STAND ON THE POWER OF GOD

Recently, I was asked by a friend to share with our woman’s group how I feel God has helped me find my voice and stand on His power. I was honored that she asked me. But, I was stumped. I pondered over this for over a week. It just didn’t click for me. “How He’s helped me find my voice and stand on His power?” Really?!?

I’ve never had a quiet voice. I was on a pep team, I was a cheerleader, I held many class officer positions: class President, class Secretary, and class Treasurer. And I was even on the newspaper staff in high school. So, I’ve never been a quiet person. My vocal cords have always been heard. Even, when I whisper they’re heard. I’m just one of those people who have a big mouth. LOL

Not long ago, I shared with the world part of my testimony on my blog. I’ve shared it many times over the last 12 years: women’s groups, youth groups, and at church with my church family. Every time I share it I cry, but it gets easier each time. And each time there are fewer tears. The tears are never sad – more from shame & shock of the things I’d done in my life.

About 2 ½ years ago, right after my divorce, I started reading James. I fell in love with James 1:2 which reads: Consider it pure joy Brothers and Sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

I have really focused on it being part of my daily walk. I would and do find myself telling people something similar when they’re mad or upset with someone about something ….  ”Don’t let anyone steal your God given joy. They don’t deserve that privilege.”

James 1:2-15 says…   ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

I’d really thought and prayed over what I would share at the women’s group and I kept focusing on the vocal cords and finding my voice. I just didn’t know where to start. So, I started with looking back through my journals. And I happened to come upon my first visit at Legacy Life.

I first visited LLC in July 2013. I met a wonderful woman named, Carolyn, we shook hands, and at the end of service she stood with a prophetic message for me. In front of the entire church she said, “You have a strong firm handshake and I know you are a strong, powerful and vibrant woman.

I CRIED.

Then, about 2 months later, a gentleman named Chris stood with another prophetic message for me. He said, “The relationship you’re worried about and missing will work itself out the way you want it too. And it will be powerful and stronger then ever before.”

I CRIED.

In mid November they had a guest speaker. Her name was Lawrita. At the time I didn’t know she was a member of the church who had moved away and was in town to share her testimony, which was amazingly beautiful. After her testimony she looked right at me with a prophetic message. She said, “The lady in the orange shirt, I don’t know you, but I need to tell you……You’ve been very sick and you are toxic. You have been poisoned by someone but they are gone. They won’t have a hold over you any longer. You are now on the road of healing and you are going to be strong and powerful.”

I WEPT. There was no crying to it…full force weeping from the soul.

This past Sunday, February 23, 2014, Pastor Gregg had yet another prophetic message for me. He said, “The relationship(s) that have had you so bogged down are now gone. You are shining, growing and you are a very powerful woman of God. Your time has arrived!”

I smiled a HUGE smile all while nodding YES!

This is what no one from that church knew at those times:

** When Carolyn spoke….I was in a relationship that I felt was wonderful and I was happier than I’d ever been. I had never been so in love with someone in my entire life.

** When Chris spoke ….that relationship had been ended by the mans choice. But, I was clinging on with all my might making myself available 1-3 times a week, at his convenience. I had convinced myself it would work out by the end of the year, if I could just hang on and be patient, giving him some time. I did this for 4 months after he broke up with me.

** When Lawrita spoke….I had JUST openly confessed to my son that I had realized I had made the man in that relationship an idol. An idol that was consuming every thought I had throughout the day and it was seriously and literally deteriorating my health.

***I had begun praying to God and begging for His mercy***

“God I’m sooo sorry. I’ve made a man my focus. An idol – above you. The thoughts and longing for him HURT and I miss him so deeply.  I know where I am is wrong. I want those thoughts and desires to be replaced by YOU. I want YOU…and only YOU in my heart. I want YOUR love. Please allow me to suffer as long as it takes to help me understand this should never happen again. I will never worship man more than my love for you. Please, God, help me and take these thoughts and desires of and for him away. Amen.”

This prayer was literally being prayed 50-60 times a day. Every time I thought of him I would stop and pray and each time I would weep as I prayed. The desires for him were so strong it was unreal and the praying was something I had kept to myself. I had only shared with a few choice friends, and the women of my bible group didn’t have a clue, because I didn’t really know them very well and didn’t feel comfortable in sharing this information. So I was destroying myself from within with my little secret of idoltry.

The holidays were tough. I was extremely sick. And I thought I was lonely. As New Years Eve approached my longing for him was still strong. On New Years Eve I made that midnight call to wish him Happy New Year and tell him, one last time, I loved him. Then, when I hung up I promised not only myself, but God there would be NO MORE CONTACT. I would not call him, text him, email him, or stop by his house. N-O-T-H-I-N-G! No contact, whatsoever!

A few days before Valentine’s Day I really thought I was going to have a very emotional day. But I didn’t! I didn’t even think about him that day. I was so focused on God that I even posted a post on facebook that read… This is a day when many feel sad & lonely over, because they feel they have no one to love them. But God gives us the greatest love of all. 
May He be your forever Valentine!

It wasn’t until a few days after Valentine’s Day that I realized God had answered my prayer. My focus, my love and my heart was for HIM and not a man.

When Pastor Gregg spoke to me on Sunday, I KNEW my smile was for God. I’d fallen back in love with Him the way I should have remained while in that relationship. I had been cleansed of the poison and was on my way to being a loud voice for God….with honesty and respect for myself.

I can say, without a doubt in my mind, one of Gods vessels was the man in that relationship. You see, he taught me to see things around me. To smell the smells. To feel, with my eyes closed and without touching. To see the beauty of Gods creation that I had been looking at for years, but never truly saw. But, most importantly…he delivered the biggest and most valuable message God intended for me to receive. He encouraged me to write. He faithfully encouraged me to pick the pen up that I had laid down 10 years ago. And for those things I will forever be thankful.

We don’t know Gods will for us, nor will we ever. But He does allow us to have our own free will. Our will usually isn’t Gods will for us. I needed to go through that trial of the relationship in order to find the Holy Spirit and fall in love with Him again and realize it was time to use the gift in which I was blessed. The gift of writing.

I had been ½ heartedly writing since May 2013. At the request of a friend I started a blog in August. In January I made a commitment to try to write everyday or every other day. In mid January of 2014, I had 65 all time history views on my blog. I was thrilled. I was writing but wasn’t really sharing except with a few choice people.

When I wrote this testimony for the women’s group my blog had 1,153 all time history views. That was on February 25^th, 2014 @ 10:52pm.  I’m not trying to come off as boasting so please forgive me if it seems that way, but if you ask me, that’s a pretty significant jump in 3 weeks. And it’s ALL God!!!

I saw Mindy on Monday afternoon and she ask if I was ready to share how God has helped me find my voice and stand on His power and I said, “No.”

I hadn’t even begun! I didn’t know where to begin. I just didn’t get it. It was a complete blank. How has God helped me find my voice? Urgh…what if I didn’t figure it out before I was suppose to share on Wednesday night?

I went to bed that night, still not having a clue what I was going to say. Because I wrestle with insomnia, I’ve made it a habit to pray myself to sleep. As I was about to nod off …. He spoke ever so softly.

“It’s not the voice of your vocal cords, but the voice of your heart.”

THAT’S IT!  That’s the voice God has helped me find and only by His mercy and grace have I realized I was standing on His power. Just like when we were little girls we stood on our daddy’s feet to dance. I’ve been standing on my Father’s feet for support and learning the movements to the music that will grow me into being the powerful woman that everyone from this church saw – when they knew NOTHING about me.

Carolyn felt the strength and the power. (It was in the handshake)

Chris saw the relationship. The one he said would work out. (Remember…I cried out to God to help me come back to Him. To fall in love with HIM again) Of course, when Chris spoke I thought it meant it would be worked out with me and the man. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it meant with God.

Lawrita saw the poison and said it was gone and that a cleansing was happening. (The prayers and weeping) I don’t believe the poison was this man. I believe it was from a combination of people: ex-husbands, friends...etc. But worshiping an idol was my fault and it was the final ingredient of the poisonous concoction.

Pastor Gregg verified the bad relationships were over and the power has arrived. (My complete focus on God and my passion to write for His glory)

I think it was Pastor Gregg’s wife, Trina, who recently said…

”When you receive a prophetic word it isn’t meant for that very moment and you don’t really even understand it at that time.”

I starting receiving those prophetic words 7 months ago. Had I not been journaling the experiences of life and at church I would have missed seeing how God has been working in my life. And I might even have missed that my time is NOW!

God has helped me find the voice of my heart and I am standing on His power and I shall ROAR as a powerful Lioness Arising*.

Blessings~

Bo

2/25/2014

Written to share with the Ladies of Legacy.

*Lioness Arising is a book by Lisa Bevere.

MY DAILY PRAYER (edited)

As I put my pen to the paper, close my eyes, I give to you my heart, mind & soul. May I become the vessel that is able to deliver a message to just one person through the journals of my heart……Let it be for your Glory!!!

