Spiritual Sundays

When I was 30, I was married and had 3 kids. Two were "ours" and then my stepdaughter was just like mine from the beginning because she was 2 when I came into her life. I fell TOTALLY in love with her and have never known a difference but I always feel I should clarify that because I never want to take place of her mother. I grew up with a stepmom (or 2) and it is always something that was clarified for me so anyway.... :) this is far from the point.

I had always been a stay at home mom and lived in a safe quiet circle of Christian friends and people. It was at this point that I began going to beauty college to get a cosmetologist license and OH MY was my mind blown away. I was in a school with a group of people from all walks of life. But every morning I would stand outside of my car, I would literally do this exercise......I would act like I was zipping out of my body and from my head to my toes I would zip all the way down, I would step forward, and then zip all the way back up saying "Lord, I walk out of myself and walk into your Spirit, may YOU lead and guide me and my Words and may these people see YOU and YOU Only" I was in a mission field to say the least. But you know what the biggest comment I heard while there.....

"You read the Bible Loren, WHY???? It is so irrelevant today!!! Honestly I was AGHAST! and overtime I saw that these people I was going to school with on a daily basis were broken wounded people who needed JESUS. Some were drug addicts, some were dealing with homosexuality. Some were still just kids living in a home who just didn't want to go to church or be among what they called "those hypocrites."

As i was in the Word this week and in reading specifically about this particular book here is what it says:

This book describes the characteristic social conditions of his day: corrupt leaders, unstable family life, widespread immorality, class hatred, and poverty. Though people continued a form of worship, idolatry was more and more accepted and the priests were failing to guide the people into ways of righteousness. In spite of the darkness of these days, he holds out hope to inspire his people to turn back to God.

This book is about people who needed to hear the love of God, a God who wanted to tell them, and the unique way God chose to demonstrate HIS Love to HIS people.

I don't know about you, but this sounds ALOT like where we are TODAY, and not only that but also where the hearts of the people of today are. This book is in the Bible. It is HOSEA and was written in approximately 750 B.C.

I would encourage those who read this and think that the Bible isn't relevant to today.....please pick it up.....whisper a prayer to the Lord and ask for HIS Spirit to speak to you because GODS Word is ALIVE AND ACTIVE. It CANNOT return VOID!!
It truly is a LAMP UNTO YOUR FEET, A LIGHT UNTO YOUR PATH.

For other Spiritual Sunday post I also encourage you to spend some time HERE and read what others have to say or to share about our Father and how HE demonstrates HIS Love to each and every one of us....TODAY

IN HIM

Friday Funnies Turkey Style

Enjoy my friends




For other Funnies go visit Kim at Homesteaders Heart and HEY!! anyone out there who wants to join in and find some new recipes come with us next week to Kims where she will be sharing them with us each day! Come on.....It's ALWAYS fun over at Kims place!




Happy Friday everyone!! Love you

Thankful for your trial? Really Lord?

For the month of November Iris at Grace Alone is hosting Thankful Thursdays. Today's thankfulness is about trials!

I think a vast majority of Americans ~ Believers and non-believers alike ~ would say they are in the middle of a trial right now.
Everywhere we turn......TV. RADIO. INTERNET. NEWSPAPER. BLOGS. we read about someone in a trial


Trials are no respecter of persons. They affect everyone BUT it is in HOW we choose to face them that is the difference! As a believer I am thankful for so many things during the trials that I face.

* The Lord ~ my Heavenly Father who so lovingly provided for each trial that I would surely face ~ even before I was born. It is in these trails that HE shows HIMSELF strong!!

* Jesus ~ who faced trial after trial and has compassion for me in every one of my trials. He can share an example of those times for me when I am down, or mourning, or frustrated ....He gives me the HOPE, the PEACE, the PERSEVERANCE and so much more in EVERY one of my trials.

* the HOLY SPIRIT ~ who Comforts me and Guides me in my trials. HE prays for me when I don't know what or how to pray. HE leads into all TRUTH so that when I am having any "stinkin thinkin" goin on HE corrects me!

