanted to be washed free of any sin in my life. I wanted to feel free from any of that sin. I knew if I was to serve the Lord Jesus with all my heart then I needed to be cleansed by Him.
Many of you may have different views on baptism. That is fine. I just want to share my story and what it meant to me.
When we accept Jesus as Lord of our lives it is important to check ourselves everyday. We all are sinners, and will need to ask forgiveness. We are not perfect, and Jesus knows that. That is why He has given us ways to be washed and set free.
When I spend my time in the Word and prayer every morning I examine myself. I ask Jesus if there is something I need to ask forgiveness for. Or maybe something Jesus needs to help me with. Our Lord God does not expect us to get in a river everyday and be baptized over and over again. He has given us His Holy Spirit to cleanse us, purify us, and help us through those difficult situations.
Jesus loves us so very much that He has provided a way for us to be cleansed everyday.
Think about it, we take a shower on Sunday. Then we work hard Monday through Saturday.
We are out in the sun and heat, getting dirty and smelly. Sometimes downright stinky. Do we go home everyday and shower or do we wait for Sunday to come around? I don't know about you, but I would feel pretty dirty and "unclean". We must maintain our cleanliness everyday. The same goes for our spiritual cleanliness. We must be washed everyday.
We often put on our best clothing, and try to look our best when we are going to meet someone important, like our boss, our pastor, or someone else. How about when we go to talk with Jesus, do we want to look our best? I'm sure Jesus does not care about our outward appearance. But I know He cares about our inner well being. Our spirit. So much so that He gives us His very own Spirit to live in us, to guide us, care for us, teach us, and cleanse our hearts. 
I encourage you, my friends, take the time each day and examine yourselves. Ask the Holy Spirit to wash you clean. Ask Him to set you free of any sin. Ask Him to help you shine for His glory.
You will feel light as a feather. You will feel clean and sweet smelling. Jesus loves you so very much that He takes those burdens from you.
Are you ready? Ready to be used by God for His glory? Have you asked Jesus to cleanse you and prepare you?

Perseverance, Disappointments, Dreams, Hard Work, and Rewards

You may look at the title of this post and wonder how all of those words can fit into the same title.
It is like this, we all have those dreams as children, of what we'd  like to be as we grow up. We daydream of what it will be like when we are doctors, nurses, teachers, and guitar players. Many of us learned at an early age, those dreams will not come true unless we work hard. Regardless what you desired to be, it took hard work to get there. It took never giving up on our dream. It took realizing very few are just "gifted" into a profession.
When I was pregnant with our son, my husband and I would sing to the baby every day that we could. My husband would play guitar. When he played, the baby would "dance" in my belly. It used to amaze us.  I am not a very large person in size. So to see that baby moving in my belly was amazing all in itself.
We used to wonder what he or she would be when grown. A nurse like me, or a guitar player like my husband. Or something totally different.
Our son was 4 years old when he first showed interest in the guitar. He would try to play along with my husband. The more he played, the more he asked for a "real" guitar. Needless to say, my husband was thrilled. But we could see something in our son that made us think this was real. We had those dreams of him playing before thousands. But we always prayed that he would grow up to do what the Lord desires for him to do.
My husband began teaching our son, in a more detailed manner, when he was 8 or 9. He did have his own "grown up" electric guitar. We impressed on him, if you want to play guitar, and be good at it, then you must practice everyday. He took the things my husband taught him, and he practiced everyday. Sometimes falling asleep on his bed, with his guitar still strapped to him. He wanted to be used in this way by God. He practiced, he was discouraged at times, he heard some critics asking him what real job would he have. But he also was encouraged, and was blessed many times throughout the years, as he was obedient to God. 
Our son went to college to learn more about the music business and take more detailed guitar lessons. We always encouraged him and believed in him. As a parent that never stops.
Eventually our son chose to move across country to attend a church and a school that ministered to young adults. He wanted to be sure he was doing what God would have him do. It wasn't long, a few weeks at the most, he was playing for worship. Then that moved into a larger role, eventually traveling around the world. He met his wife there as well. He was actually one of her teachers.
They decided to make the move to Nashville.
My husband and I were seeing our dreams for our son producing fruit. Our son continued to believe God would use him. He never quit. He continues to this day to persevere, and practice. As a musician in Nashville, to play at the Grand Ole Opry is a dream. And as parents, we definitely would dream about such an opportunity.
This past week that dream came true for our son. He had the tremendous honor of playing on the Grand Ole Opry. And as his parents, we couldn't be more proud, and humbled. God has a plan, He has always had a plan for his life.
My friends, it is okay to dream those dreams. Whether those dreams start at an early age, or they come later, dream. Along with those dreams, we must pray and seek the Lord's guidance. We must work hard, and never give up. Persevere, run that race. Yes there will be hardships, disappointments, and even critics. But when you serve God with all hour heart, and follow Him, then He will direct your path, guide your steps, and reward you.
Our son has been rewarded for his faithfulness to God, and his hard work along the way. Even though this dream came true for our son, he must continue to dream and set goals. It is important for all of us to continue to dream and set new goals.
My husband and I are nearing a new stage in life, retirement. It is still a few years away. But we are now dreaming about that stage in life. It is exciting to dream together, and to go through the stages of life together and with God paving the way.
Dream those dreams. Set those goals. And enjoy the journey along the way. God has special blessings and surprises at each stop. It is exciting!
Hebrews 12:1-[ The Call to Endurance ] Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,
2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith,