We Have Touched His Garment

Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well (Matthew 9:22)

Loneliness; it’s a sad thing.

God did not intend for us to be alone. “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Gen. 2:18)

Thus, woman was created in the perfect garden. And they had the perfect relationship-together. That was until the deceptive fall.

Because of Man’s (Adam and Eve’s) fall, there was separation between our Abba and us—sin. Causing there to be times when Eve would go off to be by herself while Adam was working and she became lonely. For the first time, she now experienced the pain of seclusion, experiencing the most horrific loneliness of separation and isolation from God. I can imagine that she cried in total despair. Not having any girlfriends that she could talk to, no Zoloft, no doctors and no chocolate, she had to really be bad off.

The beginning of SIN; (Gen 3)
S-Separation of God,
I- Independence of God,
N- Need of a Savior.

We know that loneliness, don’t we? For it is indeed a plague of modern society. Songs are written about it with each generation. Every genre writes about it. Poetry and literature alike fills our libraries about loneliness. And unfortunately, our medical offices are overwhelmed with patients that have undiagnosed diseases that link back to loneliness.

My son doesn’t like to be alone at night. He wants someone with him. I think that we are probably no different as adults, especially in times of need. We wish we could see our Abba and even touch Him. But all we have is our faith. And Jesus knew this when He said, “Blessed is He who believes and has not seen.” (John 20:29)

Just as with the woman with the bleeding issue, she wanted to touch Jesus. She had the opportunity to see and to touch Him. And Jesus told her that her faith had healed her.

What about us? Will our faith heal us? In our times of despair or times of loneliness when God is not there for us to touch, will we trust Him in that faith?

How do we live out of the love of our Father? Our life, our relationships were always meant to be with God and then the love of that overflows into our relationships with others....

for as Jesus said:

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

For we, too, have touched the garment of our Savior at the moment of salvation.

In Him,

Wordless Wednesday

There are reasons our Abba walks us through life's trials and tribulations.... He prepares us for the journeys ahead.

For His Light Shines In Our Darkest Hour

Did Mother Teresa Doubt Her Religion And God? Yes, She Did

Her journals have been revealed stating, "Such deep longing for God… Repulsed, empty, no faith, no love, no zeal," she said.

As her fame increased, her faith refused to return. Her smile, she said, was a mask. (On a sidebar note: Do I ever know about wearing the mask of life! You know; I’m so happy, see me….. I have life all together…I probably have a mask for every occasion…. What does your mask say about you?)

"What do I labor for?" Mother Teresa asked in one letter. "If there be no God, there can be no soul. If there be no soul then, Jesus, You also are not true.""

These are letters that were kept in the archbishop's house.

"According to her letters, Mother Teresa died with her doubts. She had even stopped praying, she once said.

Maybe her doubts are what made her so real and understandable. In a strange way, her lack of faith is inspiring. She continued to get up each day and do what was right. This, to me, was a testament to her faith.

And then there is John the Baptist. As we read in Matthew 11:3, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” How it is that John would interrogate Jesus with such a foolish question? This is the same man that jumped in his mother’s womb at the sound of Jesus’ name and who said, “whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (Luke 3:16). Yet, he questions whether Jesus was living up to his expectations as a Savior. John had his doubts at this point.

The world is full of people that we consider perfect, ummm how would we say this, worship warriors? (I would have said Mother Teresa or John the Baptist, but the truth is Jesus is the only true Perfect One)--- for even they had their own moments or even a lifetime of disbelief.
What about in the Garden when Jesus asked for the Cup to be removed?

For in the back of our minds, there is that little voice of “What if.” And Jesus knew that amongst a hurting world that there was (is) the part of His Papa’s plan in reconciling the lost. Maybe this is why Jesus said: “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of Me.” (Luke 7:23)

Through life’s trials and tribulations, and there will be many, we may doubt, question, cry and scream but we also hope to stay faithful to our Savior. Somewhere in the deepest parts of our soul, we grasp a hold of that last ray of a childhood dream that has forever aspired us with such great optimism. For just as Mother Teresa, John the Baptist, you, me and all of God’s children, we will struggle, as we walk some of the same roads of desperate despair over our crumbled dreams. Seeing the broken shattered memories left behind, brings only tears and heartache to us and unanswered questions remain.

