Music is everything...

A blog with Rachel made me really sit think about the subject of music this morning. She stated that she was a music lover and I can tell by all the different kinds of sounds she has on her playlist. It is interesting to take a look each day at her playlist and see what new she has on there and what she has playing first as you open her blog. Since she is such a lover of music I am going to use her as a wonderful example this morning. When I click on her playlist, the first thing I can tell is what kind of mood she is probably in as anyone who clicks on my blog can tell about me as well. It is funny how you can tell so much about someone's mood, what kind of day they are having, and even what their personality is like by what music they have in their heart and on their radios(or I-pods these days...lol). Just like today she must be grateful, just plain grateful. She must be in a mood to be on her knees thanking Him for just who He is and what He has done for her and continues to do for her. Overwhelmingly thankful for the blessing of her beautiful healthy children and her adoring husband and for friends who love her and for a church she feels she belongs in and where she is welcome. Grateful for the very air she was given this morning to breathe once again this morning and for another day that she gets to praise Him and gets to grow even more in love with Him. And so grateful for the woman she is becoming molded into more and more each day and less the woman she was. Well, today I am in that same mood for I could not be more grateful for His love and mercy in my life that is making something out of me that I never thought could be and today I pray that He wraps his big warm arms around us both. Music is everything. There has always been music even before there was a world. There has always been praise. The enemy was the greatest worship leader of all time before pride took over and he was kicked to this earth to dwell. So, there is evidence of praise even before man took his first breath. The heavens were full of the sound of unfiltered, unadulterated, unlimited praise... Only when we get there too will we truly know what our praise sounded like to Him here and only then will we know just how powerful it was for the victory of war in our lives. More and more everyday not only do I find that He is more worthy of my praise than I can even fathom the reasons for but also that praise is a mighty weapon that wins battles and slays giants. Music and the sound of praise makes the angels stand at attention and the enemy flee. There is nothing sweeter to Him than a heart given in complete surrender as it humbles itself to sing a love song to its Creator. I can never remember a time when music was not a great part of my life. It is all I have had at times, my praise. And so many times the enemy has tried to rob me of my song and at times he has, but my soul still sang without me. It sang when I couldn't. Praise is absolutely everything and music is the air I breathe sometimes. You can tell a lot about a person by the songs they sing and you can tell a lot about the reason why they sing at all, the reason for their praise. Your praise will not be the same as mine or anyone else's because only you know the reason why you sing. Only you know why you offer up praise to Him because only you and He were there when the night was dark and long and He pulled you through and only you and He know the reason for your joy beyond anyone else's understanding. There is a special song that is yours and yours alone and even though you can sing with a congregation full of people singing also, still only you know your heart of praise. Rachel is a praiser. It is evident in her blogs and in her music choices, and it is evident she is on her knees more than most pouring out her love on Him and just so Rachel knows, He absolutely loves her praise. It is a sweet aroma to Him. It ministers to Him and He never wants her to stop. He stops all of heaven when He hears her and He grins and says "shhhh, quiet and listen, it's Rachel!". Don't ever stop. I hope I never stop either. Even when there is no sound, no music, I pray I still sing anyway. I pray I still find myself on my face lavishing Him with all the praise He is worthy of. Yes, music is everything. Praise is everything....He is worthy...

With every new you...

Okay, so with the help of the Holy Spirit I am conquering some really old, stubborn, nasty and huge giants that have been staring me down for awhile now and with the help of my awesome God and I am learning only with His help, more are going to fall by God's sword!! I'm moving forward as He has been begging me to. My past is over as He has so much tried to convince me of for so long!! Praise Him for that!! So, I figured with every new you there should be a new do!! And I do feel so new!! Went dark this time...reeeeaaaalllllyyyyyyy dark...whadya think?!?!...

P.S. Thank you Daddy, I couldn't have done it without your guidance, revelation, and love...

