forgivenblamelesspureFREEgreatlylovedhighlyfavored

2008-02-12T18:13:00.000-05:00

2007-12-10T00:08:00.000-05:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2007-10-31T22:23:00.000-04:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2007-10-09T12:42:00.000-04:00

I dreamt of Tornadoes...

Zechariah 2:5 “And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.”

While reading Zechariah, I was reminded of a dream I had last night… when I came to Zech 2:5, it came rushing back to me…

“Last night I dreamt of tornadoes. They were all different shapes and sizes, moving at all different speeds, coming from one general area on our left, moving towards our right but disappearing before they got to our right side. And they just kept coming, one after another, all dark and fierce. Just when Fred and I thought they were done, another tornado came. And Fred led us courageously. I followed his lead. At times he dodged, at times he stood firm. Yet no matter what, Fred was able to lead us safely through each tornado. I gladly followed my brave, wise husband. I was not very afraid b/c I trusted in him and I respected him. His guidance brought us safely through.”

*Writing this I feel at peace. Zech 2:5
*Praying through impressions: "Lord, are we about to walk through trials? Are we about to encounter a magnitude of false teaching?"
*Lord please prepare our hearts for what lies ahead that we would cling closely to YOU, trusting YOU, for YOU ARE ONLY ALWAYS GOOD to your children!

2007-10-03T23:56:00.000-04:00

A Gift... of FAITH!

Fred and I have been trying to get pregnant for a few years, waiting on the Lord’s perfect timing. Fred’s been deployed since July 7th due to return home on December 21st -22nd and just recently, although my care group had been praying faithfully for us to have children) I had been feeling that the Lord wanted me to ask for prayer AGAIN concerning having children, even though my husband is away.

Last week Wednesday at ladies care group, I shared this impression with the women and they prayed for us concerning (school and) babies! =) Kandy, my care group leader’s wife, felt certain God would lead and guide and direct and bless us (Biblical truth), but felt an impression that clarity would come very soon! Let it be Lord! Show us the way! =)

I got home after being with those women and after all that prayer for clarity from the Lord, I found something exciting!!! A huge box in front of my garage and while I was looking to see where it came from I noticed words on the side of it saying “stroller”!!!! I started laughing and said, “Are you trying to tell me something, God?” but it was addressed to someone else a few streets over…. Hahaha! But I do believe He will guide us! Make it clear Lord! =) And although it wasn’t for me, it was for me in that GOD did fill me with more faith to pray more for babies!! =)

I had been attempting to contact FedEx and the company the stroller came from informing them that the stroller was in the wrong driveway, but had never received a response. Then, yesterday I called the lady who should’ve received the stroller since I didn’t get anywhere with FedEx or the company that shipped it out…. The recipient-to-be apologized for bothering me with it, but I told her it was a blessing and told her about last week praying for babies at care group and coming home to a stroller in my driveway, and I told her that it was a “gift” from God and God used the stroller to encouraged me to have faith, (all this to a stranger BTW!) and she laughed and said, “you wouldn’t want this one anyways… it’s a stroller for 4! And I laughed and said, “Actually that sounds just about right!!!!” And I got off the phone laughing and praising God!!

Now I know God’s ways are higher than mine…. And I know all this are possible with HIM! So in whatever way and at whatever time, no matter what it ends up looking like, I desire to trust HIS will and wait patiently and prayerfully for HIS will to come to pass in our lives!

Faith building and lots of fun! What an awesome God we serve! =)

2007-01-18T20:30:00.000-05:00

Slide Rock, Arizona. November 2006.
God's beautiful landscape.... a silly couple....

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

2007-01-18T19:01:00.000-05:00

If you're not family, this probably won't make any sense to you....
but it sure was fun being there! lots of laughter!

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

2007-01-18T18:44:00.000-05:00

Aloha! This is the first in the Hawaii series: Kauai. Kauai is our favorite island and the longest of the Hawaii series montages.... Enjoy!

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

2007-01-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

Aloha! This is part 2 of the Hawaii series: Oahu.

Considerably shorter than part 1. Enjoy!

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

2006-12-31T23:42:00.000-05:00

Aloha! This is the final montage in the Hawaii series: The Big Island.
Here lies dangerous terrain, hazardous fumes, and molten lava! Enjoy!

Make an online slideshow at onetruemedia.com

2006-12-16T12:28:00.000-05:00

USS ENTERPRISE Homecoming!!!
My beloved has returned for his bride!

Make an online slideshow at onetruemedia.com

2006-11-04T00:33:00.000-05:00

Thank you, John Stowe, for your generosity and love!
You have blessed us once again!
Thanks and Blessings from the West Care Group!

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

2006-09-21T12:02:00.000-04:00

You are...........

Fred wrote to Cheryl:

You are…
Lovely
Beautiful
Paris
Strong
Faithful
Soft
Comforting
Caring
Gifted by the Spirit
Called by God
Made white as snow
Strengthened by the Greatest Power
Written in the Palm of His hand
A daughter
A wife
A lover
My best friend
Eternally blessed
Someone who has great plans in store
Calming
Part of a multitude
A worshiper
A believer
A dreamer

You are what I think of when I lay my head down at night
You are what I yearn for when things are quiet and slow
You are special to me
You are part of me

I love you
Fred

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cheryl wrote to Fred:

You are…
Strong
Solid
Gentle
Humble
Handsome
Loving
Loved
Generous
Tender-hearted
Calm
Powerful
Patient
Silly
Hearty laughter
Fun
Funny
Playful
Warm
Wise
Discerning
Diligent
A hard worker
Passionate
The ultimate hubby
Beautiful
Talented
Gifted
Musical
A worshipper
A leader
A son of the Living God
Chosen before the foundations of the earth
Called out of darkness into HIS marvelous light
Saved by Grace through Faith
Have been Transformed by the Gospel of grace
Are being Sanctified
Will be Glorified by Jesus
Amazed at HIS endless mercies
Forgiven
Free
Pure
Blameless
Spotless
Washed by the Blood of the LAMB
A new creation in Christ Jesus
My partner in the work of the Gospel
My husband
My love
My home
My best friend

2006-08-11T22:50:00.000-04:00

Our All in All
From the Journal of Biblical counseling:

"Jesus is your life. He is the One before whom every knee will bow! He has defeated death once for all. He will finish what He has begun. Let your light so shine as you live in Him, by Him, through Him, for Him. On of the church's ancient hymns puts it this way:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Do you know Jesus Christ?
Do you love Him?
Live for Him?
Have you laid everything at His feet?
What's holding you back?
me me me me me me me me... SELF! Despicable self!

