New Life

Here I sit at 6:30 in the morning drinking my second cup of chocolate coffee, watching the morning news, catching up on my blog reading, and gearing up for a new day. Steeling myself to face the low 40 degree weather expected today. What happened to the 80 degrees we enjoyed yesterday? Such is Spring in Arkansas.

I've been studying Nehemiah and had planned to write a heart warming blog about how we can face adversity in the same manner...but that blog will have to wait for another time.

Yesterday, I spent my first day working at BJ's Plants and Produce. Owned by my sister-in-law and operated by her youngest son and only daughter. I loved it! Hard work, but it was fantastic being surrounded by my family. My sister-in-law runs the cafe attached to the "market" which makes lunch convenient. Best of all just a couple hundred yards away is Kyzer's and my wonderful husband. Nothing brightens my day more than to look around and see his smiling face.

I love being surrounded by all the plants and flowers! I worked there a couple of summers when Jake was a toddler and surprisingly...it's like riding a bike...all the information came rushing back. But that's not what this blog is about either...

Intent to begin their new life together in church, Tyler and Cara attended services with us Sunday morning. Tyler has been living with us since January 1st and we have had many conversations about God, the Bible, and salvation in Christ. He attended church off and on growing up but I am not sure about Cara.

Tyler gave his life to Christ! His prayer is that he can be a Godly husband and father. I know I should not be amazed but it never seems get old, does it? That feeling of joy when one accepts the Savior.

Cara and I've spent much of the past couple of days in deep conversation. I have given her my old NIV Life Application Bible...and instead of just praying with them when they have a need we have re-instituted family Bible study and prayer time which had turned to just a couples thing when Jake moved out.

As we continue to pray for this young couple, for direction for a new husband, for salvation for a new wife...as we encounter the Spirit of God on the move in our very home our hearts can not help but leap for joy in the assurance that when we knock, He opens, when we seek...He finds.

God is indeed good...He is alive...He is well...and His Spirit is on the move!

THE BLOOD

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.

As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry,teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be.

He began to speak and his statement was this: "My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here.. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.

Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!


"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:23

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out or your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?' You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove he speck from your brothers eye." Matthew 7:3-5 ~NIV

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Watts

Our friend, Adam, officiated the ceremony but he had the flu and made Cara and Tyler get married outside so they would be less likely to get sick. It was a bit chilly....

Tyler with his best man, Bruno....or should I say, man's best friend?

Cara and maid of honor, Princess Isabella.

Mr. and Mrs. Tyler D. Watts

Two Became Three Before They Were One

I was startled awake at one in the morning as Tyler whispered the words, "Mom I need to talk. Cara is pregnant and she says the baby is mine." The alarm was set for two, my regular prayer time, so sleepily I sat up and turned on the lamp.

Quietly listening as his emotions ran their natural course, asking all the pertinent questions and some stupid ones...silently praying... Wondering now what direction these two lives would take. They had broken up just two days before... she needy... he selfish... both loving the other more than they ever loved anyone else in their 19 years of life yet not knowing how to have a relationship.

Two teenagers desperately seeking the unconditional love they had been denied during their formative years. He sent off to foster care because his step dad was just a bit too physical with discipline. She shipped off to her grandmother's because of some inappropriate actions by her step father. Neither one chosen first over the men in their mothers lives. Both still searching for approval and acceptance by the one person who is supposed to love, guide, and protect them. Knowing full well that time may never come, reluctantly trying to accept this travesty of nature.

With no where to go and no one left to turn to once her grandmother found out "the truth" she found herself on our door step running into the arms of the only person who accepts her for who she is.

The past two weeks we have talked of life, love, consequences, and God as a plan for the future was fashioned. Tyler had gone to church for a while with his step grandmother...but had tons of excuses to not attend with us. Cara told us her mother did not believe in God and she did not allow Cara or her brother to believe either. These words stung my soul as the tears began to form, my mother's heart aching, my evangelist soul wanting to snatch her from the pit right then and there.

They will be married tomorrow in our living room with Bruno, the Chocolate Lab as best man and Princess Isabella the Chihuahua, as maid of honor. Miss Theresa and Brother Jimmy as witnesses... She in last years homecoming dress and he in a borrowed suit coat.

As they begin their lives together their first step is to attend church. So sweet were the words he said to her..."When I went to church I felt I had a hope." Ahhh...it is a beginning. They talked of ways to treat each other, things they want to do... things most of us take for granted... like eating dinner together at the dining table. They talked about the kind of husband and wife they want to be, the kind of parents their child deserves. The routine for security, church for hope and faith.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you a hope and a future." ~NIV

A love six months in the making... a marriage predicted for failure... a new family supposedly heading down an already broken road...

Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." ~NIV

As we expose them to the unconditional love of Christ, and attempt to guide them into a true relationship with each other...as we give them support and confidence in a future with God at the helm... we ask for your heart-felt prayers.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,, who have been called according to His purpose." ~NIV

Titus 2 Blog Party

I learned of this party over at Home Haven Ministry and Civilla's Cyber Cafe and since I love a good party thought I would join in. There is a link to the left and I think it would be grand if you joined us as well. There is still time left.

Here's a bit about me...

My life is pretty much an open book. While I got my first taste of blogging on MySpace I began blogging in earnest sometime last year. My blogs are typically religious or spiritual in nature, though I actually disdain both those words to describe my relationship with my Lord and Savior.

I gave birth to my first son at 17 and as you can imagine...I took the hard road to growing up. I was a battered wife, drank too much...and did any drug that was offered to me just to numb the pain of the decisions I had made and the mess my life was in. I credit my son, Richard, for giving me the strength and courage to move out and start over...sober and clean. I could never have done any of this without the support and love of my parents. I am thankful each day for their belief in me.

My husband was a Christian when we began dating and I thought going to church with him was a condition to continue dating him. My children laugh when they hear I told him I would go to the Sunday morning preaching but I was not going to be one of those "sisters" who was at the church every time the doors were opened.

I was saved at 28 and it was at that time that life began to have real meaning. I know I am where God wants me to be and I know I am who He has made me. It is because of my relationship with Him that my marriage, my career, my family have been successful.

My husband and I will be married 20 years this coming June. My oldest son, Richard, is now a youth minister and both he and his wife, Cheri and their two children, Hunter and Gage are very active in their church as well. Our youngest son, Jake, also a Christian, is active duty Army and is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

My husband, Jimmy, led both Richard and me, to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. I taught Sunday School for many years. Jimmy and I were also part of the Children's Church Ministry Team at our former church.

2009 brought with it a renewed sense of urgency for me to share the gospel with all I come into contact with. I am so thankful for my new friends in the blogosphere. I am learning much, growing more, and hope and pray I can make a difference in their lives as much as they are making in mine.