Hello all! It has be a long time since I have posted to this blog. I plan to keep it open, but I wanted to inform all my subscribers of my new Food Blog!!! Please come check it out and subscribe!!!


http://recipe-tester.blogspot.com/2012/05/spicy-shredded-pork-pioneer-woman.html#

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Since my last post we have added a member, "Little Momma" as I call her. Here she is with her darling self.

Also here is an updated family photo.

Come visit me at recipe-tester.blogspot.com!

Goals for the Summer

So its been a total of Seven days since I completed the Spring Semester of 2011, only to begin the Summer Semester on Monday. Yes, quite a break, especially with traveling out of town four of those seven days. LOL and any of my mother friends can testify that traveling with little ones is not exactly a vacation, but thankfully my mother-in-law has been very helpful with pulling my little girl, Abigail, out of their fireplace, several times a day! LOL Yes, she is at a very active stage...but I am truly loving every minute of it.

So with another semester vastly approaching, and another baby soon to be born, I've decided to set some goals this summer. Some may think I am crazy, okay, I feel crazy. Some may think no big deal, well, you've probably never been in school with two babies. LOL... lets just say, I am feeling a little crazy and excited all in one. These goals only serve a purpose, and that is to make time for myself (before the third baby arrives) and intentionally challenge myself more as a follower of Christ.

Okay, you ready?
Trust me, all this hype really means nothing! LOL
But the goals are:

-Read two books along with my required readings for class.
-Instill a weekly workout routine to assist with the pregnancy.

I just honestly miss reading for pleasure. I have book shelves full of books that I am LONGING to read, but there are only two pressing on my heart right now.

The first one:

Radical by David Platt 

I have some friends who are reading this now and have talked very highly about it. Most importantly this book posed a challenge for me, spiritually. I am wanting something that will challenge me to go deeper with God. Most of you know the lifestyle Mike and I have been called to live. It's not that we live poorly, but do live unlike a lot of our fellow friends in life. We aren't able to leisurely shop, etc. Okay, a LOT of people are not able to leisurely shop right now. Sorry, bad example. But sometimes we are unaware of how our bills will get paid; However, He ALWAYS comes through for us. No, thats not a problem for us, but to say its not a struggle sometimes for me, would be a lie. I think a book like this will hopefully just encourage me in this walk as we journey in this process. I think sometimes being surrounded by the American dream constantly can be discouraging, especially when you know you've been called to live differently. I often say, Mike and I are not pursuing graduate school to make sure we can buy a house and a car for ourselves, but we're pursuing training to undergo a non-profit to help the less fortunate. So although this may be a short season for us, I still feel like this is going to be a lifestyle. Just like now, our needs have always been and will always be met, but I believe God is just wanting us to live with enough... Although, I often feel over abundantly blessed.... So I just feel like this book will hopefully re-edify our lifestyle while challenging us to live more radically for Him. :-)

The Second book I've chosen is one I've been wanting to read for a LONG time and I honestly can't think of a more perfect time to read it:

Made to Crave By: Lysa TerKeurst

Many are aware that my last pregnancy with Abigail I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Many people say, oh no big deal, just eat right and all will be well. Well I ate perfect, worked out six days a week, and thirty pounds later, in a matter of two months, was still unable to maintain healthy blood sugars. This resulted in two different medications, thankfully no insulin, but an early induction and me being unable to birth in a midwifery center I so desperately desire to do. So with this third pregnancy here, my midwifes first concern, SUGAR! I had my glucose test at 11 weeks and failed miserably. So the healthy eating (yes i should have been doing this all along) begins even earlier this pregnancy. So far I have been able to maintain my sugars nicely with diet. My prayer is that it continues with no medications! Also I go for my three hour sugar test next week which will be the deciding factor of whether or not I have GD this time or not. I just think this book could not come at a more perfect time. I knew the Lord desired for me to read it at the perfect time, so here it is. Eating healthy for my baby is not much of a struggle for me, but once the baby comes out is a different story. My goal is too continue this healthy eating with replacing my desires for sweets to Him! I can't wait to begin this book! Looking forward too

 it!

And of course, now that you have read the above paragraph, you now understand the need for routine exercising! LOL

So yes these are my goals. I think if I cut out some television and maybe some play-dates (no my kids do NOT need to be out of the house 5 days a week) this is very possible. 