Lord, break our hearts and have mercy on us! Open our eyes to Your Great Glory and Matchless Worth such that we would despise ourselves and lay everything down at your feet!! Be LORD of our lives in every way! Save us from ourselves! We desperately need You! Nothing else satisfies!!!!!!!!!!

2006-07-26T23:09:00.000-04:00

"Aim for Repentance Rather than a Decision
As you witness, divorce yourself from the thought that you are merely seeking “decisions for Christ.” What we should be seeking is repentance within the heart. This is the purpose of the Law, to bring the knowledge of sin. How can a man repent if he doesn’t know what sin is? If there is no repentance, there is no salvation. Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Many don’t understand that the salvation of a soul is not a resolution to change a way of life, but “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” The modern concept of success in evangelism is to relate how many people were “saved” (that is, how many prayed the “sinner’s prayer”). This produces a “no decisions, no success” mentality. This shouldn’t be, because Christians who seek decisions in evangelism become discouraged after a time of witnessing if “no one came to the Lord.” The Bible tells us that as we sow the good seed of the gospel, one sows and another reaps. If you faithfully sow the seed, someone will reap. If you reap, it is because someone has sown in the past, but it is God who causes the seed to grow. If His hand is not on the person you are leading in a prayer of committal, if there is not God-given repentance, then you will end up with a stillbirth on your hands, and that is nothing to rejoice about. We should measure our success by how faithfully we sowed the seed. In that way, we will avoid becoming discouraged.
“If you have not repented, you will not see the inside of the kingdom of God.” Billy Graham"

All the above is quoted from the Evidence Bible and can be found on WayoftheMaster.com and LivingWaters.com.

have you repented of your sins?

what fruit are you bearing? figs do not grow on a cactus and carrots do not grow on an apple tree. are you walking on the STRAIGHT & NARROW path?

how do you witness? do you witness?

Lord, give us discernment and wisdom and words of life so that YOUR NAME may be proclaimed among the nations... especially to this LOST AMERICA! Lord forgive us please! We have not honored you as you deserve! Lord change us! Lord Jesus, wrap us up so tigghtly in the light of your Word that we would love your Will and your Presence more than any other thing! Lord Jesus, please change us such that we would love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength! Lord, please make us to love souls such that we would die to self and life for Christ alone! Have mercy on us and may Jesus be glorified!!!

2006-07-16T23:21:00.000-04:00

just wanted to tell you all about a great resource on the web! www.WayOfTheMaster.com is a wonderful tool for biblical evangelism! and they have all kinds of free stuff to use! there's a radio program that you can listen to on the web! there are witnessing clips of street evangelism that really get you all fired up! there are tons of teaching and research materials and videos you can watch... and they quote men like John Piper, Charles Spurgeon, Alistar Begg, John MacArthur... so far i haven't found anything unbiblical... i have gained a lot of confidence in sharing Jesus with this lost and dying world... law and grace! Let's witness like Jesus did! Holy Spirit set us on fire for you!

2006-05-31T07:29:00.000-04:00

We met…….
5 years ago…….
In Paris…….
Under the Eiffel Tower…….

SHE: Lost but drawn… exhausted of the things the world has. No value. No reward. No fun. No life. Just death. Just empty. Sorrow. Pain. I wish I could just… I’m so sorry… terrible memories… helpless… hopeless… broken… forgiveness? Can it be? You must be mistaken! Don’t you see that mountain of mess I made?!? Too big to sweep under the rug… where can I flee…. If I just... they’ll never know… smile… convince… laugh… “it’s all good!” …keep my distance… avoid them… building my walls… if she only knew the FATHER’s great plan for her… for them…

HE: once-again-CAPTIVATED-by JESUS… thankful for patience, mercy, grace, kindness of the kindEST, love INCOMPREHENSIBLE, poured out lavishly, without reproach on a set-on-fire-heart… attention focused solely on HIS TRUE LOVE who WAITed all his life for this new season… “Jesus, all I want is some time with you! I want to live for you now!” FREE, fresh, joyful, excited… new eyes… fresh sight… soft, tender heart… will resolved to serve, to love, to enjoy the LORD of his life… new desires… a new mission… a new center… the good news is so precious to me!... praise Him… He’s worthy! Deep breath… enjoying creation… exploring… constantly relating with the Only True Best Friend. steadfast, unshakable, immovable, solid, purposeful… what do you have for me? what can I give? What can I offer? QT… time for you and me…I agree!

SHE: just graduated… studying art…

HE: a Sailor on the enterprise ported in Cons, France, traveling to Paris…

25may2001 A warm Parisian day…. Soft breeze…… busy streets…… limestone bridges and cobblestone paths… creation in bloom… love is in the air… can you feel it? Many times attempting to ascend the Tower all failed for various reasons… we’re too early, we’re too late, tick tick tick… all under the Sovereignty of the ONE who CREATED LOVE… the ONE who wrote this amazing story… for HIS glory….

SHE: drawn... amazed… by the beauty… every flower… every skyscape was like-I’ve-never-seen-it-awesome! Europe… so exciting… eclectic… a hodgepodge of tastes, fragrance, style… ambiance… The Master tugs… feelings of I’m gonna fix my life and do the right thing this time… maybe… is it possible? …time alone… is anyone out there? Hello?

THEY: OHIO STATE! CLEVLAND INDIANS! In Paris… hmmm…

HE & SHE: what are they thinking… Uugghh! Standing off to the side… they speak…

HE: quiet but confident, mysterious, tall-dark-and-handsome-type with camera bag in hand and a heart not-interested-in-females-just-want-to-spend-time-with-my-Savior-while-i-wait-for-the-one-He’s-created-for-me-before-the-foundations-of-the-earth-which-I’m-certain-will-be-a-while. Full of the LIGHT and LOVE of JESUS! Radiating the GLORY of the eternal and LIVING GOD! Beautiful smile… tiger eyes… altogether lovely. He spoke sweetly of family, friends, Jesus… what category does he fit into? I’ve never… there’s just something so… I don’t know…. What is it?... Who is he?… he is completely… he’s so… he’s set apart! Radiant amongst ten thousand! Can we talk?… I can’t say that!… how can I know you more? Shhh! You’re just--wow! [sigh!]

~On top of the Eiffel Tower at sunset~

SHE: surprised at her interest in him… where did that come from? I said I was through… speeding up to be close to him… slowing down to get near him… there’s something different about this one… he’s taking pics… he’s not showy… what is it?

