A Facebook friend of mine Kim Bullard Beasley, put this on today. It reminded me that no matter what your need may be, God has already provided and put it in place for you. You see, God knows what your needs will be on any given day, and He places it there for you to find. Sometimes He will put it in some very unusual places.

Remember in Exodus chapter 15, where the water was bitter, and of course the Israelites were murmuring as usual. Well, in verse

25 we can read where God had already placed the solution for the bitter water. And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them. And then again in 2nd Kings

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. You see, the Army with the horses and chariots were already in place. All God did was open the young man eyes where he could see them. I truly believe that there are things around us each and every day that if our eyes were opened, we would be amazed. I don't have to prove the point, I just have to have faith, and believe in God's unseen miracles. And to believe that no matter what my need may be today, God has already provided the answer for that need. And I will say this to any that are unsaved. Over 2000 years ago God provided salvation. He provided it when Jesus died on the cross and paid our sin debt. God provided eternal life for us, over 2000 years ago. Because when Jesus rose from the tomb, He defeated death! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is all we'll ever need. I know that you're getting tired of me saying this over and over again. But please, if you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I ask you to give it serious thought. Your very soul depends upon the decision that you make. I cry every night for the unsaved. I cry every night for you if you're unsaved. Jesus is calling for you. Answer that call , Please. Until next time, Willard and I both wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.

I was in the kitchen just a few minutes ago. I opened one of the sliced potatoes that Willard and I had canned last summer, so I could make potatoes au gratin. I needed the can opener to remove the sealed cap on the jar. Removing the opener from the drawer, I noticed that it just did not look the way it did when I bought it. You see, one side had the pointed opener to open juice cans etc. the other side was smooth to remove caps from jars etc. I inspected the thing to see what was looking so different to me. The opener had been pulled so hard that the pointed side had been straightened and was pressing against the smooth side. Usually they would swivel apart, but not anymore. You see my husband Willard is very strong, and does not know his own strength. And if things don't move as he wants them to the first time, he puts all his strength into it, and many times breaks things. I told him one day a few years ago, that he could not take an egg in his hand and squeeze upon it, and a break. Well, I was wrong, I had to get egg from my kitchen floor. The thing I love about Willard is he's just a strong in character as he is in muscle strength. Oh, I'm not saying he's perfect, but he's close enough. What I like about Willard is that he's the same no matter if he's home alone or in public. He doesn't curse at home, and he doesn't curse in public. He's kind at home and to anyone else he meets. I see many people put on airs and public, but at home their different. I'm glad I've got a husband who is honest with me, as well as to everyone else. In fact many people have made statements about his honesty. But most of all I thank God that I have someone that I can trust.
You know many people go about their lives thinking that the lies they tell are believed by the person or people that they tell it to. But I do want to say this, just because people don't confront you about your lies, doesn't mean that they don't know you're lying. So think about that the next time your mouth opens to tell what you know is not true.
Remember the story in Acts chapter 5 about Ananias and Sapphira. They paid dearly for their lies.
Until next time, Willard and I wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.

I was watching Channel 11 news this morning, and they were showing about Black Friday sales at Walmart. These shoppers were pushing and shoving each other in a very vicious way to get to an item that was on sale. And I thought to myself if these people would fight over a sales item, what if there was a true disaster and people would have to fight for survival. What if one of those TV movies that show humanity in the future were to really come true. According to what I saw on Channel 11 news, there will be fighting and killing all around us.
But what really confuses me about human nature is this. When hurricane Sandy hit the jersey/ New York area, people were helping their neighbors. People were risking their own lives trying to save others. We humans are very hard creatures to understand. Some fight and claw to get a sales item, not caring who they hurt in their endeavor to save a few dollars. While the same ones, would risk their own lives trying to save someone in a disaster. As I say again, human nature just confuses me.
I think any of us could say, all but for the grace of God go I. I guess it's the circumstances that we put ourselves in, or we fall into. And I guess too, it's the state of mind that we are in at any given moment as to how we act. I know myself, all in all I'm a pleasant enough person. But hit me wrong when I'm having a bad day, and my pleasant personality can flip from nice to nasty. And when it does I always feel so embarrassed and so guilty. So, like I said, I guess it's the state of mind that we're in at any given moment.
And you know too, if we would keep Christ on our minds more, just maybe we would be nicer people more often. But still, fighting over sales items. Hurting other people to save a few dollars, is just beyond my understanding.