I hope to blog some of my reactions to the books and just the journey this will bring me!

If you have read all this, BRAVO! LOL Thanks for reading it! And if you know me personally, please ask me about it! Everybody could use a little accountability, right?

Angelic Encounters

"Are not angels all ministering spirits sent out (of God for the assistance) of those who are to inherit salvation?"

Hebrews 1:14

Whenever I approach the book of Hebrews I know I can plan on being impacted by its heavy words. Today this verse caused me to stop and ponder.  Are not angels available for our assistance and guidance as we walk through this journey here on earth? 

This thought may challenge some of your theologies.  Recently I had the privilege of taking a class here at Regent University titled, "Angelology and Demonology." Whenever I would tell someone I was taking this class their interest was always sparked.  No we did not sit around and share stories of angelic and demonic encounters.  But we did focus on their origin and purpose during ancient biblical text, and their possible purpose for today in the lives of Believers.  

This topic was vast and because of the lack of time we were very limited on our discussions, but one day while we were discussing the ministry of angels I was shocked and saddened to learn that some of my seminary classmates did not believe in angels today. They rationalized for the sake of scripture that God used them during biblical times, because this is very clear throughout the Old Testament and within the journeys of our New Testament church; however, since we now have the Holy Spirit as our assistance, some believed we no longer needed the assistance of these angelic beings.  

But here's my ration: Paul had many angelic encounters that were after the ascension of Christ and the coming of Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit).  I am no theologian, nor do I consider my self an expert of the scriptures, but this seems a little self explanatory to me.

This scripture I think, is self explanatory as well. Angels were created to serve God, and when we become joint heirs of the Kingdom of God through salvation in Jesus Christ, we too partake in this privilege. 

No angels are not to be worshiped (Paul makes this clear in the book of Colossians), but I think we can learn a thing or to from them, such as HOW to worship. Scripture tells us of them worshiping God (Heb. 1:6)! Also ancient biblical text also tells us of how close the Angels work with God and encounter His throne room!

 (This was another very interesting thing I learned during my class, but this is a whole other topic, but an interesting one, especially as one who loves to worship. Real quick~can't help myself~, there was a civilization within the Qumran Community where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found, who longed and strived to live in purity such as angels to get as close as they could to the throne of God. There are even texts within the Dead Sea Scrolls that tell us this community of people encountered Angels who taught them how to worship their Heavenly Father!)

I could go on all day about this topic, as it is one that is vastly researched, discussed, and debated; however, my goal in this blog post is too discuss and bring to light the privedlge we have as Believers.  Angels are not beings to be forgotten or ignored, but they are gift from God that He uses from time to time to help us in time of need, and minister to us whenever He so desires to send them. 

Every night when I put my girls to bed, I ask God to send forth His angels to our home and our my girls as they sleep. They are there to fight our spiritual battles for us in the unseen world. Their swords of Praise can tear down any stronghold and attack of the enemy.  Better yet, they are an extension of Gods hand and kingdom and He has provided their services to us during our time here on earth and this scripture reminds me of their help and assistance in this trying world.

I urge you as a Believer to seek God on this topic. Discover for your self how God can use Angels in your life to serve as helpers in this journey of life. 

Here are some books that I highly recommend concerning this topic:

Angelic Encounters By James and Michal Ann Goll ~ This is a great book about a couple in ministry who encountered Angels in the night. God used these Angelic encounters to minister to them, and to show them a piece of His heavenly Kingdom.

The Books of Enoch~ The is a translation of the extra-biblical text, The Book of Enoch.  This book shows the origins of Angels and of Demons(The Book of Watchers). And it also shows how God used Archangels to perform His tasks... This is clear representation too of how our Old Testament authors viewed angels and their capabilities. (This was a text book used within my class)

Resting In His Grace

Whew... Well if I told you that this week was marvelous, I would only be considered optimistic, because honestly, its felt anything but.  I think God allows these times to reel us back in to reality. And I've been hearing the winding of the wheel as God turns the handle. The tugs don't always feel so good, but the end results are worth it.

