Hidden in Christ

Dear Father

2010-08-20T16:57:00.001-07:00

To be held by You is the most important thing to me. This world has heartache...I have had my share and I have family and friends who have had theirs...at the end of the day You are there...all through the tough moments You are there. I love you.

With All I Am (By Hillsong)

2010-08-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

Facts vs. Truth

2010-08-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

Must be a message God wants me to get and get good because this has been coming across my desk alot. The woman and the Word...She knows the truth and the truth sets her free. Regardless of the facts ... the economy is struggling which means almost everyone is struggling. The statistics on a lasting marriage are not that great...Yet God is in control. He began this world and He knows how to care for His own. Phil.4:19 and my God will provide all my needs in Christ Jesus. I think of Proverbs 31 this woman who feared the Lord knew that she could laugh at the days to come...did she know the facts about those future days? No...she only knew that her God was watching over her and would take care of her. The widow and her mite...she gave her little because she was aware of the One to whom she gave it. The woman who made her last cakes for the Prophet ... God provided for her for the rest of her life.
I am challenged to live more and more by the Truth of God's word rather than by the facts that scarily stare me in the face.

On His Chest

2010-07-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough few days! Dealing with not being heard can make me crazy...make me lose my temper. I hate losing my temper...but it happens to the best of us I am sure. I have been feeling extrememly down over this inner struggle that rears its ugly head from time to time. I do not want to be in this place. I want to have self control ... remain calm ... stop think and then respond not react. Looks great on paper... OUCH when I try to do it. My husband Bruce seeing how down I was said simply would you like to lay on my chest for awhile.
There are moments when I know without a doubt my Abba my Savior is talking to me loud and clear. Burdened by my sin I laid down on His chest
Laid the weight of my struggle on Him
The punishment that was mine became His
Would you like to spend some time alone with Me for awhile?
There are no words needed just rest. Come to Me because I know you are weary and burdened...Take My yoke on you and learn from Me for I am humble and gentle and you will find rest for your soul for My yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light(Matthew)
What burden does He give us? The burden of simple obedience maybe? The burden to care about the sin that so easily drags us down? He tells us in Phil. 4 not to worry about anything, but pray pray pray about EVERYTHING! Tell Him what you need and then thank Him.
I want a quick fix...be done with the sin that so easily catches me. He says rest...take the load off that you are carrying and take Mine instead. Simplicity: Come to ME...Take the rest I offer...carry a different burden...

I can not fix myself no matter how hard I try...But I can simply come and rest. I can know my triggers...know the warning signs...tired? Take a few minutes to chill before tackling the next task. Better to take a breather than fly off the handle and hurt those you love so incredibly much.
Alright so practical appie time: What I am going to do to MOVE ON!?!
I will write it out here:
I confessed my sin to Him I took responsibility for my actions.
I recognize this struggle is too big for me. If it took Him dying on the cross to redeem me... He knew this was going to need His help.
I come to You now Jesus. I lay down and rest. You know the desire You have placed in my heart to overcome. I recognize that I lost my temper because I did not feel heard. I understand I can not make people HEAR me. I look to You to help me let You change me. Teach me and help me to HEAR what people are saying to me.
Amen.

Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free. No one can hinder him." (A.W. Tozer)

2010-06-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

The Lord saw her,was moved with compassion and said Don't cry.
Don posted that tonight ... he said someone needs this... I did. Perhaps there are more so I posted it on mine.
God cares for me. That is the message that keeps replaying to me. Today in service I heard that message again. GOD CARES FOR ME. I shared that message with Connie on Friday.

Father, Thank You for sending Don's message my way.

Let all that I am

2010-06-06T17:39:00.001-07:00

Letting all that I am hope in You, Lord...that's not easy. Watching my friends have their children is painful...I am happy for them truly happy...and so incredibly jealous. At the end of the day, where is my heart? Where is my greatest treasure? Some people tell me that this season is for a purpose...God has something greater for me...is there anything greater than having children to nurture and love.
One thing I am learning from this season is a glimpse of the Father's heart. He went through torture for our souls and yet all of His children have not been "born" and He waits. He longs for His children more deeply than I can imagine. It breaks my heart that so easily I can get caught up in my routines that I forget how He longs for each of His children to come home to His arms. The desire in me to be a mom increases all the time. Father, You have given me a quick glimpse of Your incredible deisre to nurture each and every child You have made. Thank You for this season. I wouldn't trade it for anything...and yet my heart longs for my children.

Reflections of Psalm 62

2009-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He ALONE is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

Salvation makes me think of the cross. The price HE paid for my sin and the sin of the whole world. My heart's desire is to share His love so people can come to know Him.

