Finding Solutions To Our Sins

It always amazes me how foolish people can be. Oh, I count myself included. I woke up this morning with a headache. After I took a couple of allergy pills, let the dogs out, grabbed a little breakfast, and had my morning cup of coffee I sat to ponder my day. How I wished I could be like the character in the TV show Bewitched today. Then it would not matter if I had a headache, I could just wiggle my nose and I would take care of everything. I could wiggle my nose and my laundry would be done, my house would be clean, bills would be paid etc. How great that would be right? Well I tried it and it didn't work, not that I really expected it to. Yet, we all would like to find the quick fix and the easy answers to our problems wouldn't we? The problem with the quick answer is that usually the underlying problems would still be there and just get worse. If we don't take care of the problems and just look for quick solutions to the effects we are still left with the problems and they will just surface again and again. What it all comes down to is us making the hard choice to discipline ourselves if we want to solve them. The longer we live with the problems and in sin, the longer and harder it is to brake bad habits and achieve solutions to our problems.

If we are going to successfully deal with any problem we must first stop avoiding it or trying to find the simple painless solutions to solving it. A good example of this is the very GROWING problem America is having with being overweight and under fit. Again, I have to count myself included. Now for some of us there can be medical problems that are part of the root problem. This is true in my case. After I had my second child I had to have a hysterectomy. Since that time I have battled weight problems due to hormone problems. Saying that I will also tell you that I have not always done a good job at attacking the problem and staying in control of it. Things go well for awhile and then I get busy and backslide until I again have no choice but to face the problem. By current statistics I know that I am not alone. Now, I am not saying we all should look like the body builders or the twig looking models. Weight control should be looked at as health maintenance. What I am saying is that we would have far less medical problems if we would tackle our obese problems head on. We would not have them at all if we would tackle the problem while it is still a small problem. What is even sadder is to see the statistics of our youth that are facing major health problems because of early obesity.

Do we face our weight problems and tackle them head on smartly? Well some do but most aren't. We ignore the problem, look for miracle cures in a bottle of pills, try the latest diet fad, make short lived resolutions to change, talk a lot about it, and in some cases wait until the problem is so bad that we are willing to risk our lives to find a cure.

Still Gluttony is a sin that Christians often seem to try to ignore. We find it very common to hear sermons or messages given on the evils of smoking and drinking as sins, but gluttony seems to be one of those sins that offends people to talk about it, so few like to preach on it. It becomes one of our "tolerated" sins. The Bible makes it very clear however what God thinks of gluttony. Proverbs 23:20-21 warns us, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." It also speaks of gluttony in Proverbs 28:7 when is says, "He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." Proverbs 23:2 tells us, "put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony."

Gluttony is a sin just like any other sin and God hates sin. When it all comes down to basics, all sin revolves around the root problem of our ability to control ourselves and not give in to temptations. If we are unable to control our habits of what we eat, we are letting our eating control us. If we are not showing self-control here we are also probably allowing lack of control into other areas of our lives too. Just like those pounds that can creep up on us so easily if we do not have a good plan of defense against them, other sins in our lives can do the same thing too.

God is a gracious and loving God who blesses us by providing for us the things that we NEED on this earth. We need to honor God by not letting the sins of greed, temptation, and lack of self-control get the better of us. 2 Peter 1:3-9 tells us, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

How do we honor God by not letting the sins of greed, temptation, and lack of self-control get the better of us? The answer to tackling any problem must first start with God. A good way to start would be facing your sin head on as Psalm 51:1-4 says, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge." It is though the strength God can give us by our faith and trust in Him that we can tackle our sins and develop the strength of self-control to resist the temptations that would have us backslide. It is not really self-control as much as it is faith-control. The more we turn control of our lives over to God the stronger our faith-control becomes.

We don't need to look for miracle cures or quick fixes. Our cure is through faith in God alone. We need to make sure that with any plan we are making to handle a problem we are having in our lives, that we include God in our solution if we want to guarantee success. Remember just as it is easy to let our weight slide on the scale without being active and proactive in controlling it with the proper ways of eating and good old fashioned exercise, it is also just as easy to let our faith slide if we to not take active and proactive steps to include it in our lives too. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." Strive to honor God mentally, physically, emotionally, and faithfully in all you say and do. It is through faith-control that we grow closer to God.

Find the prayer for this post at http://www.morefootstepsinthevalley.blogspot.com/
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FaithfulToOne©2007


Solutions

I keep looking for solutions
I know the quick fix I'll never find
It is only through faith-control
I'll find my peace of mind

Some days it's one step forward
Other days it's two steps back
Forgive me when I backslide
And the faith that I still lack

When temptations overwhelm me
And in strength I grow weak
Lord let me feel your presence
It's courage though You that I seek

God I seek your guidance for my sin
For answers I'll search Heaven above
I know my solution will be found
Surrounded in God's gracious love

FaithfulToOne©2007

What Are You Afraid Of?

It is amazing how God can show us things so clearly when we least expect it. This last couple of weeks has been amazing to me. Fears first and then computer problems have done there best to keep me off line on this blog, but I am up and running again. A smarter and more blessed person for the ordeals I have been through and for the miracles God has blessed me with.

The first trial I had came with tax time. As tax time kept creeping up my world got more and more stressed. Although I did keep up with my devotionals my writing seemed to hit a block. Last week was a very tough week for me. Even with doing my devotional time, I had something that seems stupid to tell someone about that had to be dealt with. Fear!!! Do you have an uncontrollable fear that you have to deal with? I get so stressed out with this fear that I even went to websites to see if it is a real phobia that other people have to deal with too. Well, I went to the following web site, to find a list of phobias from A to Z http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/phobia-list-2.html . Oh my gosh, I could not believe the amount of phobias that there are and also some of the really weird things people have phobias about. Here I am thinking other people are weird.