For so long I have refrained from writing. I convinced myself, through thoughts, I wasn’t good enough. I was unworthy.  

Now that’s a “common” word, isn’t it?!?!

A word I have spoken many times. Not just where writing is concerned… but in many realms of my life.

Unworthy.

I’ve said it about learning new things.

I’ve said it about new relationships.

I’ve said it about falling in love.

I’ve said it about receiving love.

I’ve said it about being a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend.

I’ve even said it about following Christ.

I am guilty!

The smallest amount of smoke will fill an entire room in seconds. You instantly smell it.

Like smoke, 

the slightest thought of being unworthy, long before you ever speak it, will consume your entire mind.

Instant contamination! 

                                              

                                              Yet…it is far from the truth.

I am worthy!!

Worthy of learning new things.

Worthy of new relationships.

Worthy of falling in love.

Worthy of being loved.

Worthy as a mother, daughter, sister, friend.

Worthy of not only following Christ, but sharing His Word and His promises of love with others.

So let me pray this again….

As I put my pen to paper, close my eyes, I give to you my heart, mind & soul. May I become the vessel that is able to deliver a message to just one person through the journals of my heart because…I AM WORTHY! 

Let it be for your Glory!!!

Blessings,

Bo

Edited 02/23/2014

Originally written 11/26/2013

ALL THAT!

  

When I was a teenager, I was extremely naïve. (To bad I didn’t stay that way) I wasn’t naïve because I was brought up in a Christian home and sheltered like some use to be. I just simply chose to not do many of the things my friends did.

Many of my friends were into drugs. But I never had the desire. I can say I never smoked cigarettes. I never smoked pot. I never did acid. And, I never ate mushrooms. No, I wasn’t little miss goody-to-shoes. I can’t say I wasn’t around friends who did all of the above, because I was.  I just never understood why they thought getting a buzz from those things was ALL THAT! Oh, and the smell…nasty!

As soon as I turned 16 much of my time was spent in a bar. It was located in Louisville, Kentucky and called was Whispering Hills Dance Club. It wasn’t your average bar where you must be 21+ to enter. Because of the way the bar was set up you could get in at the age of 18. One area was for the under-aged and another roped off area was for the over 21 crowd. Either way there was access to the dance floor. And on that dance floor was pretty much where you could find me Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Yes, I looked 18. And, yes, I had a fake ID. But I never needed that ID. All I needed was my smile and a wink. I thought that place was ALL THAT!

Now, I don’t want to mislead anyone who might be reading this. I, by no mean was an angel. My way of getting a buzz was through alcohol. I’ve looked back at those years many, many times and wondered how on earth I survived. I lived about 40 minutes from that club. And every time I left I was no where near being sober. There were many times that I would remember arriving at the club but waking the next day with no clue how I got home. But, I knew I drove, because I always drove. And, I drove a car that was an on-the-column stick and none of my girlfriends knew how to drive a stick shift. I have a little control thing about me that when I’m ready to leave; I’m ready to leave and I don’t want to be stuck somewhere because someone else isn’t ready to go home. (And I’m still like that today).

Today, I know it was all by the grace of God that I didn’t wreck, kill someone, or get pulled over. I didn’t get my first ticket until I was about 22 and it was for speeding and I wasn’t drunk. (Thank God!)

I didn’t go to that club to drink. I went to dance. Something I love to do, even to this day. But the simple fact that guys bought me drinks and I drank them led me on a horrible path of addiction. I am not blaming anyone else for my addiction. I had a choice. Drink or not drink. And I chose to drink. A LOT! It even got so bad I kept a bottle of whiskey in my locker at school. I thought alcohol was ALL THAT.

When I turned 21, I met a guy who I thought was ALL THAT! Tall, dark, handsome, and available. We had dated for 3 years when I got pregnant. And it wasn’t from immaculate conception!

Only months after we found out I was expecting he moved to Georgia for a job. I can say that during my pregnancy I drank very little, but I was always in a bar…dancing. Even with a big ole 8 month prego belly.

Though my tall, dark and handsome ALL THAT was living states away we still managed to see each other and even began planning a wedding. I had found and purchased my dress. I had asked girlfriends to be in the wedding and we had picked the dresses that they would wear. But during a weekend visit to Georgia, while he was at work, I found a letter from another female. A very descriptive letter of the things they had done last weekend…..in Indiana. Where I lived!!! I was furious, hurt, betrayed and completely lost as what to do next. By the time he came home from work I had everything packed in my car. I was 6 ½ months pregnant. Needless to say the wedding was cancelled.

