More than surviving, "Living" to tell the tale...

"Face The Music"

2008-09-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. Romans 1:18 NLT

The Lord hates those who don't keep their word, but he delights in those who do. Proverbs 12:22 NLT

The expression "face the music" originated in Japan. One man in the imperial orchestra couldn't play a note, but as a person of great influence and wealth, he demanded to be given a seat; he wanted the emperor to see him "perform." The conductor agreed to let the man sit in the second row. He was handed a flute, and when a concert began, he'd raise his instrument, pucker his lips, and move his fingers. He went through all the motions of playing but never made a sound. His deception continued for two years.Then a new conductor took over. He told the orchestra that he would audition each player personally. One by one the musicians performed in his presence. At last came this flutist's turn. Frantic with worry, he pretended to be sick—but his lies caught up with him. The doctor who examined him declared him perfectly fine. Finally the pretender had to admit he was fake. He couldn't face the music.

Ready or not, all of us will one day face the music. We will all appear before the Lord, without masks and without deception. Better that we show our true faces to the world now than have someone ask on that day, ... "Who was that unmasked man?"

A change is in the air...

2008-09-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever just known in your spirit
that it was time for a change?

BRING IT ON!!!

EXCITEMENT!!!

Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at a Masters Commission Graduation

2008-09-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and 2 Sam 23:3 (paraphrased) it says we should "pray for Governments and those that are in authority... that God would raise up Godly rulers who would rule justly in the fear of God... that we would have the FREEDOM to preach the Gospel".

This video is of Gov. Sarah Palin long before she was nominated to be our Vice President. She has been a life long member of the Wasilla Assembly of God church, and speaks at a Masters Commission Graduation at her home church.

When it comes to issues of conviction like abortion, homosexual rights, and Supreme Court Appointments, it is imperative we have not only a leader with Americas best interests at heart, but a true believer in Jesus Christ.

Click here - for video

VOTE WISELY!

Blessings!!!

Cool Web & Cell phone uses...

2008-09-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

Web: Have you ever heard "If it's too good to be true, then it probably is?" Me too, but just like most people sometimes I don't listen, and just HAVE to find out for myself (dumb). Well, now ... at least I try and do some research before I take the risk. Especially since everything is so wrapped around the Internet (what did we do before the web?). If you are ever tempted to buy or try something but you're not sure ...
try Rip-Off Report.

Cell Phone: And what did we do before texting??? I just don't know. Here are a couple really cool things you can use from your cell phone. Just beware if you don't have unlimited text, your standard text message fee applies. (Jen told me about this ... where do they get this stuff?) We have used these services, and there are no extra charges! Jen IS the expert on this stuff, she used 2,169 text messages just this month! Thank you Lord for unlimited text service!! =)

FAQ:

Have a question you want a quick answer to? Text your questions to a service called ChaCha. Text to # 242242.
You can ask anything, like "what does comestible mean? or "What is a great bike trail in Central Florida?"
Within about 30 seconds, you will receive a text message with the answer.
Google:

Want the weather? A phone number? A translation from one language to another? How about your flight information?
Now there's Google text! Text to # 466453.
a) weather - text the word weather and your area code, "weather 32927", to that #.
b) Directory assistance - text what you want and area code "Pizza Hut 32927.
c) Translation "translate dog to french" or "translate thank you to Spanish"
d)flight information - enter flight number to get gate times or airline phone # -"ua 14 united airline".
Even Sports, Directions ... and Movie show times!!!!! click here for more info.

With text Google, it appears to be just as endless as the web. After you try it, it will include a 'tip' on something else, with your answer. It can be useful, I've already used it quite a bit. As Jen says, "its fun when you're bored, or stuck in traffic". Again, I have unlimited text!!

Go on, try it!!!!

Wholly yours ...