But hopefully, we will take the road that is lit uniquely by the light of the moon as it reflects off the cobblestone layout that replicates it beautifully as well as the Precious light giving us guidance for the path of our future that lies ahead.

For His Light Shines in our darkest hours………

In Him,

Come and have some Coffee with me...

I am over here.....at Comfort Cafe

Good is Good, God is Awesome....

Blessings,

Happy Early 12th Birthday

Today and Tuesday (Hogan's actual Birthday) we are celebrating his life.....Big party today....

and well,,,,, this song... was playing when Hogan was born.... my husband and I laughed (OK, I didn't laugh,,, but my husband did....)wondering what kind of sign it was ... and well, he is a little bit of a cool kid...

Thank you God for his life, we are honored to be his parents

Come Back to Jesus

Just click the music off below if you prefer not to listen to it with music going instead.

I AM Lesson 13

Join Lisa over at The Preacher's Wife for our Bible Study

BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Do you struggle with a sense of self-worth? How do you perceive this has affected the way you are able to 'keep your head upright'? If not, do you know someone who suffers in this area?

Self worth use to be and still can be… a biggie for me…. To the point that it even effected my posture. I lived with the voices of “you aren’t fit to breathe the same air….” , “I wished you had never been born”…. And “If you try a little harder, you could look like her or her… you could have a body like so and so…”and so the bar would rise higher and higher each time, until I fell over in exhaustion, defeat and in just tears of unworthiness.

And my shoulders would slump just a little lower. My mind would wonder. My heart would crumble. And my world would grow a little darker.

2. What are you most afraid of? Does this fear affect the way you move through life? (Ex. Are you overprotective with children? Afraid to take risks?)

Fear of the dark… always… right up there…even as an adult, I hate it. But as a child, it would terrify me to a true panic attack. One day some years ago, a friend read scripture to me…”Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of the darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) For in the darkness, there is evil.

All of the devastating, life changing events of my life… happened during the late hours.... during the darkest nights. “Expose them.. to the Light” to my Jesus.

3. What is one of the most marvelous ways God has provided a need? I can't wait to hear your stories on this one!

During the darkest time of my life, I had just about given up on God, religion, church and Christians, as a new Christian. But my church, well God’s church had just split. There were angry Deacons & church members who could not agree on certain things for the church. I had seen more than I cared to and I really did not want any more to do with “church.”

I had a dear friend that was also hurting; invite me to a Grace Ministries seminar. I thought what do I have to lose? That was in 2001. I ended up going through a two year internship and now I am a Christian Counselor which is really just a bi-product because I was totally reformed, transformed and renewed in spirit. I would have never experienced any of this had all this not happened at church. Nor would I have understood my place of ''need to be healed'' had I not gone through my journey.

4. Steve Brown, a Moody Broadcasting Bible Teacher, is one of the first people I ever heard teach the concept that God was not mad at me. I grew up in a denomination that led me to believe He was in a continuous state of disappointment over my failures. How about you? Though in your heart you know God says He loves you, does Satan in your mind ever try to convince you otherwise?

Our Concept of God is very interesting…. Ever compare God to our image of our parents or parental figure? If your parents were disciplinarians, then God sometimes comes across like that…

If our parents were very loving, then maybe God is very loving…

Also, how were we brought up in church… sometimes, our concept is skewed a little based on that image…

A great book for people brought up in very legalistic backgrounds is the Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse…

Yes, I’m avoiding this questions but I will say, I now know.. God is very loving…. Unconditionally… period…I have learned to trust Him…but it has been a journey.

5. How close are you to your own Promised Land? Not at all, 1/2 way, almost there? By this I mean the place of abundant living and effectiveness here on earth, not the ultimate fulfillment in Glory!

Though I hope you are going to heaven, I don't want it to be today! :)

My Promise Land is right here…. It is what I make it…I have today, this moment.. and I make it what I want it to be… for I am living the eternal life right now…Period…

Blessings,

I Stand at the Door and Knock

"...I stand at the door and knock..." (Rev 3:20)

We like to be needed. Let me rephrase that, we “need” to be needed! If you need me, I am less vulnerable. My insecurities are not as visible as I am scurrying around helping you out. And my heart well let me protect it from the world by keeping it at arm’s length; therefore, it’s untouched, unbroken and loved on my terms (or so I believe).