I could not believe after I read the whole list of weird and strange phobias that mine was not on the list. What is my phobia you might ask? I have a real phobia of taxes and the IRS. OK, laugh if you like but I really get stressed out every year. I don't lie on my taxes or do anything illegal that under those circumstances might give me a real reason to fear these things. I also realized that it was so stupid to get so stressed out every year like I did, but every year it happens all over again. You should of seen the year they decided to audit me for no apparent reason. Boy was I a real basket case then.

Now, I realized that the first step to conquer this fear was going to have to start with God. Fear can be one of Satan's most powerful weapons when we allow him to cripple us with it. That was what Satan did to me. I was so stressed out that it effected my sleep, eating, writing, etc. Fear if left unchecked can limit us, cripple us, and even destroy our lives. At least my fear only happens once a year. What if you had one of these phobias: "Amaxophobia" - Fear of riding in a car., "Agoraphobia"- Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places like markets. Fear of leaving a safe place. Fear of crowds., "Ablutophobia"- Fear of washing or bathing., "Agyrophobia"- Fear of streets or crossing the street, etc. These are just a few of the phobias that start with the letter A. How would your life change with one of these phobias?

Well, I finally got my tax stuff put all together. I took it with my daughter's tax stuff to get it taken care of. Little did I know how God was at work. My first miracle and blessing that happened during this whole ordeal was that through a turn of events due to my work, and God working behind the scenes I ended up getting my taxes and my daughter's taxes done free of charge just a few days before they were due. I knew God had His hands on what was going on.

Now, I did not get a big unexpected refund. In fact after all was figured out, I did have to pay. I had thought I was going to get to use my daughter as a deduction for one more year, but that was not the case. She did get a very nice refund for all her hard work though. The second blessing came when I called my daughter to tell her the news. The first words out of her mouth after I told her how things had worked out were, "Can you pay yours Mom? You can use my money if you need to." I was so touched. You see during my very tough divorce my ex-husband's goal was to run me into the ground financially. He left leaving me with all the bills. It has been a tough time working on my financial recovery. However, when I have been truly in need God has always been there, just like He was this time to help me out. When I told someone about this later and they talked to my daughter she replied, "My mom has always been there for me and I will always be there for her." My daughter's love means more to me than any riches I could ever have. I had to stop and think if my daughter loves me this much how much more does God love me? Why was I ever so afraid of something so little compared to the big picture of my life? God showed me that He was there for me and would always be there for me. Little did I know how much he would show me this again just a few days later.

I was also plagued with some computer problems during this time, but this did not get me down. Although I could not post for several days I still got back to writing again. I was so thankful that God again answered my prayers. When ever I am dealing with trials I pray for God's help. Now I know we would all like God to remove the trials we go through, but sometimes there is a greater purpose we just don't understand. I have learned that I find comfort when I add to my prayers, that if God can't remove the trials from my life that He at least will show me in some way that His hands are on the situation and that He is in control. There was no doubt that God's hands were dealing with my tax time fears. But God went one step further too.

Earlier this week I had to drop off some art work across town before going to school. As I finished dropping off the work and headed off to school for my day of teaching I started getting some really strange feelings. As I continued to drive my thoughts turned to prayer for the day. I like to pray before starting my day teaching. It puts me in a good frame of mind to start my day. It was a very windy day that day but it was also sunny and clear. I was almost to school when I got behind a large vehicle like a suburban (I'm not much for identifying vehicles). On top of the vehicle there were two thick particle board panels (4 x 8 feet) tied down to the roof. After I prayed I still felt uneasy feelings, but could find no reason for them. A moment later I would understand.

With no notice, a very large gust of wind came up and caught the front end of the particle board panels snapping both of them in two. With no time or no way to avoid it I now had four thick large pieces of particle board blowing straight for my windshield edge ends first. People would tease me later, telling me that it sounded like the movie scene in, "Final Destination". All I could see was that these four boards were coming straight for me and I could do nothing. I could not pull to the right, because there was no shoulder just a deep gully. To do this would mean I would surely flip my car. I could not pull to the left because there was another car coming the other way and that would only mean a head on collision. There was only one option and that was to turn it over to God and to put my faith and trust in Him. Yes it was scary but the moment I turned it over to Him I got such a peace in my heart. It was amazing and so is what happened next.

I could still just watch as time seemed to slow down and the four panels edge first kept coming closer to barreling straight into my windshield. Then right at the very last moment before they hit, another strong gust of wind came. Three of the panels blew up and over the roof of my car and the last one that was trailing a bit behind the others blew down and hit the street. Only part of the last board bounced off the street doing only minor damage to my car. I was not hurt at all and my car only got a few scraps and scratches to be repaired. I could not believe my eyes and neither could the man that was driving the vehicle that the boards were tied to. All I could think was how much God's hands were there to touch every minute of our lives, even when we least expect it. I thought, "What do I have to fear when I am in God's hands?"

The more I have thought about the experiences that I have gone through lately the more I know that God was teaching me that with Him I have nothing to fear. Satan would love to have us all crippled with fear. When Satan does this He can keep us from serving God's will in a way that honors God's will and glorifies His name. Tax fears could not stop me, computer problems could not stop me, and nothing else will stop me either when God is with me.

The only thing that can limit me is my faith and trust in God. God has shown me again that there are no limits to His love for me. If you have fears turn them over to God. He is there to make your fears meaningless and to give your faith true meaning with His love and guidance. I praise you and thank you God for showing me that you are always there.

