April 8th, 2010 was a hard day on my family. While I was running a store for my manager, my mother went in for a colonoscopy. Not surprisingly, they found a large tumor in her colon and confirmed it was cancer. While I tried to finish my shift at work, she was admitted for more tests at the hospital. Later we found out it had spread to her liver and lymph nodes, making it stage 4.

At first, I was angry. My mother has never hurt anyone, and I didn’t think this was fair. Why would this happen to a GOOD person?? As I dived into the Bible desperate for comfort from this storm that invaded our home, I found this verse in 2nd Kings, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; indeed I will heal you” (verse 5)  Through Hezekiah’s struggle and healing, I found comfort that my mom would be healed as well.

In July we went back to the doctor. When first diagnosed, her tumor markers had been close to 10,000. Now, they are at 1,900.

Of course, we give God all the Glory. He is the ultimate healer, no matter what we go through. God will be using this trial in our lives to show people His love, his healing power, and the power of prayers.

God wants to give healing to any aspect in our lives that need it. We just need to receive it. Or in the words of my favorite song by a worship leader at the church I go to, ‘reach out and take it from Him.’ The whole song is about receiving what it is that God wants to give us, and in fact, already has.

Open your heart. Let God give you whatever it is that you need in your life at this present moment and use your life as an example of faith. And have no worries for the future, because God already knows how it’s all going to play out.

Father God, Thank you that you are the ultimate healer, that you are the ultimate giver. Lord, I am ready to receive whatever it is that you want me to receive. Thank you for your unending grace, mercy, comfort, and best of all love. Amen

A Very Present Help is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

She considers herself almost an adult now, ready to drive, taking on responsibility for some of the meals, helping her brothers and sister. Most of the time I could not ask for a better behaved young lady, other times I shake my head in horrified amazement, wondering where I went wrong. Above all though, her thirst for things of God puts me to shame, her love of being in the word reminds me of when I was young and not so tired and concerned with the temporal things that surround me. Jesus said”and A little child shall lead them”.

I love that mental picture, it brings to mind a grandchild with the strength of youth, leading their Grandparents on a walk, wanting them to enjoy and see life through different eyes.

When was the last time our Faith and Belief in Christ was so unjaded and fresh, that we could lead someone on the journey, knowing the beauty of it, having a simple trust in our Father that we took Him at His word, without reading anything into it, trusting that He knows our beginning from the end, simply coming as a child before Him, sitting on his lap and letting Him direct as he saw fit, not only that, but leading others on the same kind of journey.

We have to remember to be patient on the way, and let Jesus control not only our lives, but others lives as well. how precious it is just to be able to rest and trust the One who made and understands us individually like no one else can.

Help us Jesus, to never lose our “child eyes”!

A Little Child… is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

The year was 2003 and I had just come through a major surgery.  I was home recovering when I received a call from my boss who was checking on my recovery.  “How wonderful,” I thought.    But no more than a few sentences later, she cautiously informed me that my job had been eliminated and I could take my time recovering.  Before she hung up the phone, she said, “Everything will work out.“  “Goodbye.”  And so I moved on.  It took me two years to complete my bachelor’s degree and find my next job.

In 2005, I landed a position that segue my career to what I thought would be a more stable profession.  The tides were still turning on the career front and a year later, my job was eliminated.  This was my second job loss.   The words from the person announcing the layoff still reverberate in my ears, “We appreciate all your hard work.  If we ever restore this function in the company, you are welcome to reapply.”  And of course, the proverbial statement came with closure, “Everything will work out.”  I wasn’t too devastated this time because I had been through a layoff before.  I was prepared emotionally this time.  Plus, I was in the middle of my master’s program and was enjoying the extra time to focus on my studies.

In 2006, my husband decided to accept a job in Houston, TX.  The timing was fortuitous because I didn’t work and my graduate program was nearly complete.  He moved to Houston and 4 months later I joined him.  It took me 4 months to find a job.  In December 2006, I started working again in a profession that was all new to me.  The job was offered to me because I asked the manager to give me a chance.  In exchange for on-the-job training, I offered some great transferable skills and experiences that would be valuable to the job. She agreed and hired me.  It was 6 months into the job that I completed my master’s program.  However, 6 months later, I voluntarily left the position for an opportunity of my first love and passion.

