Closed Doors

This was sent to me in an email from my friend (and cousin) Angela.  I couldn't have written it better myself.  I thank God for all the doors He has closed in my life.  It all goes to show that it's about PERSPECTIVE.  Sometimes we don't always see things as they really are.  As I have said so many times, God sees "the big picture".  Here is the email.  I hope it blesses you as it has me.

 

Praise Him for Closed Doors

I've learned to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as I do an
open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not
prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong
door we would never find the right door. God directs our paths
through the closing and opening of doors.

One door closes; it forces you to change your course. Another door
closes; it forces you to change your course again. Then finally you
find the open door and you walk into your blessing. The Lord
directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors, but
instead of praising Him for the closed door (which keeps us out of
trouble) we get upset because we "judge by appearances."

You have an ever-present help in the time of need who is always
standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble
down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly! But
through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or
push aside the detour sign. Then the minute we get into trouble we
start crying "Lord how could You have done this to me?" We have got
to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't He say
that No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?

If you get terminated from your job - praise God for the new
opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be another
job, it might be school. If that man or woman won't return your
call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a
roadblock (just let it go).

We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement through
judging by appearances. I'm so grateful, my friends, for the many
times Our Father has closed doors to me just to open them in the
most unexpected places. The Lord won't always say in spoken words:
"Go to the left, now to the right" - sometimes! He will just close
the wrong doors.

My past few days...

I am glad to be able to tell you that David's mom, Joanne is doing really well. Please continue to remember that family in prayer. I went to my doctor's visit yesterday and I really feel like we got a lot accomplished. She put me on a fluid pill because of the swelling in my legs and feet. She said it comes from me sitting with my legs bent at the knee all day (like when you sit at a COMPUTER!!!). The pills seem to be helping and I just started them yesterday. She also put me on Paxil to help with my anxiety. So far I can't see any effects of that yet, but she said it takes up to two weeks to really get in your system before you can see any difference. Of course, the pills are a very minor part of that. I happen to be a patient of the Great Physician as well! I know that God has His hand on me. Without that, there aren't any pills or treatments or anything that would do me any good.

Today my kids and I went with my friends Debbie, Robin, Annie Ruth (and her boyfriend, Don), and Terra to Asheboro to sing for the mother of a friend of Debbie's. Her name is Betty and she is dying of cancer. Please pray for her and her family. Betty is saved and on her way Home, but she has many loved ones that are lost and are in need of your prayers. I pray that something that was said or done today will make a difference in someone's life. If just one soul is saved because of our endeavors, then it is worth it all!! We got lost going up there and a trip that should have taken around 45 minutes ended up taking us almost 2 & 1/2 hours!! But that was ok, because we had a lot of fun talking and singing and praising the Lord.

I always get uplifted when I am around them. They have been so good to me and are just like family to me. Debbie is such an inspiration to me. She has been through so much and is such a wonderful witness for the Lord. If you haven't seen her website, http://www.geocities.com/debbiesstory , then you really need to go check it out and read her testimony. I am going to try to talk her into starting a blog like this one so that she can update it more often. A blog is just so much easier to manage than an entire website. Anyway, Debbie is continually a blessing to me and when I feel weak or tested, I usually think of her and it encourages me to go on and try harder.

Robin has been my friend for a long time and she has always been a blessing to me. She loves the Lord so much and I firmly believe she really tries to put Him first in her life. I know that she has been an inspiration to so many people. She has a couple of websites too, that if you haven't seen them you need to! Her websites are http://www.geocities.com/mrsrobinbunting and http://www.iwantustobetogeatherinheaven.com . She also has some of her songs on there that you really need to hear. Robin and I used to sing in a gospel group called Redeemed and those are some wonderful memories I will cherish always.

Annie Ruth has been such a good friend to me and she is like a grandmother to me. She is always there to listen if I need someone to talk to and she has the most positive outlook of anyone I have ever known. You never hear her say anything bad about anyone. She is always loving and kind and I know she has blessed so many people. She and Don just recently started dating. I am so happy for them. I pray that things work out wonderfully for them. I have prayed for a long time that God would send her a companion. She lost her husband 3 years ago and he is waiting for her on the other side. But I am glad to see her have some happiness while she is still here on earth. Annie Ruth if you are reading this...I love you, and YOU GO GIRL!!! ;-)

Terra always makes me smile. She is always one to cut up and laugh. You just can't feel bad when you are around her. She has such a wonderful voice too. And she has been a blessing to me even though I don't always tell her. She has been through a lot recently but she didn't let the devil hold her down. She got back up on her feet and kept pressing forward. I respect her for that. And I know God will honor it as long as she keeps going on for Him.

I hope that between all of us someone got a blessing today. But even if no one else there got a blessing, I did. And the funny thing is that these are the same people that never fail to tell me what a blessing I am to them. I hope they know that THEY are the blessing. They are just a few of the wonderful people God has put in my life. You know, He always knows what we stand in need of. So He knows I need encouraging and uplifting (and funny!) people in my life to help keep me strong. That's why I have friends like Debbie, Robin, Annie Ruth, and Terra.

Please continue to pray for all the prayer requests and until next time, be blessed........

Love,
Stephanie

Hang On

My friend Robin, sent me this link.  I needed this right now.  (Thank you, Robin!!)  Maybe it will be a blessing to you too!

 

http://inspirations.crossdaily.com/hangon/

 

Until next time, be blessed......

 

Love,

Stephanie

Satan's Meeting

My friend, Annette sent this to me and I thought it was worth sharing (very true, too!):

 

 

SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)


Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.



In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."

"Give them headaches too! "

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."

"It will work!"

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.


I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?


You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Joanne

I just wanted to let you all know that I just talked to David and he said that Joanne is doing much better.  She had her surgery Monday and she is home now and doing well.  The only problem with her heart was a small artery was clogged but there was nothing they could do with it.  So thank you all for your prayers for Joanne.  Continue to pray that she would recover fast and fully!!  Thanks again!  Isn't God AWESOME?????