NOTE*****For those of you who are young or first time expecting mommies-to-be what you’re about to read was 25 years ago. It’s not like it is now. So, please, don’t freak out reading this.

I’d had trouble during the pregnancy, but the doctor kept telling me it was braxton hicks (false labor pains). While in the labor room, by myself, waiting for the labor pains to become intense a nurse came running in frantic saying they had lost the babies heartbeat and they were going to deliver the baby NOW. My mom and my cousin, Krista were with me, but they had just stepped out of the room. They did make it back in the room during all the commotion.

My son, Tyler Kyle, made his debut in the world on November 10, 1989. 

He was ALL THAT!

(A little graphic here)…When the placenta came out it was the size of a small dried up apple core. NOT what it’s supposed to be like. It should be the size of your palm, round and somewhat firm. There were doctors and nurses everywhere. I mean everywhere!!! Seriously, there were about 15 total in my room.

There was no cry. No extremely happy voices from the nurses on how cute he was. Just rapid movement, and hustling about in the room with lots of chatter that I didn’t understand. Then I heard it. It was faint. It was the most joyous noise I’d ever heard. It was his voice.

His cry. It was ALL THAT!

The next 24 hours were absolutely c-r-a-z-y. He started have seizures due to a bleed on his brain. It had been caused by the forceps of pulling him out. The bleed wasn’t stopping and he was critical. I was critical. They couldn’t get my blood pressure down.

Although my granddaddy was a Southern Baptist preacher when I was a little girl, God was not present in my world. But, that day I sure was praying for a miracle. I had never been so scared in all my life and I have never been that scared again.

I received that miracle. He survived. Yet, there was no praise and no thanks given to God. But, my son wasn’t healed. We had many years of sickness and seizures.

Today, I can say he has no issues of problems from that bleed. No seizures. No learning disability. To see him you’d never know there was a problem at birth.

As I said, I received that miracle. In fact, I received many of them. More than my fair share.

He was breathing.

The bleed stopped.

He began eating.

He came out of NICU.

At 9 he was seizure free. Him being seizure free was ALL THAT!

And I can say because of my son, I walk with the Lord. You see, I didn’t give up the alcohol. That addiction continued. And, sad to say my son was usually at the end of the anger that came with the drunken state of mind.

He started going to church with the Daniel family; David, Kim, Clay, Aaron, Eli and Jenna. That family is ALL THAT!

Tyler fell in love with God! At the age of 11 he approached me about wanting to accept God and wanting to get baptized. I blew him off, several times. Taking a huge chance he confronted me again and put his hands on my shoulders and shook me, all while saying, “Momma, you drink way too much. We need God in our home. I want to be saved and baptized and I want you to do it with me.”  

What could I say? If I said no… what kind of life would that give him? Would he grow up to be like me? Would he love me, if I said no?

I said, yes. We accept Christ together. On the day we were to be baptized I said, “OK. You go first.” He looked at me with his huge chocolate eyes and said, “No. You go first. Because, I don’t want you backing out.” So, I went first. And my breath was completely taken by the Holy Spirit. I cried for hours after coming up out of the water. It was ALL THAT!

I stopped drinking cold turkey, disassociated myself with all my drinking buddies, and I dove into activities at church to keep myself busy. I even got the opportunity to sing with the Billy Graham crusade choir. That was ALL THAT!

So you see… I’ve received many miracles and blessings. My biggest miracle stands 6’4” and will turn 25 this year. He will graduate from college in May with a Bachelors Degree in ministry and audio/video technology. Two weeks after his graduation he will say “I DO” and marry a beautiful young lady named, Heather. She’s ALL THAT!

But, without God, I would have nothing. He is Mighty. He is loving. He is faithful. He is my Heavenly Father and He is…ALL THAT!!!!

Blessings,

Bo

02/21/2014

I SAID, "NO."and HE SAID, "GO!"

Have you ever heard a voice tell you to do something and you were like, “What? No. I can’t do that.” But the voice didn’t let up. It kept repeating and you kept saying, “No.” I’m not talking about a voice that tells you to harm yourself or someone else. I’m talking about the voice of the Holy Spirit.

I’d like to share a time when I heard that voice speak to me and I said, “No.”

In 2004, I was blessed by having a home built. I had owned houses in the past, but never had one designed and built from the ground up. It was very exciting getting to choose everything; cabinets, tile, countertops, shutters...you name it, I got to pick it out. I was extremely cool to watch progress of my home being built.

