Grace

As a young Christian, the word grace was a puzzle for me. I had heard the word used many times and in many situations. My mother would make me say grace before eating meals. I had heard dukes and duchesses called “your grace.” When I was late for history class Ms. Hotel thanked me for “gracing the class with my presence.”My ballet teacher, Mrs. Benomini constantly admonished us girls for our lack of grace, insisting that we “find your grace ladies, pull it from inside!” It seemed my grandmother would not have been able to do anything were it not “by the grace of God.”Even the pastor seemed sold on the idea of grace and intent on selling us young believers on the idea as well.

So I wondered, what exactly is grace? I set out to find the meaning of this much-used word. The first place I looked was the dictionary. According to Merriam-Webster, grace is a noun meaning “a way of moving that is smooth and attractive; a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving.” In its verb form, grace means “to decorate or add beauty to, to confer dignity or honor on.” Well, that certainly explained Mrs. Benomini’s tirades. Of course she was assuming we girls had something smooth, attractive, and controlled inside of us. I am not so sure that was true at the time. I actually wanted to go back and thank Ms. Hotel because now I knew she considered me a beautiful addition to her class and thought it an honor to have me there.

Still, I felt there had to be more to this word, a deeper meaning which connected it to our faith. My pastor is a stickler for Bible study. When approached with a question from a young believer he tends to give directions to resources instead of an answer. I’d experienced this before and this time was no exception. Pastor often says that to grow your faith you must grow your understanding and to grow your understanding you must do some digging. My favorite digging tools are my Holman Bible dictionary and the Word of God itself. So I gathered my tools and set out to grow some understanding. My work has been greatly rewarded.

According to Holman Bible dictionary, grace is basically undeserved acceptance and love given from one person to another. This in turn translates to the gift of unmerited favor, the salvation we Christians receive through Jesus Christ. Grace as used here is derived from the Greek word charis used in the New Testament to convey the idea of a favor or kindness done. It could also be a gift that brought pleasure to the recipient. When used from the viewpoint of the recipient charis refers to the thankfulness felt for the gift or favor. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word chanan was often translated as charis by the Greeks. The word chanan refers to one person turning to another in an act of kind assistance, such as aid to the poor.

Looking at this definition of grace, my heart flooded with love for our Heavenly Father. How gracious of Him, how kind, to save us from the sickness of sin. I am sure I speak for every Christian when I say that no greater gift or kindness has been bestowed upon us. Grace, the undeserved acceptance and love of God, shown to us by the sacrifice of His son, is the basis of our faith. 

Even though we don’t deserve it, God saw fit to send his son to dwell among us. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, NIV). God the Father, full of grace, accepts us and loves us so much that he sent his son to die so that we may live. The word of God tells us that we cannot earn such a great gift. No amount of good deeds or following the rules will make us worthy. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24, NIV).

Although salvation is the most divine example we Christians have of grace, it is by no means the only example. God has blessed us with many gifts. His creation is full of beauty and natural wonders which we get to live among and enjoy. From the sun which rises and shines overhead each day, to the beauty of it setting each evening, God’s grace is there. From the many colorful birds which soar through the air, to the countless creatures which swim in the sea, God’s grace is there. God’s grace is there in the crashing waters of Niagara Falls, in the beautiful expanse of the Grand Canyon, and in the tangles of roots of the Moreton Bay fig trees. God’s grace is there in the melody of our favorite song and in the smile on a loved one’s face.God’s gifts surround us, waiting to be acknowledged, accepted and enjoyed. Similarly, the gift of grace awaits each of us who will turn from sin and accept salvation through the One God sent. 

The abundance of God’s grace manifests not only in the sacrifice of Christ and in His many creations. God’s grace is also at work in us, supplying us with the power to do His will, giving the least of us the ability to do great works to His glory. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,” (Eph. 3:7-8).

The word grace appears in the New Testament well over 100 times. The Apostle Paul begins and ends each of his letters wishing grace for those he writes to. Theologian Frederick Buechner states in The Longing for Home, “Grace is the best he can wish them as grace is the best he himself ever received.” 