I have made an interesting observation in my Hospice journey. All my patients welcome me into their homes. They have told me to just “Come on in without knocking.” I have become a part of their family now. But before they knew me and trusted me, I had to knock and wait for permission to come in.

As in Scripture, God being the perfect Gentleman knocks at our door, waiting for permission to come into our lives. (Rev 3:20) And He waits. He waits for our call. Our cry. Our prayers. Patiently. He is not ever going to leave us. He stands at our door.

What keeps us from answering the door?

Distractions, noises from the world, or maybe just our need to be the voice of reason.
Meaning, we have things under control (by our definitions).

Or what about our fear of what Jesus might think if He found our hiding places—the real us?
Surely, Jesus wouldn’t stay with us, what would He say, think? The old lies start playing in our
Minds…..”I’m worthless… I wish you were never born…..Can’t you do anything right…” The list
Goes on…

We all have a story, don’t we?

Why don’t we give God the same consideration, the same open door policy for our life as we do our homes?

Papa, just come on in. My heart is always open. I am yours.

For He stands at the door and knocks.

In Him,

Thank You

Thank you to all my prayer warriors....

I will keep you posted on my dad... no word yet.

The Eye of the Storm

It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. (Isiah 4:6)

Well, Hurricane season is here. And we are faced with the mighty force of Dean. Once again, we are looking at a devastating blow (literally) to our people, economy and to the peace as we know it.

This brings me back to as place in memory when I was a child. I grew up in Miami. We usually had a pretty strong hurricane once (or more) a year. I remember one in particular that was pretty bad. My dad had boarded up the windows, nailed down all the loose objects and we waited. My dad and I (my mom and sister slept through it) would stay up to watch and listen for the storm.

But--the most incredible experience occurred during the "eye of the storm". All around us was chaos but while we were in the center of the storm, it was extremely peaceful.

Not long ago, someone asked me what "peace" and "resting in Christ" meant to me. I didn't know how to answer it at that time. But recent circumstances in my personal life have helped me to experience this question. It's funny how the moment I discovered this "revelation", I thought back to the question asked of me and a childhood memory.

As our world around us is in chaos, families falling apart, pain and despair-- we, too, can be in the “eye of the storm” by resting in Christ.

Peace in His hiding place--- even in the midst of our storms and rain of life.

(PS.. I will be back to catching up on your sites.. I have been overwhelmed at work.. and my dad is in the hospital... Please pray he has a good report... thank you)

In Him,

Set Our Captive Hearts Free

“…feed my sheep..” (John 21:17)

A few years ago, I heard a commotion on our back porch so I took a look outside. Apparently a little bird had wondered in and could not find his way back out. My husband was trying to help him back to freedom. Within seconds, I was in on the action. Before long, our children had gathered to assist in this great escape.

Isn’t it amazing how much compassion we have for such a powerless little bird? We had all turned our focus to this helpless little creature, God’s creature.

In Yesterday’s post, I think about the man who does not know Christ, and how God has not given up on him. God is sending out His shepherds one by one after him, wishing that not one be lost.

Remember, too, the conversation between Jesus and Peter, when Jesus said,”Peter, feed my sheep”? I’ll add my own translation here—“At all cost: even if it costs your life Peter, so that you may bring home even just one of My sheep.”

And it may cost us everything:

Popularity—I know I have different friends than those I use to hang
out with. You know—“she’s such a “religious freak.”

Freedom of religion—guys, we are quickly approaching a time where freedom of
religion, open prayer, worship is no longer going to be acceptable. Do you see that, feel
that coming?

Even though…God’s control and probably part of His Ultimate Plan, do we stand by and do nothing?

For just as our little bird, caught the heart of my family, are we not much more important to God than the birds in the sky? (Matt 6:26) God is and always will be in control. Period. End of story. But we all got in on the action. We all came to the rescue.

For we are His sheep.

