and another year goes by...

so another year has gone by and the dreams does live on...it feels closer than it ever has.. it is a sign of the times? I thought about this blog as I walked today. I thought this would be a useful tool to share my thoughts and should start to write again. So many things have happened in the last year. As with everybody, many lessons learned, many blessings received.

I know the last year has been hard for everyone in many ways. It may be the economy, it maybe the job market, it may be illness or some other catastrophe that has affected you. Its hard to look up when your feeling so helpless or burdened. I took the month of August and made it a prayer month. Anything and everything that came my way I offered up to God in prayer. Seems simple enough, but it takes practice. My instinct is too fix it. Step out quick and fix the problem or complain about it to everyone that would listen. This made for a very interesting month.

Now, you know ... the devil was not going to let me off very easy. It was a tough month emotionally. I had things coming at me faster then I could think. I would see people I know are not good people prospering while I was struggling harder than I ever had. I had to turn to trusted friends for help. I wanted to throw in the towel and just stop. A very good friend sent me this email in the middle of my trial.. it made the difference.

I can't even being to imagine the stress and emotional duress that one goes through when they are faced with such financial woe. To be on the verge of losing a home is a psychological and physical burden that surely must feel un surmountable. To struggle and pray and be faithful only to watch those that aren't prayerful or faithful, prosper and live without such burdens shakes your own faith.

We ask questions, " Why Me God? Why do I have go through these things? How can she be so content and happy in sin and I live in faith and be financially miserable?"

The answer is so simple.

Know Satan's position in this world today. He is the god of this WORLD. Worldly things are his. Our rewards as Christians and the faithful come Not in this World but in Heaven and in our Spirits. Those that worship God do so in Spirit and in Truth.

If Satan is going to attack you to batter down your faith, what is going to attack? He can't touch your spirit. So he attacks the things that he has control of. Your Worldly possessions. Your finances. Your job. Your cars. And if there is any parts of you that are Worldly motivated or Worldly centered; then he attacks them. Know the enemy and Love your God in spite of your tribulations. Don't give Satan that victory.

Read the book of Job. God had so much faith in Job. And it was Job's faith that dealt Satan such a monumental Faith Building defeat that would be used as the example of True Faithfulness through out countless ages.

Satan might take my home...but my heart belongs to Christ.

Satan might take my job.......but my heart belongs to Christ.

Satan might cause my husband to go astray.....but I love him in the Lord and Satan can't touch that love. Because its beyond this World.

If you weren't important to God.........Satan wouldn't be bothered with you.

If you weren't pre-ordained with a divine purpose ...then you wouldn't be a threat to the enemy.

Love God......Love Him without blame....without fault. He won't put anymore on you than you can bare.

You Wanted to be a warrior for Christ.......you are. And the battle has begun.

Don't throw down your sword now.

It changed me and changed my prospective greatly. I now say exactly what it says above when I feel corned by the world.

"Take it all .. I still love God" and the truth is I am a warrior for Christ. I will always be. I will write more in the coming days as God leads.

Be blessed!

a year later

well here it is a whole year later.. and boy a lot has happened and also a lot has not. It has been a year to hang on.. learn more.. push faith.. push myself..believe when I didn't want to , to try and stay focused, to not get discouraged, to live and do as God wants. To fail and pick myself up and move on.. to sin and then repent. To do what I didn't want to .. but to do anyway. And now a year later.. a renewed spirit.. a renewed belief.. new eyes and hopefully a closer walk with God.

It appears to be a crazy time. It appears a time for panic and a time for change. It appears a time to hunker down and keep all those things important close and safe..a time for caution, and maybe a time to fear.

I believe God is calling us to step out now. Don't look at what the world is giving you.. Look up to where your help comes from. There will be disappointment and uncertainty right now. The Prince of Peace gives you the peace that passes all understanding. This is a time when that peace will draw men to you. This is a time when our actions will show God shining through us. This is a time to lean not on your own understanding and lean fully on Him. He works all things together for good. Step out and let your light shine.

There have been many moments this year.. more than I can count, that I felt I must have been wishful a year ago. That Eagles Way and all that God showed me was a dream. I hung in there and continued to walk and pray. I prayed for God to order my footsteps, to give me spiritual eyes to see as He sees. I failed a lot along the way, one day given up the next back in. He has blessed me in many ways and taught me patience. He taught me my ways are not His, and that my timing is not His timing. Its a lot to learn in a short time but the time grows short. There is much work ahead. We are His chosen people, a people excluded from the world and set aside for a time such as this.