I am no longer puzzled by grace. I now know that grace, God’s unmerited favor, is the best I have ever received. There is no greater kindness than to be loved and accepted by my Father in Heaven. There is no greater gift than to receive salvation through Jesus Christ. God’s creation is full of grace and is to be cared for and protected by those of us who receive it and take part in enjoying it. I am humbled by grace and I am grateful for it. As a Christian I pledge my life to becoming more like Christ, to mirror his grace. It is my mission to show love and acceptance to all those I meet. I will pass on to others the favor and kindness shown to me. I will work to adorn this world we live in with the beauty of God’s grace.  

Just Say Yes!

As many of you know, I serve and worship at The New Jerusalem Baptist Church of Cincinnati. Coming up at the end of August is our annual Women of Worship Weekend. This is a weekend where we as women come together to share, encourage, praise and worship. There are activities for the ladies both Friday evening and Saturday and the weekend is capped off by Sunday services run completely by the women of the church. These services feature an all women's choir, women's usher board, women greeters and the Word of God delivered by our very own First Lady, Sis. Barbara J. Lynch.

We members of the choir are currently in rehearsals for this wonderful event. The first song we learned is very short and simple, but so extremely powerful!!! The song has ministered to me each and every day since our first rehearsal and I just have to share it with you.

The song simply says:

I'll say yes Lord, I'll say yes
To your will Lord, I'll say yes
Where you lead me, I will go
I'll say yes Lord, I'll say yes

Simple, right? Yet these four lines encompass all that our Lord God wants from us.

The Lord wants us to believe in Him and acknowledge Him as the One True God. Isaiah 43:12, "I have revealed and saved and proclaimed...you are my witnesses" declares the Lord, "that I am God."

He wants us to trust in His love enough to know that His will is what's best for us. Matthew 6:10, "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

And once we believe and trust in God, oh the places He will lead us!!!

Psalm 5:8 "Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness...make your way straight before me"

Psalm 23:2 "...He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul."

Psalm 43:3 "Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain."

Psalm 61:2 "...lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Psalm 139:24 "...lead me in the way of the everlasting."

Psalm 143:10 "...may your good spirit lead me on level ground."

And finally from Song of Songs 2:4, the letters between two lovers, as God is the lover of my soul: "Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love."

My brothers and sisters, God has big plans for each of us, plans to prosper and not to harm. He wants to take us places beyond what we can ask or imagine.

And all we have to do is SAY YES!!!

RSNJ - COMING SPRING 2014!!!

Hello Family! I have some AWESOME news. Rythmic Sounds of New J will soon be recording our first project for NATIONAL RELEASE!

As most of you know, I have been singing since I could walk. As a child it was my dream to become the next Diana Ross, complete with fame, fortune and movies co-starring the next generation Billy Dee Williams as my love interest. Can you say Idris Elba? LOL!

Well that dream was for me and reality has a way of kicking our selfish dreams to the curb. But GOD, has a way of taking those selfish dreams and transforming them into something wonderful for His glory!

This project is a chance to take our God-given gifts, and use them to touch people all over. A chance to minister to God's people about his love and grace. What a blessing!!!

NOW, HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP!!! 

Contact me (513-324-0319) to purchase your advance copy of our upcoming recording. Pre-Sale cost of the CD is $10, due at time of order, and will help us cover studio and production cost. Be one of the first to receive a copy as soon as the CD drops!

Thank you for supporting our ministry and please keep us in your prayers as we move forward with our service of God's Kingdom!


 

Happy Birthday...Every Day!

Hi all. Today a dear friend and co-worker of mine is celebrating her birthday. There have been many questions about her age and jokes about aging in general. It brings to mind something I've thought about often over the years:

Why is it that so many people have a problem with birthdays and aging???

Many people gripe about getting older, avoid celebrating their birthdays and even lie about their age. For some reason, women are especially guilty. I, on the contrary, have always looked forward to my birthday and claim my age proudly. But for those who are pained at the thought of another birthday rolling around, here is food for thought; 3 reasons why we should look forward to each birthday we see...

 1. Birthdays (as a matter of fact, all days) are a gift from God! "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 Therefore, we should greet each new year with excitement and joy, while looking forward to what our God has in store.

2. Birthdays are a chance to be reborn! Each year added to our lives is proof that God has not given up on us. Contrary to popular belief, not one of us is here on this earth by accident. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE - even if you are not currently living out that plan. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord... plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 We do not always obey the Father or make Him proud with the things we do. However, with each birthday God allows us to see, we get another chance to seek Him, study His Word, live right, love others, be reborn in His image.