I loved that house. With a passion!!

A couple years later I became ill and unable to work. Within six (6) months of me becoming ill my husband got laid off from his job. Talk about stressing out over money! We had a new house with a big mortgage payment, new vehicles with big payments and my only child was about to graduate from high school so the expense of senior pictures, cap and gown, and announcements were just around the corner.

My world was spiraling out of control so fast I thought my head was going to pop off like a dandelion. Yet, I kept it all a big secret. How embarrassed I would be if anyone found out we couldn’t pay our bills.

Have you ever told your kids you can’t afford something? And seriously meant it?! I can’t tell you how many times in my son’s life I told him we couldn’t afford something. Yet, somehow we always seemed to be able to get it. Maybe not that day, but we got it.

The time had come to tell my son he couldn’t have professional senior pictures done because we couldn’t afford it. Nor could he have graduation announcements because we couldn’t afford those either. I dreaded having to speak those words to him knowing this time we really couldn’t afford it. Would he think I was crying wolf, yet again?

There was no crying wolf. This was real. We were flat broke and could NOT afford those things. The day I told him, he took it like a champ. He knew. Deep in his heart he knew I was telling the truth. Oh, the tears that were shed.

He didn’t get professional pictures taken. I took them. He didn’t get to order the graduation announcements that everyone else ordered. I made his with the help of a friend. The only thing I couldn’t skimp on was the cost of his cap and gown. There was just no way around having that expense.

I felt so guilty that he had to suffer due to our circumstances. I decided that there was no way that child wasn’t going to have a least a little graduation party. So, I gathered most of my jewelry and sold it for cash. That cash was used to have a very, very, small graduation party with a few of our closest friends.

Of course, he received a nice chunk of cash as graduation gifts and he decided he would put that cash towards his college expense. So I told him I’d put the cash up. And I did. But, I didn’t put it in the bank. I put it in a special hiding spot.

Two months later we lost our house due to foreclosure. We went from a 3,000 square foot house to a 950 square foot apartment. Then we lost our vehicles. We went from a family with two cars to a family with one. (This was just before the economy took that horrible turn about six years ago). I was so bitter about it all. I just didn’t understand why God allowed it to happen.

One afternoon we were invited to lunch by a friend from church that wanted to help us get set up to try to get back on our feet financially. Even though we were invited to lunch I wanted to make sure that of our friend didn’t pay for our lunch I would have money in hand to pay for our lunch. So…I tapped into that special hiding place that held the money that did not belong to me. My reasoning was “Just in case.”

So we went to lunch with our friend.

Have you ever been out somewhere and someone caught your attention and for the life of you, you couldn’t take your eyes off them or stop watching them? That’s exactly what happened to me this day.

As our friend was talking, these four ladies came into the restaurant. They sat down and one minute they were laughing together and the next they were crying. As I watched, their food arrived and they bowed their heads and prayed. I kept hoping they wouldn’t see me staring at them. I was so engrossed with watching them I heard nothing my friend was saying. Then all the sudden I heard, “Pay for their lunch.” I looked at my friend and said, “What? No. I can’t afford to pay for their lunch.” He looked at me and said, “What are you talking about?” And I replied, “You just told me to pay for their lunch.” He said, “No. No, I didn’t. You must be hearing things.”

Boy! Talk about being embarrassed. Then I heard, “Pay for their lunch” again. This time I silently, to myself, said, “No. I can’t.” And the soft voice said, “Yes, you can. You have $100 in your pocket. Now go over to their table and pay for their lunch.” Again, to myself, I said, “No.” And the voice was stern this time. “GO!”

I’ve heard voices in my head before, but that’s because I’m a bit crazy as it is. And I was truly beginning to think I was going off the deep end this day.

However, I stood up, discretely took the $100 bill out of my pocket and held it in my hand, excused myself from our table and walked over to their table. I had no idea what I was going to say or even where to begin, but to this day I vividly remember the entire conversation.

I squatted next to their table and said, “Excuse me ladies for interrupting your lunch, but I’m trying to learn to be an obedient child of the Holy Spirit and I was told to come to your table.”

All four women began to cry. And then one lady spoke as she was fighting back her tears.

“First, thank you for being an obedient child of God. Without a doubt you were sent to us. We are family. These are my sisters and this is my mother. You see, my sister here has been fighting an illness that has made her unable to work. Her husband lost his job a year ago and they are about to lose their house. She has lost all faith in God and we had to force her to come to lunch with us today. We just prayed and ask God to send an angel so she would know He loves her and has a bigger plan for her and her family.”