2008-08-26T15:34:00.000-07:00

So I have been quite contemplative this past few days. Have you ever sat and wondered where you would be today, had you made a different choice years ago? I heard you gasp ... so I'm not sure what that statement meant to you, but it caused you to reflect in some way... if it didn't, well geeze, you're just not human. Ok, even a month ago, or an hour ago. We all have made choices in our lives, and whether they were right (good) for you, and wrong (painful) for someone else, they cost someone, something. And we continue today, making choices!
I was sitting the last few days reading the bible and reflecting, asking God some things. I started playing the piano and singing a few songs. I picked this song up, I've played it before but it made a different impression on my heart this day;

Wholly Yours

We were recently Youth Pastors (yeah, i said it) at a church out here in Brevard County, a few months back. And it seemed that their greatest concern was, of course, just hanging out and what each other did that week... and perpetually, sex. Now, don't worry, I'm not going into any of that. But all of this rushed through my mind again as I sat and played and sang... It was a whole lot easier to understand how these teenagers, who had not been brought up in a Christian home, whose parents went to the bar while their kids were at 'youth service', having NO concept of "clean and wholesome", than people who have known it their entire lives, but just get tired of living it... "but we're under Grace".
What are we teaching our kids, our students, our friends, our family, our co-workers? Yes, those that are impressionable, learn from what they see us do. Choices...

I know I have made mistakes in my life, oh Lord knows ... everyone say it together "who hasn't"! And I guess maybe its my 'old age', and being married to a man like Mark, thats changed me ... brought me back to who I really know I am. It makes my heart not only ache, but I kinda get MAD when I hear people say things like "we all sin", or "we are under Grace" as an excuse for their sin.

When a person tries to use the excuse that Christians 'aren't perfect' and therefore they can do whatever they want, they are directly going against the Bible. Paul says in Romans 6:1-3 "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" So he is saying is that when we accepted Christ into our lives, we died to sin, and that means that we can't go on living in it. Remember that light (living a life of righteousness) and darkness (living a life of continual sin) can not coexist. Paul continues in Romans 6:12-14 saying "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

When Christians do fail and sin, Christ does offer us Grace continually, and bountifully. Romans 8:12-14 says "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Putting to death the misdeeds of the body means to stop the sin that you are in, and striving for perfection in Christ. We do this by living in the Spirit. Then living in the Spirit is being a son or daughter of God, we are sons and daughters through Grace, which is given to us when we repent and turn from our evil ways. A person isn't given grace, unless they repent first. So you can't really use the excuse of "its okay if I sin now, because I have grace will cover me later." That's not how it works...

The Bible is clear that we as Christians are called to turn from sin. And that is why I believe that a person who calls themselves a Christian, can not continue doing things that are against God's commands, on the basis that they will be saved by grace. That's stupid, and personally I believe a slap in Jesus' face.

I hope this was received in the way it was meant. I am in no way passing judgement on anyone ... All I am saying is, He deserves more!!! Lets try and live life today, as if you KNEW He was coming back tomorrow.
Good choices!

One thing is needful ...

2008-08-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember, I have worked in some form of ministry. We were taught from a very young age to serve the Lord, with everything we were given … no matter what it is. Before we started traveling and ministering as a family, my parents were enveloped in ministry. I slept on, and under, many pews in my life. I remember us kids sitting close to the TV screen, late at night (when we were supposed to be in bed), watching Channel 40’s telethon, hoping they would pan over to the counselor’s booth, so we could see our parents before we went to bed. They worked… and worked. Then, WE worked… and worked. Now, our children work... and work! So, it really isn’t a mystery why I have such a hard time sitting still, so to speak.

When I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma, at first, it didn’t slow me down … too much. But the last 3 surgeries kicked my butt. It knocked me back and took a few years off my life, I think. And the problems with my neck don’t help. I broke my back in a car accident over 21 years ago (wow did time fly), but didn’t break my neck … just injured it. Therefore, they treated my back but not my neck. I now have degenerative discs in my neck, and will eventually have to have surgery to correct it. They enter through the throat to access those discs.

Since I’ve been out of work, I have struggled with ‘sitting idle’ in many ways. Not working is hard enough, but taking time away from ministry has been the hardest. Mark has been great about having our bible studies and time of worship at home. During my devotion the last few days, I’ve been asking God to help me understand why I have been forced to sit? I actually got a little mad (respectfully mad). WHAT IS GOING ON?

This is what He said: "Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." --Luke 10:41, 42

The words of Jesus show that in His view, there is NO comparison between the one thing … and the many things. They may be contrasting; but they can’t be compared! The many things are irrelevant, finite, and of small value, but the one thing is infinite! The many are temporary, only for a moment ... the one is perpetual! The finite and infinite can never be compared. Christ did not intend to say that the many things had no value, but did intend to say that the ‘one thing’ is not merely a good, but an indispensable good. What about those other things that Martha was so worried about? If He didn’t have a meal, He didn’t care! She was full of anxiety. Not about one thing, but many things that had her mind divided, anxious, and in a state of confusion. He told Martha to stop worrying about those things that distracted her from what both she, and Mary, needed so much. Nothing else is sufficient, or can supply what she, I, need!