P.S.S. and the only reason there are two pics of me is because my family refused to come to an agreement on which one to use...so to keep an argument at bay, I put both...sorry guys...

It Gets A Little Crazy After Bathtime...

Poor quality...But I think you get the idea...LOL...welcome to my crazy life...

I Found You...

I just stand amazed at Your beauty, Lord... I went to that old red fence again this morning to find You. I found You... Every day You display Yourself to me even if I don't take the time to look or to feel or to smell or to hear...So, today I took the time. And standing at the fence this morning looking up into the towering pine trees swaying in the wind and watching the clouds glide across the sky in slow motion as if You were moving them with Your own hand, I found You... As I stood there in the silence of the early morning and listened to only the sounds of the leaves gently rustling and playing You a tune that only you and they know and listened quietly to the birds singing You their praises, I found You.... And when I felt the cool breeze stroke my hair and gently caress my face as if You were reaching out to touch me, to love me, I found You... I closed my eyes and lifted my face upwards to feel it again, just once more... There is nothing like Your touch... This morning You played with all my senses like You were playing beautiful music on a precious instrument...This morning I found You...then again, maybe I didn't find You at all, I think You found me... The more I seek You, the more I become aware it is You who is seeking me... Please, don't ever stop... Ever...I love You so much...

A Front Porch Swing and my Baby Love...

A front porch swing and my baby love, the best moments in life, even if he was lookin' a whole lot countryfied that day though he is truly not. I know you much rather be stylin' babe, but that's a picture for another day...you still my baby love...I love you!!!! More than grits loves butter!!!

and I'm so proud of you and I know God is. You are making some really difficult and wise decisions lately and I am so impressed. God is truly transforming you for His work. Keep under First Lady's wing. She needs you and you need her. I'm cheering you both on!!! Make some really cool sounds together for God!! I can't wait to be a part of it...Love you...

Great Song

The First Lady of our church(who is also my worship pastor) sent me this song today to try out. Rachel, I thought you would really like this song alot. It is the truest thing I have ever heard...Somehow, I think you will agree... We praise not the God who does but the God who is!!
There just comes a point in our lives when we must stand and let the enemy know that he does not and will not determine our song! Oh, he will if we allow him to. No doubt about it. I have danced to his tune and let him lead more than none, but no more. This ol' girl is determined to have a Caleb spirit that latches on like a bulldog and will not let go. No one determines when I dance and when I sing or my song except my God. He is the only one who knows all the steps. And lately He has been teaching me to dance with no music. Just keep dancin' when the only song in your soul is darkness, keep dancin'. When there is no sound at all, keep dancin'. He's still there and He is still leading if we trust that He is. Only you and God determine your lifesong. Don't ever let anyone else tell you differently. He is worthy of it, music or no music, light or no light. He is experienced in leading in the dark. Just keep dancin' and "Arise, for your light has come!!!" Dance baby dance!!

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Dance anyway!!

Now, ain't it just like the enemy to watch you dance and then immediately try to give you a reason not to?!?!?! Well, guess what, I 'm gonna dance anyway. He has called me a praiser. He has given me praise as my identity, spoken over my life recently that I am called to praise Him. But in reality, aren't we all? Whether it is your occupation or just your hobby, isn't it a reason for breathing? Isn't He just as worthy when it's raining as well as when the sun is shining? So, should anything the enemy throws at us to keep us paralyzed from praise work? Not if you are praising Him just because He is God. Just because Isaiah saw Him sitting high upon his throne and the train of His robe filling the temple. Just because He was, is, and is to come!! JUST BECAUSE!!! If you can praise Him with joy and thanksgiving even when it is a real sacrifice to, then you know where you stand with Him. You have matured. Your faith has grown past being a woman of feeling and fear to a woman of faith. Paul and Silas!! That's what I'm talkin' bout!! Praisin' Him in the dark till the Light burst forth and the doors swing open wide!! So, oh yeah, I'm gonna dance today. You can bank on it!! I love you Daddy and You are worthy, worthy, worthy. Holy, Holy, Holy is the lamb of God...You got my praise all day long!