I was breathless! Sobbing, I took my hand and placed the $100 in the hand of the sister that had been talking. I then reached my hand over to the sister she was talking about and grabbed her hand. Through my sobs I gently said, “Oh my dear sister. He so loves you so very much. I say this because…I have an illness that took my ability to work away two years ago. My husband got laid off from his job about a year ago and we recently lost everything. My dream house, vehicles, savings…everything. I was told to come to your table and pay for your lunch. But, I wasn’t immediately obedient. I argued with the Spirit because the money I had in my pocket wasn’t mine. I took it out of my sons graduation money and if I paid for your lunch I had no idea how I would replace it. But, I’m here to tell you that God loves you and He has not given up on you nor has he forsaken you.”

She was sobbing uncontrollably. Her sister then ask if I would be so kind to take my picture with the sister I just spoke to, so they could print it out and she would always have it to remember the angel God sent her. I agreed. When it was all said and done we all embraced in a hug. During that hug the mother spoke and ask me my name. I winked and said, “You can call me Angel.”

We all wish to be used for God’s glory. Yet, many times we don’t listen to the voice that’s trying to teach us to be obedient. We choose to argue back or ignore.

All the bitterness I had been holding on to, over losing “material”  possessions, was released that day. And, it’s never returned. But, had I not obeyed the voice there‘s no telling where my heart and mind would be today. Would I be on a walk with Christ? Would I be writing? Would I be working with youth at church? I don’t know those answers, but one thing I do know…when I hear that voice….I’m a “yes” girl and I obey!

And, that $100 has been multiplied many, many times over.

So, if you ever hear that voice.....Be obedient and don't say "No" because the Holy Spirit is about to use you to minister to someone else and glorify God. 

Psalms 103:20

Angels, praise the Lord! You angels are the powerful soldiers who obey His commands. You listen and obey.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Don’t stop the work of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 12:12

The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.

Blessings,

Bo

02/20/2014

MY RESEALABLE PACKAGE

Although I’m not very “computer or internet friendly”…I love my computer. The world at my fingertips. It’s just amazing to me what you can find on the internet; and it’s just as disappointing when your searching for something and an unwholesome site pops up instead of what you were searching for.

It’s sad. There's just so much smut!!

Even though there are a ton of bad sites out there, there are a ton of wonderful sites as well. One of my favorites is called BibleGateway.com. I’m in and out of that site all day long. It’s super “friendly” and it’s where I do most of my Bible reading.

When I need a scripture, but can’t remember where it is in the Bible, I simply type in a few words and several scriptures pop up. 9 out of 10 times the one I’m searching for comes right up. And…I loooove that I can zoom the screen and not have to hunt down my “old-focals” just to be able to read. For some reason they are never where I am just sure I left them. (Imagine that!)

As convenient as my computer and cell phone are in reading the Bible on that site, nothing brings me comfort like my trusty Bible. You know, the one in old fashion book form. For in my Bible are all the notes, messages, cards, memories, bent pages and highlighted verses. But most important to me ~ I have the whole thing in my hands. I can see it no matter what. When I’m on my computer or cell phone, yes, I have the whole thing in my hands, too. But when my battery fails, the electricity goes out or the internet crashes I still have my good old fashion Bible at my fingertips. There’s something sentimental about that actual book being in my hands.

My Bible is a hard back book carried inside a case that protects it. In that case there are pens, highlighters and a notepad. Shoot, I think there might even be a mini flashlight in there. Yes, it’s heavy, but I have everything I need right at my fingertips.

It brings me comfort knowing I can unzip that case and have all I need to dive into the Word in the middle of an electrical failure. I can learn to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. And, when I’m done I can place it all back inside that case, which I call my resealable package.

Wear the Full Armor of God

¹⁰ To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. ¹¹ Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. ¹² Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

¹⁴ So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. ¹⁵ On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. ¹⁶ And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. ¹⁷ Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.

¹⁹ Also pray for me—that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret truth about the Good News without fear. (Ephesians 6:10-19 ERV)

Oh, and by the way, I found my “old-focals.” They were on my head!!!

Blessings~

Bo

02/16/2014

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

Meghan & Gram Cockrell

Tonight, I was in chat about our blogs with a sweet friend named Meghan, who lives in Alabama. We were discussing how both blogs are inspiring to others just by us freeing our emotions and thoughts, while bringing light to God’s presence. Even though both blogs share the love of God they are so very different in the delivery.