* the WORD ~ all I EVER have to do in a trial is look in the WORD and there I will find any and every trial imaginable and how to face those trials. Here I will find HOPE. Here I will find how to renew my mind in this trial. Here I will find answers, examples, and encouragement to continue on.

A cloud of witnesses ~ friends who love and support me during the trial. They point me to our Father, to JESUS. They lay me and my trial at the altar knowing and trusting that the answer is coming! The pray over me, anointing me with oil, or call with an encouraging word. They share a scripture the Lord has given them in regards to that trial. They listen, they love. They pray. It is such a gift to be surrounded by these precious people the Lord has so graciously given to you during these difficult days! I love and appreciate each and every one of you!! In Blogland and those at home ~ I wouldn't want to even try to make it without any of you!


Yes I am very thankful for trials because I know that as I face them and as I grow stronger because of them...... Everytime I am victorious and on the other side of that trial.... I can rest assured that ...... a healing took place and more of who I am became more of what Christ designed for me to be. Because of this trial I can share and encourage others who are dealing with the same. Isn't this what Christ longs for us to do....to have mercy, to share grace, to be kind and loving to those who are going through a trial and prayerfully while we are ministering out of our experience, the Lord will be glorfied!

What about you ~ are you thankful for you trials?

Are you still teachable?

As I sat having coffee with friends yesterday it just amazed me how we were all going through or should I say, God was "dealing" with each of us in a similar manner. Each of us had been repenting from "pride," "selfishness," "allowing our flesh to win instead of walking in love." I love these friends, why? because every time I am with them I am encouraged to be less then I (my flesh) am and MORE of what God wants me to be!

As a group, with our husbands we have all been on the same path for many years now. We have all fought HARD for our marriages but through Christ we WON

We have all ministered together and have seen the hand of God move through each and every one of us. When certain people said it wouldn't work we cried out to the Lord and through HIM..... it DID

What I love about our friendships is that first, Christ is the Head. Along with that, you have a group of people who are firm believers that God is the Same Yesterday, Today and Forevermore but that HE loves us way to much to leave us where we are and is forever changing us from glory to glory. God desires for us to remind HIM of his Word. He watches over it to perform it! Isn't that AWESOME

I'm going to take a rabbit trail here for just a minute :) so bear with me....When I did hair, I had a customer who came in, an older gentleman who had been in my church at the time for years and years! He had made 3 moves with the church from when it began on Main Street to the Huge building it is today standing on a very busy corner. But he would come in and EVERY SINGLE TIME he would share the story with me about how the Lord saved him back in 1964. Everytime I would ask him what the LORD was doing today? You see, I loved this old man dearly and never meant anything bad by asking this question but what I am trying to say today is the same thing I was trying to say then. God wants to move in our lives NEW and FRESH today and EVERYDAY!

What we have to ask ourselves is this ~ Have we allowed pride to get in our way of growing in HIM? I have.
Have we allowed other things to become more important the HE is? I have.
Are we still teachable? Do we still desire to learn everytime we come before our Heavenly Father (in prayer) or read HIS Word?
Are we allowing God to increase as we (our flesh) decrease?


Yesterday as we girls were ending our fellowship time and going on about our lives we gathered together and prayed as we normally would but we all were crying out for the Lord to use us to Love those who hurt us, to die to our flesh and love our enemies as HIS word so clearly tells us to do, to walk according to the Power of the Holy Spirit and for people to see God in us.

As I went throughout my day and into the evening I was able to share with my daughter some of how the Lord is dealing with me. And how when we confess and repent from being prideful and/or selfish it isn't easy but that in doing it, that it feels so much better than the feeling of living life knowing that you are far away from your Father or having to do things in your own strength. Because, I know this ~ If I am not teachable on a daily basis ~ my kids will miss out on the blessing of seeing Gods hand move daily in the lives of this home. Teaching, Moving, Loving, Giving Grace and Mercy, and Disciplining those HE Loves.