Humility and His Grace is where I am choosing to rest tonight. I thank God for allowing me to walk in my ways for a little bit so I can experience the hiccups first hand. They are just bittersweet reminders that I am not quite where I need to be, and I am absolutely nothing without His grace and providence in my life.

Have you felt like you've failed the test lately? Well, let me just say, you are not alone. I have failed more than one test this week, but I am learning these failed test are not to be looked upon as negative experiences. We should look upon them as huge stepping stones that are getting us closer and closer to His Heavenly Throne. Sometimes we'll trip as we are taking that next step and fall, and may even skid our knee a bit, but His graceful hand reaches down to help us back up, and it's then that we realize we can't get up these big stones without Him.

So tonight, as I reflect on this week of reeling, I am graciously reminded of where I belong, in His presence, just resting in His grace......

Seeing Your Reflection in His Eyes!

Tonight I had the privilege to hear Jason Upton speak at our UnChapel here at Regent University. I don't get on campus much; however, I always cease the opportunity too when Jason comes. He comes bearing heavy words to challenge my heart and lunges me into the deeper pursuit of the one who created me. 

Tonight was no different. His words pierced my heart, and actually God spoke the same word he spoke through a young girl before he even spoke. For some reason emotions were high for me tonight. I would like to blame it on over exhaustion from being a mommy of two babies and being in school, but thats the norm of my life. Tonight the emotions seem to be more God lead.  Sometimes when I am in His presence thats all I can do, is weep.  Its almost cleansing for me and allows me to release all the burdens I've been holding inside! 

Anyways, as the young girl spoke about Hagar, the maid servant to Abraham who bore his first son. She reminded us of how God never forgot about her. Although it seemed she was forgotten, God still met her in the desert and provided for her and her child. And as she spoke those words. The tears began.  I wasn't feeling forgotten. Or at least I didn't think I was, until that moment God just decided or well, knew, I needed a little love tonight.  I felt it.  He whispered gently in my ears, "I see it all. I see all who you are as a mother, and all that you give as a person. Your still you, and YOU are the one I love." 

I learned tonight that in order for me to truly love myself, and most importantly my children, I need to understand the depth of the Fathers love for me.  He created me to be a true representation of the His kingdom! And no this does not entail some HUGE ministry endeavor that will make me a better Christian in the eyes of the church, but just being Amber. The Amber he created. Not painted or designed to meet someone else's expectations, but designed perfectly the way God made me.

In that moment, my heart was lightened, and my soul rejuvenated. God saw my need, and he filled it. 

I walked away tonight feeling better about who I am, all because I saw myself in the REFLECTION of HIS EYES.  

Thank you Jesus for loving me, just for me. And most importantly showing me the true beauty in just being!

So Good to me-Cory Asbury

Continuing the theme of Thankfulness..... (Yes, I know Thanksgiving has come and gone, but shouldn't we be thankful year long?) I had to share this song! It is one of my favorites, and I can't help but replay it over and over in the Car! It causes me to dwell on how good the Lord's been to me... and frankly, I just LOVE singing about it!!

Enjoy!

Because, He, Picked Me Up, and He turned Me around, and HE placed my Feet on SOLID Ground, Hallelujah! 

Maintaing a Heart of Gratitude!

As some of you may know, Jordan is quite the little princess. If she could wear a dress every day, ALL day, she would. She loves how the dress flares when she twirls in circles and then she practices her little Ballerina moves. Yes she is my Twirling Ballerina Princess!

The girls at church! Jordan dances all around the church in her gorgeous dress!

Well this morning, unfortunately she was not able to put on yet another dress, so Jeans it was. And lets just say, it did NOT go over well with my two year old. 

She began to have her moment, all I could think of is how grateful she should be, because many children do not have the ability to "choose" from different outfits to wear.  Of course I didn't dare say this to her.  A recent Focus on the Family  radio show (I strongly urge you to listen too) taught me that to teach a little one true gratefulness is to NOT make them feel guilty for the blessings they do have, but to teach them to Thank Jesus for all that He has given them. Another point Susie Larson (guest author of Growing Grateful Kids, on the radio show) made was that TRUE gratefulness is taught through example.  The best way for us to teach our little ones to be grateful for all Jesus has given us is to exemplify it our selves.  

So Lord help me to NOT see the lack, but to see the Blessing! Thank you Lord for your many blessings in our Life!!!