Romans Ro 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

I guess God does understand humanity. Thats why Christ came. huh, To save us from ourselves.
Until next time, Willard and I wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.

I saw on Facebook where people are stating what they are grateful for. And many of these are very sweet thank you's. Most of us are thankful for our families and our children. And I assure you, other than thankful for Christ, being thankful for our families and friends is most important. There are many people around this time of year, Thanksgiving and Christmas those minds are on loved ones they have lost. One of which is my brother-in-law JC.  Joyce who was Willard's sister, passed away a little over a year ago. JC is still having a very hard time without her. And I know that this Thanksgiving and Christmas is going to be very hard for him. I have a Facebook friend, Kathy Spriggs, who lost her son, what seems to me was a couple of Years ago, but I'm really not sure about the amount of time that has passed. I cannot imagine what she, and many other parents who have lost their children go through on a daily basis. And I am sure that this time of year brings much sadness to their hearts. And I do want Kathy and any other parent, spouse, or slibling, in any situation to know that I may not know your name, and I may not know the circumstances, but I do pray for you every day.
While trying to come up with a thank you for the many blessings that God has given me. I have discovered that there are no words in the English language nor in any other language that could express the thank you that comes from my heart, to God for all the many blessings so rich with His love for all of us His children. I mean, each second of every day of my life He has been with me. He has protected me, lead me in the right way, whispered in my ear comforting words when I needed them, throughout my lifetime. He has healed me when I was sick. Chasten me when I needed it. He has provided an angel to guard my way, and keep me safe. But most of all, He has given His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for me. No words can come close to saying thank you to Him for such a wonderful gift. Because with that gift I now have eternal life. I now have hope that although this human body may die, my soul and spirit remain alive to join my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
So thank you Lord God for Your many blessings and thank You for salvation that only comes through Your Son Christ the Lord.
Willard and I both wish you health and happiness, And we'd like to say to each of you, Happy Thanksgiving. May your day be very blessed.
Until next time, God bless and God save.

Like Paul, I have a thorn in my flesh. Now we don't know what Paul's affliction was, we only know that Paul prayed to be healed of it. One of my afflictions is chronic pain from fibromyalgia which I've had ever since I was in my 20s, and now, – – – cancer – – –.
2nd Corinthians 12:7, and lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2nd Corinthians 12:8,For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 2nd Corinthians 12:9 and he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for the: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I gather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2nd Corinthians 12:10 therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.But as Paul did, so I did. And what that was when I received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, I became crucified with Christ.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

You can't jump on a wooden cross without receiving a few thorns in your flesh. Therefore as Paul states in 2nd Corinthians 12:10, I take pleasure in my infirmities, knowing that it is God's will.  For I believe what Romans 8: 28 states.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I heard very sweet, tender, still voice off Jesus Christ call me. I answered that call, repented of my sins and was reborn into the family of God. I praise God each day for the wonderful gift of salvation and the mercy and grace that comes with it.
Until next time Willard and I both wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.