Find the prayer for this post at http://www.morefootstepsinthevalley.blogspot.com

FaithfulToOne©2007


No Cause For Fear

I count my blessings many
The times I fear grow few
The faith and trust I find
Helps my spirit to renew

The times that I get weary
The days when I am weak
I find a quiet time to pray
God's strength is what I seek

He's there when I don't see Him
My God hears me when I call
With loving grace and forgiveness
He picks me up each time I fall

I look for comfort in His word
My time for trials I'll not bemoan
The plans I follow are in His hands
The final answers are God's alone

With you my God I find my strength
With you there is no cause for fear
Safe within your loving hands
Showing me your always near.

FaithfulToOne©2007

My Dream- Which Way Are You Facing Today?

One night I was reading the Bible before I went to bed and read Psalm 138:7, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. " That night when I went to bed I had a dream.

I dreamt that I was walking on a path. As I walked I noticed that only one set of footsteps were on the path that was behind me now. Long dark shadows were clinging tightly to my heels, casting fearful shapes that distorted everything they covered. The things in my life that lined the path I was walking became very distracting and kept me from feeling the peace I thought should be around me. I was like a child waking up to a dark bedroom in the middle of the night. Disoriented, I was fearful and scared because I saw everything through a dark veil. Anxious to be free of this nightmare, I closed my eyes hoping it was all a bad dream, only to open them again to the silent sights and sounds of loneliness. I felt hopeless and overcome by my restless feelings of abandonment. Then, just like a small child I cried out in prayer to my Heavenly Father. I had one plea and that was for Him to rescue me with His Heavenly light.

When I finish praying I heard God call to me like a loving and reassuring parent saying, "I am right here with you my child." "Where are you God? I can not see you!", I responded with great urgency in my voice. "Turn around child", He said. When I turned around His glorious light bathed me with His love. My heart rejoiced as I again felt His comfort and strength. In joy I praised His Holy name. Then dropping to my knees, now humbled and fully aware of the power that surrounded me, I prayed for God's forgiveness. I realized that God had always been with me. The darkness and shadows that had scared me were cast because of His light that He had always been shining on me all along. It was dark because I had turned my back on His direction and wandered off the path He had for me into the shadows. There was only one set of footprints on the path of trials that I was on, but I was never alone. He was there shining His light on the path that was His will for me, waiting for me to turn around and correct my way. Then I remembered that James 4:8 says, "Draw nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you."

God's light is always there ahead of us to light our way with His love, wisdom, mercy, forgiveness, courage, and strength. If we have faith and focus on His light trusting in Him, we have nothing to fear. The shadows that are behind us can not hurt us or blind us with darkness to the direction we should be heading to honor and glorify God.

I prayed, " Father please forgive me for ever doubting you. It was not you, it was me that had made the errors in our relationship. When I lost my focus on you I got distracted, turned around, and lost. All I could see was my past and what you had already put behind me. I could only see my life scared through the veil of darkness. Thank you for hearing my fearful prayers. You are the God as written in Psalm 68:19 who daily bears my burdens, and I praise you. You called out to me when I was scared and lost with such loving comfort, turning me back to you. Father, I pray that you now keep me focused forward so that your light shines brightly on me always. Guide my steps, so that the darkness can no longer scare me for my life is now yours. I now focus on you with great joy, for the blessings and the trials I face. I know that you are always there for me when I am in need. I wish to seek Your will and blessings for my life so that my life reflects Your light in a way that honors and glorifies You always. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

I woke up from the dream with such a peace and joy in my heart, as if a great weight had been lifted off of me. I also quickly grabbed pencil and paper so that I could share this with others. My question to you is, "Which way are you facing today?"

Lord Give Me Patience and I Need It Right Now!

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

The verse, no actually the whole chapter is one more than any other that I hold fast to because is does a lot to sustain me through rough or troubling time when I am walking in the valley. This one verse however, I have to admit is the part I have the most trouble with sometimes. You got it, the patience part. There are times when I pray, that I do get an answer right away, just as I wanted things to go. There are times when I pray, that I do get an answer right away, but it is not the answer I expected. At least I have my answer. Then there are times when I pray, that I don’t get an answer right away or I am told to wait for my answer. That is what Psalm 27:14 is telling us to do. It is not telling us to expect the worst, give up, make assumptions, or sit and worry. It is telling us to trust God for his reasons and wait on Him. Even if we are in the middle of a battle, if we truly trust God and have faith, then we should be at peace while we wait because we know God is in control. We are to be watchful of signs He gives us while we are waiting so that we stay on the path He has for us.

Now, I do have patience of some things. You have to have patience to be a good teacher. But, I also admit there are things I get very impatient for. My friends and family know if you want to drive me crazy just tell me you have a surprise for me. It will drive me crazy trying to figure it out. The unknown that I have no control over makes me very impatient. Where can impatience strike? It may be your job, family relationships, finances, etc. that needle at you. Another area a lot of people lose patience over is in the heart department. Often singles are so impatient to find Mr. Right or Miss Right that they don’t ask God or wait on God’s directions.

Stop, think, and pray. There usually are four reasons I can give you that God could be telling you to wait. The first reason is that He is still working to put into place key pieces of the puzzle for the situation you are in. You are praying for a new job and God intends to give it to you, but He is putting things into place right now and it is not ready yet.

Second, you are not where you need to be in your situation or in your faith and God needs to work on you and strengthen you first, so that you can handle what you must face in the future. This is not necessarily a bad thing it can be a good thing too. People don’t run companies well without the proper training and experience. God knows us better than we know ourselves and we must trust Him in these judgments.