Another prayer request

Sometimes it seems there is so much sickness going around and so many people in need of healing.  But we can never pray too much!  Even if someone is about to go out to meet the Lord, we still need to pray for their families.  And God can work through sickness and death just like He can through anything.  So with that being said, please remember my friend JW and his family.  His grandmother is not doing well at all.  She has a lot of medical problems and is in the hospital right now.  Also continue to remember my friend David and his mother Joanne as well as the rest of their family.  I haven't heard from David in a few days so I am not sure how Joanne is doing, but I will let you all know as soon as I know.  And if you don't have anything else to pray for, pray for me.  I will be going to the doctor this Friday to find out why my feet and legs are swelling so badly and also to find out why I keep having panic attacks.  Sometimes they are so bad I feel like I am having a heart attack.  Of course, I know it is really a SATAN attack!!  Satan is the perpetrator of sickness and sorrow.  Therefore I rebuke him in the name of the Lord.  Jesus said that by HIS stripes, we are healed and I truly believe that.  So with your prayers and God's intervention I feel confident that I will get a good report from the doctor Friday. 

 

You know sickness comes in all forms, though.  Satan attacks not just our physical health, but our mental health as well.  And there are many people I know that are suffering from depression and other mental illnesses.  Pray for these people too.  There is this song that my friend, Robin sings called "We've Got The Power".  It says "though satan rages, we cannot be defeated".  I love that.  We have already won through the power of Jesus.  He gives us victory over sickness, sadness, poverty, loneliness, fear, addiction, and so many other plagues of satan.  If we will just stay prayed up and in God's will, we can overcome!!  God loves it when we pray for one another and He listens and answers our prayers according to His will.

 

One more thing before I go:  My friend Annette belongs to a motorcycle club that is very active in various community activities.  This past Saturday they had a hot dog supper to feed the homeless and needy.  She was telling me about a 21 year old woman that came to eat.  The woman was homeless....she had nothing....didn't even have shoes on her feet.  She said she had 2 children that were taken away from her when she became homeless and that the homeless shelter wouldn't even take her in because she didn't have any form of ID.  She had been living in the woods.  The girls gave her some shoes and clothes and fixed her a bag with snacks and drinks.  That will get her through for a little while.  But that woman (and so many like her) are in desperate need of your prayers.  Because although people can offer short-term help, God is The Problem Solver.  He can fix any situation.  And He can turn her whole life around.  A lot of people think that everyone that is homeless is an alcoholic or drug addict or that they "choose" to live that way.  That may be true of a percentage of people.  But there are a lot that are just like you and me.  They have run into hard times and ended up without a home or anywhere to go.  Without a permanent address it is hard for them to get a job and pull themselves out of their situation.  Don't ever think you are above being in that situation yourself!  Most Americans are only 2-3 paychecks away from being homeless!  I know myself that there were times that if it weren't for God's mercy and grace and the help of my family and friends, I could have very easily ended up homeless myself.  With the economy the way it is and jobs being lost right and left, there will be more and more people ending up on the streets.  We need to agree together in prayer for God to help these people and their situations.  And that He would get glory from whatever happens.  The Bible says that you know you are saved because you love the brethren.  Well, these people are our brothers and sisters too.  And they need our prayers. 

 

Well, I guess that is all for now, because it is already 11:30 and I have to get in bed (YAWN!!!).  Until next time, be blessed......

 

Love,

Stephanie

Today

We went to eat at a local restaurant tonight after church and as we were leaving there was a lot of smoke in the air and you could smell something was burning.  We looked across the road and noticed a lot of light coming from behind the shopping plaza that is across from the restaurant.  Wanting to know if anyone was aware of the fire, we rode over to see where it was coming from.  There were firetrucks and EMT vehicles everywhere.  Someone's house was completely ablaze.  We didn't want to be in the way of the emergency vehicles so we turned around and left.  Please remember this family, whoever they are.  I pray that no one was hurt or killed.  But even if everyone escaped alive and unharmed, that is still a terrible tragedy for anyone to lose their home.  Please pray for them.  We may not know who they are, but God does.

 

Also, I haven't heard anything new about David's mom, Joanne.  Please keep praying.  I will let you all know anything I find out as soon as I hear.  Thanks for praying!

 

Until next time, be blessed......

 

Love,

Stephanie

Prayer request

Please join me in prayer for my friend David's mother, Joanne. She is in the hospital right now and they think she may have had a heart attack. Please pray for God's healing of her body and strength and encouragement for her and her family.

Love,
Stephanie

More Memories...

It has been a couple of days so I thought I better put some more of my memories on here. There will still be more to come......

My friend, Michelle - My best memory of my friend Michelle is when she planned a surprise birthday party for my 24th birthday at Pizza Corner where we would go sing karaoke every weekend. She had balloons, cake and she had got most of my friends and family to be there and I was totally surprised! The marquise out front even said "Happy Birthday Stephanie" and I was so touched that she went to all that trouble for my birthday.

My friend, Crystal - Wow, this memory comes from way back. I remember when I was about 19 we used to go to a different church than where we go now. And the women's group drew names one year for "secret sisters" where you give little gifts to the person whose name you drew for the whole year and then at Christmas you reveal whose name you had. Crystal had my name and she had stumped me the whole year. I had no idea she was my secret sister. I still have a plaque that she gave me with the "Footprints" poem on it.

My ex-boyfriend, JW - He used to work for this company which required him to take business trips out of town. One time he took me with him to Rocky Mount, Virginia. We were in this hotel that was right smack in the middle of a valley. You could look around you and see mountains on all sides. He had to work most of the time we were down there but just being able to get away with him like that was a great treat and we had such a good time. I think I enjoyed the ride down there and back the best because we talked and sang and cut up the whole time.

My friend, Jennifer - My best memory of my friend Jennifer was when we went to White Lake last year with the other women from the church. Everyone else left Wednesday night after church but Jenn and I waited until Thursday morning and drove down together. She spent the night at my house and we left about 7:30 that morning. We had such a great time and talked so much. (Of course if you know me, then you know TALK is the key word there!!)

My sister-in-law, Kristi - One night Kristi and I went to Target in Greensboro and just spent the whole evening shopping and talking and then we went to Steak and Shake and had supper. It was one of the first times I had ever got to spend time with Kristi without my brother (her husband). I don't even remember why we went now, but we had such a good time.