Rock makes me think of the strength of the Lord. He is strong enough to handle the whole world so of course He can help me.

Fortress is a place where it is completely safe and it is where HE is.

2009-08-10T04:54:00.000-07:00

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord., I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." Micah 7:7-8

"There is hope for your future, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 31:17

I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness , but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Funny how suddenly while you have going along just fine something will sideswipe you and leave you feeling powerless... it could be anything .. for everyone of us it is something different.
For me it was a negative thought that pounded at me .. leaving me feeling hopeless.
I have to ask myself though was I really going along just fine ...or had I missed a few times of meeting with the Lord ... I was slowly letting my guard down.

Missing time with Him and then wondering why we struggle is alot like this~
Eat whatever you want and never brush your teeth and never exercise ... never ever drink water and then find out your teeth is rotting you are overweight and dehydrated... and then look shocked as to how this could have possibly happen...

It's funny how a good routine can prevent so much!!!!

But there is hope for getting back to a good routine... don't be fooled into thinking this is religious... DO IT!!!!
It takes practice and determination... I for one am asking God to get me back into a place of dare I say "religious" time with Him and His Word.

Friends and Jesus

2009-08-10T04:47:00.000-07:00

Dee Brestin, in her book, The Friendships of Women, describes our relationships "like gently moving streams joining into one river, we round the difficult bends of life together, strengthening each other with a fresh water supply. We are free and flowing and unconcerned with boundaries....We are afraid to run toward the ocean alone. We feel a sense of panic in solitude." (Dee Brestin, The Friendships of Women, (Wheaton Illinois: Victor Books, 1988) p37.)

This is from Sharon Jaynes GIG devotional~
What a beautiful picture of the refreshing, refueling, and renewing power of friendship. However, our friends were never intended to meet our greatest need to be in relationship. No woman - or man- can fill all our emotional needs, and if we look to one friend for everything or even a few, we'll be doomed to disappointment. That is an empty place only Jesus can fill.

I have found that when I feel empty inside and try to grasp desperately at friends to fill the void, I come up emptier than before. At those low points, friendships seem to elude me. The more frantically I grasp, the more elusive true friendships appear. However, if I go to Jesus Christ, allow Him to fill me with His love, I move from needy to full, and from being a taker to a giver. Then I find friendships are plentiful.

When God calls us to come "a little father" away to be completely alone with Him in the garden of our souls, but we go to others instead, we will be sorely disappointed. People are a poor substitute for God.

However, I do believe that there are times when God gives us the wonderful gift of friendship with another. When we find such a friend, we have found a treasure indeed.

This is so true of my life...God has blessed me with wonderful friends but it has always been that He will make sure I know that He alone can fill my heart completely.

2009-07-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

We spend our days with family and friends and there are moments we deal with petty issues and major ones. They become our focus ~ slow us down. We forget how precious the person is ~ the relationship. WE do our best to love one another, guide hearts along safe paths ~ sometimes we need to take time to just be. Being together and getting to know the people we call family. Often if we could take a step back ~ stop pushing down our true feelings we might see we really do love and care but just not sure how to help our loved ones. Sometimes just being there ~ listening ~ is all people need.
It is not easy though always listening to someone talk about their problems and not even look for a solution. I find it wearisome. I pray...and try to stay UP.

2009-06-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share my testimony with you ...I wrote something this morning and thought it would be a good time to share it with you.I am so glad I have Christ in my life~ been thinking about the fact that it will be 25 years this August that I have been rescued from my sin and self. AWESOME~ If He had not wooed me into His embrace back then where would I be today? Everyday there may be a struggle in me to change into His image but everyday He pours out new mercies and fresh grace into me. My parents were on the verge of divorce when in August of 84 my father committed suicide. That was a horrible day! I can not imagine what went through my mom's mind as she found out he was gone. Did she think it was her fault? Did she have unresolved feelings and wished she could have had some resolution before he died? I know I had feelings of guilt and mean thoughts toward my dad that needed healing ~ I didn't understand what was going on I was only 10 years old. As we went to his gathering the Pastor said "Jesus' arms are always open" ~ that hit a nerve in me and that moment on the couch in the funeral room I crawled into His arms asking Him in my own way to be my Savior. I wasn't smart enough to realize this was the best thing that could have happened to me that day. I didn't realize my Knight in Shining Armor had just rescued me from darkness and depression. It was beyond me that He just stepped in at that moment to start the unveiling of The Perfect Father. It took years of Him showing me who He was really... not someone to be feared that He would explode in anger at any minute. He was not someone who would get impatient with my childish ways. He was full of love ~ tenderness ~ compassion~ words of hope and healing were the words on His lips and in His Word. Often I read Psalm 145 and replaced any reference to God with the name FATHER just to retrain my mind of who He really is... He is ABBA ~ the one I can turn to anytime anyplace with anything on my heart. He is full of laughter not a sad and angry God. He is approachable. HE is my ABBA!