The third reason works in with the second reason. The reason you may have been asked to wait is to test your faith. God wants to see if you are ready for promotion or for the relationship you are praying for, so He tests you by asking you to wait. If you have a strong faith, you trust God and turn it all over to Him. You know that He will make the best judgment for you. If what you want means as much as you say it does, than you are willing to make the sacrifices to get it and it is well worth the wait for it.

The forth reason is often the most painful one. This reason is because we are wrong and God needs time to make us see this and redirect us. The more blind we are to our faults, the more off the path we wander, the more stubborn we are to listen to God, the harder it will be and the longer it will take to get back in His light and on the path again.Oh yeah, God can answer our prayers with WAIT, but will we listen? When He tells us to wait, this is not just His opinion this is his call for faith and obedience. We can heed his warning and obey or pay the consequences. When we are asked to wait we need to find time to be quiet, step back, catch our breath, be calm, stop, think, pray, and not make any knee jerk reactions.

God does not leave us out there hanging alone as we wait. If you read the rest of Psalm 27 you will see that He is there for us and will protect us too. In Psalm 27 David refers to The Lord as his light and his salvation, the stronghold of his life, his fortress, his protection against enemies, his best defense, his confidence, his refuge, his rock of strength, his teacher, his leader, the one that is always there for him even when no one else is, the one he seeks above all others, and the one that he praises and shouts with joy for during his troubled times. Why would he be praising the Lord and shouting with joy in the situation that he is in, where his life is obviously in danger?
He is praising the Lord and shouting with joy because he has faith in the Lord and trust that God has already gone ahead of us and by faith He will lead us safely down the path that follows His will, to a place of safety and blessing.

So why can things go so wrong sometimes? I can tell you that we fall prey to our temptations, weakness, rash impatient judgment, or stubbornness. We don’t accept God’s command or we think we can work our way around it, or even bargain with God on it. God does not change His mind when He asks for obedience, God does not make bargains in exchange for obedience, and we can not sneak things past God either.

When we do not accept God’s judgment we take things into our own hands and try to run ahead of Him. We run past His light into the darkness and then have to look back to Him for help. In the darkness we don’t have clear footing so we stumble and fall. Then we are in pain and look back crying for God’s help. The further we have gotten away from the light and the further we have strayed from His path, the longer it will take to get back in the light and the harder it will be to get back on the path. We may have also sacrificed the blessings that God had intended for us in the first place. It does not mean He has given up on us and that we will never be blessed again.

We are God’s children and He loves us. We may need to face correction, redirection, and teaching, but He will never give up on us or leave us. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’" We need to free our lives of anything that we put above God and be content in the path God has planned for us. When we can do this we can be at peace even during the roughest times, because we have given control over to Him and no man or evil has power over God. When we are in the dark it is because we have moved away from Him, and not that He has left us.

So what do we do while we wait? Romans 5:1-5 tells us clearly, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” We can rejoice because we know that God has a plan for each of us and His plans for us are perfect and all we need. You should be encouraged by that.

His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts and His timing is not our timing. God will do things in His time and in His way. By faith we must trust and believe in Him at all times. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, ‘“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” When you find yourself impatient you need to find a quiet place to refocus and pray. God tells us that if we are obedient, trust him, and wait on Him, He will give us the courage we need and strengthen our hearts. He will also give us the peace and contentment that will sustain us as we wait. We can focus then on what must be done and on serving others instead of being chained down to our worries and anxieties. Praise the Lord!

Waiting can be nerve-wracking and the anxieties can overcome us with temptations to rush ahead and try to handle things ourselves if we do not hold strong to our faith. Lust can take over for love, greed can overtake common sense, stubbornness can make us blind or shortsighted, weakness can give in to addiction or obsession, and impatience can cause us to make wrong rash judgments. Hindsight may be 20/20 and we can often see where God has tried to warn us not once, but several times, and yet we still chose to rush ahead into the darkness. When God finally does get our attention and we finally do trust in Him, He will brings us back to Him. Then, how many of us will ask, “What took You so long God?” What we really need to do is face our faults when God asks in return, “What took YOU so long?”

Please do not rush into relationships or make other decisions that can and will affect the rest of your life without the proper direction. Pray and wait on the Lord for an answer. Seek His counsel and then follow it, no matter how difficult it may be. Trust in God. Don’t give God time limits either. If your wish is to be a good Christian then it requires obedience, patience, and direction. Your best direction will be found in the scriptures. Measure all your judgments with God’s Holy Word. Proverbs 1:8-10 says, “Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” What this is telling us is that we can also seek Godly counsel from others that walk in faith, and then use their counsel to be a stronghold for us.

For instance, if a man or woman you are interested in can not honor your life by faith then you should not have any part of that relationship, because you will always be tempted to stray from the faithful path God has for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test everything. Hold on to the good.”
How can you put God first in your life if you can not focus on His will for your life? Psalm 37:23-24 says, “If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

God is our loving Heavenly Father. He loves us and only wishes the best for us. Just like young children do not always understand the tough love parents must give their children, we will not always understand Gods command to wait. God wants you to ask Him for His help and guidance. He is your Heavenly Father and He will not withhold what is good and right for you. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Psalm 119:165 says, "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” You must make the choice now whether you will walk in His light or stumble around blind in the darkness by rushing ahead.

If you are in the dark right now seek His light. You can not be in His light and also live in darkness. If you have sinned or made mistakes by rushing ahead of God, STOP! Turn back, pray, ask for direction, and pray for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God will not give up on us when we fail. We must also forgive ourselves and others too in order to move on. When we call for Him, He will always lead us back to Him.

Are you in the valley right now with something you are dealing with in your life? Don’t rush into a relationship or a decision with impatience. Wait on Him and stay in the light.