Press in... give faith a chance one more time, Look up to Him, be willing and teachable, repent for those sins no matter what they are. Let God love you. And most important, Do Not Let the Things of this world distract you. Make sure you have oil in your lamp. He is calling His people. He is searching for one.. just one.. who says send me Lord, Pick me...

As crazy as this time seems, it is exciting too... He is close and you shall see His hand revealed in the coming days.... He is still in control and He will take care of all your needs.....

I am ready and willing .. are you?

Simple Quiet Love

There is a commercial on TV about Charles Swarb's Broker Company. This morning it was exactly what I was feeling. The cartoon like character says ...where ever she goes people greet her by name except when she calls her broker. He acts like he doesn't even know her. So the catch is to call Charles. He will know you.

 

I woke up thinking about simple love. You see for me, I love when God does big things, but what draws me close is the little things. God knows how to make me laugh and He knows what makes me cry. He knows the little things that pulls me close. Like parents know about their kids.

One of the ways I communicate with God is through the use of fleeces. It comes straight from the bible and I use the technique a lot. A long time ago, I was leaving a church and it was not an easy thing. I was looking forward and it was scary and different than anything I have done. It was emotional. God knew and it was His plan for me to jack knife me out of that particular church. God spoke to my heart and told me this was His path and I was to follow. It would not look like anything I had know and it would tough and sometimes lonely. How would I know it is you, I asked Him and how would I know I was on the write path. Using the fleece I agreed in prayer that when I would find a penny, I would know that God was near and I was walking as He wanted.

The pennies I have found, and the stories I can tell. That small gesture of love from God has carried me for more then 10 years. There was a day on Eagles Way when there was a couple walking in front of me and one bent down and picked up something. The way she looked at it I knew it was a coin. I wanted so much at that time to hear from God in a familiar way, I wanted to yell and ask what coin it was. I didn't She walked ten more feet and dropped that coin on the ground. It was a penny. A precious penny. I was right where God wanted me.

Another time years ago, I had a friend whom I communicated with on the Internet. It was a fun friendship. The email and laughter were great. Something happened and he had to go into the hospital. He told me one night as we talked on the Internet, and he had no idea when he would be back. He was vague about the details and I didn't want to push. The next day, I cried as I made my way to work. I put out another simple fleece with God as I prayed for my friend. When I would find a nickel, I would know he was ok. And that's exactly what happened. Anytime I got anxious or worried, I would find a nickel. Now, a nickel is not much in monetary value but to me, it was and is a life line. My friend came through fine and we continued our friendship. The nickel evolved to show me when I was most anxious, that things were going to be ok. I still love finding them. Simple love.

During my nickel time, I shared my story with my cousin. I told her about my friend. She actually got more anxious than me. How will you know, why don't you go ect ect... We were in a restaurant. I took a breath and told her the "nickel story". She listened intently and said (As most would ) You find a nickel ...God does this.. I am not sure that would work for me.  As we walked through the foyer to leave the restaurant, she yelled and pointed, and I looked down. In the middle of the rug was nickel. God, as he always does confirmed His word. She picked up that nickel and was truly in awe. It was a God moment.

I use fleeces a lot and everyone I know that uses them ....it works. It is a simple way to communicate with God. And that God know my needs, wishes and wants still awes me. It completely changes moods. It changes the day. It is so simple. It is God's love in action.

Friendships to me are also God's love in action. Many of you have said just the right thing when I needed it. A few of you can say the tough things and have them received in love. God places people in your life to love you simply. I am blessed to have people like that in my life. They love me for me.

I love God in the simple things. I do pray for the big things. When God does something that's so personal to me. The penny, the nickel...that's "our" thing. I know just how much God cares about me.

I am very blessed by the people who are in my life. I love them and pray for them all the time. There are the seven who prayed here. Each one for many different reason plays a role in my life and helps to keep me moving forward. Some it is the love they display, some it is the intrigue that they cause. But each one does something that makes me smile.

I woke up this morning thinking of simple love and simple gestures. I thought of the people in my life and how blessed I am. It doesn't always seem that way. We all live in a crazy world. We are human. We all want the big things and want them now. This morning, I am truly blessed with the small things and truly filled with simple love.

Simple love...whispering a prayer for me when things are tough. Simple love...a phone message...thinking about me. ...an email saying keep going...Simple love...knowing I don't have cable and giving me the pitch by pitch report of the Red Sox game.. Simple love...encouraging me ..even when things are tough for them...Simple love ... a penny on the ground that so many walk past...but to me ...means my God has heard me and answered...

I am blessed and loved... I am loved simply and intimately and there is nothing like it....