During our chat we got on the topic of her little 

man-cub, Gram. How fast he has grown and how smart he is. My response to her was she talks to him like a person and not a baby and he can hold a conversation at a young age. Then she told me he had just said, “What are you thinking?” when she told him it was bedtime. I couldn’t do anything but giggle.

I told her that needed to be her next blog subject, but as the night as transpired my mind is swirling with thought of the repeating words….”What are you thinking?”

Oh, how many times in my lifetime have those words come out of my mouth?!?! 

A numerous amount that can not be calculated!

I’ve asked my mom that question.

I’ve asked my friends that question.

I’ve even asked it of myself……….. “What are you thinking?”

And, I’m pretty sure you’re probably asking yourself right now….

”Bo, what are you thinking and where are you going with this?”

It’s a second guess.

We are told to do something and that question is a quick normal response that we all are guilty of allowing to flow right out of our mouths. Without thinking, of course.

As I have sat and pondered over that four worded question I have come to realize I have ask my Heavenly Father that question time and time again. I pray and He answers. Usually not the way I want the answer, but He answers and I ask, “What are you thinking?” and then I ask….”Are you crazy??” “ Why couldn’t you just do it the way I wanted?”

***sigh***   Yeah!

I’ve been led by Him, only to ask, “What are you thinking?”

I’ve received a sign from Him, only to ask, “What are you thinking?”

I’ve heard His whisper, only to ask, “What are you thinking?”

Why is it we question God? Why is it that we simply can not trust Him and go with it? Why is it we second guess His command….. Knowing He has our best interest at heart. He has it planned out to prosper us in ways we could never even begin to imagine.

In scripture He tells us to tithe 10%. We say, “What are you thinking? I can’t survive without that money.” He says, “Test me.”

Sometimes we do test Him and tithe, but most times we don’t.

I can only speak of my personal situations. When I don’t test him and choose not to tithe….I can’t survive on the money in hand from one paycheck to the next. But, when I do test Him…He is faithful...each and every SINGLE time. And it’s in those faithful times I survive better than when I don’t tithe at all.

The Lord All-Powerful says, “Try this test. Bring one-tenth of your things to me. Put them in the treasury. Bring food to my house. Test me! If you do these things, I will surely bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything.

(Malachi 3:10  ERV)                              

So, I’m pretty certain that when we decide to take things in our own hands, regardless of what it may be, and not follow His direction, He looks down and says, 

“My child, what are you thinking?”

Blessings,

Bo

02/15/2014

Inspired by Meghan & Gram Cockrell.

Check out Meghans blog at www.10thousandreasons.weebly.com

FINE CHINA

For the past week the words FINE CHINA have been on my mind. Usually when something like that strikes me I’ll sit and jot notes here and there and finally come up with whatever is lurking in the small spaces of my brain. But, there’s been nothing to jot. No scribble. No notes. So since I can’t sleep let’s see where God takes this journal.

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Not long ago I was fussing about how I needed to buy some dishes. Don’t get me wrong, I have dishes. If that’s what you want to call them. I have the cheap plastic type microwaveable ones. I know you know exactly what I’m talking about, don't you???!

It’s just me in my house so I really didn’t “need” dishes but wanted something a little decent just in case I had company for dinner. In unpacking, I came across the box that had the china in it that my parents received when they got married. It had been in this box for a very long time. So I got it out and began washing each piece.

As I washed each piece I decided that I wasn’t going to put it back in a box to be stored, nor was I going to put it in a cabinet to be on display. I was going to use it. And I was going to use it daily.

Yes, it’s old. Yes, it’s delicate. And yes, I’ll probably break a few pieces before it’s said and done. It has gold around the rim and it can’t be put in the microwave. Something I need to remember since everything I own is plastic and microwaveable.

I said I was going to use it and I have been. :-)  
Each time I use it I notice that I’m a little more careful in how I place it in the sink or what I toss in the sink if I know a piece is already in there. It’s extremely delicate and I would hate to break even one piece. But, I know me and it’s sure to happen sooner or later.

I can’t think of one reason why I shouldn’t use it. If I had it on display I’m not sure I would get it down for a special occasion or if company was coming over.

In fact, I know I wouldn’t. Simply because I’m lazy. I wouldn't want to get it down, wash it, dry it and figure out what gets placed where. So, I’ve decided that it’s going to be used every day, because every day is a special occasion.

