God Controls the Stormy Weather in our Lives

I get anxious during stormy weather, I confess.

I look out the window several times and pace a little as the sky darkens and the wind gets increasingly still.

If there’s a tornado threat, I immediately turn on the weather reports, monitor my cellphone weather apps, and text friends to see if they’re aware of the warnings.

God controls the stormy weatherWe’ve had some close calls at our house. One in particular, I’ll never forget it. We were getting ready to go to the Bahamas for our wedding anniversary.

The weather was terrible. I wasn’t too keen on flying in it, but this was a special occasion so you make do, right?

We were getting ready to leave for the airport when I noticed that a little red tornado icon on my phone app popped up very close to our neighborhood.

A tornado was developing  🙁

All thoughts of the vacation temporarily went out the window. It was almost surreal as my husband and I quickly started grabbing dogs and flashlights to head into our safe room. 

Thank the Lord that we were okay and made it through the storm, as were our neighbors and friends. But, it was very scary.

Storms are not my favorite thing.

It’s like the stormy weather we face in life. One minute we’re peacefully living our lives and the next, we get hit with some bad news or potential danger and all we want to do is run and take cover. Makes sense to me.

God controls the stormsThere’s one thing we need to focus on when scary things like this happen. It doesn’t matter who or what causes the storm in your life, God controls it.

Sometimes we get an immediate answer to our prayers, but most of the time God allows the storm to run its course and we face the circumstances we’d rather avoid.

God, help me through this.

He will always see us through our problems. That doesn’t mean they magically disappear. It means that He hears our prayers, knows our concerns, and can give us the strength that only He can give.

Whether it’s a literal tornado, difficult relationships, health concerns, or something else, God is worthy of our trust.

We must not lose sight of Him as we face our fears.

Good Things For All Christians to Remember

God is on our side. He delights in us.

The Heavenly Father is stronger than any storm, trial, or enemy.

He already knows the outcome of the trial we’re facing and He has our best interests at heart.

Trust and faith – that’s it, plain and simple.

None of us are perfect, but God sees the maturing of the masterpiece within.

Praise to our matchless King of Kings!

Don't lose sight of God

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Christians – Should You Share That Post?

Christians – Should You Share That Post?

To “Share or Not to Share” – now that’s a good question, especially in this day and age.

Have you ever been on Facebook and seen an inspirational or funny picture-quote from a friend and felt that you had to share it right away on your own wall?

Here’s an example:

Christians - should you share that postIt’s funny, right?

But, be careful.

I’m seeing some risky sharebait and I don’t think people even realize it.

See where it says “Anonymous” in the example? Normally, that word would also be a clickable link to some other website.

Anonymous is usually fine, but it’s some of the other sources I’m seeing all over Facebook that are concerning.

What is sharebait? It’s a post that has the potential of going viral.

Your friend was probably just one of a thousand people on social media who saw a clever post, didn’t check the originating website carefully, and shared it right away.

source of the quoteWho is the originator of the quote and do they represent anything that you want to be associated with? For instance, you would never find me sharing a quote from Bill Maher, or any other liberal – no matter what.

Take Care When You Share

For a fictitious example, let’s say you see a post on Facebook that says in big letters, “I like chocolate” with a picture of a delicious, mouth-watering brownie in the background.

Sounds harmless enough, right? Why not share it?

But wait, what if the the chocolate quote came from a website called “Love is stupid.”

That “Love is stupid” website shows up as a clickable link now, on your wall. Do you really think love is stupid?

check the sourceIt’s wise to check the “source” of the quotes you share before you share.

This actually happened:

A Christian friend of mine shared a wonderful inspirational picture-quote that I almost shared myself until I looked at the source website.

Fortunately, I caught it quickly before I did.

The clickable website “source” contained an F-bomb.

How can you go out and talk about the love of Christ to people when you have an F-bomb glaring at everyone when they look at your Facebook wall? That could be very embarrassing.

guard your witnessThe internet is Satan’s playground. We’re going to see more and more junk from questionable sources online. There will be a distinctive separation between darkness and light and a lot of it will be played out right on the internet.

Psalm 19:14 –

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

 

 

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The America In My Heart

The America In My Heart That I Will Always Hold Onto

I found this video and wanted to share it with you. It represents everything about America that I love – no matter how much the current culture is trying to change it. America is the best and most beautiful country in the world. Why, oh why, are liberals trying to destroy her?

Tears of Sadness For The America In My Heart

The video is from the Hillsdale College Choir. Did anyone else get goosebumps besides me? Did anyone else have a few tears well up besides me?

I love that video. It’s a masterpiece of images set to one of the most wonderful songs ever written about our great country.