My "sister", Sandi - I call Sandi my sister even though she isn't (at least by blood), because she has just always seemed like a sister to me. I remember one night when I was about 21 and she was 18 and we just drove around for a few hours talking. We were on our way to a lock-in at the church we used to go to and we were late getting there because we had been driving around. It was nice to be able to just have that kind of "bonding time", I guess you would say.

Well that's all for now. Like I said, I still have other memories to come. Until next time, be blessed....

Love,
Stephanie

I'm still here ;-)

I haven't written in a long time. I know it seems like every time I say that, I follow it with "there has been so much going on", but it is really the truth. We have been doing various fundraisers for the church and having a ball doing them. I absolutely loved the auction and cakewalk. I just love doing something for the Lord, and I love being around my church family. So between that and my family and my job, sometimes I don't have time to get on the computer anymore. My friend Crystal is learning alot about websites so I will probably enlist her to help me with the church website some if she wants to. Just so it will always be up to date. She has a blog at http://crystalstutts28.blogspot.com/ that I enjoy reading so much. And she had a post on there tonight about some of her favorite memories. So it gave me the idea to do something like that on my blog. God has been so good to me and blessed me with so many people that I love dearly. So of course I will not be able to list everything all at once, but maybe I can put a few on here at a time. So if you read this and don't see your name, don't be upset!!!! Because these are in no particular order LOL. So here are some of MY favorite memories...

My Mom, Geraldine - I remember one time when I was about 14 we lived on South Main St. in Graham and Mama had went out to feed the dog and she dipped the scoop in this huge bag of dog food we kept on the back steps. She pulled out a scoop of dog food and the bag started MOVING!!! All of a sudden a huge wharf rat came running out of the bag. Mama screamed so loud I bet people blocks away heard it!! It is funny now, looking back on it, but at the time it kind of surprised me because my Mama has always seemed so strong, I believe that is the first time I had ever seen her really scared of anything.

My brother, Brian - Brian is my baby brother and although he is only 18, he is so very talented. And everyone is always in awe of his musical talent because he can play any instrument he puts his hands on. But one of my favorite memories of Brian is a pretty recent one. It was the first night I did the show at the Majestic Theater and afterward all the cast had to stand outside and shake hands with the people as they came out. And Brian came up to me and he just had this big smile on his face because he was so proud of me. You could just see it all over him. He hugged me, and then he stepped back and shook his head and then he grabbed me and hugged me again! LOL! He couldn't even say anything! It was funny. But you know, that meant more to me than all the applause and cheers because you could just see that he was so proud of me. And I am used to it being the other way around, because I am so very proud of him!

My brother, Matt - My brother Matt is the middle child and he has always been such a cut up and a clown. He always keeps everyone laughing. I remember he went to New York with his class when he was about 14 or 15 and we were videoing him at the house that morning and then at the airport before he got on the plane. Well, Matt starts doing impressions and he is imitating the Klump family from The Nutty Professor. It was just hilarious. Then we were kind of filming the airport and honest to goodness, this man walks by that looks exactly like Sherman Klump. It was just so funny. Matt hasn't changed any either. He is 24 now and a police officer with UNC and I am very proud of all he has accomplished too. But he will always be our family comedian!!

My Dad, William - When I was in high school my Dad used to take us to school in the mornings. One morning we were going to school and somebody had put some stuff out at the road for a yard sale or something and Daddy saw it and was looking at it. Well he evidently got so interested in it that he had turned his head all the way around and the car just ran right off the side of the road. I was yelling "Daddy!!" and he turned back around and jerked the wheel and got the car back on the road and he just said "I've got it!" and kept on driving. He was just as calm even though he had scared the sense out of me and my brother Matt!! It's funny now though!

My Stepdad, Matt - My mom just got remarried on September 24, 2004 (yes she has a son named Matt, and now a husband named Matt too!! LOL). My stepdad is very quiet and doesn't say much even to us. He is just a quiet shy person. So he doesn't show a lot of emotion. But on my birthday this year he and my mom went to WalMart to pick up my birthday cake and the lady at the register said "Oh, someone is having a birthday!" and my stepdad said "Yes, it's my daughter's birthday." That just meant so much to me because he didn't have to say that. He could have said his stepdaughter, but obviously he feels like I am his real daughter. He doesn't even know that my mom told me. But that meant the world to me.

Well, that is my immediate family except for my kids and I would have to write a page a piece for them because they have given me so many wonderful memories. They are my life. But I also have grandparents, a sister-in-law, a nephew, and my many, many wonderful friends, so there will be more to come. But until next time, be blessed.......

Love,
Stephanie

WOW!!!

Lighthouse Baptist Church's hamburger steak dinner, cake walk, and auction were a huge success!! Thanks to all of you who helped out! We raised $2,179 last night!! God is definitely making a way towards our new church building. I am anxious to see how God blesses us next! Thanks again to all of you who helped us to achieve this goal. We still have a way to go, but we have a wonderful start and there are lots more activities to come. For a list of upcoming events, make sure you check out the calendar page of our church website at http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch

God bless you all!!

Love,
Stephanie

JOIN US!!

PLEASE COME JOIN US!!

Lighthouse Baptist Church will be having a Hamburger Steak Dinner this Saturday, June 4, 2005 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Plates come with a hamburger steak and two side items and are $6.00 per plate. Drinks and desserts will be available for 50 cents each. You can eat there or take your plates "to-go".

Then, starting around 6:00pm, we will be having an auction. Several items and services have been donated by area businesses and will be auctioned off including oil changes, gym memberships, tanning packages, hair cuts, car washes, golf course greens fees, restaurant gift certificates, and much, much more. Ear Candy has even donated a remote automobile starter valued at $300 that will be auctioned off. In addition to these great items, we also have furniture, antiques and more that will auctioned off as well.

If the auction doesn't interest you, we will also be having a cake walk where you can win homemade cakes, pies, brownies, or cookies. That will start around 6:00pm also.

And finally we will be having a 50/50 raffle and the winner will be announced at the end of the night. Tickets are $1 and you do not have to be present to win.

All proceeds from this event will go toward our building fund at Lighthouse Baptist and will be used to help build our new church building.