growth is a process

2009-04-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

This morning I read my GIG devotional (Girlfriend in God). When I was first saved anything with a cross on it was sooo incredible to me....then as life went on and after several years I grew weary of different Christian symbols because of overuse perhaps in the church world. It was becoming a sign of religion to me. This Easter there is a difference in me... not that I did not appreciate what Christ did for me before...but I have grown in the area of sharing Him with others. There is a fresh desire in me to see many people experience His Salvation and Love. I am not finding the right words to fully express my heart ... God has planted something precious in me and it is being watered by different things (some people and His Word and life's experiences)...It's been in me for a long time and I am beginning to see a little more clearly what He has called me to. I want a glimpse of His plan for me that I might grab hold of it and make it richly part of who I am. April 6, 2009 A Simple Wooden Cross Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV).
Friend to Friend The sea breeze blew the tangles from my knotted nerves as a choir of various birds sang revelry to greet the day. Myrtle bushes, bursting with fuchsia blossoms added splashes of color to the sandy landscape. Jumping fish performed acrobatic feats for an audience of One.
Perhaps my favorite place in the entire world is the beach. God seems to speak to me through each intricately carved sea shell, soaring gull, and majestic wave. On this particular spring morning, I had gotten up before the others stirred from their slumber, to have a cup of coffee with the Lord. I sat rocking on the cottage porch surrounded by coastal beauty and watching the water of the lazy canal meander by. As I talked to God and thanked Him for all the splendor of His creation, He urged me to look closely at a reflection in the water. My eyes followed the wavy reflection to the side of the canal where there stood two pieces of weathered wood, forming a simple cross. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this was actually one end of an old forgotten clothesline, but to me it was much more.
I knew at that moment the beams were there just for me. The owner may have viewed them as merely part of a clothesline in disrepair but this cross was God's reminder to me that in all the majesty of His creation, the cross of two wooden beams is still the most majestic of all. Two simple beams display to the entire world for all time the surpassing greatness of His love, the incalculable riches of His grace, and the unfathomable depth of His mercy to all who will believe. More beautiful than any blooming flower, more melodious than any song of my feathered friends, more powerful than the surf of the sea -- the cross.
Let's Pray Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the cross. Through the work of Jesus on those two simple beams of wood, You have given me eternal life. I pray I will never forget Jesus' incredible sacrifice. Yes, the world may think the cross is foolish, but the message of the cross is the power of God.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now It's Your Turn What does the cross mean to you?
How would you explain that to someone who doesn't know Christ?
Why is the cross called the message of the power of God?
Have you, like me in this story, ever felt that God placed something right before you as a special gift or reminder of His presence?
More from the Girlfriends Did you know that God is speaking all around you and in your life? Would you like to learn more about how to hear His voice? If so, you might enjoy Sharon's book, Becoming a Woman who Listens to God. And for more inspirational stories to spiritually jump start your day, see Extraordinary Moments with God, Sharon's beautiful daily devotional.
Seeking God? Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in GodP.O. Box 725Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/

2009-03-22T17:41:00.001-07:00

Cathy Albertson's Profile

Create Your Badge

2008-11-23T16:50:00.001-08:00

This is the Encouraging Word from KLove today." I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to Him, and He answered my prayer."~ Psalm 120:1, NLT
I get these sent to me each morning...and lately the theme has been HOPE! For the longest time HOPE has been my word. Maybe 6 months ago I felt the Lord tell me there is more to this word than my dreams~ There is the Hope of Heaven someday ... the Hope of people around me who need a Savior. It's amazing to me that right now the word for Obama is hope. Our hope can not be in man. God is clear about that.
"Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance they are nothing; together they are only a breath." Psalm 62:9 Putting our hope in man is basically putting our hope in NOTHING. We are frail human beings and so is our President and President Elect. It is the same as putting our trust in money.
If man and money were on the balance they would also equal nothing. There is a verse that says do not put your trust in money...because it will sprout wings and fly away. There is no guarantee in our cash. "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall..." Proverbs 11:28
In the midst of hard times God encourages us to give. "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.." Pr. 11:24&25
There is the story of the woman at Zarephath in 1 Kings 17~ Interesting enough God commanded Elijah to go to a widow's house and knew she had no bread (in her eyes). If joe no name came to my door in troubling times and asked me to first make him bread and then for my family ~ would I have done it? I hope so but knowing myself I would probably turn him away simply because he was a stranger and I was afraid for my life and the lives of my family. Maybe this widow had heard of Elijah and had the courage to obey...but still it had to be hard knowing that as a her child watched she gave her "last bit of bread" to this man. And then the lesson this youngster learned...I CAN TRUST GOD! God more than supplied for their last meal... He supplied for their forever!
I can not trust mere man or money ~ God wants my trust to be in HIM~ Those who trust in the Lord is like Mt Zion, which can not be shaken but endures forever." Ps 125:1
It is the same as the man who built his house on the sand... (man and money) the storm came and the house crumbled, but the man who built his house on THE ROCK still had a house after the storm. "My soul finds rest in the God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my ROCK and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will NEVER be shaken." Psalm 62:1&2
Oh for grace to trust Him like that...I agree with a friend who said God is growing us up fast...and part of that growing is trusting in our GOD.

His little touches

2008-11-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

It is Your little touches that make me believe~
the times when I am running short on time and You open traffic just for me~
Money is low and You provide my favorite thing~
When my strength is now weakness and You come and stand beside me~
I am dancing in Your arms because You make me believe~

2008-10-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my anniversary. Bruce and I have been married 6 years. The months before this beautiful day I worked through so many anxieties and worries. Father, you made all the difference through Bruce. He was always sooo patient and caring. I couldn't have picked a better man for me. Amazing to me how all the stuff that I saw in my parents' marriage affected me so much. God heals...and I am soooo glad for that! Father, You are amazing to me. I am lost with out You. PLease help me to be the wife Bruce needs me to be. WITH Your help I can ... amen

Endurance ~ Character ~ Hope

2008-09-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

More to come...

~Christmas Countdown~

2008-09-23T08:30:00.001-07:00

~It always comes back to this~

2008-09-22T17:20:00.001-07:00

All my life~it has been a constant struggle of feeling a sense of belonging. It always brings me back to one thing well one PERSON... Christ. It's good to have friends... and to be close but the most important relationship is with Him. If I had to choose a life message it would be that... He is the closest friend anyone could ever have.

Replacing Lies with God's Truth

2008-09-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

Alright read today in my current reading material~ how this woman helped the ladies she was speaking to by having them write down the lies they hear in their head and nailing it to the cross and then picking a promise out of a basket.
I would love to do this with the Women's Ministry.

~The Danger of Comparing~

2008-09-07T04:21:00.000-07:00

So I am yet blogging on more of my current book Broken Into Beatiful by G Smith.
She talks about the importance of not comparing ourselves with others... biggest reason is because it takes the focus off Jesus and onto US. Not good... Once I start focusing on me it's all downhill. God wants and deserves all glory. "I am the LORD; that is My Name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." Isaiah 42:8 It doesn't sound to me that He has much allowance for me to start focusing on myself. Also dangerous to compare because it puts a wedge between my friends and me. How many times have I compared myself to someone because the seem more successful to me. A few personal ways I compare myself is :
Looks~ other people who are more comfortable with themselves~their success stories~their ability to have children. Not good...God has a plan for me and it is a waste of time to look at others and wonder why them and not me? One GIG wrote a devotional that said stop saying Why me? and start saying What Now Lord? Staying in a place of action with the Lord can keep us from constantly comparing ourselves with others and falling into the pit of selfPITy.

Proverbs 4:11&12

2008-09-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

"I am guiding you in the way of wisdom, and I am leading you on the right path. Nothing will hold you back; you will not be overwhelmed." I am one that is easily overwhelmed...so these verses are great encouragement to me. I tucked it into my heart and went on...then I started to forget about them. So today God reminded me of them through Kayla my niece. She and I were talking about God's view of things ~how He feels about us even when we don't think so highly of ourselves. She said "oh wait I want to show you this verse"...and opened to the verse mentioned above. She goes...Wow you even underlined it already. God confirms that He is talking to me and He let Kayla see that He wants to use her. And hopefully we both walked away a little more confident of His love for us. I know I did.

Reflections of my current reading material

2008-08-30T04:57:00.001-07:00

Right now I am slowly reading through Broken into Beautiful by Gwen Smith. I say slowly because there is so much meat in this book....it has been what I have been craving and I want to enjoy every minute...
The part I am up to now is a Satisfied Soul. We are created to be hungry... hmmm I shared this thought with Bruce who said wow that makes me feel better about not always feeling content with life. He went on to say I guess there is a balance. I agree. It's just like food... you get something so scrumptious before you and you are full but yet the fork never gets put in the sink cause you are just sitting there indulging simply because it tastes oh soooo good. God is like that ... the more I get of His presence, peace, love, hope, joy... I want more. But here's the catch just like with food... if I don't then go out and share my good stuff... my energy, time, talent...I get fat! Fat and Lazy! Like a stagnant pond I stink! God intended us to be hungry and get full and then share ... all that food... Spiritually and physically was intended to give me strength to reach out.
I am a big advocate for finding your place in church and then serving... I guess I was raised that way by Oasis... I still believe that! My next step is going out of the church and finding my place there to serve... for me it would naturally be @ work. Living my life in such a way that people are getting hungry for what I am eating... I fall short.. who doesn't!?! I get hungry for more of Christ to fill me up so I can be strong to let His blood flow through me.

Personalize it...make it your own.

2008-08-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 1
He's my Father~He claims me.
He connects me with His Son
Blessed me with every spiritual blessing
Decided on it way before the world was made
Already loved and chose me
It gives Him pleasure to demonstrate love and mercy to me ( that blows my mind)
Accepting His love gives Him great pleasure
Poured out glorious grace
He is rich in kindness and grace
He purchased my freedom with the blood of His Son
He forgave my sins.

The spiritual blessings He has given~
Salvation
Ability to accept His marvelous gift
Sensing His presence
Wisdom
Understanding
Angels

God's desire for each one of us~
Spiritual wisdom & insight so we grow in the knowledge of Him
Our hearts flooded with with light so that we can understand the confident hope He has given us
Realize He sees us as His holy people ~ His rich and glorious inheritance
Understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe Him
We are His body ~ the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

a simple prayer

2008-07-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

Holy Spirit,

Please empty me of all my fleshly ways and fill me fresh with Jesus...I want to walk so close to You others see You more clearly. Thank You!!!

Amen.

when I was little~

2008-07-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

My mom found this Christian record...yes I said record...for my brother sister and me to listen to...they were called The SuperGang... I loved them!!! Does anyone else remember them???

incredible ...

2008-07-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

We don't realize how dependent on Christ we really are... After seeing the video mentioned in my blog... I feel sooo incredibly grateful to Him for being my Abba Father. There was a time in my life that I only saw a father as one who tolerated me... put up with me. It took many years of retraining my mind to see that this father ... My Abba ... is different. He is my Hero. See He sent Christ to die for everyone of us... to rescue us from impending doom... to save us from ourselves. There was no way I could have done for myself what He did for me. I am the young man in the wheel chair and God is the Father who wheels me through this race.
Hebrews 12 ... let us run the race set before us... the race through this world ... trying to help others see Christ and give their lives to Him~trying to overcome hurts we have experienced. He is the Author and Finisher of this race... who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross... WOW... He endured the pain of crucifixion because He knew we could not save ourselves. This week is VBS @ Seacoast Greensboro... and probably throughout the summer many churches will also host a week of being wheeled around in a chair called "our limitations" by the Father so others can know Him. What a precious beautiful thing it is when one more person sees Him as He is... a loving daddy whose goal is to bring us to Himself. My prayer is that each child ... each adult would experience His tender love in Jesus .. in the flesh... and that is us. We are His flesh...His hand extended... an old phrase with rich meaning. We Are Not perfect by any means... no church is .... but Christ is perfect... and He desires to use those of us who know Him to help those who don't know Him ... can we help them to know Him? There are so many ways to reach out to people...a friendly smile ... taking care of kids ... encouraging fellow believers to not give up... standing behind our pastor and his family... I want to remember that my limitations and imperfections are NOT my biggest hindrance in life...my biggest hindrance would be resisting HIM who loves me more than the dad in that video....NOW THAT IS LOVE.

My Abba... this speaks volumes... so turn your volume up

2008-07-09T07:28:00.001-07:00

http://www.godtube.com/view_video?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

2008-07-07T17:18:00.001-07:00

It has been a couple weeks of crazy changes...the biggest one was having to move. The daily stressors can build and build... and so does the anxiety my prayer has been so focused on the Father lately. I wake up in the am ... Father I cast my cares on you because you care for me. Longing for a moment to climb into His arms and hear Him say it's going to be okay. Just going through the moments in life whispering prayers to Him. Praising Him for who He is as father. Compassionate caring and loving He is my Hero! He wants us to sit at His feet and call Him Father...He is thrilled when we rely on Him although we do not see Him like we see people. I feel lost so many times in this crazy world... but He is there.... people are there for us friends and family but not the way He is ... He is security and peace. A place I can go when life is just hitting me one after another with daily stressors. When I can not get people to understand how much I care for them and want the best for them... not out to hurt them ...but to love them... when I am hit with rejection I crawl to my Father... I whisper my love to Him... crawl in His arms... and hear Him say it is going to be okay. Daddy, I need Your presence more than I can say... my heart feels overwhelmed but You are strong enough for me... You can handle the craziness of this life... You are not taken by surprise through challenges and heartaches.. You are there... You are able to pick me up.. carry me... that's all I really want and all I really need .. Father You are here.

Build Up Your Courage

2008-07-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Ever been faced with trials..well if you are human then you have had to face one trial or another.

"What sort of place is it that we're heading for? Our brothers made our courage fail when they said, "The people are bigger and taller than we are; the cities are great and fortified up to the sky; and finally, we have seen 'Anakim there."'

I remember once learning that it is sooo important to be able to enCOURAGE yourself. We do need people ... to share burdens and pray together. We must however be able to pick ourselves up dust ourselves off and continue on. Ways that I do that is :
Cry out to God. Tell Him where it hurts. He is Abba Father...and He cares.
Worship: Tell God He is awesome. Exclaim His greatness!!!! You are great, God...You are amazing!!!!
Remember: He has done so much! Old battles that He has brought you and me through.
Gather up courage: Take all these things and gather it up in your heart.

2008-06-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

So I was bored the other evening ~ and began to make brother Bill look pretty~he was a good sport although he did threaten to kick my butt if I didn't stop. His wife Brenda took the pictures!!!

2008-06-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

my butterfly ring~

2008-06-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

My goal is to get one of these for either my anniversary, birthday or Christmas...

Love Comes Softly~Girls Night In~

2008-04-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a girls night like this in a long time. Jenn Cory and I hung out from 7-11:45 pm~good for the soul!!!! Thanks Jenn....

GRACE MY NEW KITTY

2008-04-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

My new sweet tabby is Grace~she is a cuddler~

Hope does not disappoint

2008-04-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Everyday brings a new ray of sunshine even when the clouds are hiding it~I am not alone in my journey through life~Christ walks beside me ~ I have family and friends~therefore I can hope!

THANKSGIVING 07

2007-11-24T20:20:00.000-08:00

My Hiding Place~ His Presence

2007-10-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

This for me is a picture of true comfort... a nice cup of tea and some time with Jesus.
I read Psalm 62 this am...and as I read it my heart was comforted and cheered on. All through life we come up against enemies ... worry, fear, depression, pride, anger, discouragement.
It's so easy for these thoughts and feelings to topple us. The answer for all this is to wait on Him...sit at His feet. Psalm 131 verse 2 I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who NO LONGER CRIES for its mother's milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Sometimes when my thoughts and feelings are racing and I am on the verge of tears...I have to stop myself...take a deep breath and just be still. I talk to myself saying things like God is in control ... He loves me...He will take care of everything that concerns me. I want to get to a place where I no longer cry out of panic for my needs to be met. I want to be able to calmly walk along side my Father knowing He is on top of my needs already.
Every part of me .... soul body mind...ALL placing my expectations in Christ. He is the only ONE who can truly meet our emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Turning to Him with all we are puts us in a place of safety. As a child we find a good hiding place and tell no one...because we are safe there ... and we win the game!!! But in this hiding place, His presence, let's tell others...so they can go to a place where all their worries and fears can not find them.
God has given us people to help us along the way.... I am very grateful for that...but it really comes down to one source HIM! He is our Creator....sit back and think about all the beautiful and amazing things He has made. I like to walk outside looking at the sky, trees or just feel the cool breeze...it calms me. I reflect that He made it....how awesome ... so I know He is sooo in tune to my heart...nothing goes unnoticed. NOTHING. So sit at His feet everything else can really wait...sit at His feet worship...love on Him get to that place where nothing can reach you.

butterflies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-22T15:14:00.001-07:00

My nieces and nephew ( Truman Olivia Jaidyn and Mackenzie) all went to a butterfly farm.

2007-09-09T08:54:00.001-07:00

a thought to consider....

2007-08-16T06:52:00.001-07:00

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others." (James 3:17a NCV)

2007-08-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

GOING THROUGH THE DAY WITHOUT PRAYER IS LIKE A SOLDIER GOING TO WAR WITHOUT WEAPONS!!!!

STAND....Narnia...

2007-08-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Merry Monday!!!

2007-08-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

Thankful for a new week~

Trying to remember what I learned on Sunday~

It is a little cooler than it was last week...that is a big relief!!!!

Going away this weekend~~~YEAH! Rascal Flatts concert!!!!

new Bible study for me....

2007-08-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Just started this book...already I am hooked. Father, please help me to allow You to make changes in me.
Amen.

I have seen 1 Corinthians 13 rewritten from a mother's heart on my sister in laws blog~but here it is written from a wife's heart shared in the book I am reading:

If I teach Bible study classes, volunteer for women's ministry, and sing in the choir but not love my husband, I am only a resounding gong or a clamoring cymbal. If I have a college degree, high paying job and successful career, but do not love my husband, I am emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. If I have faith that can move mountains, am quick to pray for those in need, and even have half the Bible memorized but do not love my husband, I am disobedient and do not please God. If I keep a spotless house, maintain a well manicured lawn and prepare nutritionally balanced meals, but do not love my husband it is all for naught. Hired hands can do as much.

Lord, help me to be patient. Help me to be kind. I pray that I will not envy others who have seemingly happier marriages and husbands who are more helpful around the house or thoughtful or romantic. I pray that I will never try to lift myself up by putting my husband down. Lord, I pray that I will not be a proud woman who refuses to listen to her husband, who always has to have the last word, who always thinks her way is best. I pray that I will not be rude to my husband with curt comments, disregard his needs, or be ungrateful for all he does and is, but treat him with respect and honor that the king of a castle deserves.

I pray that I will not be self serving, always thing about what is best for me, but thinking of what would be best for my husband. I pray that I will not be angered easily, not hold a grudge, not keep a record of wrongs, not plan ways to retaliate, and not use my tongue as a weapon to cause pain. I pray that I will not rejoice and say “I told you so” when things don’t work out the way my husband hoped.

Lord, above all, I pray that my husband will see me as his chief cheerleader who desires to rejoice with him in his victories, both big and small. That he will see me as one who longs to protect our marriage and our love. Help me to create a warm and loving environment in which he feels safe, wanted and revered. I pray that You will me endurance when things get tough. Help the word “divorce” to never enter my mind or cross my lips as an option. Lord, I know that love never fails and You never fail. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to give me the endurance to stand up under trials and love my husband as You would have me love him~til death do us part.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

THANKFUL THURSDAY!!!!

2007-08-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Thankful for airconditioning!!!!
Ice cream
Ice water
COLD water
fans
shorts
breezes
get the pattern...thank God for anything that will make me cooler than I am now.

wordless wednesday ... need i say more??????????

2007-08-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

2007-08-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Conor!!!!!

favorite things

2007-08-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

~These are a few of my favorite things~

~Reading others blogs~I find them so interesting and encouraging.

~A cup of tea or coffee

~A good book

~Scrapbooking

~Good friends

~ Family

~Kids

~A letter from a friend

~My cats Bucky & Molly

Thankful Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

I am thankful that God is The Creator~it is amazing to me that I am getting to know the One who made this incredible universe. It really blows my mind. God so awesome takes the time to create people out of none other than dirt...then dies to redeem us and restore to Himself. WOW!!!! He is amazing!!! I feel so well taken care of when I think of Him as my Creator.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 31 What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. 32 People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. 33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:30-34

Jenn shared this portion of Scripture with me the other day~Basically I hear God saying...I take care of all I have made...and you are part of that creation. I need to see tangible evidence of God working sometimes...nature is a great picture. From crashing waves to intricate little flowers...God has made all things so beautifully~of course He will take care of each one of us. He takes pride in His work...and in His children.

~WORDLESS WEDNESDAY~

2007-07-31T18:26:00.000-07:00

Farmer's Market !!!!!

2007-07-31T14:45:00.000-07:00

I love buying fruits and vegetables! Today my sis (her kids), mom and I went to the Farmer's Market. We tried to take pictures but for some reason Betty's camera did not work. Sooo no pics but we still had a great time. We picked our peaches, tomatoes, watermelon...my sis and my favorite: green beans! Then when we were finished we had ice cream! This got to be pretty funny because Betty's 2 daughters had ice cream on the clothes, legs and arms...Don't ask how it got this bad! So I said "Out of the three of us (yes I had ice cream on my shirt too)...Jordan looks worse then Kayla then me. Jordan was mad now, I had embarrassed her...I keep forgetting that I have to be careful what I say about her because she is "not a little girl anymore". Anyways a bit later Jordan and I walked over to another vendor to buy some corn...sure enough the lady behind the counter HAD to say something to Jordan..." I see somebody had ice cream today" .. so to help Jordie out I quickly showed the lady my shirt. The lady said to me "good going ... maybe you should buy that Tide to go stick!". Poor kid later on we stopped at a store...she insisted on riding in the cart so no one could see her dress! Maybe next time we should bring her a change of clothes!

Thankful Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-07-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for the start of a new day~although today I feel like staying in bed!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-25T06:56:00.001-07:00

Monday...

2007-07-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

A new day...a new morning. Father there are plenty of mercies in store for each of us today. I can hear the birds singing outside my window...sometimes I would think I didn't live on a busy street til I hear the cars and trucks. Father, in the midst of our busyness please help each one of us to hear Your gentle pull to get away with You.

THANKFUL THURSDAY!!!!

2007-07-19T11:43:00.000-07:00

Thank You Father for~ the walk I took with my mom today. I made bday cards with Mackenzie, Jaidyn, Olivia and Truman. I found a pair of earings and necklace on clearance at Kohls. Very pretty. My husband is my best friend.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

Great News

2007-07-09T13:11:00.001-07:00

Truman asked Jesus into his heart (7-7-07).

This 6 year old has been asking lots of questions about God. The latest one he asked his mom was "what's bigger God or heaven"?

Truman is my brother Don's son.

wordless wednesday

2007-07-04T19:29:00.001-07:00

2007-06-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.youravon.com/calbertson

The North Carolina Zoo

2007-06-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

2007-06-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

My new church~http://www.seacoast.org/greensboro/index.html

Kayla's Field Day

2007-06-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

June 1st was Kayla's Field Day~ a few pictures to share the day.

2007-06-14T04:34:00.000-07:00

My Gramma...she passed away on June 14th several years ago. The days she lay in bed sick a few of us took turns sitting with her singing to the Lord. She would always insist that we go eat...that was her way of loving on us. The few moments before she passed away I took sometime to sit with God alone...He gave me this Scripture...I received it as though it was my Gramma's last words to me. Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

"1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": 2 While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain; 3 In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim; 4 When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low; 5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. 6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, F11 Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. 7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. "

I miss my gramma sooo much....I think about her almost everyday~ XOXOXO to you Gramma~

2007-06-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

In my last job my friends and I came up with a saying " STAY IN YOUR BOX". It was our reminder to each other that we needed to mind our own business and not give into the urge to offer advice or gossip. God encourages us as women to mind our business ~ He knows we have enough of our own responsibility!

the girls

2007-06-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/

Buck and Nemo

2007-06-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

Bucky met Jenn's bird Nemo...I think Buck was planning his next meal...YUMMMY

Check out my Guestbook!

2007-06-12T07:18:00.001-07:00

kid question of the week

2007-06-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

Jaidyn and Jordan were sitting in my back seat yesterday on our way to Betty's house...

Jaidyn asked Jordan "How does Jesus make the rain?"

Jordan: "I don't know"

Jaidyn: " He spits!"

June 3 jordan's recital continued

2007-06-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

After the recital we(Betty, Scott, Kayla,Conor, Bruce, Gyrnie, Jenn, Truman, Olivia, Jaidyn, Mackenzie and I) met at my sister Betty's house for dinner. We had cheeseburgers, hotdogs, pasta salad& chips for dinner. Unfortunately Jenn and her kids had to leave early to pick my bro Don up from work. Jordan, Kayla and I went outside to play a few games...Mother May I~~ I cheated sooo bad in this game because I didn't want to give up being mother. Eventually they caught onto my trick and Kayla took a turn at being mom. We moved onto Red light green light..and this is where I tried to convince them it was time to go in...YEAH RIGHT!!! So after being inside for probably 2 seconds and I knew full well that I was destined to be back outside ... so I figured if I was going down so wasn't everyone else in the house. First I told Kay and Jordie that I would continue playing these games only if their mom played... when I turned around to see my sister's reaction...she was shaking her fist at me. HAHA TOO BAD!!!!!!!!!! Next I got Bruce out there. What fun!!!! We played freeze tag and another round of Mother May I. It all ended when they tried to get us to paly hide and seek...smart sister I have ... she told them to hide first she played one round and told them to hide again. They did and we sat down and forgot about them. You should have heard them yelling," DO YOU GIVE UP????" But of course we did.

Jordan's recital

2007-06-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks Jordan has been giving me little glimpses of her ballet recital. Yesterday I had the privililege of taking her to the dress rehearsal. Today was the big event. I don't think anyone was disappointed. These ballerinas danced for Jesus. The title of the performance was CATCH A FIRE 4 JESUS.

Albertson Avenue

2007-05-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hi, All...I love stuff where I can meet new people and keep in touch with old friends. This is a blog about my husband Bruce my 2 kitties and me. Hope to get to know you.