Love and Blessings

My Daybook

FOR TODAY... November 3, 2009

Outside my window... yet, another gorgeous day.....sunny almost spring like temps ~ JUST Perfect!

I am thinking... how many different things blogging has BROUGHT out of me and how many wonderful things it has GIVEN to me

I am thankful for... MY daughters' love (both of them). My mothers friendship. My dads strength. My husbands sense of humor. My sons gentle heart. My granddaughters smile. The Lords leading.

I am wearing...My black Gap outfit with a pumpkin colored long sleeve shirt and my Nikes.

I am remembering...how much I like Daylight Savings time in the beginning :)

I am going... to have coffee with friends this morning :)

I am reading... Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain ~ Paul Meier and David Henderson, Clara's Kitchen ~ Clara Cannucciari (a cookbook from a precious 94 yr old woman who lived through the Great Depression and shares her memories and recipes)
Schooled ~ for my son :), The Proper Care and feeding of our Husbands ~ Dr. Laura

I am hoping...to continue to work out and to lose weight

On my mind .....so many people with cancer. I HATE IT.


Noticing that... When I exercise it helps me soo much in my attitude towards myself.

From the kitchen... big pot of stew in the crockpot .......mmmm with a pan of homemade cornbread......delicious

Around the house... windows are open letting in the warm air and wishing I hadn't put away all the shorts....I thought I waited long enough but not this year!

One of my favorite things~ reading at night with my son and watching my daughter grow in her gift. Ok, sorry that was two :)

From my picture journal...
Halloween 09'

Jenna aka Zac Robinson and Tyler aka Sam Bradford


Jantzen aka Captain Canada


Tyson aka Captain Canadas sidekick


and the sweetest BEE you will ever see......she is our little HONEY



For other Daybooks please visit Peggy here

Love and Blessings,

An Excellent Book

This week the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance book tour is introducing A Slow Burn by Mary E. DeMuth


This is the 2nd book in the Defiance Texas Trilogy.

Emory Chance is a mother who is filled with regret. Her daughter, Daisy has been murdered and her killer is still out there. Emory is a woman who allows no one in her life or her heart. She lives life on her terms, trying to escape feeling any sort of emotion or owning up to the fact that she was a very neglectful mother. She has a drug dealer, Angus who keeps her stocked with marijuana or pills to help her forget. Even though in her mind she thinks that these pills are an escape, they prove to be visions of her sweet daughter or even worse ~ her own rejection day after day of not spending time with her daughter, sharing even a simple hug.

Hixon, an uneducated black man has been given a word from the Lord ~ Marry Emory Chance. Hixon does everything he can think of to woo Miss Emory and is rejected each and everytime. Hixon loves Jesus and it shows in everything he does. He cares for an elderly woman Muriel, who is suffering with cancer. Muriel and Hixon have a sweet friendship and Muriel is the only one who knows of this call from the Lord. Hixon is a precious man and his character will make you want to be a better person, to love as he loves and draw nearer and nearer to Jesus no matter what life throws at you.


These characters along with others will take you on a journey. A journey of forgiveness. A journey of grace. A journey of perseverance.

I did not read the first book in the trilogy but I plan on it and look forward to reading the final book when it is released. I recommend Slow Burn to anyone. Slow Burn reaches into your heart and you will be surprised at all the layers it will touch.


The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373442726


Disclosure: Christian Fiction Blog Alliance sent me this book for free and asked that I give an honest review of this book. I receive no other compensation and the opinion is my humble but honest review.

Love and Blessings
[Photo]
Link: http://relavantprose.com

Spiritual Sundays

I love Smith Wigglesworth. He was an amazing man and his testimony is one that just leaves me in awe! Today I am sharing with you an entry out of my Smith Wigglesworth daily devotional.

THE MIRROR OF FAITH


But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this one will be blessed in what he does.

James 1:25

God's Word is "from everlasting to everlasting" (Ps 90:2). His Word cannot fail. God's Word is true, and when we rest in its truth, what mighty results we can get. Faith never looks in the mirror. The mirror of faith is the perfect law of liberty.

To the man who looks into this perfect law of God, all darkness is removed. He sees his completeness in Christ. There is no darkness in faith. Darkness exists when the natural replaces the divine.

Grace and peace are multiplied to us through a knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. As we really know our God and Savior, we will have peace multiplied to us like the fires of ten thousand Nebuchadnezzars. Our faith will increase even though we are put into a den of lions, and we will live with joy in the middle of the whole thing.

What was the difference between Daniel and the king that night when Daniel was put into the den of lions? Daniels faith was certain, but the king's was experimental. The king came around the next morning and cried, "Daniel servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve conintually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" (Dan 6:20) Daniel answered, "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths" (v.22) The thing was done. It was done when Daniel prayed with his windows open toward heaven. Prayer links us to Lovely God, our abounding God, our multiplying God. OH how I love Him. He is so wonderful!

Thought for the day:
All our victories are won before we go into the fight.


May you all have a blessed Sunday and for more Spiritual Sunday posts please go visit Charlotte and Ginger here

Press Box Priveleges

Tonight was a chilly night and then you add the wind and it is even chillier! WE layered our clothes, put on our boots, gloves, and hats and headed out to the football game to support the team and of course our daughter the TRAINER

My husband has lived in this town since he was in kindergarten. His mom was the first and only florist in town when he was a child. Needless to say, DH knows ALOT of people even though our town has taken a HUGE growth spurt over the last 5 years, it still has a small town feel to it which we love! Anyway one of his friends commentates the highschool games on a local radio station and they sit up in the press box. So since it was so cold tonight my sweet hubby texted his friend and asked if we could sit in the press box so that I wouldn't get cold and it wouldn't hurt my shoulder. (isn't he the sweetest!!!) His friend said they had room for the two of us. My husband told me we could sit in there but that we could NOT talk!! LOL ~ me not talk??? To stay warm I was willing to do anything

It was soo much fun watching and listening to these guys! Our daughter did such a great job and we won in overtime! It was a great game!!! Here are some pics of the guys. It was Steve's 100th broadcast and his sweet wife bought a cookie cake for all the men to share and chew oh so quietly while on the air :) (sorry the quality of the pics are so bad, they were taken w/my cell phone)

Steve is in the Red and my DH is sitting down wearing the black/white tshirt





This is the band performing during halftime


and here is our SWEET TRAINER


CONGRATULATIONS STEVE on your 100th broadcast and WAY TO GO RAMS!

Love and Blessings,

T.G.I.F.

It's Friday and Kim is just waiting for you to come visit and share some laughs today so hop on over and visit here




Have a blessed weekend

I am being featured at Faithful Bloggers! WOOT WOOT

Daily I pray "May all I do, all I say glorify YOU Lord." I pray this for my kids and our family as a whole. I pray this for my blog as well.


When I found Faithful Bloggers I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of! Two women, Kelly and Courtney started Faithful Bloggers. What is Faithful Blogger you say?

Faithful Bloggers is a community for Christian women bloggers. Our purpose is to provide a common ground where we can encourage one another to use our blogs for the glory of God. While we want to mix and mingle and have fun, our purpose is to help you build a blog that will glorify the Lord while also strengthening your relationship with Him.

They have a place for all I believe, from SAHM to working moms, they have devotionals, health and humor and Lord knows we all need humor! If you have a gift in web design you can sign your blog up here and share with other bloggers. Some blog about adoption and the blessings that brings to their families. If you want to read about reviews there are blogs that will share their reviews with and for you.

As you can see it is a blog with a little something for everyone but most importantly it is a community of BELIEVERS! Can I get an AMEN and a HALLELUAH!!

Well, tomorrow ya'll I am being featured on Faithful Bloggers! I am sooo excited! I am soo humbled and I just want to say THANKYOU to Kelly and to Courtney and I hope tomorrow you all will go visit them, support them, and if you feel led ~ sign up with them so that your blog can reach others and can share Christ, HIS Word, HIS love and we can encourage one another and be encouraged!