Please come join us for great food and a great time. All of this will take place at the church at 120 Hazel Drive in Burlington (off of Hwy 62 North past Triton Water Company). If you have questions or need directions, please email us at lighthousebaptistchrch@yahoo.com, or visit our website at http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch. You can also call the church at 336-570-3560. I hope to see you all there!

God Bless!

Love,
Stephanie

P.S.....Feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested. The more the merrier!!

Uncluttered Faith

UNCLUTTERED FAITH ------- by Max Lucado

Bedtime is a bad time for kids. No child understands the logic of going to bed while there is energy left in the body or hours left in the day. My children were no exception. One night years ago, after many objections and countless groans, the girls were finally in their gowns, in their beds, and on their pillows. I slipped into the room to give them a final kiss. Andrea, the five-year-old was still awake, just barely, but awake. After I kissed her, she lifted her eyelids one final time and said, “I can't wait until I wake up.” Oh, for the attitude of a five-year-old! That simple uncluttered passion for living that can't wait for tomorrow. A philosophy of life that reads, “Play hard, laugh hard, and leave the worries to your father.” A bottomless well of optimism flooded by a perpetual spring of faith. Is it any wonder Jesus said we must have the heart of a child before we can enter the kingdom of heaven? I like the way J. B. Phillips renders Jesus' call to childlikeness: “Jesus called a little child to his side and set him on his feet in the middle of them all. 'Believe me,' he said, 'unless you change your whole outlook and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.' (Matthew 18:2-3)_________________________________ From "And the Angels Were Silent"

Thank you!!

Thank you all so much for your prayers for Annie Ruth! She is doing much better and came home from the hospital today. She was even at church tonight, which was a blessing to everyone. She is still recovering, so please continue to remember her and her family in your prayers.

Isn't it just amazing what God can do???

Prayers Needed

Dear friends,

I need your help in praying for a dear friend of mine. Annie Ruth Perry, our church mother, had a heart attack late Saturday night and was hospitalized at Alamance Regional Medical Center in the Critical Care Unit. They discovered two blockages in her arteries. One was in her main artery and was 85-90% blocked. They went in today to put in two stints and later realized they had nicked a major artery while inserting the stints and now she is bleeding internally. Annie Ruth needs your prayers. Annie Ruth's son, DL, who is my pastor, often says we spend more time praying to keep people out of heaven than praying to get lost people into heaven. That is true, and I pray that God's will be done in this situation. But I am claiming healing for Annie Ruth because she is a blessing to me and to so many others. I also pray that God would use this situation to touch the lives of others. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." -Rom 8:28

Please join me in lifting up Annie Ruth and her family in prayer. Thank you.

Until next time,
Be blessed.....

Love,
Stephanie

It's me again...

I am terribly sorry that it has taken me so long to post. I have been incredibly busy with so many things that it just hasn't left much time for the computer. I do apologize though and I hope that you all have been leading blessed and happy lives. That being said, let's do some catching up:

First of all, I am pleased to announce that my church, Lighthouse Baptist Church, is raising money to build a new church. We are currently renting the church building that we are in and the Lord has led us to start working on building a church that we can call our own. Please remember us in prayer that God would continue to use us to minister to lost and hurting souls. If you would care to make a donation toward our building fund, please make your check or money order payable to Lighthouse Baptist Church and mail to 120 Hazel Drive, Burlington, NC, 27217. Any charitable donation is tax deductible and I know that God will bless you. You can also read more about this wonderful project by visiting our church website at http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch and clicking the link that says "special church announcement".

One thing that has kept me busy lately is the Piedmont Carolina Jamboree. The Majestic Theater opened in Burlington the first week of March, but we have been practicing for a couple of months for the show called the Piedmont Carolina Jamboree which is performed monthly at the theater. I do some singing and (very little) dancing in the show. It is a revue of gospel and classic country music the way they do in Branson, MO and Myrtle Beach, SC. It has been a blessing to me to be in the show (we had our opening night performance Saturday, March 19). Singing is something I love to do and this was an opportunity to do something I had never done before. I was very pleased with our performance on the 19th and look forward to our next show on April 23. But it has definitely been a lot of work. Sometimes staying over there until after 11:00 at night some nights. But I have made several new friends and got what I like to call "my fifteen minutes". I kind of feel like a small town superstar!! But I still give all credit, honor and glory to God. Without God, nothing would be possible and I know that any amount of talent I have came from Him, and Him only. But this has been an awesome opportunity to do something I love and it has led to God opening the door for me to witness to several people and plant a seed in their heart. Who knows? Maybe one day that could factor in to their deciding to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. God said His Word would not return void. So I feel this was a way God blessed me and used me at the same time. The show is supposed to run until December and I hope that I will be able to stay in it for the duration of the show. However, if at any time it starts to interfere with my work for the Lord, I will have to step aside and let someone else have the opportunity. No matter what happens, it is definitely an experience that I will remember all my life!!

Another thing that has kept me running are our Friday night Bible Studies and rest home visits. We alternate Fridays: one week we have Bible Study and the next week we visit the rest home to sing and minister to the shut-ins. I have learned so much from our Bible Study and I always get a blessing from the rest home visits. I would like to make sure I say a special thank you to our Brother Ricky Lee for heading up the Bible Study AND the rest home ministry. Brother Ricky is truly a blessing and I pray that God would continue to use him and bless him. There were a couple of Friday nights I have missed due to having the flu a few weeks back but I always look forward to Friday nights because I always get a blessing no matter which week it is!!

Speaking of the flu...there has been so much sickness going around, let's not forget to pray for each other that God would heal those among us who are sick and afflicted. We have not because we ask not, so I don't care if it's only a sniffle....I still say take it to God!!

Amidst the many blessings of the past few months, I have to say the devil is really fighting. You know he can't stand to see us blessed and happy. There have been many things that have happened in my life (some as recently as today!) that discourage me and get me down. But I take comfort in the fact that my God has the power to work it all out. He sees the big picture. We can only see one small frame at a time. So even though I may not understand why things happen as they do, God knows what's best and as long as I am serving Him to the best of my ability I can rest assured that whatever happens is what's best for ME as well. I am thankful that I serve such a loving and forgiving God. So much so that even in my times of doubt and unbelief (yes, I have those times too!) He still holds my hand and gently leads me on. He never leaves me. Even though I am so unworthy of even being loved by someone as wonderful and awesome as the one and only God Almighty. It is an overwhelming thing to think about sometimes. Especially when I stop and think back about all the times I have failed Him and been unpleasing to Him, He still loved me anyway. And He is always fighting for me and making a way when there seems to be no way.