~Dinner and conversation followed by the 24hr bar THEY chose~

Great conversation: your ring says true love waits? Sounds like you love your parents a lot… I love to travel… me too! I write in my journal for the woman I will one day marry… I have a stack of cards I will one day give to my husband… Do you believe in God? Doesn’t everyone? Hmmm… … … what are we doing in a nasty bar when we could be out enjoying Paris… let’s go! –wait! Should I give your friends my drivers license in case they’d worry about you going off with a strange guy… what a gentleman…

~The Champs Elysee,, The Arc de Triomphe, and Tiramisu~

Linked at the elbows--I can’t believe I did that! he’ll think I’m crazy! What a gentle smile… strolling… smiling… laughing… talking… hmm… am I dreaming? This is too good to be true.... See that balcony? Flowing linens, aged charm, quiet stillness, romance, future hopes… what’s he thinking? Tiramisu with two spoons… great conversation so many common interests… travel, soccer, photography. He’s beautiful…

~The River Seine~

Through cobblestone paths lit by old fashioned street lamps toward the River Seine… one goal… victory! …look! A bench at the waters edge… a limestone bridge… conversation until sunrise… under the moonlight... the sparkle of stars... the way the light falls on his face… breath-taking! Exploring hearts sharing words, dreams, thoughts… every moment thoroughly enjoyed… can you please stop time for me? what a story... better than the movies… the sunrise… never such a serene site have I seen… not a soul in sight… no busyness, just peace. Such beauty! I never want this moment to end… a postcard torn in half… info exchange… remember, true love waits!

~The dreaded goodbye~

HE: Save her soul Jesus or get her out of my heart!

SHE: I just want you to know how much every moment meant to me… what can I say to him to make him know this was special… meaningful… a treasure! What’s he thinking? Does he feel these flutters and swirls? I’ll probably never hear from him… I will write! What have I got to lose? I want to marry someone just like him… exactly like him… perfectly lovely…

They parted… she cried all the way back to her hotel. Why am I crying? Why does it hurt so much to leave him? I barely know him… 15hrs… just a blink… just a vapor… What happened… will I see him again? am I crazy? I know something amazing happened… amazing…. What I’d give to know how it all ends…

The light... how brightly it shines in his face… he’s beautiful, radiant… set apart.

2006-05-11T23:22:00.000-04:00

dreams, interpretations, and messages from God....

some of you may have received an email about dreams fred's been having... well, that's just the kick off...

Fred emailed me about dream he had last night and was asking to share it with people and ask them to pray… he’s been having frequent vivid dreams of the devil and terrible events. Thankfully Jesus IS victorious over Satan and death! Thankfully Jesus said, “It is finished!!!” Thankfully what Jesus has accomplished can never be shaken, dissolved, destroyed, forgotten b/c he was crucified, dead, buried, and risen again and is now awaiting those who love HIM in Heaven! What an awesome Savior we serve!!

part 1: fred's dream

Fred wrote:
I dreamt that I was having a conversation with someone (or so it seemed to be someone) and out of nowhere I heard someone tell me that it was all an illusion and that the person talking to me was a smooth talker and to see past the lies. At that moment I started or my
mind started racing through scripture and I found the cloudiness disappear and was standing in our bedroom. At that point I looked into the mirror and felt the dread that the devil or equivalent was in the room with us. At that point the dresser in our bedroom started to
bounce up and down like a bucking bronco with me holding on to it and I was asking you if you could see what was happening and if you could see that it was the devil. You said yes and we started to war with the spirit with prayer and scripture and then it left out home through the front door. At that moment their was a car accident with a man stuck behind a steering wheel we both went out to help him (it wasn't in front of our house, somewhere else.) You were helping the hurt man and I was trying to get him out when another car was driving up close and the men in it started to shoot out the windows. I dove to the ground, grazed in the head and thought I was a gonner but looked up to see that you had been shot and killed. When I woke up from this I just started praying for your safety fearing that the devil had decided to go after you physically since he couldn't win spiritually. Please pray for me and for your safety and please encourage others to do the same as well. It was a
dream but when I woke up this morning I felt worn and tired as if it were a real battle. Kind of like Jacob wrestling with Jesus in his dream. I have faith that God will protect you but please be careful and alert to the spiritual war that is going on in this world.

So please pray for us! this is only one of many dreams he’s had like it! =) I wonder what God is doing through Fred’s dreams…. Whatever it is we know it’s for our good and HIS GLORY!!! Maybe someone will have an interpretation! Holy Spirit, come!

part 2: my dream...

I wrote:
I had a strange dream about a voice whispering to me while I was driving… it was mocking me by stating the same verse I fell asleep quoting last night: “perfect love cast out fear.” b/c of Fred’s dream I was walking around our bedroom praying and at one time I felt God do something powerful in the Spirit as I was pointing to the dresser that Fred dreamed about praying “perfect love cast out fear” and praying in the spirit I was brought to tears. I was praying that verse b/c I was a bit afraid…. And I felt God’s peace…. Then to have that dream of a smooth voice mocking my faith and prayers…. Thankfully the enemy has been defeated! Jesus is victorious! =)

part 3: impressions of fred's dream...

i was hoping the Lord would give someone an interpretation, and He did! a dear, beautiful friend of ours wrote:

In it's roughest form here it goes:

The voice of the one not seen but who is with you says,"Do not be deceived, for deception is close, so close that it sits
in front of you. It is as near as a man sitting in front of you. It is all around you."

The mirror is a reflection of what is, but when shaken it cast doubt. Doubt leads to fear. You are tempted to question many things. "Do not put your trust in what you see; but trust Me and hold fast to all that I have promised."

The enemy, the devil, attacks your home through your marriage. Your bedroom represents your covenant love.
His attempts are futile because the foundation of your marriage is built on a firm foundation.

For a moment, the enemy gained access through the door of your heart. But because the One who is in you is greater than he who is in the world, he was forced to leave.

The car accident represents urgency. The Lord's return is very near. The man stuck behind the wheel represents the lost. He is in a place where he has no control of his direction. He has placed you the to give help and hope.

The other men represent the world and the bullets represent ungodly attacks.

Through the glass, represents the easiest point of entry. Because you were there, the glass also represented your transparency. In your transparency the Lord will be glorified.

The head being grazed but not destroyed represents Fred's leadership being sustained by the Grace of God!!!