 

I pray that God blesses you each abundantly above whatever you could ask or think. That God shows me how to love each of you simply as you do me. I thank Him for each one of you and I pray the angels surround you and protect you. I pray that God loves each one of you simply....

This is the place in the bible you find fleeces....Judges...

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool inthe floor; [and] if the dew be on the fleece only, and [it be] dry upon all the earth [beside], then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

3. Jdg 6:38
And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

4. Jdg 6:39
And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

5. Jdg 6:40
And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

 

Be Blessed everyone....

 

Day Seven

Here we are! Day Seven...

 

I got off work this morning and went to the store. I found three pennies on the way out. It has been a long time since I have had a three penny day. A three penny day means ....God loves you no matter what...no matter what happens.

After sleeping I walked. It was a quiet walk. I cried a lot. I am grateful for each and everyone of you. I have no answers yet. and I am not sure ...what's next...

I have thought about that for a while today...what next....

patience..trust and to wait upon the Lord......

I thought about what Noah must have thought as he left the ark...now what... the Apostles after Jesus rose....now what...

So I wait in the  ..now what ... and I will tell you it is a bit hard. My faith has been pushed and I refuse to allow discouragement to have its way. I will continue to pray and see what God has for me...

I will praise the Lord ... no matter what ... no matter what tomorrow brings ..I will praise the Lord!

He has surrounded me with those who love me and pray for me and with me. He has blessed me so much. And even if Eagles Way does not go any further... I am changed ..my faith has grown so much this week. I am changed. That's a blessing.

 

I thank you Father for these seven days. I thank for the vision. I thank you for everyone that prayed. I pray that you bless then on a mighty way. You are an amazing God. You are the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. I thank you for touching every life. I thank you for Jesus ...who died for our sins. I thank you for his blood that covers each of us. I thank you for what you have done and what you are going to do ...I pray this on the name of Jesus...Amen.

 

 

This has been an amazing week. Seven people from all over the country ...from all walks of life ....in different places faith wise...joined together in prayer is am amazing thing!

I will continue to write about Eagles Way here... I hope you will continue to read....thank all of you again

 

Day Six

Don't give up five minutes before your miracle.

This was a story on the Today show this morning as I got off of work. I thought about that on my walk. It poured. I mean down poured and I thought about stopping. But then I thought...what if I stop 5 minutes before my miracle. I came back and changed out of the wet clothes and went back out.  I walked four more miles. I thought how easy it is to think about giving up.

Can you imagine the Apostles standing with Jesus when He told them to take two loaves and five fish and feed the crowd ? Think about you standing there, with those loves and fish in your hands ...looking at Jesus and then at the crowd. I am sure they looked at each other...eye brows raised... they were human after all. The fleeting thoughts that must have gone through their heads. And then turning to the crowd. The first step towards the crowds ....the first step of faith...

Now imagine if they gave up 5 minutes before the miracle...

Once again, you could point to many of the people of the bible. That moment of faith...to build an ark ...to part the Red Sea...to find the promised land...to place you hands on the eyes of a blind man. That moment...when you move towards the miracle. You make the step of faith...

Imagine Paul and Silas in the jail, beat up, bruised, and chained to wall...only to become conscious to realize they had not died. Even in the worst moments of their life they praised God anyway. Singing and worshiping as loud as they can. Imagine what it must have felt like when the walls started to break. Imagine if they had given up.

A few years ago, my mom called me to tell me my aunt was in the hospital. She was not doing well and they expected her to die. I tried to find a way to go and see her. It so happens it is one of the busiest weeks I ever had at work. I was at four meetings in four days. The only day I had was Wednesday and on that day I had a lot of preparation for the following days. I finally made it too my mom's Wednesday evening and she shared that my aunt was going to go to a hospice hospital. I knew being a nurse time was short. I began to ask some questions about my aunt's faith. I knew she was protestant. My mom didn't know much.

My mom was curious to know why I wanted to know. Now my mother is Irish catholic and we have argued a few times about my beliefs. She believed that if you are born catholic you die catholic. I chose my words carefully, telling her I wanted to know that Auntie Martha would have a chance to go to heaven. I shared stories I had from work over the last several years about praying with people before they died. Well she nodded and listened I knew she was not getting it. And then the Holy Spirit took over.