It is now 2007 and I am working on a job of my first love and passion.  The job is going fabulous until 4 months into the position when I learned the group had to produce a business case to justify its existence.  Justification of our group was easy, getting it approved was daunting.  During my seventh month on the job, it was quite clear that our work had come to a halt and our jobs were soon to be eradicated.  I heard that troubling statement again, “Everything will work out.”  This time my response was, “Will it?”  Fortunately for me, I found a different job just in the nick of time.

In 2008, I began working on my 5th job within a 6-year time period.  “Unbelievable,” I said.  “Five jobs in 6 years.”  The job transiency was not over because after 9 months, I learned again that my job would be eliminated.  And it was!  I celebrated my 10th month of employment with a raise, bonus, and the “pink slip.”  My job was eliminated after 10 months at this company.  “This is a set-up,” I thought.  “Who would ever believe my story?”  And to add insult to injury, my boss felt compelled to tell me that, “Everything will work out.”

In November 2009, my husband and I launched a ministry called Disgrace To His Grace.  The ministry focuses on a journey we believe people take in life, those who walk with JESUS CHRIST and those who will walk with HIM experiences.  We were given an opportunity to share it in November 2009 and again in December 2009.

In March 2010, I was enjoying a leisurely Saturday evening when out of nowhere, I was in severe pain that would not go away.  Five days later, I was in the emergency room going through a battery of tests.  After several tests in the emergency room and subsequent more through my 2 doctors, my prognosis landed me facing the “C” disease and recommendations from 4 doctors to have surgery immediately.  There were many prayers offered on my behalf and many good people reminding me that “Everything will work out.”  What a struggle it was hearing those words.  I’ll be honest and say, “I battle hearing them on a regular basis.”  I had to cancel all of my speaking engagements due to my health.

Today, May 2010, my world is dramatically different from what it was in 2003.  I am still unemployed and have been for over a year.  My time is spent in the house 5 of 7 days a week; I go to church twice a week. I don’t have transportation so I rely on my mom and husband to assist me with errands. My health has improved as it turns out I didn’t have cancer.  I have resumed working on the ministry from my home and landed 2 speaking engagements.

Will everything work out?  That is what I’ve been hearing for 7 years.  “Everything will work out.“  Here’s my response to this troubling statement, “I can’t be certain whether everything will work out because my expectations for a favorable outcome has proven to be different from God’s will.  And therefore, I am not certain everything will work out through my eyes and my desires.  But I am most certain that ‘everything will work out’ according to God’s perfect will.  His will is good.  It is holy.  It is righteous.”  Romans 8:28 states, “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”  Track the emphasis in this verse, “things work out according to His purpose”.  Again, “things work out according to His purpose” and not according to our purpose or desire.  I’m a living witness that everything will not always work out from our perspective.  “Things” work out according to God’s purpose for our life.  He’s in control.

Next time, let’s talk about Trusting God.

Why Say, “Everything Will Work Out?” is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

Let’s worship our Savior today!

Sunday Worship: How Deep is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

One of my favorite things to do as a blogger is to share with you fantastic and interesting things I have found on the web.  My interests are so varied, eclectic even, that you never know what I am going to introduce you to (although you can always be assured that it will be rated G)!  I hope that you find something of interest and perhaps even a new favorite!!

Global Response Network – This missions ministry is all about awakening people to living the “normal Christian life”.  I encourage you to listen to the video on the home page.

Secret Keeper Girl – An awesome site dedicated to encouraging girls in modesty, surrounding herself with wise friends and recognizing her Godly beauty.

Adventurous Living – Susan has started a new blog series on the names of God.

Bible Cafe for Women – They are getting ready to start a study of Beth Moore’s updated “Breaking Free”.  It ’s not too late to join before they get started!

Have a blessed weekend!

More to Love is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

Every single one of us needs encouragement.  We aren’t created to go it alone.  We need someone to come up alongside of us, take our hand, smile from their heart and either with words or the comfort of their presence, reassure us that we are not alone and that we will make it through whatever we are dealing with.

I can think of nothing better than Scripture to offer to a friend in need of encouragement.  If there is something, some action, that I can do to help, I do that as well.  But Scripture is there in the middle of the night when no one else is.

So I offer this to you today, with love in Him.