So as this radio segment raced through my mind in about 5 seconds, I quickly looked at Jordan and said, "Jordan, look at these beautiful Jeans Jesus has given you. Can we thank Him for them?" 

So I said in front of her, "Thank You Jesus." She quickly responded, "THANK YOU JESUS!" Tears and all! LOL... She repeated this several times, and it appeared to help her little soul, because she calmed right down. In that moment, as I grew in my heart and learned a valuable lesson with my two year old, I began to thank Jesus for all He had given me too! This song below quickly approached my mind, and it couldn't seem to leave! 

"Thank You Jesus! Lord you WORTHY, of all the GLORY, and all the PRAISE!!! It makes me wanna SHOUT, HALLELUJAH!, THANK YOU JESUS!" 

Enjoy the Song!

Susie Larson also mentioned that in a time when she had nothing, she made a list of ALL she was grateful for, and she realized, how much she was Blessed!  

Lets not wait until we are desperate and in lack, but lets always have a heart of Gratitude!

My List of Thankfulness:

1. My beautiful HEALTHY family! 

2. A loving husband, who loves unconditonally, and is always there open and ready to give forgiveness!

3.  The ability to stay home and be a mommy, without the constraints of financial obligations. 

4. That I have TWO little girls! Girls are SO much fun!!! 

5. The food in fridge! Which most of we didn't even purchase, but it's been given to us! He is GOOD!

6. The fact that I can look in my fridge and have the ability to CHOOSE what I would like to make for dinner. Thank you Jesus for Choices!!

7. The closet FULL of clothes, all four of us! We are literally bursting at the seams with clothes! Majority of which, we haven't bought, but others have graciously given us! 

8. The fact that my daughter has THREE winter coats, and I NEVER had to worry about getting her one!

9. That my daughter DOES have many dresses she can twirl in, because my girl does love to twirl!

10. Our Christmas tree... Thanks to PaPa! He bought us a tree this year! I love you Dad! Thanks for being a lifeline!

11. My momma.... She is always there to hear me out, without EVER judging, but just listening... and then inserts her wisdom with humility when need be... Thank you Momma for always being there for me, and being a WONDERFUL Grandma to my little girls... I love you!!! 

12. My Husband's Parents and Family! They have always accepted me with Loving Arms, and whenever we need them, they quickly drop everything and come running! I love you!! 

13. Our BEAUTIFUL home! I seriously LOVE IT!! God knew EXACTLY what we needed for our growing family! It is surely a testament of HIS providence! Thank you Jesus!!!

14. Beautiful Mommy Friends like Karen Miller, Courtney Gerdes, Jaime Thompson, and Janine Weaver! They are NEVER judgmental, but always encouraging and uplifting when I need them most! I love you ladies!! God has surely placed you in my life for such a time as this! I think God that I am able to share life with you all, as we share the BEST YEARS of our lives together! 

15. Most importantly, definitely not least, My LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! I surely would not have any of this if it wasn't for His SAVING GRACE! Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me! I am eternally grateful and indebted to you! May I maintain a heart of gratitude always towards you, and continually serve you all the days of my life!!

So What are You Thankful For?!

Yup its that time of Year!

Nothing more sends a TRUE warm holiday greeting than a Christmas card that features you and your family on the front! Not filling them out sounds even sweeter, dosen't it?? Well if your anything like me you don't have time to fill out 50 Christmas Cards! Head over to Shutterfly and let them do it for you! 

 I will certainly be taking FULL advantage of the BEAUTIFUL Christmas templates for Christmas cards that they are offering this year, and so should you!! 

And not only does Shutterfly offer photo Christmas cards and holiday cards, but you can also order Calendars, invites, and personalized mugs that make wonderful gifts for that distant (or even close!) Grandma or special aunt! I personally adore their personalized calendars and will be gifting some for Christmas this year! 

Also for the Christmas cards, I have to be honest and admit that my favorite are the Folded Greeting Cards!

Here are a few of my favorites templates for this season.... as I am still undecided on which too chose! Maybe you can help?!! Tell me your fav!! 

Card # 1-The Lord Has Come

Card #2-MERRY CHRISTMAS

Card #3-REJOICE

I love it and so will you! Let me know what you think about their Holiday designs!!! You are sure to enjoy them!!