May God set your captive heart free that it may fly free with the Angels of the Heavenly realms. What holds you back? Give it to God.

That not one soul be lost.

In Him,

Will You Fix The Heat?

"God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will." (Hebrews 2:4)

Yesterday, I walked into one of my patients homes. Her son is staying with her. I happen to know her son, which makes our conversations a little more relaxed. On the last visit God had orchestrated a conversation about Him (God). You see, this family is very clear, they are 'not' spiritual. But the son was the one that started the conversation on the last visit about religion, more than any relationship with God. Because apparently he has visited our church on an occasion and enjoyed our Pastor. A few seedlings were planted that day.

But this visit as I walked in, his mom was sitting up. I said, "Look at you, you look awesome." And he said, "it's nothing short of....." and he stopped. I turned to him and said, "A miracle." And he said, "I won't go that far, yet." I just smiled and sat down with mom and he followed me. You see, she was not suppose to live more than a few days and here it is several weeks later and looking very good.

So we talked about her, keeping the conversation light. As I was getting ready to leave, I always ask if there is anything else I can do for them. The son said, "Well, fix this heat." I said, "well that is in God's hands." So he said, "Well maybe 'you' should pray about it!" So I said that I would be happy to. I gave my hugs, smiled and left. Nothing else was said.

Now, I live in Georgia. It's hot, we are in a drought. No rain in sight. Period....But within one hour of leaving their house, it started to rain and the temperature dropped 15 degrees. "Thank you, God"

I called him and left a message that his prayers were answered. And that was all. Nothing else was said.

Why is my patient still alive?

You tell me... But I think we know...

For our Sovereign God is still at work at a tiny home in a tiny little town

In Him,

For A Pure Heart Of Gold

(Galatians 5:16-18) “Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit… For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit… Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit …?”

Judas—one of Jesus’ 12, walked side by side with Jesus. Jesus knew, He even foretold the story of the betrayal, or the “hand over” as in Greek translation. It was premeditated. Not the result of a moment of panic, nor was it an exchange for his life, but for 30 silver coins.

The Son of God would soon face His trial, His demise. God’s plan? Sure. But Judas did not know this.

Why is it that Judas soon, very soon, became gravely remorseful after the betrayal, the famous "kiss"? What happened? Jesus did not even condemn Judas. Jesus only asked Judas, “Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48)

In our own lives we know, don’t we? Before we buy something we can’t afford, eat something we shouldn’t, take that pill, drink that drink or seek the love in all the wrong places, we know it! God, however, does not condemn us. (John 3:17, Romans 8:1)

We do a great job on our own of condemning ourselves. Our own (ie Holy Spirit) conscious eats away at our souls and tears our spirit into a million broken and shattered little pieces.

Judas was never condemned by Jesus, but by his own heart, which ate away at him like a disease and drove him to his death. We will never really know what took place in those last minutes Judas was on earth. Did he ask for forgiveness? Maybe. The story is to be continued.

Judas played a big part in the design of God’s plan, just as we do even when we are not as perfect as we wish.

For God will use the broken little pieces of our shattered lives and create the most beautiful mosaic design so that the entire world may enjoy. For this has been God’s ultimate plan since the Fall. (Gen 3)

May we trade in our pieces of silver for a pure heart of gold.

In Him,

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Don't lose your head over the small things in life...

For life is too short...

Enjoy life.

Enjoy Him.

The Crossroads of Suffering

The other day, I had a wife ask me “Is he going to get better?” They have been married for 64 years. “I don’t know how I can live without him.” She knew the answer when she asked me but I said, “No, he’s not, I’m sorry.”

I read the other day where a couple lost their twins and to add to the pain, they had already lost another child.

I learned a few days ago that we will be receiving a child to our services. There will be parents that will be losing their child.

Why wasn’t my young friend Melissa healed?

Why did my friend Jayne die such a brutal death?

Why does God choose to heal some and not others? There are miracles each day.

Remember the woman with the bleeding issues? (Matt 9:20-22) And Peter, he was delivered from Prison. (Acts 12:5-12) And the list goes on, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Lazarus as he was raised from the dead. And how can we forget ol’ Job…. God healed these....so why not others?

