Posted on in About, Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Prayers, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Give Thanks To The ONE!

Give thanks to the One who created you

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them. (Genesis 1)

Give thanks to the One who loves you

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3)

Give thanks to the One who sustains you

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (Psalm 23)

Give thanks to the One who forgives you

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23)

Give thanks to the One who helps you

2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121)

Give thanks to the One who strengthens you

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in  time of trouble. (Psalm 46)

Give thanks to the One who died for you

10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep,

we may live together with him. (  1 Thessalonians 5)

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Dear Heavenly Father, today and everyday,we want to thank You!   We thank You for your love.  We thank You for your grace and  your mercy. We thank you for your faithfulness to us even when our faithfulness to You falls short.   And Dear Lord,  we most certainly want to thank you for Jesus! (For where would we be had He not died for our sins?)  Dear Lord, we thank You for this day of Thanksgiving.  In the sweet and precious name of  Jesus, Amen!

Posted on in Encouragement

This is a reblog from last year! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Jackie's avatarBroken-2b-Restored

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving,

and tell of all thy wondrous works.  Psalm 26:7

Whatever God has brought you through, isn’t that enough just to say, Thank you!, Lord? With each new day, we are given new chances, new opportunities and new assignments in life.  When we could have given up and thrown in the towel, something was pulling at us to keep going. That was God’s grace and His mercy!

Have you overcome addiction or depression?

Be thankful!

Have you survived an abusive relationship?

Be thankful!

Have you been able to restore a family relationship that was broken?

Be thankful!

Have you been healed from a sickness that left your doctors in awe?

Be thankful!

Does your heart still ache because of the death of  a loved one?

Be thankful for the time you had with them and the precious memories!

Have you been forgiven…

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Posted on in Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Prayers, Spiritual

Celebrate With Me!

 I am praising God today for my life!

  I am celebrating me because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I am celebrating me because of the life He has given me.

I am celebrating me because I am blessed with family and friends.

I am celebrating me because of the gifts He has given me!

I am celebrating me because He has always taken care of me.

I am celebrating me because He is my Father and I am His daughter!

I am celebrating me because of Jesus!

I am celebrating me because even in my brokenness,

He loved me enough to restore me!

This is the day the Lord has made;

Celebrate with me!

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It has been one year since God blessed me to present  Broken-2b-Restored. And, today is my birthday!  I am so thankful for the support and encouragement I have received along the way.  Thanks to those of you who have been inspired to share my posts with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter or your own blogs.  Thanks for all of the positive feedback and encouraging words.  It truly has been a great year! I have enjoyed writing each post and I look forward to God blessing me to write even more.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (and so can you)!

Why Does It Have To Hurt So Much?

Have you ever experienced an excruciating physical pain and wondered why it had to hurt so much?  This is the type of pain that goes beyond a mere “ouch”.   And what about the pain that digs deep into your emotions?  The pain that breaks your heart and pulls at every part of your physical and emotional being. This could be pain that comes from a serious illness, a failed marriage or the loss of a loved one.  And how about that deep pain we feel due to our own bad choices and subsequent regrets?

Have you ever cried out to the LORD and asked why does it hurt so much?

The pains we experience in life will sometimes cause us to withdraw from a particular activity and/or withdraw from people. There are some athletes who become injured playing their favorite sport.  However, if they experience a torn ligament or broken limb, they may not feel up to returning to their sport for fear of being injured again and feeling that same unpleasant pain.

If you have ever experienced pain inflicted by another person, this could cause you to withdraw from building other friendships and keep you from trusting others.  I have been in this situation a few times.  I have believed someone was my friend only to find out they were doing things and saying things about me that would not meet the definition of friendship.  I have fallen in love and been married only to feel the heartache that comes from harsh words and hurtful actions that caused my heart to break and my trust to be broken.

When you experience a deep hurtful pain, it’s only natural to wonder why does it have to hurt so much? With any pain, whether physical or emotional, there is a healing process.  When you seek medical treatment you have to explain to the doctors and nurses what hurts and give them a level from 1 to 10 as to how much it hurts.   You also have to follow the directions and orders given by the doctors and nurses in order to assist with the progression of your physical healing.

When you have experienced the pain that digs deep into your emotions, you can also seek counseling from a trained professional.  Most of us tend to shy away from counseling because we feel it sends a message something is wrong with us.   This should be a matter of choice for you and perhaps talking to someone on a regular basis is just what you need to help with your healing.  Trying to go it alone may not be the answer for you, so hopefully there is  a ministry or a person within your church that you can call on to help with your healing process.