Ain't God Good!!!

Today was a great day! I think God seriously delights in winking at us with little reminders that He is still here, He is still in charge, and He is still leading us to the very place we need to be. He has WOWED me today like He never has before. And I guess WOW is just about all I know to say right now. Thanks Daddy! There is no doubt You are still in the business of restoration. There is no doubt You are still on Your throne. And there is absolutely no WOW factor that compares with Your's!!! WooHoo! It is a very good day!! Thank you for never giving up on me! WOW!! I feel like dancin'!! I think I just might!!

Waiting on Release from "This"...

I wish I could explain what "this" is but I'm too out of breath and strength to tell it. This was supposed to be the day when You came, when You came out of nowhere as in Psalm 18 and rescued me, this was supposed to be the day "this" war ended. It still rages and I am war-torn and scarred...blood spilled, but my Lord it is not mine that is spilled, it is Your's... I will not give up till I see Psalm 18 played out in my life for Your Word will not fail me. Never has. Never will. Just give me strength for one more step Daddy... and just enough light for the step I'm on...it's all I ask...You will come...We will win...You made me a warrior...I will fight...I just need You to come...Holy Spirit, I can't do it without You... breathe life into my weariness... restore me...I love you...and if You do delay for some reason I don't understand right now...I will still love you...I just need Your help to trust...I will take Your hand and follow You into the light of victory...We win...

Only You...

You are all that matters, my King....nothing else matters...I love you...

You Won't Relent...

I'm sitting here listening to the song "You Won't Relent" with tears running down my face as I am reminded just how much You love me. So much that You are jealous for my heart. So much that you will not relent until you have every single part of me. Every ounce, the good the bad and the ugly, every part. Even the parts others have rejected and wounded and bruised. Even the parts of me that have inflicted the wounds and bruises. You want it all. I guess it is only when You have all the pieces that You can begin to put them all back together...Take all the pieces...
And even when I do relent, you still don't. You still seek me out and You pant for me as much as I pant for You. Your thirst for me is even more than my thirst for You. I can't imagine this great love that You have for me. Someone so messed up but yet so perfect in Your eyes. Someone others gave up on, but still You loved me. Someone who has caused hurt more than she has caused love, yet You do not relent. I sit here in this house full of people and yet I just want to steal away with You. I miss You right this very minute till I ache. I want to find out why you won't relent in Your pursuit of me. What is it that You see in me that no one else does and that I myself cannot see? Do You see a beauty I cannot see? Do you see past my flaws, past my mistakes, past my broken trail of tears and destruction? Do you see a vessel worthy of use by You? What do You see, My Lord? What do You see? Why do You stay and fix my brokenness when no one else sees the reason to try? Why do You extend grace when I deserve no mercy? I want to see what You see. And I want to give You what you are seeking for from me. Tell me Daddy what You desire of me. It is Your's... And with my last ounce I will praise You...You are more worthy than I can even comprehend and it is all I have to give You in return for what You have given me. I pray it is sweet to You. I love you, my Lord and my Savior, and I will serve You until I can serve You no more... Thank You for being jealous for me...Thank you that Your opinion of me doesn't ride on man's opinion...Thank you for loving me...Thank you for never relenting...Thank you for everything... Come and consume me until You and I are one...I pray that is Your desire...You are literally my everything...the very air I breathe...

The Eye of the Storm...