Job—he had it all, he lost it all. His well meaning friends tried to convince him of his “lack of” faith or “sin” in his life.. For surely, he had done something wrong…. Do you ever feel that way when life is not going so well?

But Job stood firm in his belief. Without disrespect to God, he questioned the injustice and defended his integrity. “Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him…” (Job13:15)

Through Job’s faith, he was eventually rewarded. Through his perseverance of his sufferings because what Job did come to learn about himself was his pride. He found a humble spirit.

We learn too just as with Paul that God does not always remove our circumstances. For like Paul, he did not remove the “Thorn in his flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:7, 10)

So our suffering can come as a gift from God. Now, I'm NOT saying He caused it. But He will use the circumstance. In Job's circumstance it is clear that God "allowed" the circumstance to occur. After the conversation with Satan and God. But God did draw a line to where Satan could cross.

These trials come to bring us closer to our precious Savior. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

When we are faced with the crossroads of suffering, we have two options—Spiritual growth or despair.

Do not look for a road block that says “No suffering” just because you are of great faith. You won’t find it.

But you will find a garden of trees bearing much fruit if you choose the right road.

When you choose Him.

To Be Like God

“Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.” (Ezek 28:17)

Perfect in beauty. Satan was beautiful, break taking but he craved more. He wanted to be like God.

"For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…” (Gen 3:5)

Adam and Eve had it all. Perfection. Beauty. Love. But Eve, too, wanted to be like God.

Somewhere in our hearts, we truly believe this to be achievable:
We want to be like God—
Because each try to live life outside the will of our Father.

Searching for the never ending hunger of the beauty of our minds, filling the insatiable thirst of our prideful souls.

In which we manage life, oh, in the small things and the mundane things or maybe even the situations that we believe God to be, let’s say, “Not handling events to our desires” or “not handling them on our time schedule.”

Do we find ourselves handpicking which situations God can manage our life?

Where does that authority come from?

Is this our desire to be like God?

Is this our prideful (self full of pride, I call it) desires?

When we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God.

Before the fall, we were perfect in beauty, love and we were one with Him.

I choose Him.

Nice Matters Award

My friend Sharon over at Sit With Me A While bestowed upon me this beautiful award. I am honored, humbled and truly blessed by this but more importantly by her friendship.

For some information on this award:

"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to others who you feel are deserving of this award."

I have lots of friends that inspire me daily... they make me think.. and they keep me accountable to my Heavenly Father. This is why-- I am drawn to this circle of friends...

As I list these names, there are others... that touch me in many other ways...if you are excluded,,, do not be hurt for you are blessing me.. because everyone blesses me... this is just a short list of the "many" that touch my life...

So pass the torch of this Nice Matters Award....

Little Lessons / Sharon

Denise at ShortyBear's Place

Nise at Thus Far The Lord Has Helped Me

Forgive4this

Talk to Grams

Suzanne / Truly Captivating

Flip flop floozie

There are so many of you out there deserving of this award... I love you all....

These ladies well you inspire me with your never ending love and positive outlook on life..

I thank you for that....

May God bless you

The Street Pastor

When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

What is your reaction when you hear or read a critics report of a particular book, article or product? You can’t help but be slightly swayed a little, can you?

I am reading a wonderful book right now. And I have a wonderful friend that sent me a review on that book. It was not a rave review like I thought it would be, because this book is speaking volumes to me. At first, I went through the – well maybe they are right—as I read the critics report I thought well maybe, but then-- then I got angry, then there was the arguing with their point of view, the justification (well this must be why), and then I eased up on myself and realized the “truth” and that I must take it with a grain of salt, I am entitled to my different point of view.

What about the Preacher on the street corner? We might wonder how effective he really is. How many of us drive by ignoring him? Maybe even mocking him? Wondering how effective he really is? But there is one, two, who knows how many souls that have walked by and on a particular day when it just so happens to have been the worst day of their life. Something in the voice of the Pastor (Christ) catches their attention and draws them into the hope. They remember a seed planted from long ago. They go back to that longing. They find their way home. All because of a “Street Pastor”. The very one we are mocking.