3. Birthdays are not just about aging! People are like wine; for the most part, we get better with age. This should be especially true for those of us who profess to know Christ. We are not just getting older, we are getting better, sweeter, kinder, more knowledgeable, more graceful, more forgiving, more beautiful (deep down on the inside, where it counts). We are simply becoming more like Christ.

How wonderful is that!?

Happy Birthday again Mother Rhonda. Thank you for being a Christ like example in my life!  

Walking in the Light of His Amazing Love

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another..." 1 John 1:5-7

As Christians we are called to walk in the light. To live a life of transparency. This does not mean that we have to share each and every detail of our lives with everyone we meet. However, we are to live in such a way as to be shining examples of the God we serve and the Holy Spirit alive in us. The God we serve is light and to enjoy fellowship with him and one another, we must flee the darkness of the world around us (v 5,7). Not only must we flee the darkness of this world, but the darkness of sin which dwells in each of us. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23       

Sounds like a hefty task doesn't it? Certainly it is, one that we as humans would never be able to accomplish on our own. That is why, especially at this time of the year, we must be grateful to God for the salvation he afforded each of us through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus. "...and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (v.7)

When I was a child, Easter meant a new dress, pretty new shoes and a basket filled with chocolate eggs, jelly beans and other treats. It was the one day of the year I knew for sure were going to church and that all my family would be there as well. After church service we would all gather at my grandmother or great aunt's house for Ham, mac & cheese, greens and homemade corn bread, baked in grandma's cast iron skillet.

Those are wonderful memories, but they do not begin to touch on the real wonder of why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday. To think that God thought so much of us that he would send his son to die in our place, for our sins, blows me away. That is truly an amazing love. I don't know about you, but I feel so unworthy. Yet, God made us worthy, just by creating us and loving us that much. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." Psalm 8:4-6 Wow!!!!

If you wonder what you have done to deserve such love, the answer is nothing! If you are wondering what you can do to repay such love, the answer again is nothing!

However we do have a small part to play in this drama. 1 John 1:9 tells us "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Also, in the book of Acts when Paul and Silas were asked "what must I do to be saved?" they answered, "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:30-31

Now that I am a mother, I want to be sure that my children have wonderful memories of Easter to carry with them into the future. But before we go shopping for the Easter outfits and baskets of candy, we sit and review the story of Good Friday, when Christ bled and died for our sins. And we rejoice in the story of Resurrection Sunday, when God conquered death and rose from the grave, so that we too could have everlasting life.

Before you get all dressed up and go to the party, it's important to know the who and why of what your celebrating. Confess your sins to God. Believe in the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ. Then you can get dressed up, go out and let your light SHINE!!!

Building Blocks

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins." (2 Peter 1:5-9)

Remember the building blocks we had as kids? Mine were solid wood, painted in bright primary colors and stored in a round container with a plastic lid and tin bottom. I LOVED those blocks. 

I spent hours coming up with architectural creations. The taller and more elaborate the better. One Christmas I even requested a second set so I could expand my vision and create an entire town, all centered around one "skyscraper" at the center. 

The verse I came across in my reading today, reminded me of those blocks. 

Our growth in Christ is just like building with those blocks. It's a gradual process which takes time and patience. As we study our Lord and His word and become more familiar with His will for our lives, we stack one building block upon the other, moving higher and higher, closer and closer to God.

So I remember once when I got my little town built, with my skyscraper at the center, I was so proud! But before I could drag my mom in to see my masterpiece, my cousin Embry, who had been hiding behind the door, walked through and knock it all down!!! He destroyed everything I worked so hard to build, in just a matter of seconds. I was devastated!

That is exactly what sin does to us. We can be moving along through life, doing all the right things, then WHAM!!! Sin creeps in when we least expect it and destroys all our hard work, leaving us devastated. We are left in the midst of a mess wondering why this happened and how can we ever start all over again.