I shared a story that happened ten years before. Knowing how strong she felt about my being born again I had never shared it. I told her about a family friend Larry who had died. That I was at work and just knew I had to go and visit Larry in the hospital. He was in ICU. I got in my car and drove there. I prayed on the way, God you will have to make a way because I am not family and they may not let me in. When I arrived, Larry's brothers were coming out of the ICU and said..go in Evelyn. I walked in and there was a nurse at Larry's bedside. I took a deep breath and explained that I was there to pray with him. She turned and looked at me and said Oh good! I have prayed all day for someone to come and pray. His brothers don't get it. She pulled the curtain around the bed and said take all the time you need. I did. I told Larry about Jesus. he was unconscious,but I know he heard me. Larry died the next day and I know I will see him in heaven.

My mother began weeping while I told the story. It was a "God moment". I told her how important it was for everyone to go to heaven. I could not go to visit Auntie Martha and there was no one that could go but her. It was a "mission from God". She said what do I do...I prayed. This was a hard one. How do I get her to understand the Salvation prayer and everything and she not a Christian herself. I told her to ask Auntie Martha if she knew where she was going...if she did..she would say..Heaven, Home , to be with Jesus. If she said no...then tell her to put Jesus in her heart.

It had to be that simple for her to do. Well she did and my Aunt opened her eyes and said no. My mother told her to put Jesus in her heart. Then they all stood around her and prayed the Our Father. She died later that night.It was hard for my mother to do this. She cried and cried. She cried telling me. But I told her imagine...Auntie Martha is in heaven.

Now if we stopped right there ...praise God! Another soul saved.

But that's not the end. Every where my mom went for the next several weeks she asked people ..do you know where your going...all her friends, at the service for my Aunt, baby showers...she told and told....

I laughed delighted.. I said to God...only You could get my Irish catholic mother to witness for Jesus. Imagine if I gave up 5 minutes before my miracle...

It was a great walk..even in the rain...I carried someone's grocery's to help her to her apartment. I have heard from many of you that cannot post here...I am encouraged and blessed and walking towards my miracle.

 

Day 5

Faith, Love and Hope.

 

What a day! Day five, my first night shift, and rain! I slept for about 5 hours and then walked. I just got in and I am so full! So let me begin.

Audacity of Hope ...that's Barack Obama's book... I love those words...audacity of hope. I thought about a lot of things that with out hope would have ...should have been nothing and then hope slips in and changes everything.

Let me try and paint a picture. The 2004  Red Sox Team and winning the world series. By itself  it is a nice thought, but when you realize the history and what it took to get there....the small stories ...the hope ...the faith and believing and a group of people who loved enough to believe when things looked quite bad. Not only bad but the same familiar pattern that had happened for decades.

There is a strong love for the Red Sox in New England. ( As many teams have with their fans) I remember clearly the 1967 team. I remember the record that we got at the gas station about the "Impossible Dream" and all of us kids singing that song as we drove with my parents. I remember Fenway Park as a child. Going in on the bus with all the other kids in the summer, sitting in the bleachers and trying to come up with enough money for cracker jacks. I remember throughout the years and the many times we all thought this was the year. Dreams are big at the beginning of every season and when the play offs came and we were there, there was much speculation and hope for a well loved team.

Let me move to 2004, there was still a great love, even after a very disappointing loss to the Yankees in 2003. There was hope and faith that this was our year and then the dreaded Yankees. Down three games to none. Everything seemed as it had always been...great promise only to end in disappointment. Great disappointment.

There is a DVD that was made after the season. Curt Schilling does an interview where he talks about looking into the stands and seeing people crying and the hope being diminished. They could see it in the faces of the people watching that game.

Then the next morning as he made his way to the ball field, hurt not sure of he would pitch or if he could even pitch. He saw people holding signs as he drove ...with one word ..BELIEVE. And hope began to build. He saw the signs all the way to the field. Kids  and adults holding them ...nailed to poles ...and he thought could I pitch...could there be a way....maybe ...

And hope began...

I know you all know what happened. It is the details. The hope that sparked that team to take that game one out at a time, to slow down and celebrate the very small victories that built hope. The belief that sparked hope. Never giving up when facing the impossible.  Hope that sparked a group of people to dig in and accomplish the impossible.

The Audacity of Hope.

Hope encourages. Hope grows out of no where and brings great thing Hope is eternal.

Hope encourages. Hope grows love. Hope sparks belief.

Who have you encouraged today...whose hope have you sparked. Imagine a home made sign tacked to a tree sparked the hope of a team to accomplish the impossible. The smallest gesture bringing the greatest results. Are you the spark that encourages hope?

We all praying here know about Faith Love and Hope. We know the love of a God that gave His only son for us. For our sins. That gesture sparked hope for generations. Imagine if you sparked hope for someone?