influences

Yesterday morning I was listening to a local preacher. This particular church broadcasts live their church services. One thing the preacher said really caught my ear. He said, that each individual person influences at least 10,000 people during a lifetime. And if true, and I really think it is, I cringe at the idea of what my influence would be on anyone prior to being saved. Before I was saved, I thought nothing of telling lies, cursing so badly that it would hurt a sailors ears to hear. Truth be known, everything was about Joan. Some people might want to blame the bad childhood years, but you know, there's too much of that going on these days. It's so easy to blame others for our sins. Once a person is saved they realize that they themselves are to blame for their sins. I was at a certain church one a Sunday many years ago, when the preacher ask for testimonials. The man named Alan stood up and testified about his army service and how that his fellow servicemen were to blame for his drug use.You see here was a Christian man, blaming someone else for his sins. With him were his wife, and two very impressionable young son's. Here, he was teaching his young sons to blame other people for any wrong doings that they may do. It's so easy to influence others by our actions. Especially young children. You know I said before, I wish I were a Christian when I raise my first four children. I wish I had taught them according to God's law, using the Bible as a parenting book. To be honest what goodness is in my children came from outside sources. My last son David was raised by me using the Bible as a parenting book. Any time he would do something objectionable, I would use the Bible to explain to him the wrong in what he had done. One day, he said to me,'' why are you always using the Bible against me?'', I gave him a clear and understood answer ''because that's what I'm supposed to do''. Now David may not follow the rules and guidelines laid out to him, but he and God knows I did the best I could. And now it's up to David whether he wants to go by those guidelines will take another path. I know I seem like I'm rambling, but I'm just saying things as they come to mind. Somewhere in all the rambling is a point to be made. And the point being, asking yourself the question. How am I influencing my family members, my friends and my community. I would like to say this to all the young parents out there. Would you please, please and I say please again, stop teaching your children how to curse. I hear some of the most vulgar language come from parents, whose children are standing there learning these awful words. I see parents laughing as their little toddlers repeat these ugly words back. This is saying to that todder that it's something cute to do. Shame on you! I repeat shame on you!

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Now, knowing that we influence so many people, maybe just maybe we'll stop and think about what we do and what we said.
Until next time Willard and I wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.

God's precious ones

I guess I told you that for now on I will be having my chemo in the hospital. They call it desensitizing. Anyway let me tell you how my first experience went. First of all, Willard and I had no idea that we would be in the hospital overnight. You see, we were told that the treatment would take all day. So we assumed that we would be going home the afternoon. Well it seems that the treatment has different segments, first being eight hours for the desensitizing, three hours for Taxol, and three hours for the carbo. That's not including the pre-meds which take, depending on how busy the nurse is, anywhere from one to two hours. So we're talking 16 hours approximately. Well as I said, we had no idea at all that we would be spending that many hours in the hospital. We did not bring any medication, we did not bring extra clothes, nor anything else that we should have. I mean finger brushing your teeth may help, but it's nothing like a real tooth brush, LOL. And of course I only brought one extra pair of undies, which we forgot and left in the van. And with chemo comes no control of the bladder. So I was taking my one pair of undies, washing them, and putting paper towels between them and me so they would dry. The hospital provided me with some pads, which helps some. Well Willard who is usually long-suffering, plenty of patients and all in all a pretty nice guy was about to go ballistic. His blood sugar went up to 200+ with no medicine. He did not have his thyroid medication or any other medications with him. Poor thing, he had to sleep on one of those bumpy couches, you know the ones that let out. He finally got up and sat in the chair to sleep some. Needless to say, by the time we were ready to leave the hospital, Willard had a few apologies to make. One to me and more to the many nurses, etc. in the hospital. Which he did do. I think next time, we will be prepared for anything, LOL.
Now on to a subject that just melts my heart. In UNC hospital as with many hospitals across the country , who take care of small children with cancer and other illnesses. You can hardly go through the breezeway without seeing a child who has had brain surgery, heart surgery or wearing that well identifying scarf or hat that says ''chemo''. What really touches my heart, and melts it every time is when you look at one of them, they smile at you. No matter how bad they're feelings or how much they may be hurting, their precious smile will melt your heart every time. And if you're like me, you give them your best smile back, and you say a little silent prayer at that moment for them. You know, I wonder when Jesus said what he did in Matthew 18, if He weren't seeing each and every one of these little angels.
Mt 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mt 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mt 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
I think every child is precious to our Lord, but I think that just maybe, the ones that are sick, the ones that are hurting, maybe are just a tiny bit more precious.
I ask you to say a prayer for each and every one of these children. You may not know them, but God does. And God does hear your prayer.
Until next time Willard and I wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.