But as Christians we have hope. Sin is a sickness we all suffer from. But as with Lazarus upon his deathbed, Jesus says "This sickness is not unto death, but to the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)

That is why when sin knocks us down, we must get up. With Gods help we can right ourselves, dust ourselves off and begin again. We stand on faith, add goodness, knowledge, self control. We persevere, striving in godliness, mutual affection and love and through it all To God Be The Glory!!! 

Dance Like David Did

Hey gang, I'll need you all to respond to me on this one.

I was speaking with a beloved cousin recently. She was telling me about a blessing which she received. She shared the story with me she said, because she knew I would "get it". 

There was an issue she had been dealing with and had been in prayer over for a period of a couple years. Now that may seem like a long time to some of us, to be going through, but we must remember, God exists outside of time. My cousin is a soldier and she knows that God is faithful, so she never lost heart. She is familiar with Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles..."

Well, in His time, God answered my cousins prayers and resolved her issue, better than she could have ever imagined! She received a call with the good news while at work in her office one day. She told me she had to place her call on hold, close her office door and do a praise dance, right then and there!!! 

I had to smile and praise God with her as she shared her story, remembering the many times I have had to give it all up to God, right where I was.

Unlike my cousin, I work in a cubicle - no full walls and no door. Over the years, most of my co-workers have become accustomed to my occasional outbursts of praise and worship. Sometimes the goodness of the Lord is overwhelming and you just have to let it out. Or at least I do.

Now I know some of you may be thinking, "tsk, tsk, how unprofessional." And you are correct, but in my world professionalism takes a backseat to praise!

I have always been intrigued by the picture painted in 2 Samuel 6. The israelites, led by David, were returning to the City of David with The Ark of God. (v.2, 12)  David's excitement is described in 2 Samuel 6:14, "Then David danced before the Lord with all his might and David was wearing a linen ephod."  An ephod was a priestly garment. Being made of linen it would have been thin and generally worn along with other garments, but this was all David wore as he jumped and twirled before God (and everyone else). Thus leading to the common saying that David "danced right out of his clothes." Now that is praising God!

But just as some people would frown on my public display of worship, Michal frowned upon her husband David as well. "Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart." (2 Samuel 6:16)

The best part of this passage though is David's response, "...It was before the Lord who chose me instead of your father and all his house...Therefore, I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this..." (2 Samuel 6:21 & 22)

My sentiments exactly!!!

So my friends, tell me, have you ever indulged in PDW - public displays of worship. Have you ever had to close your office door, pull over your car, place a call on hold, rush to the restroom, empty conference room or office supply closet, and give God a "right now praise"? Or maybe you just do what I do and get your dance on right at your desk for all to see? If so, good for you! Take a moment to comment on this post and let me know of a time you danced like David did.

And for those of you who have been stifling your urge to praise publicly, consider this... What if you are the only Jesus they have a chance to see?

Blessings!!!

Obedience...A Show of Faith

God woke me up before waking the sun last Sunday. I had a horrible dream, which was out of the norm. I usually don't dream. When I do, it's almost always the Holy Spirit moving on me. That or the devil haunting me. I know that may sound strange to some of you, but I have found that the closer I draw to God and He to me, the more interest the devil has in me as well. I take it to mean he (the devil) sees me as a threat. I'm cool with that.

Anyway, I awoke from my dream and asked God "what the hell was that?" I'm not always at my best when awakened unpleasantly, I pray my Father forgives me. After a quick trip to the restroom, I settled to my knees at the side of the bed. I prayed for clarity, some sort of explanation for the disturbing dream and then I sat and waited. After a few moments of quietly going over the dream in my mind I was in tears. Then the Holy Spirit whispered to me "I know the plans I have for you."

I understood immediately. It was the Sunday after my birthday and I had signed up to do the scripture reading at morning service. It was first Sunday and I had chosen a scripture from a devotional I read earlier in the week. I figured it would tie in well with a communion message. Now the Holy Spirit was urging me to scrap that plan and follow Gods plan. Humph!

I wish I could say that I responded with immediate compliance, but that was not the case. The more the Holy Spirit revealed to me what God had planned, the more my urge to resist grew. Not only did God have a different scripture in mind, He wanted me to speak to the congregation. There was a message in the dream I'd had. Something that touched deep inside me to the heart of who I am as a woman, as a mother. God was showing me that it was from my mothers heart that I was to speak to the sisters, mothers and daughters of New J that morning. I had only one problem...public speaking is not my thing. I imagined what Moses must have felt when God told him to go before Pharaoh. I did not feel up to the task.