I’m just like my fine china. I’m used every day, by God. He doesn’t place me on a shelf and get me down for a special occasion. He has me ready to go each and every day. He has me ready to serve anyone that might need to be fed. It doesn’t matter who they are; rich/poor, short/tall, black/white, fat/skinny ~~~~~~~~He uses ME!! 
How special is that?

After He uses me to deliver His bountiful blessing, He gently washes me with His mercy and grace and prepares me for the next person. I never know how, when or where He intends to use me next and I’ll never ask. I’m just simply His fine china and I am used daily to serve others what He has prepared.

  

I’ll forever be His fine china & He will forever be my valentine! ♥

Blessings,

Bo

02/14/2014

This is an actual picture of the china, given to my parents on their wedding day, that I use daily.

FORECAST

Forecast: Scattered showers. Sky looks nice to me. There are a few clouds, but nothing that looks like rain. The clouds look like huge bunches of cotton candy.  It’s a bit overcast, but all in all, a nice morning.

I’ve found so much peace, in the mornings, sitting on the back patio. Spending time in the Word, prayer and then working on things for the planning of my 30^th class reunion. As the day goes on, I occasionally peek out from under the patio table umbrella that shades me and my laptop. Shaking my head, I wondered about a scattered shower.

I completed my tasks, gathered my things and went inside. I had some errands to run, so I got everything ready to deliver where it needed to be delivered and went on my way.

As I drove, in my rear view mirror I could tell the sky was doing some spectacular changing. I know I learned the names of the types of clouds back in school but, I have no clue what they’re called now. The sky was so active. AH! A sprinkle….then another…then it began a pretty good downpour. Not hard. But enough to have the rain get you wet and cause a shiver. So I headed into the house.

All the sudden there was silence. It was over. That’s it? That’s what you called a scattered shower. I went out on the porch. The clouds were amazing! Rolling, twisting, some moving right, some moving left. The colors were incredible shades of grey and I walked out into the field to get a better look at the sky. 

There I stood, looking up into the sky, mesmerized by the dancing of the clouds. Then it hit. It hit me right dead smack in the face, a drenching downpour of rain.

And all I could do was stand there. Stand there and get soaked to the heart. The heart of heavy burdens. The heart that had been longing and praying for a good cleansing.

As I continued to stand there looking up, I spread my arms out and as I enjoyed every drop of rain that fell upon me I began to cry. But the rain washed the tears away just as fast as they dripped from my eyes. At that very moment, I remembered, I need not carry the burdens in my heart. God will carry them for me if I give them to him.

Proverbs 3:4-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct your path.

I prayed for a cleansing and I received it, but it was only when I stopped and looked up mesmerized by the work of the Almighty.  I took the focus off me and was thanking Him as I watched Him create a masterpiece of grey art in the sky.  It was then and only then, when my focus was back on Him I was drenched.

Blessings,

Bo

Written May 3, 2013

Pictured taken by Bo Hayth @ the Mail Route in Indiana, August 2013

ICE COLD

This has been one of the craziest winters, ever. We’ve been hit with several snow storms and about 20 inches of snow. I know there are many areas that are accustomed to large quantities of snow, but this area is not one of them.

Yesterday, on top of the beautiful white powder we were inundated by an ice storm. As I sat there in the quiet hours of the night all I could hear were the ice pellets hitting the window.

Everything is encased in ice. Everything! 

The tree outside my kitchen window is beautiful as the light reflects off the ice that has surrounded the branches.

I’m in awe of its beauty.

The longer I looked at that tree the more I thought of the life within. Even though the branches of the tree are weighed down by the weight of the ice; inside the ice the tree lives.

Much like people. Though many hearts are heavy and the outer shell seems ice cold and frozen solid, there is life within. Sometimes unable to move from the weight and struggles of the world, we lose hope. We become paralyzed.

But when we put our hope and faith in God, He gives us all that we need. The Light within begins to defrost the outer casing. As we are released from the ice that surrounds us we begin to bloom showing the world there was truly life within.

Lord, you give me all that I need.

You support me.

You give me my share.

My share is wonderful.

My inheritance is beautiful.

I praise the Lord because He taught me well.

Even at night He put his instructions deep in my mind.

I always remember the Lord is with me.

He is here, close by my side,

So nothing can defeat me.

So my heart and soul will be very happy.

Even my body will live in safety

Because you will not leave me in the place of death.

You will not let your faithful one rot in the grave.

You will teach me the right way to live.

Just being with you will bring complete happiness.

Being at your right side I will be happy forever.       Psalm 16:5-11(ERV)

May you forever bloom from the life within.

Blessings,

Bo

02/05/2014