I will not be moved!

"Will Not Be Moved" By Natalie Grant

I have been the wayward child, I have acted out. I have questioned Sovereignty, And had my share of doubt. And though sometimes my prayers feel like, They're bouncing off the sky. The hand I hold won't let me go, And is the reason why...

I will stumble, I will fall down. But I will not be moved! I will make mistakes. I will face heartache. But I will not be moved! On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand. I will not be moved!

Bitterness has plagued my heart, Many times before. My life has been like broken glass, And I have kept the score. Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed, That I was far too gone. My brokenness helped me to see, It's grace I'm standing on.

And the chaos in my life, Has been a badge I've worn. Though I have been torn, I will not be moved

I am the singer of many songs, and in many ways, songs are what speak to me. I love that God gave us words like this that we can relate to. In many instances, we hear these words, but sometimes it takes a special song to make them make sense.

Luke 4:1-13 "Jesus and the Devil"
1When Jesus returned from the Jordan River, the power of the Holy Spirit was with him, and the Spirit led him into the desert. 2For forty days Jesus was tested by the devil, and during that time he went without eating. When it was all over, he was hungry. 3The devil said to Jesus, "If you are God's Son, tell this stone to turn into bread." 4Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say, `No one can live only on food.' " 5Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth. 6The devil said, "I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7Just worship me, and you can have it all." 8Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say:`Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!' " 9Finally, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and had him stand on top of the temple. The devil said, "If you are God's Son, jump off. 10-11The Scriptures say: `God will tell his angels to take care of you. They will catch you in their arms, and you will not hurt your feet on the stones.' " 12Jesus answered, "The Scriptures also say, `Don't try to test the Lord your God!' " 13After the devil had finished testing Jesus in every way possible, he left him for a while.

Oh to be like Jesus and say "I will not be moved". The devil pressed every side and tempted Jesus in every way. What should be noted is that JESUS WAS TEMPTED!!! HE just knew a God that was bigger than the devil. We often think that the grass is going to be so much greener on the other side, until we realize just what we had to give up to have that green grass. Oh God, help me to stand strong and not be moved. "I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed!!! I am blessed beyond the curse, and your Joy is going to be my strength!

I hope that this is helpful to someone!

Love!

I am every man...or woman!

"Every Man"

I'm the man with all I've ever wanted All the toys and playing games. I am the one who pours your coffee, corner booth each Saturday. I am your daughter's favorite teacher,I am the leader of the band. I sit behind you in the bleachers. I am every man. I'm the coach of every winning team, and still a loser in my mind. I am the soldier in the Airborn facing giants one more time. I am the woman shamed and haunted by the cry of unborn life. I'm every broken man, nervous child, lonely wife.

Is there hope for every man? A solid place where we can stand.

In this dry and weary landIs there hope for every man. Is there love that never dies.

Is there peace in troubled times. Someone help me understand. Is there hope for every man.

Seems there's just so many roads to travel, it's hard to tell where they will lead. My life is scarred and my dreams unraveled. Now I'm scared to take the leap. If I could find someone to follow who knows my pain and feels the weight. The uncertainty of my tomorrow, the guilt and pain of yesterday.

There is hope for every man. A solid place where we can stand. In this dry and weary land.

There is hope for every man. There is Love that never dies. There is peace in troubled times. Will we help them understand? Jesus is hope for every man.

He is hope for the hopeless and strength for the weary.

Isaiah 40:28-31

28 The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Wow!!! God is the EVERLASTING GOD!!!! He is HOPE for every man. I think it is so funny when we reach our last straw...we are there all to often, and we are hopeless. Who do we truthfully turn to? Do we turn to God first? Do we turn to him after all of our other venues have let us down? I love that he will not grow tired or weary, and that he has understanding that no one can fathom. I want to turn to God I want for him to be my hope. When I'm down he lifts me up and he renews my strength. Many of life's journeys take us down paths that we never thought we would be on. We find ourselves scraping the barrel to get through or telling ourselves that we will change what is hendering our lives tomorrow. When we do that we are not trusting God, we are putting him to the side which is what most often gets us in the situations we are in. Thank you God for being my hope and loving me when I am unlovable. You are strength beyond all measure!

Love you guys!

My Vacation

Well I did finally get some much needed time off from work. I got to sleep in late and act like I was on summer vacation from school. But the highlight of my vacation was my trip to New York. I went to see Jason. He was his wonderful self and showed me a great time in NYC. I have said it a hundred times that I haven't ever been anywhere, and now that would be a lie.