FaithfulToOne © 2007

God's Country

I was reading something my friend Brad wrote on his blog tonight about seeing deer in his back yard, and the impression of beauty it left on him. He wrote, “As I think of the lingering affect of the deer, I have to ask myself what about my footsteps that are left when I am gone. What lingering affect do I have? Boy did this give me a lot of food for thought.

I know what Brad means when it comes to deer and other things in nature. I feel so close to God when I am outside surrounded my nature. I once got into a joking argument with a kind man I had just met. I told him that I lived in God’s country, because of the wonderful clear lakes, the ocean near by, and the mountains a short drive away too. He laughed and said that he begged to differ with me. He asked if I had ever been to Colorado before. Now up to that point I had only seen pictures, but what I saw was beautiful. I always wanted to see Colorado.

Well, I finally got the chance and went out there for a visit. All it took was one look and I fell in love. Colorado stole my heart. The mountains had a beauty that words can’t express and that pictures do no justice. I was at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs early one morning and there were deer everywhere. We had to stop the pick up truck just so I could take some pictures of them. I got to go camping in the mountains with friends and had a wonderful time. On another visit I had an awesome day with my daughter, when we went horseback riding four hours in the mountains, I went on a cave tour, saw sites and loved seeing the sun set in the mountains every day. I always felt so completely at peace there. When I was there I never wanted to leave and come home. I know when I left there that I left part of me. I would love to get back out there, but right now with the path God has me on I don’t know if or when that will be. I do know that Colorado has given me wonderful memories that I will always love and cherish a lifetime.

I think God puts us into situations sometimes to use the people and circumstances so that He can teach us and strengthen us in faith. We can stand and look at the Grand Canyon with such wonder, look at a sunset and not just see the beauty but we feel it too. God created so many wonderful things including us. I have a feeling we would stand in such surprise, praise, and thanks if we could really see ourselves the way God see us, the way we really could be if we were 100% committed to our faith. Sometimes God has to bring special people into our lives, to help us see things though their eyes (through God’s eyes). He can use a special people, special places, a special time, or special circumstances to reach out to us through them.

God has done this so many times in my life. I have been at my lowest, when I have been struggling with something, when I felt lost, when I felt weak, and I felt so alone. God brings people into our lives or changes our surroundings to get our attention and redirected the way He wants us to go. I know not where my path will lead tomorrow. I know only that I will follow Him, trust Him, and try always to honor him.

It is like a good peace of furniture. We look at it and admire it. It is easy to see the value in it. Then something happens and it gets a big long scratch across the top of it. Has the table really changed so much? What percent of the table is really damaged compare to the rest of it? Yet all we notice is that scratch. It is only on the surface and not deep. We are so upset by the scratch but, has the table lost its function? I was so wrapped up in my scratches that I felt of little value. God made so many wonderful things in this world including us. We need to stop paying so much attention to the scratches in our lives and look at the rest. Don’t lose sight of what is all around you that He has blessed you with. Let God take care of the scratches. Trust Him to work you your life. He has given each of us special talents and blessings. Focus on using these to glorify Him. He will refinish you if you let Him, and you will be better than you were before.

The outdoor photographs on this blog were all taken the day of my Mother’s memorial after she passed away last summer. It was a beautiful day and God was definitely there with us. I looked at those pictures and the ones from Colorado and realized something. Yes there are beautiful things all around us. We need to cherish what we have while we have it because we never know what the next day will bring. If we listen to God and trust in Him he will bring us peace no matter where we are or what we are going through. He will reveal the blessings all around us if we trust Him enough to look through His eyes and honor his will for our life.

So now I can say yes, Colorado is God’s country, but so is where I am at right now, even if I have no one special in my life right now. I am in the valley right now, walking God’s path he has given me. Growing in my faith and walking with Him. As I am preparing for my next climb in faith, I know that whatever I need He will be there for me. This is God’s country too, because He is here with me. He sustains me, loves me, directs me, and gives me peace. As I walk the path God now has for me, my wish is to be like the beautiful deer. I wish to leave special lingering memories by the seeds of faith left on my path. May God be with you today and bring you peace.


God’s Country

Beautiful clear lakes
Majestic Bald Eagles
Soaring high in the sky
The sun’s golden warmth
Gently caressing my face

Majestic massive mountains
Framing His creations
With a beautiful array
A spectrum of colors
He painted for me to see

I know that God
Is with me…

This is
God's country

Walking along the beach
I listen to the crashing roar
Of the rolling ocean waves
A witness to just a sample
Of God's limitless powers

Warm sand caresses my toes
Like sand through an hour glass
The Creator’s hand evident
In every grain of sand
All part of the Master’s plan

I know that God
Is with me…

This is
God's country

Breathing boldly deeply
The sweet smell of fresh air
Feeling my heart beating
With the blessing of life
God’s gracious gift to me

I will awaken everyday
With praises to God
For all these blessings
And so much more
My cup of joy overflows

I know that God
Is with me…

This is
God's country

Praying to my Heavenly Father
For his strength and hope
He is there to comfort me
His wisdom is my guide
I will seek to glorify Him

Waiting for Heaven’s glory
To be in the presence
Of our Almighty God
Through Faith in Christ
Lord Jesus I trust in you

God is always
Here with me…

So this is
God's country

FaithfulToOne © 2005

For Our Soldiers Far Away And Their Families

This is going to be a short post tonight because I have a wonderful blessing to celebrate. My son is back in the states and just arrived home. Praise the Lord. I have been praying for him since he left right after Christmas 2005. He is active with the Army National Guard. As blessed as I feel tonight, I would ask that everyone takes time to pray for those husbands, fathers, mothers, wives, sisters, brother, friends, etc. that are still giving of themselves for our country. Please pray for the families too that have made so many sacrifices. We know by faith that God's hand is on it all, but we need to offer our support and comfort to those in need. Pray for those that have lost a loved one too. I remember the first time I saw my son in uniform when he was training at Fort Knox. I cried with Mommy tears to see that my baby had become a man. How much love God has for us to give the ultimate sacrifice as said in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."