Yes, I am in a storm. But you know what? I love it... You know why? Because He is here. Not only is He here, He is crying too. He is crawling with me, fighting with me, standing with me, cheering me on, holding me when I need it, and hedging me in on every side. His Word says that He covers my head in the day of battle and He teaches my hands to war all while I am under His safe and gentle wings. Don't fear. There is no more time for fear. We have to go. We have to get in the eye of the storm and ride it out and let it make us stronger, wiser, more loving and compassionate for those who are riding it out, too. The whole world is hurting and fighting and waiting for someone to come and show them there is an end to this war. An end to all the fighting and struggling. That there is a place of rest. I am glad I am here. It is only here that my heart gets softened and it is only here that I learn how to stand longer and stronger and it is only here right in the middle of a storm that I see Him for who He truly is... I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world. He is so close I can hear Him breathe and I fall more in love with His every heartbeat... He is here... If I feel I am falling and beyond repair or escape as I do today because of mistakes I am reminded constantly of, I know that He is hurting with me too. He is standing me to my feet and brushing me off and saying "go again My love"... We have to go. The world is waiting... He is here....

Just for today...

Just for today I think I will turn off the t.v. and stereo and give You my full attention, Lord.
Just for today I think I will walk in the yard and wonder at your world and say thank you.
Just for today I think I will turn off all phones and listen for you to call me instead of a friend.
Just for today I think I will read more than the scripture that goes along with my devotion.
Just for today I think I will look for you in Your Word for more than ten minutes.
Just for today I think I will read what you have written for me in my husband's loving eyes.
Just for today I think I will listen for You in the laughter of my children.
Just for today I think I will praise You instead of asking from You.
Just for today I think I will sit in total silence and know that you are God.
Just for today I think I will ask you if I can fall in love with You all over again till it hurts.
Just for today I think I will ask if You will let me feel You and see You and wait till You say yes.
Just for today I think I will give you my whole day....my whole heart...
Just for today...I hope tomorrow will be another"just for today"...

Sept 11, May We Never Forget...

May we never forget...

...mommas...daddies...sisters...aunts...uncles...grandparents...friends...co-workers

May we never forget...

...heroes...senseless death...tragedy to the innocent...grief...fear...

May we never forget...

...the fallen...those who fell to help the fallen...

May we never forget...

...civil servants...blood, sweat, and mostly tears...

May we never forget...

...soldiers...near and far...and those left behind...

May we never forget...

...America...

May we never forget...

...GOD...

To God be the glory for His amazing Grace that He shed on Thee...on us...May we never forget...

God Bless The United States of America...One Nation under God...

...We will never forget...

Me and My Girls!!

My girls were feeling a little left out since the "boy" was on here already more than once so I figured I better give them a shout out before I got disowned! I love you my beautiful and precious Godly girls, Kennedy Elizabeth(13...with the best hair you'll ever see, she should know, she spends enough time fixing it...)and McKenzie Grace(11, and with the kickin' Vera Bradley glasses...)!! Keep breaking it down for Jesus! He loves it!! Love your momma...

All Because of God and Beth Moore!

Let me introduce the product of a Beth Moore study!! By that I mean, it was only because of the Kelly Minter blog study that I met this wonderful Italian woman of God. We became fast friends and it is just an amazing testimony to how God works in our lives in some pretty strange yet awesome ways. So, meet Maria Cristina Bruschi from London. If you're checkin' this out Cris, Ciao Caro Amico!!

Little Boys...

Little Boys...do they stay this lovin' forever? I sure hope so...love you, little man...

My Basket Was Filled Two Days Later!!