Psalm 46:1-3, 7 NASB

¹God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
³Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

⁷The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Help in Time of Need is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

You turn things around!  Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? – Isaiah 29:16 NASB

Can you say it with me?  OUCH!  These words spoken to the people of Israel through Isaiah can make you stop short (Grab your Bible and read Isaiah chapter 29 for context)!  In essence, God is saying, “You’ve got things wrong!  You, the created, are telling Me, the Creator that I do not understand you?  Or that you are equal with Me?”

On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? – Romans 9:20-21 NASB

Paul is challenging the Romans in this passage about questioning God’s sovereignty.

It sounds so very foolish, doesn’t it?

Yet we do this so often, thinking we have the right to question God or to dismiss Him as some remote, uninvolved, dense deity that cannot possibly help us in our situation.  Not convinced?  Have you ever done or thought the following:

• God, You can’t possibly know what I am going through!
• There is no way this situation can turn around!
• I hate my (insert body part or personality trait here)!
• I’ll do what I please, thank you very much!
• What did I do to deserve this?
• God, You can’t possibly expect me to do ____________!  There is no way!
• Why was I even born?

Do any of those hit home?  Questioning God or demoting Him to water boy in our game of life is so backwards!  If you were to sew a quilt, would it have the right to question why you put this pattern next to that pattern?  Or question the weight of batting used to fill it?  Or question the use for which you made it?

Let me encourage you to resign from the position of the Potter and accept the position of the clay.

Neither you nor I are qualified in the slightest for that job.  And really, do we want that responsibility?  Do we really want to stand before God and present to Him what we have accomplished with ourselves or with the decisions we have made without consulting Him and expect Him to be pleased?

The One who created you knows best.  Let Him mold you into the vessel He desires.  Then you will stand before Him in the beauty of His grace with the marks of His hands on your life.

The Potter & The Clay is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

The Clay by Ron DiCianni
© 2009.  Image used by Permission
www.TapestryProductions.com

Wordless Wednesday – The Clay is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

When I say “failures”, I should call them what they really are – “sins”.

We don’t hear this word very often today, even in churches.  This is something to mourn over in itself since the whole concept of the gospel is built on our need for a Savior because of our separation from God because of sin.  But the recognition of my daily sins continually renews my realization that I need a Savior, the only Savior, Jesus Christ.  And I am so thankful that His shed blood covers my sin. (Find out more about Jesus as Savior & the Gospel!)

How could there be enough?

⁴But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, – Titus 3:4-6

Is there enough mercy for me?  Is there enough to cover the sins I have committed today?  The sins I will commit tomorrow and next year?  Or my entire life?  If you have read the book of Psalm, you continually see David cry out for mercy.  It wasn’t a one time cry.  My favorite passage about God’s mercy is from Psalm 51.  In this Psalm, David has finally looked his sin square in the face and taken ownership of it and cries out to God:

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.  ² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! ³ For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. - Psalm 51:1-3

God’s mercy is abundant!

Praise God for that!!  I’m sure I will use a good portion of it!  How about you?

Depth of Mercy by Selah

Depth of mercy can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

Heaven find me on my knees
Hear my soul’s impassioned plea
Depth of mercy can there be
Mercy still reserved for me

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Deeply my revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

Heaven find me on my knees
Hear my soul’s impassioned plea
Depth of mercy can there be
Mercy still reserved for me

Is There Enough Mercy? is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace

I highly recommend you check out Online Christmas List.  This is a resource that you, your friends and other family members can use to keep track of and share Christmas lists!  And you can access it while you are out shopping (if you have that capability on your cell phone of course) or you can print out the list(s).  It’s free so get on there and make your lists!

OK, now that you have the list dilemma conquered, here are some great ideas for gifts for your friends or even yourself (’tis the season to give – no rule saying you can’t give to yourself now and then!)  (Disclaimer:  No compensation is received for recommending these to you, nor if you purchase them! These are simply gifts I have come across online that I know I would love to receive or that I think my friends would love to get!)

By Grace Alone Necklace by Lisa Leonard

Redeemed Necklace by Lisa Leonard

Handpainted Porcelain Personalized Ornament

Autumn Breeze Artwork

Custom Canvas Photo Prints from ArtsCow

Chaos…Simplified Planner

Faith Handbag

Prayer Journal

I hope that this short list has given you some ideas of how to bless your friends this Christmas!  If you have a great gift idea to share, please post a comment!

Favorite Gifts for a Friend (or Yourself!) is a post from: Christian Women Blogging - Women By Grace