Our Path With Him

Our prayers are many
Our days are few
The time I have
My heart's with you

Our blessings are many
Our love is strong
Directed by faith
To right the wrong

Our distance still is far
As the moment grows near
When you finally join me
How I wish you were here

I have faith in our love
For the plan God has set
To one day be together
By the goals we have met

Learning to trust God's plan
His Love eases my fear
Our faith ties this love knot
God brings faithful hearts near

Our eyes keep focused on God
Our heads bow humble in prayer
Walking together God’s path
For special blessings we'll share

So as you face today's trials
Don't let temptations sneak in
I’m sending prayers and my love
Through my faith first in Him

FaithfulToOne © 2007

So This Is Love! - Part 2 The Perfect vs The Real

Ok, so where were we. Oh, yes the perfect man. For those of you that just tuned in, yesterday I was talking about a movie that I just watched called The Perfect Man. It stars Hilary Duff, Heather Locklear, and Chris Noth. The story is a heartwarming comedy. It is the story about mothers, daughters and the lengths people will go sometimes for love. So if you missed reading yesterday’s post you may want to go back and read it first.

Today I’m on my second thought about the movie. It came because of the title of the movie “The Perfect Man”. What is the perfect man or for that fact the perfect woman? Well if all I have to do is answer this simple question my post today will be very short. The answer is there is no such thing as a perfect woman and the only perfect man was Jesus Christ. OK I’m all done. Well not really.

If we are Christians and we are looking for the perfect man, what we are really looking for is a “Real Man”. By that term what I mean is a "Real Man" of faith. Let me put it this way. What is the difference between a real twenty dollar bill and a counterfeit twenty dollar bill? They may look the same, but one has value and the other does not. What you are looking for is the real thing. There are those that say they are saved and believe in Jesus Christ as their savior, but the way they live shows that their words have no value. A “Real Man” (and “Real Woman” too) live their faith every day. You have no doubt about their faith and their beliefs, because they live to follow God’s will for their lives, glorifying Him, and honoring Him each and every day.

So where can we find some guidelines to help us judge if a man is a “Real Man” or if a woman is a “Real woman” of faith. The Bible is always the best place for that.

Colossians 3:1-4 says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” “Real Men” and “Real Women” put their faith first in their lives.

Colossians 3:5-11 says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” These are things that you should keep an eye out for. “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Before you were saved you might have had no problems with these things, but now that you are saved if you are a “Real Man” or a “Real Woman” of faith, you should see these things as unacceptable. Before you were saved cussing and swearing, using bad language might have been a habit of yours, but now that you are saved this is something you should not do and you should not accept as OK either. Understand that the excuse, “Well other people do it.” doesn’t cut it with God. You are sinning and not honoring Him if you are doing these things. ”Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Oh, does this hit home when you see so many relationships going down the tubes because one or both people are not being honest with each other or God. Ladies and gentlemen you can’t be a player and be a Christian too! “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” It’s all or nothing with God. You have walk the walk, as well as talk the talk.

Colossians 3:12-14 says, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Now there are five character traits you should be looking for in a “Real Man” or “Real Woman”. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” A “Real Man” and “Real Woman” make every effort to work things out. They don’t carry grudges and they don’t keep reminding you of your errors once they are suppose to be forgiven. We may have disagreements and argue with others. Remember, none of us are perfect. But we make peace, forgive, and move on in a way that honors God. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Above all we love each other the way God tells us to.

Colossians 3:15-17 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” You can see the peace and joy when it lives in someone’s heart. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This is just telling you again that a “Real Man” and a “Real Woman” live their faith.

There is another place in the Bible that you can look too. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We should us Christ as a model for our lives.
Ephesians 5:3-7 says, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” You can’t be a “Real Man” or “Real Woman” if you have these impure things in your life. “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Clearer words were never said. “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” This is specifically talking to those that live their lives as counterfeit Christians.

Ephesians 5:8-14 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” Children of the light are the “Real Men” and “Real Women” of faith. “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” It not only tells you have nothing to do with counterfeit Christians, it tells you to call them out for who they really are. “For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible.” When you take a close look at people using these Bible guidelines, it becomes very clear how “Real Men” and “Real Women” of faith should be living their lives. “’This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’"

Ephesians 5:15-21 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." If you know the scripture and you know the Lord’s will for your life you can’t be fooled or sucked in by the worldly evil that is around us. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” You don’t need to look for escapes or things to make you artificially happy if you are filled with the Spirit. An artificial “high” always come with a price too. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Again this is just telling you if you say you believe it you live it.

Now back to the “Real Man”. Proverbs 18:22 tells us, “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” Funny, it does not say that the other way around. A woman is God’s special gift to a man and should be treated as such. I personally think it is the man's responsibility to make sure he is prepared faithfully to recognize the value of the gift God is prepared to give him. He must be ready to take care of it. He must be prepared to recognize the value of it, respect it, cherish it, and be faithful to it alone at all times. It should be cherished above all else except God. He should be ready to step up to the plate and be the Godly head of His faithful marriage. This does not mean being a dictator or a bully. It means that he is a partner to his wife that leads by modeling and by setting the example in their marriage. No faithful woman would have any trouble with a man being in charge of the household if the man truly loved and cherished his wife as the Bible tells him to. It says that a man should love his wife as Jesus loves the church. Men are you prepared faithfully to give a woman that much real love? Men are you "Real Men" of faith?