Well, remember when I talked in my first post about my basket not being filled and how I pouted and acted like a whiny kid(as my kids would say "want some french cries with that waaam burger?)? Well, my husband made the greatest observation and heard something apparently I had chosen not to hear either subconsciously or because I was trying to figure out where in the church that sound was coming from(I don't have a long attention span at all, guys), but he said on the way home as he was patiently enduring me, "honey, you know their baskets didn't get filled on the first day either, the preacher said it was after three days". Well, dang, how did I miss that!? I went to my friend Pam's house for her monthly Bible Study and what do ya know, she says, "I had a word for you from the Lord Sunday but I didn't have a chance to give it to you but I will give it to you now". I wanted to strangle her!! I said "You kept my basket from being filled and made me have a bad day!" Now, in reality ya'll, was SHE really to blame? As much as I would like to say that she was, it was still me. Still my distrust in Him even after I had seen Him "part the waters" and "speak to mountains" in my life again and again. Timing is everything and He thought it best to tell me Tuesday and not Sunday. Was He being mean or cruel to make me wait and make me wonder and doubt? Nope! He was just being the loving Father that He remains to be knowing that He must do what is best for me even if I pitch a fit. (Has anyone ever noticed that God will not talk to you or pay you any attention if your are throwing a pity party? He always waits for you to come to yourself before He listens...lol). Could it also be that He was just testing me to see how I would react if He withheld something from me that I was asking for? Guess what? Not to hard to see I will have to take that test again. I made a "C" at best. Aren't we all glad you can never fail a test with Him? You get to take it as many times as it takes you to pass it. Hope I make an "A" this next go 'round! I wonder why sometimes it is so hard to trust? But then again even King David said in the Psalms 30:7 "O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed." Even for him, trust didn't come easy unless he was standing on solid ground. The slightest removal of God's hand and it threw him for a loop!! So striving to trust Him more daily and surrendering our heart till there is nothing left of us but the God inside of us is the best He knows we can do and you know what...He thinks that is A-OK!! Ya'll have a good one and we'll catch you on the flip side!! In the mean time, keep praizin' Him like crazy! Dance out your clothes if you have to and don't worry one bit about your audience. The only audience you have to please is the One Upstairs!! Nothing else matters!

Best Pastors EVER!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to two of my favorite all time peeps!! No seriously guys, these are the best Pastors in the universe...no really...they are!! Pastor Derrick Fort and First Lady Sabrina Fort at Great Commission Ministries. Pastor Derrick is the bomb-diggity and First Lady, well, what can I say...she can sing the walls down! Say hey ya'll!!

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Ballgame

Our very first ballgame!! My daddy took us all for my birthday. Can't say I would like to go to another if it was any hotter and the seats any harder just to watch baseball, maybe football since it's my favorite(Go Clemson Tigers!), but baseball, hummm, maybe if it was free...lol. As you can see, Matthew just had to have the foam finger. It was all he talked about for days before the game... Ahhhh, to be 7 and that is the thrill of your life!!!

Hurricanes!!!!!

Guess what? We have a hurricane a comin'!! Miss Hanna has decided to pay us a visit apparently and I couldn't be binding and loosing any harder than I ever have before. Jesus did say we had that authority in Him as I recall so I will take Him at His Word and walk it out!!! Hurricanes always have that freakish before the storm thing that I hate worse than the actual storm. Has anybody besides me ever noticed how it is always so very still in the air and atmosphere right before it gets to you? Makes me shiver!!! But if it is inevitable, I guess we'll just hunker down and ride her out. Like with most storms we face in life, we just have to hunker down because it is inevitable that they are on the way. Nothing we can do. Nothing we can say. We just have to batten down the hatches with the Word of God and get into a place of safety under His wings and ride it out. We can't always rise above it. Sometimes we have to ride in it. Remember Jesus didn't call Peter to come to Him on the water when it was a clear blue sky and zero waves. When He called His name and said come, it was a typhoon!! Winds, Waves, lightening, thunder! A tempest!!
One thing that one of my BFF's mentioned about hurricanes is the way the sky is so sweet and clear after it passes. It's like it blows all the bad stuff away and only the good remains. Well, that right there will preach!! When the storm is over, only the good remains and everything is sweet and clear. We could run. We could hide. But what for? We will just have to face it in the next storm till we have confronted the purpose for it. Sometimes there are just some things that must be blown away, so batten down the hatches, stand still, and wait for it to pass. God has it all in His ultimate control. Just wait and see the reward for not turning to run. It will be sweet, beautiful, and clear!! Anyway, I gotta go stock up...lol!! My Gulf Coast sistas, I feel your pain!!