I turned 30 years old this past Saturday (March 26) and I know some people get really hung up on turning 30 or 40 or whatever. All of those "milestone birthdays". But to me, it wasn't just another year for me to get older. There are several ways I looked at it. For one thing, God has let me live 30 years. THIRTY YEARS!! That's a pretty long time. I still consider myself young, but I can look around and see where God has called people out to meet Him that were not even half my age. I think 30 years on this earth is a blessing. On the flip side, I am one year older. But that also means I am one year closer to meeting my Maker. One year closer to leaving the pains and sorrows of this world and moving to my mansion that He has prepared specifically for me (because He LOVES me!!). Now don't get me wrong....I am not in any hurry to die. I want to see my children grow up and have a family of their own. I have loved ones I want to see saved. And there are many things I still hope to accomplish. But look at it this way: remember how when you were a child and it was the first of December and you would start counting down the days until it was Christmas. Every day you were a day closer to getting to open your presents and see what Santa had left for you. Well, that is the way I want to look at my birthdays. I have already been given the greatest gift ever given. God has given me eternal life. But every birthday is another year closer to me getting to meet the Giver of that gift. And another year closer to me being able to thank Him for all eternity. Kinda makes you wish we had birthdays more than once a year, doesn't it???

I have so many more things I would love to talk about, but I know this has gotten long enough. I hope you enjoyed reading and catching up with me and I hope to post again really soon. Please keep me in your prayers, and keep looking up. Until next time, be blessed....

Love,
Stephanie

The Tablecloth

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc. and on Dec, 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On Dec, 19th a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm - hit the area and lasted for two days.

On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor and, not knowing what else to do but topostpone the Christmas Eve service, he headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in.

One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored,crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was white like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained.

The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there.

They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the Tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. She was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall and explained that it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride.

They drove to Staten Island, to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and then witnessed the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid, who says God works in mysterious ways. I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today and asked Him to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares you know He will see us through.

This is a beautiful story.... how wonderful is our God!!!

So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying, and God will do the rest.

Pictures

I forgot to mention that I created an online photo album for the church website. If you would like to see the pictures you can go to http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lighthousebaptistchrch/my_photos or just click on the link on the home page of the church website at http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch . Enjoy!


Stephanie

It's been awhile

I have been so busy lately, that I haven't had much time to write anything.  I just wanted to take a few minutes to give thanks to the Lord for bringing us into another year.  I have been so blessed that I couldn't even begin to tell you all the wonderful things that the Lord did for me in 2004.  But I am certainly looking forward to a blessed and exciting 2005.  Already this year at church we have seen one soul saved that we have been praying for for a long time.  I am anxious to see more of the same! 

 

Everyone always makes New Year's Resolutions at the beginning of a year.  Most of the time they are things like "I'm going to quit smoking" or "I'm going to lose weight".  This year, my only "resolution" is that I want to do more for God.  Sometimes it seems like there is so much going on, between church and choir practice and the rest home ministry and bible study, not to mention the church website and my website, it seems like I can hardly get everything done.  But God always makes a way and I still have time to spare.  So I want to do even more.  I want to find new and interesting ways to reach people and bless them.  I can think back to about 4 years ago and how miserable I was, not being in the will of God, and how very few people took the time to tell me that they loved me and that Jesus loves me.  Even in the condition I was in, God still loved me.  There were times I needed to hear that.  And I know that right this very minute there are people in that very same shape that I was once in, and they need someone to show them love.  I want to be the one to show them that I love them and God does too!  I may not have a lot of money I can give others or even a lot of time that I can give.  But I could always give someone love.  That's the miraculous thing about love:  no matter how much you give, you can never seem to run out!  And when I think of how much love God has given to me, I think it's only fair that I give some of that to others. 

 

I firmly believe that God put each and every one of us here for a purpose.  And I have heard some people say "Well, I just don't know what my purpose is."  People tend to think that because they can't preach or sing or teach, then they can't do anything for God.  But that is just not true.  Sometimes, the smallest things go overlooked, because they seem too simple.  Maybe just giving someone an encouraging word is exactly what God put you here for!  And that is something that ANYONE can do. 

 

So I hope that while each of you are making your New Year's Resolutions, you resolve to be more for the Lord.  It's easier than quitting smoking or losing weight, and the benefits you get are a lot greater!! 

 

Much love to all of you!  Until next time, be blessed....

 

Love,

Stephanie

Christmas Drama

You are invited:

Lighthouse Baptist Church will be presenting their Christmas Drama, "The Midnight Cry" on Saturday, December 18, 2004 at 7:00pm and again on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 6:00pm in the church sanctuary.

We would love to see you there!!

If you need directions or more information, please call the church at 336-570-3560 or email me at stef326@hotmail.com

Sorry.....

It has definitely been a long time since I have posted, and I do apologize.  With Christmas right around the corner things are so busy.  We are performing the drama "The Midnight Cry" at our church on December 18 and 19, so between my normal obligations and play practices and everything I have been extremely busy!  I hope you all are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas.  Let us not forget that this holiday is not about gifts or Santa or Jingle Bells.  This is the birthday of our Lord and Savior.  The One who died so that you and I could have life.  As Brother Ricky says:  "The Winner of Every Battle".  That's our Jesus!  While you are giving gifts, please make sure you give your gift to the Lord.  After all, it is HIS birthday....He should be the one getting presents!!  You might say "But what can I give Jesus?  How can I give Him a gift?".  The answer is simple:  give of yourself.  Your time, your talents, or your money.  Help someone less fortunate than you.  If you will stop and look around you it won't take you very long to find someone that could benefit from your help.  Visit a nursing home and share the Christmas Spirit with some elderly people who may not have family that visits them.  Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter to help provide a meal for someone who doesn't have the option of a big family Christmas dinner.  If you can spare the money, you could buy some small gifts or groceries for a family in need.  There are many ways you can give to the Lord, but most of them take a little bit more effort than going to the local Wal-Mart.  Sometimes we get so caught up with our own hectic life that we fail to notice the circumstances of others around us.  But Jesus plainly said in Matthew 25:45 (NASB)  "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me."  So when we have a chance to help someone else and we neglect to do so, it is the same as neglecting Jesus.  This Christmas, give a gift to the Lord....by doing something for someone else.  Just think of the wonderful gift God has already given you!!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season and a blessed and happy New Year.  I will post again as soon as time permits, but until next time.....be blessed!