No one can change the fact that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. The agenda-promoters can rewrite history and confuse the next generation, but the true facts of our country’s founding remain.

The America in my heart

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th.

God bless you all, God bless America, and stay strong!

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Christians Take Heart

Christians Take Heart

Christians take heartGod is still on His throne.

We knew in this journey that things would happen in the world that would discourage and, even at times, horrify us.

I turn off the news a lot.

And I click out of the internet headlines because they get to be too much.

I read about the “groups” that are now pushing even harder for their “rights” and it makes my skin crawl…like pedos. I can’t even say that full word because it makes me nauseated. You can check it out for yourself. See Allen B. West’s website, June 27th article, for the awful headline. That’s what happens when God’s design for marriage is shot down.

And I turn off the television shows that glorify SIN.

It’s so “in your face” that I get sick of it. In our home, we tape a lot of family-friendly shows and buy movies just to get away from the junk. No agenda-TV for us, thanks.

This continuing defiance and fist-shaking at God that is happening in America will not end well for those who continue to deny His ultimate authority.

Very Troublesome Times Are Up Ahead

As Christians, we must continue to stand up for God’s truth in love and respond with gentleness and respect.

Time to get ready though. There are those people who hate God so much they will vilify believers. That’s you and me.

standing up for God's truth in loveWe will be hated and may lose friendships for speaking up for Jesus Christ, maybe even lose our jobs. We should expect it and be prepared. Someone said to me once, in effect, “Christians always think they’re being persecuted.” How sad is it that someone like that person refuses to listen to what is happening in other countries and also what is already happening here in the United States. They need to be more informed before making a statement like that.

But, in the thick of it, we must continue to pray.

As Christ forgave us, we must forgive them.

Don’t Lose Heart, My Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Stay strong, bold, and courageous. We know how it all ends.

He has overcome the world and keeps all of His promises.

Keep looking Heavenward!

Christ has overcome the world

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Father’s Day 2015

Father’s Day 2015 is Sunday, June 21st.

That means … it’s this Sunday!

Is it me or is this year flying by?

I hope you get the opportunity to celebrate with your father this weekend. Whether it’s with a hug, a card, a phone call, a visit – whatever expression of love you wish to give, I’m sure your father will appreciate it.

Missing My Dad

If, like me, your father has passed on, it’s still a special time to remember.

My father was my hero.

It’s hard for me to write this without shedding some tears.

My DadI have so many fond memories etched in my mind. I was blessed to have my father in my life and I thank God for him.

My father was strong, affectionate, and enthusiastic. He loved to laugh and was always interested in what was going on in my life and the lives of others. He was hard-working and athletic and I looked up to him like no other. Can you tell I was his No. 1 fan?

Father’s Day 2015 – Looking Back

Here’s just a few nostalgic thoughts from the past.

It didn’t matter whether I was telling him about something really important or, as a child, about the tadpoles that I had just caught in the creek behind our house. My father had this special way of making me feel like I was the most important person in the room. I believe that’s a God-given gift.

I remember that he would hold my hand during the Blue Angel’s air shows in Pensacola, Florida. As the mighty jets soared over our heads in precise formation, I would grip his hand tighter and he would beam with Navy pride.

Blue Angels air shows with my dad

Encouragement Is So Important

My father was also an encourager. In high school, I needed that assurance. I excelled on the track team, but failed miserably when it came to talking to boys. I was painfully shy. In my freshman year, my high school held a Sadie Hawkins dance. That’s where the girls ask the boys. Horrors!

How would I ever get up enough courage to ask a boy to go out on a date? The thought had me tossing and turning a few nights.

My father used to drive me to school every day and he could tell one morning that I had something big on my mind.

I told him about the dance and insisted that no boy would ever want to go with me. Dad said with his big smile, “Any boy should be PROUD to go with you” and then he proceeded to assure me that everything would be alright. I’ll never forget it.

He was the most encouraging person I’d ever met.

p.s. His pep talk worked and I did end up going to the dance 🙂

I remember that my father never hesitated to say how much he loved me or that he was proud of me after one of my accomplishments.

I loved that he was the first to stretch out his arms for a big hug whenever I would come home from college on a long weekend.

Father's Day 2015

My Hero

My father was a hero in the military too.

He was an honored flight surgeon and we found out years later that he had performed emergency, life-saving, brain surgery on a soldier while on board a ship. He saved lives and I appreciate and respect his service to our country.

I was devastated when he lost his battle to Alzheimers in 1988. As painful as his death was, I knew that he was no longer suffering and was in God’s hands. I’m looking forward to that reunion more than I can say.

Dad, you’re always in my thoughts, but especially this Sunday as our country celebrates Father’s Day. I love you and miss you every day.

Giving you a happy high-five!

Fathers Day

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