Ephesians 5:25-33 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body." As you can see God has a plan for us. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." "This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Ok women see that last line you aren’t off the hook. I personally think it is the woman's responsibility to make sure she is prepared faithfully to be a gift that has true faithful value to a man. A woman that lives her life in faith putting God first is something that is priceless above all other worldly treasures. She should be ready to submit herself to him. No that does not mean she is just his maid or slave. It means she is ready to be his partner by faith fully. To commit herself only unto him, putting him first above all else except God. To love him and give to him freely and unselfishly. No faithful man would have any trouble giving freely to his wife and unselfishly cherishing a woman that truly loved, respected, and honored her husband as the Bible tells her to. It is how we prepare ourselves faithfully that will show others if we are a priceless gem, a fake imitation, or a gag gift. Women are you prepared faithfully to give a man this much real love? Women are you "Real Women" of faith?

Ephesians 5:22-24 says, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

With first marriage success at only about 50% these days and remarriage success rates even lower it is telling us that we have not prepared ourselves to be "Real Men" and "Real Women" first. We must build our relationship with God first before we can look at building a relationship with anyone else.

Have you ever been asked what are you looking for in a wife or husband? We looked at this subject once in a Bible study class I was in. I wrote two poems to my future husband.

Eyes of Love

Eyes are the window to the soul
Showing emotions that we feel
I’m looking for the eyes of love
Telling me now that this is real

More precious than any diamond
They will sparkle with honesty
Twinkling like the stars above
Showing true love for only me

I’m looking for the eyes of love
Sparking with heat from passion’s fire
Mesmerizing me with their glow
Until I tremble with desire

I’m looking for the eyes of love
Eyes with tears to share our sorrows
Eyes that smile as they look ahead
To the joy of our tomorrows

I’m looking for the eyes of love
Respect that mirrors compassion’s care
That looks for strength from God above
Closing each day in humble prayer

I’ve not yet found the eyes of love
That by faith will always be true
Still I’m hoping that my searching
May now finally end with you

FaithfulToOne© 1998

Matthew 6:22-23
22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!


Seeds

Have patience my love we’ve planted our seeds
Faith’s fruitful harvest someday we’ll both see
Our devoted hearts He has heard in prayer
The course He now steers is to our destiny

Challenges and trials that keep us apart
Still like a locked door we just can’t get through
But its God’s will in the seeds we’ve planted
So it’s by His time I must wait for you

O precious Lord Jesus Christ our Savior
We seek your blessings and pray for new life
That faithfully we walk God’s lighted path
Someday soon as faithful husband and wife

Be vigilant my love with humble prayer
Joyful in hope may God’s words be your guide
Take comfort in prayer I am with you now
Pray someday soon I can stand by your side

FaithfulToOne © 2006

Romans 12:12
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

The Bible As A Soap Opera On Day Time TV?

Back when I was in college, I can remember walking through the Commons (A central campus building for students to come and hang out) on my way to classes every afternoon. I started to notice the same people there every day glued to the television sets. What were they watching? Soap Operas! You know- All My Children, General Hospital, etc. Now, I had never watched soap operas and never had any interest in them to start with, so I had no idea what the obsession was all about. Oh and yes for some it was a real obsession.

Not to long ago when my daughter moved back home to live with me for a while she started watching the soap opera Passions. She would tape it every day to make sure she would not miss it. A couple of times she was watching it when I was home and I sat down to see what the big deal was. This person was cheating on that person, then this person was plotting to kill that person, then this person was caught in a love triangle with that person, then this person was not really the father of the baby that belonged to that person, then this person was blackmailing that person for the indiscretions they committed and did not want anyone to know about, etc.

Oh my gosh, the drama of it all! I could always guess pretty well where the story lines were going, but it took forever for them to get there. They would drag what would normally be one episode on a night time drama, and then drag it out for weeks. Still, I could feel the way people get pulled into these soap operas and I stopped to think why?

Why are we so easily pulled into other people’s tragedies? Are there really so many drama voyeurs out there addicted to other people’s drama, sins, and miseries? Well, sadly the answer is yes. It is a whole lot easier to escape into someone else’s drama than to stop and face your own. I hate to tell you this but sin is in thought, word, and deed. Where is your mind going while you are watching all of this? Is it glorifying Him?

Then I got a great idea! Who knows maybe some big Hollywood screen writer will read this blog and I can say it was my idea first. Ok, I’ll stop the dreaming LOL. Well, my idea is why don’t they take all the dramatic stories in the Bible, put them in a today soap opera format, and spread God’s word that way. Hey, it could work.

My vote for part of the pilot show is The Book of Job. Wow, now if you want to read some drama at its best, read The Book of Job. (This is a very loose translation) So, here you have a man that is tested to his limits with one tragedy after another. Oh, the things that this man has to go through and endure are phenomenal. No, I am not going to tell you the whole story that would wreck it for you. I will tell you that the story has some powerful characters in it like Satan, God, and several more. If they put this in a soap opera format they would have people biting their nails waiting for the next day’s episode. OK, I am a sucker for happy endings, so I will tell you it has a very blessed and happy ending. You say that you have already read Job before? Well then I challenge you to go back and read it again with the soap opera format in mind. It sure made me look at it differently.

Have you ever been like Job? Has there ever been a time that you feel you just can’t take it anymore? You pray and nothing happens? Have you ever lashed out at God in anger? Have others ever been harsh with you when you are ready falling apart? Has God ever had to set the record right with you on an issue? Read Job and there you will find REAL DRAMA!