Faith is action. Today ...dare to spark hope. Look at something in a different light. Smile and say hello. Listen to someone's story ... really listen ...no matter how hard. Dare to ask someone is everything ok...can I help. Share a meal...visit an elderly neighbor... give someone in need ..something they need. Light the flame of hope. Tack that sign to a tree..

Send a link of this journal to someone who may need a faith push, ask God to show you someone who needs hope. You'll be more than glad you did. There is nothing like it. Do it today and dare to share it with us. Spark our hope.....

The Audacity of Hope.

Spark it in someone today.

 

Father I thank you for the rain. I thank you for everyone praying. I lift them before you and ask that you bless them mightily and in a big way. Father I ask that you show each of us how to spark hope today. That each of us would be that light that brings hope to hopeless. I thank you for the vision and that it has sparked hope. I pray you protection around each of us. That nothing that is not from you will prosper. I thank you for what you have done, I thank you for what you are going to do. I pray this in Jesus name Amen!

 

Day 5

Faith, Love and Hope.

 

What a day! Day five, my first night shift, and rain! I slept for about 5 hours and then walked. I just got in and I am so full! So let me begin.

Audacity of Hope ...that's Barack Obama's book... I love those words...audacity of hope. I thought about a lot of things that with out hope would have ...should have been nothing and then hope slips in and changes everything.

Let me try and paint a picture. The 2004  Red Sox Team and winning the world series. By itself  it is a nice thought, but when you realize the history and what it took to get there....the small stories ...the hope ...the faith and believing and a group of people who loved enough to believe when things looked quite bad. Not only bad but the same familiar pattern that had happened for decades.

There is a strong love for the Red Sox in New England. ( As many teams have with their fans) I remember clearly the 1967 team. I remember the record that we got at the gas station about the "Impossible Dream" and all of us kids singing that song as we drove with my parents. I remember Fenway Park as a child. Going in on the bus with all the other kids in the summer, sitting in the bleachers and trying to come up with enough money for cracker jacks. I remember throughout the years and the many times we all thought this was the year. Dreams are big at the beginning of every season and when the play offs came and we were there, there was much speculation and hope for a well loved team.

Let me move to 2004, there was still a great love, even after a very disappointing loss to the Yankees in 2003. There was hope and faith that this was our year and then the dreaded Yankees. Down three games to none. Everything seemed as it had always been...great promise only to end in disappointment. Great disappointment.

There is a DVD that was made after the season. Curt Schilling does an interview where he talks about looking into the stands and seeing people crying and the hope being diminished. They could see it in the faces of the people watching that game.

Then the next morning as he made his way to the ball field, hurt not sure of he would pitch or if he could even pitch. He saw people holding signs as he drove ...with one word ..BELIEVE. And hope began to build. He saw the signs all the way to the field. Kids  and adults holding them ...nailed to poles ...and he thought could I pitch...could there be a way....maybe ...

And hope began...

I know you all know what happened. It is the details. The hope that sparked that team to take that game one out at a time, to slow down and celebrate the very small victories that built hope. The belief that sparked hope. Never giving up when facing the impossible.  Hope that sparked a group of people to dig in and accomplish the impossible.

The Audacity of Hope.

Hope encourages. Hope grows out of no where and brings great thing Hope is eternal.

Hope encourages. Hope grows love. Hope sparks belief.

Who have you encouraged today...whose hope have you sparked. Imagine a home made sign tacked to a tree sparked the hope of a team to accomplish the impossible. The smallest gesture bringing the greatest results. Are you the spark that encourages hope?

We all praying here know about Faith Love and Hope. We know the love of a God that gave His only son for us. For our sins. That gesture sparked hope for generations. Imagine if you sparked hope for someone?

Faith is action. Today ...dare to spark hope. Look at something in a different light. Smile and say hello. Listen to someone's story ... really listen ...no matter how hard. Dare to ask someone is everything ok...can I help. Share a meal...visit an elderly neighbor... give someone in need ..something they need. Light the flame of hope. Tack that sign to a tree..

Send a link of this journal to someone who may need a faith push, ask God to show you someone who needs hope. You'll be more than glad you did. There is nothing like it. Do it today and dare to share it with us. Spark our hope.....

The Audacity of Hope.

Spark it in someone today.

 

Father I thank you for the rain. I thank you for everyone praying. I lift them before you and ask that you bless them mightily and in a big way. Father I ask that you show each of us how to spark hope today. That each of us would be that light that brings hope to hopeless. I thank you for the vision and that it has sparked hope. I pray you protection around each of us. That nothing that is not from you will prosper. I thank you for what you have done, I thank you for what you are going to do. I pray this in Jesus name Amen!