I crawled into bed and tried to go back to sleep. I shut my eyes but couldn't close out the memory of the dream I'd had. I wanted to hide under the covers and sleep away the assignment I'd been given. The Holy Spirit was having none of that. It's impossible to run from God when he lives in you.

So I climbed out of bed, grabbed my notebook and wrote down what God had for me to say.

All morning I wavered back and forth. I prayed for God to give me the courage to do what He intended. Then the Holy Spirit whispered to me, "have faith."

Soon the time came and I took the podium. I breathed deep and hoped that my New J family was prepared to receive what I had come to say. I hoped they would believe not only in me, but my father who sent me. I gave them what I came to give, just as it was given to me. Then I took my seat, feeling full and knowing that my Father was smiling down at me.

Not only was my obedience rewarded with the warmth of the Spirit in my heart. God gave me confirmation that it was His plan all along. I was sure of it when a later announcement as well as Pastor's sermon tied in perfectly with the scripture I read and the message I was given to deliver. I smiled and thought, "Ok God, now you're just showing off."  

We Say / God Say's

We Say...

I miss you my love.
I have been away for quite some time now,
Living life on the edge,
Going my own way,
Making a mess of things really.

I know you must be tired
Of the way I come and go,
Taking your love for granted,
Treating our relationship as if
It's as seasonal as the Holy days.

Even when I am here,
I am not always focused on you,
Putting other things ahead
Of the time we spend together.
I have a problem with priorities.

But you know my heart
And though I may not always show it,
You are important to me,
I know I need you in my life
And I love you more... than most things.

It's cold and lonely out here
In this world I have created for myself.
My friendships are faulty,
Love relationships shallow,
Happiness is fleeting at best.

So I make my way back to you,
Discouraged and dejected
Feeling a failure, for all my efforts are folly
Head down, heart broken,
Will you have me?


God Says...

My love, I have missed you,
Though I have been nearby all along.
Remember my promise
Never to leave, nor forsake you
Though you often turn your heart from me.

Yes, I grow weary
Of your propensity to wander
However, there's nowhere you roam
That I cannot see you
You are my sheep and I your shepherd

But my child be careful
Not to provoke my wrath, for I am jealous
Before me you shall have no other
Your heart, soul and mind
Belong to me

It is my will to spend each day
With you in the Garden.
I wait for you under shade trees
With flowers and sunshine
With which to adorn your hair.

You were not meant
To traverse the darkness of this world alone.
Death nor Life, Angels nor Principalities,
Height nor Depth, nor any creature
Shall separate you from my love.

Come home child.
Hide here in the shelter of my wings.
In the secret of my tabernacle, come rest.
I shall set you upon a high rock.
No condemnation child, but everlasting life!

Take Me to the Water

Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (NIV)

December 4, 2012 I received confirmation that God still answers prayer and that He still inclines his ear to the desires of my heart. On that rainy, cool, Sunday morning, my middle son, Ean, committed his life to Christ and was baptized. Talk about a proud mama, I am still riding that emotional high! As a christian parent, the moment your child accepts Christ is a wonderful victory. It is a great feeling of accomplishment to, as Prov. 22:6 says, "train up a child in the way he should go..." (KJV).  Ean was the third of my four children to embark on Gods path. I was filled with joy and great peace watching my child begin a journey to his own personal relationship with The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This day was made all the sweeter because I prayed 5 long years for it! Ean was always my Prodigal Son. From a very young age he would wander off on his own, preferring to scout out the mysteries of the world solo. From age three on, Ean was the child I had to search for in the grocery store, the one who would be missing when I turned around from the deli counter. When he got a little older, Ean would leave the house and be gone for hours. Upon his return, my worried questioning was met with a nonchalant "just went for a walk". Ean always had a knack for disappearing, which drove the protective mother in me nuts.

As the years went on and he became a teenager, Ean became more and more isolated from the family, preferring the company of his friends or his own brooding solitude. One Saturday evening when Ean was 15, I was fussing for he and Juan to get their clothes ready for church the next morning. They both began pleading their case for staying home. I figured they just wanted to lounge around and play video games, which I felt they did too much, so I insisted they get their butts in gear and do what I said. At that point, Ean turned to me and literally sneered "I don't believe in your God and I am sick of you forcing me to go to church with you every weekend!"

Well!!! You could have stuck a fork in me at that moment...I was done! He had completely knocked the wind out me, as if he'd kicked me in the stomach with his size 15 shoe. I spent the next week, wrestling with  that shocking declaration. Did he really mean it? Where had I failed as a parent? Was my son doomed to hell? Where had I gone so terribly wrong? Was there anything I could do to save him? Finally the Holy Spirit moved on me and said simply -PRAY.

And that is what I did. I had prayed for all my children consistently throughout their lives. I prayed for health and recovery when they were sick or hurt, safety when they were active at play and in sports, protection when they were away from my watchful care. I prayed for their futures, that they would have love, joy, peace and success at whatever they set their hearts and minds to do.

BUT NOW I began to pray for the salvation of their souls. I pleaded with God to show himself strong in my children's lives. I prayed that they would have a thirst for Gods word, a hunger for His promises. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would take up residence in them and that they would develop faith as large as the mustard tree, not just the seed. I prayed that one day my children would see the face of God. Since I began praying in this way, three of the four have come to Jesus. Hallelujah, He answers prayer!

Never give up on those you love. Never be afraid to witness for Christ. You may be all the God they see!

(To the one who still doubts, there is no time like the present, I know your heart. God has kept you through many trials, there are more to come. Walk with Him, study His word. Accept Him and He will answer your questions. He will put an end to your doubts. I love you and I will never give up. I am always in prayer for you. God knows your name!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hi all! I know I have been missing in action through out the holiday season, but I am back. There was soooo much going on in the last month of 2012 that I could not find time to get it all down. I am a firm believer that nothing beats writing about life except LIVING it. So I will sometimes put the former on hold for the later. But don't worry, I have stored up all the smiles, laughter, tears (happy ones) and news to share with you all!

So, it's a New Year and I am just grateful that God has allowed us all to move forward. I love saying Happy New Year, because it reminds me of that wonderful tingle you get when you receive or purchase something new. There is always an element of excitement when wearing a new outfit, carrying a new purse, driving a new car. Nothing beats the thrill of a new relationship, the optimisism of a new job or the sweetness of a new baby. Well, I want to pose to you that we should be as excited about each new day as we are about all the above mentioned events in our lives.

I pray that we all remember the reason for the season during the holidays (pronouncing it Holy-days helps me). But let's face the truth, we all like getting those gifts on Christmas morning! Well I'm here to tell you that God gives us a gift each and every day we wake. Rising with the sun each day is a blessing in itself, but add to that the gift of being able to see the sun, being able to hear the alarm clock, being able to stretch arms and legs, having feet to place on the cold floor and the ability to STAND! Whoohoo!!! It's like Christmas all over again!

Now I will admit I am not the brightest ray of sun when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. I wish I was one of those women who are up before dawn, spending time with God and His word, preparing breakfast for my family and singing  songs of zion as I usher each family member out to their day. NOT! But I do manage to roll over after the alarm sounds and whisper a heartfelt thank you to the Father each day. Once I get going (usually after brushing my teeth) I may hum or sing through the rest of my morning preparations. And once I get a steaming cup of coffee in my hand...Watch out now! I'm a true soldier on the Lords battlefield then, with the Lords praises continually in my mouth.

I say all this friends to say, this New Year is a gift. Do something NEW with it. Step out on faith and do something you've always wanted to do. I am. I have decided that 2013 is my year to take my writing to the next level. I will promote my blog. I will attend a christian writing seminar. I will pray that God continues to bless my heart with His word and my mind with understanding, that I may share it with you all. I pray that you will all walk along side me in developing this ministry. Your prayers and comments are truly appreciated. Let me know how I'm doing!!! Please feel free to share what God lays on your heart when you read my articles. Also, let me know if I can stand in the gap for you as you decide what NEW thing you are going to do this year. Trust Gods promise that we "can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13, KJV) Don't let fear or doubt hold you back from being great for God! Take the daily gift of life that God so freely gives and do something FABULOUS with it, "...that God in all things may be glorified..." (1 Peter 4:11, KJV).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!