When I have experienced that deep pain and wondered why did it have to hurt so much, I have trusted in the Lord.  I know the hurt I feel will eventually go away, but I also know that it has also made me stronger.  I have survived the abuse; I have survived the ridicule; I have survived the disappointments and I have survived the dishonesty. I have survived the brokenness!  I can talk to God better than I can talk to anyone else and I know He listens to me even though He already knows what I am going to say.   I know He cares for me and He wants me to trust Him with all of my heart and soul.

Psalm 51:17  says “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.”

When I have wondered, why it hurt so much, I am reminded of Jesus.  I know that the beating He took, the carrying of the cross and being nailed to the cross had to hurt.  I know that the sneers from the crowd and the crown of thorns on His head caused Him some pain.   But, He endured that pain for me.  So when I am hurting and I am wondering why, I pull my strength from my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  I know that although my tears are flowing, He will give me joy in the morning.  I can wonder why it hurts, but I know the pain is what will draw me closer to  Him.

I was broken and He restored me!

Posted on in Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Prayers, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Your Help Is Already Here!

When there is an emergency situation occurring around you, have you ever heard someone say “Help, is on the way!”  This means there is a time of waiting for someone to aid, comfort or assist you. But when it comes to wanting or having a relationship with God, your help is already here!   When it comes to an immediate need or feeling of His presence, your help is already here.  When your body needs a healing, your help is already here. You just have to trust and know that God is able and that He is your ever-present help and He will take care of you!

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble!

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave your or forsake you!

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me!

Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from home? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth!

Psalm 139:7-10

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there.; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast!

Matthew 28:20

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age!

When you need God, you don’t have to make an appointment, you don’t have to get on a list and wait your turn,  and you don’t have to “phone a friend”! You just have to call on the wonderful name of Jesus and tell the LORD you need Him! Just simply say, LORD, I need help. I can’t do this without you!

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My Dear Father in Heaven, I need You! I need Your grace; I need Your mercy and I need Your love.  I need You in the morning; I need You at noonday and I need You at night! I need You when I am at home and I need You when I am at work.  I need You wherever I go! I need You, O LORD, when I am full of joy and I need You in my brokenness.  I need You in my healing and I need You in my breakthrough!  I need You in my peace and I need You in my storms. LORD, I need You all the time! I know You are my ever-present help.  I call on You because You are strong and mighty.  I know that my help is You and You are already here.  In the wonderful name of Jesus, I say Amen!

Posted on in Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Try Jesus!

  Do you ever give any thought to the fact that you are not promised tomorrow?

 Try Jesus!

 You don’t know the day or the hour when your time on this earth will cease to exist.

Try Jesus!

Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is the best decision you can make in this life.

 Try Jesus!

 When you  feel alone and think you have no one to talk to about your problems,

Try Jesus!

When someone you have loved breaks your heart and you feel you don’t know what love really  is,

Try Jesus!

When the doctor’s report gives you no hope of a complete healing,

Try Jesus!

When your friends turn their backs on you and your enemies are waiting for you to fall,

Try Jesus!

When your money runs out and there is no food on the table,

Try Jesus!

When your own negative thoughts and lack of confidence are tearing you down,

Try Jesus!

When you feel like you can’t go on any more,

Try Jesus!

When all else fails,

Try Jesus!

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John 4:6-7  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well . . .”

Father, in the name of Jesus, I am praying for someone who does not know You.  I am asking You to speak to their hearts and let them feel Your love.  I pray they will know You are a forgiving God and You will accept them just as they are right now.  I pray they understand that they don’t have to try to fix themselves up or do better before they can come to You and ask You to save them.  I pray they will trust You with their brokenness and allow You to give them strength and hope for better days ahead.  I pray they will realize Your love is unconditional and You are waiting for them with open arms.  In the mighty and wonderful name of Jesus, Amen and Amen, again!

Wouldn’t you rather put your hope in knowing that you are heaven bound?

Try Jesus!

Posted on in Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Her “God Light” Was Shining!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 NIV

On this past Wednesday, I spent the day with one of my closest friends, Valencia.  It was not a day where we went shopping or out to eat with our other girlfriends; it was a day where I was taking her to receive one of her chemo treatments.   Although she has had a few treatments since she was diagnosed with breast cancer, this was my first time taking her. Due to the treatments, she has already experienced the loss of her hair, changes in her appetite as well as a few other changes in her energy and sleeping habits.

Prior to arriving for the appointment,  we got caught in a heavy downpour of rain.  We used the complimentary valet parking so that we did not have to get soaked trying to get into the building.   As we entered the treatment center, I really did not know what to expect.  I did not know how many other patients would be there.   I did not know how they would be feeling on this rainy Wednesday.  All I can tell you is that when Valencia walked into the waiting room,  she was a ray of sunshine!  She greeted the nurses at the receptionist desk as if they were old friends.  As we took our seats in the waiting area, she was smiling and at times greeting some of the other patients there.  She didn’t know them and that did not matter to her at all.  She did not seem to be concerned that some of them were probably there for the same reason as she was and not feeling quite as cheerful as she was feeling.

You could just see and feel Valencia’s  “God light” shining all over the place. There may have been dark clouds and rain outside and there may have even been darkness and tears within the  spirit of some of  those in the waiting area and in the treatment room.   That was definitely not the case with Valencia!  She was not allowing any of that to get in her spirit or to depress her.

You see, Valencia knows she has the love of God on her side and she truly loves the LORD.  She has a husband who adores her and beautiful daughters who consider her the best mom this side of heaven!  She has loving family members that extend beyond her siblings.  She has a church family that knows her faith in God and where the pastor and our members are praying for her healing.  She has a community of people, young and not so young, who know her and respect her with love and admiration. Valencia, has a circle of girlfriends who would do anything to help her  as she goes through what is just another test in her life.  Valencia knows she is a blessed woman!

Valencia knows she is blessed because of all the love and support she has from her family and many friends.  She is also a blessed woman because of how she is blessing others, especially me.  I am thankful that her “God light” is always shining and that she is victorious even as she goes through her medical treatments and future surgery.

As I watched Valencia the other day, I told her I was going to write about her.  I did not ask for her permission. I just told her I was going to do it. She looked at me with a twinkle of surprise in her eyes and a smile on her face and asked, “really”? And then she immediately said “ok”!  God had placed this in me a few weeks ago to write about my friend, but I guess He needed me to be with her on Wednesday so that I could truly write of her awesome faith in Him.   Valencia does not mind sharing her story with others.   She knows that in this life there will be times of suffering.  She knows that God is a healer and is in control of her destiny.  She knows that Jesus suffered on the cross in order for us to be saved.  She feels if He can do that for us, then she can go through this test in her life and be a testimony to others.

Valencia is already a living testimony just in the way she is dealing with the treatment and the changes she is experiencing.   She does not spend her time worrying  about what she has to go through in order to be healed.  Valencia has her good moments and her not so good moments.  Each day she gives honor to God for His tender mercies in her life.

When we arrived back at her house,  as she got out of the car,  she told me thank you and she said ” I had a good time today”!  Wow! We spent the day at the treatment center, but we were able to talk and enjoy each other’s company.   Valencia thought that I was helping her because I took the time to get her to her appointment and back home.  What she did not know is that she was helping me!  She truly is an inspiration in my life.

Valencia, I had a good time, too! Continue to let your “God Light” shine and inspire others.   Love you much!

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Dear LORD, I thank you for those you have placed in my life to encourage and inspire me. I thank you for allowing me to see a strong faith in others and how it helps them stay connected to Your word and to Your presence.  I thank you for strengthening me every day and loving me as your own.  God, I thank you that Jesus suffered so that I might live in this earthly life now and be blessed with eternal life in heaven.  God, I thank for the healing that comes when we have to go through times of suffering and pain.   I thank you that even in those times you are restoring us not only for ourselves but also for others to see!  I thank you for the “God light”  and I thank you for Valencia.  In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she began to wait on Him.  Matthew 8:15 NIV

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Your attitudes should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2: 4-5 NIV

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Finding Serenity

 The Serenity Prayer

“God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can,

and the Wisdom to know the difference!

Living one day at time;

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;

Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it:

Trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will;

that I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with you forever in the next!”

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There has been some dispute in recent years as to who may have authored this prayer.  Most say it was written by a Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr who was a theologian in the 1930’s  and 1940’s.  There are some accounts that Dr. Niebuhr may have read this as an obituary and credited an earlier theologian from the 1800’s.  Nonetheless, the words and the meaning within this prayer are so profound.  This prayer asks God for serenity, courage, and wisdom. Then it goes on to say that we know we must endure some hardships in this life, but if we surrender to God and trust Him that we can be happy for the time we have on this earth and then even happier when we are with Him in heaven forever.
There are some things in life and some people in our lives that we cannot change.  No matter how much it might hurt, no matter how unfair it might seem and no matter how badly people might treat us.   Once we come to this realization and move on, then we can go forward in our own lives and receive the blessings God has for us.
The word serenity is defined as being calm and tranquil; the state of being peaceful.
Whenever, we are in the midst of a struggle or even struggles, our main prayer or thought is normally for the struggle to be over!  Then when we realize we might be in a struggle for a while,  the next thing we desire is for peace as we go through.  We desire peace so that we won’t  be so anxious and so that we don’t become overly frustrated.  We desire peace so that we can rest better in the night and focus on other things during the day.  We desire peace so that we won’t be influenced to make rash and wrong decisions as we go through our struggles.
The bible says:
“Weeping may remain for a night,  but rejoicing comes in the morning!” Psalm 30:5
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ” Matthew 11:28-30
 “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”  2 Chronicles 20:15
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you, He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational, Spiritual

Time Alone!

Today is the first Saturday in what seems like a long time that I did not have to get up and rush out of the house for some event or activity.  Out of habit, when I got up this morning, my mind starting racing about all I needed to get done today.  I need to make out my grocery list, cut my coupons and go to the grocery store. Do I have time to take a quick walk in my neighborhood and get my exercising in this morning? Clothes are in need of washing!  What will I cook for dinner tonight?  Do I have time to get to the nail salon before the day is over? How about cleaning up around the house?  I need to wake up my three children so we can get it started up in here!  This was going to be a never-ending list of things to do!

Then I stood still for a moment and I realized  how peaceful and quiet it was around me!  I could so easily start running errands and taking care of things that need to be done around the house.  I could wake everyone else up and raise the noise level in my house.  Or I could sit down for a few minutes and spend some time alone with God!  I then heard His voice say just relax.

So I brewed me a cup of coffee  (in a real coffee cup and not in a convenient to go cup) and went out on my patio with my bible.  I read some of God’s words and daily instructions for my life.  I meditated on those words and I asked God to continue to impart His words into my heart so that I can live better, do better and be better!

As I sat there on my quiet patio, I could hear others starting their cars possibly to run errands or head out to scheduled events.  I could hear someone’s music from a few houses down drifting to my patio.  Although it is a bit cloudy outside, I could see the green of the trees and a hint of blue in the sky.  Most importantly, I could feel the presence of the LORD!

Now that I have had quiet time, I feel better and relaxed.  I still have plenty to do and I will start racing around soon, but I am so thankful for the extra time alone with God.  And, I am thankful He woke me up this morning and that HE thought enough of me to give me some extra time to just relax!

    Psalm 8:3-4

When I consider your heavens and the work of your fingers,

 the moon and the stars which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for Him?

Posted on in Encouragement, Inspirational, Spiritual

A Father’s Presence

Just a month ago we were celebrating Mother’s Day and now here we are a few days away from celebrating Father’s Day.  After I had written  Mothers: Chosen To Fulfill Purpose , a friend said “well, you have written a piece about mothers, are you going to do the same about fathers?”   I confidently told him that I would but it might be more difficult for me to do.  My friend and I then engaged in a conversation about our fathers. You see, I never knew my earthly father and my friend’s father died of a heart attack when my friend was just 6 months old.

I can’t tell you that after I was born, that my father ever held me in his arms.  I can’t tell you that he bounced me on his knees or that he ever took me to get ice cream.  I can’t tell you at times when my heart was broken, that he ever wiped away my tears. I don’t know what kind of cars he drove or what was one of his favorite desserts. I can’t even tell you whether I look like him or act like him in any way. I can’t describe to you how tall he was or what he sounded like when he talked.  I never knew him and I never saw him.  I have never seen a picture of my father.  For me, there is no captured memory of a presence of my father in my life.

My friend, on the other hand, had a father who did get the opportunity to hold him in his arms.  He does have a few pictures of his dad holding him.  However, because he was only 6 months old when his father passed away, he has no actual memories of his father.   For my friend, there was a brief physical presence of his earthly father in his life.

Over the years, I have wondered about my own father.  At one point, I even attempted to locate this man in hopes of finding out more about him and perhaps even more about me.  This past year, during one of those moments where it was just me and God, He let me know that He never intended for me to know my earthly father.  My earthly father fulfilled his purpose in my life.  Wow! It took me almost 50 years to understand this is just how it was meant to be.

Although I may not have known my earthly father, The one who is my Father, has taken care of me all of my life.   He has been the best provider and protector.  He has fed me and clothed me.  He has wiped away my tears and comforted me when I have been disappointed.  He has shielded me when the enemy was lurking around me.   When I needed someone to talk to, He was always right there ready to listen to me.  When I was sick, He was the one who healed me.  When I felt depressed and neglected because I did not know my earthly father, the One who is my Father, gave me peace and helped me to forgive.  My Father, has never left me or forsaken me.  I have always been in the presence of my Father.  He has blessed me beyond measure!

My friend and I have not had the privilege of celebrating Father’s Day over the years like most.   I can, however, tell you that we are both thankful for the presence they did have in our lives.   Each of these men fulfilled their purpose for us.  It has been a bittersweet realization.  We know this was part of God’s plans for us.  His plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

As you celebrate fathers this weekend, please remember the Father of us all.  If it were not for Him, where would we be?

The Lord’s Prayer

9 My Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the  glory, forever.  Amen. (Matthew 6)

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I was  broken but my Father restored me!