 

Love,

Stephanie

What Are You Thankful For?

Since today is Thanksgiving, I thought I would list some things that I am most thankful for.  I have so many things that I am thankful for, I hardly know where to start!  God has been so good to me!  But here are a few, and I hope you take the time to reflect on what you are thankful for, and give thanks to the One who makes it all possible:  God!!!

 

I am thankful that God loved me enough to send His Son, Jesus, to die for my sins.  He knew I couldn't reach Heaven on my own, so He sent a sacrifice to die in my place for all my sins.  Thank you, God.

 

I am thankful for my two beautiful children, Whitney and Dylan.  I don't know what I would do without them.  I couldn't ask for two better children and I love them more than life itself.

 

I am thankful for the rest of my family.  I have a wonderful mom and dad whom I love dearly.  I also have two brothers that mean the world to me, as well as a sister-in-law and nephew that I love so much.  God blessed me this year with a stepfather whom I love and who means so much to me.  I also have an adopted sister and niece that are as much family to me as if we were born into the same family.  My grandmother and step-grandfather on my dad's side are still living and I am thankful for them.  I love them very much too.  I also have aunts and uncles and cousins that I thank God for blessing me with.  Another blessing for me this year has been that my dad's stepsister and her family started coming to our church so I have gotten to know an aunt and uncle and cousins that I missed out on knowing as I was growing up.

 

I am thankful for my friends and my church.  I thought I should group these two together because for the most part, they are one in the same.  Most of my closest friends go to church with me and are such a blessing to me.  I am not even going to attempt to call them all by name, because I wouldn't want to leave anyone out.  I am thankful for my church and my pastor and his family.  I thank God that I attend a church where we are free to worship God and give thanks to Him.  I am also thankful for a church that makes me feel so loved and wanted.  My friends are so precious to me and I love them all.  Most of them are like family to me.  I also have friends that I have known from work or school or previous jobs, etc.  They are all as precious to me as jewels and I am so thankful for them.

 

I am thankful for my job, my home, my car.  The things I need to make my life better.

 

I am thankful for my health and for my family's health. 

 

I am thankful for the fact that although we may not always have what we want, we always have what we need.

 

I am thankful to live in a free country and a country where it's citizens are willing to fight to keep us free.

 

I am thankful for where I am in my life right now.  I am thankful that I am not what I used to be.  God has brought me a long, long way!

 

I am thankful for all the hard times, all the pain, all the tears that I have come through.  Without them I would not be where I am now.

 

I am thankful for the talents God has given to me.

 

I am thankful for everything in my life.  God has been so much better to me than I have ever been to Him.  Sometimes when I pray, I find myself praying for the needs of others, but then when I get to myself I hardly know what to ask for.  I have so much.  I am not rich by any means, as far as money and material things.  But what I have been blessed with is worth so much more!  God has given me such a wonderful life and wonderful people to share it with.  So, today and every day, I want to always remind myself of how blessed I am, so that I can remain thankful.  Thanks be to God, from whom all good things come. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

 

Until next time, be blessed....

 

Love,

Stephanie

Just a little note...

Just a quick note to tell all of you who don't already know...

 

Lighthouse Baptist Church will be having a 3-day revival starting Monday, November 22, 2004.  Service starts at 7:00pm each night.  The lineup is as follows:

 

Preaching Monday and Tuesday nights will be by Rev. Don Collins from Friendly Chapel in Pilot Mountain, NC.

Preaching Wednesday Night will be by Bishop Clay from Morgantown First Baptist in Burlington, NC.

 

There will be lots of good singing from the church singers as well as visiting singers each night.

 

Please come visit with us......we are expecting a GREAT time!

 

If you need more information or directions, please email me or call the church at 570-3560.

 

Hope to see you all there!!!!!

 

Love,

Stephanie

He's Never Failed...

"And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof."  -Joshua 23:14 (KJV)

 

I wasn't planning on writing anything tonight, but I was sitting here thinking about how so many things fail us.  I woke up this morning and went out to go to work and found that I had a flat tire.  That one little incident threw me off the whole day.  I just naturally assumed that when I walked out my door this morning, I would be able to jump in my car and drive off.  But because of that flat tire, my car failed me this morning.  It didn't fulfill it's purpose in my life, because I couldn't get it to do what it was supposed to do.

 

When I got to work, I took a service call that required me using the 2-way radio to contact one of our drivers.  The 2-way radio would not work properly.  When I pressed the button on the 2-way radio, it should have alerted the driver's radio.  That didn't happen.  Again, something that I needed had failed me. 

 

I went to the rest home this evening for Brother Ricky's bi-weekly ministry and he asked me to sing "Four Days Late".  I had failed to bring my soundtracks, so I didn't have the tape I needed to provide the background music.  Fortunately, GW was there to play the piano for me.  But I had failed to be prepared like I should have been.

 

Sometimes, we all have things to fail us.  Sometimes we fail others.  But isn't it good to know that God NEVER FAILS??  He's always there - He always comes through - He never leaves you hanging. 

 

A lot of times, when we pray, we think God has failed us because He doesn't answer our prayers the way WE think they should be answered.  But God always knows best.  He always answers our prayers, even if He has to answer it with a "no".  We foolishly think that we know what's best for us, but God knows our past, present, and future.  He sees things we cannot see.  So He alone knows how to best meet our needs and grant our requests.  Sometimes we want so many things.  But what we want isn't always what we need.  Often times, what we want is not the best thing for us.  Country singer Garth Brooks had a song a few years ago that said "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers".  The wording on that is a little off.  It would have been better to have said "some of God's greatest gifts are when he says no to your prayers".  But the words to the song still have a good meaning.  Here's an exerpt:

 

Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again

 

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life

 

Even though that's just a song, I want you to think about it for a moment as if it were real life.  God didn't really "not answer" the man's prayers.  Instead, God had answered his prayers with a "no".  He wouldn't grant the man's request to make the high school girlfriend stay with him for all time, because God knew that later on there was someone better that the man should be with. 