Seeing Cheryl in her helpless state represents your total dependence on the Lord for her life.

The Lord is testing your faith. He is asking ," Will you trust me in everything?"

part 4: messages from God...

Are you ready for this one??? as if all that isn't cool enough...

There’s this display sign in front of this church I drive past at least once every week. It usually has a great verse on it and I always find encouragement as I read it while driving by. Today after writing to fred about my dream and praying and wondering what it all means… I left for work and came to this sign after my first home visit. Guess what it said? It wasn’t a verse like usual. It said, “this week’s focus: SPIRITUAL WARFARE.” I laughed inside and thanked the Lord for making things so clear to such a dense mind as mine! Who says God doesn’t still speak to us?

part 5: JESUS is working powerfully despite the enemy's attempts to oppress the truth!

the Lord is working the gospel through me in the lives of my patients in ways i never dreamed and have yet to know the results... daily i feel more and more focused to pray and witness of the great news of HIS salvation! i have shared the gospel countless times already!-- ALL HIS GRACE!!! i've been praying for passion and boldness and that the Lord would open doors and hearts and save these dying patients and their families! I've been praying that He'd set me on fire for HIS NAME and GLORY! i've been asking HIm to give me a desire for Jesus and HIS NAME to be made know and a willingness to do HIS will and a right mind to see souls as either going to heaven or hell... my world is changed and the enemy hates it... Lord, continue to change me and use me for YOUR GREAT GLORY! i think the enemy is working so hard to keep us quite! don't give in! don't be silent! we were created for this! if we don't shout it out, the Bible says the rocks will cry out!

Jesus said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that i have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matt 28:18-20

2005-10-30T18:46:00.000-05:00

The Cross: more than just sins forgiven..... HIS OBEDIENCE COVERS ME!!!
Well, we MUST start with GOD, as He is the ALPHA and the OMEGA.... the Creator of all things... God is Holy and cannot be around sin! And that presents a problem, as we, you and i, are sinners. Our sin is real, it's against HOLY GOD, and must be dealt with! we cannot just cast it aside as GOD CANNOT do that. God requires that all the law be obeyed, and all the punishment be paid... b/c He is HOLY, He created us, He sustains all life,...

of course the most important thing on earth is who's carrying your sins, your burdens, your failings, your shortcomings? the answer to this question separates the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats,...BUT here's the Good news!!! God had a plan before time even began! He sent His SON to save sinners like you and me! Jesus is waiting for you! His arms have been stretched wide open on the CROSS OF CALVARY! He bore the punishment that you and i deserve.... God says your sins deserve death... everyone is guilty! But God made a way for sinners like you and me to escape the punishment and death we deserve! God sent His SON JESUS who took your punishment and died in your place! It's finished! will you accept His gift?

for those who have accepted His gift, His death has given us A NEW LIFE and now we can KNOW GOD through Jesus!!! ALL of our sins are forgiven! and i mean it! ALL our sins, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, have been punished in Jesus as He hung on the tree!!! That's the good news of the gospel!!! BUT it doesn't stop there....

Not only did God provide a way that we might be freed from the penalty of breaking HIS HOLY LAW, but He provided that we might know HIM and have relationship with HIM! He is now our FATHER, and HIS HOLY SPIRIT dwells, lives, resides, in us! we can talk to Him any time, all the time, and He loves when we do! He awaits us with joy! drawing us closer to Him all the time... pouring His love and joy in our hearts, changing us constantly, making us more like Jesus! The Bible talks about Him delighting in us and singing over us! He is a JOYFUL FATHER who loves and delights in HIS children! and He's saved us from our former life to bring us into relationship with His church, both local and worldwide!! We're certainly not to be alone! It's HIS GOOD DESIGN that we be TOGETHER, working, living, serving, growing together, and enjoying each other! But there's more....

When we are "saved" or "born again" or "regenerated" or "made new again" God declares that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection apply to ME and YOU! that's called justification. God declares the unjust, justified! The unrighteous, righteous! The sinner, forgiven! The guilty, free! God declares the verdict on our lives! God says you will no longer be counted guilty b/c of MY SON JESUS who died in your place! AND HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!! Justification has been described as God looking on me "just as if i never sinned!" sweet music to the sinners ears! What an AWESOME GOD! but it gets even better......

AND this is the point I’m getting at: Justification has also, and i'd say even more accurately, een described as "Just as if i had always obeyed!" that's amazing grace!! "Justification is like the two sides of a coin," says Jerry Bridges. "On the one side we are declared "not guilty" before God, and on the other side we are positively declared to be righteous through Christ! That is, we are counted in God's sight as having perfectly obeyed ALL the law of God." not that God counts our good works for merit towards salvation (we surely don't want to go that route b/c out demerits are so limitless!), but that we are seen under the banner of Jesus' perfect obedience to ALL the Law. Jesus says, "i always do the things that please My Father!" "Christ stood in our place as our representative, both in His sinless life and His sin bearing death." (ex: "I have been crucified with Christ" gal 2:20) "We MUST grasp that the fact that Christ's life and death are ours by virtue of our union with HIM. What He did, we did." i must say it again... i need to hear it again: "Just as if i had always obeyed!"

so church! let's rejoice and thank God for this! yes we're still being sanctified, yes, we'll continue to sin, but IT IS FINISHED! Its' paid for by the blood of the LAMB OF GOD, which covers ME! we'll always need to grow, but there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! NO CONDEMNATION! NO! NONE! NOT ANY! We are seen through the eyes of our loving Father who sees His perfect SON standing in our place! i can't wrap my mind around this! that's why i need to constantly preach the gospel to myself! i know my heart, I’m so sinful, so this seems to good to be true, but IT IS TRUE! GOD HIMSELF SAYS SO! through eyes of faith we can walk in the good of the gospel! and reviewing these truths is so important! Who are we in Christ? What's the point of the CROSS? This is putting on the whole armor of GOD! This is where MY HELP comes from! This is JOY and LOVE and MERCY and GRACE up close and personal! Justification mans that JESUS' LIFE DEATH AND RESURRECTION APPLY TO ME AND YOU, personally!!!! We aren't saved and then just tolerated... that's a lie!!! we are loved and delighted in! We are the bride of Christ!!! We are called blessed and beautiful and beloved! and this "decision to grant such favor to us originated solely within GOD's own goodness." this is why we praise HIM!!!