He may not have allowed me to be knocked off my feet for this specific reason, but this I know … He has set this time aside for me to STOP worrying and fussing over the many things, like Martha. Those things will be done by whomever He’s called to do them, this time. He is saying, ONE THING is needful right now. Do as Mary did … and sit! Sit at His feet, and seek His face! There is something on the horizon, and it will take supernatural strength. None like I’ve ever needed before.

To my sister; hang onto what you know ... not what you see! You have rested long enough, He has prepared you for battle ... now get out there and fight! God has ordered your steps! Littlest brother; God is so full of mercy and grace (and I didn't write that song). Get up, brush yourself off ... but sit at His feet for awhile. You have worked, burning your candle at both ends. So you got tackled, so what! So did Pacman. God moved you off the playing field for a reason. Just because you're on the bench, for now, makes no difference to Him. You're still His MVP! You got traded to the Razorbacks (hehe) but its closer to Cowboys, right? So, sit ... on the bench, at His feet, and let Him pour back into you. Your steps ARE still ordered!! Oldest brother; I KNOW your pain. I can honestly say that I do. I read your blog, Healer, and cried with you. You, too, have worked SO incredibly hard, your entire life. And in NO WAY are you done. I know that you are right on top of where God has you, and why ... as you said in your last blog. But He puts us where he needs us, to get our attention. In Breakfast with Jesus by Greg Laurie, he said "God speaks to us through His Word, God will never lead us contrary to His written Word. It is our litmus test, our bedrock, our absolute. God speaks to us through circumstances. Those circumstances can include failure. Jonah certainly heard God through his mistake. God may even speak to us through tragedy or hardship. C. S. Lewis wrote that, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but SHOUTS in our pains. It is His megaphone to arouse a deaf world". To all 3 of you, I love you guys very much ... and we are all where we are, for a reason. Let's hang tough, and win! I love you guys! (and you too Mama).

Yes Lord, I get it!

Is $11.00 worth your integrity?

2008-08-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

I’m cheap, so what?? Ok ... I’m frugal then :)

I have been on a search for the ‘perfect’ GPS for Mark, for work. It is nearly impossible for him to do his job efficiently. I consider myself pretty proficient in searching the internet, to get the ‘all around’ best product and best price, for the money I wanted to spend (very little). There are so many out there, and only so many portables ... it wasn’t an easy task. I went from site to site, reading customer comments about the products. I would say, had I been working full time, that it could have taken up to a week to cut through all the ‘retail hype’ and get down to the truth about the products. Considering that I am not working right now (outside the home), it only took me a couple days.

Ok, so what did I find? Well Mark is not a little man. He is a lanky 6’6”, with hands that could easily double as a soup terrine. What I decided on was the TomTom ONE XL 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator; it gives his big hands an extra inch of screen to navigate on.

Being that my husband is like most guys with new toys, he wanted it YESTERDAY, seriously! I had no problem with us buying one, I just wanted the best deal. I found the perfect one for him; at the price I liked ($100 off the regular retail price) woohoo!

THEN comes the dreaded 'shipping fees'. Now, I could wait 7-10 days and have it delivered to the closest Radio Shack for FREE… (yes, I said Radio Shack … I, too, thought they were a store you shop at, when Best Buy and Circuit City are closed) but because he needed it yesterday, I sprung for the “2 day delivery” charge of $11.00 ~ OUCH! I ordered it on Aug. 14th. When I get the tracking information, its due for delivery on Aug. 19th. Now, is that 2 days?? What the POO did I pay $11 for???

So I contact Radio Crap, I mean Shack, and protest the $11 fee. They proceed to tell me that it's an “estimated 2 business days”, and they are sorry but that’s the best they can do. I proceeded to expound on my feelings about their deceptive shipping statements … and asked them this one question; Is 11 bucks REALLY worth customer satisfaction to a multi-million, possibly billion, dollar Corporation? Because $11 means A LOT to me, it really does! Now, I’m just a middle class citizen, but would $11 be worth ME losing my integrity? I mean really???? .................... GGAAAAHHHH! >=(

Yes, I remain in a verbal war for my $11 [sigh].