I flew into Chicago O'Hare Airport which was scary and then to NY Lagordia Airport which was not as scary cause I knew a face when I got there! It was so much fun! We hit the ground running literally! They do not know how to walk up there! Jason took me to see all the sights and they were so tall! I was loving it! It was unreal to be in the land of the giant buildings. After my star struck self got it together, I finally started taking pictures and enjoying this old city that is forever changing. There is so much architecture there that it is hard to take it all in! I was able to see Lady Liberty, the Empire State Building, Time Square, Ground Zero, Grand Central Station, Park Avenue, The Waldorf Astoria, and many other things that I do not know the names of! One of my favorite memories was when he took me down to Little Italy. It was getting darker and they were turning the lights on. It was magnificent! And again I was starstruck! So when it was time to come home, I must admit, I was terribly sad! We had a great time getting to know each other even better, but it was back on the airplane. He dropped me off at the airport and my plane had been delayed! Big surprise huh! My plane was 1 1/2 hours late and then they had us on the tarmack for 2 hours. I was very tired, but couldn't sleep on there. Luckily, there were great people to my right and to my left! The lady to my left was soon to be starring as "Baby" in Dirty Dancing in an off Broadway Play which is set to start in September in Chicago. We laughed and talked about the movie. She stated that she thought I knew more about the movie than she did! We had a great time. On the last leg of my flight, I sat beside a newly retired soldier from Texas. He had just returned from his last bit in Iraq. We talked about the war and at the end of the conversation, I got to do something that I know most of us would like to do. I told him Thank You! He had a surprised look on his face. He told me not many people had ever said that to him! It's amazing the people that God puts you beside! Thanks to all who were praying for me during my vacation. I had a great time and was truly blessed! Jason if you're reading this! Thanks for a wonderful time in NYC!!! I owe ya!

I'm in BETTER hands NOW

It's hard to stand on shifting sand. It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night. You can't be free if you don't reach for help. You cant love if you dont love yourself.

There is hope when my faith runs out. Cause, I'm in better hands now

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down. It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground. So take this heart of mine there's no doubt, I'm in better hands now.

I am strong all because of you. I stand in awe of every mountain that you move. Oh I am changed, yesterday is gone. I am safe from this moment on.

There's no fear when the night comes 'round. I'm in better hands now.

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down. It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground. So take this heart of mine there's no doubt, I'm in better hands now.

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down. It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground. Its like the world is silent though I know it isnt true. Its like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room.

So take this heart of mine there's no doubt, I'm in better hands now.

Romans 8:18
"For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us."

I have been singing this song in my head for about a week now. I hope it is a blessing to others as it has been to me. I sit here attempting to think outside the box. To remember times when I was waltzing through life. One definition for "Waltz" that I found was "to move briskly and unhesitatingly". I did that and did it well for a long time, but as of late, my life has been more complicated. A dance that I do not know, one that I am not picking up easily.

One area of weakness that I feel Christians struggle with is that it is never going to be easy. When storms rage we have to find ways to protect ourselves. When problems confront us on ever angle of our lives, we have to find constructive ways to make it out. "We are made overcomers by our testimony". We are made overcomers when we no longer sit in our bitterness, We are overcomers when we praise through through the rough times as well as the good times, We are made overcomers when we pray and we know that God hears us because his audible voice comes and comforts you right where you kneel. I love the words of this song when she says: "It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down. It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground. Its like the world is silent though I know it isnt true. Its like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room." God take this heart of mine there's no doubt, I'm in better hands now!!!

Love you guys!

How to Plant your life!!!

How To Plant Your Garden First, you Come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses....
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING,

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another

TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2.. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

JOY

As I sat in church last night, I felt as though my toes were totally being stepped on! And I questioned myself "DO I HAVE JOY?". Here I am listening to the words that are haunting me by night. So I decide I have to continue to make a change. Bro. Greg stated "The secret of JOY is perspective". Where has my perspective been. Well for those of you who have been reading, I have been having a moment for almost a month now...and yes moments do last that long.

• Joy comes from understanding the truth. "I know the truth!!! God is faithful and just"
• Joy comes from having peace from God. "Well I know I am a child of the most high king, but am I listening to him? Do I realize that I don't have to carry my burdens by myself? Come unto me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest"
• Joy comes from being accepted. "I know that I am loved"
• Joy comes from seeing the big picture. "My God has a plan, and I asked him to use me; therefore, I must be able to accept the changes he has to make in order for me to be the person he wants me to be".
• Joy comes from having hope. "Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

I am running in a race, that I know I will eventually win! God is in control! Thank you to those of you who continue to pray for me. You will never fully know how much of a blessing you all are to me!

"Sometimes the devil sends his best before God sends his best"