2005-10-20T23:09:00.000-04:00

For Fred, my beautiful husband!
Last night I dreamt of you! That you and I were at church during worship and we were full of joy and both of us were jumping up and down full of rejoicing in Jesus!! And I opened my eyes and peeked over at you and you were jumping with me to the beat of the music, worshipping with your whole heart… and I was moved to praises and thanks to God who so blessed me with such a Jesus-loving husband who I could worship and love God with!!!! There truly is nothing better than worshipping Jesus with you, my love! What a great dream… hope I have more like this one real soon! =) see you in my dreams, dreamy, lovely Fred….

2005-10-13T00:33:00.000-04:00

My Jesus is holding me...

my dear friend, rebekah lynn, was wondering how i was doing since fred's been gone... and i thought i'd blog the thoughts i shared with her...

I’m always better than I deserve and I am learning to be content in every situation but at times I just feel that my heart has been ripped out of me, truthfully, -we’re one- and yes it hurts real bad! I cry a lot. Not from fear or despair but b/c I miss the one my heart loves… and I know Jesus is right there holding me through my sadness and He helps me just worship him and cry out for help. And He says, “It’s ok to be sad, cheryl… I know how your hearts are melded, for I AM the ONE who drew your hearts together and sealed them with My love… this love you have for your husband is a gift from our Father in Heaven who loves you.” And he just holds me… and my gaze is directed to HIM, like Peter said, “where else can I go?” some days are easier than others. But the great thing is that HE’s always with us, always loving us, always thinking loving thoughts of us, always guiding us and holding us close… and He promises to bless this time and says He WILL be glorified in us and He WILL use it for our good. And I have to trust HIM. And He makes me rest in His faithfulness and He restores my soul… Already He’s drawing us closer to Jesus! And there’s nothing better than knowing Jesus more… so already I know that His promise is TRUE in that He is faithful to keep His word and that we’re growing into Jesus and His love and grace is flowing like a river through us...

Fred got to come home for less than a day on Monday and it was the most wonderful time!!! We just talked and cuddled and loved each other… we played dice and danced… we worshipped Jesus as Fred played the guitar and we sang and laughed and cried… and how awesome it was to fall asleep next to him and wake up and find I wasn’t dreaming… Oh how we take each other for granted at times…. So this separation has been a great reminder of how we need to never take each other for granted… I almost didn’t want him to come home for a few hours b/c it hurts so bad when he leaves… I didn’t want to hurt again, but the joy far exceeded the pain.

He’s been able to call me at times, but I probably won’t be able to talk to him for about 15 days, thank you Lord, that we still should be able to email… I may get to see him in 15 days for 24 hours, but you never know with the NAVY. But he should be home for thanksgiving and then he'll be gone pretty much all (75% or more) of 2006.

so pray for us anytime... we're thankful for friends like you!

2005-10-06T16:17:00.000-04:00

TRANSFORM MY THINKING, LORD!

a week with a few snares... BUT GOD!
Isaiah 54:4"Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. 5 For your MAKER is your HUSBAND, the LORD OF HOSTS is His Name, and the HOLY ONE of Israel is your REDEEMER, The GOD OF THE WHOLE EARTH He is called. 6For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in Spirit, like a wife in youth when she is cast off, says your GOD. 7For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. 8In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the Lord your Redeemer. 9"This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so i have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. 10For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD who has compassion on you!"
i'm thirsty....
Isaiah55:1"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
about these snares... they seem to be everywhere...
1 Peter 4:12 "beloved, do not be surprised... 13but rejoice..." and 2 corinthians 4:16 "so we do not lose heart. Though out outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us a AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY BEYOND ALL COMPARISON, 18as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
MY HOPE IS IN CHRIST ALONE
2 COR 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."
2 cor 4:6"For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of Jesus Christ."
BLESSED BEYOND UNDERSTANDING.... REJOICING WITH JUBILANT SONG...
psalm 23:5" You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely mercy and goodness shall follow me all the days of my life, and i shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

2005-09-29T15:47:00.000-04:00

SEE YOU SOON MY LOVE..........

Oh! how my heart longs to see you again, Fred.........
i just took Fred to his ship and may not see him again for ~2 months, hopefully before thanksgiving! We found out yesterday that's he'd leave today for 2 months (we'd been aware of the 1 week fast cruise but this was nowhere on our radar! we felt like we hit a brick wall!) so i called off work for this morning, didn't go to women's care group last night, and we spent every possible second together....... every time i think "i don't have a tear left," i seem to come up with more! =) We're just so in love! and he's just so good at loving me and encouraging me!

and we cherished every moment and things seemed new and fresh and sweet! Q.T. was a priority! We SAVORED every smile, every touch, oh! those eyes! You've captured me with just one glance! oh my! and the way the light dances across his face, his bicept, his chest... and i had this thought.... how much more should we savor and desire intimacy with Jesus!!!! all this, all that happens to us leads us back to the cross! so these feelings my husband and i experience reveal something of our relationship with GOD... Jesus give us a burning desire for intimacy with You! let us know it and experience it! give us a passion for You and Your gospel!

Yesterday God gave Fred this picture of how we long for each other when we're apart... husband and wife... We desire with every breath to be together again and enjoy each other... Yet HOW MUCH MORE DOES JESUS LONG FOR HIS BRIDE!!!!! He's been separated from her for thousands of years yet His perfect love for His precious bride never tires or wanes.... He's committed and constant in His longing for her... He's relentless in His desire for her! He's always asking, "Daddy when can I go get her?"... "When can I bring her home to be with US?" ..."Oh how I love her!" "I long to dance with her and sing with her and walk with her and dine with her..." "How My heart burns within Me!"

Oh! how my heart longs to see you, Jesus.....