Surviving Cancer

2008-08-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't talked too much about my cancer, I guess because I am just now really starting to feel that I have come around the corner... on my way to healthy again.Some people, as I did, hear "Cancer" and then hear "Melanoma" and think, "Oh that's not really cancer, its SKIN Cancer", but let me tell you, SKIN CANCER IS THE NUMBER ONE CANCER KILLER of women ages 15 - 30. I was lucky, and blessed to survive this. Maybe I will post the pictures ... just to emphasize the reality of it.

So here's my story:

It all started about 5 years ago, in California. I had a mole biopsied on my stomach. The mole was a little larger than an eraser head. When the results came back, they told me it was "precancerous". For some reason, I heard "cancer free", so I ignored it for 2 years. DANGEROUS, but I didn't know.

About a month after I was in Florida, when I was laying out in my brothers back yard, my son saw the mole. He insisted that I go to a Dermatologist and have it removed. Once she saw it, she agreed it had to come off. I drove myself to the surgery, not thinking it would be that bad. The first surgery itself really wasn't too bad. They removed about an inch in length, and about 1 large marshmallow size chunk of meat (about an inch deep). 3 days later, she called. My Dr. was angry with me. She said "You did not tell me it was Melanoma". And of course I said "well.... I didn't KNOW it was Melanoma". She said, you have to get back in here tomorrow, we have to go back in... and as deep as we can to get clear margins... Its Malignant Melanoma". So we did. This time, Ken drove me. It was 4 inches in diameter, and about 3 inches deep... this time, another 2 large marshmallow chunks. I couldn't stand up straight for awhile, it was like a mini tummy tuck, but at that time... I was running 5 miles a day and in great shape, I didn't need it.

Well, I recovered... got married, and a year and a half later... 3 more spots. The first one on my left bicep, they removed a chunk of muscle... it looks like someone took a 2 inch bite out of my bicep. The next one, exactly the same spot on my right bicep. A little larger, but cleaner and less noticeable, not into the muscle though. Then the 3rd, on my right shoulder blade, about 2 inches. The last 2 were so small, I NEVER EVEN SAW THEM! He found them somehow when I was in his office. I honestly NEVER saw the last 2!

Here is the interesting, and informative part... All 4 of these cancers were In situ, non-invasive (down into any organs). The 1st one was Stage Ia, the others were Stage I... they were almost the thinnest form, the least invasive... yet, they were all very serious, dangerous, life threatening... left ugly scars, and VERY hard to recover from. I am really honestly just now, 4 months later, feeling whole. They kicked my butt!

And of course, I see my Oncologist regularly... see my dermatologist more than I like to... and have every single freckle removed (well, not everyone... I AM a freckled mess). I am out of work for now, going crazy... but trying to feel like working again =). I worked for a couple months during all this, but that REALLY kicked my butt! Its the Lord that I am home for now, I really needed to recover, and He knew it.

Ok... so now, I am of course, convinced that the sun IS a very dangerous... and you MUST be careful, and wear sun screen. I stay out of it, but I know most people wont, until this happens to them. Trust me, I did tanning beds and sun soaked MOST of my life. Just be careful, that's all one can do. BUT, now I truly am scared for my family and friends who don't take it seriously. I was SO VERY LUCKY people... I could have died. My Dr told me that I was literally blessed, and should be doing Chemo... but, MY MARGINS ARE CLEAR!!!!! I AM IN REMISSION!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!

I am truly a Sun-Safe, Skin Cancer Awareness advocate. So I will be sending out bothersome posts, and bulletins... just to keep those of you who don't believe it, informed. Please take a few minutes and look at these videos. If you love living, love your children and family... and I KNOW you do... Please, take a few minutes and watch these. Melanoma is the number one cancer killer from women ages 15 to 30, but even affects children.

Thanks for taking the time to read this... and, watch out friends and family... I'm here to haunt you, and will be for a long time...
Thanks TO GOD!
Blessings!!!

MELANOMA IN CHILDREN: - 4 Year old, she survived!!

DANGERS OF A DEADLY TAN: - 26 Year old, she did NOT survive!

UNDERSTANDING MELANOMA: