Expect The Unexpected Continued...

 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord, repent and live!"   ~Ezekiel 18:32


I hear a knock at the door. It seemed friendly enough so I decided it was safe to answer it. I've never been thrilled with unannounced visits from strangers and I usually don't answer when they come a knocking, but the Lord has been working in my heart about how I treat people I don't know.

We have a couple of different "organizations" that come to my door quite often, too many times to count. And then there is the salesmen, carpenter, I even had a banker  once,  interweaved into the mix of unscheduled visits to my front door.  I'm very shy by nature but God reminds me I have a new nature now, the old is dead, and He has made all things new!

I have in the past either turned a cold shoulder, by not answering the door, or given uninvited quests the brush off, often not as politely as I should. My shyness is not an excuse for rudeness and I am slowly but surely working on it. Praise be to God who will complete the work He has started in me just as He promises in His Word!

As I think back to the lady in Safeway that came at me wanting to touch the growths on my ear because  she "reads energy" and tells me she can help me with that, I realize another vital mistake I made. Not only did I not tell her I belong to Jesus and He is my healer, but I also treated her like she had the plague when, "I backed up, and said in a panic no, no, no and got out of there as fast as I could!"

God's Word says, "our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  (Ephesians 6:12)  People are not the enemy, the power or influence directing them is. Most of them don't even know they are misguided and are being manipulated by the enemy for his dark purposes.

Most likely the lady at the grocery store had good intentions and genuinely wanted to help me. I not only missed an opportunity to share my hope and my joy, who is Jesus, but I also missed an opportunity to share His love with her. Sometimes I wonder, "will I ever get it right?"!

I just love Ann Voskamp, author of "One Thousand Gifts", and blogger
http://www.aholyexperience.com/ .  In her post today titled, What in the World Should Christians Wear?        She nails it!!!  “It’s souls that are the eternal priorities…”

"And what are we really here to do but to live the Great Commission — not the Great Optional? 

How will I feel standing before Jesus, robed in His sacrificed righteousness, only to see that all my excuses to not share the gospel were but cloaks for selfish fear and pride?

Who in the world hides good news? When you know God is the well of all enjoyment and sin the pit of all entanglement — then isn’t it clear what to run from and Who to run to? Why be afraid to share this? 

There may not often be great opportunities to change the world, but every single day there are small ones —  and all the small can do nothing but add up to great.

And there could be the humble bold who claim the Truth, wear the grace, and speak the unashamed — that one more wanderer might be clothed in Christ….":
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“Someone asked “Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved?”

It is more a question — Whether we — who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not — can be saved.”

 ~ Charles Spurgeon

As I went to the front door, all the while remembering how I treated the lady at the store, and many who have come to my door before now,  determined to be kind, I open it. As I see the familiar dark tidy suites and crisp white shirts, I smile and politely say, "hello". They ask me a couple of questions and as sweet as I could, I explain, yes I'm familiar with your "organization" and I'm not interested but thank you and have a nice day." God bless you", I say with a wave and smile! 


Dear Holy Father, thank You for your great mercy and patience with us who have missed many great opportunities to share Your Love and Grace with this dying world. Please forgive all of us who belong to You and are guilty of not being good stewards of Your perfect Love and Gospel of grace that saves us from death. I pray that You would fill our spirits with boldness to share You and Your Love with everyone You put in front of us! In the beautiful Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray, Amen 

Expect The Unexpected!

Keloids from getting my ear pierced! A Keloid is scar tissue
that keeps building on itself. I was not warned this could
happen, but I do believe God is going to heal it!

I had just finished going through the checkout line at Safeway yesterday afternoon, when I barely heard "does that bother you sometimes?" I looked back to see if the lady next in line was talking to me. She was. I took a step towards her and asked politely, "what did you say?" She said, "does that hurt, the thing on your ear, does that bother you?"

I got my left ear pierced up in the "cuff" area where it's all cartilage about 3 years ago. I had been wanting to do that for a long time but never got up the courage. It's amazing the things I have the courage to do now that I am filled with the Holy Spirit! I mean I still feel fear but I have the courage to push through it! I give God all the credit and glory for that! Well, 2 years ago I developed tiny bumps on both sides of the piercing. I thought it was infected and kept treating it for that. The bumps seemed to just get bigger and bigger! So I went to the place I got my ear pierced and they told me I had Keloids. "Go buy some TeaTree oil, that will make them go away," said the young man confidently, that pierced my ear. Just to let you know, it did not work. They continued to grow! I had to painfully remove my earring and pray, "Jesus please heal my ear!"

I'm completely confident that Jesus said He will. Until then I cover them puppies up with a bandaid when I go out in public! I like to wear my hair up or else I wouldn't have to do that. But yesterday, I forgot my bandaid! I praise the Lord that was not brought to my attention until I was almost out of the store!

The "nice" lady said, "I read energy" while stretching out her arm to put her hands on my ear. Turning red in the face from embarrassment,  I backed up, and said in a panic no, no, no and got out of there as fast as I could!

I am hearing more and more about people, even people close to me are going to these so called doctors that "read energy", and psychics. One calls herself, "The white lady." Well white stands for purity and holiness in God's Kingdom so this is a deceptive name. Could this be those who "pose as angels of light" that we are warned about in the Bible?

"A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads." Leviticus 20:27

 God says to stay away from astrologers, psychics and mediums and witchcraft, so obviously their power is not from Him. Many people don't understand this is not a grey area. If it's not from God, then it's of the devil. The Bible tells us so. And either we believe God's Word is true or we don't. It doesn't make sense to say I believe this scripture but not that one. The Book is either all right or all wrong. I choose to believe it's ALL true and I live my life accordingly. I choose God forever!

"Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you... Surely they are like stubble;  the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame."  Isaiah 47:14

Unfortunately for me, I am not a quick thinker and when something or someone catches me off guard, I don't give the best response. What I should have said to the lady, without panicking haha, was, "no thank you, I belong to Jesus, He is my healer." I did pray for her deliverance and salvation on my way out of the store, but I still feel silly about the way I panicked. When faced with another opportunity like this, because I'm sure this is just the beginning, I will be ready!

I praise the Lord the Keloids don't hurt as often as they used to, and they have stopped growing. This is a great example of God's tender mercy and grace at it's finest to me. Until He removes the Keloids completely at least they feel better and I can cover them which, I will be much more careful to remember in the future haha!

Have you ever been faced with an unexpected situation that you wish you would have reacted differently to? Please tell me I am not the only one! 

God bless you dear blog friends! And don't ever forget, JESUS LOVES YOU!!

He Places The Lonely In Families

"God sets the lonely in families..," Psalm 68:6
This is my beautiful Momma and Poppa from the Lord!

I'll never forget the day we met. It was a warm, late-Summer afternoon and I was being drawn into the worship of God by the familiar, but almost forgotten melody of praise music. Four years ago this August, as I sat in my not so white, plastic lawn chair in my backyard with my cigarette in one hand and my vodka and Diet Coke in the other, I heard a sound coming from the park that borders my fence.  I followed the beautiful sound of what seemed to be people singing and making music to the Lord. the sound filled the park and my neighborhood.

The whole meeting was a total act of God and a complete miracle if you ask me! I had been quite stuck in the trap that catches all unsuspecting victims, of alcoholism, for several years. I'm pretty sure no one sets out to become an alcoholic that is why I called it a trap. Anyway, I was so depressed. My body was sick, my mind was sick, and my spirit was in hell.

It had been years since I had attended church and I didn't have the courage and strength it would take to start going now.  I was lost, so lost for so long. But I could go get me a look-see at what was going on just on the other side of my backyard. As I followed the music I heard coming from the park that day, I saw a group of people nestled under a circle of big old fir trees. There was a couple, a little older than myself, singing into microphones hooked up to speakers and playing what looked to me like a keyboard. Oh how I used to love the Lord and His Word, but that was all lost now. My heart ached to come home to Him. I stood under one of those trees as far away from the group as possible so as not to have to talk to anyone. Cause not only was I shy, but I was extremely ashamed of my condition!

As I was crossing the little bridge to get to the side of the park the music was coming from, a very sweet older man came up to me. He smiled at me with this contagious joy, offered me some literature,  and asked if I would like to go sit by his beautiful wife. I thanked him and politely said no, I'll just stand right here by this tree. I didn't know this then, but apparently when God is present, it makes me cry! It was like someone had opened up Hoover Damn!  I guess you could say I was a bit remorseful! So, unable to hide the streams that were now flowing from my eyes, the kind gentleman asked if I would like a kleenex. I gratefully accepted and then as my heart continued to melt down, he asked me again if I would like to go have a seat next to his wife.

I think we are both still amazed at how God so beautifully orchestrated our meeting and I didn't know it, but I was just about to meet my spiritual Momma! She doesn't normally attend outreach services she tells me, but God drew her to that one!  She came up to me and provided me with the kleenex I so obviously needed and neither one of us knowing what to say to the other, began a beautiful bond that we share to this day! I accepted her invitation to sit next to her and then... spilled my guts all over her...not literally of coarse! She shared with me... I shared with her. We came to find out we are so compatible it's ridiculous to think we are not biological mother and daughter! We even look like we are related! She really is beautiful by the way! :) Yup, that's our God! I couldn't have picked a better Momma for myself if I tried! And my Poppa, well he's just the sweetest man you will ever meet!  It's truly remarkable how God works!

This is the precious cover of the card my Momma
sent me, inviting us to have Easter dinner with them.
I love this picture cause when I was a little girl I use to chase
the butterflies and try to catch them in my net :)

Not having a mom, and with my dad being far away, makes this precious couple a true treasure in my life. The Lord blesses my socks off through them constantly! They have taken me under their wings and treat me like a daughter. They pray for me and my family, they have showered us with some of the best gifts, you know, the kind that come from the heart! My Momma is an awesome cook! And my Poppa is very talented with the woodwork pieces he creates! Momma has shared her library full of great Christian authors and has taught me so much. I wouldn't spiritually be where I'm at today if it wasn't for her! We share like faith which is a precious gift in itself! But I love them and they love me and that is the greatest gift of all!!!

Dear Lord, Your Word is truly "living and active" and it's really true that You "place the lonely in families" just like it says in the Bible! Thank You so much for my precious Momma and Poppa! They are such a great blessing and a treasure to me! Please bless them mightily for the blessing they have been and continue to be to me. Please help me to love them and bless them the way they deserve. May you shower them and their family with Your limitless favor forever! In Jesus beautiful Name Amen!

This is one of the beautiful pieces my Poppa made for me! 

"GOD SETS THE LONELY IN FAMILIES..." PSALM 68:6

Poppa made this beautiful sign for me, it sits proudly
right next to the front door!

Do you have someone unexpected and extra special from God in your life? Or maybe you are somebody's unexpected and extra special person from the Lord! Either way I would love to hear about it!

Holy Smoke!!

Have you ever said that or heard that said...holy smoke, or holy cow, what about holy crap? I use to say them all the time, in fact, these words were habitual exclamations in my vocabulary for many years.  I know there are a lot of other people who use these phrases, remember Robin from Batman and Robin? Everything was holy to Robin, even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!  I didn't think about what these words were implying until just recently, so blurt them out I did.

A cow is not holy, smoke is not holy, unless God is in it, and well you know the other word is completely unholy. The definition of Holy according to "Attributes of God #8, Holy" at www. parentcompany.com, says holy is the pure loving nature of God; separate from evil. Another site, BrainyQuotes.com, says the definition of Holy is; "set apart to the service or worship of God; hallowed; sacred; reserved from profane or common use."

 I believe, and now understand that all the things we loosely call holy were originally designed to hurt the heart of God and that is what it's doing. His holiness is beautiful and pure, something to be admired and desired. His holiness is not to be mocked or belittled but rather to be honored.

Lord God please forgive me for all the times I have called unholy things holy, I am truly sorry and I ask you to please help me break that habit.Your holiness is beautiful, Your holiness is wonderful, Your holiness is something I adore and aim for. Please give us, Your children, spiritual discernment to know when what we are saying is hurting You. Help us to bless You dear Lord and fill us with concern for your feelings always. We love You and Praise You forever! Amen

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come."

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being."

"To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!"

Revelations 4:8,11, and 5:13

Find A Penny...

"TRUST ME"

In those times when it seems like God is not answering my prayers, because in my mind, it's taking too long, my Father tells me to trust Him. Each time I "find a penny, pick it up," I don't really believe in luck, but I do believe God is telling me to trust Him. It says so right on the coin, "In God We Trust!" He says, "don't worry, I will provide everything you need" through a picture, a figurine, or a real live bird. The Bible says Jesus told the people long ago when He walked the earth, "look at the birds, they don't sow, or harvest, or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them, aren't you far more valuable than they?"


The Lord surprises me, in some way or another, everyday. He really is attentive to His children and everything about them! Today after going on in my prayers as usual do you want to know what God said to me? He said, "one voice does make a difference!" In such a giant world, my prayers, however small or insignificant I might think they are, really do matter to the Father.

Our heavenly Father is always listening and answers the prayers of His children, I promise! It might not always seem like it because we don't always know how God will respond to our requests and situations. His wisdom is far to great for us to understand most of the time, but trust me, trust Him, God really is listening and He really does care! So don't ever stop praying!

You are far more valuable than they...

The next time you see a penny (or any coin really) laying around, don't think about luck, but rather hear our Father God say, "trust Me." And whenever you see a bird or lots of birds close by, be reminded that God is watching over you and will take care of all your needs.


We are so valuable to Him and so Loved by Him that He gave His all and His Best, He gave His One and only perfect beloved, begotten Son Jesus, for us so that we could be with Him forever. All we have to do is believe, ask for forgiveness for our sins, and invite Him into our life. My life has not been the same since Jesus came into my life and that is such a wonderful thing cause my life before Jesus...I Hated it!! He is real and He is for everyone, He want's to have a relationship with us right now, not after we die. Jesus is my Best Friend in the whole world and I've never been happier, ever...

What special way does God speak to you?

The King Of Glory

The precious blood of Jesus washes away all
our sin and makes us white as snow!

He had it all;  power, wealth, a kingdom, angels to worship Him, and the love of all He created in Heaven. He was Royalty of royalty, the King of Glory! But He gave it all up for you and for me. Our creator became His creation so He could save us from ourselves and the devil. He was the richest of all and became the poorest so He could relate to us in our poverty. He willingly came to earth and suffered persecution and rejection like no other. His creation spit in His face and called Him a liar, a blasphemer! Even His own brothers didn't believe He was who He said He was. Can you imagine God in all that He is being denied the glory that belonged to Him?  He knew how He would be treated when He got here but He came anyway. Why would He do that? Because of Love. God is Love and Love is stronger than pain, fear, rejection, and death. His Love for you is so much greater than you can even imagine!

"Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all and kings will surrender their crowns to Him!"

"The whole earth is full of His glory!"

To say "Thank You dear Jesus for all that you suffered for my sake" seems so inadequate! You have made my life truly beautiful with Your perfect Love! I will praise You forever my King!

Hidden Treasure

I was reading a weekend post by Ann Voskamp, author of "One Thousand Gifts", and  blogger of  "A Holy Experience," when I noticed at the bottom of the page there was a link to a tutorial on how to draw the human eye in pencil only. I thought, that sounds like fun, I've always wanted to take art classes, only this is even better because it's free!

I remember hearing the Lord tell me some time ago, "Lori, you have gifts and talents that you don't even know about yet. That was exciting news because I've never really been good at anything that I can think of, but I always wanted to be.  I don't have a degree. I'm terrible at math beyond the basics and quite often I have to ask my husband, "how do you spell....?" Fortunately for me, my husband is very smart! I've never been good at sports, they require coordination and self confidence which I never had growing up.  I'm vocally challenged and can't carry half a tune half the time, and I have no rhythm in the dance department. I'm the one who claps totally out of sync during worship time at church on Sunday mornings.

My Grandma is an artist as is my great grandpa whom I never got to meet.  However, I do have a large beautiful picture of a light pink dahlia he drew in pastels that was handed down to me by my father. And my grandma has painted many beautiful pictures over the years. I've always hoped that I might have some of that talent to draw and paint like my grandma and great grandpa.

 We will never know if we can do something if we don't try so I did. The instructions for that human eye was very good and I was pleased that my drawing came out pretty good. Looked real to me and my husband agreed, at least that's what he said. :)

Shortly after I drew that eye, I got the urge to try and draw the object of my passion, the One who has stolen my heart, my magnificent obsession, my reason for being, Jesus. So I found a picture on Facebook from Jesus Daily's Page and began to draw what I saw.  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out! I had no idea I had this in me! Praise the Lord, I have a gift  after all just like the Lord told me I did. It was there all along, hiding, just waiting to be discovered, like hidden treasure!

Thank You Lord for giving me this wonderful gift! I'm so grateful for it and I will cherish it as the precious gift from You that it is! I give You all the glory for it Lord, I couldn't have done this without You!

What gift and talent has the Lord given to you? Please do share! :)