2005-09-29T15:02:00.000-04:00

SINCE MY BEK-IZ-LAURA-FRED-TIME, GOD has been revealing HIS LOVE more and more deeply and freshly: the songs we sang at church we're seen in a whole new light. This one song revealed an awesome picture of Jesus to me!
Your blood has washed away my sins, Jesus thank you!
The wrath of God completely satisfied, Jesus thank you!
Once your enemy, now seated at your table, Jesus thank you!
just picturing eating at Jesus’ table with Him, enjoying conversation and perfect food.... WHAT A FRIEND! I was overwhelmed with His love and grace!.... and one of the verses in the song was about how the Father crushed the Son... a statement i've heard before, and been thankful for but Sunday i was lifted out of the guilty feeling of killing-precious-Jesus-and-won't-TheFather-be-mad-at-me.... and i was full of thanks and praise b/c The Father killed the Son for me! GOD killed God! The Father willingly murdered His own ONLY begotten perfect Son to make a way for me to come to Him and spend eternity as His daughter! WHAT A FATHER! and the Son willingly went to the terrible CROSS for the JOY SET BEOFRE HIM: so that He could be the way for me to get to the Father and spend eternity enjoying relationship with this HIM! there's no wrath for me to fear! B/C His blood continually pleads in my defense! Jesus continually says "I'm with her.... she's mine and I'm hers!..." WHAT A SAVIOR!
and another thought was that although he knows the depths of my heart he still loves me... He knows all the hidden things in me and He always has! and He didn't and doesn't hesitate to pour loving kindness all over me! washing me with love and mercy and grace! WHAT A REDEEMER!
AND BECAUSE OF JESUS i can be certain that i have access to the Father! I can know You, LORD! and i will always grow in knowing you!
AND there was a prophetic word that came about how the Father has this relentless, overpowering, continual commitment to do me good! His love for me is oceans overflowing! Flow into me! touch every inch of my soul!! Though i can't often see the end, He is faithful and His plans are never thwarted! He is committed to me! He is ALMIGHTY! He is constant! He's truly the Lover of my soul! Endless love! Unfading, Undying, Unfailing Love!.... Overflowing love........ WHAT A LOVER!

2005-09-17T23:03:00.000-04:00

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
latley i've been having thoughts like "i wish i knew Jesus like this person..." or "i just wish i knew HIM better" and at times feeling jealousy desiring to know Jesus better than anyone... yet still feeling far away at times (b/c sometimes i foolishly base my relationship with him on MY works) and i've been wondering many things like how can this Jesus be the same as the God of the OT... the OT God seems so angry and unpleasable, and Jesus so loving and merciful... i know they're the same but how? i know God punished all our sin and exhausted the full fury of his divine wrath on HIS SON JESUS for the sins of the world and by this sacrifice divine wrath is now forever put away for those whose name is in the BOOK OF LIFE. and i know i have this status with GOD, being COVERED BY THE BLOOD! and i know this JESUS, this beautiful Savior has paid for all MY SIN on the cross. And b/c of this mercy I CAN KNOW HIM. b/c of Jesus HE calls me "beloved daughter" and i am HIS bride! i can have access to the Father WITHOUT FEAR b/c of Jesus! I CAN COME BOLDLY pleading for mercy! I can know joy! And although i "know" these things (like i can recite them and declare them and sing them) i still am lacking understanding in all this. I know but a bit, a piece, a glance, a spark, and THERE"S SO MUCH MORE TO KNOW! and i know i don't have to try and understand HIM perfectly and never could even after being in HIS ETERNAL PRESENCE on the new heavens and new earth fully grasp all of HIM WHO ALWAYS WAS AND IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE! but we long to know him more, don't we?! What can we do but stand in reverent awe of HIM? What can we do but dance joyfully before HIM? What can we do but worship HIM face down? What can we do but come before HIM with loud expressions of thanks and praise? Thank you Holy Spirit! Ever draw me nearer!!!

After imploring HIM this week to allow me to know HIM, He replied "YOU KNOW ME! because MY SON made a way for you to know ME, there is now an open door! YOU DO KNOW ME! and you will only grow to KNOW ME MORE! Continue to seek ME and i will continue to REVEAL MYSELF to you! BE FILLED WITH JOY! JESUS has brought you ABUNDANT JOY! Walk in it! Run in it! Laugh in it! Let ME lavish it on you!....

so back to the OT/NT GOD, the other day i was asking him how? what are you like? what do you feel? what are your thoughts? one word came again and again: LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

2005-09-09T11:56:00.000-04:00

Assignment: Draw a picture of God and you on the same peice of paper. Then describe it or post it so we can all see each others and comment.

2005-09-09T10:36:00.000-04:00

Last week, Fred's friend from Oregon was here visiting and before he left, Fred's mom was here for 5 days and it was a great time and then 3 days after she left my mom and step-dad come for 3 days and well, my sponge was squeezed and all the sin in my heart came out! it's my heart towards my step-dad, it didn't really have much to do with him, he's not perfect or anything... it's just that God was showing me a far more clear view of my filthy sin than i'm used to seeing. Thankfully God's not allowing me to be deluded enough to continue to blame Thom for all my sin, which is what i did all my life. God's giving me the grace to see a bit more clearly that no matter what any one around me does, i can still choose to honor God or serve my flesh and the enemy. And it was very difficult. I was broken about my sin... identifying with Paul in Romans when he says:
"For i do not do what i want, but i do the very thing i hate...18For i know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. For i have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19For i do not do the good i want, but the evil i do not want is what i keep on doing... 21So i find it a law that when i want to do right, evil lies close at hand... 24Wretched man that i am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (And then, at that time i was still blind to the verse that immediately follows, overflowing with hope: 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!")

So there i am in my bedroom crying out to God for help, acknowledging that i am in need... i was praying as the tax collector at the temple, "Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner." it's not that i viewed these sins as powerful to separate me from Christ b/c i don't doubt my salvation. I believe that i'm in His hands and he'll never cast me out! (John 6:35-48) and who can separate me from the love of Christ? Nota!!! Ain't gonna happen! i don't doubt these things! I think i was desiring to please my Jesus who loves me and desiring to be like Jesus who always does what pleases the Father! yet i know my motives and sin even entangle the purest of my desires... and was not able for a time to arise out of the muck... and did i mention i was seeing myself as the unmerciful servant whose been forgiven of 20 lifetimes of debt yet i tightly hold on to a quarter's worth of ignorant debt and strangle my stepfather!!!... Yes, i'm ridiculous! But i'm thankful to see my sin b/c i know he's changing me! I know He's not so cruel to show me my sin and take off! No! my Jesus says "Yes you've sinned, and NO! I'M NOT SURPRISED! I know your form, that you are but dust, a vapor, I know you're weak and weary... you're not supposed to be perfect! If you were perfect then MY DEATH ON THE CROSS WAS A WASTE! The sick need the Great Physician!... you're so focused on your sin, Cheryl, but look to ME! ... or have you forgotten again... I died for you! it IS finished! I chose you! I love you! You are MY beloved child! I STAND IN HEAVEN EVER INTERCEEDING FOR YOU! My blood pleads in your defense! You need not fear! For GOD THE JUST is satisfied to look on ME and pardon you! REJOICE! Think about your last visit with your parents.... Don't you see all MY grace in your life? There's much improvement!! Don't forget all the power I'VE worked in you to pray continually and hold your tongue and smile when you'd rather scream... you didn't do those things last time!! It was far worse!! You're learning and I love helping you, equipping you, leading and guiding you! And I'LL ALWAYS be changing and molding you until you're with me on the New Heavens and New Earth!