 

Stop and think for a moment about all the things you have prayed for in your life.  I guarantee you there are at least a few that you can look back on and say "God, I'm glad you didn't do that for me!"  If God granted all of our requests the way WE ask Him to, our lives would be a mess.  Because we just don't know what we really need. 

 

But speaking of things we really need.....God always comes through with just that!!  He meets our needs and gives us so much above and beyond what we even ask for.  From little things, to mighty big things.  God is always right on time with whatever we are needing in our lives.  He has never failed! 

 

So whatever you stand in need of in your life tonight, just trust in God to do what's best.  He said He would never leave you, never forsake you.  In Psalm 37:25 (NIV) the Bible says:  "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

 

Our God is a God of victories, not failures.  He can do whatever you stand in need of, if you will just trust in Him.  Have faith and take comfort in the fact that "...of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof."  -Joshua 23:14 (KJV) (paraphrase)

 

Until next time, be blessed....

 

Love,

Stephanie

Prayer Warriors Needed

Please pray for Malcom ("Johnny") Strauss's 3 year old daughter.  She is in CCU at Alamance Regional after having a heart attack.  (Yes, she is three years old and had a heart attack.)  And her brother, Scott Strouth, age 23, was visiting her in the hospital and collapsed with a heart attack himself and is now a patient in CCU also.  Please pray for this family. 

 

When the prayer request was given to me there was some question as to the spelling of the last names for these people, but I have posted it the way it was written and given to me.  The good news is, GOD knows them!!  So all we need to do is ask Him to touch them!  Thank you in advance for your prayers!

 

Love,

Stephanie

Please continue to pray....

Please continue to pray for Rev. James McKinney.  The doctors have diagnosed him with leukemia (the fast-spreading kind) and have given him 3 months to live.  Pray that God would heal his body and give comfort and strength to him and his family.  Thank you.

 

Love,

Stephanie

Beauty For Ashes....

Isaiah 61 (NIV)

 

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[1]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
⁵ Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
⁶ And you will be called priests of the LORD ,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

⁷ Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.

⁸ "For I, the LORD , love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
⁹ Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

¹⁰ I delight greatly in the LORD ;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
¹¹ For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

 

I was reading an email from a dear friend tonight who is going through a very emotionally painful time in her life.  She said "if this is the right thing to do, then why does it hurt so bad?"  The devil tricks us into thinking that because we may feel pain or sorrow, then we are not in God's will.  But that is a lie!  God is there to help us through our times of grief, as the above scripture plainly says.  Don't let the devil deceive you!  Follow God's plan for your life and he will give you beauty for your ashes, and the oil of joy for your mourning.  Be content with your life the way it is.  Don't worry about the things that you don't have or the things you have to let go of.  "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  -Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

 

Remember, if God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it!!  And when it seems like you have lost everything, remember that God is always there with us, and if we have Him then we have everything.  And if you are having a hard time right now, look up!!  This too shall pass!  "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."  -Psalm 30:5 (KJV)   (That is one of my very favorite scriptures!!!)

 

Whatever you are going through, keep praying.  With God on your side, you can't go wrong.  If He leads you to do something you can rest assured it is the RIGHT thing to do!  And take comfort in the fact that JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING!!

 

Until next time, be blessed......

 

Love,

Stephanie

Gonna Reach Heaven

I wanted to share with you all the words to one of my favorite songs.  The words have such a deep meaning to them.  Stand strong for Jesus, and no matter what satan throws at you, you just keep saying that you're GONNA REACH HEAVEN!  Until next time, be blessed....

 

Love,

Stephanie

 

GONNA REACH HEAVEN

 

I've read in the Bible

About saints in the past

Who held on to God's promise

Put their faith to the test

But I know they had a hold of

His powerful hand

For in the midst of the storm

They should have gone down

They found strength to stand

 

So let the flood waters roll

Let the storm winds blow

Let everything hell has tear at my soul

It may hinder me

Bring me down on my knees

But that's as far as I'll go

Not a battle's been lost on that old rugged cross

I'm going to reach Heaven no matter the cost

Next mountain I climb

I just might find

Sweet Heaven in view

 

These dark stormy days

That we're living in

They're bound to shake us

Time and time again

But the very same power

He has given to me

And the same mighty hand

That caused them to stand

Still brings victory

 

So let the flood waters roll

Let the storm winds blow

Let everything hell has tear at my soul

It may hinder me

Bring me down on my knees

But that's as far as I'll go

Not a battle's been lost on that old rugged cross

I'm going to reach Heaven no matter the cost

Next mountain I climb

I just might find

Sweet Heaven in view

The Easy Way Or The Hard Way...

We had 2 wonderful services at church today! We had 3 people saved and 1 that rededicated her life to God. Please pray for these people that they would stay in God's Will. Thinking of that, I had just a couple of thoughts I wanted to share before going to bed....

My friend, Debbie, and I were talking tonight about how we go through so many things "the hard way". Have you ever heard someone say, "OK, we can do this the easy way or the hard way....it's up to you."? Well, a lot of times that is exactly what God is telling us. If we serve Him, we can reap His blessings and go about life "the easy way". Granted, "the easy way" isn't always so easy, but it sure beats the alternative!! And so many of us choose the alternative: "the hard way".

We sometimes have situations in our lives where we know God is wanting us to do one thing, but we stubbornly choose to do another. Thus, taking the hard way. God is going to get you where He wants you in the end, regardless. So why do we make things so rough on ourselves?

I have two younger brothers that I love dearly. And back when I was out of church and had turned my back on God, if either of them had come to me and said they wanted to live like I was living I would have done everything in my power to try to get them to live better than that. So, in essence, the life that I was living wasn't good enough, in my opinion, for either of my brothers, but it was perfectly acceptable for me! I realize now how insane that sounds. But it just goes to show that deep down I knew that the life I was living wasn't right. I wasn't pleasing to God, and I wasn't even pleasing to myself.