So often we are so caught up in learning the scripture, decoding the messages given to us in God’s word, listening to sermons about God’s word, and always seeing it in such a sterile setting that we miss what awesome characters and stories there are in the Bible. The Bible has it all people: Murder, mystery, adultery, betrayal, lust, friendship, love, sacrifice, etc. Forget the new television show Heroes, we have the best super hero character there is. The point that is even more totally awesome is that God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit are all real and not just a bunch of fiction.

I’m reminded of a quote my mother had with a picture of a candle hanging on my younger brother’s wall when we were younger. My younger brother could show out with a very bad temper when he was younger. So, to remind him to think first she had this picture hanging up in his bedroom. It said, “Anger is the wind that blows out the light of reason!” This quote has a much deeper meaning to me now that I am an adult.

Oh, I almost forgot a couple of things since I was so excited about Job. First, if you want a bit of entertainment listen to Carman’s song, Soap Song. He incorporates the names of many of the soap operas into his song. It is a great entertaining and inspirational song. I have posted the lyrics to the song below with a link to his website. His music and messages are reaching so many people. Second, I have posted 2 poems from when I was going through so tough trials. It is so wonderful to know that if we have faith, trust, and patience in God when a window closes He will open a new door to a place that was even better than before. I look back on these poems now and can’t believe I was ever that low. I am so thankful for God’s love and His many blessings He has given me. Take care and God Bless.

Heavenly Father, I pray today for your continued wisdom and guidance in my life. Keep me from jumping to conclusions when I don’t understand or can’t see things clearly. I want my light to shine for you. Keep my light of reason burning bright so that I may not fall in Satan’s traps showing anger or doubting you. Keep my eyes and life always focused on you, so that my life may always honor you. Father, I praise you for the many doors you have opened in my life already and I look forward to tomorrow committed to my walk with you. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.



Soap Song

By Carman

Gone are the days of Leave it to Beaver,
Matt Dillon and his sidekick Festus.
Now we survive on the immoral lives
Of those of the Young and the Restless!!

It's not that they're young,
They're just uh, restless!
Not doing at all like they should!
So they go to the General Hospital,
And The Doctors can't do 'em no good.

So they keep on with their Search for Tomorrow
Not doing one thing that's right!
And they all end up in Another World,
About to fall off The Edge of Night!

But that shouldn't matter,
Cuz after all, As the World Turns
You only have but One Life to Live!

There remains a blessed hope for you
And All your Children,
More Hope than Ryan could ever give!

If we want true contentment, peace in our homes
With an end to marital strife
We must live for Jesus Christ
The Only Guiding Light
Not one, but All The Days of our Lives!

For more information about Carman's music and mission click here-
http://www.carman.org/index.shtml

If you have just made a decision to follow Jesus or if you want to put a prayer concern on a global prayer chain click here- http://www.carman.org/faith/



In Darkest Hours


I stared lost tonight gazing up at the ebony sky
Wondering why time seemed to keep passing us by
Hopes and dreams like stars once sparkled so bright
Clouds of doubt overcast the damp cold darkened night

There was neither the welcomed heat nor fiery glow
From the reassuring gentle touches felt long ago
And like the blazing sun and summer’s cheerful days
Those precious warm feelings seemed so very far away

The dark lonely winter that now brings a brisk shiver
Satan’s constant jabs causing scarred skin to quiver
His chilling cold touch penetrating deep to the bone
Stirring faithless doubts into the lingering unknown

Still pondering hard on the many thoughts you wrote,
Piercing cold rushes quickly now through my thin coat,
As evil’s grip tightens at my heart urging fright and flight,
With tears falling on my cheek like the rain into the night.

Has God’s gift to us so quickly become last years present,
A lack of faith jeopardizing precious love and commitment,
Have feet strayed from the path stronger legs once traveled,
Faltering and weak seeing hopes and dreams soon unraveled.

Sweet man let us not lose focus on His bright glorious light,
Like the stars His love can pierce through the cold dark night,
I need my “Real Man” his head bowed now with mine in prayer,
Strengthening our faith through the trials we united must share.

Together let us renew our faithful commitment to our loving Lord,
His strength can then be our battle’s shield and unyielding sword,
With prayers and praises Satan’s grip will relinquish to His powers,
We can walk safely comforted through these long stressful hours.

God forgive me for the faithless worries making me falter and weak,
Your heavenly leadership is what I still need and lovingly seek,
I pray humbled for God’s wisdom to still be my blessing and guide,
I pray that His will for you is standing strong in faith by my side.

FaithfulToOne © 2006



I Now Know A Different Path


Lost now forever in the far away distance
Where even straining I can no longer see
Connections your heart once lovingly made
Tenderly in faith reaching out to me

There I stood in faith on our path
Once feeling so lost and alone
Left to wonder why it’s your heart
That felt such a need still to roam

This ring a symbol of undying love
You proposed and asked me to wear
It came with promise and commitment
The same ones you asked me to share

Then came trials of patience and that of time
Commitment must always face the true test
Your faith failed to place love on the altar
Valued and cherished above all the rest

Then to discover your heart so unsettled
It was clear you felt a need still to roam
Your choice sacrificed our hopes and dreams
With it our future, our family, and our home

The time came and our paths were parted
Still I offered this forgiveness and I pray
That in your search someday you’re given
What you chose so freely to take away

May God now bless you and keep you
To guide you in faith each day from above
Seek Him in prayer to lead your search
For the one in faith you really should love

It is Almighty God that now directs me
And fills me full with so much love
His words healed me and now protects me
As I honor his will and direction from above

Oh it’s what He’s really given me now
And not what you chose to take away
With His love in patience I wait on Him
Because I know His love’s here to stay

I have neither worries nor a shed of doubt
My heart feels the anguishing pain no more
Because I see now when He closed a window
He chose to bless me with a new open door

FaithfulToOne © 2006


Job 1:20-22
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.