So lately my focus is on His love as i think i'm getting to be an expert at condemnation! =) A wise, beautiful, beloved friend of mine (REBEKAH GOLE) once encouraged me to see myself as God sees me in Christ! that's part of why my blog titled the way it is... i'm quick to take my "wisdom" and elevate it above the WORD OF GOD! I need to receive His Grace and love and power to walk in the good of the gospel. (and typically i tend to walk in the good of the gospel, but when trials arise, i can quickly take a 6 day 7 night stay in condemnation city!

When sharing my struggles with my mother-in-law, she used to always say "But God knows your heart," attempting to comfort me... and i'd be like "WHAT KINDA HELP IS THAT?!?!" So when she was here to visit last week i said to her "WHY do you say that to me as if i'm supposed to receive comfort?! I know God knows my heart but that's not comforting b/c he see's all my filth and the filth i can't even quite grasp yet..." She said something like this: "that's exactly why! He sees it all and has died for it all, so there's no need to fear or hide or run... He sees it all, yet sill loves you! He loves you all the same! Because of Jesus! Because you're his child! There's something so special about the way a parent loves their children... you'll see one day!" (CAN"T WAIT FRED!!!) =)

SO HERE'S THE EXCITING NEWS YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!! HOLD ON TO YOUR MUSTANGS BECAUSE YOU'RE ABOUT TO BE STUNNED!!!! FRED AND CHERYL RAY WILL BE APPEARING IN OHIO FOR 3-4 DAYS FOR YOUE ENTERTAINMENT AND JOY!!!!! =) PLEASE DON'T HAVE A HEART ATTACK! (never fear! i'm a nurse!) WE LOVE YOU ALL TOO MUCH!! and then we wouldn't be able to hang out! and catch up and laugh and enjoy God's good blessings and pleasure! AND I NEED YOUR PRAYERS AND HELP as more time with the fam is sure to result in my horns and fangs to resurface! and possibly require an exorcising! ha! =) so the dates are roughly W-Th sept 21-22 to SAT sept 24th. I can't wait to see you all! =)

2005-08-11T08:58:00.000-04:00

God is Sovereign over the plans of the wicked

Monday i felt God's good conviction and realized i had a bad attitude at work related to some tough issues with one specific crooked temporary unit mgr of mine. I felt that God was leading me to repent to some people at work. God brought so much joy to my heart as He enabled me to obey Him and ask forgiveness from 3 of the highest ranked people in my facility. But i'm still asking God to help me love this temp unit mgr. It's not easy.
The temp unit mgr got a good nurse fired yesterday-possibly by lying! This nurse worked hard and did a good job, her pts liked her, staff liked her, she’s a better nurse than me… I talked to mgmt about this yesterday… asking “why?” I’ve heard that this temp unit mgr has done this in the past to other people… I was so angry yesterday… my first thoughts were to quit… before she finds some reason to get me fired and b/c i don't want to work in a place that would just drop employees over the testimony of one crooked person… but I think God is telling me to hold on…. a certain christian that i work with (and God has brought MANY of His children to work at this facility-thank you Jesus! how we need each other!) who truly knows how i feel told me to hold on and that there was a calm in the storm just around the corner! thankfully GOD is in control of all things! Everything that occurs is under His Sovereign will, control, and power. He is working all things for my good and His glory. Pray that he would protect me and His people at my facility, help me to walk in a way that would glorify Him, and save the soul of this lost temp unit mgr!

2005-08-05T20:02:00.000-04:00

2005-08-05T19:34:00.000-04:00

OOOHHHH BEK! You're the bom-diggity! i think we're getting somewhere! thanks! it's not so diff! This is an old picture on fred and me at Tucosn Sovereign Grace Chruch with our name tags on! I'll send some more recent ones soon!

2005-08-04T15:10:00.000-04:00

Prayer List #2

Same as before: Healing for Ken Burdette, Grampie Hank, Israel's eye,... Micah and Wendy's Marriage, Scott running away from Jesus, salvation for the lost!,...

But i need prayer for me too... I tend to pray for others and ignore my need to pray for God to help me and change me! My temporary ward mgr and i don't mesh well... i'm quick to point out her deficiencies and even quicker to defend myself and justify my sin. When she comes my way i want to turn and hurry away, when she talks i want to say "excuse me, do you have a sock and some duck tape?" I want to avoid her, i don't want to listen, and my solution in my mind has been asking my DNS (dir. of nursing services) to switch me to another unit even though she's supposed to be just temporary until they get someone else (like there won't be any problems on another floor).... I know she's not innocent b/c no one is, but she's not a Christian and i am! I'm Jesus on this earth to her... Lord help me! Have mercy! God is helping me to keep my big mouth shut and answer calmly. His grace is powerfully at work! I'm growing and it's obvious when i look at who i used to be! so there's reason to rejoice! but God knows the depths of my heart... he sees my thoughts and lack of love! (and as a church we're reading 1 john and Sundays message was "do you love?" ...hmmm...) So i'm crying out to Him who is able to change me! I'm so thankful for repentance! It's a gift and by this gift i can receive his forgiveness and be reconciled to God again! I don't want to walk in darkness b/c God is in the Light! I've been trying but apart from his grace i'll never progress! I want to love as Jesus loves... I'm supposed to have the mind of Christ! I'm supposed to shine His light to the lost and lead others to Him... i want to be so unlike me and so like Jesus! i feel like paul who said in romans 7 i can't do the very thing i want to do! I can't not sin! my mind is willing but my flesh is weak!---but thankfully i'm not hopeless! He's ABLE! His hand is not too short to reach down and help and change and mold me! and i can rest in the hope of heaven! But until then i'll struggle.... and i WILL see fruit b/c my Root is Jesus!

2005-08-04T15:09:00.000-04:00

How do i put pics on my blog? i tried for like an hour and gave up?