I was 23 years old and I had just left my husband, whom I had been married to for 6 years. I wanted to live the life I had never known. So I started going to bars and drinking. I totally turned my back on the 9 years I had lived for God. I know I brought my family much embarrassment and pain. My mother even told me later that she came to my house one day while I was gone and annointed everything in my house and prayed over it that I would return to God. Deep down I wasn't happy. I was always searching for something to make me feel good. If it wasn't alcohol, it was a man; if it wasn't a man, it was my good-time partying friends. I always felt alone, even when I was in a room full of people. I constantly wondered who I really was. And I often thought, there has got to be more to life than this. There were several times when, if it hadn't been for my 2 children, I would have taken my own life. There are other times when I put myself in such stupid and dangerous situations that it is a wonder that someone else didn't take my life. I had chosen to go about things "the hard way".

But God knew where I would end up. And it took me losing almost everything I had to make me turn back to Him and say "OK, God.....I give up....I'll give it all to you if you will just let me come back to you." And you know what? He did. Just like that. And little by little I learned how to go about things "the easy way".

The "easy way" is to let God have complete and total control of your life. He really has all the control over your life anyway, so it's just a matter of you giving in to it. It's kind of like if you had a rope tied to your car and someone pushed it over a cliff. If you pulled and pulled you might could slow it down, but eventually the car is going to go over anyway. Because the pull of the car is stronger than we are. It's the same way with God: When we go against the plan He has for our lives, it slows down the eventual outcome, but the result is always what God wanted in the beginning. And just like with the car, if you pulled and pulled, the car is still going to go over the cliff, but you will have strained your muscles, calloused your hands, maybe seriously hurt yourself in the process. Again, it's like that with God: When we pull away, we hurt ourselves. Many times the scars that we receive while running from the Lord, are present for the rest of our lives.

Now that I am in God's Will, I can honestly say that it IS easier. I don't worry like I used to. I trust God. I know He will take care of me. He always meets my needs. There hasn't been a time when God didn't come through for me. Even though there are many times I haven't come through for Him.

Many of us choose the hard way because we want to be in control of our lives. We want to make our own decisions, and we foolishly think that we know what's best for us. But wouldn't it be so much better (and yes....EASIER!) to be able to hand all that over to someone who really DOES know what's best for us. God knows what you stand in need of even before you ask! "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." -Matthew 6:7-8 (NASB) And not only does He know what we need, He said He would give it to us! "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." -Psalm 37:4 (KJV)

God has a perfect will and plan for each and every one of us. All we have to do is trust in Him, instead of pulling away from Him.

So....WE CAN DO THIS THE EASY WAY OR THE HARD WAY, IT'S UP TO YOU!

I want to leave you with the chorus of a song that my friend, Angela, sings at church. It's called "He'll Do It Again". No matter what you are going through, God has brought you through situations that seemed hopeless before, and He'll do it again!! It just makes it so much easier when you decide to go about it "the easy way". Until next time, be blessed....

Love,
Stephanie

He'll do it again

He'll do it again

If you'll just take a look

At where you are now

And where you've been

Well hasn't He always come through (for you)

He's the same now as then

You may not know how

You may not know when

But He'll do it again!

Debbie's Website

I don't think I mentioned that my friend, Debbie, now has her website up and running. She has a wonderful, touching testimony that you definitely need to read. Just go to http://www.geocities.com/debbiesstory

I hope you are all blessed by it as I was. And don't forget to sign her guestbook!!!

Much love to you all. Until next time, be blessed.....

Love,
Stephanie

Update (and more...)

Thank you all for your prayers for Donna, Jordan and Logan Lee. They are at home recovering and doing well. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

Also, please pray for my former pastor, Rev. James McKinney. James has been diagnosed with leukemia and is in need of all of our prayers.

With so much sickness around us, it is plain to see that satan is fighting us all big time! We need to pray him out of our homes, jobs, schools, relationships.....anywhere where he can get a foothold. God's Word tells us we have the power to rebuke the devil: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." -James 4:7 (NIV)

We also have the power to claim healing for ourselves and for others: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." -Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

Sometimes we forget the power which God has instilled in us. It is time to call upon that power and take back the things that satan has taken from us!! We must refuse to let satan have dominion over our lives, robbing us of our health, our peace and our joy. I ask that each of you just take a few moments and pray with me:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to call upon you once again. Lord, I ask that you forgive me of all my sins and shortcomings that I might have a clear prayer line to you. God, I ask that you turn loose your power in my life and in the lives of those around me. There are so many that are sick and afflicted. I know many who are lost and hurting. God, I ask that you just make yourself real in their lives and do what needs to be done, according to your will. Lord, heal those that are sick. Touch their bodies and make them whole. Father, we know and believe that with you, all things are possible. Lord, please just work miracles all around us and continue to amaze us with your wonderous works. Lord, I call upon you to rule my life and lead me in the ways in which you want me to go. Strengthen and encourage me that I might be a shining light for you, God. Lord, drive the devil out of our homes and our surroundings and bless us with your mercy and grace. Take those that are lost or backslidden and touch their hearts and minds that they might come to you and give their hearts and lives to you. Lord, help me and the others reading this and praying along with me to proudly proclaim the gospel and be your servents. Help us to pray until our world is shaken up and many come to know you and confess you as Lord. God, I just want to thank you for all that you have already done and all that you are about to do. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. We will give you all the glory and the honor, for it is in Jesus' precious name that we pray. Amen.

Now, please continue to pray. Let's all P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens). Our generation is in need of a major wake up call. And we have within us the power to defeat satan and really do a work for the Lord. I challenge each of you to continually pray and take note of the things happening around you. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19 (NASB): "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven."

So, if we will come together in prayer we will see miracles happen!!

Until next time, be blessed.....

PLEASE PRAY

Please pray for Donna Lee and her two daughters, Jordan and Logan. They were in a very bad automobile accident this morning in Moore County. Please pray for their health and recovery.

Things that make you go "hmmmmmm..."

"Don't let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case"

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited - until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes and sand gnats come close.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

He who angers you, controls you!

If God is your Copilot - swap seats!

Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

And my personal favorite:

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong!