From the Heart of a Soldier's Mom

In the spring of 2009, I got the news that my precious son Dude, was going to be deployed. Over the last 10 months or so, I dealt with so many emotions. I knew that my son had made the best decision of his adult life, by joining the 278th of the Tennessee National Guard, but knew that this was not only a test of strength and endurance for him, but a time for me to rely on the strength of the Lord's arms to hold me.

I spent a lot of time on my knees asking the Lord for His peace....that which "passes all understanding", and He was and is so faithful to lovingly grant that on me.

As time drew closer to prepare for the trip to Camp Shelby, Mississippi - just outside Hattiesburg, I contemplated calling my doctor to get a prescription for a tranquilizer, for that moment when I would have to say that last good-bye before his deployment.
The Spirit of God spoke to my heart and said, "I can handle that". Being the sometimes stubborn child, I said, "OK Lord - I'll just ask for a couple in case I need them". Again He said, "Trust me....I can handle that for you". Well let me tell you - He was faithful to his promise!

Of COURSE I cried!

And yes, I sobbed as I saw my son walking back to his barracks as we were leaving, but by the time we got to the back gate of the Camp, I was once again flooded with that sense of peace, and the tears were no more.

To totally trust God with your only son.....

Scary.....YES, but I'm also reaping the blessings of His Peace, in just trusting Him.

As Mary said in Luke 2: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. The Mighty One has done great things for me – Holy is His Name.”

My son, along with over 3000 other troops were given four "Family Days" and then honored at a send off ceremony on Friday, February 5.
Below are photos of my time with him....memories I'll cherish every day of my life!

Fun times at the Hard Rock in Biloxi

Cutting up together - trying to pull out the wrinkles, like they did to Robin Williams as Peter Pan in "Hook"....lol

Hanging out at our hotel, after getting back from The Hard Rock

Enjoying steak at Outback on our last night together, thanks to my endodontist Dr. Sinopoli, who gave me $100 to take Dude out

One Nation Under God

The Army Band - who even played "Rocky Top" for all the people of TN!

Over 3000 troops in the 278th, and over 9000 family and friends to honor them at the send off ceremony

The barracks where Dude lived for 6 weeks at Camp Shelby

Kissing my soldier after the send off ceremony

As a dear friend said..."This looks like Mommy Heaven".....yes indeed!

My sweatshirt says it all.....

Ok......just one more hug before I have to go....

My last goodbye - laying hands on my precious son as I said a prayer for him

U.S. Army MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected)- what Dude will be driving in Iraq. I am so thankful that these were the last thing I saw as we were leaving the back gate - I needed to see for myself, the size of them, and how well armored and protected my son will be.

I LOVE YOU "ALL THE NUMBERS" DUDE....see you when you get home!

The Never-Failing God

"For He has said, ' I will never leave you or forsake you'". Hebrews 13:5

From the book, "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, he says:
What line does my thought take? Does it turn to what God says, or to what I fear? Am I learning to say not what God says, but to say something after I have heard what He says?
He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you, so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me".

Have I really let God say to me that He will never fail me? If I have listened to this say-so of God's, then let me listen again.

Sometimes it isn't difficulty that makes me think God will forsake me, but drudgery. There is no Hill Difficulty to climb, no vision given, nothing wonderful or beautiful, just the commonplace day in and day out - can I hear God say-so in these things?
We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing, that He is preparing and fitting us for some extraordinary thing by and by, but as we go on in grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, in the present minute. If we have God's say-so behind us, the most amazing strength comes, and we learn to sing in the ordinary days and ways.

Today I pray that I will really allow God to prove his faithfulness to me.....that I will know without a shadow of doubt, that He is here and is orchestrating circumstances for the good.
My life verse has always been Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".

He has shown his faithfulness to that promise many times in my life......I need to trust
he will do so once again.

Giving Our Firstfruits

In these tough financial times, many are cutting back on things - even believers in their giving to the church.

Jesus says in Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you".

This past Sunday when I was preparing to write out a check to put in the offering plate, I asked the Lord what did he want me to give. The amount he spoke to me was going to be a stretch for us this week, but I willingly did what he asked, knowing that he would be faithful in his promise of being Jehovah Jireh - my provider. What I wasn't expecting though, was how soon he would show himself in that way!
When I got home from church and finished with brunch, I decided to lay down for a nap, and when I woke up, I came to check my email, and there were two orders in my inbox! After sending an invoice to one, I got an immediate payment. I wrote an email of thanks to this customer, and at the bottom of each of my sent emails, I have a signature that includes links to my website, Etsy, and the TDIPT Mercantile. Within minutes, this same customer that had gotten my email of thanks, had gone to the link to my items on Etsy, and had purchased yet another of of my pieces!

All I could do was say, "Thank you Jesus" over and over again. The total amount that I received just from that one person, was the amount I'd given in church and an overage of the very same amount!

And it just gets better! I sold two items on Ebay yesterday, and again, just kept thanking the Lord for his goodness and faithfulness.

I then listed another item on Etsy, and within minutes of listing it, I received another email saying that I had an order from there that included not only the just listed item, but another one along with it as well!

I'm not telling you any of this to brag, but to encourage you to be faithful to the Lord in your giving - He will prove to you, his faithfulness in his promises from his Word.

I'll close with this passage from Malachi 3:10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. "TEST ME IN THIS", says the Lord Almighty "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit", says the Lord Almighty.

Trust in the Lord, and especially when you are tempted to cut back on your giving to the church. He will honor you for your obedience, and will reveal himself as Jehovah Jireh - our wonderful and faithful provider.

Have a blessed Tuesday!



Janelle

A Random Act of God's Love

For the last few days, I have been suffering horrible pain from a molar that is needing a root canal. I was thinking that I'd be eating tylenol like candy during my entire trip to see Dude graduate later this week.

Well yesterday I was frantic, crying and asking the Lord to take away my anxiety about it, and to please make a way somehow for me to not have this tormenting me while I'm away on my trip. I also asked him to strenghten my faith in Him always takes care of my needs, as I just don't have a thousand dollars to have this done right now.

This morning, I didn't get up early with Bill before he left for work. I was laying in bed watching The Today Show, and my phone rings - it was from someone whom I love dearly. I was told to call my dentist, to get in there to see her today, and to stop by this person's house to pick up a check to cover the costs of getting done whatever needed to be done to get me out of this pain. This was to be a loan, but I'm not one who "receives" easily - I'd rather be the giver......

This wasn't easy for me to do, but I heard the Lord speak to me that this was the answer to my prayer, so I called, and they said to come in at 9:30, so I called this person back to tell them that I could get in, and would be by her house on my way to the dentist's office.

When I arrived at her house, she said she'd gone ahead and called them also, and had given them her credit card number to charge whatever the expenses for my visit today were. All I could do was hug her and cry........

When I got to the dentist, they got me in as soon as I walked in the front door. I was told that they could give me a prescription for infection, and some strong pain pills to get me through the next few days, but that I'd have to see a specialist to get the root canal done.

When I got up to the front desk, there were no charges for my visit today - this person's credit card info was shredded.

I then got my prescription filled, and I had to go by her house, as she is going to watch my dog for me while I'm gone, and I needed to show her where his food is, etc.

We were sitting here talking, and me being the very big crybaby that I am, fell apart. I told her, "I know that you don't believe in God the same way as I do, but yesterday when my tooth was hurting so badly and I was praying to him for some kind of answer, well today - you were the answer to my prayer".

She hugged me and said, "We all believe in God, just in different ways - I want you to take your medicine, relax and go enjoy your time with Dude. When you get back, I want you to call the other dentist to get an appointment for the root canal, and the offer still stands on me putting it on my card, and you paying me back as you can".

All I have been able to do is cry, and thank the Lord for answering my desperate prayer, and most importantly, using someone that I love dearly - someone who doesn't know him in the same way, but sure did exhibit Jesus to me today.

Random acts of kindness - random acts of the love of Jesus - I have learned today, that he can and will at times, use those you least expect.
The song, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" keeps running through my mind....because He is SO faithful to his children...
"Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with thee
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me"

The Faithfulness of the Lord

My heart and mouth are filled with Praise today, as I start out December 2008.
No sooner than I had listed my Nativity on the TDIPT Mercantile last night, that I got an email from a girl wanting to purchase it! I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for his faithfulness.
Once we started attending 1st Baptist we began tithing weekly, and as always, the Lord has been faithful to his promises of taking care of all our needs, and blessing us beyond what we can possibly imagine, if we give our firstfruits to him.
With that, I share verses 6 - 11 of Jeremiah 10, where Jeremiah is extoling the Lord.
"No one is like you, O Lord; you are great and your name is mighty in power.
Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due.
Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.
They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols. Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz. What the craftsman and goldsmith have made is then dressed in blue and purple - all made by skilled workers.
But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath".
I pray that if you don't know the Lord as your one and only Savior, that you will seek him out and let him know of your need for him. He will reveal himself to you, just as he has done to me and countless others. He is faithful in all he says and does, and I give him the highest praise today for being such a loving and faithful Father.
Have a blessed day!
Janelle

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Yesterday I got to go out "junkin" - thrift store and estate sale shopping - and I was fortunate to find a few old Baptist hymnals. I just had to get them, because they brought back such memories from my childhood, and always having those at our piano at home. I used to memorize what page numbers my favorite songs were on.
Today I wanted to share the lyrics to the song, "Great is Thy Faithfulness"; a favorite of mine, and in times like we're facing, a good reminder that God is faithful, no matter what circumstances or situations we find ourselves in.
"Great is they faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou has been
Thou forever wilt be
CHORUS
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
ALL I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is they faithfulness, O Lord to me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
CHORUS
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
ALL I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is they faithfulness, O Lord to me
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
CHORUS
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
ALL I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is they faithfulness, O Lord to me

With the economy of the world in a tailspin, and wars and violence all around, Satan wants to keep us all in fear as to what is going to happen to us.
BUT the Lord says that His faithfulness will get us through and bring us to a place of peace.

I pray that you will put your trust in God's faithfulness today.

Janelle

What is Your Trust In?

Good Morning!
Let's continue in Jeremiah 5: 3 - 9: "O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. I thought, ' These are only the poor, they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God.' But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds. Therefore a lion from the forest will attack them, a wolf from the desert will ravage them, a leopard will lie in wait near their towns to tear to pieces any who venture out, for their rebellion is great and their backslidings many. 'Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes. They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man's wife. Should I not punish them for this?' declares the Lord. 'Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?'"
Jeremiah went all throughout the land to try to find but one righteous person, and found none.
He went to what were the common people, thinking they would be different, but they were just the same as the leaders and everyone else - rebellious towards God.
The Lord compared them to well-fed, lusty stallions, for their seeking everything material and that which satisfied the lusts of the flesh, instead of the direction and faithfulness of God.
Sound familiar? Are we not living in a society that is self-serving, and trusting in the world's economy for their safety and well being?
Even the news reports say that during this election we are to have in less than two weeks, the main issue is the economy - not the safety and defense of our nation - money, and panic in "how are we going to live"? is the main concern for most.
I'm so thankful for God's grace, and that he has kept me focused on Him and His Word, and I've not experienced this state of panic. God IS in control - always has been, and always will be, even if things don't seem like it. He is forever working behind the scenes on our behalf, and we just have to trust him in that!
The Lord says that if we believe in him, and follow him, he will supply ALL our needs. Philippians 4: 19: "And my God will meet all your needs, according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus".
We see in Psalm 37: 25: "I was young and now I'm old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken for their children begging for bread".
Hebrews 13:5 says: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "NEVER will I leave you' NEVER will I forsake you".
If you don't know the Lord personally - it's as easy as you just talking to him and telling him that you need him - that you're a sinner who can't do this on your own. Ask him to forgive you for all your days of sin and not trusting him to save you, and he will be there on the spot to do just that!
Then, you will be part of his family - his precious child, whom he will lead, protect, and take care of now in this world, and then for all eternity, as we go to live with him.
I close with this blessing:
"The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face towards you and give you Peace".

Shalom,
Janelle

Facing Life's Trials

Today I'm starting the book of James, found in the New Testament. Most believe that this was written by the brother of Jesus.
This book focuses on teaching practical living for Christian believers.
The first part of Chapter 1 is about the trials of life, which we all face from time to time. Verses 2 - 4 say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".
We don't often go into one of life's trials with a joyful attitude, but the Lord is speaking to us through James, that this is His way of facing them, and when we apply this attitude to our lives, it will only benefit us in every way.
Most of us can probably say that patience is not one of our virtues. We live in a society that has trained us to expect instant gratification for just about everything. We find ourselves saying, "God give me patience". Well if we ask him for that, we need to expect him to test us in it! How else will we learn patience if we don't experience something that requires it from us?
James says that our faith develops perseverance - the stronger we become in our faith in the Lord's faithfulness, the more mature we become spiritually.
I know there are several areas in my life right now that I consider trials. I am having some health issues that I'm trusting the Lord to get me through, and I think the hardest trial I face right now is one of anxiety regarding my son joining the U.S. Army and going off for basic training next week. I have to keep reminding myself that when my son was a young child, I dedicated him to the Lord, and just as I trusted the Lord to help me in raising him, I have to now put my trust in Him to protect my son - to strengthen him as a man, both spiritually and physically, so he will in turn, be able to face all the trials that will be in front of him over the next few years.
Pray for our sons and daughters who are serving this great country we live in. It is because of their service, that we have the freedoms that all to many take for granted.

Blessings,
Janelle

The Lord's Faithfulness

Faith....something that we all have, but what is our faith IN?

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".

I use to think that my faith in the Lord was what kept me going. I think the older I get, the more I realize that it has NOTHING to do with me at all, but my faith should be in the Lord's faithfulness. It's all about HIM!

He has promised us that he would never leave us or forsake us - when I'm going through a rough spot in life, and feel alone - do I really keep my faith focused on his faithfulness to that promise?

He has promised us that he will provide us all that we need - when things get tight financially, do I hold onto his promise that Jehovah Jireh IS my provider, or do I let myself get into a state of fear of "what am I going to do". Yes, I wrestled with this one this past week, and had to repent for letting fear replace my faith in his Word.

He has promised us eternal life with him in Heaven - I think it's easier for us as Christians to hold onto that promise. I don't question my salvation, or that when I leave this earth, I'll go straight to heaven to be with the Lord.

So why can we take Him at His Word in some things and not others? I think because as humans and our sin nature, we let "self" get in the way - we try to handle things and figure out things for ourselves far too often, instead of running to what should be the source of our faith - that is Christ Jesus.

Verse 6 of Hebrews 11 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him".

I want to please my Father, God. I want my faith in His faithfulness to grow more each day.

I pray you have a blessed weekend, and that the Lord will prove His faithfulness in your life in that area in which you're struggling.

Janelle

Drawing Near to God

Today's passage comes from Hebrews 10:19 - 23. It lets us know that we as believers, have direct access to the throne of God.
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our heart sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience, and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful".
Before Jesus sacrificed his life on the cross for us, the only way to get atonement for sin was through the law - a priest would take in goats and bulls and sacrifice them on behalf of the people, but he had to do this over and over again. No one but the high priest had access to the throne of God, but Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice ONCE and for ALL, when he took all of our sin to the cross. He made a way for us to each come to the throne of God for ourselves, to receive his grace.
We never need to be afraid to approach our Father God about anything - He LOVES us, and his heart's desire is for us to come to him - for us to want to know him more each day, to allow Him to cleanse us and change our lives for the better. To heal us, deliver us, and let his grace flow through us to others in need.
The best way to get somebody you know who isn't saved, who doesn't have a personal relationship with the Lord, to get to the point of wanting to know Him, is to exhibit all the qualities of Christ to them - his grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and love.
If you are one who doesn't know Jesus as your savior, but have questions about who He is, and what this "born again" is - ask Him....get real with Him and let Him know you are searching for Truth - I promise you that as it says in the scriptures above - He who promised is faithful. He will come to you and show you who He is.

Have a blessed Thursday
Janelle

Faithfulness

Sometimes God allows us to go through things to get our attention and bring us back to our knees in need of Him. I hope today's blog will speak to your heart about the faithfulness of Our Father in Heaven.
There was a song released a couple of years ago by the group Casting Crowns called "I'll Praise You in This Storm". At the time of it's release, I had a dream that I was in a terrible storm - it felt SO real when I woke up, and I remember telling Bill about it. Several days later, I got back to work after lunch and was told I was no longer needed. There were other things going on in my life at the time, and it was like I was right back in that dream. I feel the Lord gave me that dream kind of as a warning of things to come in my life, and that He knew I would have to cry out to him for help. I felt alone and scared, and wanted to know if God heard my cries, so I cried out to God to speak to me. I was driving to various places to put in resumes, and I heard this song on the radio - I had to pull over and listen to it, sobbing the entire time. It spoke directly to my heart and gave me his peace and comfort. Amazing how he can use so many different things to reach us.
That song was taken from scripture, and that's where I'm taking the passage from today. Psalm 121:1 - 2.
"I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is the shade at your right hand. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more".
This Psalm reminds us that no matter where we are, or what we are faced with - all the "storms" of life that seem to have us caught up in a whirlwind - God is with us - he is watching over us and will protect us and help us get through.
Below are the words to the song that was taken from this Psalm. It sure did give me strength and courage to face all I was going through, and every time I hear it now, it is a reminder of God's faithfulness.
Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus: And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone
how can I carry on if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Chorus

Whatever you're going through today, God is right here - there's nothing impossible with him, and he's just waiting for you to cry out to him in your "storm". Just as he was in the boat with the disciples out on the middle of a lake when a severe storm suddenly came up and with a word, he calmed the storm, so will he be with you.
Have a wonderful Saturday, and remember to tell all the "moms" in your life, "Happy Mother's Day".

Janelle