COME, Let's ADORE HIM!

With Thanksgiving vastly approaching us, we all can't help but impatiently await Christmas! (Well I can't) Trust me if we had a fake tree it would already be up!! There is just something about Christmas that fills our hearts with joy, love, and peace.  Unfortunately, if we fail to recognize the true meaning of Christmas, this may not be so.  Sometimes when we choose to focus on presents and "things", then we tend to focus on what we "don't" have and it can cause much sadness. But let me tell you, Christmas is so much more than what is under the Christmas tree...

So to help me maintain the true meaning of Christmas, I thought I would share a Christmas Song that says it best, "Come Let Us Adore Him!" Yes, my friends, thats what it is about, JESUS!  Christmas is a season that we choose to celebrate a MIGHTY GOD, who chose to take on flesh, that He might save us all, and most importantly, that He may dwell with us for all the days.

So lets return the Love that was shown to us and remember to take a few moments out of the busyness of the holidays and...

ADORE HIM.

Here are some of Our Christmas Photos! Enjoy!

Jordan and her Daddy! They are sometimes inseparable! 

My Favorite Family One! You may See this one on a Christmas Card!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:13-14

God Wills; God Does!

As we were traveling to NC today, a Tractor Trailer pulled in front of me and the Lord reminded me of something and I thought I would share....

Genesis 12.... Those were the words I heard as my Band instructor urged me to warm up my instrument during practice... "Warm up your Clarinet with Genesis 12 please!" Shouted Mrs. Sydney.  I thought, "seriously... thats not a warm up, but a chapter in the bible!" Feeling confused....I was awakened by the sound of my alarm. Being a new Christian and a Senior in High School, I seriously thought I had just eaten too much pizza the night before. I had no Idea that the Lord could speak to you in a dream, plus it had been 2 years since I was in marching band! 

Weeks later I was telling a friend of my outrageous dream and she simply asked, "Well what does Genesis 12 say?" Naively I never read it! She insisted the Lord was trying to speak to me and urged me to read the scripture. This is what I found in the first eight verses...

Genesis 12

The Call of Abram

  The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

 ² "I will make you into a great nation 

       and I will bless you; 

       I will make your name great, 

       and you will be a blessing.

 ³ I will bless those who bless you, 

       and whoever curses you I will curse; 

       and all peoples on earth 

       will be blessed through you."

 ⁴ So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. ⁵ He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

 ⁶ Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. ⁷ The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring ^[a]I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

 ⁸ From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. ⁹ Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

This may not mean much to you, but at the time, it meant the WORLD to me! Not only did I come from a non-Christian home, but I was at a point in my life where I was seeking the Lord's will for my life. I was at a turning point, getting ready to graduate college, I desired nothing more than to fulfill the calling the Lord had given me. Within these scriptures we see God calling Abraham to leave his home, so that he could establish a nation of blessings for him. To me this speaks of generational blessings. Here God was promising me, just as He promised Abraham, "If you leave the comfort of your home and follow me I will bless you and your descendants with MY blessings!" The Lord was giving me an invitation to live a life fully devoted to Him and to build a family that would be blessed for generations to come of His Love!

  

Shortly after, I attended a Christian youth camp where I had my encounter with the Lord the previous year. Anxious to find that warmful embrace of the father within the small town of Dunn, NC, I soon realized He had much more in store for me. That first night in March of 2003 I heard the Voice of the Lord Loud and Clear and there He called me to Heritage Bible College. I was weeping so hard I had to leave the auditorium. Approached by Camp Counselors I was asked, "Whats Wrong?" I said in the middle of my tears, "I think the Lord wants me to go to college here!" LOL... I knew without a shadow of a doubt the Lord was calling me to Heritage Bible College and if I was to ignore this call, I would be disobeying him. As I checked out the table for the college I realized there was not a single degree there that I thought was for me... Needless to say, this move was a BIG leap of FAITH for me... but the thought alone, excited me very much...

My Room Mate/Life Long Friend, Rachel Kitchens, from Heritage Bible College standing in the lobby at HBC before I had my first born!

Months later, I packed up my little red 2 door escort to travel back to Dunn, NC to begin the application process and as I pulled out of my neighborhood onto a main road the fears, excitement, and anxiety overwhelmed my soul. I looked up to find a tractor trailer had pulled in front of me. Something was different in the dust and dirt on the back of that trailer. I found the words that read, 

"GOD WILLS; GOD DOES!" 

There the Lord spoke to me again! He said, "Amber I have willed for you to go to Heritage Bible College; therefore, you need not to worry about ANYTHING! Because I have WILLED this, I will supply ALL your needs and much more!" Little did I know, that the Lord was planning to fill the desires of my heart in this little town of Dunn. 

2 years later, after many trials (thats another post), I met my God Destined, Wonderful husband, Mike Thornton. Today we are joyfully serving the Lord, pursuing full time ministry, with two beautiful daughters.

Thank you Lord for knowing our hearts better than we know them and for fulfilling our needs and dreams before we can even dream them... I shall ever be thankful to you! Because you looked upon me and pursued me with your love, I shall ever be grateful to you....

My Thanksgiving to the Lord!

Psalm 116 1-2; 12-14; 16-18

 ¹ I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; 

       he heard my cry for mercy.

 ² Because he turned his ear to me, 

       I will call on him as long as I live.

¹² How can I repay the LORD 

       for all his goodness to me?

 ¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation 

       and call on the name of the LORD.

 ¹⁴ I will fulfill my vows to the LORD 

       in the presence of all his people.

¹⁶ O LORD, truly I am your servant; 

       I am your servant, the son of your maidservant ^[c] ; 

       you have freed me from my chains.

 ¹⁷ I will sacrifice a thank offering to you 

       and call on the name of the LORD.

 ¹⁸ I will fulfill my vows to the LORD 

       in the presence of all his people,

He Makes Our Dreams Come True

I stumbled upon this video a few weeks ago and since I have watched it, my heart just burns to experience the Father's love on a whole new level.  Yes by the looks of it, it IS about a proposal, but what struck most me was the story that Jessica tells before it. My words wouldn't give it worth, so I will let you hear it for yourself....

The Lord ravished her heart on this beach in Caesarea, Israel. I too have been to this beach and it is BREATHTAKING! What a LOVE story she has with the Lord! And to make it even sweeter, He gave her a painting to mark this memory for her. This tells me that the moment they shared on that beach was just as important to Him as it was to her!!! 

This story gets even sweeter! 

A year later she met her future husband in Israel!

 And months later, He surprised her there on this beach to ask her to be his wife because he knew how significant it was to her!!!

The Lord longs to ravish our hearts!! 

If we seek HIM first, with no boundaries and no conditions, he will fulfill our dreams, overwhelm our souls, and give us the desires of our hearts!! He did this for Jessica, He did it for me, and He can certainly do it for you!

PURSUE HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY and just watch how God's love will overtake your life and give you the peace and fulfillment He created us to have!!!

RAVISH MY HEART, O GOD! 

I want to see you FACE!!!!

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both the high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. 

Psalm 36:7

Have you seen Brad?

And no I am NOT talking about Brad Pitt....

Yesterday my hubby and I were able to steal away for a few hours to enjoy dinner without the babies. Of course this was all thanks to Grandma who agreed to watching the girls. After a nice meal alone Mike and I decided to head over to Barnes and Noble and enjoy quietness around some of our most favorite things, books.  

Unfortunately it was later than normal and B&N was about to close. As we rode past the door, a young gentleman caught Mikes eye. As I was driving away Mike urged me to turn around. Mike said, "I feel like I am suppose to talk to this guy." Now Mike is known for taking compassion on the homeless, so I looked at him and said, "I don't think this guy is homeless." Mike responds, "I don't know, but God wants me to speak to him, I think he needs help." So trusting the voice of the Lord we turned around and decided to enter B&N.  As we walked by, it was clear that this young man was distraught. Mike turned and asked him if he was alright, and he responded, "I am stranded and no one will give me spare change." So Mike said, "please come in, Lets have some coffee and I will get you something to eat." Feeling so at peace with this stranger, we walked in to B&N and was awakened to a new found love of God. 

As we told him to pick out something from the Starbucks inside, he only got a small pretzel and insisted that he only get a cup of water from the sugar stand. It was clear that this man was not looking to take advantage of the help. Something burned in me, it was like I longed to know his story! 