The reviews of Jesus weren’t (still aren't) all that. Many people find Him to be not the Son of God, but maybe a Prophet, a good man, and the list goes on. You decide where and who you want to put your faith in.

But I find Him as my Lord, my Savior and my King.

For He is the Great I Am

And He lives

Songs of Joy

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5)

Joy in death? As I finish up this series, I wonder if there can be joy in our sorrows. God says there can be.

Many of us feel guilty for laughing and sharing stories during our sorrows when someone passes. Have you ever noticed? We feel like there must be this “mourning” period first and extreme sadness like in the Old Testament. But they did not know the eternal life, when Christ came and brought us life.

For our loved one is now standing in the meadows of complete healing, joy, and love; truthfully, they would not come back even if they could.

There can be humor even in the worst of circumstances. Maybe not right away. But God doesn’t want us to live in pain forever. He wants us to learn to live again.

I read a story where there was an actual letter that came from Health and Human Services to a resident of Greenville County, South Carolina: "Your food stamps will be stopped, effective March 1992, because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you? You may reapply if your circumstances change." (S. Bowen Matthews, Wilmington, Delaware. Leadership, Vol. 17, no. 3. ) Now wouldn’t that be interesting??!! I might be tempted to reapply....

Unless we are lucky to be here when the Rapture comes, we will all experience death. To dread death is a waste of our precious gift of life.

And after all, we know the rest of the story.

There is hope, there is a future….

There is eternity and we are living it right now.

God Bless

Heaven Bound

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies…”(John 11:25)

How do we accept death? Is it really a part of life?

With the recent death of my friend Melissa and the death of my patients in Hospice, something has occurred to me; most of us do not know how to die.

We prepare for the birth of our babies. We prepare each year for the celebration of another year. We prepare to celebrate life.

But let’s not discuss death. Even though it is inevitable, we try to skirt around it. The problem is we cannot stop “it” from happening. We can’t even delay it, really. Oh, maybe by a few weeks or months but at the cost of what? And for who? What about the one suffering? I have had patients beg God to take them home.

Sometimes, we will try and help the loved ones of the dying (or maybe they have died) person. You know, the ones left behind! Don’t we feel like we need to “fix” them? It’s in "our nature" that we want to remove their burden, their pain. We try to help them with their grief but sometimes may they remain in complete denial, even for a period after the death of their loved one. It’s frustrating for those watching. We are fixers. Sometimes, they just aren't ready. They need to grieve in their own space for a while. And don't dare say, hasn't it been long enough. Ouch!

This is where we need to be kind and patient, for God is in control—not us.

Eventually, the loved one will become weary and then this is our opportunity… this is when he / she will be ready for our help.

Just like a drowning person -- you don’t want to help them while they're are frantic! When I was on my check off dive for a scuba trip years ago, a young man thought he was drowning (I would have thought that too except he had an air hose hooked to his mouth with plenty of air), so he became panicked; in turn, he grabbed the first thing he could seize hold of which happened to be me. We both almost drowned. Not until he became exhausted were we able to get him back to shore, safely.

It is through our Papa and His love that each of us can be rescued. Death is a part of life. We are only here for a short time. Hopefully, we can make our death as graceful as our birth and meaningful as our life.

Though our bodies are dying each day, may our souls be Heaven bound.

Love ya

Today, Melissa Was Healed

Today, my friend Melissa Skinner was healed.

Today, my friend will never hurt again, for she stands before Jesus completely whole.

Today, she heard these words:

My beloved responded and said to me,
'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along.
'For behold, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
'The flowers have already appeared in the land;
The time has arrived for pruning the vines,
And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.
'The fig tree has ripened its figs,
And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along!'"
"O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret place of the steep pathway,
Let me see your form,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet,
And your form is lovely." (Song of Solomon 2:10-14)

At age 36, with two small children, it seems and it is such a tragic loss. For we have lost a dear friend. We cannot help but ask God-- Why? And, I know we will not begin to understand the reason(s) this side of Heaven.

All we know is that today Melissa heard Jesus cry out, “Arise, My love” and so she did, for she took His hand and she arose.

For today, our Jesus called our sweet Melissa home.

Please help me pray for Melissa’s husband, two small children, her family and friends.

I love you guys.....