2005-08-04T12:33:00.000-04:00

Lost and Found
So last sunday morning fred heard the dogs barking and looked to see why... a lost dog had found it's way up to our fence... fred brought him in cuz he got along with brandy and chewy (and we wanted to keep him until his owner could come pick him up--but when it came time for him to go i was so sad!! I cried and asked God if he could be our dog in heaven!)... he was very gentle... white with black and brown spots... in desparate need of a bath (p-u!)... his ribs were visible... we wonderend how long he had been lost... he ate about 5 big bowls of food and drank gallons of water... we just hung out with him awhile... petting him, playing with him... he got comfortable here quick! he was able to lay down and rest, not concerned with what was going on around him. he was beat from a long and weary journey. then after church, we came home and cleaned him up a bit. he had about 30 big ticks on him and his ears were drowned in this thick black sludge, so we cleaned his ears out with q-tips and plucked every tick we could find... this poor, filthy, tired, hungry, thirsty dog just let us fix him up. Even though at times removing the ticks had to hurt he just let us care for him... he didn't whine or fuss or pull away. We were amazed. and while i was cleaning him up i thought about how this is a picture of how God is with us! we were once lost, on the outside of the fence, but God graciously brings us in! He feeds us everlasting bread! He gives us living water! He plucks away our idols and the sin that so easily entangles us tossing it away into the bottomless pit/garbage can. He removes us from the mire and cleanses the filthy stains of our sin with the blood of His Beautiful, Perfect Son, if only we ask!! He gives wandering, weary souls rest! He demonstrates his love for us by just allowing us to spend time with HIM in his presence! When we come to him in search of love and help, he doesn't smack us of tell us "get lost!" No! Our Jesus humbles himself, gets down on his knees, on our level, with open arms and says "COME! Come to me! I've made a way! Come to me! I love you! I love you more than you can imagine! I love you in ways you can't understand! Don't be afraid! I won't cause you harm! Though things in this world may cause you pain, i promise to stay with you and help you and love you ALWAYS! I'm what you're searching for! You can't find true satisfaction in those other things! Come to me! Come to me and be satisfied! I'll fill your heart to overflowing! Come to me and i'll give you rest! Come to me and find joy in expressible! Come to me and experience what you were created to be! Come to me and enjoy the gifts and joys i have prepared for you in my Father's house... the New Earth!!"

2005-08-01T00:54:00.000-04:00

Praise and Prayer list #1:

okay so i think we should use this to pray for specific things too! Let's use this as a tool to be the prayer warriors God created us to me for his glory! =)

Thursday some women got together for ladies prayer night… there were 6 of us… it was wonderful! Powerful! And produced a deeper longing and desire to continue praying in my heart since then! We prayed for the country, president, gov, church international and local, our pastors, leaders, married couples, children and teens,… we prayed for purity, spiritual gifts to be poured out, revival, repentance to be granted… we prayed specifically for a daughter who is running from God presently, and we all prayed for Ken, my pastor and care group leader from tucson who has a brain tumor and was give 2wks to 2 yrs to live and is currently praying about what treatment/surgery route to take… How awesome is the body of Christ to pray fervently and carry in our hearts someone whom they’ve never met (those women in VA never met Ken!)! God richly blessed us all! I’m hungry for more! =) Reminds me of the good old ihop days! (I miss it so!!!) How much time I waste being busy when I could be pursuing what won’t tarnish or fade or be destroyed!!!!!

Also pray for Scott and his wife Abby from our Tucson church. Scott who we all have believed to be regenerated left the church to join the Jehovah's witnesses. the men from tucson have been trying to guide him back though intervention, prayer,... I've eyewitnessed Scott evangelizing on a mission trip to Tijuana. it doen't make sense...Trading the truth for a lie? why? he's been diagnosed with bipolar dz 2 yrs ago and when he's off his meds he's so diff. His wife is a believer but is haveing an understandably difficult time with this! Thankfully God is Sovereign and Good and promises to bring good out of this!

My grandpa hank has thyroid CA and cancer in a few lymph nodes and there are a few cancerous spots on his jugular vein too and will have surgery on AUG 12 to remove it all! My grandparents are catholic but I don’t think they’re saved… But when I ask grandpa how he’s dealing with all this he says that “there’s only one person who is in control of all this!” so that’s God’s grace as apart from HIM we’d never say that… however even the demons know the truth so my prayer is that God would save him and grandma b/c I don’t really care about the CA being removed if his healthy body is thrown into hell! Of course both salvation and healing are the ultimate! Grandma is a nervous wreck and God led me to write her a note to encourage her… and helped me to put the gospel in it in a gracious way… I was trying to figure out how to evangelize in it but i was unable, but God is faithful to overcome my weakness and inadequacy…

Fred passed the chief test in January and has been awaiting results on the board selection since then. Thursday the results came out! I’m married to Chief Select RAY!!!!!!!!! God pours such great blessing on us! Fred works very hard but he’s quick to Glorify God in it all! We’re very excited! He’s now an E-7 (highest enlisted is an E-9) and this starts a whole new chapter for him as chiefs are more management and less hands on! So there will be new challenges and much more responsibility! A complete new set of uniforms! Nicer quarters and better food on the Enterprise.

and Micah and Wendy... It’s come to LIGHT that Wendy NEVER really ended her adultery with the other man… But Micah is displaying love and forgiveness that leads me to believe he must have been regenerated, b/c that’s not of the world!!! Today they finally made it to church again and after the sermon, Wendy ran off to the bathroom and I felt that I should go after her. She said I’m fine… I said no you’re not and she cried and I hugged her… she said I’m tired of destroying my marriage and I said you can be forgiven of everything!!! She said I know while walking away… but God is MIGHTY and able and I can feel him saying that he will do it! Can’t wait to see the fruit of it! =)

2005-07-28T16:59:00.000-04:00

Who am i? most days i forget the true answer to that question. I titled this blogspot to remind myself of who i truly am! I often feel weighed down by my inadequacy, my sin, and the cares of life. But the Bible tells me truth! Because of Jesus i can know God! Because of Jesus, all my sins have been forgiven and i'm wearing His Righteousness! I don't have to measure up any more because Jesus is my advocate before the Holy Judge! I don't have to fear, because all my punishment was placed on HIM, My Jesus! and know i can have a relationship with The Father, because Jesus has bridged the gap that my sin created! Because of Jesus, God calls me forgiven! spotless! blameless! pure! free! greatly loved! blessed and highly favored! i am the Bride of Christ! And he is my Husband! I am a new creation! i have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus! and therefore i AM justified! i AM sanctified! i AM glorified! I am filled with his Holy Spirit! i have a hope and a future! i am never alone! i am always better than i deserve! I have the mind of Christ and His strength is working mightily within me! All because of Jesus! the only God and Savior! whether i feel it or not.... truth is absolute!!!