So as we sat down, we learned that his name was Brad and that he was recently kicked out of his mothers house because of his addiction to Heroin. Having family members who struggle with drugs and Mike being one who came from a lifestyle of drugs, we felt complete compassion for him. Unfortunately the phone rang and Abigail was home needing me to feed her. So our time was cut short with Brad, but my mind has never left him. 

As I crawled into bed that night, I thought about Brad. Where was he sleeping? Where would he end up? How must his mother feel knowing that she had to kick her son out on the streets because of his addiction? All these thoughts crossed my mind... 

That night I was reminded of the blessings in my life, but most importantly I was reminded of how important it is for us as Christians to take time out of our busy schedules to impact others with the Love of God. As we left Brad that night we learned that he once knew the Lord and that he longed to know him again. 

So Lord right now I pray for Brad. Wherever he is Lord, I pray that He would encounter your love! I pray Lord that you would send your angels to minister to him and encourage him to seek your face. God I pray that the bondage's of addiction would fall off his shoulders and that his burden would become light because of your grace and Love. 

Lord may I be burdened to no longer drive by being consumed by my day, but be challenged by your Holy Spirit to go and tell him of your saving grace! 

Tonight, I challenge you (as well as myself), 

have you seen Brad lately?

Love Came Down

 I wanted to begin this blog with sharing the true inspiration behind the title. Brian and Jenn Johnson are phenomenal worship leaders in Redding, California. They exhibit true worship to the Father. It's not about performance or genre or even the style, but simply loving on Jesus. As worshipers, we should long to minister to the Father's heart, and undoubtedly Brian and Jenn Johnson teach us to do just that!

Words can not describe the sincere gratitude towards Christ that you feel when the lyrics of this song hit your heart; therefore, I thought I would allow you to feel it for yourself. Experience the Love of the Father.

We Surrender With Our Eyes Closed

So the Lord has showed me recently that their is power is on our worship when we close our eyes.  To many this is too simplistic, but to those of us who like to control our thoughts and surroundings, it's tough.  So at out life group one of the ladies shared how the Holy Spirit moved through her body, with a simple gesture of closing her eyes. She simply took a moment to focus on the Lord and He blessed her tremendously.  The Lord has been showing me that I need to be worshiping Him more in the private than in the public.  So the other morning I was singing worship song to Him and I decided to close my eyes.  WOW!! I had never worshiped that way before, nor had I ever played the guitar that way before.  My focus suddenly shifted from the next chord I was playing to the total dependance upon the Lord.  THAT'S IT!!! I have been trained that our eyes must be open in order to "lead" the people into the presence of the Lord, but the reality is, If we do not encounter the Lord ourselves, how will we lead them to Him? This has been my struggle for a developing and growing, maybe, worship leader. (Sorry I am still lacking that confidence.)  I was trying to figure out how to lead worship and God show up!!! And I know we are not suppose to be focused on the "feeling" of it all, but the reality is that when we enter the presence of God we are supposed to be changed and I want people to leave their time of corporate worship as a new Man or Woman of the Lord. Changed by His presence! 

This curiosity about worship has lead me into a series of encounters with the Lord.  Might I say, it's been wonderful! He has taught me things and shown me things, no book, except for the bible (thats for all you Theologians out there!), could ever do for me.  The Holy Spirit is our teacher! If your heart longs to know something about Him, ask Him and He will tell you and it will line up with the Word of God! The Holy Spirit is inside all of us that profess Him to be our Savior, we just need to acknowledge Him and know that He is a gift from the Son, given to us by the Father. 

Marriage Retreat, Here We Come!!

This weekend for Valentine's, Mike and I will be participating in our first Marriage Retreat. With out hectic schedules limiting our time together, Mike and I decided this could do no harm! I can't wait to spend 2 days alone with my hubby as we learn to love one another more, and treat one another like Kings and Queens. I have to say the 5 Star Hotel on the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach makes this a little bit more sweeter!! I will post of pictures when we get back! But till then Mike and I will be invisibile, except to the Waves, each other, our fellow couple friends, and of course my mother who will be careing for our Pride and Joy!!

Happy Valentines Everyone!!!